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| image credit: http://genomealberta.ca/blogs/archive/Archive_2012_07_01.aspx |
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recently announced its collaboration with Genome Canada, and Alberta Innovates Bio to launch a $600,000-project to map the genome of Listeria bacteria, the culprit in many food-contamination incidents in the U.S., to enable the creation of better, faster tests for the pathogen.
The announcement is welcome news for the public, food advocates, as well as for conscientious food-establishment owners who employ workers with food handler certification or food safety certification training.
Existing tests take a minimum of five days to confirm the presence of Listeria in samples. A completely mapped Listeria genome opens the way to rapid tests and improved accuracy, critical capabilities for both the government and industry to prevent or contain Listeria-related illness outbreaks.
Listeria contamination can lead to listeriosis, a potentially life-threatening illness for the seniors, pregnant women, and those with compromised immune systems. Symptoms mimic those of other foodborne illnesses: fever, muscle aches, and gastrointestinal problems.
Listeria poses an uncommon threat because of the pathogen’s ability to survive to a certain degree dehydration, freezing, and high temperatures, the very regimes currently used to pasteurize food.
According to foodsafetynews.com, Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions is a publicly funded research corporation for developing new technologies and products, while Genome Canada is a research agency for the genomic sciences.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently threw its support behind the international "Meatless Monday" campaign by officially exhorting its employees to go veggie on Mondays—but hurriedly withdrew the endorsement after a searing backlash from the U.S. cattle industry led by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) and supporters of the industry like Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA).
The flip-flop has taken food advocates, as well as restaurant owners who have on their staff workers with food handler certification or food safety certification training, by surprise since one of USDA’s stated missions is “to end hunger and improve health in the United States,” as pointed out by Times magazine food columnist Mark Bittman.
According to the controversial endorsement, which appeared in USDA's internal newsletter Greening Headquarters Update: "While a vegetarian diet could have a beneficial impact on a person's health and the environment, many people are not ready to make that commitment. Because Meatless Monday involves only one day a week, it is a small change that could produce big results."
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| image credit: http://nar.oxfordjournals.org/content/32/8/2386/F1.expansion |
Foodnews.com reported that the piece additionally pointed out that animal agriculture is a chief contributor to greenhouse-gas emissions and consumes huge amounts of resources.
Foodnews.com said NCBA, for its part, came out with this condemnation, through NCBA president J.D. Alexander: "USDA was created to provide a platform to promote and sustain rural America in order to feed the world. This move by USDA should be condemned by anyone who believes agriculture is fundamental to sustaining life on this planet."
The Meatless Monday movement, however, continues to enjoy widespread backing, notably from nutritionists, nonprofit organizations, and well-known actors and celeb chefs. It has also been adopted at schools and hospitals nationwide.
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