Aldo Prandini

Climate change and food safety: An emerging issue with special focus on Europe

According to general consensus, the global climate is changing, which may also affect agricultural and livestock production. The potential impact of climate change on food security is a widely debated and investigated issue. Nonetheless, the specific impact on safety of food and feed for consumers has remained a less studied topic. This review therefore identifies the various food safety issues that are likely to be affected by changes in climate, particularly in Europe. Amongst the issues identified are mycotoxins formed on plant products in the field or during storage; residues of pesticides in plant products affected by changes in pest pressure; trace elements and/or heavy metals in plant products depending on changes in their abundance and availability in soils; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in foods following changes in long-range atmospheric transport and deposition into the environment; marine biotoxins in seafood following production of phycotoxins by harmful algal blooms; and the presence of pathogenic bacteria in foods following more frequent extreme weather conditions, such as flooding and heat waves. Research topics that are amenable to further research are highlighted.

Review of predictive models for Fusarium head blight and related mycotoxin contamination in wheat.

Mould growth and mycotoxin production are related to plant stress caused by environmental factors such as: extreme weather; insect damage; inadequate storage conditions and incorrect fertilization; these predispose plants to mycotoxin contamination in the field. Fusarium species infect wheat during the flowering period. In addition to losses of yield, these fungi can also synthesize toxic components (mycotoxins) in suitable environmental conditions, thus threatening animal and human health. Given the severe consequences and the fact that mycotoxins affect production throughout the world, the ability to predict Fusarium head blight (FHB) and deoxynivalenol (DON) and other mycotoxin contamination is important to reduce the year-to-year risk for producers. Owing to these dangerous consequences in Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Italy, the United States and in Europe, computer models, based on weather variables (temperature, rainfall and moisture level), have been developed to predict the occurrence of FHB and DON contamination in wheat.

Identification of potentially emerging food safety issues by analysis of reports published by the European Community’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) during a four-year period

The SAFE FOODS project undertakes to design a new approach towards the early identification of emerging food safety hazards. This study explored the utility of notifications filed through RASFF, the European Commissions Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed, to identify emerging trends in food safety issues. RASFF information and alert notifications published in the four-year period of July 2003-June 2007 were assigned to categories of products and hazards. For chronological trend analysis, a basic time unit of three months was chosen. Data within each hazard category were analyzed for chronological trends, relationships between product and hazard categories, regions of origin, and countries filing the notifications. Conspicuous trends that were observed included a rise in the incidence of food contact substances, particularly 2-isopropyl-thioxanthone, as well as of chemical substances migrating from utensils and fraud-related issues. Temporary increases were noted in the incidences of the unauthorized dye Para Red, genetically modified organisms, the pesticide isophenfos-methyl, and herring worm, Anisakis simplex. National and European authorities themselves have signaled these conspicuous trends and taken measures. It is recommended to add complementary data to RASFF data, including safety assessments, risk management measures, background data on hazards and surveillance patterns, for a holistic approach towards early identification of emerging hazards.

Early identification systems for emerging foodborne hazards

This paper provides a non-exhausting overview of early warning systems for emerging foodborne hazards that are operating in the various places in the world. Special attention is given to endpoint-focussed early warning systems (i.e. ECDC, ISIS and GPHIN) and hazard-focussed early warning systems (i.e. FVO, RASFF and OIE) and their merit to successfully identify a food safety problem in an early stage is discussed. Besides these early warning systems which are based on monitoring of either disease symptoms or hazards, also early warning systems and/or activities that intend to predict the occurrence of a food safety hazard in its very beginning of development or before that are described. Examples are trend analysis, horizon scanning, early warning systems for mycotoxins in maize and/or wheat and information exchange networks (e.g. OIE and GIEWS). Furthermore, recent initiatives that aim to develop predictive early warning systems based on the holistic principle are discussed. The assumption of the researchers applying this principle is that developments outside the food production chain that are either directly or indirectly related to the development of a particular food safety hazard may also provide valuable information to predict the development of this hazard.

Sodium butyrate improves growth performance of weaned piglets during the first period after weaning

Abstract The purpose of the present work was to evaluate whether the addition of sodium butyrate to feed could facilitate weaning and growth response in piglets. For 56 days two groups of 20 piglets (9.2±1.4 kg LW) were fed an acidified basal diet (containing formic and lactic acid at 0.5 and 1.5 g/kg of feed, respectively) without (control group) or with sodium butyrate (SB) at 0.8 g/kg. Average daily gain (ADG), daily feed intake (DFI), feed efficiency (FE) and live weight (LW) were recorded. In the first two weeks, butyrate supplementation increased ADG (+20%; P<0.05) and DFI (+16%; <0.05). During the subsequent period (15 to 35 days) animals fed SB had a higher DFI but lower feed efficiency (+10% and -14%, respectively; P<0.05) than animals fed the control diet. No other benefits were observed thereafter. The data presented showed that the use of sodium butyrate facilitated only the initial phase of adaptation to a solid diet in piglets.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and fatty acid composition of milk, curd and Grana Padano cheese in conventional and organic farming systems

CLA levels and fatty acid composition were measured to compare the fat composition in organic bulk milk, destined to the production of Grana Padano cheese, with those produced by conventional system. The curds and Grana Padano cheeses were also analysed to evaluate the effects of the production technology on the CLA content. All analysed organic samples were characterized by higher annual means of CLA, vaccenic acid (TVA) and linolenic acid (LNA) in comparison with conventional samples (with P<0.05). Nevertheless, no particular effect of the production technology was seen on the CLA content. The animal diet appears to be the factor which has the highest effect on the CLA concentration in milk and milk products and an organic diet based on fresh or dried forage, that is rich in CLA precursory fatty acids, may improve the yield of fatty acids with beneficial effects on health.

Raw Pea (Pisum sativum), raw Faba bean (Vicia faba var. minor) and raw Lupin (Lupinus albus var. multitalia) as alternative protein sources in broiler diets

Abstract The ban of the meat and bone meal for entering animal diets and the concern of transgenic feeds poses a challenge to animal nutritionists in Europe. The challenge is to find homegrown protein-rich feedstuffs, making sure no antinutritional factors are present which could interfere in the animals’ performance. The raw Pea (Pisum sativum) (RP), raw Faba bean (Vicia faba, variety minor) (RFb) and raw Lupin (Lupinus albus, variety multitalia) (RL) were evaluated as alternative protein sources into broiler diets. Six hundred thirty 1d-old Ross male chicks, Marek vaccinated, were randomly assigned to seven dietary treatments (5 pens per treatment/18 birds per pen). Chicks were floor housed, ad libitum fed isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets and had free access to water. Artificial light was provided 10 h/d. The bulk of the base diet (control diet) was corn (48.7%, 56.6% and 57%), solvent-extracted soybean meal (42.8%, 37.3% and 33.4%), corn oil (4.4%, 5.2% and 6.3%), plus synthetic amino acids, minerals, trace minerals and vitamins, respectively for the 1-10d-old, 11-28d-old and 29 to 42d-old growing periods. The RP, RFb and RL entered diets in substitution of the soybean and corn according to the cost optimization (P100, Fb100 and L100, respectively for RP, RFb and RL) and at half of the optimized quantity (RP50, RFb50 and RL50, respectively for RP, RFb and RL). The amount used as fed basis for the higher level of inclusion were: P100: 350 g/kg for all diets; Fb100: 480 g/kg (1-10d-old) and 500 g/kg (11-42d-old); L100: 360 g/kg (1-10d-old) and 300 g/kg (11-42d-old). The average daily gain (ADG) were lower (P < 0.05) in the RP group compared to the control group. Over the whole period of growth, the RFb group had similar ADG compared to the control group and for both levels of inclusion, whereas reduced (P < 0.05) ADG were observed in the RL100 group. Reduced (P < 0.05) ADG were also observed for the RFb100 and the RL100 groups when calculated over the first three weeks of growth. Birds performance was improved (P < 0.05) in the RL50 group. No effects were observed on dressing percentage and breast and leg quarter cuts. The RFb and RL could represent valuable protein feeds in broilers diet formulation.

Microencapsulated lysine and low-protein diets: Effects on performance, carcass characteristics and nitrogen excretion in heavy growing–finishing pigs

Two studies were conducted to assess the effects of dietary protein and Lys reduction on growth performance, carcass quality, N excretion, and plasma N profile in growing-finishing pigs from 35 to 180 kg. The growing trial was conducted with 72 gilts and 72 barrows with 6 pens per treatment and 6 gilts or 6 barrows per pen. Four diets with the same DE and NE were compared: 1) control diet, 2) diet with protein content reduced by 3% units compared with the control diet and supplemented with Lys HCl to match the requirements according to the 2012 NRC (FLys), 3) diet similar to FLys for protein level but supplemented with only 50% of the Lys HCl provided with FLys (-50% FLys), and 4) diet similar to FLys and -50% Flys for protein level with microencapsulated Lys added to supply 20% of the Lys provided by FLys (-80% MLys). Pigs fed the FLys diet performed in a similar manner and showed similar carcass characteristics to the control pigs. Pigs fed the -50% FLys diet had the lightest BW (P < 0.01) as well as the lightest carcass (P = 0.02) and trimmed thigh (P = 0.04) weights. Pigs fed the -80% MLys diet showed growth performance and carcass characteristics similar to the control pigs. The N balance study was conducted with 8 barrows arranged in a double replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. The control pigs had greater (P < 0.01) N intake and urinary and total N excretion compared with pigs fed the low-protein diets. The reduction of the dietary protein concentration by 3% units decreased total N excretion by an average of 24.5% and the greatest reduction of total N excretion was obtained by the -80% MLys diet (26.12%) compared with the control diet throughout the trial. No effect of dietary treatment was observed on the plasma concentrations of ammonia, urea, and total AA in the 80-kg pigs. Decreased plasma ammonia (P < 0.01) and urea (P = 0.03) concentrations were detected in the 120-kg pigs fed the low-protein diets. The 160-kg pigs fed the -80% MLys pigs had less total AA, indispensable AA in particular (P < 0.01), than pigs fed the other diets and decreased ammonia (P < 0.01) and urea (P = 0.05) concentrations than the control pigs. The results showed that the use of microencapsulated Lys, compared with both Lys HCl and dietary protein-bound Lys, can save CP and synthetic AA in diet formulation and can reduce N excretion in manure without adversely affecting the growth performance and carcass quality of heavy growing-finishing pigs.

Protein retention in Italian heavy pigs: Development of a factorial approach for the determination of lysine requirement

Abstract Protein and lysine retentions were investigated in typical Italian heavy pigs in order to provide a more accurate assessment of amino acid requirements for this type of pig. Results of dissection and chemical composition of 144 pigs, ranging from 80 to 160 kg live weight, from two different genotypes (Duroc X (Large White X Landrace) and Landrace X (Large White X Landrace)) were used. In order to evaluate the practical performance of heavy pigs, data obtained in literature from 523 animals were analysed. A mathematical model (allometric relationship) for calculating daily nitrogen retention in pigs was developed, by using body weight, muscle percentage, and average daily gain as independent variables ( R 2 = 0.95). The requirement for true digestible lysine was assessed by the factorial approach, for different classes of body weight and muscle percentage. The model allows also to calculate total N excretion in heavy pigs, from criteria easily accessible at farm level.

Evaluation of broad spectrum sources of resistance to Fusarium verticillioides and advanced maize breeding lines

The fungus Fusarium verticillioides is commonly associated with maize production in temperate regions of the world, producing ear rot and grain contamination by fumonisins. Genetic resistance is the best preventive action against fumonisin contamination, although at present no commercial maize hybrids are completely resistant. Several studies of the relationship between Fusarium and other species producing ear rot suggest that these fungal species interact in similar ways with the host plant. Consequently, host plant resistance to one pathogen could be associated with resistance to another. The aim of this study was to introduce sources of resistance to Fusarium spp. into maize inbred lines and to evaluate ear rot severity and fumonisin B1 contamination in advanced breeding lines and hybrids after artificial and natural infection with F. verticillioides. Two inbred lines (CO430 and MP420) with resistance to kernel infection by Fusarium graminearum and Aspergillus flavus, respectively, were crossed and bac...