Animal-based Food Products Research Articles

Changes in food purchases at retirement in France

We estimate the impact of retirement on food expenditure and food quantities purchased, using detailed home-scan panel data on food purchases and household characteristics in France. We identify a causal relationship by exploiting the French legal minimum age for retirement as an exogenous shock to retirement behavior. Upon retirement, households significantly decrease their expenditure on food and the amount of food purchased. Households with lower pre-retirement income appear to be more severely affected. Our results indicate that the decrease in food quantities purchased at the aggregate level is driven by a decline in purchases of food from animal origins. A reduced consumption of animal based food products is likely to undermine the diet balance of retirees.

On-Farm Livestock Genome Editing Using Cutting Edge Reproductive Technologies

The global demand for animal-based food products is anticipated to increase by 70% by 2050. Meeting this demand in a way that has minimal impact on the environment will require the implementation of advanced technologies. Genome editing of livestock is a tool that will allow breeders to improve animal welfare, performance and efficiency, paving the way to a more sustainable future for livestock agriculture. Currently, genome editing of livestock is limited to specialised laboratories due to the complexity of techniques available for the delivery of genome editing reagents into zygotes and reproductive cells. The emergence of three cutting-edge reproductive technologies – (i) zygote electroporation, (ii) zygote transduction of recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV), and (iii) surrogate sire technology – will provide livestock breeders with a new toolkit of delivery strategies for genome editing. The simplicity of these technologies will enable widespread on-farm application in major livestock species by seamlessly integrating into current breeding systems. We believe it is timely to highlight these three cutting-edge reproductive technologies for genome editing and have outlined pipelines for their implementation in on-farm settings. With a nuanced regulatory framework these technologies could fast-track livestock genetic gain and help secure a sustainable future for livestock.

A central place for meat, but what about pulses? Studying French consumers' representations of main dish structure, using an indirect approach.

Over time, meat has acquired a central place in French gastronomy. The role played by plant-based proteins, such as pulses, is less clear. In order to better understand it, this study seeks to identify how French non-vegetarian consumers structure their main dish, using an indirect approach. A total of 120 participants had to compose dishes, following six different scenarios, by selecting three images of food items out of the twenty proposed. Results provided information about: (1) the first food product chosen, and (2) how foods from different food-groups were associated. Our results indicated that (1) French non-vegetarian consumers generally constructed their main dishes using animal-based food products first. Some differences were nevertheless identified, in relation to the scenario presented, and the profile of the participants. Results also showed that (2) the food-groups most often associated within a dish were meat, starch, and vegetable. The pulse group, when used, was in general associated with the meat and vegetable food-groups. These findings provide new evidence of the structure of the French main dish. They also highlight possible levers that could be used to promote pulses to French consumers.

Study of Animal-Based Food Product Labeling use

This study was conducted to identify the food labeling profile in animal-based food products based on consumers’ age and gender, consumers’ preference of the information provided in the label, consumers’ behavior in reading the label, and consumers’ knowledge about food labeling. A total of 100 respondents participated in the study. The sampling was done by using judgmental sampling method with the following criteria: (1) respondent has bought animal-based food products within the last month of the study; (2) respondent’s age was over 18 years old. The data were analyzed descriptively and by using regression analysis. The results showed that female respondents and a group of 50 years or older respondents were used to read the food label frequently compared to other respondent groups. The type of information which considered as the most important was the expiration date, followed by product’s name, ingredients, halal status, nutritional value, product’s instruction for usage and its irregularities, net weight, and the producer’s name and address. This study also identified that the majority of the respondents, as many as 67%, already had good knowledge about food labels, while the other 32% had adequate knowledge, and only 1% of the respondents had a little knowledge about food labels. It can be concluded that consumers’ perception of the potential risks on animal-based food products affect their behaviour in reading the label (p<0.05) while consumers’ health condition and time availability to buy the products did not affect their behaviour in reading the label in animal based food products.

Framing the future of food: The contested promises of alternative proteins.

This paper offers a critical examination of the narrative landscape that has emerged with a new movement of alternative proteins intended as substitutes for conventional meat, milk and other animal-based food products. The alternative protein approaches analysed include edible insects, plant-based proteins and cellular agriculture, the latter of which encompasses ‘cultured’ or ‘clean’ meat, milk and egg products produced in vitro via cell-science methods. We build on previous research that has analysed the promissory narratives specific to cultured/clean meat by examining the key promises that have worked across the broader alternative protein movement. In doing so, we develop a five-fold typology that outlines the distinct yet interconnected claims that have operated in alternative protein promotional discourses to date. The second part of the paper examines the counter-narratives that have emerged in response to alternative protein claims from different stakeholders linked to conventional livestock production. We offer a second typology of three counter-narratives that have so far characterised these responses. Through mapping this narrative landscape, we show how different types of ‘goodness’ have been ascribed by alternative protein and conventional livestock stakeholders to their respective approaches. Moreover, our analysis reveals a series of tensions underpinning these contested food futures, many of which have long histories in broader debates over what constitutes better (protein) food production and consumption. The paper's discussion contributes to ongoing research across the social sciences on the ontological politics of (good) food, and the key role of narratives in constructing and contesting visions of ‘better’ food futures.

High-resolution mass spectrometry–based multi-residue method covering relevant steroids, stilbenes and resorcylic acid lactones in a variety of animal-based matrices

A new, relatively simple sample processing and detection workflow has been developed for the quantification and confirmation of banned growth-promoting substances in a wide variety of animal-based food products. The method covers all required compounds (belonging to the so-called A1, A3, A4 and B2f groups as termed by the relevant EU legislation) which are currently monitored by the official European community surveillance programs. The sample processing includes a thermal sample denaturation step, intended to prevent undesirable side-reactions during the following enzymatic deconjugation of covalently bound analytes. A pH-adjusted dual liquid/liquid-extraction produces sufficient clean extracts for a wide range of matrices (urine, muscle, liver, serum, full blood). The method has been validated using two hybrid quadrupole high-resolution mass spectrometers (Orbitrap and time-of-flight technology–based instruments). Full-scan data acquisition, interlaced with targeted modes (unit mass isolation of the precursors, followed by collision-induced fragmentation), produces sufficiently sensitive and selective detection of the analytes within all the validated matrices. The proposed method is an alternative to currently used methods that are restricted to a limited set of analytes and matrices.

Harnessing genomic information for livestock improvement.

The world demand for animal-based food products is anticipated to increase by 70% by 2050. Meeting this demand in a way that has a minimal impact on the environment will require the implementation of advanced technologies, and methods to improve the genetic quality of livestock are expected to play a large part. Over the past 10 years, genomic selection has been introduced in several major livestock species and has more than doubled genetic progress in some. However, additional improvements are required. Genomic information of increasing complexity (including genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic and microbiome data), combined with technological advances for its cost-effective collection and use, will make a major contribution.

How attitude towards food fortification can lead to purchase intention

This research examines how consumers' general attitude towards food fortification can lead to their intention to purchase vitamin D fortified food. Specifically, it is argued that this effect can be mediated by the perceived personal benefit of consuming vitamin D fortified food; and that the indirect effect is moderated by problem awareness and the perceived appropriateness of vitamin D fortification in a given food product category. Perceived personal benefit and problem awareness reflect the individual versus public interest to improve health, respectively. The model is tested among a sample of 1263 adult consumers who evaluated ten mainly animal-based food products, including dairy and processed meat products. Results of moderated mediation analysis indicate that general attitude towards food fortification are associated with perceived personal benefit, especially under conditions of high problem awareness. Purchase intention of vitamin D fortified food does not only depend on consumers’ assessment of their personal benefit of enriching foods with vitamin D, but also the perceived appropriateness of a given product to be fortified. Importantly, high appropriateness can offset the attenuated effect associated with low problem awareness.

Halalan Toyyiban Poultry Feed: an Appraisal from the Maqasid Shariah Perspective

Animal feed is one of the essential elements in the production of Halal food products. In choosing animal-based Halal food products, a Muslim should be concerned not only about the sources of the animals and the slaughtering process, but also the way the animals were raised and fed. This is due to the emerging issues related to animal feeding, in which animals were being fed with unsuitable, unnatural feed, mainly because of the so-called ‘economic considerations’. Nevertheless, even though animal feed is an important element in Halal animal production, the position of Halalan toyyiban (permissible and safe) feed has often been neglected and less attention has been given to this matter. Halalan toyyiban poultry feed promises Halal and safe poultry meat and eggs for human consumption according to the injunctions of Shariah. Review of the literatures show that Halalan toyyiban issues include among others the issue of feed containing of non-Halal ingredients or filth, the development of pathogenic enteric microbes through antimicrobial resistance (AMR) bacteria in feed, genetically modified feed (GMF), the accumulation of mycotoxin, dioxin, heavy metals, pesticides and both medicated and non-medicated feed additives in poultry meat and eggs as well as physical hazards in farming areas. This paper attempts to examine the position of poultry feed from the Shariah point of view. More specifically, it appraises the position of current practice in poultry feed production from the Maqasid Shariah (Objectives of the Shariah) perspective. In so doing, it first reviews some of the literatures that highlight the emerging Halal and safety issues surrounding poultry feed. This is then followed by the description of the meaning and concept of Maqasid Shariah. Finally, the position of current practices in poultry feed production and feeding is appraised from the Maqasid Shariah viewpoint. It is further recommended that the safety, quality, cleanliness and the ingredients used in the production of animal feed must be regulated so as to ensure that poultry meat and its produce meet the safety requirements. To protect the interest of the Muslim consumers particularly in Malaysia, it is also recommended that a Halal standard for Animal Feed Production should be developed. By having this standard, growers of Halal livestock can have choices of feed and further, Muslim consumers can be rest assured that the poultry meats or its produce that they consumed are truly Halal.

A critical analysis of the legal framework on animal feed in Malaysia: with special reference to the Feed Act 2009

In the halal food supply chain, animal feed is an essential element which has direct implication for the safety, quality and halal integrity of animal-based food products. Comprehensive monitoring and control in the preparation, production, storage, and distribution of the animal feed are needed to ensure acceptable quality standard. Matters related to the importation, manufacture, sale and uses of feed and feed additive in Malaysia is regulated under the Feed Act 2009 and its regulations. This Act is introduced to ensure the quality and safety of feed by controlling the importation, manufacture, sale, and uses of feed and feed additive. In the context of animal feed in Malaysia, this paper seeks to highlight and examine its legal framework, focusing on the analysis of the Feed Act 2009. This study utilises qualitative approach using library research. The findings of the study demonstrate that, despite the existence of a specific law governing the animal feed activities, there is no provision addresses the issue of halal in the ingredients, preparation, production, storage, and distribution of animal feed. It is therefore suggested that a halal standard for animal feed preparation, production, storage, and distribution is further be developed to enhance the production of halal and safe animal feed in Malaysia.

Carbon footprints and land use of conventional and organic diets in Germany

Organically produced food is often considered more environmentally friendly than conventionally produced food, and Germany is one of the most important and rapidly growing markets for organic food in Europe. However, the carbon footprints and land use of organic diets, and how they compare to conventional diets, have not yet been quantified. Using food consumption data from the German National Nutrition Survey II, and carbon footprint and land-use data from life cycle assessment studies of conventional and organic food products, carbon footprints and land use of conventional and organic diets in Germany were calculated for three consumer categories: men, women and their combined unweighted average. Conventional diets are defined as the average diet of consumers who do not buy organic food products; organic diets are the average diets of consumers whose food purchases include a large share of organic food products. Greenhouse gas emissions associated with land use change are not included. The carbon footprints of the average conventional and organic diets are essentially equal (ca. 1250 CO2-eq cap−1 year−1), while the land use to provide food is ca. 40% greater in the organic diet (ca. 1900 and 2750 m2 of land cap−1 year−1 in the conventional and organic diets, respectively). The average conventional diet contains 45% more meat than the average organic diet, which on the other hand contains 40% more vegetables, fruits, and legumes (combined). Animal-based food products dominate the carbon footprints and land use (ca. 70–75%) in both diets. The organic diet, in particular that of women, is more aligned with health-based dietary guidelines. Diet-related carbon footprints and land use can be reduced by shifting toward diets with less animal-based food products (other measures are also discussed). General conclusions about the overall performance of conventional and organic agriculture are not supported by this study since only carbon footprints and land use were assessed, while other important issues, such as biodiversity, ecotoxicity impacts and animal welfare, were not considered.

Rapid and sensitive immunoassays for the detection of lomefloxacin and related drug residues in bovine milk samples

ABSTRACTThe misuse and illegal use of fluoroquinolones (FQs) in animal-based food products have drawn considerable attention in several countries. As a result, there has been an increased demand for efficient detection methods of FQs in food products. In this study, we developed an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ic-ELISA) and immunochromatographic strip device based on a monoclonal antibody against lomefloxacin (LFLX), a second generation FQ. Ic-ELISA had an IC50 value of 0.19 ng/mL with a limit of detection of 0.04 ng/mL in 0.01 M phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The intra- and inter-assay recovery rates of LFLX in bovine milk samples were 98.02–107.40% and 100.65–107.82%. The immunochromatographic assay of LFLX in PBS and spiked bovine milk samples had visual cutoff values at 1 and 5.0 ng/mL, respectively, with significant cross-reactivity with norfloxacin and enoxacin. The developed ic-ELISA and strip method may assist in the detection of FQs in foods.

Freshwater ecotoxicity impacts from pesticide use in animal and vegetable foods produced in Sweden

Chemical pesticides are widely used in modern agriculture but their potential negative impacts are seldom considered in environmental assessments of food products. This study aims to assess and compare the potential freshwater ecotoxicity impacts due to pesticide use in the primary production of six food products: chicken fillet, minced pork, minced beef, milk, pea soup, and wheat bread. The assessment is based on a detailed and site-specific inventory of pesticide use in the primary production of the food products, all of which are produced in Sweden. Soybeans, used to produce the animal-based food products, are grown in Brazil. Pesticide emissions to air and surface water were calculated using PestLCI v. 2.0.5. Ecotoxicity impacts were assessed using USEtox v. 2.01, and expressed in relation to five functional units. The results show that the animal-based food products have considerably larger impact potentials than the plant-based food products. In relation to kg pea soup, impact potentials of bread, milk, minced beef, chicken fillet and minced pork are ca. 2, 3, 50, 140 and 170 times larger, respectively. All mass-based functional units yield the same ranking. Notably, chicken fillet and minced pork have larger impacts than minced beef and milk, regardless of functional unit, due to extensive use of pesticides, some with high toxicity, in soybean production. This result stands in sharp contrast to typical carbon footprint and land use results which attribute larger impacts to beef than to chicken and pork. Measures for reducing impacts are discussed. In particular, we show that by substituting soybeans with locally sourced feed crops, the impact potentials of minced pork and chicken fillet are reduced by ca. 70 and 90%, respectively. Brazilian soybean production is heavily reliant on pesticides. We propose that weak legislation, in combination with tropical climate and agronomic practices, explains this situation.

Development of an Improved HPLC-PDA Method for the Determination of Tolfenamic Acid in Meat and Milk

Tolfenamic acid (TA) is one of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which are widely used as analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic drugs. In this study, we developed an improved detection method focusing on the validation of the TA residue using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and a photodiode array (PDA) detector. TA in bovine, swine muscles and milk were analyzed using a C18 column (5 μm, 250 mm × 4.6 mm i.d.) and the mobile phase consisted of water with 0.1% phosphoric acid (eluent A) and 0.1% phosphoric acid in acetonitrile (ACN) (eluent B). Additionally, to optimize TA detection, liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and additional purification steps were established to minimize the endogenous peaks and interferences. The developed method was validated through the limit of detection (LOD), the limit of quantification (LOQ), linearity, accuracy, and precision testing. TA in food samples were successfully detected after 20 min in chromatography. The LOQ was evaluated at 0.01 mg/kg and coefficient of determination of the linear regression (r2) was well over 0.99. The recovery rates ranged from 81.9-90.8%, 74.2-92.8% and 74.5-80.7% with relative standard deviations lower than 20% for bovine, swine muscles and milk, respectively, which corresponds to the CODEX International Food Standards guideline. Finally, the developed method has been applied for monitoring samples collected from the markets in major cities and proven great potential to be used as the confirmatory method to analyze and monitor TA residue in animal-based food products.

Prudent drug use for the dairy practitioner

As consumers become more savvy about the food they eat, dairy farmers and their veterinarians must be progressively vigilant to make sure that public health is protected. These protections, come not only from residue prevention, but also in the implementation of prudent drug practices that minimize the risk of development of antimicrobial resistance, which may be passed on to humans who consume animal-based food products. Throughout the last decade, the FDA has issued several guidance policies and implemented prohibitions in drug use in attempts to reduce the risk of development of antimicrobial resistance in humans. As dairy farms become larger, veterinarians are spending less time doing individual animal treatments and more time directing those treatments on farms. Whether animals are treated on-farm by veterinarians or by farm personnel, there are specific expectations that must be in place in order to reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance development and drug residues in meat or milk.

Dissemination of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase- and AmpC β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli within the Food Distribution System of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

To investigate the dissemination of ESBL/pAmpC-producing E. coli within the food distribution system of Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam, the prevalence of ESBL/pAmpC-producing E. coli strains in chicken meat, pork, beef, and fish/shrimp samples obtained from slaughterhouses, a wholesale market, and supermarkets was examined. Among the total of 330 collected food samples, ESBL/pAmpC-producing E. coli was detected in 150 samples (45.5%). The highest prevalence of these isolates was in chicken meat (76/82, 92.7%), followed by pork (32/92, 34.8%), beef (18/74, 34.3%), and fish/shrimp (24/82, 29.3%). A total of 342 strains of ESBL/pAmpC-producing E. coli were isolated from 150 positive food samples. The most prevalent genes responsible for ESBL or pAmpC activity belonged to the CTX-M-9 (110/342, 31.2%), CTX-M-1 (102/342, 29.8%), and CIT (118/342, 34.5%) groups. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the high occurrence of pAmpC (37.1%) in animal-based food in Vietnam. Among the 342 total ESBL/pAmpC-producing E. coli isolates, 276 (80.7%) were resistant to at least 6 antibiotic agents. Notably, high percentages of resistance to ciprofloxacin and fosfomycin were found in isolates from chicken (80.5% and 50.8%, resp.). These findings demonstrate that animal-based food products in HCMC represent a major reservoir of ESBL/pAmpC-producing E. coli.

Broad and efficient control of major foodborne pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli by mixtures of plant-produced colicins

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) is one of the leading causes of bacterial enteric infections worldwide, causing ∼100,000 illnesses, 3,000 hospitalizations, and 90 deaths annually in the United States alone. These illnesses have been linked to consumption of contaminated animal products and vegetables. Currently, other than thermal inactivation, there are no effective methods to eliminate pathogenic bacteria in food. Colicins are nonantibiotic antimicrobial proteins, produced by E. coli strains that kill or inhibit the growth of other E. coli strains. Several colicins are highly effective against key EHEC strains. Here we demonstrate very high levels of colicin expression (up to 3 g/kg of fresh biomass) in tobacco and edible plants (spinach and leafy beets) at costs that will allow commercialization. Among the colicins examined, plant-expressed colicin M had the broadest antimicrobial activity against EHEC and complemented the potency of other colicins. A mixture of colicin M and colicin E7 showed very high activity against all major EHEC strains, as defined by the US Department of Agriculture/Food and Drug Administration. Treatments with low (less than 10 mg colicins per L) concentrations reduced the pathogenic bacterial load in broth culture by 2 to over 6 logs depending on the strain. In experiments using meats spiked with E. coli O157:H7, colicins efficiently reduced the population of the pathogen by at least 2 logs. Plant-produced colicins could be effectively used for the broad control of pathogenic E. coli in both plant- and animal-based food products and, in the United States, colicins could be approved using the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) regulatory approval pathway.

Multi-color quantum dot-based fluorescence immunoassay array for simultaneous visual detection of multiple antibiotic residues in milk

Antibiotic residues, which are among the most common contaminants in animal-based food products such as milk, have become a significant public health concern. Here, we combine a multicolor quantum dot (QD)-based immunofluorescence assay and an array analysis method to achieve simultaneous, sensitive and visual detection of streptomycin (SM), tetracycline (TC), and penicillin G (PC-G) in milk. Antibodies (Abs) for SM, TC and PC-G were conjugated to QDs with different emission wavelengths (QD 520 nm, QD 565 nm and QD 610 nm) to serve as detection probes (QD-Ab). Then a direct competitive fluorescent immunoassay was performed in antigen-coated microtiter plate wells for simultaneous qualitative and quantitative detection of SM, TC, and PC-G residues, based on fluorescence of the QD-Ab probes. The linear ranges for SM, TC and PC-G were 0.01-25 ng/mL, 0.01-25 ng/mL and 0.01-10 ng/mL, respectively, with detection limit of 5 pg/mL for each of them. Based on fluorescence of the QD-Ab probes, residues of the three antibiotics were determined visually and simultaneously. Compared with a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit, our method could achieve simultaneous analysis of multiple target antibiotics in multiple samples in a single run (high-throughput analysis) and improved accuracy and sensitivity for analysis of residues of the three antibiotics in authentic milk samples. This new analytical tool can play an important role in ameliorating the negative impact of the residual antibiotics on human health and the ecosystem.

Determination of nitrofuran and chloramphenicol residues by high resolution mass spectrometry versus tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry

An ultra-high performance liquid chromatography based method, coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC–HRMS), was developed to permit the detection and quantification of various nitrofuran and chloramphenicol residues in a number of animal based food products. This method is based on the hydrolysis of covalently bound metabolites and derivatization with 2-nitrobenzaldehyde. Clean-up is achieved by a liquid/liquid and a reversed phase/solid phase extraction. Not only are the four conventional nitrofurans (nitrofurantoin, furazolidone, nitrofurazone and furaltadone) detected, but also nifursol, nitrovin and nifuroxazide. Furthermore, an underivatizable nitrofuran (nifurpirinol) and another banned drug (chloramphenicol) can be quantified as well. The compounds are detected in the form of their precursor ions, [M+H]+ and [M−H]−, respectively. The mass resolving power of 70,000 FWHM, and the applied mass window ensure sufficient selectivity and sensitivity. Confirmation is obtained by monitoring the HRMS resolved product ions which were derived from the unit-mass resolved precursor ions. The multiplexing capability of the utilized Orbitrap instrument provides not only highly selective, but also sensitive confirmatory signals. This method has been validated according to the CD 2002/657/EC for the following matrices: muscle, liver, kidney, fish, honey, eggs and milk.

Industry and Consumers Awareness for Effective Management of Functional Animal-based Foods in South Korea

In recent years, manufacturers of animal-based foods with health claims have encountered difficulties in the labeling of their products because of a lack of regulation on defining the functionality of animal-based foods. Therefore, this study was conducted to establish the basic requirements for the development of a definition for functional animal-based foods by investigating consumer and industry awareness. Survey data were collected from 114 industry representatives and 1,100 consumers. The questions of the survey included items on production status and future production plans, functionality labeling, promotion plans, establishment of definition, the role of the government, consumer perception, and selection of products. The results show that both industry representatives and consumers believe that legislation and the provision of scientific evidence should be improved for the development of a functional animal-based foods market. The results obtained from this study will contribute to consumer trust by supplying correct information and can be utilized in the industry as basic data for the development of functional animal-based food products.