CHAP 28 Food Safety and Consumer Concerns

These flashcards encapsulate the key concepts and learning objectives from the lecture on food safety and consumer concerns.

What are the complexities of food safety issues faced by the food industry?

The complexities involve microbial pathogens, chemical residues, proper food handling practices, regulatory frameworks, and consumer perceptions.

What does HACCP stand for, and what is its purpose?

HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points; its purpose is to identify and prevent health hazards in food.

Which six foodborne pathogens are considered the most important?

Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella (nontyphoid), and Staphylococcus aureus.

What is the estimated range of foodborne illnesses caused by microbial pathogens in the U.S. each year?

Estimates range from 6.5 to 33 million illnesses annually.

What historical events prompted significant food safety regulations in the U.S.?

The publication of Upton Sinclair's 'The Jungle' led to the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act of 1906.

What is the Delaney Clause?

A provision that prohibited the addition of any food substance shown to cause cancer in animals at any dose.

What is the GRAS list?

The GRAS list is a list of food additives recognized as safe based on long-term historical use.

What are some common methods used to prevent foodborne illnesses?

Cooking foods thoroughly, preventing cross-contamination, and proper refrigeration.

What is food irradiation?

A process that uses ionizing radiation to kill pathogens and extend the shelf life of food.

What is the role of the FDA in food safety?

The FDA oversees the approval of food additives, drugs, and ensures the safety of the food supply.

What is the Pathogen Reduction HACCP system?

A regulatory framework that emphasizes preventing foodborne hazards throughout production processes.

Describe the impact of the Bioterrorism Act of 2002 on food safety.

It enhanced controls for ensuring food supply security and responding to food-related emergencies.

What are the seven principles of HACCP?

The principles are hazard analysis, critical control point identification, establishment of critical limits, monitoring procedures, corrective actions, recordkeeping, and verification procedures.

What is the significance of antibiotic withdrawal time in animal production?

It is critical to ensure that drug residues are cleared from the animal before it is processed for food.

What safety measures have been taken regarding bovine somatotropin (BST)?

BST-treated milk has been deemed safe for human consumption and does not have negative health effects.

What was the role of the FSIS in food safety?

FSIS is responsible for monitoring and ensuring the safety of meat and poultry products, including inspection and residue monitoring.

What type of incidents in the 1990s refocused consumer attention on food safety?

Outbreaks related to E. coli O157:H7 in meat and other food products, highlighted by media coverage.

What are the complexities of food safety issues faced by the food industry?

The complexities involve microbial pathogens, chemical residues, proper food handling practices, regulatory frameworks, and consumer perceptions.

What does HACCP stand for, and what is its purpose?

HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points; its purpose is to identify and prevent health hazards in food.

Which six foodborne pathogens are considered the most important?

Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridium perfringens, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella (nontyphoid), and Staphylococcus aureus.

What is the estimated range of foodborne illnesses caused by microbial pathogens in the U.S. each year?

Estimates range from 6.5 to 33 million illnesses annually.

What historical events prompted significant food safety regulations in the U.S.?

The publication of Upton Sinclair's 'The Jungle' led to the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act of 1906.

What is the Delaney Clause?

A provision that prohibited the addition of any food substance shown to cause cancer in animals at any dose.

What is the GRAS list?

The GRAS list is a list of food additives recognized as safe based on long-term historical use.

What are some common methods used to prevent foodborne illnesses?

Cooking foods thoroughly, preventing cross-contamination, and proper refrigeration.

What is food irradiation?

A process that uses ionizing radiation to kill pathogens and extend the shelf life of food.

What is the role of the FDA in food safety?

The FDA oversees the approval of food additives, drugs, and ensures the safety of the food supply.

What is the Pathogen Reduction HACCP system?

A regulatory framework that emphasizes preventing foodborne hazards throughout production processes.

Describe the impact of the Bioterrorism Act of 2002 on food safety.

It enhanced controls for ensuring food supply security and responding to food-related emergencies.

What are the seven principles of HACCP?

The principles are hazard analysis, critical control point identification, establishment of critical limits, monitoring procedures, corrective actions, recordkeeping, and verification procedures.

What is the significance of antibiotic withdrawal time in animal production?

It is critical to ensure that drug residues are cleared from the animal before it is processed for food.

What safety measures have been taken regarding bovine somatotropin (BST)?

BST-treated milk has been deemed safe for human consumption and does not have negative health effects.

What was the role of the FSIS in food safety?

FSIS is responsible for monitoring and ensuring the safety of meat and poultry products, including inspection and residue monitoring.

What type of incidents in the 1990s refocused consumer attention on food safety?

Outbreaks related to E. coli O157:H7 in meat and other food products, highlighted by media coverage.

What is the distinction between real and perceived threats in the food supply?

Real threats are scientifically proven hazards (e.g., microbial pathogens), while perceived threats are public concerns that may not be scientifically substantiated.

What is the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996, and how does it relate to food safety?

The FQPA of 1996 established a single, health-based standard for all pesticides in foods, focusing on protecting infants and children, and requires periodic re-evaluation of pesticide registrations.

What is the consumer's role in ensuring a safe food supply?

Consumers play a crucial role by practicing proper food handling, cooking, and storage at home, as well as being informed about food safety guidelines.

What are the purposes of the FSIS's monitoring, surveillance, residue avoidance, and in-plant/on-farm testing programs?

FSIS programs monitor for pathogens and chemical residues, track foodborne illnesses, ensure minimal drug residues in animal products, and verify safety measures directly at production facilities.

What are the goals behind FSIS's current changes in its business practices?

FSIS's changes aim to shift from traditional inspection to a more science-based, preventive approach, focusing on reducing pathogens and improving food safety outcomes throughout the production process.

What is the Partnership for Food Safety Education and its Fight BAC! campaign?

The Partnership for Food Safety Education is a non-profit coalition promoting safe food handling. Its 'Fight BAC!' campaign educates consumers on four simple steps: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill.

When and where was HACCP initially developed and implemented?

HACCP was initially developed in the 1960s by NASA and the Pillsbury Company for ensuring food safety in the space program. It was later adopted by regulatory agencies for wider food industry use.

Is the use of growth-promoting hormones in food-producing animals a safe practice for human consumption?

Scientific evidence generally supports the safety of approved growth-promoting hormones in animals when used according to regulations, as residue levels in meat are minimal and deemed safe for human consumption.

What are the benefits and risks of food irradiation?

Benefits include killing pathogens (e.g., E. coli, Salmonella), extending shelf life, and delaying spoilage. Risks are minimal, as irradiated food does not become radioactive and nutrient loss is comparable to other processing methods.

Why have consumers been reluctant to consume foods they knew to be irradiated?

Consumer reluctance stems from concerns about radioactivity, safety, and potential effects on food quality, often due to misinformation and lack of understanding about the process.

What changes occur in animal products when producing animals are fed genetically engineered plant products?

Studies indicate that animal products from animals fed genetically engineered (GE) crops are compositionally equivalent to those from animals fed non-GE crops, with no detectable DNA or protein from GE materials transferring to the animal products.

What is FoodNet and what is its purpose?

FoodNet (Foodborne Disease Active Surveillance Network) is a collaborative project of the CDC, USDA, and FDA that conducts active surveillance for foodborne diseases to determine their burden and identify risk factors.