Farm-raised shrimp: good aquacultural practices for product quality and safety

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Good Laboratory Practice for optimization research

Good Laboratory Practice has been a part of non-clinical research for over 40 years. Optimization Research, despite having many papers discussing standards being published over the same period of time, has yet to embrace standards that underpin its research. In this paper we argue the need to adopt standards in optimization research. Building on previous papers, many of which have suggested that the optimization research community should adopt certain standards, we suggest a concrete set of recommendations that the community should adopt. We also discuss how the proposals in this paper could be progressed.

Bovine cysticercosis in slaughtered cattle as an indicator of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and epidemiological risk factors

This study focused on estimating the economic losses resulting from cysticercosis at beef cattle farms that supply an export slaughterhouse located in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and to identify the epidemiological risks factors involved in the disease to ascertain if these farms adopt Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). To this, we used data recorded in 2012 by Brazil's Federal Inspection Service (SIP) on the daily occurrence of the disease, according to the farm from which the animals originated. In addition, the associated risk factors were determined based on a case-control study at 48 farms. Cysticercosis was detected in 2.26% (95% CI 2.2-2.33) of the 190,903 bovines supplied by 556 farms in the following four states: 2.92% (95% CI 2.83-3.03) in Sao Paulo, 1.81% (95% CI 1.71-1.93) in Minas Gerais, 0.71% (95% CI 0.6-0.82) in Goias and 1.11% (95% CI 0.79-1.57) in Mato Grosso do Sul, with significant differences in the epidemiological indices of these states. Cysticercosis was detected at 58.45% (95% CI 54.36-62.55) of the farms of this study, representing estimated economic losses of US$312,194.52 for the farmers. Lower prevalence of this disease were found at the farms qualified for exports to the European Union, indicating a statistically significant difference from those not qualified to export to Europe. The access of cattle to non-controlled water sources, as well as sport fishing activities near the farms, was identified as risk factors. Cysticercosis causes considerable losses in Brazil's beef supply chain, with lower prevalence appearing only at farms qualified to export to the European Union. As for the access of cattle to non-controlled water sources, this is an indication that GAP are not implemented by some farms, demonstrating the violation of international agreements by the industry and the farms. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

On the implementation of good manufacturing practices in a small processing unity of mozzarella cheese in Brazil

This study reports the implementation of GMPs in a mozzarella cheese processing plant. The mozzarella cheese manufacturing unit is located in the Southwestern region of the state of Parana, Brazil, and processes 20,000 L of milk daily. The implementation of GMP took place with the creation of a multi-disciplinary team and it was carried out in four steps: diagnosis, report of the diagnosis and road map, corrective measures and follow-up of GMP implementation. The effectiveness of actions taken and GMP implementation was compared by the total percentages of non-conformities and conformities before and after implementation of GMR Microbiological indicators were also used to assess the implementation of GMP in the mozzarella cheese processing facility. Results showed that the average percentage of conformity after the implementation of GMP was significant increased to 66%, while before it was 32% (p < 0.05). The populations of aerobic microorganisms and total coliforms in equipment were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) after the implementation of GMP, as well as the populations of total coliforms in the hands of food handlers (p < 0.05). In conclusion, GMP implementation changed the overall organization of the cheese processing unity, as well as managers and food handlers' behavior and knowledge on the quality and safety of products manufactured. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fresh Produce Safety and Good Agricultural Practices: Stakeholders' Perception and Consumers' Choice in Thailand

Concerns of Thai consumers on food safety have been recently increasing, especially in urban areas and for fresh produce because food safety scandals, such as chemical residues on fresh produce (e.g., cabbage) still frequently occur. The Thai government tried to meet consumer needs by imposing in the domestic market a stronger regulation aimed at increasing the baseline level of food safety assurance and by introducing a voluntary standard (based on Good Agricultural Practices or GAPs and known as Q-GAP) and the related food safety label (i.e., Q mark). However, since standards and regulations are weakly implemented in the domestic market compared to exported products, there is still a lack of Thai consumers’ confidence in the safety of local food products. In this work the current situation of GAPs adoption in Thai fresh produce production is analysed. Furthermore, it is studied whether Thai consumers place value on food safety labels available on the market, to know whether consumer demand could drive the market of certified safer products. This study contains three essays: 1) a review of the literature, 2) a qualitative study on stakeholders' perception toward GAPs adoption and 3) a quantitative study, aimed at analysing consumers' preferences and willingness-to-pay for food safety labels on fresh produce using a discrete choice experiment. This dissertation contributes to the economics of quality assurance and labelling, specifically addressing GAPs and food safety label in the fresh produce supply chain. Results show that Q-GAP could be effectively used to improve food safety in Thai domestic market, but its credibility should be improved. Stakeholder’s awareness toward food safety issues and the delivery of reliable and sound information are crucial. Thai consumers are willing to pay a premium price for food safety labelled produce over unlabelled ones. Implications for both government and business decision-makers are discussed.

Molecular Techniques (2015-2016). Protocol for the Genetics Laboratory practices

Protocol for the Genetics Laboratory practices.

Molecular Techniques (2015-2016). Slides for the Genetics Laboratory practices introduction

Slides for the Genetics Laboratory practices introduction.

Molecular Techniques (2015-2016). Exercises to be discussed and solved during the laboratory practices

Exercises to be discussed and solved during the laboratory practices.

Blood plasma safety : plasma product risks are low if good manufacturing practices are followed : report to the Chairman, Subcommittee on Human Resources, Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, House of Representatives /

"B-278739"--P. 1.

Beetles in your pines? How good cutting practices and management stop beetles from killing your timber,

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Good laboratory practice: preventing introduction of bias at the bench

Background and Purpose—As a research community, we have failed to demonstrate that drugs which show substantial efficacy in animal models of cerebral ischemia can also improve outcome in human stroke. Summary of Review—Accumulating evidence suggests this may be due, at least in part, to problems in the design, conduct and reporting of animal experiments which create a systematic bias resulting in the overstatement of neuroprotective efficacy. Conclusions—Here, we set out a series of measures to reduce bias in the design, conduct and reporting of animal experiments modeling human stroke.

Boas práticas de laboratório e biossegurança: prevenção dos riscos ergonômicos

El control de los riesgos ergonómicos es parte del paquete de medidas de Buenas Prácticas de Laboratorio y Bioseguridad. De este modo, la mala postura, la iluminación o ventilación inadecuadas , prolongada jornada de trabajo, la monotonía y la actividad repetitiva, intensa rutina, el control de la productividad , el estrés y el trabajo por la noche son factores a los riesgos ergonómicos. Como se relacionan a los elementos físicos y de organización también pueden interferir con la comodidad y la salud del personal de laboratorio. Riesgos ergonómicos no sólo pueden generar trastornos psicológicos y fisiológicos que causan graves daños a la salud, sino también comprometer la productividad del laboratorio y reducir el equipo de seguridad , ya que producen cambios en el cuerpo y el estado emocional, tales como trastornos o lesiones relacionadas con el cansancio físico producido por el trabajo repetitivo, dolor muscular, alteraciones del sueño, diabetes, trastornos de los nervios , la taquicardia , las enfermedades del aparato digestivo (gastritis y úlcera ), tensión, ansiedad, problemas de espalda y la hipertensión. En este trabajo se propone una secuencia de actividad laboral (gimnasia) en el intervalo de tiempo pequeño, respetando las instalaciones y el espacio físico disponible en el ambiente del trabajo, como una estrategia para mejorar la calidad de vida laboral, para aumentar la productividad, mejorar la disposición a trabajar y para aumentar el conocimiento del cuerpo y de la interacción social.