Canada - Food Safety Expert Calls for Action to Reduce Pathogens in Animal Feeds
http://www.universitynews.org/f2ShowScript.aspx?i=23039&q=Food+Safety+Expert+Calls+for+Action+to+Reduce+Pathogens+in+Animal+Feeds
17-Apr-2009 (17 years 1 months 22 days ago)A food safety and food microbiology professor is calling for action to prevent the contamination of animal feeds with the pathogens responsible for foodborne illness in humans. 25 percent of feed samples in North America are contaminated with Salmonella.
Over the past decade incidents of foodborne illness resulting from contaminated produce, most notably baby spinach and iceberg lettuce, by E. Coli O157:H7 and Salmonella have escalated sharply.
Dr. Rick Holley, with the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, says, while the cause is not certain, the evidence suggests irrigation water and improperly composted livestock manure are possible sources.
He explains, pathogens carried in feed ingredients end up being recycled through the animal in manure which is then used, as it should, to fertilize crops.
Over the past decade incidents of foodborne illness resulting from contaminated produce, most notably baby spinach and iceberg lettuce, by E. Coli O157:H7 and Salmonella have escalated sharply.
Dr. Rick Holley, with the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, says, while the cause is not certain, the evidence suggests irrigation water and improperly composted livestock manure are possible sources.
He explains, pathogens carried in feed ingredients end up being recycled through the animal in manure which is then used, as it should, to fertilize crops.