Évaluation des risques que comporte l’exposition aux gras trans au Canada

Trans fats are undesirable because they raise LDL-cholesterol and lower HDL-cholesterol levels in the blood, which can lead to an increased risk of coronary heart disease. In the mid-1990\u27s, researchers estimated that Canadians had one of the highest average trans fat intakes in the world, estimated to be approximately 3.7% of energy. The World Health Organization recommends that average intakes of trans fats should be less than 1% of total energy. As such Canada has pursued a multi-faceted approach to decrease trans fat levels in Canadian foods. Initiatives undertaken include: mandatory nutrition labelling, the establishment of a multi-stakeholder Trans Fat Task Force to develop recommendations and strategies to eliminate trans fat in Canadian foods, and most recently the monitoring of industry\u27s efforts in reducing trans fats from their food products. Collectively, these initiatives have proven successful as average trans fat intakes have been reduced to 1.42% of overall energy. Further reductions in trans fat levels in the Canadian food supply are needed to meet the target of 1% of energy, the associated public health objectives, and the protection of vulnerable populations.Les gras trans sont indésirables, car ils augmentent la concentration sanguine en cholestérol à lipoprotéines de faible densité et abaissent celle en cholestérol à lipoprotéines de haute densité, ce qui peut mener à un risque accru de coronaropathie. Au milieu des années 1990, les chercheurs ont estimé quʹau sein de la population canadienne les apports en gras trans comptaient au nombre des plus élevés au monde en atteignant environ 3,7% de l’apport énergétique. Selon la recommandation de l’Organisation mondiale de la santé, l’apport moyen en gras trans devrait être inférieur à 1% de l’apport énergétique total. Par conséquent, le Canada a adopté une démarche à volets multiples visant à diminuer la teneur en gras trans des aliments canadiens. Les initiatives entreprises sont les suivantes: l’étiquetage nutritionnel obligatoire, l’établissement dʹun groupe de travail multilatéral, soit le Groupe d’étude surles graisses trans, dans le but d’élaborer des recommandations et des stratégies ciblant l’élimination des gras trans dans l’approvisionnement alimentaire canadien et, plus récemment, la surveillance des efforts investis par l’industrie dans la diminution des gras trans contenus dans ses produits. De concert, ces initiatives ont été couronnées de succès alors que l’apport moyen en gras trans a atteint 1,42% de l’apport énergétique total. D’autres réductions de la teneur en gras trans de l’approvisionnement alimentaire au Canada sont essentielles pour atteindre pleinement la cible de 1% de l’apport énergétique ainsi que les objectifs afférents en matière de santé publique et de protection des populations vulnérables

Design and characterization of a direct ELISA for the detection and quantification of leucomalachite green

Malachite green (MG), a member of the N-methylated triphenylmethane class of dyes, has long been used to control fungal and protozoan infections in fish. MG is easily absorbed by fish during waterborne exposure and is rapidly metabolized into leucomalachite green (LMG), which is known for its long residence time in edible fish tissue. This paper describes the development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection and quantification of LMG in fish tissue. This development includes a simple and versatile method for the conversion of LMG to monodesmethyl-LMG, which is then conjugated to bovine serum albumin (BSA) to produce an immunogenic material. Rabbit polyclonal antibodies are generated against this immunogen, purified and used to develop a direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the screening and quantification of LMG in fish tissue. The assay performed well, with a limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.1 and 0.3 ng g−1 of fish tissue, respectively. The average extraction efficiency from a matrix of tilapia fillets was approximately 73% and the day-to-day reproducibility for these extractions in the assay was between 5 and 10%

Setting a Structured Food and Feed Laboratory Testing Capacity in the Arab Region

Food and feed analysis is a key component in the healthy function and performance of a food control system. Sound decision making relies upon accurate food and feed test results, such as robust scientific data, to inform the risk analysis process: the foundation for establishing responsible regulatory measures. This paper presents efforts presently underway in the Arab region to structure the operation of food and feed testing laboratories and to coordinate sanitary and phytosanitary measures, as a means to stimulate intra-regional trade of food and agri-food commodities. It examines previous experiences undertaken to frame such collaborative action in food and feed testing in the European Union (EU), and, more recently in South East Asia. In addition, the outputs of a survey conducted among key opinion leaders, actors of accreditation bodies, and food competent authorities with regard to current assets and challenges faced by food and feed regulatory testing in the Arab region are discussed. Lastly, a path forward is proposed to shape the development of Arab regional Reference Laboratories, and requirements are recommended to achieve a common policy direction and criteria for the designation of such Reference Laboratories. A regional approach is introduced to promote the integration of food regulatory systems in the region, to strengthen the performance, and to enhance the reliability of food and feed testing in priority areas, with the aim to better characterize the food safety and quality realities in the Arab region. https://doi.org/10.21423/jrs-v09i2godefro

Lead exposure from honey: meta-analysis and risk assessment for the Arab region

The Codex Alimentarius Commission has adopted a maximum level for lead in honey (0.1 mg/kg). Despite representing a population of more than half a billion, exposure and risk assessments for lead specific to the Arab region are lacking. The aim of this work was to collect analytical data for lead in honey available in Arab countries and to assess the risk caused by exposure to lead from these samples for local consumers. A regional mean lead concentration in honey, obtained through a meta-analysis of 57 studies, was used in deterministic risk assessments for adults (nephrotoxicity and cardiovascular effects) and young children (developmental neurotoxicity). A regional pooled mean concentration of 0.12 mg/kg [95%CI: 0.07–0.21] (0.13 mg/kg, if non-detects are considered at their highest possible value) was obtained. Margins of exposure of 363 [71–17182] and 865 [168–40909] were calculated for adults, and of 48 [9–2273] for children, indicating potential concern for the latter population subset. These values were produced using GEMS consumption data, and considering the same intake for both children and adults, potentially overestimating the risk for children. Nevertheless, food competent authorities should consider measures to reduce lead concentration in honey available for sale in the region to prevent trade constraints and to better protect vulnerable populations.</p

Effect of processing on the detectability of pecan proteins assessed by immunological and proteomic tools

The present study evaluates the effect of food processing on the antigenicity of pecan proteins as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, proteomic tools were used to identify potential pecan markers suitable for confirming the presence of pecan proteins in food and validating new methods developed to detect traces of the commodity. To assess the effects of processing on protein stability and antigenicity, pecan nuts were submitted to heat treatments and extracts were analysed by ELISA, sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot. The ELISA method was able to detect pecan traces even after submitting the commodity to rigorous treatments, though these treatments affected the detectability to varying degrees. Proteomic assessment showed that the majority of pecan proteins were matched by homology to walnut proteins, which are more abundantly populated in the protein sequence databases. However, there were a few important exceptions: 7S vicilin, 11S legumin and putative allergen I1, unambiguously identified as pecan in origin. Interestingly, putative allergen I1 offered unique analytical advantages to be used as a pecan marker for validation and confirmation purposes.Fil: Polenta, Gustavo Alberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Tecnología de Alimentos; Argentina.Fil: Weber, Dorcas. Health Canada. Bureau of Chemical Safety; Canada.Fil: Godefroy Benrejeb, Samuel. Health Canada. Bureau of Chemical Safety; Canada.Fil: Abbott, Michael. Health Canada. Bureau of Chemical Safety; Canada