Food safety at the small scale: The case of meat inspection regulations in British Columbia's rural and remote communities

2013 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 93-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiana Miewald ◽  
Aleck Ostry ◽  
Sally Hodgson
Food Policy ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 55 ◽  
pp. 15-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niina Kotisalo ◽  
Jenni Luukkanen ◽  
Maria Fredriksson-Ahomaa ◽  
Janne Lundén

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 40
Author(s):  
Vicki Christopher ◽  
Michelle Turner ◽  
Nicole C. Green

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) in Australia has long been associated with the concept of social justice, however, a clear understanding of what it looks like across diverse services and communities is not available. This article reports the process of inquiry, as well as the outcomes, of a small-scale study designed to uncover the perceptions of ECEC educators working in rural and remote communities in the state of Queensland. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews with five educators from rural and remote settings identified as areas experiencing significant growth in population diversity. An initial thematic analysis of the data revealed three key themes. A secondary analysis using a place and space conceptual framework uncovered deeper, more sophisticated meanings of the educator experience of social justice. The research is important in bringing pedagogical conversations to the forefront regarding ECEC educator perceptions of their role in creating a socially just learning environment. In addition to identifying future research possibilities, implications from the findings indicate opportunities for re-examining and rethinking initial teacher education and ongoing professional learning.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Obaid ◽  
Qianwei Zhang ◽  
Scott J. Adams ◽  
Reza Fotouhi ◽  
Haron Obaid

Abstract Background Telesonography systems have been developed to overcome barriers to accessing diagnostic ultrasound for patients in rural and remote communities. However, most previous telesonography systems have been designed for performing only abdominal and obstetrical exams. In this paper, we describe the development and assessment of a musculoskeletal (MSK) telesonography system. Methods We developed a 4-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) robot to manipulate an ultrasound probe. The robot was remotely controlled by a radiologist operating a joystick at the master site. The telesonography system was used to scan participants’ forearms, and all participants were conventionally scanned for comparison. Participants and radiologists were surveyed regarding their experience. Images from both scanning methods were independently assessed by an MSK radiologist. Results All ten ultrasound exams were successfully performed using our developed MSK telesonography system, with no significant delay in movement. The duration (mean ± standard deviation) of telerobotic and conventional exams was 4.6 ± 0.9 and 1.4 ± 0.5 min, respectively (p = 0.039). An MSK radiologist rated quality of real-time ultrasound images transmitted over an internet connection as “very good” for all telesonography exams, and participants rated communication with the radiologist as “very good” or “good” for all exams. Visualisation of anatomic structures was similar between telerobotic and conventional methods, with no statistically significant differences. Conclusions The MSK telesonography system developed in this study is feasible for performing soft tissue ultrasound exams. The advancement of this system may allow MSK ultrasound exams to be performed over long distances, increasing access to ultrasound for patients in rural and remote communities.


2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (6) ◽  
pp. 1072-1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
AIXIA XU ◽  
DONNA M. PAHL ◽  
ROBERT L. BUCHANAN ◽  
SHIRLEY A. MICALLEF

Consumption of locally, organically grown produce is increasing in popularity. Organic farms typically produce on a small scale, have limited resources, and adopt low technology harvest and postharvest handling practices. Data on the food safety risk associated with hand harvesting, field packing, and packing-house handling with minimal treatment, at this production scale, are lacking. We followed produce from small organic farms from the field through postharvest handling and packing. Pre- and postharvest produce (177 samples) and water (29 samples) were collected and analyzed quantitatively for Escherichia coli, total coliforms (TC), aerobic bacteria (APC), yeasts, molds (M), and enteric pathogens. No pathogens were recovered. E. coli was detected in 3 (3.6%) of 83 preharvest produce samples, 2 (6.3%) of 32 unwashed and 0 of 42 washed postharvest produce samples, and 10 (34.5%) of 29 water samples. No correlation was found between bacterial levels in irrigation water and those on produce. Postharvest handling without washing was a factor for APC and M counts on tomatoes, with lower frequencies postharvest. Postharvest handling with washing was a factor for leafy greens for TC counts, with higher frequencies postharvest. APC (P = 0.03) and yeast (P = 0.05) counts were higher in preharvest than in unwashed postharvest tomatoes. Washed postharvest leafy greens had higher M counts (P = 0.03) and other washed produce had higher TC counts (P = 0.01) than did their preharvest counterparts. Barriers were found to the use of sanitizer in wash water for leafy greens among small farms using organic practices. Hand harvesting and dry handling did not appear to be associated with a significant food safety risk, but washed leafy greens carried higher levels of some microbial indicators, possibly because of the lack of sanitizer in the wash water. The development of resources and materials customized for this sector of growers could enhance dissemination of information on best practices for handling of leafy greens.


2010 ◽  
Vol 29 (12) ◽  
pp. 1472-1477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary Maina Gitonga ◽  
Adenirin Chabi-Olaye ◽  
Dagmar Mithöfer ◽  
Julius Juma Okello ◽  
Cecilia Nyawira Ritho

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Buyting ◽  
Sarah Melville ◽  
Hanif Chatur ◽  
Christopher W. White ◽  
Jean-François Légaré ◽  
...  

AbstractCanada is a wealthy nation with a geographically diverse population, seeking health innovations to better serve patients in accordance with the Canada Health Act. In this country, population and geography converge with social determinants, policy, procurement regulations, and technological advances, in order to achieve equity in the management and distribution of healthcare. Rural and remote patients are a vulnerable population; when managing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, there is inequity when it comes to accessing specialist physicians at the recommended frequency—increasing the likelihood of poor health outcomes. Ensuring equitable care for this population is an unrealized priority of several provincial and federal government mandates. Virtual care technology may provide practical, economical, and innovative solutions to remedy this discrepancy. Here we review the literature pertaining to the use of virtual care technologies to monitor patients with cardiovascular disease living in rural areas of Canada. A search strategy was developed to identify the literature specific to this context across three bibliographic databases. 166 unique citations were ultimately assessed for eligibility, of which 36 met the inclusion criteria. In our assessment of these articles, we provide a summary of the interventions studied, their reported effectiveness in reducing adverse events and mortality, the challenges to implementation, and the receptivity of these technologies amongst patients, providers and policy makers. Further, we glean insight into the barriers and opportunities to ensure equitable care for rural patients and conclude that there is an ongoing need for clinical trials assessing virtual care technologies in this context.SummaryPatients living in rural and remote communities’ experience diverse challenges to receiving equitable healthcare as is mandated by the Canada Health Act. Advances in virtual care technology may provide practical, economical, and innovative solutions to ensure this for patients in remote and rural living situations. Here we provide a state-of-the-art review of virtual care technologies available to patients with cardiovascular disease living in rural areas of Canada.


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