Whole genome sequencing (WGS) and epidemiological investigations provided the discriminatory power to recognize low-intensity, extended time-period outbreaks, according to an analysis of two different Listeria outbreaks.
Jadwiga O'Brien's Posts (245)
Sort by
Food safety and hygiene experts have joined forces to produce the long-awaited Industry Guide to Good Hygiene Practice: Catering 2016, which is recognised by the Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland. This new guide for caterers will help businesses serve food that’s safe to eat.
Recommendations on how the public and private sector can promote integrity and authenticity in the food chain have been made at a conference.
The Higher Diploma in Food Science and Technology will provide you with an excellent education in various aspects of food science, food technology and food microbiology.
Subjects that you will cover during the course include:
- food proteins
- food fats
- food macromolecules
- sensory science
- food packaging
- food processing and preservation
- food microbiology
UCC has a 100-year history of teaching and research in the food sciences and is currently one of Europe’s largest multidisciplinary education and research institutions. You will be taught by world-class academics who work in all aspects of food science.
Our first-rate facilities include extensive and well-equipped laboratories and a large pilot plant with excellent dairy, meat and bakery facilities, in addition to a unique pilot-scale brewery.
Next Intake: 12th September 2016
Location: Northern Ireland
Job description: Are you looking for a paid placement as a Environmental health Intern?
The FSA has an internship programme for those in the Environmental Health professions currently undertaking the professional qualifications required by FSA's Food Law Codes of Practice to deliver official food controls in local authorities.
As an intern within the FSA you will be placed within one of the delivery teams that will implement aspects of our 2015-20 Strategy to put consumers first in everything we do, so that food is safe and what it says it is, that we have access to an affordable healthy diet, and can make informed choices about what we eat, now and in the future.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is an independent government department responsible for food safety and other interests of consumers in relation to food across the England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The FSA works with businesses to help them produce safe food, and with local authorities enforcing regulations relating to food hygiene, standards and animal feeding stuffs.
The role will provide an exciting opportunity for you to experience what it is like to work for the FSA, supporting policy delivery teams, enforcement experts, scientists and front line inspectors. As a forward-thinking organisation we’re looking for people who can help us rise to the challenges ahead. You will be expected to assist in scoping research projects, undertake information gathering and analysis activities and produce reports. A requirement of the post will also be to provide comments on policy documents and other proposals, and engage with stakeholders, such as local authority enforcement officers, business operators and consumers. It is anticipated that some time will be spent shadowing local authority enforcement officers and with the food industry.
Sift will take place on 5 July 2016
Interviews will be held on 2 August 2016
Minnesota’s GNP Company, based in Cold Spring, recently recalled approximately 55,608 pounds of chicken products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
More details on the FSIS website.
A study just published in Emerging Infectious Diseases compared characteristics of outbreak and sporadic, or non-outbreak, foodborne illnesses caused by four different pathogens and found evidence that most were similar regarding patients’ illness severity, gender and age.
Trainees
EFSA has launched a call for trainees: EFSA offers paid internships of one-year duration, providing young graduates the opportunity to get first-hand experience in a scientific EU Agency. Under the supervision of a Traineeship Adviser within the EFSA Unit of assignment, the trainees have the opportunity, for example, to contribute to:
- the overall objectives of the Unit of assignment by supporting in drafting documents, handling scientific and/or administrative work, searching and reviewing literature, and ensuring timely communication of outcomes;
- specific projects and activities with new ideas and innovative solutions;
- planning and monitoring of the Unit’s activities.
The traineeship will provide a stimulating and rewarding experience in a multicultural environment, to develop new competencies and skills in line with personal interests and professional aspirations.
Interested persons can apply online by 31 July 2016.
Senior Scientists
Senior scientists are invited to apply to the call to renew membership of two of its Scientific Panels: the Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources Added to Food (ANS) and the Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF).
Developers and Designers
EFSA is looking for developers and designers with innovative ideas for developing a mobile app. For more information please see the EFSA Hackathon. Deadline for submissions to EFSA is 30 June 2016.
Ref: FCT/MP/0516
Location: Fermoy, Co. Cork
Basic Function: Analysis of flavour compounds in foods and beverages via various chromatographic techniques and data analysis software. Sample management, liaising with external clients (companies and research institutes), internal Teagasc project leaders, Teagasc students, report generation and laboratory management duties.
Background: Due to a significant increase in demand for flavour analysis with regard to internal project support and as a service to industry it is necessary to appoint a dedicated technologist with expertise in chromatography and data analysis to meet these demands. The successful candidate will manage sample input, throughput and reporting in addition to actively supervising post graduate and placement students who train within the Flavour Chemistry Unit. They will be involved in method development, lab safety, and will actively participate in any new developments influencing the future direction of the Flavour Chemistry Unit and ancillary laboratories.
Deadline for applications: 12 midnight on Wednesday 22nd June 2016
Food Safety Talk, a bi-weekly podcast for food safety nerds, by food safety nerds. The podcast is hosted by Ben Chapman and barfblog contributor Don Schaffner, Extension Specialist in Food Science and Professor at Rutgers University. Every two weeks or so, Ben and Don get together virtually and talk for about an hour.
Glanbia Cheese Ltd. is seeking to appoint a QA Technician based at the Magheralin site to work within the Quality department on a fixed term contract for 12 months.
The successful candidate must have:
Essential:
- HND or equivalent level qualification in Food Science or related technical discipline or experience outlined as desirable
- English & Maths GCSE / ‘O’ Level or equivalent (minimum C Grade)
- Able to demonstrate knowledge of ‘Good Manufacturing Practice’, Laboratory practices, and workplace Health & Safety
- Able to undertake a continental shift work pattern over 7 days, with flexibility for both days and nights
- Self motivated
- Meticulous attention to detail
- Team oriented
Closing date: Wednesday 8th June at 12 noon.
About the Role:
This role will perform microbiological analysis of raw material, in-process and finished product as well as stability and development samples according to the relevant specifications. Documentation and reporting should be conducted in accordance with good laboratory practices.Performs daily duties in Inoculation laboratory producing inoculum for production.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Food Science, Chemistry or Biology.
- None required; experience in a food Microbiology or food QC lab setting is preferred.
- Knowledge in QC laboratory methodologies, quality systems, and food safety is required. Knowledge of current GMP. HACCP Training. Allergen awareness.
- Must be computer literate.
- Must have excellent interpersonal skills, including both verbal and written communication and the ability to lead and work in interdepartmental teams.
- The work is self-directed and requires the ability to work without close, direct supervision utilizing good organizational techniques.
More than 400 people have been sickened by norovirus in Denmark by lettuce from France. Statens Serum Institut, DTU Fødevareinstituttet and Fødevarestyrelsen (SSI, the Technical University of Denmark and the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration) investigated several outbreaks which started in April.
Damaged equipment at a frozen food plant — described by federal inspectors as being impossible to clean — could be a contributing factor in a Listeriosis outbreak that began in 2013 and is ongoing.
Staff from the Food and Drug Administration inspected the CRF Frozen Foods LLC plant in Pasco, WA, from March 14-17, according to a report posted Thursday on the FDA’s website.
Background: The Meat Technology Centre is a collaborative entity, established and led by industry and resourced by highly qualified researchers who will undertake an agreed market and commercially focused strategic research programme for the ultimate benefit of all the Irish meat industry stakeholders. The MTC is a key part of the
national Technology Centres Programme, a joint initiative of Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, focussing on identifying new sources of industrial growth and job creation in Ireland.
The closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00pm Friday 20th May 2016.
The consultant who in 2010 said beef he tested was E. coli free when it wasn’t got off Thursday with one year of home detention, three years of probation and 200 hours of community service. He’ll also have to pay a share of $307,000 in restitution.
The project BIOSAFE is a doctoral programme developed as a joint action of the Doctoral Schools of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore and Università degli Studi di Milano. It is specifically targeted to higher education in food safety, with particular focus on biological risks in the food chain.
The Summer School is specifically devoted to PhD students at their last year of study and to recently PhD graduates. The participation is open to PhD students and graduates from EU countries, Candidate and Potential Candidates Countries, and neighbourhood countries. The working language of the summer school is English; therefore, a sufficient understanding and ability to express oneself in this language is required.
Applications should be submitted to Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore at the email biosafe.summerschool@unicatt.it
The deadline for applications for the Summer School is 20th of May 2016.
Any questions or issues should be addressed to biosafe.summerschool@unicatt.it.
Guidance documents available here.
Food hygiene inspections in the UK have fallen by 15% since 2003, research shows - with experts warning of risks to public health.
The number of inspections, which are handled by local authorities, fell from 307,526 in 2003-04 to 260,765 in 2014-15, the study found.
According to new information released by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the consumption of apricot kernels could result cyanide poisoning.
Apricots contain a naturally-occurring compound known as amygdalin. The compound lives inside apricot kernels and converts to cyanide after it enters the human body.
The food recall gallery is back with a bang this week with pathogen findings and (possible) foreign body contamination dominating the headlines.
