The public health risk posed by Listeria monocytogenes in frozen fruit and vegetables including herbs, blanched during processing

A multi-country outbreak ofListeria monocytogenesST6 linked to blanched frozen vegetables (bfV)took place in the EU (2015–2018). Evidence of food-borne outbreaks shows thatL. monocytogenesisthe most relevant pathogen associated with bfV. The probability of illness per serving of uncooked bfV,for the elderly (65–74 years old) population, is up to 3,600 times greater than cooked bfV and verylikely lower than any of the evaluated ready-to-eat food categories. The main factors affectingcontamination and growth ofL. monocytogenesin bfV during processing are the hygiene of the rawmaterials and process water; the hygienic conditions of the food processing environment (FPE); andthe time/Temperature (t/T) combinations used for storage and processing (e.g. blanching, cooling).Relevant factors after processing are the intrinsic characteristics of the bfV, the t/T combinations usedfor thawing and storage and subsequent cooking conditions, unless eaten uncooked. Analysis of thepossible control options suggests that application of a complete HACCP plan is either not possible orwould not further enhance food safety. Instead, specific prerequisite programmes (PRP) andoperational PRP activities should be applied such as cleaning and disinfection of the FPE, water control,t/T control and product information and consumer awareness. The occurrence of low levels ofL. monocytogenesat the end of the production process (e.g.<10 CFU/g) would be compatible with thelimit of 100 CFU/g at the moment of consumption if any labelling recommendations are strictly followed(i.e. 24 h at 5°C). Under reasonably foreseeable conditions of use (i.e. 48 h at 12°C),L. monocytogeneslevels need to be considerably lower (not detected in 25 g). Routine monitoring programmes forL. monocytogenesshould be designed following a risk-based approach and regularly revised based ontrend analysis, being FPE monitoring a key activity in the frozen vegetable industry

The public health risk posed by Listeria monocytogenes in frozen fruit and vegetables including herbs, blanched during processing

A multi‐country outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes ST6 linked to blanched frozen vegetables (bfV) took place in the EU (2015–2018). Evidence of food‐borne outbreaks shows that L. monocytogenes is the most relevant pathogen associated with bfV. The probability of illness per serving of uncooked bfV, for the elderly (65–74 years old) population, is up to 3,600 times greater than cooked bfV and very likely lower than any of the evaluated ready‐to‐eat food categories. The main factors affecting contamination and growth of L. monocytogenes in bfV during processing are the hygiene of the raw materials and process water; the hygienic conditions of the food processing environment (FPE); and the time/Temperature (t/T) combinations used for storage and processing (e.g. blanching, cooling). Relevant factors after processing are the intrinsic characteristics of the bfV, the t/T combinations used for thawing and storage and subsequent cooking conditions, unless eaten uncooked. Analysis of the possible control options suggests that application of a complete HACCP plan is either not possible or would not further enhance food safety. Instead, specific prerequisite programmes (PRP) and operational PRP activities should be applied such as cleaning and disinfection of the FPE, water control, t/T control and product information and consumer awareness. The occurrence of low levels of L. monocytogenes at the end of the production process (e.g. < 10 CFU/g) would be compatible with the limit of 100 CFU/g at the moment of consumption if any labelling recommendations are strictly followed (i.e. 24 h at 5°C). Under reasonably foreseeable conditions of use (i.e. 48 h at 12°C), L. monocytogenes levels need to be considerably lower (not detected in 25 g). Routine monitoring programmes for L. monocytogenes should be designed following a risk‐based approach and regularly revised based on trend analysis, being FPE monitoring a key activity in the frozen vegetable industry.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Choices: Caribbean Agriculture: Our way

Agriculture and food production should not be occupations of last resort. Showcasing many fascinating insights, this title features individuals, farm families and community groups in the Caribbean who have made a deliberate choice to enter, stay and focus on achieving success in this vibrant and rewarding sector. With stories that inform, educate and inspire, Choices provides accounts of innovations in aquaculture, hydroponics, permaculture, shade-house technology and organic farming

USIZO LOMUSA Feeding Scheme business engineering model

For the purpose of completing the final project report, with regard to the USIZO LOMUSA Feeding Scheme business engineering model, the relevant student had to focus on the development of an economic feasible solution that can be validated. The criteria for the final project report is primarily linked to the ECSA one- and ECSA three exit-level outcomes, which involve the application of problem solving tools and techniques to the project specific environment. It is of utmost importance that creative-, procedural- and/or non-procedural engineering designs are incorporated within the final project report to demonstrate competence. The USIZO LOMUSA Feeding Scheme business engineering model project was instigated by three independent volunteers who are currently preparing two meals per day for a group of specially identified children of Blaauwbosch Primary School, situated within the Osizweni community that is based in Northern KwaZulu Natal. The individuals contacted Mr Mntambo, a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) committee member and environmental manager employed at ArcelorMittal Newcastle works, requesting company assistance related to a mobile kitchen unit. The volunteers intend to use the mobile kitchen unit to generate an additional income in order to subsidize the second meal of each day, since the first is funded by the Department of Education. In several cases it is the only two meals that are provided to the children on a daily basis. The primary objective of the USIZO LOMUSA Feeding Scheme project was to develop a business engineering model that is related to the requested mobile kitchen. However, it was recommended that the relevant comprehensive business engineering model have to be applicable to all schools situated within the Southern African border in need of a feeding scheme. Thus, a business engineering model that is applicable to any school environment was developed and will be validated at the Blaauwbosch Primary School as a first iteration early next year. The first iteration of the USIZO LOMUSA Feeding Scheme, which will be implemented at Blaauwbosch Primary School and the three model specific secondary schools that were identified, promises to provide food to three thousand and thirty four (3034) children. During the execution period of the USIZO LOMUSA Feeding Scheme business engineering model final project report, thorough research was conducted, followed by a detailed investigation of the problem. The concept of the business engineering model was explored and clearly defined before the student attended to the advanced development, engineering design and evaluation of the project. In conclusion, the student considered numerous aspects related to the and post development of the project. The final project report will be summarised in a user manual format, for the future expansion of the USIZO LOMUSA Feeding Scheme business engineering model. When one candle lights another, it will not lose any of its power to produce light. Although a feeding scheme as proposed will not deliver visible profit margins as a business enterprise should, the result of this venture lead to a healthier and better educated work force that will only positively be experienced in years to come. The potential financial gain the country will experience at that point in time will be immeasurable. Many candles (feeding schemes) will undoubtedly enlighten the lives of several children in need and will eventually lead to a brighter and prosperous future.Thesis (B Eng. (Industrial and Systems Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2012

Alaska's Agriculture An Analysis of Developmental Problems

The U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Economic Research Service, the State of Alaska through the Department of Economic Development, and other federal and state agencies contributed data and financial support for studies of Alaska agriculture that provided a partial basis for this report. Ors. Leigh H. Hammond and Harold 0. Carter served as consultant to the Economic Research Service and provided technical consultation to the University of Alaska staff during the early stages of a preliminary study regarding data and procedures on farm types, demand projections, and economies of scale in processing agricultural products. Dr. Robert C. Haring was the principal investigator on an earlier ISEG R economic evaluation of potentials for agricultural development in Alaska. While the present report is in part based upon his earlier work and other sources, its authorship is strictly that of Dr. Wayne E. Burton with appropriate assistance provided by ISEGR editor, James D. Babb. Technical consultation was provided the author by a number of persons including: Mr. Blaine 0. Halliday, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, on soil capabilities and production potential; Mr. Duane Skow, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Statistical Reporting Service, on agricultural statistics and geographic regions; Ors. Dana Myrick, Charles H. Rust, Walter G. Heid, Clarence W. Jensen, and William Lassey, Montana State University, on preparing his doctoral thesis "Alaska's Agricultural Production Potential: An Economic Analysis;" and Dr. Donald H. Dinkel, on horticulture and floriculture possibilities. Dr. Burton's work in preparing this report was in major part supported by the Institute of Agricultural Sciences, previously the Alaska Agricultural Experiment Station. The conclusions and recommendations are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the State of Alaska, or the University of Alaska.The State of Alask

The turn to the market in UK food policy 2002-2015 and its impact on the vegetable sector in England

The aim of this study is to understand how ideas about markets and marketing have shaped food policy. It focuses on the vegetable sector in England in the early years of the new millennium. The study takes the 2002 Report of the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food (Curry Commission) as its starting point. It explores how the Curry Commission’s ‘Turn to the Market’ call was interpreted and acted upon by vegetable production in England, and by UK Government (in practice English) Food Policy 2002-2015. It attempts to understand why and how policy makers turned to the market, what they meant by it, and how it changed how those involved in vegetable production thought about and responded to the marketing challenges they faced. The study centres on theoretical understandings of how food policy develops, and draws in marketing theories to contribute to that policy analysis. The study used qualitative methods - a combination of documentary analysis and fieldwork interviews with practitioners, policy-makers and analysts. Two research questions were formulated from the literature review: (1) how have ideas about markets and marketing shaped UK Food Policy since the Curry Commission?; and (2) what impact did the Curry Commission - and the policy that followed - have on English vegetable production? An analysis was conducted of policy documents of the period 2002 – 2015. Interviews were held with 23 key informants who were experts on and/or actors in English policy and vegetable production. The research adopted a realist and critical pluralist approach to food policy development. The research explored: how particular ideas of markets and marketing shaped wider UK Food Policy 2002-2015; how the marketing themes in UK Food Policy evolved; how UK Food Policy understood and framed the priorities for the vegetable sector which then opened up particular solutions and foreclosed others; and how the marketing ideas in UK Food Policy 2002-2015 affected how those involved in English vegetable production understood and responded to the marketing challenges they encountered. The findings show that UK Food Policy evolved from a proactive ‘Turn to the Market’ Food Policy under New Labour to a reactive 'Market Dominated' Food Policy under the Coalition government (2010-15). Policy framed the problems for the vegetable sector as a failure to market and devised policy mechanisms to support better marketing using ideas from orthodox marketing. The policy based on better marketing did halt the decline in the vegetable sector and helped it engage in more environmentally benign production practices. Growers still found it challenging to generate sufficient profit to reinvest and they felt that support for better marketing did not always work in practice. The thesis concludes that the marketing concepts do enrich food policy understanding. A markets-as-networks (MAN) analysis is proposed to provide a better way of understanding the marketing problems in the context of buyer dominated vegetable supply networks, where interaction is an important feature of supply relations and where exchange is embedded in on-going relationships. The research discussion considers the extent to which markets-as-networks (MAN) ideas offer a better framework for policy goals to increase the production of vegetables in England as part of a sustainable model for agriculture. Relationship marketing, from orthodox marketing, displays some features in common with the MAN tradition. By proposing this common ground between orthodox and heterodox marketing, the thesis offers directions for a revitalised market-oriented understanding of UK Food Policy and its development. Key words: UK Food Policy, vegetable production, markets, marketing, heterodox marketing, markets-as-networks, Englan

Northern Greenhouses : an alternative local food provisioning strategy for Nunavik

Les serres nordiques: Une approche alternative à la sécurité alimentaire au Nunavik. Les communautés inuites font face à des changements socioculturels et environnementaux rapides ainsi qu’à plusieurs défis concernant la sécurité alimentaire. Récemment, plusieurs projets innovateurs ont pris forme pour pallier aux coûts élevés et la qualité discutable des aliments frais dans le Nord. Cette recherche s’est déroulée au Nunavik (la région inuite de la province de Québec, Canada) et a été élaborée en utilisant une approche de recherche participative. L’objectif de ce travail était de documenter et de participer au développement d’un projet pilote de serre dans le village de Kuujjuaq dans le but de développer un modèle de sécurité alimentaire alternative pour le Nord. Plusieurs personnes ont, de prime abord, remis en question la viabilité à long terme d’un projet de serre dans une communauté inuite. Pourtant, les résultats de cette recherche démontrent qu’il y a de l’intérêt et du soutien de tous les secteurs pour ce type d’initiative. Les résultats démontrent également qu’une stratégie d’approvisionnement local basée sur la serriculture est techniquement faisable et socialement acceptable. La conclusion générale de cette recherche est que les serres nordiques ont le potentiel de devenir des éléments clés dans une nouvelle stratégie alimentaire nordique, une stratégie qui sera plus résiliente que celle que nous connaissons aujourd'hui, et qui va contribuer de manière durable à l’essor de la capacité communautaire et au développement socioéconomique des villages nordiques.Northern Greenhouses: An Alternative Approach to Food Security in Nunavik. Inuit communities are currently facing rapid sociocultural and environmental change as well as numerous food security issues. However, these issues are being addressed in increasingly innovative ways; notably through the implementation of alternative agricultural projects that address the high cost and questionable quality of fresh food in the North. This research took place in Nunavik (the Inuit region of the province of Quebec, Canada) and was elaborated using a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach. The objective of this work was to participate in and document the development of a greenhouse pilot project in the village of Kuujjuaq and, through this process, develop a framework for an alternative type of northern food security initiative. While many initially questioned the long-term viability of a greenhouse project in an Inuit community, results of this research show that there is indeed interest in and concerted support from all sectors for this type of initiative. Results also show that a greenhouse-based local food strategy in Nunavik is technically feasible and can be developed in a manner that is culturally appropriate and socially acceptable. The overall conclusion drawn from this research is that northern greenhouses have the potential to become key elements in a new type of northern food strategy, a strategy that will be more resilient than the one that we know today and that will contribute in a sustainable manner to the building up of the community capacity and socioeconomic stability of northern villages