Research Publications (Food Safety)

Journal of Food Science, EarlyView. Under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and preventive controls (PCs) regulations, food manufacturers must consider whether PCs are needed for potential hazards present in food. The mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA) is considered a chemical hazard under FSMA. It is produced by several fungal species and can be present in various agricultural commodities, including coffee.

This manuscript reviews 18 years of voluntary recalls for commercially sold tuna in the United States. This recall information is a valuable indicator of the failure to implement procedures for food safety. The voluntary recalls involve fresh, frozen, processed, hermetically sealed and retorted in a shelf stable pack (i.e., canned tuna), and formulated into other tuna products.

Author(s): Clare Narrod, Xiaoya Dou, Tarik Chfadi, Mark Miller The U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requires monitoring and evaluating (M&E) of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety capacity building programs. M&E provides feedback to the agency on the impact of capacity building.

This study selected and used indicator and surrogate microorganisms for Salmonella to validate the processes for physically heat-treated poultry litter compost in litter processing plants.

A six‐strain mixture of E. coli O157:H7 was exposed to 0 to 9 min of six treatments: (i) hydrostatic pressure (400 MPa) at 4 °C; (ii) hydrostatic pressure and thymol at 4 °C; (iii) thymol at 4 °C; (iv) heat at 40 °C; (v) hydrostatic pressure at 40 °C; and (vi) hydrostatic pressure and thymol at 40 °C.

As climate change continues to stress freshwater resources, we have a pressing need to identify alternative (nontraditional) sources of microbially safe water for irrigation of fresh produce. This study is part of the center CONSERVE, which aims to facilitate the adoption of adequate agricultural water sources.

Hot-air drying processes are used to provide specific quality attributes to products, such as dehydrated apple pieces. To comply with the U. S. Food and Drug Administration Food Safety Modernization Act, there is a need to understand microbial lethality during these processes.

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) includes a time-to-harvest interval following the application of noncompliant water to preharvest produce to allow for microbial die-off. However, additional scientific evidence is needed to support this rule. This study aimed to determine the impact of weather on the die-off rate of Escherichia coli and Salmonella on spinach and lettuce under field conditions.

In August 2008, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched a new policy that required publication of a list of retail consignees for meat and poultry products part of Class I recalls, those with the greatest potential impact on public health. This study uses two recall effectiveness measures (recovery rate and completion time) and a difference-in-difference method to examine the effects of retailer disclosure.

Author(s): Chen Li, Lina Sheng, Gang Sun, Luxin Wang The new Food Safety Modernization Act requires the fresh-cut industry to have preventive strategies for preventing and reducing pathogen contamination in fresh-cut products. For a product segment that has very limited preventive control options, edible films serve as a good option for protecting its quality and safety during the storage and transportation.

Author(s): Florence Becot, Jason Parker, David Conner, Lori Pivarnik, Nicole Richard, Diane Wright-Hirsch The 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) exempts most small- and medium-scale growers in the U.S. from the new produce safety rule that creates a set of minimum safety standards for producing and processing fresh fruits and vegetables.

High moisture slurries used in production of table spreads may permit growth of  Staphylococcus aureus and  Bacillus cereus  and subsequent production of heat stable enterotoxin. Compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), specifically 21 CFR Part 117, Subpart B and Section 117.8 (c)(2) and (c)(3) requires a hazard analysis to determine if preventive controls are needed. In this study, growth of  S. aureus  and  B.

The U.S. FDA Food Safety Modernization Act Preventive Controls for Human Food Rule emphasizes the importance of an effective environmental monitoring (EM) program. This study aims to characterize polyurethane foam (PUF) EM tools—currently used in the food industry for the recovery of bacteria from food contact surfaces—for their efficacy in the release and recovery of human enteric viruses.

New Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA) rules require that food producers implement and validate processes that sufficiently reduce the risk of known hazards, such as microbial pathogens. Investments in food safety technology choices are ultimately business decisions, and current decision-making methods make it difficult to quantify financial value associated with food safety risk reduction.

Author(s): Mohamed Ziyaina, Barbara Rasco, Shyam S. Sablani Abstract Dairy products are monitored for microbial spoilage to ensure their quality and safety across the supply chain under the recent U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act, including environmental monitoring for pathogens and allergens. Recently, several methods have been developed for rapid monitoring of spoilage microbes and pathogens in dairy products throughout processing, storage and distribution.

Author(s): Tiah Ghostlaw, Maria G. Corradini, Wes Autio, Amanda J. Kinchla Abstract The Produce Safety Rule, part of the Food Safety Modernization Act, mandates zero detectable generic Escherichia coli for certain agriculture wash water applications: hand-washing, food-contact surface washing, or any water which directly contacts produce, including ice. This requirement emphasizes the need to assess and propose mitigation strategies to control E.

Publication date: May 2019 Environmental Research, Volume 172 Author(s): Channah M. Rock, Natalie Brassill, Jessica L. Dery, Dametreea Carr, Jean E. McLain, Kelly R. Bright, Charles P.

Untreated biological soil amendments of animal origin (BSAAO), such as manure, are commonly used to fertilize soils for growing fruit and vegetable crops and can contain enteric bacterial foodborne pathogens.

Available online 6 December 2018 Author(s): Pardeepinder K. Brar, M.D. Danyluk Abstract Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA) Preventive Control rules require nut processors validate thermal processes to ensure a desirable log reduction of Salmonella is achieved. Due to the complex nature of nut and nut products, processes and equipment, it is difficult to use one validation study for all and may requires individual equipment be validated at the plant level.

Enhancements in swabbing technology to increase sample collection efficacy would benefit the food industry. Specifically, these enhancements would assist the food industry in implementing the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requirements by improving environmental monitoring effectiveness. A sonicating swab device, an example of an enhanced swabbing technology, was demonstrated previously to remove biofilm from stainless steel more efficiently than a standard cotton swab.

Publication date: July 2018, Volume 89 Author(s): Aaron Adalja, Erik Lichtenberg The Produce Rule implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act establishes on-farm standards for agricultural water, animal-based soil amendments, domesticated and wild animal intrusion, employee health and hygiene, and building and equipment sanitation. Many produce growers fear that the Rule will require extensive operational changes that may hamper their competitiveness.

Publication date: Available online 3 November 2016 Author(s): A. Trmčić, R. Ralyea, L. Meunier-Goddik, C. Donnelly, K. Glass, D. D’Amico, E. Meredith, M. Kehler, N. Tranchina, C. McCue, M. Wiedmann Development of science-based interventions in raw milk cheese production is challenging due to the large diversity of production procedures and final products.

Publication date: November 2016, Volume 69 Author(s): Erik Lichtenberg, Elina Tselepidakis Page We use data from a survey of leafy green and tomato growers in the Mid-Atlantic region to investigate the prevalence and cost of produce safety practices required under the Produce Rule of the Food Safety Modernization Act. Majorities of our respondents currently employ most of the food safety practices that will be required under the Produce Rule.

Publication date: August 2016, Volume 66 Author(s): Abhay K. Grover, Shweta Chopra, Gretchen A. Mosher The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was signed into law in the United States in 2011, shifting the existing food safety focus from a reactive to a preventive approach. According to literature, legislative requirements of FSMA can be challenging for small food facilities affected by the regulations immediately or in near future.

Effective hand hygiene is essential to prevent the spread of pathogens on produce farms and reduce foodborne illness. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Food Safety Modernization Act Proposed Rule for Produce Safety recommends the use of soap and running water for hand hygiene of produce handlers. The use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer (ABHS) may be an effective alternative hygiene intervention where access to water is limited.