A network model of the egg supply chain in Germany implemented as a FSKX compliant object

In our days, food supply chains are becoming more and more complex, generating global networks involving production, processing, distribution and sale of food products. To follow the "farm to fork" paradigm when assessing risks from various hazards linked to food products, supply chain network models are useful and versatile tools. The objective of the present "egg supply chain network model" is to allow users to predict and visualise the spatial commodity flow within the German egg supply chain. The network model provides for the user the option to select values for the input parameter "actor" in order to allow simulation of estimates for different supply chain scenarios. It generates a data frame as output regarding the estimates of food flows for the product "chicken eggs" in Germany on NUTS-3 level according to the selected parameter and a chloropleth map for illustrating the distribution of product quantities. The network model and all required resources are provided as a fully annotated file compliant to the community standard Food Safety Knowledge Exchange (FSKX) and can be executed online or with the desktop FSK-Lab software.

An FSKX compliant source attribution model for salmonellosis and a look at its major hidden pitfalls

To reduce the burden of human society that is caused by zoonotic diseases, it is important to attribute sources to human illnesses. One powerful approach in supporting any intervention decision is mathematical modelling. This paper presents a source attribution model which considers five sources (broilers, laying hens, pigs, turkeys) for salmonellosis and uses two datasets from Germany collected over two time periods; one from 2004 to 2007 and one from 2010 to 2011. The model uses a Bayesian modelling approach derived from the so-called Hald model and is based on microbial subtyping. In this case, Salmonella isolates from humans and animals were subtyped with respect to serovar and phage type. Based on that typing, the model estimates how many human salmonellosis cases can be attributed to each of the considered sources. A reference description of the model is available under DOI: 10.1111/zph.12645. Here, we present this model as a ready-to-use resource in the Food Safety Knowledge Exchange (FSKX) format. This open information exchange format allows to re-use, modify, and further develop the model and uses model metadata and controlled vocabulary to harmonise the annotation. In addition to the model, we discuss some technical pitfalls that might occur when running this Bayesian model based on Markov chain Monte Carlo calculations. As source attribution of zoonotic disease is one useful tool for the One Health approach, our work facilitates the exchange, adjustment, and re-usage of this source attribution model by the international and multi-sectoral community.

A ready-to-use dose-response model of Campylobacter jejuni implemented in the FSKX-standard

Dose-response models are an important part of quantitative microbiological risk assessments. In this paper, we present a transparent and ready-to-use version of a published dose-response model that estimates the probability of infection and illness after the consumption of a meal that is contaminated with the pathogen Campylobacter jejuni. To this end, model and metadata are implemented in the fskx-standard. The model parameter values are based on data from a set of different studies on the infectivity and pathogenicity of Campylobacter jejuni. Both, challenge studies and outbreaks are considered, users can decide which of these is most suitable for their purpose. We present examples of results for typical ingested doses and demonstrate the utility of our ready-to-use model re-implementation by supplying an executable model embedded in this manuscript.

Quantitative microbial risk assessment for Salmonella in eggs

The scope of this quantitative risk assessment model is to estimate the number of salmonellosis cases per million servings of table egg, as well as the probability of illness when ingesting a random serving of table egg. The model describes the potential egg contamination by Salmonella Enteritidis from farm to fork according to time/temperature storage conditions, as well as consumption practices.

Open Science meets Food Modelling: Introducing the Food Modelling Journal (FMJ)

This Editorial describes the rationale, focus, scope and technology behind the newly launched, open access, innovative Food Modelling Journal (FMJ). The Journal is designed to publish those outputs of the research cycle that usually precede the publication of the research article, but have their own value and re-usability potential. Such outputs are methods, models, software and data. The Food Modelling Journal is launched by the AGINFRA+ community and is integrated with the AGINFRA+ Virtual Research Environment (VRE) to facilitate and streamline the authoring, peer review and publication of the manuscripts via the ARPHA Publishing Platform.