Hazard analysis and critical control point plan for hazards in Ugandan amaranth vegetable value chain

Currently, there is a high demand for amaranth due to its ability to withstand harsh climatic conditions, making it an ideal crop in the changing climate. There is also increased awareness and education on its nutritional and overall health benefits, and the availability of improved recipes. However, the presence of hazards can hinder the commercialisation of amaranth, which is in most cases traded informally. Food safety issues along the amaranth value chain should, therefore, be addressed to cope with both production and safety demands. The objective of this study, therefore, was to develop a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan for hazards in the amaranth value chain in Uganda. The seven principles outlined by Codex Alimentarius were followed to develop the HACCP plan. A tree diagram was further used to identify each potential hazard at each processing stage and Critical Control Points (CCPs) along the chain. For the CCPs identified, reliable control mechanisms and corrective actions were established to fulfil the requirements set by the critical limits to guarantee the safety of the products. Verification and records systems were proposed to determine the effectiveness and traceability of the HACCP plan. For each of the identified CCPs, samples were collected purposively and analysed for chemical and microbial contaminants. From the analysis, fifteen processing stages, starting from the land section to cooking and serving, were identified. Out of these, eight stages were defined as CCPs. These were site selection, land and seedbed preparation, irrigation, market display/humidity control, washing before preparation, chopping, cooking, and holding time and serving. At CCP 1, soils were contaminated with lead and cadmium, mercury and aflatoxins but at considerably low levels. At CCP 2, organic fertilisers were only contaminated with E. coli. At CCP3, E. coli was present in irrigation water. Heavy metals were also present in the irrigation water but were below the critical limits. At CCP4, E. coli was absent in water and display surfaces. E. coli was, however, present on raw amaranth. S. aureus was detected on vendors’ hands. At CCP5, water was not contaminated with E. coli. At CCP6, only personnel hands were infected with S. aureus and Enterobacteriaceae. No contamination was detected in CCP7 and CCP8. Strict control of E. coli in manure and water and S. aureus and Enterobacteriaceae on personnel hands is required to ensure the amaranth value chain attains good food safety output.Keywords: Amaranth, food safety, prerequisite programs, HACCP plan, hazards, Ugand

Protein and amino acid composition of different quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa willd) cultivars grown under field conditions in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) remains a public health concern in most developing nations. In Africa, PEM can be attributed to monotonous diets based on cereals, roots, and tubers, with little or no protein of animal origin. Diversifying cropping systems to include protein dense pseudo-cereals such as Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) could help provide more protein in the diet of vulnerable populations. Quinoa is a crop with potential for biodiversification because it has a high nutritional value; however, it is underutilized in Africa, and information about the nutritional quality of the grain grown in contrasting environments is limited. Within the framework of FAO’s commemoration of 2013 as the ‘The International Year of the Quinoa’ (IYQ), a Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) project was developed with some African countries to assess the capacity of quinoa to adapt to different agro-ecological regions and the nutritional quality of the resulting grain. For this study, we evaluated the protein content and amino acidprofile of three genotypes of quinoa that had been grown under diverse altitudes, soil, and climate conditions in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia. The mean protein content (g/100g) of Kancolla, Titicaca and BBR varieties grown in Africa ranged from 14.33 ±0.20 to 17.61 ±0.55, 14.23 ±0.25 to 16.65 ±0.55, and 13.13 ±0.2 to 16.23 ±0.49, respectively. On the other hand, the protein content (g/100g) of Kancolla, Titicaca, and BBR seeds grown in Peru was 13.80 ±0.10, 17.43 ±0.31, and 17.07 ±0.11, respectively. The Kancolla variety [grown in Ethiopia and Kenya] had a significantly higher protein content than that obtained from Peru [P < 0.001]. Regarding the profile of essential amino acids, Quinoa is essentially richer in methionine than most cereals. Levels of methionine were lower in the seeds grown in Africa compared to those from Peru [P < 0.001]. In terms of environmental influences, the protein content was relatively higher in quinoa seeds grown in high-altitude areas, where soils have a low pH and high nitrogen content. We conclude that Quinoa can be introduced to Africa, especially to high altitudes and warm regions where the soil has a low pH and high nitrogen content. Thecrop would be ideal for diversifying local diets. Key words: Africa, Agro-ecology, Chenopodium quinoa, protein, amino acid content, biodiversity, diet

Protein and amino acid composition of different quinoa (chenopodium quinoa willd) cultivars grown under field conditions in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia

Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) remains a public health concern in most developing nations. In Africa, PEM can be attributed to monotonous diets based on cereals, roots, and tubers, with little or no protein of animal origin. Diversifying cropping systems to include protein dense pseudo-cereals such as Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) could help provide more protein in the diet of vulnerable populations. Quinoa is a crop with potential for biodiversification because it has a high nutritional value; however, it is underutilized in Africa, and information about the nutritional quality of the grain grown in contrasting environments is limited. Within the framework of FAO’s commemoration of 2013 as the ‘The International Year of the Quinoa’ (IYQ), a Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) project was developed with some African countries to assess the capacity of quinoa to adapt to different agro-ecological regions and the nutritional quality of the resulting grain. For this study, we evaluated the protein content and amino acid profile of three genotypes of quinoa that had been grown under diverse altitudes, soil, and climate conditions in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Zambia. The mean protein content (g/100g) of Kancolla, Titicaca and BBR varieties grown in Africa ranged from 14.33 ±0.20 to 17.61 ±0.55, 14.23 ±0.25 to 16.65 ±0.55, and 13.13 ±0.2 to 16.23 ±0.49, respectively. On the other hand, the protein content (g/100g) of Kancolla, Titicaca, and BBR seeds grown in Peru was 13.80 ±0.10, 17.43 ±0.31, and 17.07 ±0.11, respectively. The Kancolla variety [grown in Ethiopia and Kenya] had a significantly higher protein content than that obtained from Peru [P < 0.001]. Regarding the profile of essential amino acids, Quinoa is essentially richer in methionine than most cereals. Levels of methionine were lower in the seeds grown in Africa compared to those from Peru [P < 0.001]. In terms of environmental influences, the protein content was relatively higher in quinoa seeds grown in high-altitude areas, where soils have a low pH and high nitrogen content. We conclude that Quinoa can be introduced to Africa, especially to high altitudes and warm regions where the soil has a low pH and high nitrogen content. The crop would be ideal for diversifying local diets

The study of women, infant feeding and type 2 diabetes after GDM pregnancy and growth of their offspring (SWIFT Offspring study): prospective design, methodology and baseline characteristics

Abstract Background Breastfeeding is associated with reduced risk of becoming overweight or obese later in life. Breastfed babies grow more slowly during infancy than formula-fed babies. Among offspring exposed in utero to maternal glucose intolerance, prospective data on growth during infancy have been unavailable. Thus, scientific evidence is insufficient to conclude that breastfeeding reduces the risk of obesity among the offspring of diabetic mothers (ODM). To address this gap, we devised the Study of Women, Infant Feeding and Type 2 Diabetes after GDM Pregnancy and Growth of their Offspring, also known as the SWIFT Offspring Study. This prospective, longitudinal study recruited mother-infant pairs from the SWIFT Study, a prospective study of women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The goal of the SWIFT Offspring Study is to determine whether breastfeeding intensity and duration, compared with formula feeding, are related to slower growth of GDM offspring during the first year life. This article details the study design, participant eligibility, data collection, and methodologies. We also describe the baseline characteristics of the GDM mother-infant pairs. Methods The study enrolled 466 mother-infant pairs among GDM deliveries in northern California from 2009–2011. Participants attended three in-person study exams at 6–9 weeks, 6 months and 12 months after delivery for infant anthropometry (head circumference, body weight, length, abdominal circumference and skinfold thicknesses), as well as maternal anthropometry (body weight, waist circumference and percent body fat). Mothers also completed questionnaires on health and lifestyle behaviors, including infant diet, sleep and temperament. Breastfeeding intensity and duration were assessed via several sources (diaries, telephone interviews, monthly mailings and in-person exams) from birth through the first year of life. Pregnancy course, clinical perinatal and newborn outcomes were obtained from health plan electronic medical records. Infant saliva samples were collected and stored for genetics studies. Discussion This large, racially and ethnically diverse cohort of GDM offspring will enable evaluation of the relationship of infant feeding to growth during infancy independent of perinatal characteristics, sociodemographics and other risk factors. The longitudinal design provides the first quantitative measures of breastfeeding intensity and duration among GDM offspring during early life

FIELD EXPERIENCE FROM DESIGNING AND IMPLEMENTING A COLD-CHAIN SYSTEM FOR THE 2021 NIGERIA NATIONAL FOOD CONSUMPTION AND MICRONUTRIENT SURVEY

Improving nutrition is a key component of efforts to promote sustainable development and improve health and well-being. However, it is impossible to effectively improve nutrition in a population without monitoring the nutrition status of vulnerable groups. Monitoring approaches such as micronutrient surveys are critical to allow stakeholders determine the prevalence of malnutrition and identify micronutrient deficiencies of public health importance and at-risk groups. In this regard, the 2021 Nigeria National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey (NFCMS 2021) collected biological samples from children aged 6-59 months, adolescent girls, as well as pregnant and non-pregnant women of reproductive age. The micronutrients of interest were retinol, thiamine, riboflavin, cobalamin, folate, iodine, iron, and zinc. Quantitative 24-hour dietary recall data were also collected from children aged 6-59 months, pregnant and non-pregnant women of reproductive age. To achieve its goal, the NFCMS 2021 had to overcome some hurdles. Therefore, the current study details the challenges of developing a coldchain system for the survey and novel strategies employed to address them. The main challenges encountered included collecting, transporting, processing, storing, and analyzing over 51,143 samples from enumeration areas with unreliable electricity, difficult terrain, and far from functional health facilities. The survey successfully designed and implemented a cold-chain system across 364 enumeration areas in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. This can be attributed to several factors. First, the team reviewed and documented the survey's cold-chain requirements. Second, stakeholder engagement with the federal and state governments allowed the use of Ministry of Health cold stores. This was followed by proximity mapping of survey enumeration areas to all existing cold stores, a visit to verify their suitability, and the selection of the best cold stores for the survey. The survey also procured the right equipments, and trained teams on cold-chain logistics, best practices, troubleshooting, and communication. An innovation of the survey was the use of checklists for decision-making and realtime temperature data loggers and dashboards for monitoring the cold-chain. Using detailed contingency plans for cold-chain logistics and leveraging cost-effective technologies can improve cold-chain transparency, efficiency, and integrity in resource-constrained settings, as was the case of the NFCMS 2021. The survey identified an unmet demand for a detailed manual with updated guidance on designing a cold-chain system for a nutrition survey

FIELD EXPERIENCE FROM DESIGNING AND IMPLEMENTING A COLD-CHAIN SYSTEM FOR THE 2021 NIGERIA NATIONAL FOOD CONSUMPTION AND MICRONUTRIENT SURVEY

Improving nutrition is a key component of efforts to promote sustainable development and improve health and well-being. However, it is impossible to effectively improve nutrition in a population without monitoring the nutrition status of vulnerable groups. Monitoring approaches such as micronutrient surveys are critical to allow stakeholders determine the prevalence of malnutrition and identify micronutrient deficiencies of public health importance and at-risk groups. In this regard, the 2021 Nigeria National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey (NFCMS 2021) collected biological samples from children aged 6-59 months, adolescent girls, as well as pregnant and non-pregnant women of reproductive age. The micronutrients of interest were retinol, thiamine, riboflavin, cobalamin, folate, iodine, iron, and zinc. Quantitative 24-hour dietary recall data were also collected from children aged 6-59 months, pregnant and non-pregnant women of reproductive age. To achieve its goal, the NFCMS 2021 had to overcome some hurdles. Therefore, the current study details the challenges of developing a coldchain system for the survey and novel strategies employed to address them. The main challenges encountered included collecting, transporting, processing, storing, and analyzing over 51,143 samples from enumeration areas with unreliable electricity, difficult terrain, and far from functional health facilities. The survey successfully designed and implemented a cold-chain system across 364 enumeration areas in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. This can be attributed to several factors. First, the team reviewed and documented the survey's cold-chain requirements. Second, stakeholder engagement with the federal and state governments allowed the use of Ministry of Health cold stores. This was followed by proximity mapping of survey enumeration areas to all existing cold stores, a visit to verify their suitability, and the selection of the best cold stores for the survey. The survey also procured the right equipments, and trained teams on cold-chain logistics, best practices, troubleshooting, and communication. An innovation of the survey was the use of checklists for decision-making and realtime temperature data loggers and dashboards for monitoring the cold-chain. Using detailed contingency plans for cold-chain logistics and leveraging cost-effective technologies can improve cold-chain transparency, efficiency, and integrity in resource-constrained settings, as was the case of the NFCMS 2021. The survey identified an unmet demand for a detailed manual with updated guidance on designing a cold-chain system for a nutrition survey

Consuming iron biofortified beans increases iron status in Rwandan women after 128 days in a randomized controlled feeding Trial 1–3

CIAT- Outstanding Research Publication Award (ORPA) - 2016Background: Food-based strategies to reduce nutritional iron deficiency have not been universally successful. Biofortification has the potential to become a sustainable, inexpensive, and effective solution. Objective: This randomized controlled trial was conducted to determine the efficacy of iron-biofortified beans (Fe-Beans) to improve iron status in Rwandan women. Methods: A total of 195 women (aged 18–27 y) with serum ferritin <20 mg/L were randomly assigned to receive either Fe-Beans, with 86 mg Fe/kg, or standard unfortified beans (Control-Beans), with 50 mg Fe/kg, 2 times/d for 128 d in Huye, Rwanda. Iron status was assessed by hemoglobin, serum ferritin, soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), and body iron (BI); inflammation was assessed by serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum a1-acid glycoprotein (AGP). Anthropometric measurements were performed at baseline and at end line. Random weekly serial sampling was used to collect blood during the middle 8wk of the feeding trial. Mixed-effects regression analysis with repeated measurements was used to evaluate the effect of Fe-Beans compared with Control-Beans on iron biomarkers throughout the course of the study. Results: At baseline, 86% of subjects were iron-deficient (serum ferritin <15 mg/L) and 37% were anemic (hemoglobin <120 g/L). Both groups consumed an average of 336 g wet beans/d. The Fe-Beans group consumed 14.5 6 1.6 mg Fe/d from biofortified beans, whereas the Control-Beans group consumed 8.6 6 0.8 mg Fe/d from standard beans (P < 0.05). Repeated-measures analyses showed significant time-by-treatment interactions for hemoglobin, log serum ferritin, and BI (P < 0.05). The Fe-Beans group had significantly greater increases in hemoglobin (3.8 g/L), log serum ferritin (0.1 log mg/L), and BI (0.5 mg/kg) than did controls after 128 d. For every 1 g Fe consumed from beans over the 128 study days, there was a significant 4.2-g/L increase in hemoglobin (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The consumption of iron-biofortified beans significantly improved iron status in Rwandan women. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01594359. J Nutr doi: 10.3945/jn.115.224741

How big is the potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) yield gap in Sub-Saharan Africa and why? A participatory approach

According to potato experts from ten Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries working together in a community of practice (CoP) over a 3-years period, potato farmers across SSA can increase their current annual production of 10.8 million metric tons by 140% if they had access to high quality seed along with improved management practices. This paper describes this innovative new methodology tested on potato for the first time, combining modelling and a comprehensive online survey through a CoP. The intent was to overcome the paucity of experimental information required for crop modelling. Researchers, whose data contributed to estimating model parameters, participated in the study using Solanum, a crop model developed by the International Potato Center (CIP). The first finding was that model parameters estimated through participatory modelling using experts’ knowledge were good approximations of those obtained experimentally. The estimated yield gap was 58 Mg ha-1, of which 35 corresponded to a research gap (potential yield minus research yield) and 24 to farmers’ gap (research yield minus farmer’s yield). Over a 6-month period, SurveyMonkey, a Web-based platform was used to assess yield gap drivers. The survey revealed that poor quality seed and bacterial wilt were the main yield gap drivers as perceived by survey respondents