Search results for "FOOD SAFETY"

An overview of nanoparticles role in the improvement of barrier properties of bioplastics for food packaging applications

2017

Abstract Plastics are the most demanding materials for the food packaging industry due to economical and practical reasons such as their low cost, lightness, easy to handle in integrated production lines, and their higher resistance than other materials. Besides containment and information, the packaging should protect foodstuffs from not only contamination but also the loss of food quality. Despite the many advantages, their inherent permeability is perhaps the foremost drawback that could lead to the loss of some food components and, also, to the transference of gases or moisture from the surrounding to the food. Thus, the barrier properties and the wettability are of fundamental importan…

Nanomaterials in Food, Which Way Forward?

2012

Abstract Nanotechnology has emerged as one of the most innovative technologies occurred in decades and has the potential to improve food quality and safety. At present, there are also a few studies demonstrating that nanomaterials (NMs) are not inherently benign. This chapter highlights some current applications of NMs in food, food additives and food contact materials and reviews analytical approaches suitable to address food safety-related issues of nanotechnology. As starting point, discussion on the current regulatory situation of nanotechnology in relation to food is addressed, followed by a detailed description of sample preparation aspects, separation methods (e.g. field-flow fractio…

Food Allergy Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices: A Pilot Study of the General Public and Food Handlers

2016

Objective: We have assessed the factors that might improve the free food allergen at the restaurants. In addition, we have compared food handlers knowledge with the general public knowledge about food allergens. Design: Cross-sectional, via questionnaires. Participants: A total of 182 participants (80 food handlers and 102 of general public). Main Outcome Measures: Dependent variables: Food allergy knowledge, attitudes and practices. Analysis: The analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent t-test. Questionnaires were hand coded and data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19.0. Results: The survey showed that food handlers and general public had some …

Knowledge, attitudes and self-reported practices of food service staff in nursing homes and long-term care facilities

2010

The aim of this study was to investigate knowledge, attitudes and practices of food service staff in nursing homes and long-term care facilities for the elderly in Sicily, Italy. Association with some demographic and work-related variables was also investigated. This survey provides information and outlines many complex questions concerning the basics of food hygiene. Education level, length of service in the employment and attending courses on food hygiene influenced the knowledge, attitudes and practices of food service staff. This study has evidenced the need for continuous training among food service staff regarding food safety in LTCF and nursing homes.

Towards a more sustainable food Supply chain: opening up invisible waste in food service

2016

Future challenges to the global food supply chain are complex. In order to embrace sustainability, companies should change their management practices towards more efficient resource use. Food waste being a misuse of resources, we identify its causes and possible ways of minimising it. To achieve this goal, we conducted explorative research with qualitative and quantitative data through in-depth semi-structured interviews and an open questionnaire with top Spanish food service companies. Results show that most businesses mainly tend to minimise food waste according to economic criteria, without taking into account the social, ethical or environmental factors. As a consequence, just “visible”…

Green technologies for food processing: Principal considerations

2019

Abstract The environmental impact of the food industry is of increasing concern for our society. Reductions in the amounts of harmful substances produced and in energy consumption, and increases in by-product recycling, are all requirements that the industry must now meet. However, “green technology” concepts are currently driving the development of new techniques in this field. Emerging green technologies are capable of superseding conventional thermal treatment, which negatively affects the physical, nutritional, and bioactive properties of food, and are also more environmentally friendly. Novel green techniques include ionizing and ultraviolet radiation, ohmic heating, high-power ultraso…

Bioavailability and metabolism.

2002

Irradiated foods between concern and acceptance in the Italian market

2018

Consumers have always shown a marked concern for the novel technologies. The treatment of foods with ionizing radiation, not entirely new, has always been a major concern among consumers for the impact that the consumption of treated food could have on health. The aim of this paper is to investigate Italian consumer attitudes towards the irradiated food and in particular the perceived risk and the acceptability of these technology. A survey was carried out in Italy by administering an on-line questionnaire to a sample of 392 consumers. The results of the study highlight a low level of knowledge of food irradiation, often associated with nuclear radiation and doubts about the effect that the…

The consequences of physical post-treatments (microwave and electron-beam) on food/packaging interactions: A physicochemical and toxicological approa…

2016

IF 4.052; The safety of microwave and electron-beam treatments has been demonstrated, in regards to the formation of reaction products that could endanger human health. An integrated approach was used combining the potential toxicity of all the substances likely to migrate to their chemical characterizations. This approach was applied to polypropylene (PP) films prepared with a selection of additives. Components were identified by liquid and gas chromatography using a mass selective detector system. Their potential toxicity was assessed using three in vitro short-term bioassays and their migrations were carried out using a standards-based approach. After the electron-beam treatment some add…

Mild processing applied to the inactivation of the main foodborne bacterial pathogens: A review

2017

International audience; Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Campylobacter are the major bacterial pathogens associated with foodborne diseases and their inactivation is fundamental to ensure microbiologically safe products. Although efficient in generating safe foods with proper shelf-lives, pasteurization and commercial sterilization may result in numerous nutritional and sensory changes in foods. To address these disadvantages, mild processing methods (i.e., processing technologies for food preservation that apply mild temperature; <40 °C) aiming to destroy microbial food contaminants have been developed.Scope and approachThis review emphasizes the main applic…