WORKSHOP 4

"Risk mitigation strategies to reduce transfer of pathogens along the food chain"

Convenors: Drs. Norval Strachan and Iain Ogden, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.

Risk assessments involve modelling the transfer of pathogens along the food chain. At various points along the food chain mitigation strategies may be put into place to reduce pathogen loadings. The aim of this workshop is to enable modellers/risk assessors and food/veterinary microbiologists to exchange views on mechanisms which reduce pathogen loadings along the food chain. This will include identification of techniques for reducing pathogen loading, identifying where they may be applied along the food chain and how microbiological analysis and modelling techniques can be used in combination to develop optimal mitigation strategies for pathogen reduction.



Workshop programme:

Introduction Dr. Norval Strachan, University of Aberdeen, UK.

1. Draft risk assessment of the public health impact of E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef.
Dr. Eric Ebel USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USA.

2. An overview of mitigation strategies implemented in Iceland to reduce human exposure to Campylobacter spp. from broilers.
Dr. Asmundur E. Thorkelsson, Sudurnes Public Health Authority, Iceland.

3. Control of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat food processing environments.
Dr. W Payton Pruett, ConAgra Refrigerated Prepared Foods, USA.

4. Personal hygiene and foodborne disease.
Dr. Bruce Cords, Ecolab, Inc., USA.

Discussion & concluding remarks Dr. Iain Ogden, University of Aberdeen, UK.