Radionuclides in the Food Chain


Book Description

The Symposium on Radionuclides in the Food Chain, sponsored by the Interna tional Life Sciences Institute in association with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, was intended to bring together policymakers and other representatives of the food industry with radiation experts involved in measuring and assessing radioactivity in foodstuffs. The symposium was made timely by the problems arising from the nuclear reactor accident at Chernobyl, in the USSR, which brought out the lack of international agreement on guidance for responding to such radionuclide contamination of food and foodstuffs. The presentations by the radiation experts covered the sources of radionu clides-natural radioactivity, fallout from nuclear weapons tests, routine releases from nuclear facilities, and various nuclear accidents. The speakers represented a broad distribution in both scientific disciplines and international geographic origin. They summarized the available data on measurements and indicated the current procedures for assessing radiation exposure. It was hoped that the food industry representatives would bring out the problems posed to industry and governments by the presence of radioactivity in food.










Radionuclide Concentrations in Food and the Environment


Book Description

As radiological residue, both naturally occurring and technologically driven, works its way through the ecosystem, we see its negative effects on the human population. Radionuclide Concentrations in Food and the Environment addresses the key issues concerning the relationship between natural and manmade sources of environmental radioactivity




Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies in Animal Production Systems, Preparedness, Response and Recovery


Book Description

This Open Access volume explains how major nuclear and radiological emergencies (NREs) can have implications at local, national and international level. The response to NREs requires a competent decision-making structure, clear communication and effective information exchange. National veterinary services have the responsibility to plan, design and manage animal production system in their countries. These activities cover animal health, animal movement control, production control and improvement, and control of the products of animal origin before their placement on the market. Release of radionuclides after NREs can cause substantial contamination in the animal production systems. Critical responsibility of veterinary authorities is therefore to prevent such contamination, establish early response mechanisms to mitigate the consequences and prevent placement of contaminated products of animal origin on the market for human consumption. This work summarizes the critical technical points for effective management of NREs for national veterinary services.







Food Safety Management


Book Description

In many countries of the world, the dairy industry is one of the most important food sectors and it has, by and large, been very successful in providing safe products. Nevertheless, the dairy sector, like other food sectors, also has its challenges, as from farm to the point of consumption, dairy products can become contaminated with a broad range of microbial and chemical hazards. The sources of contamination are multiple and the pathways are complex. Contamination of milk can occur directly by dairy animals shedding pathogens into the milk, or indirectly by contamination of the milk during the milking process, collection and transportation. Infected animals or asymptomatic carriers can shed the organisms in the feces and contaminate the milk through the environment. Other sources of environmental contamination are water, pests, soil, feces, pets and contaminated feed. Infected farmers, not respecting hand hygiene, are also a potential source of contamination of milk. During milking, collection and transportation, milk can be subjected to further contamination by the equipment and/or be subjected to time–temperature abuse, creating optimum conditions for microbial growth. Hence, ensuring safety of milk and dairy products starts on the farm with animal health, quality of feed, a hygienic environment and, in general, good animal husbandry. Nevertheless, pasteurization of milk is necessary to kill any surviving organisms and reduce the risk of illness to an acceptable level. Provided that hygienic measures are taken to prevent any post-process contamination, milk and dairy products can be produced and consumed safely. The present chapter reviews risks and control measures all along the production chain.