The food industry and Canada’s food safety regulators are responsible for making sure food is safe. However, approximately 4 million illnesses occur each year from food-borne pathogens in Canada. One reporter also noted that many food-borne illnesses go unreported, suggesting that a higher estimate could be made. A study was released by the University of Guelph in 2019 and its researchers think one way to reduce these illnesses is through cookbooks. Why? They say cookbooks could be a form of risk communication for consumers if authors worked with food safety professionals. Whether or not that will happen remains to be.. READ MORE »
Fortification or enrichment of foods involves either adding vitamins and minerals to food products, or replacing micronutrients that are lost when the food is processed. Fortification isn’t just a choice made by companies. In Canada there are laws that set requirements around fortification of certain foods. For example, vitamin C must be added to vegetable drinks and vitamins A and D are mandatory in margarine. Many nutrients are also designated as “voluntary”, or optional, for example those added to breakfast cereals. These voluntary nutrients include: Thiamine Niacin Vitamin B6 Folic acid Pantothenic acid Magnesium Iron Zinc These nutrients serve to.. READ MORE »
In foods where there are sufficient nutrients and favourable conditions for growth, microorganisms can thrive. The most important of these microorganisms to consider is bacteria, since while they are often harmless or beneficial, they can be very dangerous. Yeasts, molds, and viruses are other microorganisms that can exist in food and cause safety threats. In your career, you will need to be aware of factors creating the ideal environment for these tiny life forms to grow, so that you can mitigate risks. Read on to learn more about which factors affect this, how you can keep food safer by monitoring.. READ MORE »
Exciting things are happening in Canada’s scientific community and, more specifically, in the realm of Canadian food science. A team of Canadian researchers have developed a revolutionary system that could help prevent millions of people across the globe from eating food that is contaminated with salmonella, preventing thousands of potentially fatal illnesses. If you’re considering enrolling in a food safety program, you could very well see the positive effects of SalFos during your career. Are you curious to learn more about SalFos? Read on to discover how this database could help save lives. What Students in Food Safety Courses Need.. READ MORE »
