Risks and critical issues related to the discovery on the market of unauthorized live alien species on the Italian territory: Chinese crab (Eriocheir sinensis)

Eriocheir sinensis, Chinese Crab or Chinese Mitten Crab is a catadromous species belonging to the Varunidae family, native to river and estuarine areas of North and South East China and Korea. At European level, E. sinensis is widespread in the main water basins of Central and Northern Europe and, since 2016, it has been included in the list of invasive species important for the European Union and subjected to confinement and eradication measures which include the prohibition of collection, transit and placing on the market of live specimens (Regulation (EC) N° 1143/2014). The Chinese Crab can represent a significant danger for the local ecosystem and for the native biota as well as contributing to the appearance of hydrogeological instability phenomena resulting from the intense excavation and erosion of the riverbanks. The first finding of 5 kg of live specimens of Eriocheir sinensis was recorded in the official control by the UFS (Functional Simple Unit) veterinary public health and food safety of the ASL Toscana Centro at an ethnic catering establishment. The specimens were subjected to seizure, photographed, identified morphologically, and subjected to euthanasia and destruction in accordance with the European requirements for welfare and management of animal by-products. From the sanitary point of view, the dangers associated with the consumption of this crab are mainly biological and chemical therefore, risk communication is fundamental, not only at the level of the competent authorities in the sector, but also for the food business operators

PREVALENCE OF BYOGENES AMMINS IN SEASONED D.O.P. CHEESE TOSCANO PECORINO

Pecorino cheese is one of the “D.O.P.” products made in Tuscany. There are two types of pecorino cheese one of which undergoes a curing time period which is not less than four months. Considering this curing time period, processes are conceivable that could lead to the formation of amines such as free amino acids. The biogenic amines have unquestionable effects on health in particular histamine and tyramine, they are also important indicators of hygienic quality of the profile of the movement shortly after the curing time period and included in the shelf life period which the product is commercialized

Application of digital system in food safety chain management in Uzbekistan: a preliminary evaluation

It is estimated that augmented food demand and international trade will result in the increase of food borne diseases with a rebound of important challenges for the global food safety, especially in Regions where the agrifood system is expected to significantly grow. In Central Asia agricultural and food production expanded rapidly over the last decades and in Uzbekistan the expected enrichment of population will result in a higher food quality food demand. Innovation could face the biggest challenges of the food sector and digital technologies could help in finding solution to overcome problems related to food safety. In this work the application of innovative food safety management system in Uzbekistan is analysed. Results show how innovation and digital technologies could be helpful in addressing and solving problems related to food safety and sustainability as well as competitiveness in international market

Immunoproteomics of myasthenia

Autoantibodies to nAChR are found in 85% of patients with Myasthenia Gravis (seropositive) while in 15% of them the standard immunoprecipitation test for anti-AChR is negative (seronegative). Some of these seronegative patients have antibodies against muscle specific Kinase ( MuSK). The aim of this study is to try to define auto-antibodies against protein different from AChR and MuSK in seronegative patients. We used the cell line TE671, that expresses human AChR. Through our proteomic approach we identified some proteins that could represent potential antigens different from AChR and MuSK

A NEW TOOL FOR OFFICIAL CONTROL PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF AN AUDIT PROGRAM

The new EU regulation on feed and food confirm audit like the most important tool for valuating GMP and HACCP procedures on food premises. Authors describe planning and results of 2007 audit activities