Igor Tomasevic

Quality management effects in certified Serbian companies producing food of animal origin

The purpose of this paper was to analyse the implemented quality management systems (QMSs) based on International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 in the production/service sector, operating only with food of animal origin. The research covered the analysis of the rationale for the implementation of QMSs, the quality tools used in interviewed food companies and achieved effects and outputs. The survey comprised 59 Serbian food business operators holding ISO 9001 certificates. The obtained results revealed that the implementation of QMSs resulted in the improvement of food conformity in both of its dimensions – food quality and food safety. Results indicated improvements towards customer satisfaction and strengthening of their competitiveness, including an increase in the sales and market share. However, none of the surveyed companies recorded any QMS improvement. Companies confirmed efforts made in product improvement but most of them did not improve their processes or confirm higher levels of effectiveness and efficiency of their systems.

Feasibility of discrimination of dairy creams and cream-like analogues using Raman spectroscopy and chemometric analysis

Dairy cream and its analogues with sunflower oil, coconut oil and palm oil in different milk fat/vegetable fat ratios were prepared and analysed using Raman spectroscopy. The linear discriminant analysis was conducted in order to classify the samples. Samples were well separated and displayed distinguishing linear arrangement along the principal component that expressed the variation in lipid unsaturation. Good separation of sunflower oil and milk fat samples was obtained in contrast to the samples with coconut and palm oil, where the substantial overlapping occurred. The method permitted classifying of the samples in terms of the type of fat used. Calibrated model was extremely sensitive (100%) for dairy cream. The results indicated that it is possible to consider the Raman spectroscopy coupled with chemometric analysis as a rapid way for the detection of dairy cream adulteration with sunflower, coconut and palm oils.

The aflatoxin M1 crisis in the Serbian dairy sector: the year after

ABSTRACT During the last 3 years, high aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) concentrations in milk and dairy products occurred in Serbia. It resulted in periodical change of the official regulations regarding maximum levels (MLs) of AFM1 as set by the Serbian Government. The aim of this study was to compare the occurrence of AFM1 in raw milk and dairy products during 2015 and also to determine whether there were some differences in AFM1 level among seasons. The AFM1 level exceeded the European Union ML in 29.3% of raw milk and 4.2% of milk product samples. The highest level of AFM1 in raw milk was found during the autumn season, while during the rest of the 2015, it was significantly lower. Although the improvement of dairy products safety was evident in 2015 when compared to 2013 and 2014, the cause of high concentrations in raw milk remained unresolved yet. This study indicates that dairy plants introduced control measures and refused reception of too high contaminated raw milk.

Cadmium in liver and kidneys of domestic Balkan and Alpine dairy goat breeds from Montenegro and Serbia

ABSTRACT Concentrations of cadmium (Cd) were determined in the samples of 144 animals around 1 and of 144 animals around 4 years old. Cd was analysed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), after microwave digestion. Cd concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) in kidney than in liver and higher (p < 0.05) in older animals than in young ones. In domestic Balkan goat which was raised in a free-ranged system Cd accumulation was lower (p < 0.05) than in Alpine goat raised in an intensive production system. Geographic region did influence Cd accumulation only in older animals. Higher Cd levels (p < 0.05) were determined in goats from Serbia. The highest obtained Cd concentrations in both tissues were lower than maximum levels set by European and national legislation for ruminants (cattle and sheep).

The level of food safety knowledge among meat handlers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to evaluate food safety knowledge of among meat handlers in Serbian meat establishments along the meat chain, i.e. in slaughterhouses, meat processing plants and retail stores. Design/methodology/approach – A structured, self-administrative questionnaire was designed and used to assess the level of food safety knowledge among handlers in different meat establishments. In total, of 352 meat handlers were involved in this study, with 110 handlers from slaughterhouses (31 per cent), 125 handlers from meat processing plants (36 per cent) and 116 handlers from retail stores (33 per cent). For each participant, the knowledge score was calculated by dividing the sum of correct answers by the total number of correct responses. Additionally, knowledge gaps among meat handlers were identified for each question across the three types of establishments (slaughterhouses, meat processing plants and retail stores). Findings – The average knowledge score for all participants was 64...

Total quality index of Agaricus bisporus mushrooms packed in modified atmosphere

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to develop a total quality index and examine the effects of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the quality of Agaricus bisporus mushrooms stored for 22 days at 4 °C. Mushrooms were packaged under three MAPs: high nitrogen packaging (HNP), low carbon dioxide packaging (LCP) and low oxygen packaging (LOP). Passive MAP with air inside initially was used as the atmosphere treatment (AIR). RESULTS This research revealed two phases in quality deterioration of A. bisporus mushrooms. During the first week, most of the quality parameters were not statistically different. Thereafter, odor intensities were stronger for all four types of packaging. Color difference and browning index values showed significantly lower color changes for AIR and LOP compared with HNP and LCP mushrooms. CONCLUSION The best total quality index was calculated for LOP, followed by LCP and AIR. The findings of this study are useful with respect to examining two-component MAPs, separating the limiting factors (O2 and CO2 ) and evaluating quality deterioration effects and the total quality index of A. bisporus mushrooms.

Consumer-perceived quality characteristics of chicken meat and chicken meat products in Southeast Europe

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse consumer perception of quality characteristics of chicken meat and chicken meat products in Southeast European countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, FYR of Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia). Design/methodology/approach Results were collected from a field survey by using data obtained from a questionnaire directed at 2,368 consumers during 2015. Findings This study identified four consumer segments: “typical”, “selective”, “chicken meat preparers” and “uninterested” chicken meat consumers. Originality/value Older consumers (50 years) have higher interest in chicken meat quality characteristics, while women are “chicken meat preparers”. Chicken meat consumers who prefer particular chicken parts and consume chicken meat because it is nutritious are found among the working population, while the most number of consumers “uninterested” in chicken meat come from Serbia.

Shelf life study of healthy pork liver pâté with added seaweed extracts from Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus vesiculosus and Bifurcaria bifurcata

The effect of the addition of seaweed extracts from three brown algae species [Ascophyllum nodosum (AN), Fucus vesiculosus (FV) and Bifurcaria bifurcata (BB)], which are a great source of natural antioxidants, on the oxidative stability of refrigerated low-fat pork liver pâtés was studied. In the studied pâtés, half of pork fat was replaced with a mixture consisting of canola and high-oleic sunflower oil (75:25, v/v), thus improving their fatty acid profile in terms of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). In order to avoid the oxidation of PUFA in the new samples, seaweed extracts (500 ppm) were added. In addition, some samples were formulated with a synthetic antioxidant (BHT at 50 ppm) (BHT) and a control batch (CON) (without antioxidant) was also prepared, for comparison purposes. Thus, in total, five batches of liver pâté were prepared: CON, BHT, AN, FV and BB. Pâté samples were analyzed at 0, 45, 90, 135 and 180 days of refrigerated storage at 4 °C. The addition of seaweed extracts did not modify significantly (P > 0.05) the chemical composition or microbial characteristics of healthy pork liver pâté, except for the protein content, which resulted in a significant increase (≈2-3%) in the batches manufactured with addition of seaweed extracts compared to control samples. At the end of storage (180 days), L* values were significantly lower in the FV and BB batches than in the other batches. Moreover, the a* and b* values were also significantly lower in CON batches than in the samples with antioxidants added. Differences in oxidative parameters (conjugated dienes, TBARs and carbonyls) among batches were observed at the end of the storage time, showing samples with seaweed extracts a similar degree of protection against oxidation compared to BHT formulated samples. A decline of the volatile compounds was noted in all the batches during storage. The total volatile compounds at the end of the storage were significantly lower in BTH, AN, or BB batches than in control batches.

Environmental footprints in the meat chain

The objective of this paper was to present environmental performance of the meat chain and highlight main environmental footprints. The meat sector is recognized as one of the leading polluting sectors in the food industry. The meat chain was analyzed from a five-link perspective introducing the following actors: farm(er)s, slaughterhouses, meat processors, customers and consumers. Meat production needs natural resources (water and energy) resulting in waste and waste water discharge. As an outcome it has a high influence on climate change in respect to global warming, acidification and eutrophication potentials and ozone depletion substances.

Cadmium and lead in female cattle livers and kidneys from Vojvodina, northern Serbia

ABSTRACT Concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) were determined in livers (n = 52) and kidneys (n = 52) of female cattle (345–2717 days old) from dairy farms in the region Vojvodina. Cd and Pb were analysed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, after microwave digestion. Cd and Pb concentrations did not exceed the Serbian and European maximum set limits in any sample. The Cd concentrations in the livers and kidneys ranged from 0.033 to 0.151 mg kg−1 wet weight and from 0.055 to 0.510 mg kg−1 wet weight, respectively. The corresponding Pb concentrations were 0.015-0.159 mg kg−1 wet weight and 0.021-0.196 mg kg−1 wet weight, respectively. Mean Cd and Pb concentrations were significantly lower (p < 0.001) in the liver (0.072 and 0.053 mg kg−1 wet weight) than in the kidney (0.190 and 0.075 mg kg−1 wet weight). There were good correlations between Cd in liver and Cd in kidney, Pb in liver and Pb in kidney, Cd level and age and Pb level and age in both tissues.