Tag: safe

Safe water? Good and also saves money – Italian cuisine reinvented by Gordon Ramsay

There Water shortage is a reality in many parts of the world, with Honduras’ capital, Tegucigalpa, facing significant challenges. Population growth, industrialization and the expansion of agriculture are depleting water resources, putting the supply of drinking water for many families at risk. There Competition between agriculture, food and urban water supply has become a serious problem: innovative solutions are needed.

There Codex Alimentarius Commissiona body of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), responded to this challenge by introducing new guidelines aimed at promoting more efficient and sustainable use of water in food production and processing.

In the past, Codex recommendations focused onuse of potable or clean water to ensure food safety. However, considering the challenges of accessing and costing drinking water, Codex has developed new guidelines that address the safe sourcing, use and reuse of water throughout the food production chain.

Water: what’s new in the Codex

The most significant innovation of these guidelines is the approach based on “fitness for purpose”. Recognizing that water quality requirements vary depending on the food product and intended use, Codex states that water must be suitable for the specific purpose for which it is used. For example, the water used for growing lettuce intended for raw consumption may differ from that used for cleaning potatoes which will be cooked before consumption.

A key point of these guidelines was the recognition of the importance of considering different sources of water, such as recovered, recycled, recirculated or waste waterevaluating its safety based on its intended use.

The pioneering example

Honduras played a pioneering role in the practical application of these guidelines. In 2022, with the support of Codex, it hosted a workshop involving industry and government from across Latin America. During the event, decision-making tools developed by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) were tested to evaluate water sources and determine associated risk levels.

Subsequently, in 2023, the SENASA organized a national workshop to introduce government officials, industry and academia to the guidelines. This workshop promoted a change of perspective, challenging the traditional approach that exclusively promotes the use of drinking water. Mirian Bueno, technical director for food safety at SENASA, noticed a change in attitude after the workshop. Industries, aware of the costs associated with drinking water, are now more inclined to consider water reuse after a thorough risk assessment.

The guidelines are expanding

While the current Codex guidelines focus on fruit and vegetable production, it is expected to extend to the dairy and fisheries sectors next year. This initiative not only promotes food security, but also aims to address growing water scarcity and global disparities in its availability and quality.

The Codex guidelines, although voluntary, offer a valuable tool for countries facing increasing water stress. With the need to manage water sustainably, these guidelines represent an important step forward in finding innovative solutions for water conservation and global food security.

Source FAO

Coronavirus, are reusable bags safe? – Italian Cuisine

Some American cities have banned them. But what do the experts tell us?

Italy has stopped, but one of the few places still open and frequented, despite the coronavirus epidemic, remains the supermarket. Its products and surfaces are touched every day by many people, concerned about the risk of exposure to the virus. And what about the reusable shopping bags that come placed in the carts and at the checkouts? Some American cities, such as San Francisco, have banned them in an attempt to protect both customers and employees of supermarkets.

An excessive precaution?

Experts explained that, like most cold and flu viruses, coronavirus also spreads through droplets released into the air from coughing and sneezing. A study by the National Institutes of Health states that the virus could survive up to three days on plastic and on stainless steel, and up to 24 hours on cardboard. It is not yet clear, however, how long it lasts on clothing.

However, according to Timothy Newsome, a science professor at the University of Sydney, the risk of coronavirus spreading through reusable bags is relatively low. «The vast majority of infections occur from person to person, so we are much more concerned about transmission between people than through plastic .

Instead of abandoning reusable bags, Professor Newsome suggests that the best way to reduce contagion would be to limit the number of times you go shopping as much as possible. "It would be very useful go to the supermarket once a week instead of twoand also offer to do that of the neighbor too .

Donald Schaffner, a microbiologist and food safety expert from the University of Rutgers, agrees, and adds that "if you fear that bags may be contaminated with coronavirus, you can always decide to wash them. You should also wash your hands after you finish storing all food items in the pantry or fridge. This was a good rule even before the pandemic. " The less resistant bags can also be cleaned with antibacterial wipes and disinfectant sprays, but most of the reusable bags are made of cotton and canvas, and therefore are machine washable.

Supermarkets have already implemented a number of customer safety measures, from regulating the number of people who can enter, to plexiglas barriers at checkouts. But it is always advisable wash your hands before and after shopping at the supermarket, and avoiding touching your face after handling trolleys, baskets, packages and products, as well as using touchless payment methods.

One last thing: even if you wear latex gloves, it is good to remember not to touch your face in any case: the gloves are used not to infect others, not to protect themselves.

Coronavirus and food: safe from fake news – Italian Cuisine

Coronavirus: what is the link with food? Here are the most frequently asked questions and answers from the Ministry of Health and WHO

The global health emergency for the epidemic from coronavirus (2019-nCoV) continues to generate doubts and uncertainties. Here are the official answers to date from the major health bodies on the link between coronavirus and food and some rules to follow to protect yourself.

Coronavirus and food

Eating Chinese it's dangerous? The Higher Institute of Health has published a manifesto stating that the virus is not transmitted by via food and that the import of raw meat and live animals from China is prohibited in Europe.

L'World Health Organization recalls on its website some standard good practices to be followed in general to reduce the exposure and transmission of a series of diseases.

“Raw meat, milk or animal organs must be treated carefully to avoid contamination between cooked and raw foods. Use different cutting boards and knives for raw and cooked foods. If you have come into contact with raw food, wash your hands when cooked before working. Even in areas where the virus is expected to spread, meat can be eaten if well cooked and handled according to the previous rules. "

WHO also specifies that "people of all ages can contract the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Older people or those with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes or heart problems) appear to be more vulnerable to the virus. There is no specific medicine to prevent or treat the new coronavirus. " Antibiotics or tachipirine have no preventive function.

Coronavirus: questions and answers from the Ministry of Health

What is a coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses known to cause diseases ranging from the common cold to more serious diseases such as Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (MERS) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

What is a new coronavirus?
A new coronavirus (CoV) is a new coronavirus strain that has never previously been identified in humans.

What are the symptoms of a person infected with a coronavirus?
It depends on the virus, but the most common symptoms include fever, cough, breathing difficulties. In severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Can coronaviruses be transmitted from person to person?
Yes, some coronaviruses can be transmitted from person to person, usually after close contact with an infected patient, for example among family members or in a healthcare setting.

How do you contract the new coronavirus?
Human-to-human transmission has been confirmed, but more information is needed to assess the extent of this transmission mode. The source of the infection is unknown and may still be active. Therefore, the probability of infection for travelers visiting Wuhan who have close contact with symptomatic individuals is considered moderate.

Is there a vaccine for a new coronavirus?
No, being a new disease, there is still no vaccine and to achieve one the times can also be relatively long.

What can I do to protect myself?
Recommendations to reduce exposure and the transmission of a series of respiratory diseases include maintaining thehand hygiene (wash your hands often with soap and water or alcoholic solutions) respiratory tract (sneeze or cough in a tissue or with your elbow flexed, throw the used tissues in a closed basket immediately after use and wash your hands), safe food practices (avoid raw or undercooked meat, unwashed fruit or vegetables and unwrapped drinks) and avoid close contact, when possible, with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory diseases such as coughing and sneezing.

More information on the website of the Ministry of Health.