F OOD S AFETY : R OLE OF U NIVERSITIES AND E DUCATIONAL I NSTITUTIONS (MENA) P RESENT AND F UTURE...

FOOD SAFETY: ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES AND

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS (MENA)

PRESENT AND FUTURE PROGRAMS

FACULTY OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SCIENCES

Dr. Zeina Kassaify

Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences

4th Dubai International Food Safety Conference; Dubai, UAE February 24- 26, 2009

American University of Beirut

MENA Region Facts- Educational Institutions and Food Safety

Universities & Food Safety- Research, Teaching and Outreach

Current Research, Teaching and Outreach Role of MENA Region Universities

Future Recommendations and Conclusions

Outline

MENA Region FactsEducational Institutions and Food Safety

Higher Education Institutions (World Bank definition)


Algeria Bahrain Djibouti Egypt Iran Iraq Israel

12 19 2 48 298 21 14

Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Libya Morocco Oman Qatar

34 34 34 18 18 17 11

Palestinian territories

Saudi Arabia

Sudan Syria Tunisia UAE Yemen

14 50 10 23 12 68 12

World Bank’s 2007 Report (MENA Economic Developments and Prospects):

Important recognition of higher education

1990 - 2000, enrollment rates at higher levels of education increased by two-third

World Bank’s 2008 Report: (” The Road Not Traveled: Education Reform in the Middle East and North Africa”)

MENA countries invest a higher proportion of their GDP on education than other regions in the world!!!


• Challenges are in developing high-quality education systems, promoting inquiry-based learning—problem solving, life-long learning and training that respond to the needs of the labor market

• No reported data on the number of universities with specialized Departments that offer higher degrees in Food Science/Safety etc.


Many offer such degrees or education/training under Agriculture or Public Health or at the Masters level only

However, at least 2 universities in each MENA state contribute to Food safety by teaching, research or outreach initiatives

Many face difficulties in meeting international safety and quality standards due to lack in scientific research, testing and conformity (Impact of food safety standard on food and agricultural trade in the Near East FAO/WHO, 2005)

Some have imposed questionable restrictions on imported products because of lack of scientific justification

For example:

•A max moisture content of 5% for frozen poultry- considered too low by some WTO members

•Ban beef imports with fat content > than 7%

•Zero tolerance to certain imported foods, which need now to be replaced by sanitary measures based on risk assessment.


The responsibility for food safety is multisided -shared among the government, industry, academia and consumers.

Role of Universities in Food Safetyand Quality

Effective delivery of Food safety programs/system require:

Consultation

Communication

Policy Development

Implementation of risk alleviation measures

Consumer Confidence


Experts advisory committee

AdviseCommentEducateInvestigatereview or make recommendations for action

Healthprofessionals

Scientificsocieties

Academia

IndustryAssociations

Consumerassociations

Government agencies


Experts advisory committee

Advise, Comment, Educate, Investigatereview or make recommendations …

GOVERNMENT

create food safety laws and regulations, inspect, monitor, develop policies, enforce...

Consumers Industries

Make choices,participate in the decision-making process…

produce safe food, implement…

Demonstrate safety


Academic Investigators

Design

Execute

Industry

Bring to market

Comply to regulations

Communicate

Consumers, media,

and legislators

Ultimate Role of Universities


Contribute to

knowledge through

research and publications

Build capacity through

educating students and

continuing education

programs for the area of food

safety

Enrich teaching and research and

contribute to the creation of new

knowledge by civic and community

service activities

Examples of Missions/visions of some Food Science/ Safety Programs at Universities in MENA Countries

Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut:

…. to promote, through higher agricultural education, teaching, research, and extension in: ….Foods and Nutrition, ……as a basis for sustainable improvement in the lives of people throughout Lebanon, the Middle East region, and the world.


Food Science Program, United Arab Emirates University:

….to prepare the future leaders of the food industry and allied government and research institutions in the U.A.E. to assure food security, quality and safety

Department of Food Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo:

….to prepare professionals in the area of Food Science and Technology ……. to enhance products quality of the food industry …

Graduate Future Food Safety Professionals who :

Trained in related disciplines and capable to contribute to effective food safety programs (agronomic, animal and veterinary medical sciences, environmental and public health sciences. surveillance, consumer behavior, farm to fork supply chain, new traceability technologies, etc.)

Have methodological background to apply in current and future food safety research (molecular biology, immunology, epidemiology, and mathematical modeling)

Trained on food safety policy and international trade

Trained in adult education methods and program efficacy evaluation. (Jaykus and Ward 1999)

Distance Education for a broader and more diverse student populations

Role of Universities in Food Safety and QualityFood Safety Educational Programs (Higher level education)

The Food Safety Golden Age (Food Bioterrorism and Global Food Security/Supply, etc.)

Research initiatives are divided into:1- Basic Research

Improve aspects of the food chain from farm to fork. Improve methods to detect pathogens during production Better understanding of the transmission of pathogens Improved methods to control food borne illness and

pathogen colonization in the food animal

2- Applied Research Environmental impacts and social Environment

management Develop preventive systems Traditional production and products

Role of Universities in Food Safety and QualityFood Safety Research Initiatives

In October 2008, USDA Awards $13 Million for Food Safety Research

"Sound advice about food safety is based on good research to pinpoint potential pathways of contamination as well as effective solutions and safeguards." (USDA Secretary, Ed Schafer)

Research requires $$$$$$

Role of Universities in Food Safety and QualityFood Safety Research Initiatives

Funding resources are limited for this sector and diversified

Oriented mainly towards development projects rather than basic or applied research

A very compartmentalized region and most of the research carried is disconnected from reality

We have individualistic tendencies (as described by Mr. Ziad Moussa, ESDU’s communications officer)

Participatory multi-action research and collaboration is the optimal plan

Role of Universities in Food Safety and QualityFood Safety Research Initiatives (MENA Countries)

For example:

Some Food Safety Research initiatives In collaboration with Universities in MENA Countries

Prevention, control and resistance of Salmonella spp in traditional foods; antibiotic residues in dairy products; Aflatoxin AFM1 in milk and cheeses; development of micro criteria for traditional foods etc..(AUB, Lebanon)

Pesticide residues; Occurrence and legislation of mycotoxins in food and feed …(Morocco)


Avian Inlfuenza (Lebanon, Iran, Egypt),

Food Safety Policy Issues, Safety of Traditional foods… (UAE)

Food poisoning and gastroenteritis: Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi in seven Asian countries


Transferring of technology attained by research or knowledge

Training on Food safety and quality

Educating Consumers

Engaging in Policy development

Activities to provide current and relevant food safety information to all points of the food chain from farm to fork

Role of Universities in Food Safety and QualityFood Safety Outreach Programs

The UMass Food Safety Education program:

…training and resources on safe food handling to food producers and processors, food workers, regulatory officials, educators and volunteers serving high risk groups

Iowa State University Extension:

.. educational materials to the public to minimize their risk of foodborne illness and access research-based, unbiased information on food safety and quality.


Extension Food Safety Education Michigan State University

….materials for educating both consumers and the media regarding pertinent food safety-related issues; organizes food safety-related training sessions for a variety of audiences; investigates the sociological and communications aspects of food safety issues.

Food Safety outreach programs at Penn State:

partnerships to develop pro-active food safety programs and standards


Confined to occasional individualistic seminars, workshops, short courses, small scale consultations and services to the industry and public awareness campaigns during/after a crisis.

Lack of developed extension programs or specialized centers of excellence

Role of Universities in Food Safety and QualityFood Safety Outreach Programs in MENA Countries

Examples of Outreach activities by some or in collaboration of MENA region Universities

American University of Beirut; Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Lebanon:

partnered with Lebanese government , UNIDO, & other non-government organization to establish a draft for a comprehensive food safety law

assist governmental agencies to develop & confine to international standards (member of committee to develop national Codex Alimentarius Standards),


Workshops to train Quality Control managers, Food service personnel, health ministry inspectors

Food safety symposia and surveillance studies, outbreak investigations, risk assessment, services and guidance to food industries


Zayed University, College of Family Sciences, UAE:

partnered with Dubai Municipality to establish the first UAE International Food Safety and Sanitation Professional Development Program.

train Emirati employees in food safety and sanitation, technical writing, and research and presentation skills

United Arab Emirates University; Department of Food Science, UAE

offer short courses for Food Inspectors

services to the food industry


Sultan Qaboos University, Food Science and Nutrition Department, Sultanate of Oman

Assist to develop standards for raw milk, dates and fermented products

Ain Shams University, Department of Food Science, Egypt

a specialized unit for training of food employees of food sectors on quality in food production and food safety


Role of Universities in Food Safety and QualityFuture Roles and Recommendations for Food Safety Programs in MENA Countries

Assist in preparing the MENA Countries for the upcoming challenges :

Testing and certification of irradiated foods, food derived from GMO’s (imports and exports)

Traceability

Organic food

Provisions of scientific risk assessment


Get involved in

Raising awareness among policy and decision-makers about the importance of food safety and quality for consumer protection, food trade and economic development.

Carry out seminars, workshops and communication campaigns (senior government officials, food industry, the media and consumer associations)

Develop more effective education strategies that are based on global and regional experiences in the food sector.

Partner with industry to fund applied and basic research and outreach programs to reduce foodborne disease

Provide frequent training on food safety systems including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), and International Standards Organization (ISO 22000).

Encourage collaborations and participation among commodity organizations, processors, industry consultants and food safety assurance coordinators.


Involve the WHO collaborating centers (the Nutrition and Food Science Department at AUB ) and the WHO Regional offices with the Department of Food Safety, Zoonoses and Foodborne Diseases (FOS) to activate and support regional food safety research in order to ensure a safer global food supply.

More partnerships should be formed among government/academia/industry at the state and regional level

More research and education is needed into the ecology of foodborne pathogens


The ultimate benefit to food safety education will be with an integrated approach (research, teaching and outreach)

It graduates students who will be more diverse, better qualified, and able to extend and model this collaborative teaching and research theme throughout their careers (Jaykus and Ward 1999)

The role of academic institutions is to provide a qualified, creative labor force that will make important contributions to food safety in the years to come

"Most often, the prevention of food-borne illnesses comes through education and safe handling practices in the preparation of food," (Secretary Ed Schafer, USDA)


THANK YOU

F OOD S AFETY : R OLE OF U NIVERSITIES AND E DUCATIONAL I NSTITUTIONS (MENA) P RESENT AND F UTURE...

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