Nutrition 7
Chapter 12
Food Safety and Food Technology
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
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Learning Objectives (Slide 1 of 2)
Describe microbial foodborne illnesses and core practices that can prevent them
Identify the categories of foods that most often cause foodborne illnesses
Outline technological advances aimed at reducing microbial food contamination
Describe natural toxins, pesticide residues, and contaminants in food
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
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Learning Objectives (Slide 2 of 2)
Compare potential advantages and drawbacks of organic and conventional foods
Describe the uses and safety characteristics of some common food additives
Describe applications of food-safety practices in various settings
Summarize the advantages and disadvantages of producing food through genetic engineering
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
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Introduction (Slide 1 of 2)
Food and Drug Administration (or F D A) areas of concern
Microbial foodborne illness
Foodborne illness: Illness transmitted to human beings through food or water
Natural toxins in foods
Residues in food
Environmental and other contaminants
Pesticide residues
Animal drugs
Nutrients in foods
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
With the privilege of abundance comes the responsibility to choose and handle foods wisely.
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Introduction (Slide 2 of 2)
Intentional approved food additives
Genetically engineered foods
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
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Table 12.1: Food Regulatory Agencies (Slide 1 of 2)
| Each agency oversees programs and systems aimed at maintaining and improving the safety of the food supply |
| C D C (or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that is responsible for, among other things, identifying, monitoring, and reporting on foodborne illnesses and outbreaks (www.cdc.gov). |
| E P A (or Environmental Protection Agency) a federal agency that is responsible for, among other things, regulating pesticides and establishing water quality standards (www.epa.gov). |
| F A O (or Food and Agriculture Organization) an international agency (part of the United Nations) that has adopted standards to regulate pesticide use, among other responsibilities (www.fao.org). |
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Table 12.1: Food Regulatory Agencies
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Table 12.1: Food Regulatory Agencies (Slide 2 of 2)
| Each agency oversees programs and systems aimed at maintaining and improving the safety of the food supply |
| F D A (Food and Drug Administration) the federal agency responsible for ensuring the safety and wholesomeness of all dietary supplements and foods processed and sold in interstate and international commerce except for some aspects of meat, poultry, and eggs (which are under the jurisdiction of the U S D A); setting standards for food composition and product labeling; and issuing recalls when problems arise (www.fda.gov). |
| U S D A (U.S. Department of Agriculture) the federal agency responsible for enforcing standards for the wholesomeness and quality of meat, poultry, and eggs produced in the United States; conducting nutrition research; and educating the public about nutrition (www.usda.gov). |
| W H O (World Health Organization) an international agency concerned with promoting health and eradicating disease (www.who.int). |
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Table 12.1: Food Regulatory Agencies
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Microbes and Food Safety
Microorganisms can cause foodborne illness either by infection or by intoxication
Foodborne illnesses are caused by microbes and pathogens
Microbes: Minute organisms too small to observe without a microscope
Pathogens: Bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes capable of causing illness
Can be life-threatening for certain people
Malnourished, has a compromised immune system; lives in an institution; has liver or stomach illnesses; or is pregnant, very old, or very young
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
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How Do Microbes in Food Cause Illness in the Body? (Slide 1 of 2)
Infection agents
Salmonella or hepatitis
Intoxication
Enterotoxins: Poisons that act on mucous membranes
Neurotoxins: Poisons that act on the cells of the nervous system
Types of toxins
Most infamous types are Clostridium botulinum
Botulism which is an often fatal foodborne illness that is caused by the botulinum toxin quickly paralyzes muscles
Grows in anaerobic conditions
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
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How Do Microbes in Food Cause Illness in the Body? (Slide 2 of 2)
Staphylococcus aureus bacterium
The most common cause of food intoxication
Shiga toxin, a protein from the E. coli bacterium
Causes the S T E C disease
Results in hemolytic-uremic syndrome
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
To prevent botulism from homemade flavored oils, wash and dry fresh herbs before use, and keep the oil refrigerated. Discard it after a week to 10 days.
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Table 12.2: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention of Microbial Foodborne Illnesses – Foodborne Infections (Slide 1 of 3)
| Organism Name | Most Frequent Food Sources | Onset and General Symptoms | Prevention Methodsa |
| Campylobacter (KAM-pee-loh-BAK-ter) bacterium | Raw and undercooked poultry, unpasteurized milk, contaminated water | Onset: 2 to 5 days; Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, fever; sometimes bloody stools; lasts 2 to 10 days. | Cook foods thoroughly; use pasteurized milk; use sanitary food-handling methods. |
| Clostridium (claw-STRID-ee-um) perfringens (per-FRINGE-enz) bacterium | Meats and meat products held at between 120°F and 130°F | Onset: 8 to 16 hours; Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea; lasts 1 to 2 days. | Use sanitary food-handling methods; use pasteurized milk; cook foods thoroughly; refrigerate foods promptly and properly. |
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Table 12.2: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention of Microbial Foodborne Illnesses
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Table 12.2: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention of Microbial Foodborne Illnesses – Foodborne Infections (Slide 2 of 3)
| Organism Name | Most Frequent Food Sources | Onset and General Symptoms | Prevention Methodsa |
| Escherichia coli; E. coli (esh-eh-REEK-ee-uh- KOH-lye) bacterium (including Shiga toxin– producing strains)a | Undercooked ground beef, unpasteurized milk and juices, raw fruit and vegetables, contaminated water, and person-to-person contact | Onset: 1 to 8 days Severe bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting; lasts 5 to 10 days. | Cook ground beef thoroughly; use pasteurized milk; use sanitary food-handling methods; use treated, boiled, or bottled water. |
| Norovirus | Person-to-person contact; raw foods, salads, sandwiches | Onset: 1 to 2 days Vomiting; lasts 1 to 2 days. | Use sanitary food-handling methods. |
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Table 12.2: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention of Microbial Foodborne Illnesses
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Table 12.2: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention of Microbial Foodborne Illnesses – Foodborne Infections (Slide 3 of 3)
| Organism Name | Most Frequent Food Sources | Onset and General Symptoms | Prevention Methodsa |
| Salmonella (sal-moh-NEL-ah) bacteria (>2,300 types) | Raw or undercooked eggs, meats, poultry, raw milk and other dairy products, shrimp, frog legs, yeast, coconut, pasta, and chocolate | Onset: 1 to 3 days Fever, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea; lasts 4 to 7 days; can be fatal. | Use sanitary food-handling methods; use pasteurized milk; cook foods thoroughly; refrigerate foods promptly and properly. |
| Toxoplasma (TOK-so-PLAZ-ma) gondii parasite | Raw or undercooked meat; contaminated water; raw goat’s milk; ingestion after contact with infected cat feces | Onset: 7 to 21 days Swollen glands, fever, headache, muscle pain, stiff neck. | Use sanitary food-handling methods; cook foods thoroughly. |
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Table 12.2: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention of Microbial Foodborne Illnesses
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Table 12.2: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention of Microbial Foodborne Illnesses – Foodborne Intoxications (Slide 1 of 2)
| Organism Name | Most Frequent Food Sources | Onset and General Symptoms | Prevention Methodsa |
| Clostridium (claw-STRID-ee-um) botulinum (bot-chew- LINE-um) bacterium produces botulin toxin, responsible for causing botulism | Anaerobic environment of low acidity (canned corn, peppers, green beans, soups, beets, asparagus, mushrooms, ripe olives, spinach, tuna, chicken, chicken liver, liver pâté, luncheon meats, ham, sausage, stuffed eggplant, lobster, and smoked and salted fish) | Onset: 4 to 36 hours Nervous System symptoms, including double vision, inability to swallow, speech difficulty, and progressive paralysis of the respiratory system; often fatal; leaves prolonged symptoms in survivors. | Use proper canning methods for low-acid foods; refrigerate homemade garlic and herb oils; avoid commercially prepared foods with leaky seals or with bent, bulging, or broken cans. Do not feed honey to infants. |
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Table 12.2: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention of Microbial Foodborne Illnesses
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Table 12.2: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention of Microbial Foodborne Illnesses – Foodborne Intoxications (Slide 2 of 2)
| Organism Name | Most Frequent Food Sources | Onset and General Symptoms | Prevention Methodsa |
| Staphylococcus (STAFil- oh-KOK-us) aureus bacterium produces staphylococcal toxin | Toxin produced in improperly refrigerated meats; egg, tuna, potato, and macaroni salads; cream-filled pastries | Onset: 1 to 6 hours Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, fever; lasts 1 to 2 days. | Use sanitary food-handling methods; cook food thoroughly; refrigerate foods promptly and properly. |
Note: Travelers’ diarrhea is most commonly caused by E. coli, Campylobacter jejuni, Shigella, and Salmonella.
aE. Coli O157, O145, and other Shiga toxin-producing bacteria cause toxin-mediated infections—they release toxins as their colonies grow in the body.
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Table 12.2: Causes, Symptoms, and Prevention of Microbial Foodborne Illnesses
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Dangerous Symptoms of Foodborne Illness (Slide 1 of 2)
Some bouts of foodborne illness may be mild and clear up on their own, but others pose serious threats. Any of the following symptoms demand medical attention
Get medical help for these symptoms
Bloody stools
Dehydration
Diarrhea of more than 3 days’ duration
Fever of longer than 24 hours’ duration
Headache with muscle stiffness and fever
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
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Dangerous Symptoms of Foodborne Illness (Slide 2 of 2)
Numbness, muscle weakness, tingling sensations in the skin
Rapid heart rate, fainting, dizziness
Severe intestinal cramps
Warning signs of botulism—a medical emergency
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty swallowing
Double vision
Weak muscles
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
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Food Safety from Farm to Plate (Slide 1 of 3)
Safe food supply depends on precautions taken:
On the farm or at sea
In processing plants
During transportation
At supermarkets, institutions, and restaurants
During final handling by purchasers
Safeguard to prevent outbreaks
Pasteurization: Treatment of milk, juices, or eggs with heat sufficient to kill certain pathogenic microbes. It is not a sterilization process. The products retain bacteria that cause spoilage
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
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Food Safety from Farm to Plate (Slide 2 of 3)
The 2016 F D A Food Safety Modernization Act (or F S M A)
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (or H A C C P) plan
All food producers have this plan
Identification of critical control points
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
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Food Safety from Farm to Plate (Slide 3 of 3)
Grocery safety
Batch numbering
Freshness dates
Seals, wrappers, safety “buttons”
When shopping, select frozen or refrigerated foods and fresh meats last
Eric Erbe/Christopher Pooley/United States
Department of Agriculture
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Figure 12.2: Bacterial Growth.
Bacterial colonies grow quickly when a single bacterium encounters favorable conditions. For example, each oblong-shaped E. coli in this stack can reproduce every 20 minutes or so, doubling the colony size in a process that continues until conditions change (E. coli magnified 7,000 times).
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Figure 12.1: From Farm to Plate: Make Food Safe
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Figure 12.1: From Farm to Plate: Make Food Safe
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Table 12.4: Are Your Foods Expiring? (Slide 1 of 2)
Although dates on food packages do not reflect food safety, they can alert both sellers and consumers to a product’s degree of freshness
Sell by: Specifies the shelf life of the food. After this date, the food may still be safe for consumption if it has been handled and stored properly. Also called pull date
Best if used by: Specifies the last date the food will be of the highest quality. After this date, quality is expected to diminish, although the food may still be safe for consumption if it has been handled and stored properly. Also called freshness date or quality assurance date
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
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Table 12.4: Are Your Foods Expiring? (Slide 2 of 2)
Expiration date: The last day the food should be consumed. All foods except eggs should be discarded after this date. For eggs, the expiration date refers to the last day the eggs may be sold as “fresh eggs.” For safety, purchase eggs before the expiration date, keep them in their original carton in the refrigerator, and use them within 30 daysa
Pack date: The day the food was packaged or processed. When used on packages of fresh meats, pack dates can provide a general guide to freshness
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
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Safe Food Practices for Individuals (Slide 1 of 2)
Food provides ideal conditions for bacteria
Nutrients
Moisture
Warmth, 40°F to 140°F
Four core practices to defeat bacteria
Keep hands clean
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Figure 12.3: Fight Bac!
Four ways to keep food safe. The Fight Bac! website is at www.fightbac.org.
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Safe Food Practices for Individuals (Slide 2 of 2)
Keeping surfaces clean
Keep separate
Avoid cross-contamination
Cook
Chill
Thaw frozen meats or poultry in the refrigerator
Source: Photos courtesy of A. Estes Reynolds, George A. Schuler, James A. Christian, and William C. Hurst
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Figure 12.4: Why Wash Your Hands?
The photo on the left shows a person’s clean-looking but unwashed hand touching a sterile, moist, nutrient-rich gel in a laboratory dish. After 24 hours in a warm incubator, the large colonies provide visible evidence of the microorganisms that were transferred from the hand to the gel.
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Figure 12.6: Food-Safety Temperatures (Fahrenheit) and Household Thermometers
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Figure 12.6: Food-Safety Temperatures (Fahrenheit) and Household Thermometers
Cooking and cooling foods to proper temperatures reduce microbial threats. Different thermometers do different jobs. To choose the right one, pay attention to its temperature range: some have high temperature ranges intended to test the doneness of meats and other hot foods. Others have lower ranges for testing temperatures of refrigerators and freezers.
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Table 12.6: Safe Food Storage Times: Refrigerator (≤40F)
For products with longer shelf lives, rotate them like restaurants do. “First-In-First-Out” means to check dates and use up older products first
| 1 to 2 Days | 1 to 2 Weeks |
| Raw ground meats, breakfast or other raw sausages; raw fish or poultry; gravies | Yogurt; carrots, celery, lettuce |
| 3 to 5 Days | 2 to 4 Weeks |
| Raw steaks, roasts, or chops; cooked meats, poultry, vegetables, and mixed dishes; lunchmeats (packages opened); mayonnaise salads (chicken, egg, pasta, tuna); fresh vegetables (spinach, green beans, tomatoes) | Fresh eggs (in shells); lunchmeats, bacon, or hot dogs (packages unopened); dry sausages (pepperoni, hard salami); most aged and processed cheeses (Swiss, brick) |
| 1 Week | 2 Months |
| Hard-cooked eggs, bacon, or hot dogs (opened packages); smoked sausages or seafood; milk, cottage cheese | Mayonnaise (opened jar); most dry cheeses (Parmesan, Romano) |
aFor additional information, see www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/ResourcesForYou/HealthEducators/UCM109315.pdf.
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Table 12.6: Safe Food Storage Times: Refrigerator (≤40F)
aFor additional information, see www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/ResourcesForYou/HealthEducators/UCM109315.pdf.
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Which Foods Are Most Likely to Cause Illness? (Slide 1 of 3)
Foods that are high in moisture and nutrients
Foods that are chopped or ground
Protein foods
Ground meats, stuffed poultry, eggs, seafood, raw milk products
Microbial dangers in sushi can’t always be detected
Raw meat can contain a prion that causes bovine spongiform encephalopathy (or B S E)
Prion: A disease agent consisting of an unusually folded protein that disrupts normal cell functioning
BSE: An often fatal illness of the nerves and brain
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
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Figure 12.7: Food Safety Labels for Meat and Poultry
Safe handling label for raw meat and poultry
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Figure 12.7: Food Safety Labels for Meat and Poultry.
Following food safety instructions for meat and poultry minimizes bacterial growth and cross-contamination.
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Table 12.7: Raw Seafood Myths and Truths
| Myth | Truth |
| If a raw seafood was consumed in the past with no ill effect, it is safe to do so today. | Each harvest bears separate risks, and seafood is increasingly contaminated. |
| Drinking alcoholic beverages with raw seafood will “kill the germs.” | Alcoholic beverages cannot make contaminated raw seafood safe. |
| Putting hot sauce on raw oysters and other raw seafood will “kill the germs.” | Hot sauce exerts no effect on microbes in seafood. |
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Table 12.7: Raw Seafood Myths and Truths
Figure 12.8: Hamburger Safety
A safe hamburger is cooked well done (internal temperature of 160°F) and has juices that run clear. Place it on a clean plate when it’s done.
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Which Foods Are Most Likely to Cause Illness? (Slide 2 of 3)
Raw produce
Foods that grow close to the ground
Food must be scrubbed or washed to remove biofilm
Biofilm: A layer of microbes mixed with a sticky, protective coating of proteins and carbohydrates exuded by certain bacteria
Produce Safety Rule: F S M A law that regulates growing and working conditions on farms
Unpasteurized juices
Sprouts
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Figure 12.9: Warning Label for Unpasteurized Juice
Unpasteurized or untreated juice must bear the following warning on its label:
WARNING: This product has not been pasteurized and therefore may contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness in children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems.
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Which Foods Are Most Likely to Cause Illness? (Slide 3 of 3)
Other foods
Imported foods such as fresh produce present a greater risk to food safety
The new F S M A rules require verification that food has been handled in keeping with the U.S. food and safety standards
Include a country of origin label
Honey contains dormant spores of Clostridium botulinum
Picnics and lunch bags
Choose foods that are safe without refrigeration, use well-aged cheeses, ensure that food can be kept chilled if required
Take-out foods and leftovers
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
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Advances in Microbial Food Safety
Irradiation
Exposes food to controlled doses of gamma rays from cobalt 60
Does not sterilize most foods
Protects consumers
Controls foodborne illnesses
Preserves food
Controls insects on fruits
Delays sprouting and ripening
Sterilizes some products
Consumers respond negatively
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Figure 12.11: Radura symbol.
This “radura” logo is the international symbol for foods treated with irradiation.
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Other Technologies
Microbial testing
Automated systems have improved testing accuracy
Modified atmosphere packaging (or M A P)
Reduces oxygen
High-pressure processing (or H P P) and ultrasound
H P P compresses water to kill many kinds of pathogens
High-powered ultrasound holds promise as a sanitizer for organic salad greens
Antimicrobial wraps and films
Protects food and lends a pleasing herbal flavor to foods
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
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Toxins, Residues, and Contaminants in Foods (Slide 1 of 3)
Many plants have natural poisons to fend off diseases, insects, and other predators
Potatoes contain solanine
Pesticides: Chemicals used to control insects, diseases, weeds, fungi, and other pests on crops and around animals
Protect crops from insect damage and increase potential yield
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
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Toxins, Residues, and Contaminants in Foods (Slide 2 of 3)
Accumulate in the food chain and kill valuable pollinators and pests’ natural predators and pollute the water, soil, and air
Minute quantities of pesticide residues can survive processing
Infants and children are vulnerable
Immature human detoxifying system
Lower pesticide tolerance
Proportionally greater food consumption
E P A sets a reference dose
U S D A and F D A test food samples for compliance
Some insects become resistant to pesticides
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
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Toxins, Residues, and Contaminants in Foods (Slide 3 of 3)
Organic gardens use natural pesticides
Organic gardens: Gardens grown with techniques of sustainable agriculture, such as using fertilizers made from composts and introducing predatory insects to control pests, in ways that have minimal impact on soil, water, and air quality
Consuming organic foods reduces exposure to pesticides
Organic foods: Produced without synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, drugs, and preservatives and without genetic engineering or irradiation
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
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Table 12.9: A Sampling of Natural Toxins
| Foods | Toxic content |
| Herbs | Belladonna and hemlock are infamous poisonous herbs, but sassafras is also toxic; it contains the carcinogen and liver toxin safrole, which is so potent that it is banned from use in foods and beverages. |
| Cabbage family | Raw cabbage, turnips, mustard greens, and radishes all contain small quantities of harmful goitrogens, compounds that can interfere with thyroid hormone production and when eaten in excess, enlarge the thyroid gland. |
| Foods with cyanogens | Cyanogens, precursors to the deadly poison cyanide, are found in bitter varieties of cassava, a root vegetable staple for many people. Most cassava is low in cyanogens. Apricot and cherry pits present the cyanogen amygdalin, a fake cancer cure often passed off as a vitamin. aThis poison kills cancer cells but only at doses that can kill the person, too. Other fruit pits contain lower concentrations. |
| Seafood red tide toxin | Seafood may occasionally become contaminated with the so called red tide toxin from algae blooms. Eating the contaminated seafood can cause paralysis. |
aAlso called laetrile and, erroneously, vitamin B17.
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Table 12.9: A Sampling of Natural Toxins
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Understanding Organic Foods (Slide 1 of 2)
Organic rules
Farmers and manufacturers must pass U S D A inspections at every step of production
Pesticide residues
Lower levels or no residue found in similar conventionally grown foods
Nutrient composition
Few differences in nutrient levels between organic and conventionally grown foods
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
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Understanding Organic Foods (Slide 2 of 2)
Organic foods may be higher in phytochemicals
Environmental benefits
Sustainable agriculture minimizes harm
Potential pitfalls
Contamination is equally likely to occur in organic foods and conventional foods
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Figure 12.3: Labels on Organic Food Products
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Animal Drugs—What Are the Risks?
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria in livestock
Cause serious infection that often ends in fatality
Are a threat to humans as well
Recombinant bovine somatotropin (r b S T)
Growth hormone in meat and milk
Arsenic: A poisonous metallic element, in trace amounts, is believed to be an essential nutrient in some animal species in food
Is administered in tiny amounts to poultry
Foods such as rice and apple juice also contain small amounts of arsenic
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
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Figure 12.14: Bioaccumulation of Toxins in the Food Chain
Plants and plankton at the bottom of the food chain become contaminated with toxic chemicals, such as methylmercury (shown as red dots)
Contaminants become more concentrated in small fish that eat the plants and plankton
Contaminants become further concentrated in larger fish that eat the small fish from the lower part of the food chain
If none of the chemicals are lost along the way, people ultimately receive all of the toxic chemicals that were present in the original plants and plankton
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Figure 12.14: Bioaccumulation of Toxins in the Food Chain
42
Environmental Contaminants (Slide 1 of 2)
Food contaminant: Any food constituent that is not normally present
Persistence: Lingers in the environment or the human body
Bioaccumulation: Accumulation of a contaminant in the tissues of living things at higher and higher concentrations along the food chain
Toxicity: The ability of a substance to harm living organisms
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
43
Environmental Contaminants (Slide 2 of 2)
Mercury and P C Bs in seafood
Mercury in water gives rise to methylmercury, a nerve poison from aquatic bacteria
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Figure 12.15: Mercury Toxicity Disease
When mercury poisons a developing fetus, the result is severe. This person has Minamata disease, the lifelong crippling of body and mind from mercury poisoning before birth.
44
Are Food Additives Safe? (Slide 1 of 2)
Substances that are added to foods but are not normally consumed by themselves as foods
Thousands of approved food additives in the U.S.
For F D A approval, the additive must be tested to ensure that:
It is effective
It can be detected and measured in the final food product
It is in compliance with regulations, and manufacturers can prove that the additive is safe when consumed in large amounts
Approved additives are added to the generally recognized as safe (G R A S) list
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45
Are Food Additives Safe? (Slide 2 of 2)
Additives have a wide margin of safety
Margin of safety: A zone between the concentration normally used and that at which a hazard exists
Most additives used in foods offer benefits that may outweigh their risks or that may make the risks worth taking
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Without additives, bread would quickly mold, and lunchmeat would soon spoil.
46
Table 12.12: Selected Food Additives and Their Functions (Slide 1 of 2)
| Agent Types | Function in Foods | Examples |
| Antimicrobial agents (preservatives) | Prevent food spoilage by mold or bacterial growth. | Acetic acid (vinegar), benzoic acid, nitrates and nitrites, propionic acid, salt, sugar, sorbic acid. |
| Antioxidants (preservatives) | Prevent oxidative changes and delay rancidity of fats; prevent browning of fruit and vegetable products. | B H A, B H T, propyl gallate, sulfites, vitamin C, vitamin E. |
| Artificial colors | Add color to foods. | Certified food colors such as dyes from vegetables (beet juice or beta-carotene) or synthetic dyes (tartrazine and others). |
| Artificial flavors, flavor enhancers | Add flavors; boost natural flavors of foods. | Amyl acetate (artificial banana flavor), artificial sweeteners, M S G (monosodium glutamate), salt, spices, sugars. |
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Table 12.12: Selected Food Additives and Their Functions
47
Table 12.12: Selected Food Additives and Their Functions (Slide 2 of 2)
| Agent Types | Function in Foods | Examples |
| Bleaching agents | Whiten foods such as flour or cheese. | Peroxides. |
| Chelating (KEE-late-ing) agents (preservatives) | Prevent discoloration, off flavors, and rancidity. | Citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid (cream of tartar). |
| Nutrient additives | Improve nutritional value. | Vitamins and minerals. |
| Stabilizing and thickening agents | Maintain emulsions, foams, or suspensions or lend the desired thick consistency to foods. | Dextrins (short glucose chains), pectin, starch, or gums such as agar, carrageenan, guar, and locust bean. |
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Table 12.12: Selected Food Additives and Their Functions
48
Additives to Improve Safety and Quality
Salt and sugar
Work by withdrawing water from food
Concern with overuse
Nitrites
Preserve color and prevent rancidity and thwart bacterial growth
Safety issues: Nitrites can be converted to nitrosamines
Sulfites
Use of sulfates is strictly controlled
F D A prohibits sulfite use on food meant to be eaten raw
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Salt and sugar: two long-used preservatives.
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Flavoring Agents
Nonnutritive sweeteners
Sweet-tasting synthetic or natural food additives that offer sweet flavor but with negligible or no calories per serving
Acceptable daily intake (A D I)
Safety concerns about saccharin and aspartame
Monosodium glutamate (M S G)
Used widely in restaurants
M S G symptom complex: The acute, temporary, and self-limiting reactions, including burning sensations or flushing of the skin with pain and headache, experienced by sensitive people upon ingesting large doses
M S G is prohibited in baby foods
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50
Figure 12.16: Nonnutritive Sweeteners on Food Labels
****The M S G trade name is Accent.
© Scott Goodwin Photography
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Figure 12.16: Nonnutritive Sweeteners on Food Labels
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Fat Replacers and Artificial Fats
Provide taste, texture, and cooking with fewer or no calories
Derived from carbohydrate, protein, and fat
Artificial fat, Olestra binds fat-soluble vitamins and phytochemicals
Olestra: A nonnutritive artificial fat made from sucrose and fatty acids; also called sucrose polyester
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52
Incidental Food Additives
Substances that are not intentionally introduced to food
Also called accidental or indirect additives
B P A: Bisphenol A, a compound that hardens plastic and a component of epoxy resin
Microwave packages are sold in active packaging that participates in cooking the food
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53
Handling Real-Life Challenges to Food Safety
Recognizing foodborne illnesses
Take inventory of current habits
Be aware of situations that compromise food safety
Avoid eating food that is not safe
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Following food-safety rules is important in all settings.
54
Table 12.15: More Food Safety Myths and Truths
| Myths | Truths |
| “The five-second rule: a food that falls to the floor is safe if it is picked up within five seconds.” | Food dropped on a microbe-laden hard surface, such as a floor, becomes contaminated the moment it lands. |
| “If it tastes and smells okay, it’s safe to eat.” | Most microbial contamination is undetectable by human senses. |
| “We have always handled our food this way, so it must be safe.” | Past generations did not recognize the causes of illness. |
| “I sampled it a couple of hours ago and didn’t get sick, so it is safe to eat.” | Illnesses often take half a day or longer to develop. |
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Table 12.15: More Food Safety Myths and Truths
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Controversy 12: Genetically Engineered Foods: What Are the Pros and Cons? (Slide 1 of 2)
Most people consume foods that are genetically engineered (or G E) or that are genetically modified organisms (or G M Os)
Some countries have banned G E foods
Recombinant D N A (or r D N A) technology
Based on naturally occurring genetic events
Selective breeding
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56
Controversy 12: Genetically Engineered Foods: What Are the Pros and Cons? (Slide 2 of 2)
Accelerated selective breeding: Seedlings with the right genes are grown to maturity and reproduced to yield new breeds in a relatively short time
Some unusually colorful carrots, including the purple, light yellow, or deep red varieties now seen in some specialty grocery stores
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57
Figure C12.1: Growth of Selected Genetically Engineered Crops, U.S. 1996–2014
Source: J. Fernandez-Cornejo and coauthors, Genetically engineered crops in the United States, Economic Research Report 162 (2014), available at www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/45179/43668_err162.pdf?v=41690.
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Figure C12.1: Growth of Selected Genetically Engineered Crops, U.S. 1996–2014
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Figure C12.2: Corn: A Product of Selective Breeding
Smithsonian Photo by Antonio Mortaner
Kowit Lanchu/Shutterstock.com
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Figure C12.2: Corn: A Product of Selective Breeding
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Biotechnology Terms (Slide 1 of 5)
Biotechnology: Science of manipulating biological systems or organisms to modify their products or components or create new products
Includes recombinant D N A technology and traditional and accelerated selective breeding techniques
Clone: Individual created asexually from a single ancestor, such as a plant grown from a single stem cell
A group of genetically identical individuals descended from a single common ancestor, such as a colony of bacteria arising from a single bacterial cell; in genetics, a replica of a segment of D N A, such as a gene, produced by genetic engineering
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Table C12.1: Biotechnology Terms.
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Biotechnology Terms (Slide 2 of 5)
Gene editing: Method of genetic engineering that employs CRISPR technology to alter an organism by adding, removing, or substituting molecules within a single gene’s D N A strand with great precision
CRISPR refers to a particular D N A sequence employed in the method
Genetic engineering: The direct, intentional manipulation of the genetic material of living things in order to obtain some desirable inheritable trait not present in the original organism
Also called biotechnology
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61
Biotechnology Terms (Slide 3 of 5)
Genetically modified organism (G M O): Popular term referring to an organism produced by genetic engineering
The term genetically engineered organism (G E O) is more scientifically accurate
Outcrossing: Unintended breeding of a domestic crop with a related wild species
Plant pesticides: Substances produced within plant tissues that kill or repel attacking organisms
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
62
Biotechnology Terms (Slide 4 of 5)
Recombinant DNA (r D N A) technology: Technique of genetic modification where scientists directly manipulate the genes of living things
Includes methods of removing genes, doubling genes, introducing foreign genes, and changing gene positions to influence the growth and development of organisms
Selective breeding: A technique of genetic modification where organisms are chosen for reproduction based on their desirability for human purposes
Such as high growth rate, high food yield, or disease resistance, with the intention of retaining or enhancing these characteristics in their offspring
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63
Biotechnology Terms (Slide 5 of 5)
Stem cell: An undifferentiated cell that can mature into any of a number of specialized cell types
A stem cell of bone marrow may mature into one of many kinds of blood cells, for example
Transgenic organism: An organism resulting from the growth of an embryonic, stem, or germ cell into which a new gene has been inserted
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64
Recombinant D N A Technology (Slide 1 of 2)
Obtaining desired traits
Begins with D N A of a stem cell
Clone cells are created
Transgenic organism is formed
Suppressing unwanted traits by silencing the responsible genes
Human nutrition
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65
Recombinant D N A Technology (Slide 2 of 2)
Golden Rice
Rice is an excellent vehicle for delivering vitamin A
Biofortified cassava root with minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, or promising phytochemicals
Figure C12.4: Golden Rice
Beta-carotene, the vitamin A precursor, gives Golden Rice its yellow hue.
Figure C12.15: Two Salmon Compared
These two salmon are the same age, but the G M O salmon reached market size much faster.
66
Figure C12.3: Comparing Selective Breeding and r D N A Technology
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Figure C12.3: Comparing Selective Breeding and r D N A Technology
Selective Breeding—DNA is a strand of genes, depicted as a strand of pearls. Traditional selective breeding combines many genes from two individuals of the same species.
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The Promises and Problems of r D N A Technology
Molecules from microbes
Genes of microorganisms have been altered to make pharmaceutical and industrial products
Two types of genetically engineered crops for greater crop yields
Herbicide-resistant
Insect-resistant
Plant pesticides: Pesticides made by the plant tissues themselves
Food from cloned animals
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Issues Surrounding G M Os
Nutrient composition
Accidental ingestion of drugs from foods
Pesticide residues and resistance
Unintended and unpredictable health effects
Environmental effects
Loss of species
Possibility of outcrossing
Ethics and genetic engineering
Regulation of G M Os
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Table C12.3: Genetic Engineering of Foods: Point, Counterpoint (Slide 1 of 7)
| Arguments in Opposition to Genetic Engineering | Arguments in Support of Genetic Engineering |
| Ethical and moral issues. It’s immoral to “play God” by mixing genes from organisms unable to do so naturally. Religious and vegetarian groups object to genes from prohibited species occurring in their allowable foods. | Ethical and moral issues. Scientists throughout history have been persecuted and even put to death by fearful people who accuse them of playing God. Yet today, many of the world’s citizens enjoy a long and healthy life of comfort and convenience thanks to once-feared scientific advances put to practical use. |
| Imperfect technology. The technology is young and imperfect, and potential effects are impossible to predict. Toxins are as likely to be produced as are the desired traits. | Advanced technology. Recombinant DNA and gene editing technologies are precise and reliable. Many of the most exciting recent advances in medicine, agriculture, and technology have been made possible by the application of this technology. |
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Table C12.3: Genetic Engineering of Foods: Point, Counterpoint
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Table C12.3: Genetic Engineering of Foods: Point, Counterpoint (Slide 2 of 7)
| Arguments in Opposition to Genetic Engineering | Arguments in Support of Genetic Engineering |
| Environmental concerns. The power of genetically modified organisms to change the world’s environments is unknowable until such changes actually occur—then the “genie is out of the bottle.” Once out, the genie cannot be put back in the bottle because insects, birds, and the wind and sea distribute genetically altered seeds, eggs, and pollen to points unknown. | Environmental protection. Genetic engineering may be the only hope of saving rain forests and other habitats from destruction by impoverished people desperate for arable land. Through genetic engineering, farmers can make use of previously unproductive areas such as salty soils and arid lands. |
| “Genetic pollution.” Some kinds of pollution can be cleaned up with money, time, and effort, but once genes are spliced into living organisms, those organisms forever bear the imprint of human tampering. | Genetic improvements. Genetic side effects are more likely to benefit the environment than to harm it. |
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Table C12.3: Genetic Engineering of Foods: Point, Counterpoint
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Table C12.3: Genetic Engineering of Foods: Point, Counterpoint (Slide 3 of 7)
| Arguments in Opposition to Genetic Engineering | Arguments in Support of Genetic Engineering |
| Crop vulnerability. Once pests and diseases have adapted to successfully attack one genetically homogeneous crop, then all such crops around the world are defenseless against them. Diversity is key to defense. | Improved crop resistance. Pests and diseases can be specifically fought on a case-by-case basis. Biotechnology is the key to defense. |
| Loss of gene pool. Loss of genetic diversity threatens to deplete valuable gene banks from which scientists can develop new agricultural crops. | Gene pool preserved. Thanks to advances in genetics, laboratories around the world are able to stockpile the genetic material of millions of species that, without such advances, would have been lost forever. |
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Table C12.3: Genetic Engineering of Foods: Point, Counterpoint
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Table C12.3: Genetic Engineering of Foods: Point, Counterpoint (Slide 4 of 7)
| Arguments in Opposition to Genetic Engineering | Arguments in Support of Genetic Engineering |
| Profit motive. Genetic engineering will profit industry more than the world’s poor and hungry. | Everyone profits. Industries benefit from genetic engineering, and a thriving food industry benefits the nation and its people, as demonstrated by countries lacking such industries. |
| Unproven safety for people. Testing of genetically altered products for human safety is lacking. The whole population is an unwitting experimental group in a nationwide laboratory study for the benefit of industry. | Safe for people. Testing of genetically altered products for human safety is unnecessary because the products are essentially the same as the original foodstuffs. |
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Table C12.3: Genetic Engineering of Foods: Point, Counterpoint
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Table C12.3: Genetic Engineering of Foods: Point, Counterpoint (Slide 5 of 7)
| Arguments in Opposition to Genetic Engineering | Arguments in Support of Genetic Engineering |
| Increased allergens. Protein allergens, made by genes, can unwittingly be transferred into foods as by-products of genetic engineering for other traits. | Control of allergens. Genes that code for allergens can be transferred into foods, but these are known and avoidable. In fact, genetic engineering can be used to reduce allergens in foods. Allergen-free peanuts have been developed, a help for allergic people. |
| Decreased nutrients. A fresh-looking G M O vegetable may be kept in a store’s inventory for weeks while nutrient quality diminishes. | Increased nutrients. Genetic modifications can easily enhance the nutrients in foods. |
| No product tracking. Without labeling, the food industry cannot track problems to the source. | Excellent product tracking. The identity and location of genetically altered foodstuffs are known, and they can be tracked when problems arise. |
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Table C12.3: Genetic Engineering of Foods: Point, Counterpoint
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Table C12.3: Genetic Engineering of Foods: Point, Counterpoint (Slide 6 of 7)
| Arguments in Opposition to Genetic Engineering | Arguments in Support of Genetic Engineering |
| Overuse of glyphosate herbicide. Farmers, knowing that their crops are resistant, will overuse herbicides in the attempt to kill weeds. | Conservative use of glyphosate herbicide. Farmers will not waste expensive herbicide in repeated applications when the prescribed amount gets the job done the first time. |
| Glyphosate, the herbicide sprayed on G M O crops, is blamed for causing autism, cancer, and celiac disease in people. | Glyphosate in huge quantities is toxic to cells, but in the amounts consumers ordinarily encounter, glyphosate appears safe, with no links to autism, cancer, or celiac disease. |
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Table C12.3: Genetic Engineering of Foods: Point, Counterpoint
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Table C12.3: Genetic Engineering of Foods: Point, Counterpoint (Slide 7 of 7)
| Arguments in Opposition to Genetic Engineering | Arguments in Support of Genetic Engineering |
| Increased consumption of pesticides. When a pesticide is produced by the flesh of produce, consumers cannot wash it off the skin of the produce with running water as they can with most ordinary sprays. | Reduced pesticides on foods. Pesticides produced by plants in tiny amounts known to be safe for consumption are more predictable than applications by agricultural workers who make mistakes. Because other genetic manipulations will eliminate the need for postharvest spraying, fewer pesticides will reach the dinner table. |
| Lack of oversight. Government oversight is run by industry people for the benefit of industry—no one is watching out for consumers. | Sufficient regulation, oversight, and rapid response. The National Academy of Sciences has established a protocol for the safety testing of G E foods. Government agencies are efficient in identifying and correcting problems as they occur in the industry. |
Sizer and Whitney, Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, 15th Edition. © 2020 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Table C12.3: Genetic Engineering of Foods: Point, Counterpoint
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