PRECOOKED FROZEN FOODS AND THE NEW HANDLING CODE1

1960 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 54-58
Author(s):  
A. H. Robertson

The origin of and membership in the Association of Food and Drug Officials of the United States is described. The formation in 1956 and the objectives of the Joint Committee on Frozen Foods in the above Association with representatives of the National Association of Frozen Food Packers is explained. The Committee was directed to prepare a model processing and handling code for uniform guidance of both industry and public servants. Industry has surveyed operations, including bacterial determinations on products at different stages of processing in several precooked frozen food processing plants. Any product consisting in part of meat, poultry, gravy, sauce or stuffing is readily subject initially to plant mishandling and should be processed with minimal delay. Sanitarians are urged to be practical, understanding, cautious and conservative when using the new tools in the recommended code; nevertheless, industry's familiarity with and early use of it will do much to maintain frozen food quality at a high level.

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip Brown ◽  
Yi Chen ◽  
Robin Siletzky ◽  
Cameron Parsons ◽  
Lee-Ann Jaykus ◽  
...  

Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive foodborne pathogen responsible for the severe disease listeriosis and notorious for its ability to persist in food processing plants, leading to contamination of processed, ready-to-eat foods. L. monocytogenes persistence in various food processing environments (FPEs) has been extensively investigated by various subtyping tools, with increasing use of whole genome sequencing (WGS). However, major knowledge gaps remain. There is a need for facility-specific molecular signatures not only for adequate attribution of L. monocytogenes to a specific FPE but also for improved understanding of the ecology and evolution of L. monocytogenes in the food processing ecosystem. Furthermore, multiple strains can be recovered from a single FPE sample, but their diversity can be underestimated with common molecular subtyping tools. In this study we investigated a panel of 54 L. monocytogenes strains from four turkey processing plants in the United States. A combination of WGS and phenotypic assays was employed to assess strain persistence as well as identify facility-specific molecular signatures. Comparative analysis of allelic variation across the whole genome revealed that allelic profiles have the potential to be specific to individual processing plants. Certain allelic profiles remained associated with individual plants even when closely-related strains from other sources were included in the analysis. Furthermore, for certain sequence types (STs) based on the seven-locus multilocus sequence typing scheme, presence and location of premature stop codons in inlA, inlB length, prophage sequences, and the sequence content of a genomic hotspot could serve as plant-specific signatures. Interestingly, the analysis of different isolates from the same environmental sample revealed major differences not only in serotype and ST, but even in the sequence content of strains of the same ST. This study highlights the potential for WGS data to be deployed for identification of facility-specific signatures, thus facilitating the tracking of strain movement through the food chain. Furthermore, deployment of WGS for intra-sample strain analysis allows for a more complete environmental surveillance of L. monocytogenes in food processing facilities, reducing the risk of failing to detect strains that may be clinically relevant and potentially novel.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 413-414
Author(s):  
Carlyn Vogel ◽  
Debra Dobbs ◽  
Brent Small

Abstract Spirituality is difficult to define as researchers assign it different meanings and individuals’ perceptions can vary. For example, spirituality may connect to religiosity, while others consider religiosity a less significant part of spirituality. This study investigates factors outside of religiosity that are significantly associated with spirituality to inform the characteristics of the concept. Webster’s (2004) existential framework of spirituality was used to guide variable selection. The National Survey of Midlife in the United States wave three (MIDUS 3; 2013-2014; n = 2,594; Mage = 63.5, SD = 11, range = 39–92) was used to examine individuals’ reported levels of spirituality. Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to examine factors related to low and high levels of spirituality compared to a moderate level. Participants with low spirituality were more likely to be male, less likely to be mindful, mediate/chant, feel a strong connection to all life, to indicate that they cannot make sense of the world, and to be religious. Participants with high spirituality were more likely to be female, have at least some college experience, be mindful, meditate/chant, feel deep inner peace, have a sense of deep appreciation, think that a sense of purpose is important for a good life, and have a high level of religiosity. Framed by Webster’s conceptual model, the current study observed that religiosity is significantly associated with spirituality and that other mindfulness-based aspects are also present within this concept. Incorporating mindfulness with religious efforts will more accurately and holistically address spirituality.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 4861
Author(s):  
Marcin Bogdański

Differentiated response of selected economies to the global economic crisis caused by the collapse of the real estate market in the United States has drawn the attention of economists to the concept of economic resilience. At the same time, once again, it showed the importance of analysing and creating suitable conditions for sustainable development. Resilient economies are less exposed to the risk of economic crises or slowdowns, which is vital for ensuring stable incomes and high level of living standards. Therefore, the presented analysis was aimed at evaluating the level of economic resilience of provincial cities in Poland in relation to the situation on their labour markets. For this purposes, selected measures of the variation in the distribution feature (e.g., coefficient of variation) and the degree of structure diversification of the examined feature (Amemiya’s index) were used. Subsequently, using correlation analysis, the research determined whether any relationships could be observed between the investigated variables. The results of the research indicate that for provincial cities sub-regions in Poland, a statistically significant, moderate negative correlation could be observed between the degree of employment structure diversification in 2009 and the scale and scope of the collapse in the number of employed persons in subsequent years. This suggests that a high level of employment diversification restricted the level of economic resilience in this case.


2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-156
Author(s):  
PAUL S. REICHLER

AbstractThe Nicaragua case demonstrates the Court's competence in receiving and interpreting evidence, and in making reasoned findings of fact, even in the most complicated evidentiary context, as is often presented in cases involving use of force and armed conflict. The Court applied well-established standards for evaluating the conflicting evidence presented to it. In particular, the Court determined that greater weight should be given to statements against interest made by high-level government officials than to a state's self-serving declarations. The Court also determined that statements by disinterested witnesses with first-hand knowledge should receive greater weight than mere statements of opinion or press reports. In applying these guidelines, the Court found, correctly, that (i) the United States had used military and paramilitary force against Nicaragua both directly and indirectly, by organizing, financing, arming, and training the Contra guerrillas to attack Nicaragua; (ii) the evidence did not support a finding that the United States exercised direct control over the Contras’ day-to-day operations; and (iii) there was no evidence that Nicaragua supplied arms to guerrillas fighting against the government of El Salvador during the relevant period, or carried out an armed attack against that state. While Judge Schwebel's dissent criticized the last of these findings, in fact, the evidence fully supported the Court's conclusion. In subsequent decisions during the past 25 years, the Court has continued to rely on the approach to evidence first elaborated in the Nicaragua case and has continued to demonstrate its competence as a finder of fact, including in cases involving armed conflict (Bosnia Genocide) and complex scientific and technical issues (Pulp Mills).


1996 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 891-894 ◽  
Author(s):  
G V Doern ◽  
M J Ferraro ◽  
A B Brueggemann ◽  
K L Ruoff

Three hundred fifty-two blood culture isolates of viridans group streptococci obtained from 43 U.S. medical centers during 1993 and 1994 were characterized. Included were 48 isolates of "Streptococcus milleri," 219 S. mitis isolates, 29 S. salivarius isolates, and 56 S. sanguis isolates. High-level penicillin resistance (MIC, > or = 4.0 micrograms/ml) was noted among 13.4% of the strains; for 42.9% of the strains, penicillin MICs were 0.25 to 2.0 micrograms/ml (i.e., intermediate resistance). In general, amoxicillin was slightly more active than penicillin. The rank order of activity for five cephalosporins versus viridans group streptococci was cefpodoxime = ceftriaxone > cefprozil = cefuroxime > cephalexin. The percentages of isolates resistant (MIC, > or = 2 micrograms/ml) to these agents were 15, 17, 18, 20, and 96, respectively. The rates of resistance to erythromycin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole were 12 to 38%. Resistance to either chloramphenicol or ofloxacin was uncommon (i.e., < 1%). In general, among the four species, S. mitis was the most resistant and "S. milleri" was the most susceptible.


2022 ◽  
pp. 136346152110490
Author(s):  
Simon Hanseung Choi ◽  
Clayton Hoi-Yun McClintock ◽  
Elsa Lau ◽  
Lisa Miller

Self-transcendence has been associated with lower levels of psychopathology. Most studies of self-transcendence have focused on samples of Western participants, and used scales addressing such concepts as self-awareness and feelings of oneness with the larger universe. However, a common Eastern notion of transcendence—perception of ongoing relationships with ancestors—has not been studied. We conducted a cross-cultural investigation of the association between self-transcendence, perceived degree of relationship to ancestors and depression and anxiety in the United States (N = 1499), China (N =  3,150), and India (N = 863). Degrees of perceived relationship to ancestors differed across countries, with the highest rates in India and China, and lowest rates in the United States. Self-transcendence was negatively associated with risks for depression and anxiety in the United States. In India, self-transcendence was also negatively associated with risks for depression and anxiety, and a strong perceived relationship with ancestors had further protective benefit. In China, those with a high level of perceived relationship to ancestors and a high level of self-transcendence exhibited lower levels of psychopathology. Results suggest that measures of relationship to ancestors might be included in future cross-cultural studies of transcendence.


Author(s):  
George J. Borjas ◽  
Barry R. Chiswick

This chapter analyzes trends in the skills of immigrants to the United States in the post-World War II period. Changes in the supply, demand, and institutional factors determining immigration are analyzed for their implications for immigrant skills. The empirical analysis uses INS administrative data, the 1970 and 1980 Censuses, and the 1976 Survey of Income and Education. Relatively more immigrants are now coming from countries whose nationals earn less in the United States. The schooling level of immigrants has been fairly stable; the declining level for the growing Hispanic immigration is offset by the high level of the increasing Asian immigration. Immigrant quality, ceteris paribus, is analyzed. Policy implications are discussed.


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