Food System Resilience within a Learning Organization by Elst et al 2022

Just recently a brilliantly packaged write up on food system resilience was released by Elst, Cornelis and his team. Other co authors are Hoffman JT and Unis CC.
It takes readers through the need to observe even the slightest critical control points , among others. It is a super asset for those in possession of the paper. For details, please visit

Food System Resilience within a Learning Organization

Immense appreciation to Elst for sending this resource to Safe Food and Feed Foundation

Dele Fapohunda PhD
Founder
7 July 2022

LISTERIA ON CHICKEN INVITES PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT FROM USDA

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) late Friday issued  a public health alert due to concerns that ready-to-eat (R-T-E) chicken salad products produced by Simply Fresh Market, a Marietta, Ga. establishment, may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.The FSIS pubic health alert said a recall was not requested because the known affected product is no longer available in commerce for consumers to purchase. FSIS’s  concern is that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.The R-T-E chicken salad with apples and walnuts items were produced on Jan. 17, 2022. The following product is subject to the public health alert [view label]:

  • 8-oz and 16-oz. deli hinged containers of “simply fresh MARKET CHICKEN SALAD Apples & Walnuts” with a sell by date of “1/25” printed on the label.

The products bear establishment number “EST. P47170” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to three local markets in Atlanta,

The contamination  was discovered when the company notified FSIS that product sampling reported positive Listeria monocytogenes results.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.

Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

About Listeria infections

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any recalled product and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for the food poisoning symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop.

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

Source=https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2022/01/fsis-public-health-alert-for-r-t-e-chicken-for-listeria-contamination/#more-211448

Dele Fapohunda

Feb 1 2022

UNSAFE FOOD SCARE AS INFECTIONS THROUGH Salmonella IN CORN REPORTED IN CANADA

A new report b y  Coral Beach  in Jan 29, 2022, edition of Food safety news, confirms a Illnesses continuing  addition to the series of  illnesses traceable   the consumption of  Salmonella enteritidis  in frozen corn in Canada . Before this , many RECALLS have been done on suspicion. Please read on

The Public Health Agency continuing fCanada (PHAC) reports that there are now 110 people from five provinces who have been confirmed as outbreak patients. As of Dec. 21 there were 84 confirmed patients.

“Many of the individuals who became sick reported eating a variety of raw and cooked produce items before their illness. Initially, investigators identified that fresh avocados were reported by many cases before they became ill; however, more information was needed to confirm the source of the outbreak,” according to the PHAC outbreak update.

“As part of the food safety investigation, the CFIA collected different food items from restaurants where ill people dined. Testing found the outbreak strain of Salmonella in an unopened package of Alasko brand frozen whole kernel corn. Traceback findings identified Alasko as the common brand of frozen corn consumed at various foodservice establishments by individuals who became sick. Based on the investigation findings to date, the outbreak is linked to Alasko brand frozen whole kernel corn.”

Outbreak patients have been identified in five provinces: British Columbia with 42, Alberta with 49, Saskatchewan with 4, Manitoba with 13, and Ontario with 2. The illnesses reported in Ontario are related to travel to Alberta and British Columbia, according to the public health agency.

Patients documented so far became sick between early September 2021 and late December 2021. Four individuals have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Individuals who became ill are between 1 and 89 years of age. The majority of cases, 64 percent, are female.

It can take several weeks for patients to be added to the outbreak list after they become ill because of the time it takes to confirm their infections and report them to provincial and federal authorities.

“The outbreak appears to be ongoing, as recent illnesses continue to be reported,” according to the outbreak update.

“Do not eat, use, sell, or serve any of the recalled corn or products made with the recalled corn. This advice applies to individuals, as well as retailers, distributors, manufacturers and foodservice establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals and long-term care homes, across Canada.”

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued food recalls in relation to the outbreak. The recalled products were distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec, and may have been distributed in other provinces and territories.

The recall of Alasko brand frozen whole kernel corn has led to secondary recalls, including one by Fraser Valley Meats, one by Osaka and T&T Supermarkets, one by Save on Foods, one by Nourishment Meals, and one by King Ranch.

The secondary recalls involve products that used Alasko brand frozen corn as an ingredient. The CFIA is continuing its food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated food recall warnings.

Recalls related to the outbreak

More still need s to be done in quality and standard in food meant for human consumption

Source=https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2022/01/more-people-sick-in-canada-in-ongoing-salmonella-outbreak-linked-to-corn/#more-211444

Dele Fap Feb 1, 2022

Food Safety Organisations

The importance of food safety necessitated the formation of organizations in various countries to promote and regulate same. Below is a list of such regional and national  bodies

This is a list of organizations and associated posts which are related to food safety, either as a primary interest or through statutory responsibility. National organizations are grouped by the UN geoscheme.

Africa

– Egyptian Food Safety Authority

Americas

Asia

Europe

Oceania

Nigeria=Voices Rise against UPOV91 Based Plant Variety Protection Law

On the 23rd of August 2021, a civil society organization, HOMEF together with 101 others released their voices against the UPO91-based Plant Variety Protection Law. This law was earlier rejected by similar organizations in Ghana. With this recent rejection, its clear  more African countries will soon come on board. The rejection was based on issues like subsuming small holders’ rights under the breeders’. It is more annoying when the law did not recognize  the need for public consultation and stakeholder input before put it in place. For more on this, please read on….as prepared by HOMEF

23 August 2021
The Secretary General
The International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV)
Genève 20, SwitzerlandDear Mr. Daren TangPetition: Nigerians Reject the UPOV-91 Based Plant Variety Protection Law

The undersigned coalition of farmers, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), researchers, youth and women groups representing millions of Nigerians and Africans have denounced the adoption of an UPOV91 based Plant Variety Protection (PVP)law in Nigeria. They demand that Nigeria withdraws the law and adopt a sui generis law based on the peculiar agriculture system in the country.

The provisions of the Act at section 43(2) contravenes the Constitution of Nigeria and its validity is already challenged in the law court. The Registered Trustees of Health of Mother Earth Foundation supported by over 50 organisations filed a lawsuit challenging the undemocratic process and the inconsistency of the UPOV based PBR law with the Nigerian constitution and have sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development  by themselves, their agents, servants, workmen or otherwise whatsoever from carrying out any activity or further activity pursuant to section 43(2) of the Plant Variety Protection Act 2021. The lawsuit seeks a declaration that section 43(2) of the Plant Variety Protection Act 2021 is illegal, invalid, null and void and contrary to the letters and spirit of Sections 6 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended in 2011).
We believe that the Plant Variety Protection (PVP) Bill which was signed into law by the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari on 25 May 2021 and which allows Nigeria join the International Union for the Protection of New Plant Varieties (UPOV-91) fails to take into account the particular seed and agricultural context of the country.
The law creates an environment where Intellectual Property Rights override farmers’ rights and commercial seed trumps farmers and indigenous seed systems; marginalizes farmers and not only breaches fundamental principles of international law, but also constitutes a discrimination vis-à-vis farmers and their seed systems.
Conformity of the Nigerian PVP law with UPOV 1991 is bound to have dire consequences for a country where 80% of the farming population consists of small-scale farmers who conserve and improve plant genetic resources and who depend on traditional practices of saving, reusing, exchanging and selling farm-saved seed for their livelihoods.
Analysis have shown that the Nigerian PVP Law places severe restrictions not only on the use of farm-saved seed (propagating material) but extends to harvested material (e.g., grain) and even further to products made directly from harvested material (e.g., milled maize) obtained through the use of harvested material.
In addition, the extensive scope of breeders’ rights will restrict others from using protected varieties for research and breeding purposes. Restrictions to freely save, use, exchange and sell farm-saved seed/propagating material have dire implications particularly as these are essential components of farmers’ rights.  
The Nigerian PVP law fails to recognise farmers’ contributions, or give them rights vis-à-vis, farm-saved seed, without forcing them to pay royalties. It does not enable farmers to develop new varieties (e.g by selection) on the basis of the protected varieties, or save, exchange and sell the propagating material. Thus, the premise of the law is only on strengthening breeders’ rights and marginalising and exploiting small-scale farmers in Nigeria.
Section 49 of the Act allows the applicant to declare some portion of the application to be confidential. This is not acceptable. The PVP Act 2021 including the regulations must define what is considered confidential information, particularly since disclosure of origin is not required as part of the application and grant procedure. Limiting access to information provides loopholes for biopiracy and also makes it difficult for a member of the public or any person opposing an application to do so without having read the relevant information.
The process of development of the PVP law was illegitimate, with no public hearings and lack of consultations and participation of smallholder farmers. This is in contrast to the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 which provides for democracy and social justice as per Article 14 (1) and 14(2) (c ).
Smallholder farmers have expressed disappointment over the focus of the government on protecting the rights of breeders over the rights of and support to the smallholder farmers who produce the bulk of the food the nation consumes and who have been custodians of food over the years. They condemn the criminal sanctions on farmers if they duplicate or share seeds registered under this law adding that the current informal system of farming which allows farmers freely share, sell and reuse seeds will be disrupted by this law.
We reject the UPOV-91 Convention because it doesn’t fit the Nigerian context it is designed by countries where agriculture is a business rather than a way of life. Such countries have a tiny fraction of the population involved in agriculture which is of the industrial type whereas a majority of our population is involved in Agriculture with over 80% being small holder farmers.
The UPOV regime does not provide equal protection for all as it is difficult or impossible for farmers to claim protection over the materials they have been using overtime. There is no recognition of collective ownership, only individual, private ownership, and procedures are designed for corporations.
Recent studies and experience in countries where the UPOV 1991 Act has been adopted have shown how dysfunctional the PVP system is and that it has had very little impact on introduction of foreign novel varieties in the OAPI region. The PVP system has not delivered on the promises of food security and nutrition but restricts the use of protected varieties in the exchange and sale of farmer-saved seed/propagating material which have implications on farmer managed seed systems, farmers’ rights and ultimately, human rights.
We demand that:
•    Nigeria should not accede to UPOV and its 1991 Act. Instead Nigeria should conduct a thorough, objective and realistic multidisciplinary assessment of the local situation which takes into account the kind of seed supply system in place, the extent to which farmers freely save, exchange and sell seed/propagating material, the type of domestic seed industry and the existence of public breeding, the current domestic breeding capacity, international obligations applicable (CBD, Nagoya Protocol, ITPGRFA, human rights, etc.), and relevant national objectives and policies (e.g., on nutrition, food security, poverty reduction, agriculture). Nigeria doesn’t have a bilateral trade investment agreement that expressly mandates it to accede to the UPOV 1991 Convention.
•    The Plant Variety Protection Act, 2021 should be recalled and replaced with a sui generis law based on the African Model which addresses the peculiar challenges in Agriculture in an all-inclusive and mutually benefitting way. The Nigerian government should take into account international obligations of which it is party to such as the CBD and the ITPGRFA including other measures required to support implementation of these.
•    Small holder farmers are the backbone of Agriculture in the country and thus should be adequately supported in terms of favourable policies; infrastructure; extension service; credit schemes; access to land etc. for improved productivity.
•     We demand support for farmer managed systems (FMSS), farmers’ rights and our human rights.
•    We demand a democratization of our food system, promotion of local solutions and sovereignty for our small holder farmers.
•    The government should ensure support and autonomy of public breeding research institutions as these breed varieties for farmers and have an obligation to the public.For more information you can reach:
Nnimmo Bassey: nnimmo@homef.org
Mariann Bassey-Orovwuje: annybassi@yahoo.com
Joyce Brown: joyce@homef.orgThis was endorsed by:
1.    Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF)
2.    GMO-Free Nigeria Alliance
3.    Corporate Accountability and Public Participation for Africa (CAPPA)
4.    Nigerians Against GMOs
5.    Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN)
6.    Nigeria Women Farmers Association (NIWAAFA)
7.    We the People
8.    BFA Food and Health Limited
9.    Association of Women Farmers of Nigeria
10.    Women and Youth in Agriculture
11.    Udama Co-operative Farm
12.    Green Alliance Nigeria
13.    Women& Children Life Advancement Initiative
14.    The Young Environmentalist Network (TYEN)
15.    Peace Point Action
16.    Social Action
17.    Committee on Vital Environmental Resources (COVER)
18.    Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative (GERI)
19.    Eco Defenders Network
20.    Urban-Rural Environmental Defenders (U-RED)
21.    Host Communities Network
22.    Youth and Small Holder Farmers(YOSHOFA)
23.    Women Environment Programme (WEP)
24.    Lekeh Development Foundation (LEDEF)
25.    Nigeria Coal Network (NCN)
26.    Global Prolife Alliance
27.    Neighborhood Environment Watch Foundation
28.    Socio Economic Research and Development Centre
29.    Community Forest Watch
30.    Niger Delta Development Initiative
31.    Kallop Humanitarian and Environmental Center
32.    Citizens Information and Development Initiative
33.    Relief International Africa
34.    Social Accountability and Environmental Sustainability Initiative
35.    Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
36.    Greenleaf Advocacy and Empowerment Center
37.    Foundation for the Conservation of the Earth
38.    Media Awareness and Justice Initiative
39.    WastePlus Environmental Services
40.    Visible Charity Global Foundation
41.    Ogoni Youths Development Initiative
42.    Rivers Indigenous NGOs and Civil Society Network
43.    Masses Interest Coalition
44.    Rivers Network of NGOs
45.    Ofure Centre for Peace and Development
46.    Foundation for Conservation of Nigerian Rivers
47.    Egbema Voice of Freedom
48.    Grass to Amazing Favour Global Foundation
49.    Rivers Community Content Initiative
50.    Jelu New Breed Foundation
51.    Rivers Civil Society Organisations
52.    BINEC Herbson Development Foundation
53.    Angel Support Foundation (ASF)
54.    Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF)
55.    Egbema Voice of Freedom
56.    BRACED Union, Edo State Chapter
57.    Center for Environment, Human Rights and Development(CEHRD)
58.    ANPEZ Center for Environment and Development
59.    Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA)
60.    Pius Dukor Foundation for Community Development and Advancement
61.    Canaan Peace, Women and Community Development Initiative (CAPWOCODI)
62.    Kallop Humanitarian and Environmental Center
63.    Center for Environment, Media and Development Foundation (CEMEDEC)
64.    Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development(FENRAD)
65.    Niger Delta Women International Resource, Environment and Development Center (NDWIRED CENTER)
66.    Public Enlightenment Projects (PEP)
67.    Greenskill Acquisition Centre Ltd
68.    Centre for Justice, Empowerment and Development
69.    Centre for Rural Emancipation, Economic and Social Development
70.    Child and Green Foundation
71.    Sunshine Progressive Youth Alliance
72.    Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre
73.    Rural Health and Women Development
74.    League of Queens International Empowerment
75.    Alauchi Women Development Initiative
76.    Media Awareness and Justice Initiative (MAJI)
77.    Rights advocacy & development center (RADEC)
78.    The African Centre for Biodiversity (ACB)-South Africa
79.    Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA)-Uganda
80.    The African Biodiversity Network (ABN)-Kenya
81.    West African Association for the Development of Artisanal Fisheries (ADEPA)-Senegal
82.    Coalition for the Protection of Africa’s Genetic Heritage (COPAGEN)
83.    West African Committee of Peasant Seeds (COASP)-Senegal
84.    Comparing and Supporting Endogenous Development (COMPAS Africa)
85.    Eastern and Southern Africa Small Scale Farmers Forum (ESAFF)-Tanzania
86.    Fahamu Africa
87.    Groundswell West Africa
88.    The Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in West Africa (FECCIWA)
89.    Inades-Formation
90.    The Indigenous Peoples of Africa Co-ordinating Committee (IPACC)-South Africa
91.    Young Volunteers for the Environment (YVE)-Togo
92.    Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM)-Uganda
93.    La Via Campesina (LVC)-Zimbabwe
94.    World Neighbors-USA
95.    Network of Farmers ‘and Producers’ Organizations in West Africa (ROPPA)
96.    Rural Women’s Assembly (RWA)
97.    The Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI)-South Africa
98.    PROPAC-Cameroon
99.    African Union of Consumers (AUC)-Chad
100.    Regional Schools and Colleges Permaculture Programme(ReSCOPE)-Zimbabwe
101.    Biowatch South Africa

Comment

Safe Food and Feed Foundation aligns with the stand of HOMEF and the 101 stakeholders
Dele Fapohunda
25 August, 2021

FOOD FRAUD, RECALLS AND FOOD SAFETY IN AFRICA

Food recalls, a process of withdrawal of a circulating product, constitute a vital ingredient of the food safety soup. Recalls are made when it is clear that the circulation and distribution of a particular product will injure the health of consumers. It is also done to assist the manufacturer in recovering her image which further distribution of the product will certainly cause loss of good will. Recalls come when appropriate and uncompromising monitoring regime is put in place. The most common foodborne illnesses are those caused by certain bacteria and viruses including Salmonella, Listeria, and Escherichia coli, or, norovirus, and Clostridium perfringens, or C. perfringens. Although many Western countries regularly recall as due, it is not known whether sub- Saharan countries have this regulatory approach.
Notable recalls in history include
1 Arkansas-based Cargill meat solutions Corporation recall in which one person died and 99 morbidities recorded. It took place in 2011, cost the company about 31 million pounds
2. Also Hallmark/Westland in 2006, suffered seriously as a result of a 143 million pounds recall o of beef
3. In 2015, a Salmonella infection on cucumber consumers resulted 900 cases. The cucumbers were reportedly imported into the USA from Mexico . The worst incident is the one involving cantaloupes in 2011 where more than 33 people died. Listeria was implicated and this caused some damage in cost and integrity to the company, Frontera.
4. Also in 2015, Time magazine reported a Listeria outbreak on ice cream which claimed 3 lives. Inconsistent sterilizing techniques partly resulted in this
5 Peanut Corporation of America recorded number of . of cases as 700 and the number of deaths: 9
This is one of the biggest Salmonella outbreaks of all time occurred between 2008 and 2009 when the pathogen was detected in Peanut Corporation of America’s peanut products. The outbreak infected over 700 people and killed nine in the U.S. and Canada
6. In March 2017, Vulto Creamery, an artisanal cheesemaker, based in Walton, New York reported 8 as the number of cases with 2 as the number of deaths recalled several cheeses made with raw milk that were contaminated with Listeria
7. Blue Bell Creameries, based in Texas, recorded cases as 10, and number of deaths as 3 . As a result of this the company voluntarily recalled its ice cream, yogurt, sherbet, and frozen snack products in April 2015, based on confirmed presence of Listeria
Commonly recalled items include Cosmetics, food Medications and toys What is a Food Recall?
A food recall is when a food producer takes a product off the market because there is reason to believe that it may cause consumers to become ill. In some situations, government agencies may request a food recall. Food recalls may happen for many reasons, including but not limited to:
• Discovery of organisms, including bacteria such as Salmonella or parasites such as Cyclospora.
• Discovery of foreign objects such as broken glass or metal.
• Discovery of a major allergen that does not appear on the product label.
What to Do with a Recalled Product
A food product that has been recalled due to a possible germ contamination or illness, can leave germs around your kitchen and contaminate surfaces, including the drawers and shelves in your refrigerator.
If you’ve already prepared a recalled food item in your kitchen or still have it in your refrigerator, it’s important to throw out the food and clean your kitchen.
• Wash all cookware and utensils (including cutting boards) with hot soapy water.
• Clear off counters and refrigerator drawers and shelves and wash them with hot soapy water.
• Then wipe any surfaces, shelves, or drawers and rinse dishes and cookware with a sanitizing solution and let them air dry. You can use a diluted bleach solution (1 TBSP unscented, liquid chlorine bleach in 1 gallon of water).
• Products recalled due to an undeclared allergen may be a risk for anyone in your household with an allergy to that substance. If the product has never been served, throw it away or return it for a refund. If the product has been served, wash with soap and water any surfaces – plates, pots and pans, utensils, and counters – with which the product may have had contact.
How do you know whether the item you are having right now has been recalled. Always visit appropriate website like www.recall.gov
RECALL POLICIES ARE NOT YET INSTITUTIONALIZED IN AFRICA. The implication of this is that many citizens still get exposed to unprotected and unwholesome food items on a regular basis. Lack of recalls when necessary may encourage the perpetration of food fraud as a state policy, thus injuring human health, which the Africa Union is advised to discourage

Wishing you all a safe food !!!!

Source

www.FoodSafety.gov
www.recall.gov
www.fda.gov
www.mashed.com
https://247wallst.com/special-report/2019

Dele FapohundaPh.D
234 8033709492

June 15,2021