Food supply chain safety

AWWA and ASCE publish draft water safety regulations
Third phase of voluntary standards covers physical security at water and wastewater industries; grant program funded by EPA; interested parties have until June to comment
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Michigan professor offers polymerase assay for fifty pathogens
Portable, polymerase-based, hand-held device relies on a DNA biochip; flexibility a major selling point; field testing to be done by university spin-off AquaBioChip
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Vortex takes its water purification business across the pond
Norway-based Cool Chili buys the exclusive rights to Vortex’s patented UltraviOzone technology; system catalyzes ozone with ultraviolet light before infusing the water with pure oxygen; DHS funds the technology hoping to develop improved water safety regimes
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PAR and Carrier agree on truck monitoring terms
PAR expands its North American presence with a deal to link-up with Carrier’s refrigerated trucks
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Green onion contamination fuels cry for industry regulation
Complaining that federal oversight is lacking, supermarkets hire their own inspectors and demand growers shape up; in response, growers suggest a marketing order would be appropriate until new rules are drafted
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Synergetics to support Animal Health and Surveillance Management
Coloradan IT company wins a multi-year contract with USDA to “beef” up its livestock health monitoring system; software to undergo vigorous testing and overhaul; new forms for disease reporting
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Longwatch to participate in WaterSentinel
Company will install remote video alarm monitoring services; WaterSentinel a major push to secure nation’s water supplies; integration with SCADA protocol a major factor in winning such projects; company looks for installation and integration partners
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USDA and Spanish scientists develop anti-E. coli food wrap
Made from apple puree and oregano oil, product could displace traditional water-based washes; essential oils have natural antimicrobial abilities, but oregano is best against E. coli; sugary coating permits long-term adhesion to fruits and vegetables
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Agroterror overview
The vast dispersion of the American agriculture industry makes prevention of agroterror difficult; the best approach is a tracking and mitigation regime that prevents infection after an attack; GIS technology, matched up with RFID tags and sensors, is the most likely solution
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University consortium melds agro-safety with business continuity
Created by Virginia Tech, UC Davis and others, the Agricultural Vulnerability Assessment Training Program helps farmers defend their crops and make contingency plans; thirty-four courses to be offered nationwide; program funded by $2 million DHS grant
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WHO challenges China over new bird flu strain
Government denies emergence of new strain, but WHO and other authorities disagree; information sharing at issue; WHO hopes China will soon agree to upload gene sequences to a public data base
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CA spinach and lettuce industry volunteers itself for regulatory oversight
Worried about flagging consumer confidence, the Western Growers Association asks state health officials to pass tougher food safety rules; proposed penalties could include injunctions against sale and criminal prosecution
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Listening in on bacteria “conversations” help in efforts to keep deadly infections in check
There may be a debate about the legality of eavesdropping by the NSA on U.S. phone conversation, but few would question listening in on conversations among bacteria – conversations carried out by chemical signals bacteria use to communicate with each other – because these conversations give us knowledge on how to block deadly infections
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The Volunteers launch center to train farmers and food producers to guard against terrorism
As the fear of agroterrorism grows, DHS and other U.S. government agencies fund a University of Tennessee center to educate farmers and communities on how to prepare for and cope with terrorism against the U.S. food supply
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Canada reports botulism cases connected to carrot juice
Food Inspection Agency joins FDA in warning against Bugs Bunny’s favorite drink; a sad story, but an opportunity to take a second look at two companies trying to help stop outbreaks; focus on anthrax makes botulism poisoning a low priority for federal planners
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