Principles for the risk assessment of genetically modified microorganisms and their food products in the European Union

Genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs) are involved in the production of a variety of food and feed. The release and consumption of these products can raise questions about health and environmental safety. Therefore, the European Union has different legislative instruments in place in order to ensure the safety of such products. A key requirement is to conduct a scientific risk assessment as a prerequisite for the product to be placed on the market. This risk assessment is performed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), through its Scientific Panels. The EFSA Panel on Genetically Modified Organisms has published complete and comprehensive guidance for the risk assessment of GMMs and their products for food and/or feed use, in which the strategy and the criteria to conduct the assessment are explained, as well as the scientific data to be provided in applications for regulated products. This Guidance follows the main risk assessment principles developed by various international organisations ( and ). The assessment considers two aspects: the characterisation of the GMM and the possible effects of its modification with respect to safety, and the safety of the product itself. Due to the existing diversity of GMMs and their products, a categorisation is recommended to optimise the assessment and to determine the extent of the required data. The assessment starts with a comprehensive characterisation of the GMM, covering the recipient/parental organism, the donor(s) of the genetic material, the genetic modification, and the final GMM and its phenotype. Evaluation of the composition, potential toxicity and/or allergenicity, nutritional value and environmental impact of the product constitute further cornerstones of the process. The outcome of the assessment is reflected in a scientific opinion which indicates whether the product raises any safety issues. This opinion is taken into account by the different European regulatory authorities prior to a decision regarding authorisation to commercialise the product.     

探析畜产品的安全问题

我国畜产品资源十分丰富,而且畜产品也是人民营养必需食物之一,但近几年来有关畜产品的安全事件越来越多,其中的"瘦肉精"事件再次把畜产品的安全问题推到了风口浪尖。文章综述了近几年我国出现的畜产品安全问题,分析了其不安全因素,探讨了解决问题的方法,尤其是质检部门的监督作用。     

Safety of Novel Protein Sources (Insects,Microalgae, Seaweed,Duckweed, and Rapeseed) and Legislative Aspects for Their Application in Food and Feed Production

Novel protein sources (like insects, algae, duckweed, and rapeseed) are expected to enter the European feed and food market as replacers for animal‐derived proteins. However, food safety aspects of these novel protein sources are not well‐known. The aim of this article is to review the state of the art on the safety of major novel protein sources for feed and food production, in particular insects, algae (microalgae and seaweed), duckweed, and rapeseed. Potential hazards for these protein sources are described and EU legislative requirements as regard to food and feed safety are explained. Potential hazards may include a range of contaminants, like heavy metals, mycotoxins, pesticide residues, as well as pathogens. Some safety aspects of novel protein sources are intrinsic to the product, but many potential hazards can also be due to production methods and processing conditions. These aspects should be considered in advance during product development. European law is unclear on several issues regarding the use of novel protein sources in food and feed products. For food product applications, the most important question for food producers is whether or not the product is considered a novel food. One of the major unclarities for feed applications is whether or not products with insects are considered animal‐derived products or not. Due to the unclarities in European law, it is not always clear which Regulation and maximum levels for contaminants apply. For market introduction, European legislation should be adjusted and clarified.     

Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry in the Analysis of Pesticide Residues in Food

The analysis of pesticide residues in food is nowadays an increasingly important task. Quality control has to be very strict in order to safeguard the consumers’ health. One of the most important goals of food quality assurance is testing food for residues and contaminants. Among chemical hazards, the contamination of food with pesticides has been characterized as a significant source of many serious diseases. Consumption of food containing pesticide residues may cause cancer, malformations, and damage to the endocrine, nervous, and immune system. In order to assure human food safety, The European Community has established maximum residue limits (MRL) of pesticides permitted in products of animal or vegetable origin that are intended for human consumption. In the EU, Regulation (EC) No. 396/2005 of the European Parliament and Council on pesticide residues established the levels of pesticide residues allowed in food and feed. To ensure the compliance of marketed food commodities with the law on food safety, sensitive and reliable analytical methods for the determination of pesticide residues are required. Multiresidue liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry methods (LC-MS) are widely recognized as an ideal, highly specific, and extremely sensitive technique for testing food products. This review discusses LC-MS approaches applied most widely to pesticide residue analysis over the last few years. The main ionization methods and MS detectors used as analytical tools in quantification and/or identification/confirmation of pesticide residues in food are presented.     

Adulteration of Dietary Supplements by the Illegal Addition of Synthetic Drugs: A Review

In the last few years, the consumption of dietary supplements, especially those having plants as ingredients, has been increasing due to the common idea that they are natural products posing no risks to human health. In the European Union and the United States, dietary supplements are legally considered as foods/special category of foods, thus are not being submitted to any safety assessment prior to their commercialization. Among the issues that can affect safety, adulteration by the illegal addition of pharmaceutical substances or their analogs is of major concern since unscrupulous producers can falsify these products to provide for quick effects and to increase sales. This review discusses the various classes of synthetic drugs most frequently described as being illegally added to dietary supplements marketed for weight loss, muscle building/sport performance and sexual performance enhancement. Information regarding regulation and consumption is also presented. Finally, several conventional and advanced analytical techniques used to detect and identify different adulterants in dietary supplements and therefore also in foods, with particular emphasis on plant food supplements, are critically described. This review demonstrates that dietary supplement adulteration is an emerging food safety problem and that an effective control by food regulatory authorities is needed to safeguard consumers.     

思想政治工作在食品卫生安全中的应用

近年来, 我国食品安全问题频发, 引发各界广泛关注的同时, 也不禁令人思考食品安全问题频发的原因。其中, 思想政治工作的缺失作为其中重要的因素, 需要加强其在食品卫生安全的中的应用。从政治的高度来抓安全, 在食品安全方面更能够增强企业、政府、消费者等多方的安全意识。本文结合食品卫生安全管理问题对食品卫生安全领域思想政治工作展开了分析, 并对食品卫生安全思想政治工作开展情况进行了探究, 提出了全面、系统开展食品卫生安全管理思想政治教育工作的路径。通过各种途径实现思想政治工作的加强, 在全社会营造和谐、健康、安全的食品卫生环境, 有利于和谐社会的构建。     

Recent Advances in Microalgal Bioactives for Food,Feed, and Healthcare Products: Commercial Potential,Market Space,and Sustainability

To combat food scarcity as well as to ensure nutritional food supply for sustainable living of increasing population, microalgae are considered as innovative sources for adequate nutrition. Currently, the dried biomass, various carotenoids, phycocyanin, phycoerythrin, omega fatty acids, and enzymes are being used as food additives, food coloring agents, and food supplements. Apart from nutritional importance, microalgae are finding the place in the market as “functional foods.” When compared to the total market size of food and feed products derived from all the possible sources, the market portfolio of microalgae‐based products is still smaller, but increasing steadily. On the other hand, the genetic modification of microalgae for enhanced production of commercially important metabolites holds a great potential. However, the success of commercial application of genetically modified (GM) algae will be defined by their safety to human health and environment. In view of this, the present study attempts to highlight the industrially important microalgal metabolites, their production, and application in food, feed, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmeceuticals. The current and future market trends for microalgal products have been thoroughly discussed. Importantly, the safety pertaining to microalgae cultivation and consumption, and regulatory issues for GM microalgae have also been covered.     

影响食品质量安全问题的政治因素探析

食品质量安全如今已成为一个政治性问题。本文分析了与食品质量安全相关的各方面政治因素,指出利益相关方的政治态度、社会政治经济发展所处的历史阶段、风险评价的差异性以及国际及地区贸易中的政治博弈等与食品质量的安全性紧密关联,提出了政府要更有所为、生产经营者要有所畏和社会公众要有所维等对策建议。     

色谱技术、光谱分析法和生物检测技术在 食品安全检测方面的应用进展

食品安全是一项关系到全人类健康和全球经济的重要公共卫生问题。但近年来,我国食品安全问题层出不穷,因此,食品安全检测技术逐渐成为了当前社会关注的焦点。本文综述了当今常用的食品安全检测和监测技术,分别介绍了色谱技术、光谱分析法、生物检测技术3种主要检测技术在食品安全检测应用方面的研究进展,并详细总结了3种主要检测技术的主流检测方法,对其检测原理、操作步骤及各自的优缺点进行了比较分析。最后,总结了现阶段食品安全检测方法的不足与发展方向,对食品安全检测技术的发展具有现实意义和指导作用。     

Climate change and the health impact of aflatoxins exposure in Portugal – an overview

Climate change has been indicated as a driver for food safety issues worldwide, mainly due to the impact on the occurrence of food safety hazards at various stages of food chain. Mycotoxins, natural contaminants produced by fungi, are among the most important of such hazards. Aflatoxins, which have the highest acute and chronic toxicity of all mycotoxins, assume particular importance. A recent study predicted aflatoxin contamination in maize and wheat crops in Europe within the next 100 years and aflatoxin B1 is predicted to become a food safety issue in Europe, especially in the most probable scenario of climate change (+2°C). This review discusses the potential influence of climate change on the health risk associated to aflatoxins dietary exposure of Portuguese population. We estimated the burden of disease associated to the current aflatoxin exposure for Portuguese population in terms of Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). It is expected that in the future the number of DALYs and the associated cases of hepatocellular carcinoma due to aflatoxins exposure will increase due to climate change. The topics highlighted through this review, including the potential impact on health of the Portuguese population through the dietary exposure to aflatoxins, should represent an alert for the potential consequences of an incompletely explored perspective of climate change. Politics and decision-makers should be involved and committed to implement effective measures to deal with climate change issues and to reduce its possible consequences. This review constitutes a contribution for the prioritisation of strategies to face the unequal burden of effects of weather-related hazards in Portugal and across Europe.     

欧盟RASFF系统食品风险预警的数据分析研究

欧盟成员国在预防食品和饲料的安全问题时,愈来愈重视和依靠欧盟的食品与饲料快速预警系统(RASFF),该系统已经成为欧洲地区保障食品安全重要的信息交流平台。自2001年伊始,欧盟RASFF系统每年发布一次年度报告,2009年已经涉及到全球121个国家。本文以RASFF系统的年度报告为基础,根据2008年以来的数据,分析RASFF系统的信息报告种类、关注的热点问题和重大事件、针对中国的报告等,以及数据所表征的风险变化、趋势和欧洲食品安全新的预警进展。     

Edible Insects in a Food Safety and Nutritional Perspective: A Critical Review

Increasing world population worsens the serious problem of food security in developing countries. On the other hand in industrialized countries, where the problem of food security is of minor concern, health problems related to food refer to 2 main factors: food safety and environmental sustainability of food production. For these reasons, new ways must be found to increase yields while preserving food quality, natural habitats, and biodiversity. Insects could be of great interest as a possible solution due to their capability to satisfy 2 different requirements: (i) they are an important source of protein and other nutrients; (ii) their use as food has ecological advantages over conventional meat and, in the long run, economic benefits. However, little is known on the food safety side and this can be of critical importance to meet society's approval, especially if people are not accustomed to eating insects. This paper aims to collect information in order to evaluate how insects could be safely used as food and to discuss nutritional data to justify why insect food sources can no longer be neglected. Legislative issues will also be discussed.     

Arsenolipids in marine oils and fats: A review of occurrence,chemistry and future research needs

Numerous studies have focused on arsenic in marine organisms, and relatively high natural levels of the element have been reported in marine samples. Despite their seemingly consistent presence in marine oils and fats, there is currently only limited knowledge available on arsenic compounds that exhibit lipid soluble characteristics, the arsenolipids, in contrast to the water-soluble arsenic species. The development of analytical techniques has, however, renewed the interest in these arsenic species and significant novel findings have been published in the last couple of years. The aim of this review is to present current knowledge on the occurrence and chemistry of arsenolipids in marine oils, and to identify future research needs. The occurrence of arsenolipids and their relevance in marine organisms will be discussed, in addition to their relevance for consumers and industry, with respect to feed and food safety and legislative issues. Analytical techniques, including techniques in the early work on arsenolipids in addition to methods employed today, and relevant sample preparation will be discussed.     

New protein sources and food legislation: the case of edible insects and EU law

Growing global food demand has generated a greater interest in the consumption of new and diversified protein sources. Novel foodstuffs represent a challenge for food law as they need proper safety assessments before obtaining market permission. The case of edible insects and European law is a good representation of this issue because a selection of food grade insect species may be available on the European market in the coming years. However, European legislation does not explicitly address edible insects. Consequently, this has left a grey area, allowing different interpretations of the legislation among Member States. The aim of this paper is to analyse the challenge of the safe management of edible insects in the context of the current legal framework. The current Novel Food legislation, as well as the forthcoming version of the legislation, will be analysed and discussed in relation to edible insects. Particular attention will be paid to the evolution of legislation and to the experiences of both EU and non-EU countries. In recent years, a number of different stakeholders have supported the legalization of edible insect consumption in Europe, but market permission is just the first step towards a new framework for a novel food in a regulatory context. Once admitted, edible insects require proper rules to assure consumers and stakeholders of their benefits and safety. This overview highlights the need to develop clearer legislation to govern the future production and consumption of new food in Europe, provide guarantees to producers, and achieve consumer protection.     

我国食品法律法规标准体系的建设与完善对策

对我国食品安全背景进行了认真分析,系统地阐述了我国64年来食品安全法律、法规、标准体系的5个发展过程,论述了食品安全立法繁荣的原因,分析了存在的问题,提出了完善我国食品安全法律法规标准体系10个方面的对策建议.     

对我国当前食品药品监管体制改革的思考

食品药品安全事关人民群众的身体健康,事关国家改革发展大计,它是一个经济问题,也是一个政治问题,更是广大人民群众最重要、最直接、最现实的民生问题。我国目前正在积极推进食品药品监管机构改革,然而各地改革进展不一,模式多样。在食药改革大背景下,如何能够有效整合各方监管资源、统一监管职能,更好地发挥食品药品监管效力,保障人民的食品药品安全,是当前应该思考的重要问题。     

Nonthermal Plasma–Liquid Interactions in Food Processing: A Review

Nonthermal processing methods are often preferred over conventional food processing methods to ensure nutritional quality. Nonthermal plasma (NTP) is a new field of nonthermal processing technology and seeing increased interest for application in food preservation. In food applications of NTP, liquid interactions are the most prevalent. The NTP reactivity and product storability are altered during this interaction. The water activated by NTP (plasma‐activated water [PAW]) has gained considerable attention during recent years as a potential disinfectant in fruits and vegetable washing. However, detailed understanding of the interactions of NTP reactive species with food nutritional components in the presence of water and their stability in food is required to be explored to establish the potential of this emerging technology. Hence, the main objective of this review is to give a complete overview of existing NTP–liquid interactions. Further, their microbial inactivation mechanisms and the effects on food quality are discussed in detail. Most of the research findings have suggested the successful application of NTP and PAW for microbial inactivation and food preservation. Still, there are some research gaps identified and a complete analysis of the stability of plasma reactive species in food is still missing. By addressing these issues, along with the available research output in this field, it is possible that NTP can be successfully used as a food decontamination method in the near future.     

Risk ranking: investigating expert and public differences in evaluating food safety hazards

The allocation of resources with respect to food safety issues requires that decision makers prioritize these issues, which may conflict with the public's opinions on these matters. The purpose of this study was to compare how Canadian expert and lay respondents rank different food hazards, with a view to better understanding their underlying rationales for making decisions on food safety. A Carnegie Mellon risk ranking model was adapted for use by individuals with different backgrounds to rank six food safety issues: bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella, botulism, paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), and acrylamide. Focus groups were conducted using public (n=29) and expert (n=21) participants. Key themes were identified from the focus groups as reasons why issues were rated high or low. The most common themes for high rankings were prevalence (of an agent) and/or severity (of a disease) and knowledge and control of a food safety issue. For the lowest rankings, common themes included low prevalence and severity and personal control over an issue. Explanations for why choices were made included availability, affect, numeracy, and optimistic bias. The majority of the rationales used by all participants were similar with the exception of the high ranking given to acrylamide by the public participants. The effect of attribute framing seemed to be the most influential in a participant's choices. Understanding that comparable reasoning is used in food safety decisions by both experts and the public has important implications for developing productive risk communication dialogues about issues and priorities.     

基于信息检索与数据挖掘的食品安全舆情监测与引导：以大型农贸市场食品安全微博舆情实证研究为例

民以食为天，食品安全是最重要的民生问题，是媒体和公众时刻关注的热点话题之一。目前食品安全舆情监测体系与社交媒体的高速发展不相匹配，带来的问题层出不穷。由于食品安全舆情具备传播速度快、传播范围广和存在虚假不实信息等特征，因此目前的舆情监测难度不断增加。基于此，本文梳理分析目前食品安全网络舆情现状，初步构建人工智能食品安全舆情热度监测体系，并以大型农贸市场的食品安全微博舆情为例，提出舆情管理一体化解决方案。本文为有效应对食品安全网络舆情提供借鉴，为相关政府部门提高管理效能提供参考。