CONTENTS

TO THE READER................................................................................................................................................ 2

A. STAFF ............................................................................................................................................................... 3

B. FORTHCOMING EVENTS............................................................................................................................ 4

C. PAST EVENTS................................................................................................................................................. 5

D. STATUS OF EXISTING COORDINATED RESEARCH PROJECTS.................................................... 12

E. NEW CO-ORDINATED RESEARCH PROJECTS ................................................................................... 16

F. FAO/IAEA TRAINING AND REFERENCE CENTRE FOR FOOD AND PESTICIDE CONTROL... 19

G. ACTIVITIES OF THE AGROCHEMICALS UNIT, SEIBERSDORF .................................................... 25

IAEA Web Page: http://www.iaea.or.at/

FAO Web Page: http://www.fao.org

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TO THE READERTO THE READER

Dear ColleagueDear Colleague,

The activities of the Food and EnvironmentalProtection Section are gaining momentum throughthe combined strength of the staff members of theformer Food Preservation and Agrochemical andResidues Section. In addition to the encouragingoutcomes of existing CRPs in the fields of foodirradiation and pesticides, this issue reports two newCRPs which have either been initiated or are in theprocess of being initiated. Any research instituteswhich wish to participate in any of these two newCRPs should contact us as soon as possible. Thestatus of various on-going CRPs and new CRPs isalso described in this issue.

The activities of the FAO/IAEA Training andReference Centre on Food and Pesticide Control forthis year are described in this issue. Reports of someactivities which have just been implemented duringthe first half of 1998, including the Workshop onIntroduction of QA/QC Principles in PesticideResidue Analysis held in Hungary in March, aresummarized in this issue.

To provide information to those who are interested inthe safety of irradiated food, the conclusions andrecommendations of the Joint FAO/IAEA/WHOStudy Group on the Wholesomeness of FoodIrradiated with Doses above 10 kGy, are included.The Group concluded that irradiated foods aredeemed wholesome throughout the technologicallyuseful dose range from below 10 kGy to envisioneddoses above 10 kGy. Such conclusions shouldexpand the scope of food irradiation and should makeavailable large quantities of shelf-stable food throughradiation processing.

Please note that the International Consultative Groupon Food Irradiation (ICGFI) has just established itsWeb Page on the Internet. The reader can access thisHome Page at http://www.iaea.or.at/programmes/rifa/icgfi. We shall be pleased to hear from you onactivities of ICGFI as included in this Home Page.

Following the approval of irradiated red meat by theUS-FDA as reported in the last issue, a number ofconferences were organized by or for the benefit ofthe food industry in the USA. This issue reports thehighlights of two such conferences held in Februaryand April 1998. It is encouraging to note that the

food industry in the USA has taken the issue of foodsafety seriously and that it will use irradiation toensure hygienic quality of food where applicable.

A supplement to this issue is the updated List ofClearance of Irradiated Foods in different countries.It is encouraging to note that increasing numbers ofcountries are following the recommendation of theInternational Consultative Group on Food Irradiation(ICGFI) in authorizing irradiated food on the basis offood classes. The summary report of the 14th AnnualMeeting of the ICGFI, including its activities plannedfor 1998, is also included.

Starting from this issue, all Newsletters published bythe Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniquesin Food and Agriculture will appear on the JointDivision’s Web Page on the Internet at the followingWeb Site http://www.iaea.or.at/programmes/rifa/

Please note that any contribution to the next issue ofour Newsletter must be received before 15 October1998.

P. Loaharanu

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A.A. STAFFSTAFF

IAEA Headquarters, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture,Vienna International Centre, Wagramerstrasse 5, P.O. Box 100, A-1400 Vienna, Austria.

Joint FAO/IAEA Division

James D. DARGIE DirectorManase P. SALEMA Deputy Director

Food and Environmental Protection Section

Paisan LOAHARANU Section HeadArpad AMBRUS Technical Officer, Agrochemicals and ResiduesManzoor HUSSAIN Technical Officer, Agrochemicals and ResiduesMatin MOHAMMED Technical Officer, Food IrradiationRicardo MOLINS Technical Officer, Food IrradiationEileen STEWART Consultant, Food Irradiation

Secretaries

Socky ESPIRITUDebbie KLAS (part-time)Gertraud STRNADLChack THOTTAKARA

FAO/IAEA Agriculture and Biotechnology Laboratory, Agrochemical Unit of the IAEA SeibersdorfLaboratory, A-2444 Seibersdorf, Austria

Ian FERRIS HeadAhmed GHODS-ESPHANANI Professional OfficerMaha EL-BIDAOUI Junior Professional StaffBritt MAESTRONI Associate Professional OfficerNasir RATHOR TechnicianLiliana ANDREESCU Technician

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B.B. FORTHCOMING EVENTSFORTHCOMING EVENTS

Final RCM of the Co-ordinated Research Project on “Public Acceptance and MarketDevelopment of Irradiated Food in Asia and the Pacific”, Bangkok, Thailand, 21-25 September,1998

Research and Developmental activities on ’Public Acceptance and Market Development of Irradiated Food’under the Asian Regional Co-operative Project on Food Irradiation(RPFI- phase IV) was initiated in 1994 withthe objective of attaining public acceptance for irradiated foods in RCA member countries through testmarketing and information dissemination. The forthcoming final Research Co-ordination Meeting of the CRPwill examine activities carried out in the participating countries and review the progress achieved in consumeracceptability and domestic and inter- country trade/transportation in irradiated foods. The overall status ofpractical application of food irradiation technology in the RCA countries will be assessed for evaluation ofprogress in commercialisation of the process. The Asian Regional Project on Food Irradiation (RPFI) madesubstantial progress in execution of Phase I through Phase III during 1980-1993 for the development of thetechnology, technology transfer and practical application in the countries of the region.

The first RCM of the CRP was held in Manila, the Philippines(23-27 October, 1995) and the second in Bangi,Malaysia(25-29 August,1997). This final RCM (Bangkok, Thailand, 21-25 September,1998) will try to find outwhat remains to be done towards full- scale commercial exploitation of the technology and trade in irradiatedfood and agricultural commodities in the region.

Third and Final RCM of the FAO/IAEA/PAHO Co-ordinated Research Project on "Use ofIrradiation as a Public Health Intervention Measure to Control Foodborne Diseases(Cysticercosis/Taeniasis and Vibrio Infections) in Latin America and the Caribbean", Havanna,Cuba, 16 - 20 November, 1998

This CRP was initiated in 1993 to assist institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean investigate the efficacyof using irradiation as a public health intervention measure to control Vibrio infections caused by consumptionof raw or semi-cooked seafood, and cysticercosis/taeniasis caused by undercooked pork. In particular, the CRPaims were: a) to determine the effectiveness of irradiation to control infections caused by Vibrio spp. in seafood,either for domestic market or for export; and b) to conduct studies on epidemiology and economic impact ofirradiation as a method to control these foodborne diseases in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The CRP has been co-sponsored by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). Seven Contracts andAgreements are involved in research about inactivation of Vibrio cholerae, V.vulnificus and V.parahaemolyticus, as well as other pathogenic bacteria, in fresh fish and shellfish through irradiation. Resultsare very promising in that radiation doses in the range 1-2 kGy have successfully eliminated Vibrionaceae fromclams and oysters without killing the molluscs. Shrimp has also been successfully decontaminated throughradiation pasteurization. Other pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. required doses in therange 3-5 kGy to achieve elimination of 4 to 5 log10 cycles of these bacteria. Two Research Contracts studyingthe effects of irradiation on survivability, and particularly on infectivity, of Taenia solium cysticerci in pork meathave determined that the lethal radiation dose for the metacestodes in pork meat is 3.0 kGy. This determinationwas the result of tests on evagination capacity of irradiated larvae. On the other hand, a much lower radiationdose (0.3 kGy) prevented growth of irradiated metacestodes in the intestine of hamsters. This CRP will come toan end in 1998.

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C.C. PAST EVENTSPAST EVENTS

Joint FAO/IAEA/WHO Study Group on the Wholesomeness of Food Irradiated with Doses above10 kGy, Geneva, Switzerland, 15-20 September 1997

The Joint FAO/IAEA/WHO Expert Committee on the Wholesomeness of Irradiated Foods, convened in 1980,which recommended that “irradiation of any food commodity up to an overall average dose of 10 kGy causes notoxicological hazard and introduces no special nutritional or microbiological problems”. Data on the wholesomenessof food irradiated with doses above 10 kGy have meanwhile became available. A Joint FAO/IAEA/WHO StudyGroup on this subject was therefore convened in Geneva, Switzerland, 15-20 September 1997 to evaluate thewholesomeness of food so treated. The following are the conclusions and recommendations of the Joint StudyGroup:

Wholesomeness: Safety and nutritional adequacy

The Study Group concluded that food irradiated to any dose appropriate to achieve the intended technologicalobjective is both safe to consume and nutritionally adequate. This conclusion is based on extensive scientificevidence that this preservation process can be used to effectively eliminate spores of proteolytic strains ofClostridium botulinum and all spoilage microorganisms, that it does not compromise the nutritional value of thefoods, and that it does not result in any toxicological hazard. Recognizing that in practice the doses applied toeliminate the biological hazards would be below those doses, no upper dose limit need be imposed. Accordingly,irradiated foods are deemed wholesome throughout the technologically useful dose range from below 10 kGy toenvisioned doses above 10 kGy.

Substantial equivalence

In assessing risk, the study group concluded that irradiation to high doses is essentially analogous toconventional thermal processing, such as the canning of low acid foods, in that it eliminates biological hazards(i.e. pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms) from food materials intended for human consumption, but doesnot result in the formation of physical or chemical entities that could constitute a hazard. Abundant andconvincing data indicate that high-dose irradiated foods do not contain either measurable levels of inducedradioactivity or significant levels of any radiolysis products distinct from those found in unirradiated foods. Thetheoretical maximum levels that might be formed would be so low as to be of no toxicological consequence.Accordingly, none of the toxicological data derived from extensive animal feeding studies reveals anyteratogenic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, or other harmful effects that are ascribable to high-dose irradiated foods.For these reasons, the application of “risk assessment” in the currently accepted sense1 is not appropriate to thetoxicological assessment of foods preserved by high dose irradiation. In this context, the concept of “substantialequivalence” may be more appropriate. High-dose irradiated foods are indeed as safe as food materialssterilized by thermal processing, which humans have been eating for over a century.

Applications

The Study Group concluded that high dose irradiation, following both Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)and Good Irradiation Practices (GIP), would be applied to several types of foods to improve their hygienicquality, to make them shelf-stable, and to produce special products. It is envisaged that these foods wouldinclude, but not be limited to: spices and other dry food ingredients; prepackaged precooked foods that could bestored at ambient temperature for extended periods; and sterilized meals for specific target groups (such asdisaster victims, campers, and the immunocompromised). Components of all classes of foods whose sensoryqualities are not compromised could be irradiated to high doses, either singly or in any combination. Packagingmaterials that are technically applicable and approved would be used as appropriate.

1 The Codex Alimentarius Commission has adopted in 1997, on an interim basis, the following definition forrisk assessment: “A scientifically based process consisting of the following steps: (I) hazard identification; (ii)hazard characterization; (iii) exposure assessment; (iv) risk characterization.”

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Global standardization

The Study Group concluded that appropriate steps need to be taken to establish the technological guidelinesimplied by these conclusions and to communicate them through Codex Alimentarius standards.

Recommendations

1. The substantial benefit to food safety and food availability that would accrue directly from the broadapplication of food irradiation requires that steps be taken to put this technology into wider practice. Thesesteps will involve standardization, communication, and education.

2. WHO, in collaboration with FAO and IAEA, should:

• coordinate the preparation of documentation and the drafting of appropriate technical language foradoption of standards by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

• Prepare appropriate brochures and documents that integrate food irradiation into existing guidelines

and rules governing the safe production, distribution, and handling of food in order to minimize thespread of microbiological contamination and incidence of food-borne illnesses.

• organize and participate in appropriate training courses and workshops that educate food regulators and

food workers about the role food irradiation could, and should, play as a control measure in theframework of the application of the HACCP system.

3. WHO should take the lead in advising international agencies and national ministries of health onimplementing integrated strategies, including food irradiation, for preventing the transnational spread ofpathogens in food and feed, for controlling food-borne illnesses, and for enhancing the availability of safeand nutritious foods.

Second Group Fellowship Training on Use of Irradiation to Ensure the Hygienic Quality ofFood, Ames, Iowa, U.S.A., 13 - 17 October, 1997.

The Second Group Fellowship Training on Use of Irradiation to Ensure the Hygienic Quality of Food took placeat the Iowa State University Linear Accelerator Facility, Ames, Iowa, USA, 13-17 October, 1997. This trainingwas similar to the first event, also held at Iowa State University in September-October, 1996. Four trainees (fromArgentina, Brazil, Chile and Morocco) participated.

The trainees had the opportunity to get hands-on experience in the microbiology laboratory, first by determiningthe radiation decimal reduction dose (D10 value) for important pathogenic microorganisms in specific foodproducts of interest, and then by "cold pasteurizing" samples of that food through irradiation at doses calculatedon the basis of these D10 values. Recovery of radiation-injured bacterial cells and integration of irradiation intoHazard Analysis Critical Contro Point (HACCP) plans were given especial emphasis.

In addition to practical training in food irradiation microbiology, the trainees attended the annual meeting of theFood Safety Consortium formed by Iowa State University, the University of Arkansas, and Kansas StateUniversity. The two-day meeting, held in Kansas City, Missouri, featured presentations on projects under way inareas of meat and poultry safety by researchers and students from the three universities. The meeting wasattended also by representatives of the U.S. Government involved in food safety regulations, and by industryrepresentatives.

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30th Meeting of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Committee on Food Hygiene, WashingtonD.C., U.S.A., 20 - 24 October, 1997

The 30th Meeting of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Committee on Food Hygiene was held in Washington,D.C., 20-24 October, 1997. The meeting was attended by representatives of 52 countries, and covered importantareas of ongoing work throughout the world in preparation and/or adoption of Codex standards related to themicrobiological safety of foods. The work of this Committee has gained critical importance since the 1993Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS), presently administered by theWorld Trade Organization (WTO), defined the Codex Alimentarius as the body of international standardsapplicable to food in international trade. The proceedings of the meeting reflected the importance that Codex hasacquired and the efforts being made by major industrialized countries to adapt their food control legislation to it.

Dr. Ricardo Molins represented the IAEA and the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food andAgriculture at the meeting. He informed the meeting about the new FAO/IAEA Training and Reference Centrefor Food and Pesticide Control (TRC), its mandate, the services it will offer Member Countries, and theworkplan being structured to assist FAO and IAEA Member Countries in upgrading their capacity for ensuringfood safety. The TRC is a subprogramme of the Division’s Food and Environmental Protection Section. Themeeting acknowledged this report and expressed great interest in being kept informed of the activities of theTRC. It also encouraged the Centre to work closely with Codex, in general, and with the Committee on FoodHygiene in particular.

14th Annual Meeting of International Consultative Group on Food Irradiation (ICGFI), Toluca,Mexico, 29-31 October 1997

The 14th ICGFI Meeting was hosted by the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares (ININ) on behalf of thegovernment of Mexico and was held at Del Rey Inn, Toluca, Mexico, 29-31 October 1997. The Meeting wasattended by 38 designated experts from 22 member governments and representatives of 4 non-governmentalorganizations. Mr. Rodrigo Santa Cruz, FAO Representative in Mexico, made a statement on behalf of the DirectorsGeneral of FAO, IAEA and WHO at the Opening. Dr. M. Belcazar, on behalf of ININ, declared the Meetingopened.

The Meeting approved the Programme of Work and Budget for 1998 according to the following:

Programme of Work Estimated Budget (US$)

1. International Trade

a) ICGFI Workshop on Contribution of Food Irradiation 5,000to Food Safety in Europe

2. Legislation

a) FAO/IAEA(RCA)/ICGFI Workshop on Harmonized Procedures 20,000and Regulations on Irradiated Food in Asia and thePacific (co-sponsored with IAEA)

b) Amendments to Codex General Standard for Irradiated Foodsand Labelling Provision of IrradiatedIngredients under the Codex General Standard forLabelling of Pre-Packaged Food 5,000*

* To be charged against remaining funds of the JointFAO/IAEA/WHO Study Group on High-DoseIrradiation of Food (amount held by WHO)

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Programme of Work (cont.) Estimated Budget (US$)

3. Practical Application

a) Publication of Information Documents on Contribution of 5,000Food Irradiation to:- Food Safety- Food Security- Trade Development- "Poultry Story"

4. Information Transfer

a) Publication of a Document on "Market Trials and In-kind contributionConsumer Acceptance"

b) ICGFI Home Page on the Internet 25,000

c) Task Force Meeting on Future International Collaboration 20,000on Food Irradiation

5. Database

Updating of current databases: clearances, national regulations, No costfood irradiation facilities, authorized packaging materials, trainees,etc.

6. Administration

a) One professional assistant (part-time) 45,000b) One support staff 60,000c) Travel 10,000d) Publication/printing of various ICGFI reports/documents 10,000e) Miscellaneous (telephone, shipping, etc.) 5,000

Total (cash) 205,000

Member governments pledged US$150,000 to support activities of ICGFI for 1998 as approved by the Meeting.The 14th ICGFI also considered the extension of the current ICGFI mandate which will expire in May 1999. Basedon divergent views of governments’ designated experts, the Meeting appointed a Task Force to consider the futurestructure, role and funding of ICGFI activities to be carried out following the expiration of the current mandate. Theextension of the mandate will then be decided by the 15th ICGFI Meeting, taking into consideration the report of theTask Force (held in Washington, D.C., 6-8 April 1998).

Final FAO/IAEA Research Coordination Meeting (RCM) on Use of Irradiation as a QuarantineTreatment of Mites, Nematodes and Insects other than Fruit Flies, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, 3-7November 1997.

This Final RCM was hosted by College of Tropical Agriculture, University of Hawaii and Department ofAgriculture, State of Hawaii and held at the State Quarantine Office, Honolulu. It was attended by 9 participantswho collaborated under the scope of this research programme in the past 6 years. The RCM discussed the results ofwork generated by these participants and came to the following conclusions and recommendations:

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The CRP on Use of Irradiation as a Quarantine Treatment of Mites, Nematodes and Insects other than Fruit Flieshas generated much needed original data on the effect of irradiation of these important quarantine pests. Some ofthese data were difficult to develop as no information was available in literature about the life-cycle and laboratoryrearing methods of a number of insects studied. The data from this CRP, although not complete, showed the promiseof irradiation as a quarantine treatment of a number of fresh horticultural commodities against various pests. In viewof the impending global phasing out of methyl bromide which is widely used to control pests of quarantineimportance in the trade in fresh horticultural products, further efforts should be made by national and internationalorganizations to generate data on irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment of these products.The following conclusions and recommendations were made by the CRP participants based on the resultedobtained:

1. Generic dose for sterilization of both males and females of spider mites was determined to be 320 Gy.Further studies should determine whether this dose would apply to all species of tetranychid family to meetquarantine requirements.

2. With regard to insects other than fruit flies, it appears that a minimum dose of 300 Gy would cause eitherno adult emergence or sterility of most species of insects studied. Further studies are required, however, to confirmthe most tolerant stage of various insects to irradiation and the minimum radiation dose required to meet quarantinerequirements on a pest by pest basis. Large scale confirmatory tests (95% confidence level) at higher efficacy levels,i.e. 30,000 and 100,000 insects should be performed. For mango seed weevil, a comparative study should be madeto determine the response to radiation between S. mangiferae and S. oliveri. In case of thrips, a minimum radiationdose required for inhibiting feeding which would prevent transmission of viruses of quarantine importance, shouldbe determined.

3. Little data are available on the effect of irradiation to various insect species belonging to the orderHomoptera, including aphid, mealy bugs, and green scale which are important quarantine pests to fresh horticulturalcommodities. Further studies on these pests are urgently required.

4. Radiation doses required to cause complete mortality to various infective stages of plant parasiticnematodes appeared to be higher than 6 kGy. In most cases, the minimum dose required to prevent galldevelopment and reproduction of these nematodes is over 2 kGy which is too high for most fresh plant materials totolerate. Thus, irradiation should be considered as an alternative to methyl bromide fumigation to control nematodesin non-perishable materials. Irradiation of materials such as soil and wood products and others infested bynematodes of quarantine/economic importance should be determined, and trials of the treatment should beperformed at semi- and commercial scale levels.

5. Although many fresh fruits and vegetables could tolerate radiation doses required for quarantine purposes,the response of various types of cut-flowers to irradiation varied widely. Some cut-flowers and ornamentals such asferns, phoenix leaf, narcissus, tulips, prairie gentian, carnation, red ginger, etc. appeared to be tolerant to irradiationup to at least 700 Gy, others such as chrysanthemum, rose, lily, anthurium, dendrobium, heliconia, gerbera, etc.cannot tolerate radiation dose above 200 Gy. The tolerance of cut-flowers to irradiation is proportional to theirinitial quality.

6. Certain preservation solutions showed promise in retaining the quality of some irradiated flowers such aschrysanthemum, gerbera, callistephus and gladiolus. Further studies should be conducted on the combined use ofirradiation with other environmental factors such as low temperature and different atmospheric conditions toincrease the tolerance of certain cut-flowers which are sensitive to irradiation alone.

7. Melanization test appears to be a simple and reliable marker of irradiated larvae of various species of fruitflies subject to irradiation at egg or early larval stages. This method, however, does not appear to be reliable as amarker for irradiated insects of other species. Other methods such as histological changes in the midgut andelectrophoretic separation of proteins and other macromolecules should be explored as markers of other species ofinsects and mites. In the absence of a reliable marker for irradiated insects, quarantine inspectors are advised tofollow strictly the information on irradiation treatment in the certificate of consignment which accompanies theshipment.

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First FAO/IAEA Research Co-ordination Meeting (RCM) on Alternative Methods to Gas and LiquidChromatography, Miskolc, Hungary, 30 March - 3 April, 1998

The RCM was held in connection with a Training Workshop on Application of QA/QC Principles in PesticideResidue Analysis Laboratories in Miskolc, Hungary. The contract holders also attended the training workshop,which gave them excellent opportunity to get acquainted with or upgrade their knowledge on the currentrequirements of quality control of analytical procedures. Consequently, during the RCM most of the time could bespent on practicing the TLC detection methods. The participants gained hands on experience in the application ofthe recommended methods, which will be adapted and expanded in their laboratories during the first 1.5 years of theproject.

A work plan for the first 2 years was agreed. The participants also received detailed guidelines for assisting therational implementation of the programme.

HIGHLIGHTSon

Seminar on Irradiationpresented by

AMI Foundation and National Center for Food Safety & Technology “FACT AND FICTION”

Wednesday - Thursday, February 11 - 12, 1998Westin O’Hare, Chicago, IL

By Donald D. DerrFood Safety Consultant

Glen Burnie, MD 21060-7452 USA

The opening session on Wednesday morning included presentations by Dr. Dean Cliver, University ofCalifornia, and Sheila Courington of Wirthlin Worldwide, a marketing consultant firm.

The main point of Dr. Cliver’s presentation, entitled “Zappin’ Bugs or Shootin’ Craps,” was that eachmeat processing firm must soon decide whether they want to use irradiation, a proven technology to controlfoodborne pathogens, or take their chances that they will not sell meat contaminated with Escherichia coliO157:H7 and thus be liable for any resulting foodborne illness. He made the following two observations: (1)Odwalla thought they didn’t need pasteurization of their apple products. They were sincere, but naïve. (2)Hudson Foods lost everything because of E. coli O157:H7. Although they operated under USDA inspection,about 50,000 cattle died to feed a few egos, and Hudson died with them. The government is now depending onHACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) systems to assure that meat is processed safely. Irradiationcould be an integral step in a meat HACCP program. It would not be used instead of good sanitation practices,but in addition to them. Irradiation works! It is “zappin’ bugs.” Alternatives such as knife trimming of fecalcontamination are only cosmetic. Depending on them is “shootin’ craps.”

Ms. Courington’s presentation was described by her as a “brief take on Mktg. 101.” She opined thatirradiated meat could constitute a revolutionary innovation for the meat industry; but she emphasized that, for theindustry to reap the potential benefits of such a revolution, they must consider the NON-technological and NON-microbiological implications for both industry and consumer. She observed that the decision whether or not toirradiate is difficult because there are risks associated with either decision. If you don’t irradiate meat, you riskfoodborne illness from your products and possibly associated deaths with the resulting bad publicity andpotential for liability and law suits. If you do irradiate meat, you cannot depend on the facts of irradiation butyou must deal with perceptions of the process. There are three types of risks associated with irradiating meat:first, there is the cost of the process; second, the uncertainty of consumer reaction in the marketplace; and thirdthere is the possibility of organized reactions from “watchdog groups.” If the meat industry wants to useirradiation, they should develop a marketing plan. The “bottom line” is if industry is going to sell irradiatedmeat, they must prove themselves to be smart and responsible marketers.

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Following this Keynote session, the balance of the first day’s session dealt with technical subjects: thebasics of the irradiation, the current state of irradiation technologies, regulatory issues, product qualityconsiderations and challenges, customer and consumer perception and preferences, economic and operationalconsiderations, and a look at the future of irradiation and other technologies. The speakers selected by AMI werean excellent mix of skilled and experienced speakers from academia, government, and industry. At the end of theday, there was an opportunity to ask questions of the speakers. That was a very interesting session because of thenature of the questions. There were many questions from industry attendees about the economics and marketingof irradiation and relatively few dealing with the safety or feasibility of the process.

The second day of the seminar focused on packaging for irradiated foods. Two speakers dealt with foodpackaging technology issues such as the “state of the art” of packaging, the functions of food packages, and thetypes of resins and constructions used. An FDA speaker explained the history of food packaging regulations,described the materials currently approved to hold foods during irradiation in the U.S., and gave an FDAperspective on new approvals including petition review steps and an expected time frame for reviews. Thatperspective was very promising. The U.S. regulatory agencies have adopted a much more cooperative andparticipatory approach to food additive approvals. A packaging industry speaker then explained the effects ofirradiation on polymer properties and a radiation effects expert from the University of Maryland explained thephysics of irradiation effects on polymers.

The last session on the second day was devoted to a status report on a cooperative government/industryeffort to provide a broader array of approved packaging materials to hold food during irradiation. The NationalCenter for Food Safety and Technology (NCFST), a co-sponsor of the seminar, has a project to identifypackaging materials that require the most urgent attention to meet food industry needs and to identify a timelyand cost effective approach to achieve FDA approval of those materials. The NCFST sponsored a one daypolymer irradiation forum on March 10, 1998 to develop a collaborative strategy to accomplish those goals. Formore information on that project, contact Dr. George Sadler, NCFST, at 708-563-8170 (voice), 708-563-1873(fax), or mtcsadler@minna.cns.iit.edu (e-mail).

CONCLUSION

This seminar was different from most other food irradiation meetings for several reasons. First, it wassponsored by a food industry trade group representing some of the largest meat packers in the United States.Second, it was attended by over 140 persons, the majority of whom represented the retail and wholesale foodindustry rather than the radiation processing industry, government, and academia. Lastly, there was enthusiasmamong the speakers representing the retail and wholesale food industry about using irradiation. On the otherhand, there was still a Catch-22 expressed. The retailers want the wholesale industry to lead the effort tocommercialize the process; and the wholesale industry still claims it is waiting for demand from the retailmarkets before embracing the process. Someone must break that stalemate!

Conference on “Food Irradiation: The Next Step in Food Safety”, Washington, D.C., U.S.A., 7April 1998.

This Conference was organized by the Science and Public Policy Institute on behalf of the American FarmBureau Federation (AFBF), Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA), atGeorge Washington University, Washington, D.C., 7 April 1998. It was significant that the Conference wasorganized on behalf of the three major food trade organizations whose membership has a collective sale inexcess of US$1 billion/annum. It was attended by some 150 participants (all by invitation), the majority of whomare from the food industry in the USA.

The Conference had a gathering of key speakers who are leading members of the food industry (President andChief Executive Officer of Con Agra, Inc., - a leading producer of meat and poultry products; ExecutiveDirector - ADBF; Chairman of SUPERVALUE, Inc., - a leading supermarket chain), high ranking officials ofthe FDA and USDA including the former FDA Commissioner, representatives of IAEA and WHO, leadingmembers of the radiation processing industry and consumer organizations, as per attached programme.

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From various presentations, it is clear that the US food industry has accepted irradiation as a viable option toensure food safety. This is especially so after the massive recall involving more than 10,000 metric tonnes ofground meat contaminated by E. coli 0157:H7 in August 1997 and the recent US-FDA’s approval of irradiatedmeat in December 1997. Irradiation appears to be the only viable option to the food industry to controlpathogenic E. coli 0157:H7 in fresh and frozen ground meat. The Conference also served to tune in members ofthe food industry to other potential applications of food irradiation, either for domestic or international trade. There is no doubt that the US food industry will use irradiation to ensure hygienic quality of fresh and frozenground meat as soon as the USDA has issued a regulation on quality control programme, expected by the end ofthis year. When it happens, it should lead to a wide application of food irradiation not only in the area of foodsafety but also in others including quarantine control in the case of fresh fruits and vegetables and also on somestored products for insect disinfestation.

D.D. STATUS OF EXISTING COORDINATED RESEARCH PROJECTSSTATUS OF EXISTING COORDINATED RESEARCH PROJECTS

Agroecological effects resulting from the use of pesticides in Central America

This CRP, funded by the Swedish International Development Authority, is divided into three areas of study. One isprimarily concerned with monitoring pesticides in water. In Guatemala, Nicaragua and Panama the emphasis is onpotable water whereas in Costa Rica and Honduras it is on the protection of fisheries. The second research activityinvolves studies of the persistence, degradation and plant uptake of radiolabelled pesticides in model systems. Theaim is to provide data that will help in the interpretation of the results of the water monitoring research and alsothose of the third research area which covers the effect of pesticides on parasites of Lepidopteran pests.

Valuable information has been generated from the work carried out in the CRP in the past 5 years. Widespreadcontamination of waters and sediment/soils with pesticides in the countries of Central America has been confirmed. This information will be useful to the authorities in the participating countries in improving the design andenforcement of legislation to control the import and use of pesticides in the countries of the region, to public healthauthorities in the safeguard of public health and to pest control managers to improve integrated pest managementpractices. The information generated from the Project is already being utilized by government authorities inGuatemala to update their pesticide related legislation and it is expected that other countries of the region will alsobenefit from this information. The Project has also helped in the introduction of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) inthe laboratories of the participating countries, enhanced the analytical skills of their scientists, and created a spirit ofcollaborative research in this area.

The full report on the Final RCM is available on request.

The use of nuclear and immunochemical methods for pesticide analysis

The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for pesticide residue analysis has a number of attractionsincluding high specificity and sensitivity. Speed and low cost are further advantages where large numbers of similarsamples are involved. Nevertheless it has been adopted only slowly by residue analysts. The reasons include;concerns about interference from substances co-extracted with the pesticide (the so-called matrix effects), crossreactivity to compounds within a group of related chemicals and doubts that it gives sufficiently quantitativeresponses. There is the additional consideration that the procedure is strange to those accustomed to the usualchromatographic procedures and it takes time to gain proficiency. This CRP aims to address these concerns.

Interlaboratory comparisons have been run with a commercial cyclodiene kit and an atrazine assay provided byProfessor B Hock (Technical University, Münich). It is clear the issue of "strangeness" is important as theperformance of the participating laboratories has improved as the programme has developed. In the most recentatrazine trial, 13 of the 15 participants obtained acceptable calibration curves and the concentrations reported inunknown (to the participant) soil samples averaged 35 and 2300 ng/g compared with the notional spike values of

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25 and 2500 ng/g. Similar average values were obtained with chromatographic methods. Inter-laboratory variationwas high (± 50%). At least part of the variability results from deterioration of antibodies and conjugates. This is aserious issue in many countries where shipment delays are common and ambient temperatures are high so this is animportant topic for future work in the period up to the final RCM which is scheduled for Ecuador in September1998.

Impact of long-term pesticide use on soil properties using radiotracer techniques

In order to evaluate the effects of repeated, heavy applications of insecticides over many years on the biologicalactivity of the soil and soil fertility, plots have been established by participants in fields with a long history of amonoculture, usually cotton but in some countries maize or potato. Control plots have been sited in the nearestpracticable areas that have a history of low or zero pesticide use. A range of soil parameters is being measuredincluding: respiration quotient/biomass; capacity for Fe-III reduction; nitrification; capacity to mineralize (C-14labelled) aromatic molecules; dehydrogenase activity; aryl sulfatase activity; arginine deaminase activity; rates ofbinding and release of C-14 labelled molecules; ATP; and some assessments of bacterial and fungal populations.

The initial results were reviewed at the second RCM held in Bangkok from 22 - 26 September 1997. It is too earlyto draw even preliminary conclusions.

Validation of thin layer chromatographic screening methods for pesticide residue analysis invegetable crops

The main purpose of this CRP, which has 10 Research Contracts and 2 Agreements, is to validate relatively cheapprocedures based on thin layer chromatography (TLC) that can be used to screen food and environmental samplesfor pesticide residues to reduce the number that must be analysed by more elaborate nuclear and related techniques.

Through a Technical Contract, procedures were developed for extraction, clean-up and TLC analysis for screeningcabbage, green peas, orange and tomatoes for 118 pesticide active ingredients and metabolites. The basic procedureinvolves gel permeation cleanup and the use of a number of reagents to develop spots on TLC plates including o-tolidine + potassium iodide as a general method, a wheat chloroplast preparation to detect photosynthesis inhibitors,a preparation for spores of Aspergillus niger to detect fungicides and reagents based on liver homogenate and bloodserum for choline-esterase inhibitors. One or other of these reagents will allow most organophosphate, urea andtriazine compounds to be detected at around 0.002 mg/kg and most others at 0.05 - 0.2 mg/kg. Only organochlorineand pyrethroid insecticides and sulfonylurea herbicides were not detected at Codex Alimentarius ExtraneousResidue Limits.

The first RCM held in Hungary in early 1997 was used as a training workshop for participants. Method validationwill proceed through a series of interlaboratory comparisons with a range of matrices and pesticides over the next 4years, with further RCMs planned for 1999 and 2000 to evaluate results and make recommendations for furtherwork.

Validation of Alternative Methods to Gas and High Performance Liquid Chromatography forPesticide Residue Analysis in Grains

The objective of this CRP is to assist national monitoring laboratories to adapt and validate low cost procedureswhich can be used without sophisticated instrumentation for screening pesticide residues in samples of foodgrains for checking their compliance with Codes Maximum Residue Limits.

This CRP focuses on the application of thin layer chromatography in combination with bioassay detectionmethods for the determination of pesticide residues in grain crops. The advantage of the method is that it doesnot require continuous electric supply and can be used with limited laboratory equipment. Notwithstanding itssimplicity, if TLC is applied by experienced analysts the results may comply with the ISO 25 qualityrequirements. The programme has 10 Research Contracts and one Research Agreement. Additional laboratories

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expressed their interest to join the programme in 1998. The first Research Co-ordination Meeting was held inMiskolc, Hungary, 30 March - 3 April 1998 in combination with an inter-regional Training Workshop on theImplementation of Quality Assurance and Quality Control Measures in Residue Analytical Laboratories. Thecontract holders also attended the training workshop, which gave them excellent opportunity to get acquaintedwith or upgrade their knowledge on the current requirements of quality control of analytical procedures.Consequently, during the RCM most of the time could be spent on practicing the TLC detection methods. Theparticipants gained hands on experience in the application of the five recommended detection methods, whichwill be adapted and expanded in their laboratories during the first 1.5 years of the project.

The work programme of the participating laboratories was finalised during the meeting. The implementation ofthe laboratory activities will start during the second part of 1998.The programme includes:

• adaptation and validation of a multi residue procedure based on ethyl acetate extraction, gel permeationchromatographic cleanup and determination of the residues with three (optionally with additional two)detection methods;

• checking the reproducibility of RRf values of pesticide compounds;• verification of the applicability of the procedure by inter-laboratory study;• expansion of the list of detectable pesticides to cover those active ingredients which are authorized in the

countries of participating laboratories;

The results of the inter-laboratory study will be evaluated and the experience of the participants will beexchanged during the second Research Co-ordination Meeting planned for early 2000. The programme will becompleted by the end of 2001 with the evaluation of its results and findings during the third Research Co-ordination Meeting.

Standardized Methods to Verify Absorbed Dose in Irradiated Fresh and Dried Fruits, Tree Nuts inTrade

This CRP was initiated in 1993 with the objective of developing standardized methods to verify max./min. absorbeddose in trade required for insect disinfestation and for quarantine treatment of fresh and dried fruits and tree nuts byirradiation. The programme has 12 Research Contracts and 3 Research Agreements. The Second RCM was held inKarlsruhe, Germany from 5-9 August, 1996. At the Final RCM held in Cascais, Portugal, 30 March - 3 April 1998,the participants reported on results obtained from evaluating various methods to verify minimum or maximumabsorbed dose of irradiated fresh, dried fruits and tree nuts carried out in the past 4 years. Such a verificaiton is ofparticular relevance to these commodities which are irradiated for insect disinfestation in compliance with nationalregulations as the dose required for this purpose does not always result in immediate mortality. To avoid automaticrejection of irradiated consignments which may contain live (but sterile) insects, an objective method is desirable toassist food/quarantine inspectors to ensure that the minimum dose required by law has been given to the product.The report included validations of the application of label dose indicators to verify the absorbed dose in a batch or aconsignment of food, evaluation of label dose-indicators and dosimetry systems in such a consignment, anddevelopment of hand-held readers of absorbed dose from the label.

The results of work carried out under this CRP represented a pioneering effort to verify absorbed dose from a labeldose-indicator which is affixed at a reference position on a container of food. From evaluations of various methodsto verify absorbed dose, the commercial label dose indicator (STERIN), with proper improvement, could serve thispurpose. A prototype hand-held reader of such dose-indicator from the label has been developed. Thus, it should bepossible for food/quarantine inspectors to verify absorbed dose from a special label affixed outside the container inthe near future.

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Technology Transfer of Food Irradiation to Reduce Post-harvest Food Losses in Africa

This CRP was implemented to assist institutions in the African region in conducting pilot-scale studies on foodirradiation, test marketing, and economic studies to determine the feasibility of food irradiation and its impact inpreventing food losses in Africa. It has 10 Research Contracts and 1 Agreement. The First RCM was held in Accra,Ghana from 7-11 August, 1995 and the Second RCM was held in Tangier, Morocco from 1-5 September, 1997.

Production of Shelf Stable and Ready-to-eat Foods through High Dose Irradiation Processing

The objective of this CRP is to use medium (1-10 kGy) and high (10-50 kGy) doses of irradiation for the productionof wholesome food with long shelf-life, especially composite, semi-preserved foods and prepared meals to be storedeither under refrigeration or ambient temperature. It has 8 Research Contracts and 8 Research Agreements. The FirstRCM was held in Belfast, Northern Ireland from 9-13 September, 1996. The progress of work was reported at theSecond RCM held in Beijing, China, 4 - 8 May, 1998, which may be summarized as follows:

1. Irradiation with dose between 1 and 3 kGy can ensure microbiological safety of pre-packed, preparedvegetables and of chilled prepared meals stored under refrigeration. Irradiation at this dose range can alsoextend shelf life of the latter product as well as sliced ham left under refrigeration.

2. Shelf-stable ethenic dishes such as marinated fish in Indonesia (known locally as pepes) and meat kebabs in

india could be prepared through a combination of heat treatment and high-dose irradiation (45 kGy). Suchproducts could be kept for many months at ambient temperature in these countries.

3. Through inoculated pack studies using C. sporogenes spores, microbiological safety of shelf-stable high

moisture meat and poultry dishes developed in South Africa was demonstrated. 4. Irradiation with doses up to 10 kGy together with other hurdles (low pH, low Aw , salt additives) improved

microbiological quality and shelf-stability of intermediate moisture fish from Ghana; semi-dried pork fromThailand and intermediate moisture meat and chicken from India.

5. A number of packaging materials required for high-dose irradiation of food were evaluated with regard to their

safety and integrity for such foods. Quality assurance guidelines for producing such packaging materials andpackages for irradiated food were prepared. Effects of irradiation on edible (dairy protein based) packagingmaterials for some ready-to eat food were evaluated.

Irradiation as a Public Health Measure to Control Food-borne Diseases (Cysticercosis/Taeniasisand Vibrio Infections) in Latin America and Caribbean

This CRP was implemented for the countries in Latin America and Caribbean region to use irradiation as a processto eliminate pathogenic bacteria and inactivate parasites that contaminate solid and semi-solid foods. It is co-sponsored by PAHO/WHO. It has 14 Research Contracts and 4 Research Agreements. The Second RCM was heldin Tampa, Florida, USA, 1-5 April, 1997, and the Final RCM is planned for November 1998.

Market Development of Irradiated Food in Asia and the Pacific

The main objective of this CRP is to ensure wide acceptance of irradiated food by the public and free circulation ofirradiated food within and from the countries of the region of Asia and the Pacific. It has 11 Research Agreements.The First RCM was held in Manila, Philippines from 23-27 October, 1997 and the Second RCM was held inMalaysian Institute of Nuclear Technology, Kajang, Selangor from 25-29 August, 1997. The final RCM is plannedfor Bangkok, 21 - 25 September 1998.

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E.E. NEW CO-ORDINATED RESEARCH PROJECTSNEW CO-ORDINATED RESEARCH PROJECTS

Determination of Profiles of Human Bacterial Pathogens in Foods for Export by Introduction ofQuality-Assured Microbiological Assays

International trade in agricultural products and commodities expanded greatly in the 1990's with a valueestimated (in 1993) at US$ 381 billion. A substantial proportion of that international trade originates indeveloping countries. The possibility of introducing new foodborne pathogens into countries (e.g. newSalmonella strains) or spreading pathogens across boundaries from endemic areas to low-endemic areas (e.g.Vibrio cholerae), with the associated risk of foodborne illness, has contributed to the diversity of nationalstandards for food production and inspection, and a wide range of, sometimes conflicting, regulatory procedures.

A proportion of food exports are rejected by importing countries on the grounds of unacceptable contamination(e.g. with filth or the presence of bacterial pathogens or their toxins). Countries can also impose food safety-based technical barriers to trade that have more far reaching trade impact. These barriers to trade includerestrictions due to scientifically insupportable low tolerance levels for Salmonella, Listeria, or other pathogensin foods. Such barriers can effectively limit, or even block, international trade of food and can result insubstantial economic losses to the exporting country. The worldwide economic consequence from such foodrejections are unquantified but substantial.

The approach to food hygiene issues has evolved, with national regulations and international recommendationsmoving steadily from end-product testing and detailed regulations, to a risk-based approach and the applicationof preventive measures along the food chain. At the international level, the Codex Alimentarius Commission,through its Committee on Food Hygiene, has recently revised the Recommended International Code of Practice -General Principles of Food Hygiene, which include an Annex on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point(HACCP) principles and guidelines for their application.

As regards microbiological criteria, the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene recently revised the Principles forthe Establishment and Application of Microbiological Criteria to Foods, whereby it is recognized that the safetyof foods is principally assured by control at the source, the application of Good Hygienic Practices along theprocess in conjunction with the application of the HACCP system, and that "This preventive approach offersmore control than microbiological testing because the effectiveness of microbiological examination to assess thesafety of foods is limited."

International trade in food and agricultural commodities is governed by Agreements of the World TradeOrganization (WTO). With respect to food safety matters, relevant provisions of the Agreement on theApplication of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) apply. The overall objective of the SPSAgreement is to permit countries to take legitimate measures to protect the life and health of their consumers (inrelation to food safety matters), while prohibiting them from using those measures in a way that unjustifiablyrestricts trade. The Agreement calls on Members to harmonize sanitary and phytosanitary measures on as wide abasis as possible and on the basis of international standards, guidelines and recommendations where they exist.With regard to human health and food safety, sanitary measures which conform to standards, guidelines andrecommendations of the Codex Alimentarius Commission are presumed to be consistent with the provision ofthe SPS Agreement. Members may apply measures which result in a higher level of protection if there is ascientific justification.

The SPS Agreement also recognizes the right of members of WTO to protect their consumers at a level theyconsider necessary, based on scientific principles and proper risk assessment, subject to certain discipline suchas consistency and transparency. It also recognizes the principle of equivalence of different measures. It shouldnot be applied in a manner which constitutes a disguised restriction to trade. Governments that are Members ofthe WTO could be required to furnish justification for food import restrictions based on national regulations thatare stricter than standards, guidelines and recommendations of competent international organizations.

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The SPS Agreement requires Members to “ensure that their SPS measures are based on an assessment,appropriate to the circumstances, of the risks to human, animal or plant life, taking into account risk assessmenttechniques developed by the relevant international organizations”. Risk analysis is widely recognized as thefundamental methodology underlying the development of food safety standards and risk analysis issues are givenhigh priority in the activities of FAO and WHO, whether at the level of expert consultations or through theCodex Programme.

The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on the Application of Risk Analysis to Food Standard Issues agreedin 1995 on a number of definitions of risk analysis terms related to food safety. Among these, risk analysis andits three components: risk assessment, risk management and risk communication were considered in theframework of Codex and adopted in 1997.

Microbiological testing, as a means of assessing whether a product is microbiologically hazardous, is relativelyrecent in terms of man’s association with food spoilage and foodborne disease. Microbiological controls havebeen successfully applied to drinking water, milk, milk products, and egg products to protect public health.Nevertheless, the use of testing to control microbiological hazards in foods has serious limitations. Theseinclude:

(i) the problem of sampling and examining a sufficient number of sample units to obtain meaningfulinformation on the microbiological status of a batch of food;

(ii) the difficulty in defining a batch (a lot); (iii) constraints of time and cost to obtain results; and (iv) reliable and comparable laboratory methods.

Furthermore, it is impractical to hold perishable products pending the results of microbiological analyses, andwith shelf-stable products costly warehousing is necessary while the results of tests are awaited.

Although human foodborne diseases may appear to be the major microbiological problem related to food, post-harvest losses due to microbial spoilage is also a major concern, and significant quantities of food are lost due tomicrobial spoilage. This is exemplified by food at import often being rejected due to decomposition.

Many years of experience have shown that control of microorganisms in foods cannot be achieved by impositionof analytical methods. Far more effective is control of the various stages of the whole food chain followingGood Manufacturing Practices and HACCP.

Scientific Scope and Proposed Programme Goals

The overall objective of this Co-ordinated Research Programme (CRP) is to assist national food controlauthorities and institutions improve food safety and stimulate international trade in foods by determining profilesof (selected) human bacterial pathogens of concern to importers on (selected) raw materials and/or products,thereby increasing assurance in their food control measures and facilitating international trade. Food that aremicrobiologically safe would be identified.

To attain this objective, the following activities will be undertaken:

1. Select food products/raw materials entering international trade that are of specific concern.

2. List the indigenous potentially human pathogenic microbes that are of particular concern to importingcountries (e.g. in seafood, initially salmonellae and Vibrio spp).

3. Select quality-assured microbiological methods.

4. Use quality-assured microbiological methods for the pathogens selected to establish the prevalence of human bacterial pathogens in raw materials and/or products identified.

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5. Determine how that profile of bacterial pathogens in local raw materials fluctuates with year, season,climatic changes such as rain run-off, etc. (the aim should be to understand whether the pathogens are"rarely present", "occur sporadically", or "are present in most products").

6. Assess the impact of processing and distribution on the pathogens.

7. Where appropriate, suggest measures to improve food safety.

It is expected that the benefits will include:

• results from the laboratories would be accepted by importers because proficiency had been proven;• microbiologically safe foods;• foods that have no history of contamination with pathogens are identified;• foods contaminated by pathogens are identified;• the opportunity to suggest hygiene measures to reduce contamination of the raw food, and

processing measures to ensure that it is not on the product.

The CRP will also support the activities of the recently established FAO/IAEA Training and Reference Centrefor Food and Pesticide Control of the Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agricultureunder its mandate "to assist Member States and their institutions to fulfill requirements to support theimplementation of international standards/agreements relevant to food safety and control, the safe use ofpesticides and sanitary and phytosanitary measure by providing training, quality assurance services andtechnology transfer."

Participating Institutions

Food control agencies/institutes in the following countries are already participating: Australia, Chile, People´sRepublic of China, France, Ghana, Philippines, South Africa, and Thailand. Other countries are being invited toparticipate.

Following the usual procedure for this type of programme, Research Contracts are awarded to participatinginstitutions in developing countries, which receive up to US$ 5,000.00 per year for 5 years. The Chief ScientificInvestigator in charge of the project is invited to attend Research Co-ordination Meetings (RCM) at the expenseof the IAEA. Research Agreements are awarded to institutions in industrialized countries; no grants are receivedby these institutions, but the Chief Scientific Investigator in charge of the project is invited to attend ResearchCo-ordination Meetings at the expense of the IAEA.

Implications for the Future

a. Estimated duration of the CRP: 5 yearsb. Co-ordination Meetings Planned: 3 times (the first RCM will be held in Vienna, Austria, in

September, 1998).

The Classification of Soil Systems on the Basis of Transfer Factors of Radionuclides from Soilto Reference Plants

An earlier CRP conducted by IAEA through the Division of Radiation and Waste Safety of the Department ofNuclear Safety and the Agrochemicals and Residues Section of the Joint FAO/IAEA Division, together with theInternational Union of Radioecology (UIR) entitled ‘Radionuclide transfer from air, soil and freshwater to thefoodchain of man in tropical and subtropical environments’, concluded that higher or lower uptake ofradionuclides is not crop specific. If an agro-ecosystem shows a relatively high or low uptake for one crop, allcrops will show this behaviour. Consequently, the uptake of a radionuclide by a range of crops can be predictedby studying the uptake of the same radionuclide by one or two indicator crops or crop groups e.g. cereals andbroad leaved crops.

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A new programme has been proposed in conjunction with UIR to help to maintain links between the JointFAO/IAEA Division and the radioecological community. If approved the programme will aim to identify agro-ecosystems for which the soil-to-plant transfer ‘deviates’ from the average or normal pattern and to relate uptakebehaviour to climate and soil properties. The experimental protocols developed and validated in the previousCRP and other UIR projects will be used with appropriate modifications.

Soils which seem likely to deviate from the average include coral soils, soils with large Fe-Al contents, soils oflow nutrient status (including peat soils), very acid soils, irrigated soils and allophanic (volcanic) soils.

Possible participants should have access to at least two agro-ecosystems with different characteristics.

Outputs from the CRP will include a Tecdoc containing transfer factors for Cs-137 and Sr-90 and other selectedradionuclides from a range of soils for selected reference plants, correlations between transfer factors and soilproperties including an estimate of radionuclide availability, and algorithms to predict transfer factors for a rangeof soil conditions and crops. It is anticipated that the contents of this Tecdoc will be used to refine doseassessment models and for emergency response planning.

The FAO/IAEA contact for the proposed programme is Dr. M.A. Matin (Food and Environmental ProtectionSection, Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture). Dr. M. Frissel (UIR) wouldact as technical consultant.

F.F. FAO/IAEA TRAINING AND REFERENCE CENTRE FOR FOODFAO/IAEA TRAINING AND REFERENCE CENTRE FOR FOODAND PESTICIDE CONTROLAND PESTICIDE CONTROL

Programme Of The Joint FAO/IAEA Training and Reference Centre for Food and Pesticides

Background

World Trade Organization (WTO) administers the Agreements on the Application of Sanitary and PhytosanitaryMeasures (SPS Agreement) and on the Technical Barrier to Trade (TBT). The agreements provide a clearframework for harmonizing relevant regulatory measures on the basis of international standards, guidelines andrecommendations to avoid unnecessary non-tariff trade barriers. The provisions of the SPS Agreement,concluded under the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations, have placed great importance on theCodex Standards. Under the Agreement, where an importing country’s Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) is morestringent than the Codex MRL, the importing country may be required to justify scientifically and in atransparent way why it cannot accept the relevant Codex MRL. Thus there is a need to strengthen the underlyingscientific basis of Codex recommendations.

The Codex Standards are elaborated under the FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme by the CodexAlimentarius Commission (CAC) to harmonize food quality and safety standards, protect the health ofconsumers and to promote fair practices in food trade.

The CAC is composed of several committees which develop the Codex Standards in close co-operation with thegovernments of Member Countries and international organizations. The work related to the agrochemicals ismainly carried out within the General Subject Codex Committees, namely Codex Committee on PesticideResidues (CCPR), Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Food (CCRVDF), Codex Committeeon Food Additives and Contaminants (CCFAC), Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) and CodexCommittee on Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS). The limits for heavy metals are elaborated by the Committeeson specific commodities.

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Providing a sufficient supply of safe and good quality food is a challenge given the rate of increase of theworld’s population. World trade is a key strategy that underpins economic well being but key food safety andquality issues must be addressed including:

• residues of agrochemicals (pesticides, veterinary drugs),• presence of heavy metals, mycotoxins and natural toxins, and• microbial contamination.

Implementation of national legislation and international trade agreements to ensure quality and safety of foodrequires suitable laboratory facilities and adequately trained human resources to monitor the wide range ofpotential chemical and microbiological food contaminants. The production of safe and good quality food cannotbe achieved without the strict control of the quality and use of pesticides and veterinary drugs. The enforcementof pesticide control legislation and other provisions specified in the FAO International Code of Conduct on theDistribution and use of Pesticides also requires analytical facilities and well trained personnel to carry outpesticide product and residue analysis.

Many countries do not have adequate facilities and trained personnel to support such legislation. Based onthe request of member countries and on the recommendations of the Consultants’ meetings FAO and IAEAdecided to establish a Training and Reference Centre for Food and Pesticide Control (TRC) within theJoint Division of FAO/IAEA to strengthen the capability of those countries to control food quality and safety, tobring the quality and use of pesticides and veterinary drugs up to international standards, and to introduce andimplement appropriate quality assurance and quality control systems in their testing laboratories. The mainactivities planned include training, organization of analytical proficiency studies, co-ordinated researchprogrammes, and advising on analytical methodology, quality assurance and quality control measures.

Financial support for the programme

The programme is planned to be implemented partly from the regular FAO/IAEA budget. However, the majorpart of the programme can only be financed from extra budgetary funds expected to be provided by MemberStates and private foundations/industry.

To date donations have been received from the Austrian and Swedish Government, and from Hewlett Packard.

Details of training and research projects which may be supported can be obtained from:

Dr. Paisan LoaharanuHead, Food and Environment Protection SectionJoint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and AgricultureInternational Atomic Energy AgencyWagrammerstrasse 5 POB 100A-1400 Vienna AustriaT.: (*431)-206021638Fax (*431)-20607

Plans for future programmes of the TRC

Training at various levels will be one of the most important tasks of the TRC. The training will be carried outboth at the Seibersdorf Laboratory of IAEA and in co-operation with specialised laboratories/institutionselsewhere. The training programmes include short courses (1 - 2 weeks) to address specific theoretical subjects;long courses (4 - 6 weeks) to upgrade the theoretical and practical knowledge of practicing bench analysts;fellowships (3 - 6 months) to provide experience and training in advanced laboratories.

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The aim of the training is to assist member countries in establishing and operating laboratories according to theprinciples of ISO Guide 25 and/or GLP in order to produce reliable and internationally acceptable analyticalresults. These results can facilitate the efficient regulation and use of pesticides, as well as trade in agriculturalcommodities. Consequently the training courses should provide information to participants working at twodifferent levels of the hierarchy: namely, officials involved in planning, decision making and supervision, andanalysts working at the lab-bench. Nevertheless, some overlapping in the background and activities ofparticipants is inevitable.

The main areas where training is considered essential are:

Determination of pesticide residues in food;

Determination of mycotoxins in food;

Control of the quality of commercial pesticide formulations;

Determination of microbial contaminants of food;

Determination of heavy metals and radionuclides in food.

The participants of the training courses are expected to pass an examination at the end of the course, disseminatethe knowledge and information received to the staff of relevant laboratories in their country upon return.

Following the advanced training courses the laboratories of nominating institutes are expected to participateregularly in proficiency studies.

Proposed courses for 1999-2004

Basic course on planning and implementation of food control activities by chemical analysis;

Introduction of ISO Guide 25 and principles of GLP;

Training of Quality Assurance Officers and Laboratory Inspectors;

Analysis of pesticide residues in food (basic course)

Testing the quality of commercial pesticide products (basic course);

Introduction of quality assurance, quality control measures in residue analytical laboratories (advanced course);Introduction of quality assurance, quality control measures in pesticide formulation control laboratories(advanced course).

Support of analytical proficiency studies

The analytical proficiency studies provide an objective criterion for the participating laboratories to check theirperformance and the reliability of their results, to built up self confidence and, last but not least, to demonstratetheir capability to third parties. The regular participation in check sample studies is one of the prerequisites ofcurrent quality systems. The comprehensive evaluation of the performance of the laboratories by analysing theirraw data provides the opportunity for an expert to identify the possible shortcomings in their procedures, to giveadvice for improvement either through correspondence or in form of technical backup visit.

Technical backup visits are needed to advise laboratories on improving methodology and analyticalperformance, and to assist laboratories in implementing quality control - quality assurance systems according toISO 25 Guide and or GLP.

Co-ordinated research projects are developed in relation to a defined topic on which an appropriate number ofinstitutes in developed and developing countries are invited to collaborate, to address a problem of commoninterest. Limited funds are provided to participants from developing countries which are meant to subsidise notcover the costs. Meetings are held at the beginning of the programme to elaborate work plans, and at the end toprepare a final report. In addition, there are usually one or two meetings to review progress during the course ofthe programme. The meetings are very effective in establishing contacts through which information andtechnologies can be transferred.

Planned projects

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To determine maximum residue levels in tropical crops grown in supervised trials

To identify supplementary information needed to support pesticide registration decisions in tropical countries

To evaluate methods of analysis of mycotoxins in food

Participation in the programme of TRC

Member Countries wishing to receive training and assistance trough the FAO/IAEA TRC are invited to expresstheir interest in writing to:

Dr. Paisan LoaharanuHead, Food and Environment Protection SectionJoint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and AgricultureInternational Atomic Energy AgencyWagrammerstrasse 5 POB 100A-1400 Vienna AustriaT.: (*431)-206021638Fax (*431)-20607

Training Courses Organised By The FAO/IAEA Training and Reference Centre

In 1997-98 three training workshops were organised from the funds provided by the Swedish Government(SIDA).

Sub-Regional Training Workshop on the Analysis of Trace Elements in Food, Uppsala, Sweden

The 4-week course was attended by 11 participants from Eastern Europe. The workshop included lectures andlaboratory exercises on sample preparation, instrumental determination and quality control of the procedures.

Sub-Regional Training Workshop on Analysis of Pesticide Formulations, Suweon, Republic ofKorea

Analysts from 14 south-east Asia countries participated in the workshop from October 3 to November 1, 1997.The programme consisted of about 60% lectures and 50% laboratory exercises on:sampling, sample preparation, testing physical properties and chemical composition, principles of ISO Guide 25,and planning and evaluating of experimental programmes.

Participants were given handouts of the overheads as well as the complete text. The handouts helped participantsunderstanding of the content of the lectures and encouraged them to seek clarification. The complete textintended to facilitate post-course studies and dissemination of the information received during the course.

Training Workshop on Introduction of Quality Control/Quality Assurance Measures in PesticideResidue Analytical Laboratories, Miskolc, Hungary

The 4-week workshop was attended by 16 analysts from 15 countries.

The programme comprised of approximately 50% theoretical lectures and 50% laboratory exercises or casestudies. The lectures were presented by specialists invited from Hungary, Republic of Korea, UK and USA. Thestaff from the host institute conducted the laboratory exercises together with invited analysts from the HungarianPlant Protection Organization.

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The case studies proved popular with participants. The joint evaluation of the Study Plans prepared by theparticipants provided an opportunity to explain the practical application of principles of planning experimentalprogrammes and good analytical practice in relation to GLP.

The participants received handouts containing the content of the overheads, and the full text of the lecturematerials. They also received the electronic versions on a CD which also contained the lectures and laboratoryexercises of the Training Workshop on Quality Control of Pesticides, and a number of important backgroundmaterials including OECD GLP documents, and QC Guidelines. The written materials were appreciated by theparticipants as an aid to prepare for the end-of-course test.

The participants of the course were requested to take part in a written exam. Passing the exam successfully wasthe pre-condition for receiving the Certificate of the Course. This practice will be followed at the future trainingcourses as well.

First Research Co-ordination Meeting (RCM) On Alternative Methods To Gas And LiquidChromatography

The RCM was held in connection with the Training Workshop on Application of QA/QC Principles in PesticideResidue Analysis Laboratories in Miskolc, Hungary, from March 30 to April 5 1998. The contract holders alsoattended the training workshop, which gave them excellent opportunity to get acquainted with or upgrade theirknowledge on the current requirements of quality control of analytical procedures. Consequently, during theRCM most of the time could be spent on practicing the TLC detection methods. The participants gained handson experience in the application of the recommended methods, which will be adapted and expanded in theirlaboratories during the first 1.5 years of the project.

A work plan for the first 2 years was agreed. The participants also received detailed guidelines for assisting therational implementation of the programme.

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1998 Activities

TRC Activities 1998Contaminant Activities Status

Microbiology a) CRP on Determination of Profiles ofHuman Pathogens in Foods for Exportby Introduction of Quality AssuredMicrobial Assays

b) RCM on the above CRP

Implemented

Vienna, AustriaNov. 1998

Mycotoxins a) CRP on Evaluation of Methods for Determining Mycotoxin Contamination of Food/Feed

b) Consultant service of Dr. Maya Pineiro (Uruguay) to develop implementation plan on TRC activities on mycotoxin analysis.

c) Consultant service of Dr. Ray Coker (UK) to advise on the CRP to be implemented, on databases and Web Page to be developed by the TRC

To be implemented

Vienna, 19-23 April 1998

Vienna, 20-22 May 1998

Pesticide Residuesa) Training Workshop on

Implementation of QA/QC Measuresin Residue Analysis Laboratories

b) Latin America Regional Training

Course on Nuclear and RelatedTechniques for the Analysis ofPesticide in Water and AquaticOrganisms

c) Prepare appropriate training manuals d) Provide analytical quality assurance

services including reference standards,interlab. comparison and advice.

Miskolc, Hungary2-22 March 1998

Sao Paulo, Brazil7 Sept. - 9 Oct. 1998

To be implemented

To be implemented

Veterinary Drug Residues a) CRP to develop and implement strategies for the effective monitoring of vet. drug residues in livestock and livestock products in developing countries.

b) Technical support for 5 national TC projects

To be implemented

Continuing

Radionuclides/Toxic metals a) Consultants meeting on Transfer Factors of Radionuclides from Soil to Reference Plants

b) CRP on the influence of soil and climatic factors on the uptake of radionuclides by plants

Vienna, Austria26-29 May 1998

To be implemented

25

G.G. ACTIVITIES OF THE AGROCHEMICALS UNIT, SEIBERSDACTIVITIES OF THE AGROCHEMICALS UNIT, SEIBERSDORFORF

Laboratory programme for 1998

An intense method validation/adaptation began in March 1998 marking the start of a new programme to bringthe Agrochemicals Unit to world’s best practices and compliance with ISO Guide 25. The experience gained in1997 indicated that the training for the analysis of pesticide residues in food according to ISO 25 quality systemwould be the focus of activities given limited staff and laboratory space. This would assist member countries tocomply with the requirements of WTO/SPS agreement. The other tasks including: instrumental analysis ofmycotoxins, QC of pesticide products and other QC activities will be taken up gradually.

The objectives of the work programme include:

• building up the capability of analysing the majority of pesticide residue-commodity combinations for whichCodex MRLs have been established or being elaborated;

• establishing and implementing the analytical quality system complying with ISO 25;

• gaining international recognition through publication of methods validated or adapted according to currentinternational standards;

• developing the specific technical knowledge and practical experience of the staff to enable theimplementation of the training programmes according to the principles of current international standards.

The core activity is the elaboration of multiresidue methods for determining about 150 pesticide activeingredients in representative species of citrus fruits, pome fruits, stone fruits, assorted tropical fruits, fruitingvegetables, leafy vegetables, root vegetables, cereals and oil seeds, and submit the methods for peer review andpublication until June 1999.

Production of Internal Quality Control Check Samples

One of the major objectives of the recently established FAO/IAEA Training and Reference Centre for Food andPesticide Control (TRC), is to respond to Member States’ needs related to the food safety and trade in food andagriculture commodities. From this perspective, the TRC will work towards reaching an international agreedpoint of reference in measurement testing. Hence as a start, the TRC recently joined the Analytical QualityControl Services of the IAEA by producing and providing for the first time internal quality control checksamples for organic compounds in an organic matrix.

The organic matrix, a natural tomato paste, has proved to be a good substitute from an analytical point of view,i.e., the tomato paste presents the same chromatographic profile as a real tomato sample. Pasteurised tomatopaste containing no preservatives was spiked with two organo-phosphate pesticides at the maximum residuelimits. After homogenisation, storage stability of the analyte was determined at four temperature levels: -18°C,4°C, Ambient temperature and 50°C. During this process, the tomato was treated to avoid microbial growth.

For the homogeneity testing, the following technique was applied:

Half the bulk sample was spiked with the 14C radio-labelled organo-phosphate pesticides at 5000 dpm/g andmixed for 6 hours. Half the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate then analysed by liquid scintillationcounting. ANOVA and Bartlett tests were used for processing and evaluating the data. The results showed goodcorrelation, indicating homogeneity. The process was scaled up with unlabelled pesticides.

Spiked and chemically stabilised check samples will be distributed to participants in a Co-ordinated ResearchProgramme. From this pilot scale collaborative study, enough data can be generated to evaluate thefeasibility/utility of this approach in preparing standard check samples for labile organic materials.

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Multiresidue Method for Rapid Determination of Cypermethrin and Chlorpyrifos in Tomato byGas-Liquid and Thin-Layer Chromatography

A simple multiresidue method for the identification and determination of cypermethrin and chlorpyrifosinsecticides was developed. Cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos were extracted from tomato with acetone, thenpartitioned into ethylacetate + cyclohexane. A clean-up step was investigated using either charcoal (Envi ™ -Carb Mesh size 120/400 from Supelco, Inc.), silica gel or florisil while electron capture gas-liquidchromatography (GLC) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) were used for quantification. Recoveries of alpha-cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos residues in tomato were determined using 14C-chlorpyrifos. Recoveries exceeded96-98% of applied 14C-chlorpyrifos, suggesting the method would be suitable as a rapid and cheap multresiduemethod for tomato. TLC for simple samples gave compatible results to high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) and GLC. The minimum detectable quantity of the pesticides was in the nanogram range. The mainadvantages of high performance thin-layer chromatography are that neither sophisticated facilities nor largequantities of expensive consumable materials such as compressed gases or high purity organic solvents arerequired. In addition, the basic capital equipment is less expensive compared with GLC and HPLC. TLC is avery convenient procedure for screening and determining groups of pesticides in multiresidue analysis. It issimple, fast and usually specific.

Immunochemical Methods for Pesticide Analysis

In 1997 laboratories from 19 countries participated in a collaborative study to determine DDT in soil by ELISA.The assay used a competitive ELISA format developed by CSIRO (Division of Plant Industry, Canberra,Australia). In the assay, antibody is freeze-dried onto microwell plates and the free DDT or DDE in the testsample competes with an enzyme-labelled pesticide for antibody binding. Unbound enzyme-labelled pesticide isremoved by a washing buffer. The bound enzyme-labelled pesticide is activated by adding a mixture ofsubstrate-chromogen to produce a coloured reaction product. DDT or DDE in the test sample is then quantifiedby comparing colour development in the sample wells with that of wells containing standards. Less DDT orDDE in the test sample will result in more enzyme conjugate being bound and more colour development.

This main objective of the collaborative study for DDT in soil was to assess the state-of-the-art of pesticideELISA analysis in counterparts laboratories in order to improve the quality of their analytical data. Thisrepresented the first trial within the CRP context where we started considering quality issues. Except for resultsfrom two laboratories that were the outliers, the overall precision of data were acceptable. This represents animprovement respect to previous results. More important the collaborative study identified errors and criticalsituations that can be avoided once a quality system is in place. The experience gained during thisinterlaboratory comparison study clearly shows the need for further comparison studies between laboratories as ameans to improve analytical quality in the field of pesticide ELISA analysis.

Internet Tutorial for Analytical Chemists

An Internet tutorial for analytical chemistry was prepared for the FAO/IAEA/SIDA Training Workshop on theImplementation of Quality Assurance and Quality Control measures in Residue Analysis Laboratories held inMiskolc, Hungary. The Internet includes all networks that use the standard transport and address protocol calledTCP/IP. The Internet as of January 1996 connected roughly 240,000 independent domains or networks into avast global internet (Network Wizards). The World Wide Web includes all hypertext servers that provide text,graphics and sound. The Web has grown substantially faster than the Internet. The growth rate of the Web isexponential, with a doubling period between 3-6 months. Unfortunately, the relative cost of connection is highfor Developing Countries. The purpose of the tutorial was provide trainees with universal resource locators(URLs) to access the rich analytical chemical resources on the Internet. The information was presented ingraphical format. To obtain a copy of the tutorial send an e-mail message to I.G.Ferris@iaea.org includingInternet Tutorial for Analytical Chemists in the subject line.