Improving food safety within the dairy chain: an application of conjoint analysis

This study determined the relative importance of attributes of food safety improvement in the production chain of fluid pasteurized milk. The chain was divided into 4 blocks: "feed" (compound feed production and its transport), "farm" (dairy farm), "dairy processing" (transport and processing of raw milk, delivery of pasteurized milk), and "consumer" (retailer/catering establishment and pasteurized milk consumption). The concept of food safety improvement focused on 2 main groups of hazards: chemical (antibiotics and dioxin) and microbiological (Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Mycobacterium paratuberculosis, and Staphylococcus aureus). Adaptive conjoint analysis was used to investigate food safety experts' perceptions of the attributes' importance. Preference data from individual experts (n = 24) on 101 attributes along the chain were collected in a computer-interactive mode. Experts perceived the attributes from the "feed" and "farm" blocks as being more vital for controlling the chemical hazards; whereas the attributes from the "farm" and "dairy processing" were considered more vital for controlling the microbiological hazards. For the chemical hazards, "identification of treated cows" and "quality assurance system of compound feed manufacturers" were considered the most important attributes. For the microbiological hazards, these were "manure supply source" and "action in salmonellosis and M. paratuberculosis cases". The rather high importance of attributes relating to quality assurance and traceability systems of the chain participants indicates that participants look for food safety assurance from the preceding participants. This information has substantial decision-making implications for private businesses along the chain and for the government regarding the food safety improvement of fluid pasteurized milk.     

ADSA Foundation Scholar Award--An integrated science-based approach to dairy food safety: Listeria monocytogenes as a model system

Transmission of food- and milkborne pathogens often involves complex interactions among the pathogen, the environment, and one or multiple host species. A complete understanding of these interactions is critical to allow the development of science-based, effective intervention strategies for foodborne infectious diseases. This article summarizes our studies on the transmission, ecology, pathogenesis and population genetics of Listeria monocytogenes, which we have used as model for a food- and milkborne pathogen that infects multiple hosts and also has considerable ability to survive and multiply in nonhost environments. Application of molecular subtyping tools in conjunction with phenotypic characterization of selected strains has allowed us to define distinct L. monocytogenes subtypes and clonal groups that appear to differ in relevant phenotypic characteristics that may affect their abilities to be transmitted through food systems. For example, a genetic group designated as lineage I has been shown to be not only more common among human listeriosis cases than among animal cases, but lineage I strains also appear to show an increased in vitro ability to spread intracellularly from host cell to host cell. These findings are consistent with the fact that while genetically diverse strains may be classified to one bacterial species, these strains often differ from one another in important genetic and phenotypic characteristics. I thus propose that evolutionary- and molecular subtyping-based definitions of bacterial subtypes and clonal groups will provide critical insight into the microbial ecology of dairy food systems, including not only foodborne pathogens, but also organisms important for dairy fermentation and spoilage.     

食品安全监管模式创新与食品供应链安全风险控制的研究

针对现有食品安全监管模式在食品安全风险控制中存在的弊端,基于供应链视角,在分析食品安全监管模式创新成因的基础上,构建了食品安全监管模式的创新体系,指出食品安全监管创新链包含的传递路径是全程监管、联动监管、法律监管、社会监管;基于监管创新链,提出食品供应链安全风险控制策略,希望为食品安全监管部门以及食品行业相关决策部门提供一定的决策支持。      

基于物联网的冷链食品安全监控系统的设计与实施

为实现冷链食品的安全管理与预警,设计了基于物联网技术的冷链食品安全监控系统.该系统通过传感器、射频识别、全球定位系统等物联网技术,实现冷链食品信息的自动采集、传输和处理,从而实现冷链食品的安全监控及预警管理.鉴于该系统的推广还面临许多问题,应加快物联网标准体系建设,加快RFID及传感器等关键技术的开发研究,形成具有自主知识产权的物联网技术核心,高度重视物联网发展带来的安全问题,积极引导行业示范应用,以推动基于物联网技术的食品安全监控系统的快速发展.     

食品链质量安全追溯体系的建立

2015年实施新修订的《食品安全法》中第42条规定:"国家应建立食品安全全程追溯制度"。随着食品工业化的发展和消费者对食品安全要求的提高,建立食品全程追溯系统,对于不安全食品的召回以及查找食品链中的不安全问题点将起到非常重大作用,已成为食品安全保障工作的重要措施。根据追溯涉及到的食品供应链组织,可以将追溯划分为内部追溯和外部追溯。食品链中食品生产加工环节的追溯就属于内部追溯,目前我国较多食品企业尚未建立完整的食品安全管理体系且自动化程度较低,另外我国食品企业生产的食品种类繁多,缺少指导性文件导致内部追溯存在较大的困难。本文对食品生产加工环节追溯的现状与发展进行概述,建议通过健全同类产品追溯系统以及提高食品企业自动化程度建立完善的企业内部追溯系统,以更好地保障食品安全工作。     

食品安全国家控制模式的浅析

介绍发达国家目前所使用的3种食品安全国家控制模式，即多部门型、单一部门型和综合型，以供我国相关部门在完善食品安全管理体系中借鉴。通过研究日本、德国、澳大利亚等代表性国家在食品安全管理方面的变革、现状、机构设置，分析了3种控制模式的优缺点，并提出食品安全控制体系的发展趋势：(1)建立覆盖整个食品链的国家食品安全法律法规体系；(2)设立独立的评估和协调机构；(3)国家行政部门负责指导政策和标准的执行；(4)重视公众信息的反馈，维护公众利益。     

电子商务在食品供应链及食品安全中的应用

作为一种商务模式,电子商务在很多领域中得到了广泛应用。利用电子商务能够充分发挥食品供应链的优势,通过食品供应链和电子商务的有机结合,食品企业能够更好地保障食品安全,有效应对行业内日益激烈的市场竞争,全面提升企业自身的市场竞争力。本文对电子商务在食品供应链及食品安全中的作用和优势进行了论述和分析,介绍了基于电子商务的食品供应链和食品安全管理的理念,并立足于信息共享机制的建立和协同整合对其前景进行了介绍和分析。     

Design of an integrated supply chain model for supporting traceability of dairy products

An efficient traceability system must follow some rules that define which data must be gathered and stored in each stage of the supply chain. This is achieved by data standardization and typification of the messages that enable storing and communication of the data. By establishing and modelling these concepts, we developed a model that supports traceability in the food supply chain. The reference model presented in this paper consists of three distinct phases that represent stages of real-life supply chains, and is the basis for the development of a web application for traceability management in the dairy sector.     

Post-harvest control strategies: minimizing mycotoxins in the food chain

Contamination of cereal commodities by moulds and mycotoxins results in dry matter, quality, and nutritional losses and represents a significant hazard to the food chain. Most grain is harvested, dried and then stored on farm or in silos for medium/long term storage. Cereal quality is influenced by a range of interacting abiotic and biotic factors. In the so-called stored grain ecosystem, factors include grain and contaminant mould respiration, insect pests, rodents and the key environmental factors of temperature, water availability and intergranular gas composition, and preservatives which are added to conserve moist grain for animal feed. Thus knowledge of the key critical control points during harvesting, drying and storage stages in the cereal production chain are essential in developing effective prevention strategies post-harvest. Studies show that very small amounts of dry matter loss due to mould activity can be tolerated. With <0.5% dry matter loss visible moulding, mycotoxin contamination and downgrading of lots can occur. The key mycotoxigenic moulds in partially dried grain are Penicillium verrucosum (ochratoxin) in damp cool climates of Northern Europe, and Aspergillus flavus (aflatoxins), A. ochraceus (ochratoxin) and some Fusarium species (fumonisins, trichothecenes) on temperate and tropical cereals. Studies on the ecology of these species has resulted in modelling of germination, growth and mycotoxin minima and prediction of fungal contamination levels which may lead to mycotoxin contamination above the tolerable legislative limits (e.g. for ochratoxin). The effect of modified atmospheres and fumigation with sulphur dioxide and ammonia have been attempted to try and control mould spoilage in storage. Elevated CO2 of >75% are required to ensure that growth of mycotoxigenic moulds does not occur in partially dried grain. Sometimes, preservatives based on aliphatic acids have been used to prevent spoilage and mycotoxin contamination of stored commodities, especially feed. These are predominantly fungistats and attempts have been made to use alternatives such as essential oils and anti-oxidants to prevent growth and mycotoxin accumulation in partially dried grain. Interactions between spoilage and mycotoxigenic fungi and insect pests inevitably occurs in stored grain ecosystems and this can further influence contamination with mycotoxins. Effective post-harvest management of stored commodities requires clear monitoring criteria and effective implementation in relation to abiotic and biotic factors, hygiene and monitoring to ensure that mycotoxin contamination is minimised and that stored grain can proceed through the food chain for processing.     

Microbes versus microbes: control of pathogens in the food chain

Foodborne illness continues as a considerable threat to public health. Despite improved hygiene management systems and increased regulation, pathogenic bacteria still contaminate food, causing sporadic cases of illness and disease outbreaks worldwide. For many centuries, microbial antagonism has been used in food processing to improve food safety. An understanding of the mode of action of this microbial antagonism has been gained in recent years and potential applications in food and feed safety are now being explored. This review focuses on the potential opportunities presented, and the limitations, of using microbial antagonism as a biocontrol mechanism to reduce contamination along the food chain; including animal feed as its first link. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

食品安全视角的食品供应链物流运行机制研究

近年来,随着我国居民对健康的重视程度不断提升,食品安全问题也逐渐成为人们关注的焦点问题。食品供应链物流环节较长,容易引发食品安全问题,因此对食品供应链物流运行机制的研究具有重要意义。本文通过分析食品供应链物流的现状,指出了食品供应链物流中制约食品安全的因素,包括:食品物流包装不合格、食品供应链物流基础设施不完备、信息化程度低和缺乏食品安全监督机制。最后提出了建立保障食品安全的食品供应链物流运行机制,主要从建立食品供应链物流企业信用评价体系、建立食品供应链物流的科学协同机制、建立食品供应链物流的信息化保障机制以及监督机制4方面进行了论述。     

Towards integrated hygiene and food safety management systems: the Hygieneomic approach.

Integrated hygiene and food safety management systems in food production can give rise to exceptional improvements in food safety performance, but require high level commitment and full functional involvement. A new approach, named hygieneomics, has been developed to assist management in their introduction of hygiene and food safety systems. For an effective introduction, the management systems must be designed to fit with the current generational state of an organisation. There are, broadly speaking, four generational states of an organisation in their approach to food safety. They comprise: (i) rules setting; (ii) ensuring compliance; (iii) individual commitment; (iv) interdependent action. In order to set up an effective integrated hygiene and food safety management system a number of key managerial requirements are necessary. The most important ones are: (a) management systems must integrate the activities of key functions from research and development through to supply chain and all functions need to be involved; (b) there is a critical role for the senior executive, in communicating policy and standards; (c) responsibilities must be clearly defined, and it should be clear that food safety is a line management responsibility not to be delegated to technical or quality personnel; (d) a thorough and effective multi-level audit approach is necessary; (e) key activities in the system are HACCP and risk management, but it is stressed that these are ongoing management activities, not once-off paper generating exercises; and (f) executive management board level review is necessary of audit results, measurements, status and business benefits.     

论复合型乳品添加剂的安全问题

近年来由不法分子在食品加工环节非法添加一些非食用的工业化学物质所导致的食品安全问题层出不穷,如三聚氰胺事件、“瘦肉精”事件、台湾塑化剂(DEHP)事件等,不仅严重危害了人民群众的身体健康和生命安全,同时也使广大消费者对食品添加剂产生了误解,让本来在食品加工中不可或缺的食品添加剂成为大众所担心的不安全因素,特别是复合型食品添加剂遭受了更多不公平的待遇.本文在此背景下,结合作者多年在复合型乳品添加剂研发、生产及应用方面的经验,从添加剂原料的选择、研发及生产过程的控制以及在乳品生产加工中的应用稳定性等方面,针对复合型乳品添加剂的安全性问题进行讨论,以期为复合型乳品添加剂行业的健康发展提供一定的参考和依据,也希望复合型食品添加剂的作用和价值能够得到正确的认识和评价.     

基于食品供应链的肉类工业质量安全体系研究

针对我国食品质量与安全问题日益突出,如何在食品供应链的各个环节,采取措施保障食品安全,具有现实的意义。构建肉类食品的原料安全采购系统、全面质量管理系统、溯源管理系统、全程冷链物流系统四个安全保障措施以及安全信用管理系统所构成的肉类食品安全保障体系。     

食品添加剂的作用与安全性控制

随着我国食品工业的发展,食品添加剂发挥着越来越重要的作用,并已成为食品工业的灵魂,没有食品添加剂就没有现代食品工业已成为食品界人士的共识。但是近年来发生的一系列食品安全事件,使社会和公众对食品添加剂产生了误解,认为食品添加剂是食品安全的主要问题,并造成了一些不良影响。事实上,那些引起食品安全事件发生的根本不是食品添加剂,而是一些非法添加物。为了使社会和公众正确认识食品添加剂,食品企业科学合理使用食品添加剂,中国食品添加剂和配料协会在今年3月举办的大型FIC展会期间,与中国卫生监督协会共同举办了"食品添加剂安全性管理高层论坛",此次高层论坛旨在广泛宣传贯彻执行《食品安全法》,正确认识食品添加剂对现代食品工业发挥的巨大作用,给社会和公众传递正确的食品添加剂相关信息,使我们的老百姓不再误解和惧怕食品添加剂;使我们的食品添加剂和食品生产经营企业更加全面了解我国食品添加剂管理的法律法规,加强行业自律,严格依法依规办事,保障食品安全。为此,本刊从第3期开始特设了"专家论坛"栏目,陆续选登在"食品添加剂安全性管理高层论坛"上权威专家和领导的精彩演讲,与读者共同分享他们的精辟论道。本期首先刊登原卫生部卫生监督局局长、现任食品安全国家标准审评委员会食品添加剂专业分委员会主任委员、中国卫生监督协会常务副会长兼秘书长、中国卫生法学会副会长赵同刚先生题为"食品添加剂的作用与安全性控制"的演讲内容。希望他的演讲能对全社会和从事食品添加剂的生产、经营和使用等各方面的人士提供有价值的参考和帮助。     

基于区块链技术的食品质量安全管理系统及在大米溯源中的应用研究

随着消费者对食品质量安全的要求不断提高,快速响应、高效控制、安全保障成为现代食品安全领域的重要课题。由于现有技术存在优质原始信息少、信息不对称、可靠性差等问题,以及缺乏准确高效的食品安全事件预测和溯源技术,安全管控的效果难以满足社会需求。本文通过区块链技术,建立去中心化、低成本高效率、信息可靠的执行环境,构建从农田到餐桌的大米全产业链质量全息数据库,采用具基于危害因子的食品风险评估与安全溯源技术,设计多角色、多环节和多要素的智能管理系统,以实现食品质量安全的高效管控。     

Design and implementation of an integrated management system for ochratoxin A in the coffee production chain

Coffee is an important export product of Ecuador. Producers are challenged by the implementation of regulatory limits for ochratoxin A. Ecuador has four coffee production areas and the potential for mycotoxin contamination varies due to different environmental conditions and cultural differences in harvesting, storage, processing and commercialization. The major contributors to contamination are the lack of selection during harvesting, delays in drying or rewetting, the lack of proper drying and storage conditions, the mixing of products with different levels of moisture, and the potential for cross-contamination. The long commercialization chain involves different intermediaries that use foreign materials to increase the weight of the product without consideration of quality. An integrated mycotoxin management system using the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point Systems (HACCP) principles was developed to prevent mycotoxin contamination at each stage of production. Critical control points were developed based on the resources available at the different stages of the production chain. Training programmes helped increase awareness about the impact of contamination, but failed to transform knowledge into improved practices. Thus, different demonstrative models specific for each productive region at all production levels were developed to show the application of prevention mechanisms using limited resources and to demonstrate the increased commercial value of coffee produced using good practices throughout the chain so producers have a better disposition to adopt improved practices. Preliminary results show that coffee managed using the models had a better quality, a lower contamination, a higher yield and better commercial value. The use of local resources and low-cost technology was important in demonstrating the practical approach.