Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Food Measure'

This thesis aims to critically explore how young men aged 18-24 construct ‘health’ in terms of their knowledge, beliefs and behaviours and to examine what influence these factors may have on their own lifestyle practices, particularly, but not exclusively, in relation to food and how this informs their masculine identity. Statistics suggest that as a group young men are the worst at ‘following’ health promotion guidelines and as such are ‘positioning’ themselves as being at risk of developing certain illnesses and diseases such as cancer and diabetes as a result of this non-conformance. Men’s diets are often portrayed as being unhealthy; high in meat content and low in consumption of fruit and vegetables. Furthermore men’s health is often viewed in opposition to women’s and inequalities in health between men and women are often put down to man’s pursuit of hegemonic masculinity. This thesis will argue that statistics alone do not tell the whole picture as men are not a homogenous group, with differences in sexual orientation, class and age, to name but a few. Therefore to help understand the health behaviours of young men better their voices need to be listened to. This thesis will seek to understand the impact health promotion messages as well as other ‘educational’ sources such as the media, have upon the knowledge, health beliefs and behaviours of young men and if these ‘messages’ help or hinder their participation in such. This thesis draws upon qualitative data to investigate how food and health are understood and negotiated by young men as part of their lived experiences and will take a thematic approach to data analysis. The key findings suggest that the young men involved in this research had a good knowledge of what are considered healthy behaviours however these were not necessarily the ones they followed. The men were interested in their health albeit in a way of bodily appearance, particularly in respect of fatness, and presentation of an acceptable masculine physique rather than in reducing their susceptibility to illness and disease. Food for the participants was not something to be consumed in order to sustain a ‘healthy’ blood pressure for example but was something which they used as part of their physical activity regime to help build muscle and ‘keep in shape’. This was particularly important when the body was considered to be under the judgemental ‘gaze’ of others therefore being on holiday and having a ‘holiday body’ was where the display of an acceptable masculine physique was considered essential.

Consumers now demand higher quality in all aspects of life. This has had a particular effect on the food industry where the need for quality encompasses both food safety and sensory characteristics. The sous vide process was developed to produce food on a large scale but with superior sensory qualities compared to the products of cook-chill and cook-freeze systems. This research aimed to determine whether the sous vide process could produce meals with superior sensory properties as claimed. A literature survey indicated that craft-based assessors (chefs) claimed improved qualities in sous vide products which were not consistently supported by sensory analysts (scientists). Empirical studies were conducted to test whether sous vide and conventionally processed dishes could be distinguished by untrained assessors in a controlled laboratory environment and with assessors in an ecologically valid environment, a restaurant. In the laboratory, the sous vide meals were easily distinguishable from and less acceptable than the conventionally produced dish. In the restaurant, few significant differences were found. Thus the ecologically valid environment of the restaurant where the many extrinsic factors affect consumers' perceptions, effectively masked differences between the sous vide and conventionally prepared meals. To explore the reasons for this, a survey (n188) was conducted to determine the relative importance of the intrinsic and extrinsic factors affecting the acceptability of foods when eating out. Results included a factor analysis which clearly showed components of 'customer care' had the greatest influence on the pleasure of eating out, followed by 'drink', and the absence of 'entertainment'. The factor which included 'enjoyment of food' was eleventh in the level of influence. Two scales were also devised to assess consumers' attitudes towards complaining about problems with meals and towards the technology used to produce them. This work has demonstrated that although consumers assume that the intrinsic qualities of food are the most important facator giving them pleasure when eating out, many extrinsic factors will have a much greater influence on affecting their overall pleasure from the experience.

Trade may increase or decrease by imposing food standards. Thus there is not yet a clear trend whether the standards promote or hinder trade. From political point of view, a standard is considered as trade protectionist tool, which in agricultural trade takes the form of the so-called non-tariff measure (NTMs) including the Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs), which is in the focus of this research work. The objective of this work is to quantify the protectionism of MRLs standards relative to the stringency of international standards of Codex Alimentarius and to give insights on the effects of European MRL standards on trade versus US and other countries. The empirical approach of gravity model is used to explain international trade flows. For the quantification of the protectionism we implement the aggregation index of NTMs established by Li and Beghin (2014). An importer’s MRL is defined as protectionist when the stringency of MRL standards exceeds the levels of Codex’s MRL. In our research work, the country-level results show that Europe has more protectionist food standards, compared to US.

Service orientation has been suggested to be a work-related behavioral trait that contributes toward overall job performance in certain occupations. Therefore, the Batrus Hollweg Service Questionnaire (SQ), a personality inventory, was hypothesized to predict performance in a sample (N=55) of fast-food restaurant workers whose jobs were primarily composed of service-related elements. A performance evaluation form was created for use as the criterion measure. An alternative scoring system for the SQ was developed, and showed it to be significantly correlated with the criterion. The potential for use of the alternative scoring procedure is discussed.

Small islands developing states (SIDS) sustainability is a United Nations’ aim. Their markets are often influenced by external policies imposed by larger economies. Could an anti-competitive measure affect the food vulnerability of a SIDS? This research examines the effects of an external non-tariff measure (NTM) on Puerto Rico’s (PR) agribusinesses. It explores the effects of a maritime cabotage regulation (US Jones Act) on the affordability and accessibility of produce and grains. PR imports 100% of their needs of grain and over 85% of fresh produce. PR’s food imports are generally from the US and the trade service is restricted to the use of the US maritime transportation. As a result, the supply chain of these two sectors although different, are limited by the US Act that may impact the cost of food, its availability, firms’ efficiency and other structures of production. Using a mixed convergent design, PR’s agrifood supply chains were explored and analysed in relation to the maritime cabotage regulation. Oligopolistic structures and collusion between maritime transporters and local agribusinesses importers limit the access to data, but other internal factors also have a role. Fieldwork shows that while the cabotage regulation itself is a constraint, interaction with others NTM and the current political framework between US and PR are relevant. Factors such as lack of efficiency, poor innovation and a self-limitation of the agribusinesses firms were found. The novelty of this research is the use of mixed methods to evaluate the effects of cabotage on the agrifood supply chain.

Small islands developing states (SIDS) sustainability is a United Nations’ aim. Their markets are often influenced by external policies imposed by larger economies. Could an anti-competitive measure affect the food vulnerability of a SIDS? This research examines the effects of an external non-tariff measure (NTM) on Puerto Rico’s (PR) agribusinesses. It explores the effects of a maritime cabotage regulation (US Jones Act) on the affordability and accessibility of produce and grains. PR imports 100% of their needs of grain and over 85% of fresh produce. PR’s food imports are generally from the US and the trade service is restricted to the use of the US maritime transportation. As a result, the supply chain of these two sectors although different, are limited by the US Act that may impact the cost of food, its availability, firms’ efficiency and other structures of production. Using a mixed convergent design, PR’s agrifood supply chains were explored and analysed in relation to the maritime cabotage regulation. Oligopolistic structures and collusion between maritime transporters and local agribusinesses importers limit the access to data, but other internal factors also have a role. Fieldwork shows that while the cabotage regulation itself is a constraint, interaction with others NTM and the current political framework between US and PR are relevant. Factors such as lack of efficiency, poor innovation and a self-limitation of the agribusinesses firms were found. The novelty of this research is the use of mixed methods to evaluate the effects of cabotage on the agrifood supply chain.

This preliminary study investigated the factors which influence consumer choice of beef. A questionnaire and sensory evaluation considered the level of importance which consumers attached to the sensory (intrinsic attributes) properties of beef as compared to extrinsic factors. It was found that consumers use sensory properties to predict the freshness and overall eating quality, but they can also misinterpret the quality cues. Consumers made it clear that the freshness and the place of purchase played a prominent role in their decision to purchase red meat because they perceive the retailer to be an integral part of the overall quality assessment with regard to the purchase process of mutton and beef. The Total Food Quality Model is used as the frame of reference for analysing the way in which consumers perceive meat quality. The way in which consumers form expectations about the quality at the point of purcha7se, based on their own experience and information cues available in the shopping environment, is described as well as the way in which quality is experienced in the home during and after meal preparation. The relationship between quality expectations and quality experience and its implications for consumer satisfaction and repeat purchase intent is addressed. The study collected data by means of a questionnaire to evaluate the quality perceptions of beef. Cronbach alpha as reliability coefficient recorded high levels of reliability and the factor analysis revealed that only one factor, namely that of quality considerations is present in the analysis. Furthermore, the building on the insights obtained on subjective quality perception, possibilities for consumer–oriented product development in the meat sector are addressed. Issues dealt with here are branding, differentiation by taste, healthiness and convenience.<br>Thesis (M.Sc. (Computer Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

A study was conducted to explore the usefulness of scalogram analysis of 24-hour recall dietary data as a measure of dietary complexity in relationship to other measures of social stratification, status incongruity and selected stress related health indicators in a population of Jerusalem adolescents and a sub-sample of their parents. Data used in the study were collected as part of the Jerusalem Lipid Research Clinics Prevalence Study. The study sample consisted of 2,160 adults and seventeen year olds. Twenty four hour dietary recall data were transformed into a series of food group variables based on use of any, or non use of all, food item(s) in the group. Using a Guttman scale procedure with adjustment for misclassification, separate quasi scales were generated for each of the four major ethnic groups in the study sample. Ethnicity was determined by the country of birth for adults and country of father's birth for adolescents. Each scale contained five food groups. Guttman scale scores and a dichotomous complexity score based on the Guttman scale scores were then compared with selected social stratification, nutritional, behavioral and health status variables. Univariate analyses of scale ranks with other variables showed a significant negative association with age and positive association with education of father. Spouse status inconsistency was marginally positively associated with dietary complexity. Spouse scale scores were significantly correlated for homogeneous (same origin) pairs but not for nonhomogeneous pairs. Fathers' complexity scores were associated with those of their children but mothers' scores were not. Nutrients associated with complexity were primarily fat, cholesterol and energy (positive), starch and carbohydrate (negative). Mean plasma cholesterol was higher in fathers in the high complexity group, compared to fathers in the low complexity group, but stress related health and behavioral variables did not appear to be related to dietary complexity as measured in this study. It was concluded that the Guttman procedure used with twenty-four hour recall data tends to scale one day dietary patterns rather than a dietary habit and only to the extent that the twenty-four hour intake represents habitual intake could it reliably scale people.<br>Ph. D.

Through the 137Cs mass balance method, annual consumption rates were estimated for juvenile Atlantic salmon parr and precocious males, as well as brook trout from 4 sites within the Ste Marguerite river system, Quebec. With explicit age analysis, feeding rates and growth rates were derived on an individual fish and age class basis. These represent the first consumption estimates for Atlantic salmon in the wild. The individual fish approach provided a range of data for a single site, as opposed to a single estimate per age class, allowing for an evaluation of the relationship between consumption and growth for each species or life-history variant. Subsequently, the concept of field maintenance ration was introduced as the intercept of consumption over growth.<br>Salmonid feeding rates were coupled with density estimates to derive total fish exploitation rates for two streams. The application of age- and site-specific feeding rates derived from the 137Cs mass balance method, solved a long standing paradox in stream ecology as all previously inferred salmonid exploitation rates have been in excess of prey turnover. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that causes listeriosis. This study investigates the prevalence of L. monocytogenes in food samples acquired from retail stores and street vendors around Pretoria and evaluates various probiotics as a control measure. The pathogen was isolated by selective enrichment and plating on selective media. All presumptive colonies were confirmed by morphological analysis, 16SrRNA gene BLAST analysis and inlA amplification. Probiotic antagonistic tests against two L. monocytogenes isolates acquired from food samples and three controls was performed. The probiotics used were Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus acidilacti during spot inoculation tests and well diffusion assays using probiotic cell free supernatants (CFS). The effect probiotics and their cocktails had on avocado and cucumber samples spiked with L. monocytogenes strains was assayed. Of 167 food samples, only two, avocado and cucumber, tested positive for L. monocytogenes. Samples positive for L. monocytogenes were obtained from street vendors exhibiting poor hygiene. B. animalis inhibited growth of four out five L. monocytogenes strains, L. acidophilus three, L. plantarum one while P. acidilacti inhibited none. Inhibition by all probiotic strains, their CFSs and cocktails in both food matrixes was statistically insignificant, except for L. monocytogenes T62 inhibition in avocado by B. animalis. Properties of L. monocytogenes, food medium and storage conditions used in the study could have had an impact on their inhibitory effects.<br>Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2020.<br>National Research Fund<br>Microbiology and Plant Pathology<br>MSc<br>Unrestricted

<p>Avian Influenza (AI) is a contagious viral zoonotic disease with great public health implications and negative socioeconomic impact (WHO, 2006a). The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) infection is transmitted from birds to man mostly through contact with contaminated poultry and objects (INFOSAN, 2005), hence people who come in contact with birds such as live bird sellers (LBS) are the more vulnerable population (WHO, 2006a). Inadequate knowledge of AI health risks and poor practice of AI preventive measures amongst LBS increases the risk of spread of the infection in both humans and animals.The aim of this study was to describe and quantify the knowledge and practice of LBS with regards to avian influenza health risks and preventive activities in Agege, an urban area in Lagos State, Nigeria.</p>

Orientadores: Paulo Frazão São Pedro, Jaime Aparecido Cury<br>Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba<br>Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T16:59:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Amaral_RegianeCristinado_D.pdf: 2427650 bytes, checksum: 0d135e1d4551aaf63fae253423247c32 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014<br>Resumo: Objetivos: Comparar as medidas indiretas de consumo de açúcares extrínseco, por meio de um instrumento autorreferido e por meio de três R24h (recordatório de dieta de 24 h), utilizando como método de referência a média de 3 R24h e comparar as medidas diretas (por meio de medidas bioquímicas) e medidas indiretas (por meio do R24h) de consumo de açucares a fim de verificar possível correlação entre tais medidas. Materiais e métodos: Foi conduzido um estudo observacional transversal, em uma amostra intencional composta por 87 adolescentes (13 a 16 anos), residentes no município de Piracicaba em 2011. Os adolescentes foram identificados conforme os tercis de ingestão de açúcar e os mesmos responderam a três R24h (com intervalo de 15 dias entre cada aplicação) e um instrumento autorreferido contendo questões sobre a frequência e ingestão de açúcar ao qual foram expostos, além do momento em que ingeriram. Os alimentos descritos nos R24h foram convertidos em energia (Kcal), como energia e carboidratos pelo programa Dietwin e a quantidade em gramas de açucares foram convertidas pelo programa USDA. Foram ainda coletados saliva dos voluntários a fim de que fosse realizada análise bioquímica da enzima sacarase saliva e biofilme dental para analises dos íons Ca, Pi e F presentes neste biofilme.Os adolescentes foram ainda pesados e medidos a fim de se verificar o Índice de Massa Corpórea (IMC) dos voluntários. Resultados: Ao se comparar os R24h com o instrumento autorreferido verfica-se que os valores médios obtidos por meio do instrumento são sempre superiores aos relatados na média de ingestão dos R24h, com diferença estatisticamente significativa para maioria dos itens (teste de Wilcoxon p<0,05). Em relação ao momento de ingestão, não houve uma tendência clara de superestimação, sendo que para 6 dos 11 itens avaliados, as estimativas produzidas pelos métodos não foram significativamente diferentes (teste de McNemar). Ao se comparar os R24 com as medidas bioquímicas, verifica-se que foram encontradas correlações estatisticamente significativas entre frequência/quantidade e Energia; frequência/quantidade e Carboidrato. Contudo, não foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre a frequência e a quantidade de consumo de açúcar e as medidas bioquímicas (teste de correlação de Kendall). Conclusões: As estimativas relativas ao comportamento alimentar referidas por adolescentes devem por meio de instrumento autorreferido ser consideradas com cautela. Ao se comparar as medidas indiretas (R24h) e diretas (medidas bioquímicas), observa-se que em nível populacional as medidas bioquímicas não refletem a variação da ingestão de açúcares estimada pelos R24h<br>Abstract: Objective: To compare the use of indirect measures of extrinsic sugars consumption, through an instrument of self-reported and through three R24h (diet recall 24 h), using as a reference method the R24h and to compare the direct measures (by measures biochemical ) and indirect measure (by R24h) of consumption of sugars in order to verify a possible correlation between these measures. Materials and methods: An cross-sectional observational study was conducted in a purposive sample of 87 adolescents (13-16 years) residing in the city of Piracicaba in 2011. The adolescents were identified according to tertiles of sugar intake and they answered three R24h (with an interval of 15 days between each application), and a self-reported instrument containing questions about intake, frequency of sugar and moment with which they were exposed. The foods described in the R24h were converted into energy (Kcal), with carbohydrates and energy using the Dietwin program and the amount of the sugar consumed was converted by the USDA program. Were collected saliva of volunteers to analysis of sucrase enzyme and biofilm to analysis of Ca, Pi and F present in this biofilm. Results: Comparing the R24h with the self-reported instrument in mean the values obtained from the instrument are always higher than those reported in the average intake of R24h, with a statistically significant difference for most items (Wilcoxon test p < 0 05). Regarding the time of intake, there was not a clear trend of overestimation, being that 6 of the 11 items assessed, the estimates produced by the methods were not significantly different (McNemar test). Comparing the R24h with biochemical measures, statistically significant correlations between frequency / quantity and Energy were found; frequency / quantity and Carbohydrate. However, no statistically significant differences between the frequency and the amount of sugar intake and biochemical measures (Kendall¿s correlation test) were found. Conclusions: The estimates of feeding behavior reported by the adolescent in a self-reported instrument should be considered with caution. Comparing indirect measures (R24h) and direct measure (biochemical measures), it is observed that the biochemical measures in the population level do not reflect the variation in intake of sugars estimated by R24h<br>Doutorado<br>Saude Coletiva<br>Doutora em Odontologia

Agroterrorism is the deliberate introduction of a plant or animal disease with thegoal of causing fear, economic instability, illness, or death. After the 2002 terroristattacks on the World Trade Center, the security of the food supply is of increasingconcern to the United States. A major incidence of agroterrorism or food tampering would have far reaching impacts on the economy and public health. The first objective of this project was to determine knowledge and concern of agroterrorism in meat processing facilities in Kentucky, and to determine knowledge and concern of food tampering and food defense in food service establishments in Warren County, Kentucky. The second objective was to determine security strategies that were being implemented by these facilities. Two separate surveys, one for meat processors and the other for food service establishments, were designed to meet these objectives. An observational study was conducted for meat processing facilities. It was found that these facilities were generally unconcerned with agroterrorism, although a reasonable amount of security implementations were in place at these facilities. A statistical comparison between restaurants and non-restaurant food service establishments, such as schools, hospitals, and hotels, was performed. Both types of food service establishments expressed little concern about a food tampering event. Non- restaurant food service establishments were slightly more concerned than restaurants about both food tampering and food defense.

A importância da implantação do sistema APPCC/HACCP em moinhos de trigo foi avaliada em três moinhos na regiões sul e sudeste do Brasil, focando o estudo nos aspectos microbiológicos da etapa demolhagem do trigo do processo de fabricação de farinha. Nesses moinhos, as paredes das roscas molhadora e distribuidora dos grãos de trigo apresentavam crostas com elevada atividade de água - 0,98, favorável à multiplicação microbiana. A limpeza das roscas era apenas mensal e a água usada na etapa da molhagem dos grãos não era clorada. Os estudos de APPCC/HACCP realizados indicaram que a etapa de molhagem era para estes moinhos um Ponto Crítico de Controle (PCC), constatando-se que as contagens microbianas 24 horas após a limpeza atingiam valores muito elevados. As medidas de controle adotadas foram a remoção diária das crostas para cloração entre 1 a 2 ppm da água, ou remoção semanal das crostas com cloração de 100 ppm da água. Verificou-se que água clorada de 1 a 2 ppm não melhorava as contagens microbianas na crosta, enquanto a cloração a 100 ppm baixava as contagens em dois ciclos log. Com esse nível de cloração, a limpeza podia ser feita semanalmente. Análises de verificação feitas em farinha de trigo apontaram que essas medidas de controle reduziam o risco de rejeição do produto por empresas clientes fabricantes de prqdutos derivados de trigo que adotam critérios microbiológicos bastante restritivos, mais rigorosos que os estabelecidos pela legislação pertinente.<br>The importance of introduction of HACCP system in wheat flour mills was evaluated in three mills of the South and Southeast regions of Brasil, focusing on the microbiological aspects of the grains wetting step of the flour production process. In these mills, the walls of the wetting augers and auger conveyors presented crusts with high water activity - 0,98, conducive to microbial growth. The cleaning of these points had been carried out on a monthly basis, using non-chlorinated water. HACCP studies indicated that the grains wetting step was a Criticai Control Point (CCP) and 24 hours after cleaning the microbial counts were very high. The control measures were removal of crusts on a daily basis using chlorination of water at 1 to 2 ppm, or removal of crusts on a weekly basis using chlorination at 100 ppm. The reduction of counts when 1 to 2 ppm chlorinated water was used was insignificant, but 100 ppm achieved two logs reduction. Using this level of chlorination, the cleaning could be done on a weekly basis. Verification analysis, carried out on wheat flour, indicated that these measures reduced the risk of rejection of the product by pasta and bakery goods manufacturers with strict microbiological acceptance criteria.

The effect of Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) on agri-food trade has drawn broad research interest and gained a substantial attention by scientific community as well as by policy makers. Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) standards among others represent a major challenge for trade policy and food safety. The identification and measurement of the economic implications of NTMs require the use of an adequate both methodological and empirical framework to derive sound estimates. By targeting economic sectors and issues not previously investigated, this Thesis contributes to previous literature on determining the factors that affect the implementation of SPS and their effects on trade flows. Four specific objectives have been pursued in four papers that constitute the main body of the present Thesis. The main purpose of the first paper is to investigate the scope of the reputation effect over time. To do so, we use The European Union (EU)'s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) data on sanitary and phytosanitary notifications from 1998 to 2013. Two count data models have been implemented to estimate the distribution of current notifications. In line with previous literature, our findings indicate that reputation does affect current EU notifications. Furthermore, we identify some relevant exporter countries for which reputation is long-lasting. The second paper aims at analyzing the behavior of the EU in controlling Aflatoxin (AF) contamination with respect to tree nuts and groundnuts for the period (1998-2015). To conduct this analysis, we have used a count data model, based on political economy considerations, past alerts and path dependence effects. Policy changes, including harmonization of AF standards and their further relaxing are estimated to have significant impact on the frequency of border controls. In the third paper, we seek to assess the influencing factors on food standard enforcement in the EU with a special attention to agri-food imports from Mediterranean countries. We explore if there is any special treatment toward Mediterranean countries in controlling agri-food imports, testing if past border notifications affect current decisions on the implementation of food standards by the EU. RASFF notifications data over the period 2000-2012, and count data models are used for this purpose. Our empirical results support the hypothesis that previous food notifications may slightly affect current notifications; nevertheless, this effect seems to be less relevant for products of interest for Mediterranean Partner Countries. Hence, we cannot identify a pro or anti Mediterranean bias in the way that food safety controls are implemented at the EU borders. The last paper focuses on the assessment of the competitiveness of the Tunisian agri-food sector before signing the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) with the EU. Specifically, competitive advantage measurement, based on the Tunisian National Institute of Statistics (INS) data over 2007-2012 period, has been used for this purpose. The analysis of the Tunisian agri-food sector reveals an important potential for exporting some agri-food staples. Recently, Tunisia is facing new challenges in exporting strategic products underlying the importance of adopting new business and marketing strategies or prospecting new markets. However, some agri-food subsectors, mainly animal products, milk and dairy products and cereals, remain unprepared to overcome the costs of the DCFTA due to their low competitiveness. Hence, Tunisian authorities could propose a progressive trade liberalization strategy with the EU.<br>El efecto de las medidas no arancelarias sobre el comercio agroalimentario ha generado un amplio interés en la investigación y ha recibido una atención considerable por parte de la comunidad científica y de los políticos de comercio. Las Medidas Sanitarias y Fitosanitarias (MSP), entre otras, representan un reto importante para la política comercial y la inocuidad de los alimentos. La identificación y medición de las implicaciones económicas de las MNT requieren el uso de un marco metodológico o empírico adecuado para derivar estimaciones sólidas. Al enfocarse en sectores económicos y temas no investigados previamente, esta tesis contribuye a la literatura previa sobre la determinación de los factores que afectan la implementación del MSP. La tesis estudia cuatro cuestiones principales que se reflejan en cuatro artículos científicos independientes, que constituyen el elemento central de la misma. El principal objetivo del primer artículo es el de investigar el efecto reputación a lo largo del tiempo. Para ello, utilizamos los datos RASFF para el periodo 1998-2013. Se han implementado dos modelos de datos de recuento para estimar la distribución de las notificaciones actuales. De acuerdo con la literatura anterior, nuestras conclusiones indican que la reputación afecta a las notificaciones actuales de la UE. Además, identificamos algunos países exportadores relevantes cuya reputación es duradera. El segundo artículo analiza el comportamiento de la UE en el control de la contaminación por Aflatoxina (AF) con respecto a los frutos secos entre el periodo 1998 y 2015. Para llevar a cabo este análisis, hemos utilizado un modelo de datos de recuento, basado en consideraciones de economía política, alertas pasadas y efectos de dependencia de trayectoria. Se estima que los cambios en las políticas, incluida la armonización de las normas AF y su posterior relajación, tienen un impacto significativo en la frecuencia de los controles en las fronteras. En el tercer artículo, tratamos de evaluar los factores que influyen en la aplicación de normas alimentarias en la UE prestando especial atención a las importaciones agroalimentarias procedentes de países mediterráneos. Así, estudiamos si hay algún tratamiento especial hacia los países mediterráneos en el control de las importaciones agroalimentarias, contrastando si las notificaciones pasadas afectan las decisiones actuales sobre la aplicación de las normas alimentarias por parte de la UE. Los datos de las notificaciones RASFF durante el período 2000-2012 y los modelos de datos de recuento se utilizan para este fin. Nuestros resultados empíricos apoyan la hipótesis de que las notificaciones anteriores pueden afectar ligeramente a las notificaciones actuales. Sin embargo, este efecto parece ser menos relevante para los productos procedentes de los países mediterráneos. Por lo tanto, no podemos identificar un comportamiento pro o anti mediterráneo en la forma en que se implementan controles de seguridad alimentaria en las fronteras de la UE.El último documento se centra en la evaluación de la competitividad del sector agroalimentario tunecino antes de firmar el Acuerdo de Libre Comercio Profundo y Amplio con la UE. Concretamente, se han utilizado indicadores de las ventajas competitivas, basándose en los datos del INS para el período 2007-2012. El análisis del sector agroalimentario tunecino revela un importante potencial de exportación de algunos productos básicos agroalimentarios. Recientemente, Túnez se enfrenta a nuevos retos en la exportación de productos estratégicos subrayando la importancia de adoptar nuevas estrategias comerciales y de comercialización o prospección de nuevos mercados. Sin embargo, algunos subsectores agroalimentarios, principalmente productos de origen animal, leche y productos lácteos y cereales, siguen sin estar preparados para soportar los costos del acuerdo de libre comercio profundo y completo debido<br>L'efecte de les mesures no aranzelàries (MNT) sobre el comerç agroalimentari ha generat un ampli interés en la investigació i ha rebut una atenció considerable per part de la comunitat científica i dels polítics de comerç. Les Mesures Sanitàries i Fitosanitàries (MSP) , entre altres, representen un repte important per a la política comercial i la innocuïtat dels aliments. La identificació i mesurament de les implicacions econòmiques de les MNT requerixen l'ús d'un marc metodològic o empíric adequat per a derivar estimacions sòlides. A l'enfocar-se en sectors econòmics i temes no investigats prèviament, esta tesi contribuïx a la literatura prèvia sobre la determinació dels factors que afecten la implementació del MSF. La tesi estudia quatre qüestions principals que es reflectixen en quatre articles científics independents, que constituïxen l'element central de la mateixa. El principal objectiu del primer article és el d'investigar l'efecte reputació al llarg del temps. Per a això, utilitzem les dades RASFF per al període 1998-2013. S'han implementat dos models de dades de recompte per a estimar la distribució de les notificacions actuals. D'acord amb la literatura anterior, les nostres conclusions indiquen que la reputació afecta les notificacions actuals de la UE. A més, identifiquem alguns països exportadors rellevants la reputació de les quals és duradora. El segon article analitza el comportament de la UE en el control de la contaminació per Aflatoxina (AF) respecte a les fruites seques entre el període 1998 i 2015. Per a dur a terme esta anàlisi, hem utilitzat un model de dades de recompte, basat en consideracions d'economia política, alertes passades i efectes de dependència de trajectòria. S'estima que els canvis en les polítiques, inclosa l'harmonització de les normes AF i la seua posterior relaxació, tenen un impacte significatiu en la freqüència dels controls en les fronteres. En el tercer article, tractem d'avaluar els factors que influïxen en l'aplicació de normes alimentàries en la UE, prestant especial atenció a les importacions agroalimentàries procedents de països mediterranis. Així, estudiem si hi ha algun tractament especial cap als països mediterranis en el control de les importacions agroalimentàries, contrastant si les notificacions passades afecten les decisions actuals sobre l'aplicació de les normes alimentàries per part de la UE. Les dades de les notificacions RASFF durant el període 2000-2012 i els models de dades de recompte s'utilitzen per a este fi. Els nostres resultats empírics recolzen la hipòtesi que les notificacions anteriors poden afectar lleugerament les notificacions actuals. No obstant això, este efecte pareix menys rellevant per als productes procedents dels països mediterranis. Per tant, no podem identificar un comportament pro o anti mediterrani en la forma en què s'implementen controls de seguretat alimentària en les fronteres de la UE. L'últim document se centra en l'avaluació de la competitivitat del sector agroalimentari tunisenc abans de firmar l'Acord de Lliure Comerç Profund i Ampli amb la UE. Concretament, s'ha utilitzat indicadors dels avantatges competitius, basant-se en les dades de l'INS per al període 2007-2012. L'anàlisi del sector agroalimentari tunisenc revela un important potencial d'exportació d'alguns productes bàsics agroalimentaris. Recentment, Tunis s'enfronta a nous reptes en l'exportació de productes estratègics subratllant la importància d'adoptar noves estratègies comercials i de comercialització o prospecció de nous mercats. No obstant això, alguns subsectors agroalimentaris, principalment productes d'origen animal, llet i productes lactis i cereals, seguixen sense estar preparats per a suportar els costos de l'ALCD a causa de la seua baixa competitivitat. Per tant, les autoritats tunisenques podrien proposar una estratègia progres<br>Taghouti, I. (2017). A political economy approach to measuring EU food standard enforcement and their implications on agri-food trade [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/89095<br>TESIS

Thesis (M. Tech. Environmental health) -- Central University of technology, Free State, 2011<br>Millions of people in South Africa eat out every day, utilising the food service sector. Although the lack of an effective reporting system makes it difficult to know how many of these people suffer from food-borne illness, statistics from the developed countries show that this number may be significant. There is, therefore, the need to ensure that the food service sector, which encompasses fast food outlets, hotels and similar accommodation outlets offering food and beverage services, restaurants, caterers, etc., implement effective food safety management systems. Internationally, the trend has been that food safety management systems should be based on the internationally accepted Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles. In South Africa, the implementation of HACCP as a food safety management system has been driven by international trade requirements where foods are exported to countries such as the European Union or the United States of America. A national regulation requiring HACCP implementation was promulgated in 2003, but compliance is not yet required for the food service sector. Currently, neither of the above mentioned factors put adequate pressure on the food service sector to implement formal food safety management systems. However, increasing international tourism and the hosting of international sporting events has brought this sector under scrutiny. Food handlers have been implicated in many outbreaks of food-borne illness and much research has been done to investigate causal factors in this regard. Food handler training has been proposed as a strategy to improve food safety practices. However, research has shown that the traditional provision of food safety and food hygiene knowledge does not equate to improved food safety behaviours. Some authors postulate that the organisational context, created largely by the management of an organisation, is of greater significance than training. Less research is available on these management factors – defined as the situational factors when discussing organisational culture, or defined as enabling and reinforcing factors when discussing food handler behaviour. This study commenced with the hypothesis that food handlers are not able to implement the correct food safety behaviours in the absence of sufficient management support. This support would require appropriate policies regarding food safety, the provision of training and infrastructure and enforcing the correct behaviours by line management, as a minimum. The aim of this study was to investigate and assess the role of line management in relation to food safety at a prominent South African entertainment facility. In order to achieve this, the following objectives were defined for the study: to conduct a qualitative assessment of the role of management in food safety, to assess the role of management in the provision of food safety training and to assess the role of management in the provision of a basic hygiene infrastructure at the study site in order to allow food handlers to carry out the correct behaviours. The objective of conducting a qualitative study of management practices, policies and resource provision with respect to food safety revealed that there was no formal evidence of management commitment to food safety other than the recent provision of food handler training. The findings also indicated a lack of a formal management system for food safety at the study site. In the exploratory survey of food safety training and knowledge, results showed that only 60 % of staff in the survey had received training. This indicates that at the time of the survey, the study site did not fully comply with the minimum legal requirements for food handler training. The results of the employee survey further indicated that employees were aware of the importance of hand washing although it was not possible to determine whether this knowledge was as a result of the training intervention or prior knowledge. Many of the supervisors were not yet trained in food safety and the impact of the food safety training intervention on related behaviours at the site will require further in-depth assessment. Upon investigating the food hygiene infrastructure provided at the study site to allow food handlers to carry out the correct behaviours, findings indicated that although the personnel hygiene programme addressed most of best practice requirements in design, the implementation of the hand washing requirements was not aligned with accepted norms due to the lack of sufficient hand wash basins. The provision of facilities such as sufficient and conveniently located hand wash basins is a management function and findings suggest that, as a priority, management should ensure that they are not contributing to the lack of implementation of the correct food safety behaviours of food handlers as a result of failing to provide the necessary resources. The results of this study should be of value in the food service sector, specifically hotel kitchens, as a guideline to ensure that management plays an effective role in facilitating food safety management systems. A robust food safety and food hygiene training programme for all levels of the organisation is essential in ensuring adequate knowledge of food safety hazards and correct practices. Training should be supported by daily supervision of food safety controls, management commitment and a work environment that supports the implementation of the correct behaviours. Literature has shown that undesirable practices are often deeply rooted in kitchen culture. It has further been commented that culture changes require a top-down approach which usually involves working with the leadership of the organisation. Important policies and procedures generally originate from the management tiers and will always require the concurrence of management in providing resources, altering priorities or otherwise changing how things are done in the organisation. The results of this study are invaluable in highlighting areas in an organisation that could be targeted to change the kitchen culture. Such changes are primarily the responsibility of management. Ultimately, this study endeavours to contribute to the body of knowledge pointing to the role of social-behavioural aspects in ensuring food safety and thereby consumer well-being.

Oils from soybeans and catfish by-products were extracted using hexane, propane, and supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2). Free fatty acids (FFA), peroxide values (PV), anisidine values (AnV), total oxidation (TOTOX), induction point (IP), iodine values (IV), and 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) were all measured to analyze oxidation of these oils. The extraction yield of propane, hexane, and SCCO2 oils was 80.4, 94.5, and 90%, in respect to total lipid content. Oils extracted with SCCO2 were more oxidized than those extracted with propane and hexane; probably due to the higher temperature and longer extraction time. The IP correlated with AnV, IV, PV, and TBARS for soybean and catfish oils. These results suggest that IP is the optimum way to measure soybean and catfish oil stability.

Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Environmental Health in the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011<br>The retail sector in South Africa is increasingly evolving into a dynamic industry, driven by changes in technology, saturating markets and globalisation. A major phenomenon in South Africa has been the evolution of hypermarkets, which sell large quantities of almost all consumer goods on a self-service basis. The South African consumers are becoming increasingly health conscious and, as such, the demand for wellness foods, health and convenience food has escalated. Convenience foods are expected to remain popular with consumers and supermarkets and will therefore increase the amount of ready-to-eat food items offered. As the retail industry has changed over the last two decades, so has the epidemiology of foodborne illnesses, with an increase in the incidence of bacterial infections caused by emerging organisms. In addition, there are certain food safety issues specifically associated with ready-to-eat foods. In recent years, incidences of enteric diseases associated with meat consumption have risen. The emergence of several new foodborne diseases has led to an increased focus attention on the issue of food safety by consumers and the industry. The most commonly implicated foods in these disease outbreaks have been meat and dairy products. The microbial load of eight convenience food manufacturing plants was determined by firstly sampling stainless steel food contact surfaces after they had been cleaned and sanitised at the end of a day‘s shift. The samples were analysed for Total Plate Count (TPC), Escherichia coli, Salmonella species and Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria. The results showed that 59 % of the total areas sampled for TPC failed to comply with the legal requirements for food surfaces specified in the South African Health Act (< 100 cfu.cm-2). Listeria was detected in 23 % of the samples taken and E.coli was found in 1.3 % of the samples, while S. aureus was not detected in any of the samples. Fifty percent of the plants applied conventional cleaning methods for cleaning and sanitation and the remaining 50 % used the low-pressure foam (LPF) method. The bacterial results of the two cleaning methods were statistically compared and a statistically significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) was found between the TPC means of the cleaning methods after cleaning. No statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) was found in terms of the Listeria species counts after both cleaning processes. The LPF method proved to be the superior cleaning option for reducing TPC counts. Secondly surface samples were collected from washed and sanitised dominant hands of food handlers and analysed for the presence of total plate counts, S. aureus and E. coli. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of hand washing practices and sanitation before commencing work. A total of 230 samples were collected, involving 100 % of the food handlers in selected convenience food outlets. The highest bacterial count taken from handswas 7.4 x 10-3 cfu.cm-2 and the lowest showed no detectable growth. Forty percent of the TPC analysed complied with the legal limit of < 100 cfu.cm-2 and only 18 % of the food handlers had no detectable bacteria present on their hands. One hand sample tested positive for E. coli, which is generally viewed as an indication of faecal contamination. S. aureus could not be detected on the hands of any of the food handlers. The results of this study indicated that hand hygiene is unsatisfactory and underlined the importance of further training to improve food handlers‘ knowledge of good hand washing practices. The study also aimed to present data on the food hygiene knowledge and practices of food handlers based on a representative sample from convenience food outlets in the Gauteng area. The management, as well as food handlers, were interviewed without prior announcement and managers were interviewed prior to starting their shifts, followed by food handlers, after they had passed through the change room and hand wash facilities. Although the majority of food handlers adhered to basic hygiene principles, the results highlighted a need for proper and continuous training in hygiene practices, not only for food handlers, but also for management. Furthermore, all food handlers should adhere to a formal cleaning schedule and specific courses should be planned for food handlers. Most training is done away from the workplace and the workers might find it difficult to translate theory into practice. Although food safety training programmes are essential, behavioural changes will not occur merely as a result of having received training but rather continuous development of food handlers. In conclusion, the popularity of convenience food is bound to increase with the growing appeal for modern foods. Consumers in South Africa nowadays demand good quality and safe products at a reasonable cost. Due to continuous time constraints, convenience food is the food of the future for the working mother. It is clear that managing foodborne disease is a challenge and an economic problem subject to various constraints. Food safety has too often become a hit-or-miss gamble, with parents obliged to roll the dice when it comes to the safety of their children‘s food and consumers in general. The food industry therefore needs to improve food safety processes to prevent the contamination of foods and use methods to ensure safe food for consumers. Better training, more testing and better methods of tracking food must be utilised to verify that the processes are working. This study endeavoured to add to the understanding and improvement of hygiene processes as well as food handlers‘ practices in the convenience food industry in the Gauteng Province.

This dissertation examines changes in Hong Kong’s food safety institutions using an historical institutional approach. Hong Kong has faced enormous challenges in food safety over the last two decades. The avian flu crisis in 1997 and the malachite green crisis in 2005 were the two most notable examples. Both crises were recipes for institutional change. There was drastic reform in 2000 to form a unified food safety authority, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, to replace the old legacy of municipal councils and municipal service departments. The established municipal councils failed to sustain themselves and the government replaced them with new institutions. Moreover, in 2005, the government proposed a new Food Safety, Inspection and Quarantine Department to overcome failings in food safety. These changes and reforms developed in variance from what could have been expected using theories of punctuated equilibrium and critical juncture (which emphasize exogenous shocks). My investigation suggests that we should not just focus on critical junctures and exogenous shocks but also study the processes and events outside these events. We cannot take it for granted that a significant exogenous shock will automatically result in institutional change without exploring the role they play and the mechanisms involved. Other endogenous processes or gradual changes may disrupt the mechanisms of institutional reproduction. My research also suggests that the form of institutional change cannot be predicted based on critical junctures and exogenous events. Focusing on the features of political context and institutional properties, we can understand how it is possible to switch between different modes to fit the prevailing institutional and political context. Political appointees and senior civil servants, as change agents, need to focus on political barriers in the legislature before any institutional change in government can eventually succeed. Without major change in Hong Kong’s political system and landscape, there is less likelihood of introducing controversial policy changes, including institutional change. Change agents are more likely to make use of different modes of institutional change, such as layering and conversion, in order to circumvent political barriers and the stickiness of old institutions.<br>published_or_final_version<br>Politics and Public Administration<br>Doctoral<br>Doctor of Philosophy

Due to the growing world population, the environmental impact from the food supply chain is currently increasing in a global perspective, essentially because the global food consumption is increasing in general. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that about one third of the edible portions of the food produced globally is lost or wasted along the way from raw materials to the dinner plate. When food is produced, transported, stored, treated and processed in different ways it consumes a lot of resources and energy and causes large negative impact on the environment due to emissions of pollutants affecting waters, soil and air. When food is wasted somewhere in the food supply chain, it implies unnecessary emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants and also entails a pointless extraction and use of natural resources: each since the production is made in vain. Sustainable development has been generally accepted as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Quite simple, this means that humanity of today needs to conserve the remaining resources on Earth and sharply reduce the anthropogenic environmental impact. In order to attain a state where man can live in equilibrium with the natural world,humanity must pursue sustainability in every activity and every movement. According to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) a reduction of food loss within the food supply chain could facilitate society’s quest to develop in a sustainable manner. The retail store is one place where large numbers of food items are gathered at the same location and where a lot of food is discarded, many times completely in vain. It is thus a suitable place to take actions to reduce the foodloss in a quite effective way. In a Swedish retail store located in Uppsala, two product specific measures have been introduced; a new display table intended to reduce the loss bananas and a new price reduction routine intended to reduce the loss of grilled chicken. This thesis aims to investigate whether the measures put in place actually have resulted in reduced losses or not. The goal of the study was to examine how much unnecessary environmental impact (in terms of contribution to global warming) that hence has been avoided. The research questions are studied through a combination of data analyses, interviews and life-cycle assessments. SWOT analyses have also been conducted in order to evaluate the introduced measures in terms of contribution to sustainable development within the food sector. The results of the study concluded that the measure based on price reduction has reduced the losses of grilled chicken with approximately 200 kg per annum. This implies that an annual climate impact of around 430 kgCO2-equivalents has not been caused in vain, which should be the case if the 200 kg of chickens had instead been discarded. The study however shows that the measure is not particularly effective and could be improved in order to further reduce the daily losses. The data analysis show that the banana waste that arises during the exposure in the store has decreased with 1 200 kg per year, implying that around 1 400 CO2-equivalents has not been caused in vain. However, the study also shows that a rather complex system containing economic routines for handling food waste, most likely is wrongly used. Unfortunately, the routines may affect the registered waste outcome from the new display table due to a relocation of the waste from one waste category to another. The new display table’s effect on the total waste quantity is therefore difficult to evaluate. The conducted SWOT-analyses finally concluded that both introduced measures had strong environmental and economic benefits (and also favorable social benefits in the case of the display table), making them good and useful interdisciplinary solutions in terms of sustainability: thus contributing to a sustainable development within the food sector.

This thesis estimates the impact of non-tariff measures (NTMs) notified by the importing countries on agricultural trade. The non-tariff measures constitute the technical measures notified under the SPS and TBT agreements and the non-technical measures to trade. Two approaches are used; the inventory approach and the econometric approach which makes use of the gravity model. The inventory results suggest that African countries face more restrictions on their exports than what they impose on their imports. Also, Uganda, Senegal and Mali are among the top twenty most affected importers. The empirical results suggest that the impact of the overall group on non-tariff measures is ambiguous but when measures are disaggregated into technical and non-technical measures, the results show that the technical measures promote agricultural trade and that the non-technical measures restrict trade. Also, imports of industrialized nations from fellow industrialized nations are promoted by the technical measures but are restricted by non-technical measures, while those from non-industrialized countries are affected negatively by both technical and non-technical measures. Out of the five regions considered, Africa faces the largest negative impact by both technical and non-technical measures.<br>Master of Science

The aim of the present study was to determine the convergent validity of three instruments thought to assess attention deficits and hyperactivity in children. The Freedom from Distractibility factor from the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised, The Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire and the Gordon Diagnostic System were the instruments chosen for the investigation as they are thought to measure attention deficits across a variety of settings and by different means. To examine the relationship, responses were collected for 36 children (26 males, 10 females) in Grades 1 to 7 attending schools in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia and who according to parent reports exhibited behavior patterns similar to the descriptions needed for the diagnosis of Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder. Results of the analyses are inclusive and need to be followed up in subsequent research. The WISC-R provides a valid and reliable measure of general cognitive ability. Two subtests from the WISC-R, Coding and Digit Span appeared to measure attention, however the Freedom from Distractibility Quotient should not be utilized as a measure of attention. Learning Problems and the Hyperactivity Index on the Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire also serve as measures of attention. In a more general sense the Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire might be a useful contribution to an assessment battery as a description of a child's behavior from a parent's point of view and as such provides an ecological assessment of behavior. It also allows one to measure behavior over time. The Vigilance and Distractibility total correct and errors of commission would appear to be measures of attention while the Delay task failed to classify the children according to the behavior objectives set out by the study.<br>Education, Faculty of<br>Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of<br>Graduate

This thesis addresses the area of human infant olfaction, which has hitherto been a somewhat neglected area in psychology. A review of the available literature showed that a number of different experimental approaches to infant olfaction could be identified. It was concluded from this literature review that infants display a degree of olfactory competence in the weeks after birth. These previous findings are discussed in the light of a model concerned with odour significance. This model is systems-based and suggests an explanation for the apparent olfactory competence of human infants in the first weeks of life. It is argued that this may derive from pre-natal exposure to odorants and consequent acceleration of maturation in the foetal olfactory system. The experiments reported in this thesis concentrated on the cortical reactions of infants to a small range food odours. These reactions were plotted by means of a technique involving electro-encephalography. This technique involves a computerised imaging system which summarises cortical potentials from twenty-eight locations on the scalp and is known as Brain Electrical Activity Mapping (BEAM). It is believed that this is the first time that this method has been used to examine responses to odour in human infants. This study also involved the use of a special low ambient odour testing environment. A parallel study used respiratory plethysmography to test odour response. The major findings of the BEAM research are as follows: 1) The BEAM technique has been shown to be a practical method in the psychophysical measurement of cortical responses to odour in the human infant. 2) Human infants at the age of three months show a pattern of cortical activity in response to a small range of food odours. 3) There is evidence that a limited area of the infant brain is responding to these odours. It was argued that these findings lent some support to the model described above. However, similar findings to that of the BEAM work were not shown by the respiratory plethysmography study. This was explained by problems in data handling techniques. It was concluded that the BEAM method could be used to further knowledge in the area of infant olfactory response. Possible improvements to the experimental technique were discussed which would allow testing of infant response to maternal odour. Such future work could shed considerable light on the role of olfaction in the early infant-mother relationship.

This dissertation explores technical regulations (sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, technical barriers to trade, and geographical indications) in Central American agricultural and food trade. In the first part, a framework to systematically evaluate the broad issues for developing countries is presented. Evaluation of the issues for Central America is based on interviews with about 100 persons in the region and in the United States (US), and on secondary sources. The topic is of significance in Central America, especially when related to SPS measures. The World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreements have had relatively little direct impact in improving Central Americaâ s response to technical regulations, while homologous Central American regional institutions may have been more successful, with indirect support from the WTO and the US, in reducing the incidence of illegitimate regulations in intra-regional trade. Central America may implement illegitimate barriers more against others in the region than against the US. Although the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) may support Central Americaâ s capacity to meet more stringent technical regulations, the improvement may not be sufficiently perceptible. The potential for Central American greenhouse tomato exports to the US is analytically evaluated in the second part. These tomatoes may be admitted as the ban based on the risk of introduction of the Mediterranean fruit fly is partially lifted, due in part on discussions in the CAFTA negotiations. Mature green, vine-ripe and greenhouse tomatoes are heterogeneous in demand, and vine-ripe tomatoes are but greenhouse tomatoes are not heterogeneous by origin. A static partial equilibrium model is constructed for the US tomato market, where demand is based on multi-stage budgeting and supply is a function of own tomato price. When the Central American greenhouse excess supply function is introduced to the model, the region exports to the US, the aggregate greenhouse quantity increases, and its prices decrease. As greenhouse preference increases, greenhouse quantity and prices also increase. Changes are perceptible but small in the mature green and vine-ripe markets in the expected direction. Access by Central America is particularly beneficial when US consumer preferences shift further toward greenhouse over other tomatoes.<br>Ph. D.

An investigation into the effects of plantar foot pressure on the microcirculation of healthy subjects and patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis was carried out. In the light of no equipment available to carry out this study a new system was developed. A shoe device was built with a combined pressure/skin blood flow transducer embedded in a three-tier piston mechanism in the heel so that plantar foot pressure could be applied/removed and quantified. The skin blood flow transducer made contact with the skin and was able to collect data about the microcirculatory state of the skin. The first system developed consisted of the laser Doppler Fluxmeter (Moor Instruments Ltd., UK) used to collect skin blood flow information and incorporating a strain gauge (Kyowa Electronic Instruments Co. Ltd., Japan) to quantify plantar foot pressure applied to the centre of the heel. This system was visually/sound synchronised and due to the time delay error it was modified. For the final system developed, the strain gauge was replaced with a custom-made Novel capacitative transducer (Novel, Germany) to quantify pressure. This allowed for the pressure system to be electronically synchronised in real time with the laser Doppler fluxmeter using an electronic synchronisation box. A number of studies were carried out to validate the systems. The developed systems were used to: (a) investigate the effects of the venoarteriolar response in healthy subjects with regards to the effects of plantar foot pressure on skin blood flow. The study concluded that subject positioning (that is, supine or semi-weight bearing) has an effect on how the microcirculation of the skin reacts to applied pressure. Thus, studies investigating the effects of external pressure on skin blood flow must have their subjects in a position that is related to what is being studies; (b) investigate the effects of plantar foot pressure on skin blood flow in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. A healthy control group was compared with a cohort of patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis with no evidence of vasculitis. The study concluded that there were no significant differences between both groups. A number of articles have been published from this thesis (see Appendix 14).

Lupane and Hwange districts fall under natural region IV and V and lie in the semi-arid regions of Zimbabwe with low and erratic mean annual rainfall not exceeding 600mm. Seventy percent of Zimbabwe’s population lives in communal areas, whose livelihood is based on agriculture. The communities in these areas mainly practice mixed farming systems. However, crop production is constrained by water availability and suitable production techniques. As a result households in these areas are experiencing worsening levels of household food insecurity. Two irrigation schemes were identified for this study and these are located in these two districts. Tshongokwe irrigation scheme is located in Lupane district and Lukosi irrigation scheme is located in Hwange district and these irrigation schemes are about 25 hectares in size. Lupane and Hwange districts are considered to be one of the most food insecure areas in the country because of the frequent droughts and unreliable rainfall in the region. The major tool of enquiry in this study was the questionnaire which was used to collect data from the households that farm on irrigated land and those that farm on dryland farming. Household and farm characteristics were collected using structured questionnaires with the help of locally recruited and trained enumerators. Agricultural production, household consumption and marketing of agricultural produce were accessed using the questionnaire to establish problems experienced by farmers. The main objective of this study was to investigate the determinants of household food security using a logistic regression model. The model was initially fitted with thirteen variables, selected from factors identified by previous researchers that affect food security in communal areas. Six variables were found to be significant at 1, 5 and 10 percent significance level and all had the expected signs except farm size. These factors include access to irrigation, farm size, cattle ownership, fertilizer application, household size and per capita aggregate production. The results obtained were further analyzed to compute partial effects on continuous variables and change in probabilities on the discrete variables for the significant factors in the logistic regression model. Analysis of partial effects revealed that household size, farm size, cattle ownership and per capita aggregate production lead to a greater probability of household being food secure. Change in probability results showed that having access to irrigation and using fertilizer can increase the probability of household being food secure The findings of this study highlight a positive and significant relationship between access to irrigation, fertilizer application, cattle ownership, per capita aggregate production to household food security. Household size and farm size have a negative and significant relationship on household food security. This study shows the effectiveness of irrigated farming over dryland farming in the semi-arid areas. The results show increased agricultural production, crop diversification and higher incomes from irrigation farming as compared to dry land farming. Irrigation farming has enabled many households to diversify their source of income and generate more income. Irrigation has enabled households with irrigation not only to feed themselves throughout the year but also to invest on non-agricultural goods and services from incomes received from crop sales Based on the results from the logistic regression model, it can be concluded that household size, farm size, per capita aggregate production, cattle ownership, fertilizer application and access to irrigation have a positive effect on household food security and the magnitude of changes in conditional probabilities have an impact on household food security.

Thesis (MTech (Quality (Engineering)))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017.<br>Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) is a segment of quality assurance which guarantees that food products produced are uniform and controlled to the appropriate quality standards for their required use and as expected by the marketing authority. A survey was carried out to assess the awareness and implementation level of GMP guidelines amongst manufacturers in the Western Cape, South Africa. Based on a literature review on GMP in the food manufacturing establishments a research problem was identified forming the crux of the research which reads as follows: “the lack of enforcement of approved standards within the food manufacturing establishments in the Western Cape Province, South Africa may result in the food product quality being questioned by consumers”. The objective of this study was to assess the awareness and implementation of GMP among food manufacturing establishments in the Western Cape. The literature was reviewed to discover what is currently known concerning GMP in the food manufacturing industries. Fresh food produce manufacturing establishments in the Western Cape Province South Africa were targeted for this study, with 52 responding to the questionnaires. Data was collected by means of self-administered structured questionnaires and individual face-to-face interviews with six of the establishments that participated in the questionnaires. Data for the questionnaires was analysed by means Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 19 software programme in order to generate descriptive statistical results and to determine potential areas for improvement in the establishments surveyed. Data for individual face-to-face interview was recorded by transcribing and analysed by inductive reasoning. In particular, Cronbach’s alpha was utilized to test the reliability of the key items of GMP.

Thesis (M. Tech. Environmental health) -- Central University of technology, Free State, 2011<br>Although the application of low pH is common practice in food preservation, the emergence of acid tolerance has been reported world-wide amidst a growing concern that preservation with weak acids, such as organic acids may be influenced as a result of food-borne bacteria becoming acid tolerant or acid resistant. The present study was conducted to assess the acid tolerance of a wide range of bacterial species and consequently the sustainable application of organic acids as food preservatives in particularly acidic foodstuffs. Acid tolerance was determined in 19 bacterial strains predominantly associated with food spoilage and food poisoning. After exposure to hydrochloric acid 16% of the isolates were found to be intrinsically tolerant to low pH and included amongst others the enteric bacteria Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. The latter organisms are known causative agents in food spoilage and poisoning, and the results highlight the predicaments related to their ability to survive in acidic foodstuffs as well as the human gastric environment. Bacterial strains were further exposed to increasing concentrations of various acidic foodstuffs in order to determine the development of acid tolerance by gradual decrease in pH, as opposed to exposure to acid shock. After induction, the protein profiles of resulting acid tolerant isolates were compared with those of the original un-induced strains. Exposure to acidic foodstuffs resulted in various survival profiles, where not only pH but also the type of acidulant (foodstuff or inorganic acid) were found to be contributing factors in acid tolerance development. Bacterial protein composition after exposure to acidic foodstuffs showed considerable variation which may be indicative of acid tolerance development whereas the mechanisms involved may be the result of multiple modifications in bacterial composition. After the induction of acid tolerance, susceptibility of induced strains to various organic acids were determined at various pH values. This was done to investigate whether acid tolerance would influence the inhibitory activity of organic acids as antimicrobial agents in acidic food. Decreased susceptibility was not significantly demonstrated with the exception of only selected isolates, the latter including E. coli and S. typhimurium. Organic acid activity was found to be much more effective at lower pH values and it would be necessary to elucidate whether this inhibition is the result of a lower pH or more specifically the activity of the organic acids. The effect of exposure to an acidic environment on phenotypic characteristics of Gram-negative bacteria, and more specifically psychrotrophic organisms was evaluated in order to show the combined effect of organic acids and low temperature preservation. The characteristic yellow pigment of various Chryseobacterium species was found to be not as apparent after acid exposure while in some cases the colonies were observed as white. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa the characteristic green pigment was much more prominent after acid exposure. These morphological alterations may be important factors that should be considered in identification procedures employed in food safety laboratories. Finally, the influence of acidic exposure via acidic foodstuffs and also organic acids on the protein composition and outer membrane protein structure of various bacterial cells was investigated. No specific relationships with the MICs (Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations) of organic acids after induction with the selected acidic foodstuffs could be established, although various differences were found in protein expression. From the results, it may be suggested that the outer membrane of various pathogenic bacteria is involved in acid tolerance development and this supports the reports on the importance of membrane integrity in the protection against low pH. In conclusion, the study endeavoured to add to the body of knowledge with regard to alternative food preservation regimes utilising organic acids, either solely or in combination with selected extrinsic and intrinsic parameters.

Thesis (MTech (Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011<br>During recent years the wine industry has become increasingly dynamic due to competition among wine organisations worldwide. In order to be competitive, many South African wine organisations have implemented and maintained a Food Safety Managements System (FSMS). The Western Cape Province is one of the typical regions of wine-manufacturing in the country. However, the impact of FSMSs on the effectiveness of work performance among wine organisations in the Western Cape is unknown. There is scant literature that focuses on this particular issue. Thus, this study investigates the effectiveness of FSMS implementation to determine whether wine organisations consolidate the fundamental requirements of the FSMSs. Nineteen (19) wine organisations situated in the Western Cape who are currently implementing FSMSs were chosen as the research sites. A group of participants (n=46) who are implementing FSMSs from these wine organisations were selected as samples. A questionnaire based on the Likert scale was used as an instrument for data collection. Statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 19 was employed to generate statistical results such as frequencies, mean, standard deviation, percentage, skewness, etc. In particular, Cronbach’s alpha was utilised to test the reliability of the key items of FSMSs. The findings of this study indicate that the majority of the wine organisations consolidate the fundamental requirements of FSMS. Certification audits, management systems, prerequisite programs, Hazard Critical Control Points (HACCP), validation and verification, emergency preparedness and quality management are used as the main activities to measure the performance of FSMS. Based on the study results, this study recommended that wine organisations should provide regular training to internal auditors and shopfloor employees in order to enhance the effectiveness of FSMSs. The significance of this study is to contribute a valuable guideline to the South African wine industry to consolidate their performances on the implementation of FSMSs.

Tese de Doutoramento em Ciências Veterinárias – Especialidade de Segurança Alimentar<br>In some studies, ready-to-eat meat-based food products (RTEMP) are considered the food vehicle with the highest risk of being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. One of the aims of this work was to assess L. monocytogenes presence in Portuguese ready-to-eat meat processing industries and retail establishments. Environment and final product samples were analyzed and an audit was performed in ten industrial facilities to determine the level of implementation of good hygiene and manufacturing practices. To identify likely sources of final products contamination, as well as to assess virulence-associated traits, phenotypic and genotypic characterization of L. monocytogenes isolates was performed. Selected isolates were also characterized for their biofilm-forming ability and subsequently tested for their biocide susceptibility using benzalkonium chloride, sodium hypochlorite and nisin. Finally, the genetic relation of L. monocytogenes strains isolated from RTEMP (at industrial and retail level) and from human listeriosis cases was assessed. L. monocytogenes frequency was high in industrial RTEMP and its occurrence was linked to high scored industries in the hygienic audit, being specifically related to inadequate hygiene and manufacturing practices. L. monocytogenes isolates were genetically diverse and serogroups IIa, IIb and IVb were frequent among them. The isolates also displayed a similar profile of major virulence-associated genes profile and a low level of antibiotic resistance. Most of the selected L. monocytogenes strains demonstrated to be moderate and strong biofilm-formers, particularly those from serogroups IIc and IVb. When treated with benzalkonium chloride and sodium hypochlorite, most of the strains in biofilm exhibited a reduction in cell counts, however it was not possible to determine the minimal bactericidal concentration within the tested range for nisin. Three resistant strains to commercially recommended concentrations for benzalkonium chloride and sodium hypochlorite were identified. Some particular RTEMP strains presented high similarity with clinical strains, suggesting their potential for human infection. Overall, the findings in this work provide valuable information on L. monocytogenes in RTEMP and RTEMP-related environments, also highlighting RTEMP as potential vehicles for human listeriosis.<br>RESUMO - Caracterização de Listeria monocytogenes na fileira dos alimentos prontos-a-consumir à base de carne e avaliação das medidas preventivas de controlo - Listeria monocytogenes é uma bactéria patogénica de distribuição ubiquitária. L. monocytogenes encontra-se normalmente em ambientes naturais como na água, solo e vegetação, mas também em géneros alimentícios e alimentos para animais. O género Listeria engloba várias espécies, contudo apenas L. monocytogenes é considerada patogénica para o Homem. Apesar de relativamente rara, a listeriose humana apresenta a mais alta taxa de fatalidade das doenças infecciosas de origem alimentar. O quadro clínico é variável, com sinais inespecíficos que podem evoluir para meningite e encefalite, septicémia, morte fetal e aborto. Nos últimos anos, a incidência de listeriose na Europa tem apresentado uma taxa significativamente crescente. Os grupos de risco da listeriose estão bem identificados e incluem indivíduos com idade superior a 65 anos, imunocomprometidos, mulheres grávidas, fetos e recém-nascidos. A listeriose é quase exclusivamente transmitida pela ingestão de alimentos contaminados por L. monocytogenes, sendo apontados como veículo principal os alimentos prontos-a-consumir. Graças à facilidade e conveniência de consumo, por não requererem um tratamento térmico prévio, os alimentos prontos-a-consumir à base de carne são dos mais procurados a nível global. O facto destes alimentos possuírem uma vida útil refrigerada relativamente longa faz com que sejam frequentemente associados a L. monocytogenes, sendo referidos nalguns estudos como os alimentos com a maior probabilidade de estarem contaminados por esta bactéria. L. monocytogenes possui a capacidade de se desenvolver em refrigeração e de produzir biofilmes, permanecendo viável durante longos períodos em ambientes de processamento alimentar. Os equipamentos de fatiagem, pesagem e embalamento constituem vetores de L. monocytogenes para os alimentos, geralmente através de contaminação cruzada posterior ao tratamento listericida. Um dos objetivos deste trabalho foi avaliar a presença de L. monocytogenes em alimentos prontos-a-consumir à base de carne recolhidos em indústrias produtoras e em estabelecimentos de venda a retalho em Portugal. Para tal, nas unidades industriais procedeu-se à colheita de amostras para análise microbiológica do produto final e das superfícies de equipamentos de contacto directo com alimentos, antes e após a lavagem e desinfeção de rotina. Com o objectivo de relacionar a classificação de auditoria com a ocorrência de L. monocytogenes e analisar as potenciais causas implicadas, efetuaram-se auditorias higio-sanitárias nas unidades industriais. Nestas auditorias, avaliou-se o nível de implementação do sistema de gestão de segurança dos alimentos, com base nos requisitos do Codex Alimentarius e da legislação em vigor nos Estados-Membros europeus. Nos estabelecimentos de venda a retalho, procedeu-se à colheita de amostras pré-embaladas e também de amostras que foram fatiadas nos equipamentos existentes na secção de charcutaria desses retalhistas. A caracterização fenotípica e genotípica dos isolados de L. monocytogenes foi efetuada com o objetivo de identificar características associadas à virulência e de estabelecer possíveis fontes de contaminação para o produto final. Posteriormente, avaliou-se a potencial relação genética dos isolados de L. monocytogenes obtidos a partir de alimentos (de origem industrial e de retalho) com isolados de casos de listeriose humana. Após selecção de isolados de L. monocytogenes representativos dos vários serogrupos e pulsotipos, e também de diferentes tipos de amostras recolhidas na indústria e retalho alimentar, avaliou-se a sua capacidade para formar biofilmes. A suscetibilidade a biocidas dos isolados de L. monocytogenes em biofilme foi também estudada. Para tal, foram selecionados os biocidas mais frequentemente utilizados nas indústrias auditadas para a desinfeção de superfícies de contacto directo com o produto final, nomeadamente, cloreto de benzalcónio e hipoclorito de sódio. A suscetibilidade à nisina, uma bacteriocina produzida por Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, com atividade bactericida contra L. monocytogenes e considerada uma alternativa natural a biocidas sintéticos, foi também avaliada. Os biofilmes de L. monocytogenes foram tratados com uma gama de concentrações dos biocidas em estudo durante 5 minutos a 20°C. A frequência de L. monocytogenes em alimentos prontos-a-consumir à base de carne recolhidos na indústria foi elevada (25%). A sua ocorrência foi associada a unidades com elevada classificação na auditoria higio-sanitária, estando particularmente relacionada com práticas inadequadas de higienização e de manipulação de alimentos. Nos alimentos recolhidos na venda a retalho, a frequência de L. monocytogenes foi ligeiramente inferior (10%). Contudo, nalguns alimentos a bactéria encontrava-se acima do limiar de enumeração estabelecido nos critérios microbiológicos europeus de segurança dos alimentos. A subtipagem por eletroforese em campos pulsáteis dos isolados de L. monocytogenes revelou a diversidade genética da população estudada. Os isolados apresentaram um perfil de genes de virulência semelhante e os serogrupos IIa, IIb e IVb foram os mais frequentes. Foi observada uma reduzida frequência de resistência aos antibióticos testados, que incluíram os mais frequentemente utilizados em medicina humana e veterinária. Considerando os resultados obtidos na caracterização genética, a contaminação dos produtos finais não parece estar relacionada exclusivamente com as superfícies de contacto directo analisadas, sugerindo outras possíveis fontes. Os sistemas de gestão da segurança dos alimentos das indústrias avaliadas revelaram necessitar de melhoria e optimização, nomeadamente na conceção e manutenção dos equipamentos, na prevenção da contaminação após o tratamento listericida, na validação dos procedimentos de higiene, na análise de causas de não conformidades microbiológicas e também nas atitudes dos manipuladores de alimentos em prol da higiene. A presença de L. monocytogenes foi relacionada com indústrias com classificação elevada na auditoria higio-sanitária. Apesar da aparente contradição, tal facto parece resultar de uma prévia identificação da bactéria na unidade, sem uma adequada análise de causas, não permitindo que a verdadeira fonte de contaminação por L. monocytogenes fosse identificada, perpetuando a sua presença nessas instalações. Reforça-se, assim, a importância da realização de um diagnóstico conjunto, baseado em evidências de auditoria e avaliação microbiológica, o que proporciona uma visão mais fidedigna do sistema de gestão da segurança dos alimentos implementado. Todos os isolados de L. monocytogenes apresentaram capacidade para formar biofilme, tendo a maioria revelado aptidão moderada e forte, particularmente os isolados pertencentes aos serogrupos IIc e IVb. O método de enumeração de células viáveis não conseguiu refletir a classificação obtida pelo método da quantificação da densidade ótica do cristal de violeta, utilizados para a avaliação da capacidade de formação de biofilmes. Na maioria dos biofilmes de isolados de L. monocytogenes, foi possível medir uma redução nas contagens de células viáveis quando aqueles foram tratados com diferentes concentrações de cloreto de benzalcónio e hipoclorito de sódio. No entanto, o mesmo não foi possível observar quando os biofilmes foram submetidos a diferentes concentrações de nisina. Com os dados obtidos estabeleceram-se curvas de morte bacteriana, estimando-se a LD90. Verificou-se uma associação positiva entre os parâmetros de avaliação da formação de biofilme e os valores estimados de LD90. Três isolados de L. monocytogenes foram considerados resistentes, apresentando valores de LD90 significativamente mais elevados do que os obtidos pelos restantes isolados. Os isolados considerados resistentes necessitariam de concentrações de cloreto de benzalcónio e hipoclorito de sódio bastante superiores às recomendadas comercialmente pelos fabricantes desses desinfetantes. Este ensaio reforça a necessidade de minimização de todos os fatores que permitem a instalação e o desenvolvimento de biofilmes de L. monocytogenes, pois apesar da aplicação de biocidas garantir algum grau de controlo, este não é eficaz em todos os isolados. Por isso, a utilização de novas estratégias de controlo, isoladamente ou de acordo com o preconizado na tecnologia de barreiras, considerando os biofilmes de L. monocytogenes, é fundamental. Por fim, alguns isolados alimentares apresentaram elevada semelhança genética com isolados clínicos, sugerindo o consumo de alimentos prontos-a-consumir à base de carne como potencial factor de risco para a infeção humana.<br>N/A

This study sought to investigate the purchasing determinants of food insecurity conditions in Klipplaat, in the Eastern Cape. The study comprised a pilot study and main study (n=459) making use of an adapted version of the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. It was found that food insecurity conditions in Klipplaat were high, with most households experiencing food insecurity conditions between three and ten times per month. Income level was found to have a significant effect on food insecurity conditions in Klipplaat. The availability of efficient transport and refrigeration was also found to significantly influence the experience of food insecurity conditions.