Awareness Of Food Safety Issues Research Articles

Boraks Counseling for Food Education for Students at SMK Darussalam, Tanjung Rema, Martapura City

Borax is a hazardous Food Additive (BTP) and its use in food is prohibited, as it has the potential to cause disease and even increase the risk of cancer. Many producers misuse it to preserve and improve the structure of food, so it is necessary to intervene in the form of activities to introduce borax detection test skills using simple turmeric principles. This service activity aims to prevent and provide awareness of food safety issues to school students. The methods used in delivering the material are lectures, questions and answers, providing borax detection test skills using simple methods, measuring knowledge after intervention and distributing pocket books. The results of knowledge improvement after education were 69.04% for class X and 57.89% for class XI. The results of measuring the category of knowledge of respondents through filling out questionnaires about BTP borax as much as 70% have a good category but, after getting education about borax has increased to 95%. The results of the paired T test that the sig value is 0.000 <0.05, it can be concluded that there is a significant difference in the knowledge of respondents Pre-Test and Post-Test or before and after the provision of education about borax.

Islamic Boarding Schools' Food Handlers' Awareness Of Food Safety Issues And Their Actions In Relation To e. Coli Contamination Of Food

Background: E. coli can grow due to foodborne illnesses, and according to Islamic law, the food consumed is not tayyib. Food handlers, including those in Islamic boarding schools, must know about food safety to prevent foodborne illnesses.Research Methods: At the Boarding School in East Java, a food production facility was used for the research. This study has a cross-sectional design and is quantitative. The sample used a total sampling method with a total of 38 samples. The gathered information was evaluated using the Spearman test. E. coli testing at the Islamic boarding school using the MPN technique on six food samples and water sources. Research Result: 25 food handlers are between 18 and 35, while 13 others are between 36 and 55. Higher-educated food handlers are on par with less-educated ones. Most people who handled food did so with a solid awareness of the characteristics of food safety behavior and knowledge. It is also believed that food workers' safety conduct is good because of their generally positive or good demeanor. Two food samples, S1 with an MPN value of 6.1/g and S2 with an MPN value of 7.2/g contained E. coli. The link had a value of 0.67 and a Spearman's correlation value of 0.070, indicating a positive relationship with weak correlation strength. The findings showed that awareness of food safety was not related to the prevalence of E. coli, with p>0.05 and 0.123. Conclusion: There was a positive correlation of 0,070 and a value of 0,067, indicating no link between food safety knowledge and behavior. The existence of E. coli did not correlate with knowledge of food safety, with a value of 0,13 and a negative correlation of -0,255.

Consumers' Preferences for Apple Production Attributes: Results of a Choice Experiment.

Various food safety and environmental problems in China have raised consumer awareness of food safety issues and negative environmental impacts in various supply chains. This research assessed consumer preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for food safety and ecosystem delivery attributes associated with apples, demonstrated through the application of different traceability systems. Research participants were recruited in Beijing (N = 384) and Shanghai (N = 320). Choice experiment methodology was applied. The data were analyzed using conditional logit, random parameter logit, and latent class models; the results indicated significant consumer preferences for traceability information, including in relation to lower pesticide usage and application of organic fertilizer during primary production. The results also indicated that participants in this research had a significant willingness-to-pay premium for apple products that had production information traceability, had reduced pesticide use, and were grown with organic fertilizers. The models demonstrated heterogeneous preferences among participants such that consumers could be divided into three classes: non-price-sensitive (53.5%), pesticide-sensitive (21.7%), and price-sensitive (24.8%).

Challenges in the implementation of food safety and quality assurance systems in small-scale fisheries

AbstractNinety percent of the world’s fishers are directly involved in small-scale fisheries (SSFs), and many food safety and quality issues along the food value chains may be both irreversible and cumulative. Ensuring safe, high-quality aquatic products are key to sustaining life, promoting good health, and avoiding adverse health effects.ObjectiveThis paper aimed to highlight factors preventing the implementation of safety and quality assurance systems in SSFs by analysing the results from surveys on the implementation of Article 11 of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (2017, 2019, and 2022).Materials and methodsThe analysis considered responses to 15 closed-ended questions on food safety and quality obtained from 143 FAO Members and the European Union, and 87 open-ended replies addressing challenges in SSFs.ResultsThe major factors preventing the implementation of the Code’s food safety and quality provisions were lack of sanitation and monitoring programmes, lack of infrastructure (particularly refrigeration facilities) lack of technical capacities and limited management of food safety risks along the value chains. Safety and quality assurance efforts were focused on international markets, resulting in less attention being paid to domestic markets where a high degree of informality was reported.ConclusionsImproved implementation of safety and quality assurance systems will lead to safer food with higher nutritional quality, extended shelf-life and reduced post-harvest loss. Increased awareness of food safety issues in SSFs is a prerequisite for achieving several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Regulations, Value Chains and Food Standards in Developing Countries: Panel Data Evidence from India

Rapid growth in dairy consumption and food scandals in India in the 2000s increased awareness of food safety issues among consumers and policymakers. This led to the introduction of new standards. However, there is little information about how they affected farm-level activities and whether value chains played any role. Our paper addresses these questions using a two-round panel survey of dairy farms in Punjab and Andhra Pradesh. We find significant improvements in adoption of farm-level hygienic practices, especially in Punjab. Value chain innovations do not play a significant role in stimulating safety and quality improvements among dairy smallholders in India.

GENOTYPING AND HEMOLYTIC CHARACTERIZATION OF PATHOGENIC BACTERIA FROM SOME RAW AND COOKED FOODS

This study aimed to identify pathogenic bacteria in contaminated food from cafeterias and restaurants at the University of Kerbala. Thirty-nine bacterial samples were collected from various foods, such as salads, falafel, and meat products (burger, kebab, and shawarma), before cooking. Bacteria were serially diluted, isolated on selective media, and identified based on biochemical characteristics, and 16S rDNA sequencing. Hemolysin production, seen in most bacteria from raw food samples, was determined using blood agar. Genomic DNA was extracted from all bacterial samples, and their 16S rDNA were analyzed through PCR, gene sequencing, and phylogenetic tree construction. Twenty-seven genetic variants representing both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria were identified. Most of the bacterial isolates produced α or β hemolysin and are likely important causes of food poisoning. These results highlight the need for strict quality control in the cafeterias and restaurants at the university, improving the public’s awareness of food safety issues, and possible routine medical examination of those who handle food at these locations.

Food safety knowledge, self-reported practices and attitude of poultry meat handling among Slovenian consumers

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate Slovenian consumers’ knowledge and self-reported practices in poultry meat handling during purchase, transport, and preparation in home kitchens and to assess the awareness of the microbiological risk associated with poultry meat, with an emphasis on Campylobacter.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional study of consumers’ food safety knowledge, self-reported practices, and awareness of the microbiological risk was conducted from March to April 2015 at supermarkets in different parts of Slovenia. A convenience sample of 560 consumers was obtained. Gender and age distribution were controlled by 28 interviewers, each of whom distributed 20 questionnaires. The questionnaire included 33 questions divided into four parts.FindingsThe results revealed consumers awareness of food safety issues. Respondents have some basic knowledge about proper food handling. However, a substantial number of consumers still lacks knowledge of the microbiological risk and has bad habits in domestic poultry meat preparation.Research limitations/implicationsThe research did not reflect a representative sample of Slovenian consumers.Practical implicationsThe results indicate some gaps in consumers’ food safety knowledge and self-reported practices. Current Campylobacter preventive strategies regarding retail poultry meat contamination are not yet sufficiently successful.Originality/valueThe study provides valuable insight into consumers’ food safety knowledge and self-reported practices in poultry meat handling from shopping to eating. Opportunities for improvement in consumers’ formal and informal education and training should be offered.

Which food safety information sources do Italian consumers prefer? Suggestions for the development of effective food risk communication

This study investigated which information sources Italian consumers use most frequently when they have a question about food safety in order to obtain useful insights to inform food risk communication. In 2011, a national survey was conducted targeting Italian people responsible for purchasing and preparing food for their households. Respondents’ choices of information sources on food safety were correlated with their socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics, their levels of objective knowledge, their levels of trust towards some authorities and their levels of self-perception regarding risk exposure. Our data analysis identified those information channels that are most likely to reach Italians actively seeking information. Mass media (radio/television/newspapers) were the most frequently used information source, followed by the Internet. Age, educational qualification, employment status, geographical area, family status and objective knowledge were the variables that influenced the choice for information sources used by the Italian population. The frequency of buying food products, the frequency of eating put and the frequency of cooking also showed a dependency relation. The profiles of those who actively seek information were also outlined. Among these, the Mass media users’ and the Internet users’ profiles were further analysed. Results show that Italian consumers do actively seek information about food safety, revealing that food safety continues to be a concern for the Italian consumers. Their interest in this topic represents an opportunity for public health authorities to address an audience of receptive consumers. Such information will be valuable in the design of targeted communication campaigns to increase consumers’ knowledge and awareness of food safety issues and will help authorities to choose the most effective channels through which to deliver key messages.

Impact of Non Tariff Measure on Indonesian Cacao Exports

Increased awareness of food safety issues has resulted in non-tariff measure in the form of sanitary and phytosanitary, technical barrier to trade applied to various importing countries. The policy is widely applied by various countries on agricultural commodities, especially Cocoa. Cocoa is Indonesia's flagship commodity exported to many countries. The purpose of this research is to analyze the implementation and impact of non tariff measure on Indonesian cocoa exports. The model used in this research is to estimate the result of inventory approach in gravity model. The results show that Sanitary and Phytosanitary policy has an effect on decreasing export value of Indonesian Cocoa while Technical Barrier to Trade has no significant effect. SPS policy is mostly applied to Cocoa Beans while TBT is more applied to processed cocoa. So, Indonesia needs to improve the processing of cocoa beans such as cacao shells, cacao paste, cacao butter, cacao powder, chocolate and other preparations. The government needs to provide socialization to Indonesian cocoa agribusiness entrepreneurs in the implementation of sanitary and phytosanitary policy. Government programs or policies are designed according to the characteristics of SPS and TBT.

Detection of free oxygen and water vapor in fertilized and unfertilized eggs by diode laser spectroscopy-Exploration of diagnostics possibilities.

Nonintrusive methods for characterizing food products are of increasing interest related to the greater awareness of food safety issues. Hen eggs are an important part in food consumption in most parts of the world. We have investigated an optical method utilizing tunable diode lasers for monitoring free gas in eggs. We show that oxygen signals, recorded around 760 nm, increase steadily as eggs become older. Further, we investigated fertilized eggs, which show a quite different temporal behavior during the hatching time. The oxygen signal decreases here with time, while water vapor, recorded around 937 nm, shows a steady increase. Conclusions regarding the size of the air cell and the oxygen availability in fertilized eggs are drawn. The technique might be developed for automatic control of egg freshness, as well as for assessing if eggs are fertilized or not.

Effect of a Publicly Accessible Disclosure System on Food Safety Inspection Scores in Retail and Food Service Establishments

The increased frequency with which people are dining out coupled with an increase in the publicity of foodborne disease outbreaks has led the public to an increased awareness of food safety issues associated with food service establishments. To accommodate consumer needs, local health departments have increasingly publicized food establishments' health inspection scores. The objective of this study was to estimate the effect of the color-coded inspection score disclosure system in place since 2006 in Columbus, OH, by controlling for several confounding factors. This study incorporated cross-sectional time series data from food safety inspections performed from the Columbus Public Health Department. An ordinary least squares regression was used to assess the effect of the new inspection regime. The introduction of the new color-coded food safety inspection disclosure system increased inspection scores for all types of establishments and for most types of inspections, although significant differences were found in the degree of improvement. Overall, scores increased significantly by 1.14 points (of 100 possible). An exception to the positive results was found for inspections in response to foodborne disease complaints. Scores for these inspections declined significantly by 10.2 points. These results should be useful for both food safety researchers and public health decision makers.

A multi-stakeholder perspective on the adoption of good agricultural practices in the Thai fresh produce industry

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors hindering the adoption of good agricultural practices (GAPs) in the Thai fresh fruit and vegetable industry from the perspectives of key stakeholders in different tiers of the supply chain up to consumers. Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews were carried out in Bangkok and nearby cities. The key informants were experts, governmental authorities, producers, distributors, exporters, and consumers. A qualitative content-summarising approach was used to analyse the interview transcripts. Findings – Stakeholders perceived the credibility of national GAP (Q-GAP) standards implemented in the Thai domestic market as low, due to a lack of reliable verification and traceability and because the system is managed by governmental bodies. Consumer demand could drive the market of safe produce, but retail stores are the main influencers of producers’ adoption of GAPs in domestic markets. Research limitations/implications – The findings are based on a small group of Thai fresh produce industry players and consumers who operate mainly in an urban context. Practical implications – The paper provides relevant information for policy makers and industrialists to find appropriate strategies to sustain GAPs in Thailand. Stakeholder awareness of food safety issues and information provision are crucial. Originality/value – This is the first in-depth study of stakeholders’ perceptions of GAP implementation in the Thai fresh produce supply chain as the industry is currently transitioning from a commodity market to a quality/safety-oriented market. The results raise important issues regarding GAP adoption, food safety certification, and labelling in Thailand.

An exploratory study of supply chain risk management in the New Zealand fast food industry

This paper reports on exploratory qualitative research into the current practice of supply chain risk management in the New Zealand fast food industry. The study found that the New Zealand fast food industry depends heavily on import from other countries and overseas suppliers for the large amount of raw materials required by the industry. These suppliers hold dominant power in New Zealand fast food industry. As a result, fast-food restaurants have limited room for switching to contingency suppliers in disruptive situations, such as natural disasters or earthquakes. Furthermore, the study also shows that the fast food industry has increased vulnerability due to the stringent food safety and health standards and customer’s increasing awareness of food safety issues.

Testing efficacy of teaching food safety and identifying variables that affect learning in a low-literacy population.

Nurses at a meeting of the Asociación de Hemato Oncología Pediátrica de Centroamérica y El Caribe recognized food safety as one of the main issues affecting patient care. The objective was to increase awareness of food safety issues among caregivers for pediatric cancer patients in Guatemala and El Salvador. A low-literacy booklet about food safety, "Alimentación del niño con cáncer (Feeding the child with cancer)," was developed for caregivers. Tests were developed to assess information acquisition and retention. An educator's guide was developed for consistency of education along with a demographics questionnaire. The efficacy of the booklet was tested with 162 caregivers of patients with newly diagnosed leukemia. Information retention was tested 1 and 3months after the initial education. The booklet was found to be efficient for food safety education. There was no significant difference between post-educational knowledge in either country at 1month or in Guatemala at 3months. Pre-educational knowledge was not associated with any demographic variable except for self-reported ability to read in El Salvador. There was no significant association between learning ability and demographic variables in either country. Caregivers from El Salvador had a better ability to learn than caregivers from Guatemala. Education using the booklet greatly improved food safety knowledge, which remained high 1 and 3months later. Education with the booklet was efficacious for teaching a low-literacy population about food safety. However, it is unknown which part of the education contributed to the significant improvement in knowledge.

Do Sanitary, Phytosanitary, and Quality-related Standards Affect International Trade? Evidence from Chilean Fruit Exports

Summary Increasing awareness of food safety issues has led to intensive use of sanitary, phytosanitary and quality-related regulations and standards, imposing a burden on exporting countries worldwide. This study assesses the impact of such regulations and standards estimating a gravity model for Chilean fresh fruit exports that incorporates a stringency-perception index that comprises different dimensions of trade requirements. Our results suggest that an increase in stringency has a negative and substantial effect on exported volumes, and the reduction is higher if stringency increases in developed countries. Results also showed that different dimensions have different effects on trade.

Uninvited Guests at the Table – A Consumer Intervention for Safe Poultry Preparation

AbstractThe goal of this longitudinal study was to investigate the efficacy of an intervention to increase awareness of food safety during the preparation of raw poultry in a sample of first year college students. At the first measurement point, baseline variables were assessed, and participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: two experimental groups and a control group. At the second measurement point, the two experimental groups received the intervention. At the final measurement point, a month after the intervention, follow‐up variables were assessed. The major outcome variables investigated were knowledge and self‐reported safe poultry preparation behavior. Despite the high overall knowledge at the first measurement point, the participants exhibited numerous knowledge gaps, which were successfully overcome by the intervention. Providing knowledge was essential in motivating participants to pay more attention to certain actions related to safely preparing poultry, while the cues played only a minor role in changing participants' behaviors.Practical ApplicationsHome‐cooked poultry is believed to be the most common transmission route of the bacteria Campylobacter to humans. Despite efforts to reduce the contamination rate at the poultry production stage, contamination rates remain high, and hence endanger the consumer. Evidently, consumers are unaware of and do not practice basic precautions when preparing dishes with raw poultry. In the present research, the consumer perspective was investigated. It is necessary to communicate the risks of unsafe poultry preparation to the consumer in order to facilitate informed decisions and behavior, and reduce incidence rates of foodborne illnesses. The results offer support for the efficacy of providing knowledge to correct people's misconceptions and increase their awareness of food safety issues. Moreover, it provides pointers for future risk communication related to the topic of safe domestic food handling.

Headspace solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatographic–time-of-flight mass spectrometric methodology for geographical origin verification of coffee

Increasing consumer awareness of food safety issues requires the development of highly sophisticated techniques for the authentication of food commodities. The food products targeted for falsification are either products of high commercial value or those produced in large quantities. For this reason, the present investigation is directed towards the characterization of coffee samples according to the geographical origin. The conducted research involves the development of a rapid headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME)–gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC–TOFMS) method that is utilized for the verification of geographical origin traceability of coffee samples. As opposed to the utilization of traditional univariate optimization methods, the current study employs the application of multivariate experimental designs to the optimization of extraction-influencing parameters. Hence, the two-level full factorial first-order design aided in the identification of two influential variables: extraction time and sample temperature. The optimum set of conditions for the two variables was 12 min and 55 °C, respectively, as directed by utilization of Doehlert matrix and response surface methodology. The high-throughput automated SPME procedure was completed by implementing a single divinylbenzene/carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane (DVB/CAR/PDMS) 50/30 μm metal fiber with excellent durability properties ensuring the completion of overall sequence of coffee samples. The utilization of high-speed TOFMS instrument ensured the completion of one GC–MS run of a complex coffee sample in 7.9 min and the complete list of benefits provided by ChromaTOF software including fully automated background subtraction, baseline correction, peak find and mass spectral deconvolution algorithms was exploited during the data evaluation procedure. The combination of the retention index (RI) system using C 8–C 40 alkanes and the mass spectral library search was utilized for the confirmation of analyte identity in the reference authentic Brazilian coffee sample. The semi-quantitative results were then submitted to statistical evaluation, namely principal component analysis (PCA) for the establishment of geographical origin discriminations.

CONSUMER ATTITUDES AND PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS MICROBIAL FOOD SAFETY IN THE DOMESTIC KITCHEN

ABSTRACT The domestic kitchen is an important point of origin for foodborne disease and food safety communication strategies are required to improve food‐handling behaviors in the home. A key to the design of effective strategies is an understanding of factors that influence food safety behaviors. Attitudes may influence food safety behaviors and therefore, attitude determination towards food safety in the domestic kitchen is important for development of targeted food safety communication strategies. A questionnaire was administered to consumers (n = 100) representing a cross‐section of the population of Cardiff, South Wales. Results showed that attitudes towards implementation of key food safety behaviors including cross contamination, cooking and storage were positive, however, attitudes towards other practices, for example cooling, were negative. Significant correlations (P < 0.05) between specific attitudinal responses and respondent demographics were identified, indicating that targeted strategies may be required for different groups of consumers. Results of this study will be discussed within the context of previous consumer food safety research, optimistic‐bias and development of communication strategies designed to raise awareness of food safety issues and bring about behavioral improvement.

Future impact of food safety issues on animal production and trade: implications for research

This review describes the emergence of food safety as an important factor influencing international trade and discusses why it will be increasingly so into the foreseeable future. The continuing development of an international framework for conducting food safety risk analysis is summarised. Livestock researchers have an important role to play in recognising and warning of potential food safety threats and in generating risk assessment data. The need for greater awareness of food safety issues among livestock researchers in Australia is suggested. Possible strategies and infrastructure for Australian institutions engaged in livestock health and production research, which may assist in strengthening the interface with government agencies responsible for protecting consumers and exports from food safety threats, are also considered. Corynetoxins are used as an example of a potential food safety issue of relevance to livestock production in Australia.

Analysis of PrP genotype in relation to performance traits in Suffolk sheep

At a time of high public awareness of food safety issues, particularly with respect to transmissable encephalopathies, and a government policy to eradicate scrapie, there is increasing pressure for breeders to select for scrapie resistance in sheep. Genetic variation has been identified at the PrP locus that confers differing degrees of susceptibility to scrapie. In the Suffolk breed this variation is confined to amino acid variations at codon 171, resulting in two alleles R and Q. Animals with the genotype RR and RQ show a greater degree of resistance to scrapie than animals with genotype QQ (Hunter, Moore, Hosie, Dingwall and Greig, 1997).Genotyping of pedigree animals has now become routine for many breeders and RR animals are favoured. It is, however, unknown whether there is a relationship between PrP genotype and performance traits. The objective of this study was to analyse the relationship between PrP genotype at codon 171 and the performance traits included in the Lean Index (Simm and Dingwall, 1989), which is used for selection in the Suffolk breed.