Safety of Foods

Food safety issues are top of mind for today’s consumers, who are more likely to report an issue with food than ever before
One third of 1000 respondents said they are more concerned about food product safety and quality than they were a year ago, about 50 percent are more concerned than they were five years ago

More than 80% of Americans believe that brand-name foods or from chain restaurants are safe
Although 40% have changed their food habits after the brand or chain is linked to a case of food poisoning

Myths

MYTH: “Meat glue” is used to hold chicken nuggets together
FACT: Transglutaminase, referred to by some as “meat glue”, is an enzyme sold for almost two decades that is used mostly in food serve to bind pieces of meat together, such as a beef tenderloin or a strip of bacon to a filet.

So, what’s in a chicken nugget?

Chicken nuggets are in fact typically made of the same meat you see in the super market, that is, broiler meat.
Most chicken nuggets start as a split of chicken. You might read on the package that the product contains, “rib meat”
Rib meat is simply a natural extension of the breast meat. It is NOT an additive or filler.
ALL ingredients, including nutritional information, must be stated on the product’s label.
Keep in mind: all federally inspected chicken processing plants follow string food safety standards and operate under the watch of USDA inspectors at all times.
**Like all meat and poultry products, however, mechanically separated poultry is regulated and inspected by USDA and products containing it must declare it as an ingredient on the label

Processed foods are products that have been preserved
- They will not spoil as quickly as their fresh, whole raw counterparts
- Shelf-stable foods: Processes allow us to store the product at room temperature
- Primary reason for food processing: reduce or eliminate harmful microorganisms from growing in foods
Processed foods take more energy to produce but usually take less energy to store than fresh foods
Fresh, whole foods definitely more important components in a healthy diet
At times, processed foods are more appropriate
Food banks: stock, store, distribute processed foods that will not spoil rapidly
1st wave of supplies in response to natural disasters, like earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, tsunamis- bottled water, processed foods
Military missions, hiking, space foods - convenient, easy to carry, quick energy
Formulated / medical foods - to provide nutritious products

Food industry follows defined regulations for sanitary food handling, packaging, testing
Standards set in order to reduce risks of food-borne illnesses
FDA: defines CGMPs, food identity, microbiological quality standards, processing methods, equipment for food manufacturers
Food Safety & Inspection Service (FSIS) of USDA + FDA: inspect and monitor US food production, processing and marketing