|
- Sodium
Nitrite. A Q&A about
sodium nitrite - an antioxidant used to cure
meat like hot dogs, ham and bacon.
- Avian Influenza. Avian influenza
or AI is a virus that primarily affects
poultry. The disease can cause varying amounts
of illness, and even death, among poultry that
become infected. The virus can infect chickens,
turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese, and
guinea fowl, as well as a wide variety of other
birds. Migratory waterfowl have proved to be
the natural reservoir for this disease.
Fortunately, humans rarely become infected
and when they do, it is typically through
direct contact with the live bird - not the
poultry consumers purchase in grocery stores.
- Bovine
Spongiform Encephalopathy or "BSE" is an
animal disease that was first diagnosed in
cattle in the United Kingdom in 1986. BSE,
which is sometimes referred to as "Mad Cow
Disease," results when a protein in a cow's
brain becomes abnormally folded; these proteins
are called prions. In cattle, these misshapen
prions are concentrated largely in the brain
and the spinal cord.
- Choking Prevention in Children.
Young children can be at greater risk of
choking from a variety of objects, including
coins, beads, balloons and foods like grapes,
peanuts, hard candy and hot dogs. Parents can
take some easy steps to ensure that nutritious
meat and poultry are safe for young
children.
- Declines in
Bacteria. Throughout
the 1990s and into the new millennium, the
industry's ability to prevent bacteria on meat
and poultry products has increased dramatically
as a result of various new in-plant
technologies like steam pasteurization and the
transition of the industry to the use of the
prevention- oriented HACCP (Hazard Analysis and
Critical Control Points) system. At the same
time, the ability to detect pathogens on
products has increased dramatically. In
addition, the ability to track food borne
disease and tie it to a specific food product
has evolved into a practical technology.
- Foodborne
Illness. Bacteria are a natural part of our
environment and are found in air, water, in
food and even in our bodies. All raw
agricultural products - including meat and
poultry - naturally carry bacteria. Most
bacteria are harmless. Some bacteria - like
acidophilus - have health benefits. Pathogenic
bacteria however, can cause human illness.
|
|
|
| |
