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Sustainable school feeding programs (SFPs) in sub-Saharan Africa play a vital role in addressing malnutrition and poor educational outcomes among children. It is critical to contextualize SFPs to local needs and resources, while retaining the twin universal goals of alleviating hunger and promoting education, and the associated strengthening of health, nutrition and social protection. The effective implementation and continuity of such programs, however, present challenges. Key hurdles to establishing and maintaining effective SFPs in sub-Saharan Africa were assessed, as well as strategies to address these challenges. We searched three databases for articles published between 2012 and 2023 with combinations of the keywords: "school feeding," "school meals," "sustainability," "sustainable," and "long-term." Of >25,000 identified articles, 21 focused on quantitative and qualitative evaluations of sustainability in primary school SFPs with children aged 6–14. Themes discussed in these articles fall into four broad areas: policy, operations, community involvement and ancillary activities. Successful SFPs in sub-Saharan Africa differ substantively from those in higher income countries. Home grown SFPs are a common route to follow to transition from external donor support, and increase community involvement. The SMP+ meal planner from the World Food Program is widely used to develop nutritious, acceptable meals based on locally available foodstuffs. School gardens and means to access sufficient fuel, usually firewood, for cooking are important concerns in sub-Saharan Africa, but are not usually a concern in higher income countries. By utilizing locally sourced foods and involving students in school gardens and meal planning activities, more comprehensive nutrition education can occur and students can better understand ways to utilize the food available to their household. In conclusion, we provide target areas for policymakers and practitioners to address when designing SFPs that can be sustained for the long term in sub-Saharan Africa and other low and middle-income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, many of the 150 pet food companies currently producing pet food in Europe have started to focus on the ethical and local sourcing of raw materials, but there is still a lack of optimisation of the production processes and sustainable sourcing of raw materials. The aim of this research is to describe the steps already taken by pet food manufacturers towards sustainability and to analyse future plans and objectives of the industry in relation to food overproduction and unnecessary waste. The Delphi method was used with a team of experts from two major international European pet food companies to gain insights to identify current aspects and also where we can see room for development. The research shows that there is a huge potential in recycled human food waste used as pet food raw material, while there are currently efforts on packaging and more effective energy consumption. Moving to insect-based pet food could be an even better approach to increase the level of sustainability. The pet food market is becoming increasingly important as a result of economic development and modern social standards, and it is particularly important to pay attention to these aspects related to the production of pet food even more. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this opinion was to determine if any wild caught fish species, originating from specific fishing grounds and consumed in the EU/EFTA could be considered free of zoonotic parasites. In this Opinion the term 'fishery products' only refers to fresh finfish. As there are multiple fish species and numerous potential parasites, Anisakis sp. was used as an indicator of zoonotic parasites in marine areas. This parasite species is particularly suited as it is common in marine environments, capable of infecting multiple fish species and is the subject of the majority of published studies. On the rare occasion where Anisakis sp. data were not available, or all tests were negative, other parasites such as Contracaecum osculatum (s.l.) and/or Phocanema spp. were considered. In freshwater systems, all zoonotic parasites were investigated. Consumption, import and landing data were used to determine the most relevant fish species and, where possible, the source fishing areas were identified. The most commonly consumed wild caught fish species in the EU/EFTA include tuna, cod, Alaskan pollock, hake, herring, sardines, mackerel, trout and saithe. Although the majority of these fish are caught in the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea (37) as well as several areas in the Indian Ocean, imported fish may originate from any global fishing areas, with the exception of Antarctica. Based on the data, at least one zoonotic parasite has been reported in at least one fish species in each of the FAO marine fishing areas. Thus, due to relative low fish host specificity of the zoonotic parasites, the panel concluded that all wild caught fish species may be exposed to and infected with zoonotic parasites. The same applies to freshwater fishing areas, with many areas having multiple studies reporting the presence of zoonotic parasites in the wild caught fish species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global growth in canine population has led to a thriving market for pet food, especially treats sector. This review explores the growing market for canine treats, revealing a deep emotional connection between pet owners and their pets, evident in feeding practices. With six distinct categories of treats, meatbased treats dominate due to perceptions of naturalness and health, highlighting an increased focus on dog nutrition and a preference for raw, locally sourced alternatives. However, labeling discrepancies and a lack of clear nutritional information present a challenge for owners looking for quality treats. Variations in nutritional values and sensory qualities of treats require informed choices to prevent excessive calorie consumption and potential health implications. Effective communication between the veterinarian and pet owners is crucial to adapting treats recommendations based on the individual needs of dogs, taking into account potential health risks and obesity. In conclusion, the use of treats provides several benefits such as positive reinforcement, promoting dental health and providing nutritional support for senior dogs. However, certain aspects that may limit their use should be considered, such as the risk of microbiological contamination, accidents related to incorrect administration, obesity and environmental impacts associated with treat production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutting boards used for ready-to-eat (RTE) foods in most restaurants are often contaminated with bacteria, leading to foodborne illnesses. The present work aimed to detect the contamination of aerobic bacteria, coliform, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus on cutting boards, and to evaluate the levels of cleanliness of long-hours restaurants around Klang Valley, Malaysia. The examination of bacterial contamination was conducted by swabbing cutting boards from 33 restaurants. The findings showed that the numbers of aerobic bacteria were within the range of 3.95 to 7.07 log10 CFU/cm², namely coliform (< 1.00 to 5.58 log10 CFU/cm²), E. coli (< 1.00 log10 CFU/cm²), S. aureus (< 1.00 to 2.90 log10 CFU/cm²), and Salmonella spp. They were detected from 12% (n = 4/33) of cutting boards. At the same time, the levels of restaurants’ cleanliness were A at 3% (n = 1/33), and both B and C at 48.5% (n = 16/33). There was no significant (p > 0.05) association between the contamination of coliform (χ² = 1.096), Salmonella spp. (χ² = 0.004), and S. aureus (χ² = 0.437) with the levels of restaurants’ cleanliness. Therefore, the present work concluded that the contamination of bacteria on the cutting boards was not affected by the levels of cleanliness based on swabbing food contact surfaces to evaluate the microbial status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Italy is the world leader in the production of pasta and the Italian market is characterized by strong price competition among large industrial producers. Thus, recently, many small and medium firms have started to differentiate their products as a way to achieve higher margins and escape from price competition. Using data on the prices and characteristics of dried pasta sold online in the Italian market and a hedonic price model, we estimated the implicit prices associated with several attributes that are currently available for dried pasta. We find that the “artisanal” statement on pasta labeling is associated with the highest price premium. Also, results show that protected geographical indication, Halal and Kosher certifications, and the use of ancient wheat varieties are valuable features of dried pasta sold in the Italian market. Instead, a positive, albeit limited in magnitude, price premium is associated with dried pasta made using 100% Italian durum wheat semolina, the organic method, enriched with additional ingredients. Findings suggest that producers can differentiate their products by mostly emphasizing their small-scale production methods, the territorial connotation, and the cultural and environmental sustainability of production. Otherwise, certifying dried pasta as Halal or Kosher can represent a complementary or alternative strategy to differentiate the product and achieve a higher price. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global fish consumption increased higher than that of all other animal protein foods. The image of fish as a healthy food is the main reason for increasing demand for fish meat, but there are serious safety concerns related to the presence of fish-borne zoonotic pathogen including parasites. A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2021 to July 2022 at Lake Haramaya, Lake Tinike, and Lake Adele on Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias gariepinus fish species to determine the prevalence of Contracaecum (Nematoda) and Clinostomum (Trematoda) infection. A total of 384 individuals of C. gariepinus 241 (62.76%) and O. niloticus 143 (37.24%) were sampled from Lake Haramaya 149 (38.8%), Lake Tinike 113 (29.4%) and Lake Adele 122 (31.8%). The overall prevalence of parasite was 30.2% (116/384) and higher overall prevalence of parasite was recorded in Lake Haramaya (36.2%) followed by Lake Adele (27.9%) and Lake Tinike (24.8%). C. gariepinus was more affected than O. niloticus fish and Contracaecum parasite was more prevalent than Clinostomum parasite (37.3% and 18.2%) and (29.9% and 14.6%), respectively. The distribution of parasite was significantly affected with respect to species of fish, sex, weight, and length categories, genera of parasite, and location of parasites. The perception of respondents on fish-borne zoonotic parasite (FBZP) was affected by demographic characteristics of respondents. Human and animals were interacted with the lakes and its environment adversely which can perpetuate the life cycle of FBZP. Moreover, unsafe fish meat processing from harvesting to consumption was the main problem at the study area, which can makes surrounding people under the risk of FBZP. However, the risks associated with FBZP can be reduced through the application of good hygiene, fishing practices, inspection of fish meat, proper storage, adequate cooking of fish, and with the promotion of the community awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of COVID-19 on the transportation costs of a large-scale company has been examined. Before the pandemic, shift personnel were transported to the factory by shuttles, and after a quick shift change, other shift personnel were transported back to their homes. However, with the implementation of laws mandating the reduction of shuttle seat capacities, transportation costs have risen significantly. To address this issue, a new simultaneous pickup and delivery model is proposed as an alternative to the separate transportation of shift workers. The results of this study indicate that the proposed model provides a substantial advantage in terms of both the number of vehicles used and the total distance traveled, leading to a significant reduction in costs. This research underscores the importance of effective operations research practices for the profitability of companies, particularly in extraordinary circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Scientia Agropecuaria is the property of Scientia Agropecuaria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Cold chain interruption during transport of samples to the laboratory may become a confounder in food hygiene practice. This study evaluates the influence of inadequate transport conditions on the microbiological quality of fish fillets from common carp (Cyprinus carpio), Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), and Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) packaged in plain, vacuum, or modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). The experiments simulated the temperature increase during sample transport to 3, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, and 25 °C with exposure times of 1, 2, 3, and 4 h. Aerobic plate count (APC), psychrotrophic microorganisms count (PMC), β-D-glucuronidase-positive Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp. were evaluated immediately after the exposure to the elevated temperature (0 h), 3 h, and 24 h after the return to the normal temperature. Variability was observed even in the initial microbial contamination of fish fillets. Storage at higher temperatures led to an increase in microbial contamination of fish fillets Different types of packaging also played a role. In non-fatty fish (cod), CO2-containing MAP led to a decrease in pH and, therefore, to lower microbial growth. In fatty fish (salmon), the presence of CO2 did not lead to the reduction in pH and the degree of microbial contamination was, therefore, not affected by this intrinsic factor. If cold chain interruption occurs during the transport of samples to the laboratory, it is necessary to perform the analysis immediately as even storage in cold conditions until the next day can lead to increased levels of microbial contamination of such samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increased consumer knowledge about the relationship between diet and a healthy lifestyle in recent decades, there has been an increase in awareness and demand for efficient protein sources. Rabbit meat is rich in easily digestible protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), vitamins, and minerals (such as calcium, magnesium, and zinc), as well as being low in fat, sodium, and cholesterol, which makes it of good edible and nutritional value, so it needs to be handled properly. Rabbit meat, on the other hand, has been associated with the spread of microbial contamination (such as Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli and Salmonella species) that may originate from the animal itself, equipment, workers, or the surrounding environment. Each effort must be made to keep rabbit meat free of contaminants that could be harmful to humans. Few studies had been conducted, either internationally or in Egypt, to examine the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of rabbit meat. We shall compile existing data on the quality of rabbit meat in this review. Furthermore, the potential hazards that influence the physicochemical and microbiological qualities and shelf life, as well as the proposals for decontamination trials to enhance the sensory attributes and shelf life of rabbit meat, will be presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the behavior of Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes in processed date paste and syrup at different temperatures. Commercial products were inoculated with approximately 6 log CFU/mL of S. enterica or L. monocytogenes and stored at 4, 10, and 24°C for 90 days. S. enterica was able to survive in date products until the end of storage at 4°C. At this temperature, numbers decreased by 2.1 log CFU/g in date paste and by 3.4 log CFU/g in date syrup; however, at 10°C, cells were reduced >4.2 log CFU/g and were undetectable by direct plating in date paste or by enrichment (complete elimination) in syrup. Further, at 24°C, complete elimination of S. enterica was achieved in date paste and syrup by 30 and 7 days, respectively. L. monocytogenes numbers decreased by 1.4, 4.4, and >4.6 log CFU/g in date paste stored at 4, 10, and 24°C for 90 days, respectively. In date syrup, numbers of L. monocytogenes decreased to undetectable levels by 50, 14, and 4 days at 4, 10, and 24°C, respectively, by direct plating and complete elimination was observed at 10 and 24°C by 50 and 30 days of storage, respectively. The initial pH values of date paste and syrup were 4.7 and 4.8, respectively, and remained stable until the end of storage except for L. monocytogenes‐inoculated syrup. Practical Application: Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes can easily survive in date paste and syrup particularly at refrigerator temperature, which explains the necessity of preventing the contamination of date products with foodborne pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Evaluate the intensive care acquired infections incidence and the change over time in infection practices in one intensive care unit. Design: We used an action research approach with cyclical activities. Methods: Our study included two cycles with hand hygiene observation based on the WHO's five‐moments observation tool, observing hand hygiene practices, analysing the observations, and giving feedback on observations, intensive care acquired infection rates, and alcohol‐based hand rub consumption. The Revised Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence is the basis for this research report describing research aimed at improving patient safety and quality of care. Results: During the study, annual alcohol‐based hand rub consumption increased by 6.7 litres per 1000 patient days and observed hand hygiene compliance improved. In the first cycle of the study, there was a decrease in critical care acquired infection rates, but the improvement was not sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in nutritional demand requires new sustainable food sources. The Californian red worm (Eisenia foetida) could be an alternative food source due to its mineral content and protein richness. This study was developed to assess the acceptability of worm meal as a healthy food source. Californian red worms were collected from compost and processed to obtain meal, which was analyzed. Subsequently, a sensory test was developed and conducted using non-expert panelists. The composition of the earthworm meal was 16.69% carbohydrates, 22.16% ashes, 2.23% crude fiber, 5.22% fat, and 51.63% protein. The sensory test showed that participants were indifferent to the smell of earthworm meal (53.3%) but approved of the texture (40% I like it). For taste, 34.2% answered I like it; however, 30.8% answered I don't like it and 20.8% were indifferent. A slight majority of the panelists did not like the smell (45% I don't like it and 7.5% I hate it). There was an association between taste and smell (Rho = 0.343; p < 0.05). Overall, earthworm meal has excellent protein content and could be used as an alternative in human nutrition. More studies are required to standardize the potential of its acceptability and consumption in different regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to present and discuss the different COVID-19 policies and recommendations for food service reopening. We aimed to understand each plan's profile, showing the most prominent concerns and summarizing the strategies. This study was carried out using an integrative review strategy of documents written in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French, and German. We found 17 guides, 15 from the countries' health departments and institutions. The findings suggested four main categories reflecting the main concerns about safety regarding the resumption of food services during the pandemic: 1. Physical distancing; 2. evironmental aspects and safety; 3. personal hygiene and occupational health; and 4. educational and legal measures. Because COVID-19 is a new disease, the measures were designed and adapted to a scenario full of uncertainties and improved information for each discovery. All the categories are grounded on recent or late biomedical literature. Some minor recommendations are based on the precautionary principle. The practical and policy implications are discussed. Health agencies in countries that do not yet have their regulations or guidelines for operating food services can use the categories described here as a basis for suggestions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Rabbit meat and offal are considered as valuable sources of high biological value animal protein. Rabbit meat is rich in essential amino acids, low in cholesterol and contains considerable amounts of trace elements such as calcium, magnesium, and zinc. However, rabbit meat is also implicated in the transmission of foodborne pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., E. coli, and Pseudomonas spp. Few reports had reviewed the microbiological quality of rabbit meat either worldwide or in Egypt. In this review, we will summarize the available literature about the microbiological status of rabbit meat and offal. Moreover, the potential human health risks associated with the occurrence of such foodborne pathogens in rabbit meat, and their effect on the shelf life of meat will be discussed. In addition, suggestions on how to improve the microbiological quality of rabbit meat and to extend its shelf life will also be introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coccidiosis is an important disease in juvenile fish because of severe intestinal injury during infection. We first reported the mixed infection of intestinal coccidia and its association with health status and pathological findings in juvenile Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) cultured in Thailand. Two groups of Asian seabass, 60-day fish and 90-day fish, were sampled to investigate prevalence and coccidian infection intensity using morphological characterization and PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of 18S rRNA gene amplified from the intestines revealed Eimeria sp. and Cryptosporidium sp. infection. The prevalence of Eimeria sp. and Cryptosporidium sp. in sampled fish was 100%. Clinical outcomes assessed, using health assessment index (HAI) scoring and semi-quantitative grading of intestinal lesions and inflammation, demonstrated that all fish developed variety of pathology and clinical illness; however, infection intensity in 60-day fish was significantly higher (p < .05) than 90-day fish. The HAI score of 60-day fish was poorer than 90-day fish, which correlated to a high infection intensity (r = .397), analysed by Pearson correlation coefficient. Overproduction of intestinal oxidants contributing to mucosal injury was examined by nitrotyrosine expression. The high production of reactive nitrogen species indicated severe inflammatory response, and intestinal injuries occurred mainly in the 60-day fish., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Post‐consumer food waste (FW) is a sustainable source of nutrients that could be used as aquafeed ingredient to decrease aquaculture production expenses. However, FW has a relatively low protein content. Bioprocessing can help improve the nutritional composition of FW prior to using it in aquafeed. The present study assessed the potential benefits of substituting part of juvenile Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) diets with yeast‐fermented oil‐extracted FW (FWY). Seven isonitrogenous diets (34% crude protein) were prepared, replacing the standard formulation with 0, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40% FWY. Juvenile O. niloticus (11.07 ± 0.01 g) were size sorted and stocked into 21 tanks. Each diet was randomly assigned to three replicate tanks, and fish were offered their respective diets for 6 weeks. Results suggest that up to 30% of Nile tilapia feed can be substituted with FWY without significant effect on final body weights and lengths, feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate, hepatosomatic and viscerosomatic indices, body moisture, protein and lipid content of fish. Using an inexpensive ingredient such as FWY to replace 30% of traditional aquafeed ingredients is a promising approach towards decreasing aquaculture production cost without compromising fish growth and welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods, and the growth boundaries of two strains of L. monocytogenes isolated from RTE foods and one ATCC7644 strain under different temperature (4, 20, and 37°C), salt (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4% w/v), and nisin (0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 µg/mL) levels with different inoculum sizes (3, 4, 5, and 6 log10 CFU/mL). One hundred thirty-three retail RTE foods were examined and a total of 39 isolates were identified. The positive Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes samples were 29.3% and 12.8%, respectively. Dairy and fruit-based RTE foods were L. monocytogenes negative whereas seafood-based (26.7%), meat-based (19.4%), poultry-based (16%), and vegetable-based (10%) RTE foods contained L. monocytogenes. It was shown that nisin was more effective than NaCl to avoid growth. Moreover, protective effect of NaCl on nisin activity was observed. As inoculum size increased probability of growth also increased. Suppressing the growth by using temperature, NaCl and nisin was more difficult in RTE-isolates strains (strains 120 and 137) than that of ATCC7644 strain. A mathematical model based on logistic regression could be used to determine growth limits of L. monocytogenes strains with a concordance of > 91%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]