Toxicological Aspects Of Food Safety

Food Safety and Toxicity examines the many problems and changes in food safety and toxicity. From a natural science viewpoint, this informative book takes on challenging and important topics impacting food researchers, regulators, producers, healthcare providers, educators, and consumers. It is organized into three main sections. Section 1 explores the relationship between the origin or formation of potentially toxic compounds and their eventual ingestion. Section 2 picks up with information on the potential consequences of this ingestion, and Section 3 concludes with the discussion of prevention and minimization of health risks. By emphasizing food safety, rather than nutritional toxicology, this book puts food hazards and their health risks in true perspective. It also explores the complementary roles of toxicology and epidemiology in studying associations between nutrition and adverse health effects and in assessing toxicological risks from food components in a deliberate manner. Food Safety and Toxicity, with clear, non-technical language and valuable insight, brings you up-to-date on the significant food safety issues confronting us today.

Preventing contamination with problematic chemical compounds in food, from 'plant to plate and meat to meal', begins with an understanding of the food production and processing chain as well as relevant issues in toxicology and risk management. The diversity in origin and structure of unwanted chemical substances means that combating chemical contaminants in food needs a good understanding of science in a number of disciplines as well as the regulatory processes designed to minimise risks to a world population increasingly exposed through international trade. This book covers the basic and applied science needed to understand, analyse and take professional action on problems and questions concerning chemical food safety, from acute to long lasting problems that call for interventions on a local, regional, national or international level. Risk assessment is explained in the context of targeted future risk management and risk communication. The book follows problematic chemical compounds through production and processing of foods of plant, fungal, algal or animal origin, including oral exposure and intestinal absorption of such contaminants. The aim is to reach a harmonized level of understanding of all aspects of chemical food safety, so as to make the graduated student ready for work in all sectors related to food and its production.

Naturally occurring antinutrients and food toxicants, and those formed during food processing, adversely affect the nutri tional quality and safety of foods. Because of the need to improve food quality and safety by plant breeding, fortification with appropriate nutrients, and processing methods, and because of the growing concern about possible direct relationships between diet and diseases, research is needed to: (1) evaluate the nutritive quality and safety of crops and fortified, supplemented, and processed foods; (2) define conditions that favor or minimize the formation of nutritionally antagonistic and toxic compounds in foods; and (3) define the toxicology, metabolism, and mechanisms of the action of food ingredients and their metabolites. As scientists interested in improving the safety of the food supply, we are challenged to respond to the general need for exploring: (1) possible adverse consequences of antinutrients and food toxicants; and (2) factors which contribute to the formation and inactivation of undesirable compounds in foods. Medical research offers an excellent analogy. Studies on causes and mechanisms of disease processes are nearly always accompanied by parallel studies on preventive measures and cures. Such an approach offers the greatest possible benefits to the public.

Food Hygiene and Toxicology in Ready-to-Eat Foods is a solid reference for anyone in the food industry needing to understand the complex issues and mechanisms of biological control and chemical hazards to ensure food safety. infectious and non-infectious contaminants in raw, minimally processed, and prepared foods are covered in detail, as well as effective measures to avoid foodborne infections and intoxications. The book is written by an international team of experts presenting the most up-to-date research in the field, and provides current applications and guidance to enhance food safety in the food industry. Strategies and recommendations for each food category include, among others, how to avoid cross-contamination of pathogens, the proper uses of antimicrobial coatings and spray cleanings of fresh produce, and acrylamide reduction during processing. leafy vegetables, fruit juices, nuts, meat and dairy products are some of the ready-to-eat foods covered. Provides the latest on research and development in the field of food safety incorporating practical real life examples for microbiological risk assessment and reduction in the food industry Includes specific aspects of potential contamination and the importance of various risks associated with ready-to-eat foods Describes potential harmful agents that may arise in foods during processing and packaging Presents information on psychrotropic pathogens and food poisoning strains, effect of temperature, Salmonella, Listeria, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Norovirus, parasites, fungal microbiota, enterotoxins, and more