Scientists say a database created in a European project could improve food safety.
The database of food metagenomes was developed as part of the EU-funded MASTER project. Metagenomes are the genomic material from all microorganisms in an environment.
The curatedFoodMetagenomicData (cFMD) is a database of metagenomes from food. DNA sequencing
Continue Reading Scientists say databases can help in food safety efforts
Scientists have found an increase in botulism and salmonellosis in Ukraine compared to before the invasion by Russia.
To analyze the war’s effects on infectious disease epidemiology, researchers used open-source data on eight diseases from EPIWATCH, an artificial intelligence early-warning system.
They looked at patterns of infectious diseases before and
Continue Reading Researchers analyze the impact of the Ukraine war on foodborne pathogens
Research funded in part by the CDC has shown that food irradiation could reduce the number of foodborne outbreaks caused by pathogens.
For the project, researchers looked at 2,153 foodborne outbreaks from 2009 to 2020 caused by Campylobacter, Salmonella, E. coli, or Listeria monocytogenes. Of those, 482 included information regarding
Continue Reading Researchers say irradiation of food could reduce foodborne illness outbreaks
The implementation of a new traceability rule is more than a year and a half away, and the FDA won’t start enforcing the requirements of the rule until 2027, but a former agency leader says companies should begin making changes now.
Frank Yiannas, the former deputy commissioner of food policy
Continue Reading New technology can help companies meet intent of food safety traceability rule
A recent review assessed how technology can play a role in early warning and emerging risk identification systems.
The review covers the existing applications of artificial intelligence, big data, and internet of things (IoT) in developing early warning and emerging food safety risk identification tools and methods. Information comes from
Continue Reading Scientists review early warning tools for food safety
Two examples showing the benefits and challenges of agencies moving from paper-based to digital systems have been published by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The first covers how the country of Georgia developed a digital system for food control data.
The National Food Agency used to receive control
Continue Reading Two agencies share the journey of using digital in food control systems
The FAO is attempting to raise awareness and understanding of early warning tools and systems in food safety to support their wider use.
Early warning systems play a role in reducing the potential risks from various hazards, said the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in a recent report.
Continue Reading FAO raises the profile of early warning systems
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) by companies in Norway will likely be used for certain samples or in particular situations instead of all the time, according to a report.
The report looks at the legal rules that may affect WGS implementation of bacterial pathogens in the food industry, using Listeria monocytogenes
Continue Reading The project assesses potential WGS use for Listeria in Norway
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) plans to publish reports on cell-based food, precision fermentation, and whole genome sequencing (WGS) in 2024.
FAO and the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) held a meeting on cell-based food production and precision fermentation in Shanghai in November 2023. A report on
Continue Reading WGS and cell-based food on FAO’s 2024 agenda
Use of food irradiation in Europe has continued to fall, according to recently released figures.
More than 5,000 tons of foodstuffs were irradiated in EU member states in 2020 and 2021 compared to 7,832 tons in 2018 and 2019.
Data was forwarded from member states to the European Commission for
Continue Reading EU food irradiation data shows a continued decline
