Inorganic arsenic levels in rice milk exceed EU and US drinking water standards

Under EU legislation, total arsenic levels in drinking water should not exceed 10 microg l(-1), while in the US this figure is set at 10 microg l(-1) inorganic arsenic. All rice milk samples analysed in a supermarket survey (n = 19) would fail the EU limit with up to 3 times this concentration recorded, while out of the subset that had arsenic species determined (n = 15), 80% had inorganic arsenic levels above 10 microg l(-1), with the remaining 3 samples approaching this value. It is a point for discussion whether rice milk is seen as a water substitute or as a food, there are no EU or US food standards highlighting the disparity between water and food regulations in this respect.

Validation and application of a reporter gene assay for the determination of estrogenic endocrine disruptor activity in milk

Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are compounds known to interfere with the endocrine system by disturbing the action or pathways of natural hormones which may lead to infertility or cancer.Our diet is considered to be one of the main exposure routes to EDs. Since milk and dairy products are major components of our diet they should be monitored for ED contamination. Most assays developed to date utilise targeted, chromatography based methods which lack information on the biological activity and mixture effects of the monitored compounds.A biological reporter gene assay (RGA) was developed to assess the total estrogen hormonal load in milk. It has been validated according to EU decision 2002/657/EC. Analytes were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction with acetonitrile followed by clean up on a HLB column which yielded good recovery and small matrix effects. The method has been shown to be estrogen specific, repeatable and reproducible, with covariance values below 20%. In conclusion, this method enables the detection of low levels of estrogen hormonal activity in milk with a detection capability of 36pgg EEQ and has been successfully applied in testing a range of milk samples. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.

Validation of an ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for detection and quantitation of 19 endocrine disruptors in milk

An endocrine disruptor (ED) is an exogenous compound that interferes with the body's endocrine system. Exposure to EDs may result in adverse health effects such as infertility and cancer. EDs are composed of a vast group of chemicals including compounds of natural origin such as phytoestrogens or mycotoxins and a wide range of man-made chemicals such as pesticides. Synthetic compounds may find their way into the food chain where a number of them can biomagnify. Additionally, processing activities and food contact materials may add further to the already existing pool of food contaminants. Thus, our diet is considered to be one of the main exposure routes to EDs. Some precautionary legislation has already been introduced to control production and/or application of some persistent organic pollutants with ED characteristics. However, newly emerging EDs with bioaccumulative properties have recently been reported to appear at lower tiers of the food chain but have not been monitored at the grander scale. Milk and dairy products are a major component of our diet, thus it is important to monitor them for EDs. However, most methods developed to date are devoted to one group of compounds at a time. The UHPLC-MS/MS method described here has been validated according to EC decision 2002/657/EC and allows simultaneous extraction, detection, quantitation and confirmation of 19 EDs in milk. The method calibration range is between 0.50 and 20.0 μg kg with coefficients of determination above 0.99 for all analytes. Precision varied from 4.7% to 23.4% in repeatability and reproducibility studies. Established CCα and CCβ values (0.11-0.67 μg kg) facilitate fast, reliable, quantitative and confirmatory analysis of sub μg kg levels of a range of EDs in milk.

Effect of feed space allowance and period of access to food on dairy cow performance

Two experiments were conducted to examine the ‘long-term’ effect of feed space allowance and period of access to feed on dairy cow performance. In Experiment 1, three horizontal feed space allowances (20, 40 and 60 cm cow−1) were examined over a 127-d period (14 cows per treatment). In Experiment 2, 48 dairy cows were used in a continuous design (10-week duration) 2 × 2 factorial design experiment comprising two horizontal feed space allowances (15 and 40 cm cow−1), and two periods of access to feed (unrestricted and restricted). With the former, uneaten feed was removed at 08·00 h, while feeding took place at 09·00 h. With the latter, uneaten feed was removed at 06·00 h, while feeding was delayed until 12·00 h. Mean total dry-matter (DM) intakes were 19·0, 18·7 and 19·3 kg cow−1 d−1 with the 20, 40 and 60 cm cow−1 treatments in Experiment 1, and 18·1 and 18·2 kg cow−1 d−1 with the ‘restricted feeding time’ treatments, and 17·8 and 18·1 kg d−1 with the ‘unrestricted feeding time’ treatments (15 and 40 cm respectively) in Experiment 2. None of milk yield, milk composition, or end-of-study live weight or condition score were significantly affected by treatment in either experiment (P > 0·05), while fat + protein yield was reduced with the 15-cm treatment in Experiment 2 (P < 0·05). When access to feed was restricted by space or time constraints, cows modified their time budgets and increased their rates of intake.

Secular trends in reported portion size of food and beverages consumed by Irish adults

The present analysis aimed to investigate the changes in the reported portion sizes (PS) of foods and beverages commonly consumed by Irish adults (18-64 years) from the North South Ireland Food Consumption Survey (NSIFCS) (1997-2001) and the National Adult Nutrition Survey (NANS) (2008-10). Food PS, which are defined as the weight of food (g) consumed per eating occasion, were calculated for comparable foods and beverages in two nationally representative cross-sectional Irish food consumption surveys and were published in NSIFCS and NANS. Repeated measure mixed model analysis compared reported food PS at the total population level as well as subdivided by sex, age, BMI and social class. A total of thirteen commonly consumed foods were examined. The analysis demonstrated that PS significantly increased for five foods ('white sliced bread', 'brown/wholemeal breads', 'all meat, cooked', 'poultry, roasted' and 'milk'), significantly decreased for three ('potatoes', 'chips/wedges' and 'ham, sliced') and did not significantly change for five foods ('processed potato products', 'bacon/ham', 'cheese', 'yogurt' and 'butter/spreads') between the NSIFCS and the NANS. The present study demonstrates that there was considerable variation in the trends in reported food PS over this period.

Major and trace elements in milk and Halloumi cheese as markers for authentication of goat feeding regimes and geographical origin

Sixty samples of milk, Halloumi cheese and local grazing plants (i.e. shrubs) were collected over a year from dairy farms located on three different locations of Cyprus. Major and trace elements were quantified using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Milk and Halloumi cheese produced in different geographical locations presented significant differences in the concentration of some of the elements analysed. Principal component analysis showed grouping of samples according to the region of production for both milk and cheese samples. These findings show that the assay of elements can provide useful fingerprints for the characterisation of dairy products.

Electrochemical immunosensor for multiplexed detection of food-borne pathogens using nanocrystal bioconjugates and MWCNT screen-printed electrode

Bacterial food poisoning is an ever-present threat that can be prevented with proper care and handling of food products. A disposable electrochemical immunosensor for the simultaneous measurements of common food pathogenic bacteria namely Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli), campylobacter and salmonella were developed. The immunosensor was fabricated by immobilizing the mixture of anti-E. coli, anticampylobacter and anti-salmonella antibodies with a ratio of 1:1:1 on the surface of the multiwall carbon nanotube-polyallylamine modified screen printed electrode (MWCNT-PAH/SPE). Bacteria suspension became attached to the immobilized antibodies when the immunosensor was incubated in liquid samples. The sandwich immunoassay was performed with three antibodies conjugated with specific nanocrystal ( -E. coli-CdS, -campylobacter-PbS and -salmonella-CuS) which has releasable metal ions for electrochemical measurements. The square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) was employed to measure released metal ions from bound antibody nanocrystal conjugates. The calibration curves for three selected bacteria were found in the range of 1 × 103 – 5 × 105 cells mL−1 with the limit of detection (LOD) 400 cells mL−1 for salmonella, 400 cells mL−1 for campylobacter and 800 cells mL−1 for E. coli. The precision and sensitivity of this method show the feasibility of multiplexed determination of bacteria in milk samples.

Relationship of milk intake and physical activity to abdominal obesity among adolescents

Background: Diet and physical activity (PA) are recognized as important factors to prevent abdominal obesity (AO), which is strongly associated with chronic diseases. Some studies have reported an inverse association between milk consumption and AO. Objective: This study examined the association between milk intake, PA and AO in adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1209 adolescents, aged 15–18 from the Azorean Archipelago, Portugal in 2008. AO was defined by a waist circumference at or above the 90th percentile. Adolescent food intake was measured using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and milk intake was categorized as ‘low milk intake’ (<2 servings per day) or ‘high milk intake’ ( 2 servings per day). PA was assessed via a self-report questionnaire, and participants were divided into active (>10 points) and low-active groups ( 10 points) on the basis of their reported PA. They were then divided into four smaller groups, according to milk intake and PA: (i) low milk intake/low active; (ii) low milk intake/active; (iii) high milk intake/low active and (iv) high milk intake/active. The association between milk intake, PA and AO was evaluated using logistic regression analysis, and the results were adjusted for demographic, body mass index, pubertal stage and dietary confounders. Results: In this study, the majority of adolescents consumed semi-skimmed or skimmed milk (92.3%). The group of adolescents with high level of milk intake and active had a lower proportion of AO than did other groups (low milk intake/low active: 34.2%; low milk intake/active: 26.9%; high milk intake/low active: 25.7%; high milk intake/active: 21.9%, P = 0.008). After adjusting for confounders, low-active and active adolescents with high levels of milk intake were less likely to have AO, compared with low-active adolescents with low milk intake (high milk intake/low active, odds ratio [OR] = 0.412, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.201– 0.845; high milk intake/active adolescents, OR = 0.445, 95% CI: 0.235–0.845).Conclusion: High milk intake seems to have a protective effect on AO, regardless of PA level

The European organic food market - how to increase its transparency?

Der Europäische Markt für ökologische Lebensmittel ist seit den 1990er Jahren stark gewachsen. Begünstigt wurde dies durch die Einführung der EU-Richtlinie 2092/91 zur Zertifizierung ökologischer Produkte und durch die Zahlung von Subventionen an umstellungswillige Landwirte. Diese Maßnahmen führten am Ende der 1990er Jahre für einige ökologische Produkte zu einem Überangebot auf europäischer Ebene. Die Verbrauchernachfrage stieg nicht in gleichem Maße wie das Angebot, und die Notwendigkeit für eine Verbesserung des Marktgleichgewichts wurde offensichtlich. Dieser Bedarf wurde im Jahr 2004 von der Europäischen Kommission im ersten „Europäischen Aktionsplan für ökologisch erzeugte Lebensmittel und den ökologischen Landbau“ formuliert. Als Voraussetzung für ein gleichmäßigeres Marktwachstum wird in diesem Aktionsplan die Schaffung eines transparenteren Marktes durch die Erhebung statistischer Daten über Produktion und Verbrauch ökologischer Produkte gefordert. Die Umsetzung dieses Aktionsplans ist jedoch bislang nicht befriedigend, da es auf EU-Ebene noch immer keine einheitliche Datenerfassung für den Öko-Sektor gibt. Ziel dieser Studie ist es, angemessene Methoden für die Erhebung, Verarbeitung und Analyse von Öko-Marktdaten zu finden. Geeignete Datenquellen werden identifiziert und es wird untersucht, wie die erhobenen Daten auf Plausibilität untersucht werden können. Hierzu wird ein umfangreicher Datensatz zum Öko-Markt analysiert, der im Rahmen des EU-Forschungsprojektes „Organic Marketing Initiatives and Rural Development” (OMIaRD) erhoben wurde und alle EU-15-Länder sowie Tschechien, Slowenien, Norwegen und die Schweiz abdeckt. Daten für folgende Öko-Produktgruppen werden untersucht: Getreide, Kartoffeln, Gemüse, Obst, Milch, Rindfleisch, Schaf- und Ziegenfleisch, Schweinefleisch, Geflügelfleisch und Eier. Ein zentraler Ansatz dieser Studie ist das Aufstellen von Öko-Versorgungsbilanzen, die einen zusammenfassenden Überblick von Angebot und Nachfrage der jeweiligen Produktgruppen liefern. Folgende Schlüsselvariablen werden untersucht: Öko-Produktion, Öko-Verkäufe, Öko-Verbrauch, Öko-Außenhandel, Öko-Erzeugerpreise und Öko-Verbraucherpreise. Zudem werden die Öko-Marktdaten in Relation zu den entsprechenden Zahlen für den Gesamtmarkt (öko plus konventionell) gesetzt, um die Bedeutung des Öko-Sektors auf Produkt- und Länderebene beurteilen zu können. Für die Datenerhebung werden Primär- und Sekundärforschung eingesetzt. Als Sekundärquellen werden Publikationen von Marktforschungsinstituten, Öko-Erzeugerverbänden und wissenschaftlichen Instituten ausgewertet. Empirische Daten zum Öko-Markt werden im Rahmen von umfangreichen Interviews mit Marktexperten in allen beteiligten Ländern erhoben. Die Daten werden mit Korrelations- und Regressionsanalysen untersucht, und es werden Hypothesen über vermutete Zusammenhänge zwischen Schlüsselvariablen des Öko-Marktes getestet. Die Datenbasis dieser Studie bezieht sich auf ein einzelnes Jahr und stellt damit einen Schnappschuss der Öko-Marktsituation der EU dar. Um die Marktakteure in die Lage zu versetzen, zukünftige Markttrends voraussagen zu können, wird der Aufbau eines EU-weiten Öko-Marktdaten-Erfassungssystems gefordert. Hierzu wird eine harmonisierte Datenerfassung in allen EU-Ländern gemäß einheitlicher Standards benötigt. Die Zusammenstellung der Marktdaten für den Öko-Sektor sollte kompatibel sein mit den Methoden und Variablen der bereits existierenden Eurostat-Datenbank für den gesamten Agrarmarkt (öko plus konventionell). Eine jährlich aktualisierte Öko-Markt-Datenbank würde die Transparenz des Öko-Marktes erhöhen und die zukünftige Entwicklung des Öko-Sektors erleichtern. ---------------------------

Improving food and nutritional security of small and marginal coconut growers through diversification of crops and enterprises

This paper presents the impact of integrating interventions like nutrition gardening, livestock rearing, product diversification and allied income generation activities in small and marginal coconut homesteads along with nutrition education in improving the food and nutritional security as well as the income of the family members. The activities were carried out through registered Community Based Organizations (CBOs) in three locations in Kerala, India during 2005-2008. Data was collected before and after the project periods through interviews using a pre-tested questionnaire containing statements indicating the adequacy, quality and diversity of food materials. Fifty respondents each were randomly selected from the three communities, thereby resulting in a total sample size of 150. The data was analysed using SPSS by adopting statistical tools like frequency, average, percentage analysis, t – test and regression. Participatory planning and implementation of diverse interventions notably intercropping and off-farm activities along with nutrition education brought out significant improvements in the food and nutritional security, in terms of frequency and quantity of consumption as well as diet diversity. At the end of the project, 96%of the members became completely food secure and 72% nutritionally secure. The overall consumption of fruits, vegetables and milk by both children and adults and egg by children recorded increase over the project period. Consumption of fish was more than the Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) level during pre and post project periods. Project interventions like nutrition gardening could bring in surplus consumption of vegetables (35%) and fruits (10%) than RDI. In spite of the increased consumption of green leafy vegetables and milk and milk products over the project period, the levels of consumption were still below the RDI levels. CBO-wise analysis of the consumption patterns revealed the need for location-specific interventions matching to the needs and preferences of the communities.

Double burden malnutrition of preschool children and its association with brain development and milk consumption

Protecting the quality of children growth and development becomes a supreme qualification for the betterment of a nation. Double burden child malnutrition is emerging worldwide which might have a strong influence to the quality of child brain development and could not be paid-off on later life. Milk places a notable portion during the infancy and childhood. Thus, the deep insight on milk consumption pattern might explain the phenomenon of double burden child malnutrition correlated to the cognitive impairments. Objective: Current study is intended (1) to examine the current face of Indonesian double burden child malnutrition: a case study in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, (2) to investigate the association of this phenomenon with child brain development, and (3) to examine the contribution of socioeconomic status and milk consumption on this phenomenon so that able to formulate some possible solutions to encounter this problem. Design: A cross-sectional study using a structured coded questionnaire was conducted among 387 children age 5-6 years old and their parents from 8 areas in Bogor, West-Java, Indonesia on November 2012 to December 2013, to record some socioeconomic status, anthropometric measurements, and history of breast feeding. Diet and probability of milk intake was assessed by two 24 h dietary recalls and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Usual daily milk intake was calculated using Multiple Source Method (MSM). Some brain development indicators (IQ, EQ, learning, and memory ability) using Projective Multi-phase Orientation method was also executed to learn the correlation between double burden child malnutrition and some brain development indicator. Results and conclusions: A small picture of child double burden malnutrition is shown in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, where prevalence of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) is 27.1%, Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) is 24.9%, and overnutrition is 7.7%. This phenomenon proves to impair the child brain development. The malnourished children, both under- and over- nourished children have significantly (P-value<0.05) lower memory ability compared to the normal children (memory score, N; SAM = 45.2, 60; MAM = 48.5, 61; overweight = 48.4, 43; obesity = 47.9, 60; normal = 52.4, 163). The plausible reasons behind these evidences are the lack of nutrient intake during the sprout growth period on undernourished children or increasing adiposity on overnourished children might influence the growth of hippocampus area which responsible to the memory ability. Either undernutrition or overnutrition, the preventive action on this problem is preferable to avoid ongoing cognitive performance loss of the next generation. Some possible solutions for this phenomenon are promoting breast feeding initiation and exclusive breast feeding practices for infants, supporting the consumption of a normal portion of milk (250 to 500 ml per day) for children, and breaking the chain of poverty by socioeconomic improvement. And, the national food security becomes the fundamental point for the betterment of the next. In the global context, the causes of under- and over- nutrition have to be opposed through integrated and systemic approaches for a better quality of the next generation of human beings.

A pilot investigation of the relationship between climate variability and milk compounds under the bootstrap technique

This study analyzes the linear relationship between climate variables and milk components in Iran by applying bootstrapping to include and assess the uncertainty. The climate parameters, Temperature Humidity Index (THI) and Equivalent Temperature Index (ETI) are computed from the NASA-Modern Era Retrospective-Analysis for Research and Applications (NASA-MERRA) reanalysis (2002–2010). Milk data for fat, protein (measured on fresh matter bases), and milk yield are taken from 936,227 milk records for the same period, using cows fed by natural pasture from April to September. Confidence intervals for the regression model are calculated using the bootstrap technique. This method is applied to the original times series, generating statistically equivalent surrogate samples. As a result, despite the short time data and the related uncertainties, an interesting behavior of the relationships between milk compound and the climate parameters is visible. During spring only, a weak dependency of milk yield and climate variations is obvious, while fat and protein concentrations show reasonable correlations. In summer, milk yield shows a similar level of relationship with ETI, but not with temperature and THI. We suggest this methodology for studies in the field of the impacts of climate change and agriculture, also environment and food with short-term data.

Development of molecular-based techniques for the detection, identification and quantification of food-borne pathogens

La presencia de microorganismos patógenos en alimentos es uno de los problemas esenciales en salud pública, y las enfermedades producidas por los mismos es una de las causas más importantes de enfermedad. Por tanto, la aplicación de controles microbiológicos dentro de los programas de aseguramiento de la calidad es una premisa para minimizar el riesgo de infección de los consumidores. Los métodos microbiológicos clásicos requieren, en general, el uso de pre-enriquecimientos no-selectivos, enriquecimientos selectivos, aislamiento en medios selectivos y la confirmación posterior usando pruebas basadas en la morfología, bioquímica y serología propias de cada uno de los microorganismos objeto de estudio. Por lo tanto, estos métodos son laboriosos, requieren un largo proceso para obtener resultados definitivos y, además, no siempre pueden realizarse. Para solucionar estos inconvenientes se han desarrollado diversas metodologías alternativas para la detección identificación y cuantificación de microorganismos patógenos de origen alimentario, entre las que destacan los métodos inmunológicos y moleculares. En esta última categoría, la técnica basada en la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) se ha convertido en la técnica diagnóstica más popular en microbiología, y recientemente, la introducción de una mejora de ésta, la PCR a tiempo real, ha producido una segunda revolución en la metodología diagnóstica molecular, como pude observarse por el número creciente de publicaciones científicas y la aparición continua de nuevos kits comerciales. La PCR a tiempo real es una técnica altamente sensible -detección de hasta una molécula- que permite la cuantificación exacta de secuencias de ADN específicas de microorganismos patógenos de origen alimentario. Además, otras ventajas que favorecen su implantación potencial en laboratorios de análisis de alimentos son su rapidez, sencillez y el formato en tubo cerrado que puede evitar contaminaciones post-PCR y favorece la automatización y un alto rendimiento. En este trabajo se han desarrollado técnicas moleculares (PCR y NASBA) sensibles y fiables para la detección, identificación y cuantificación de bacterias patogénicas de origen alimentario (Listeria spp., Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis y Salmonella spp.). En concreto, se han diseñado y optimizado métodos basados en la técnica de PCR a tiempo real para cada uno de estos agentes: L. monocytogenes, L. innocua, Listeria spp. M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis, y también se ha optimizado y evaluado en diferentes centros un método previamente desarrollado para Salmonella spp. Además, se ha diseñado y optimizado un método basado en la técnica NASBA para la detección específica de M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis. También se evaluó la aplicación potencial de la técnica NASBA para la detección específica de formas viables de este microorganismo. Todos los métodos presentaron una especificidad del 100 % con una sensibilidad adecuada para su aplicación potencial a muestras reales de alimentos. Además, se han desarrollado y evaluado procedimientos de preparación de las muestras en productos cárnicos, productos pesqueros, leche y agua. De esta manera se han desarrollado métodos basados en la PCR a tiempo real totalmente específicos y altamente sensibles para la determinación cuantitativa de L. monocytogenes en productos cárnicos y en salmón y productos derivados como el salmón ahumado y de M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis en muestras de agua y leche. Además este último método ha sido también aplicado para evaluar la presencia de este microorganismo en el intestino de pacientes con la enfermedad de Crohn's, a partir de biopsias obtenidas de colonoscopia de voluntarios afectados. En conclusión, este estudio presenta ensayos moleculares selectivos y sensibles para la detección de patógenos en alimentos (Listeria spp., Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis) y para una rápida e inambigua identificación de Salmonella spp. La exactitud relativa de los ensayos ha sido excelente, si se comparan con los métodos microbiológicos de referencia y pueden serusados para la cuantificación de tanto ADN genómico como de suspensiones celulares. Por otro lado, la combinación con tratamientos de preamplificación ha resultado ser de gran eficiencia para el análisis de las bacterias objeto de estudio. Por tanto, pueden constituir una estrategia útil para la detección rápida y sensible de patógenos en alimentos y deberían ser una herramienta adicional al rango de herramientas diagnósticas disponibles para el estudio de patógenos de origen alimentario.