Paper on Microbiological Issue - Essay Example

Microbiological Issues 13 March 2009 There are numerous food safety concerns when it comes to microbiological issues. Food regulatory agencies havebeen forced to develop a risk management system in order to tackle the problem of food safety. These issues are being analyzed in different countries simultaneously. There are separate bodies that have been established in Australia and New Zealand to tackle this long standing problem. This paper will throw light upon a microbiological issue to be more precise attention will be drawn towards the food safety concerns under the section of microbiological issues.

If any product is found unsafe for consumption, it has to be identified before it causes any damage. The exporters of that particular product must be identified and an appropriate action must be taken in order to ensure the safety of the consumers. This whole task becomes very difficult as there is a lack of communication between the authorities testing the food and he exporters of such food materials. "By proactively sharing information on contaminant and disease outbreak incidents, authorities may allow other countries to detect and respond to issues quicker and more effectively.

The International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) and Food Safety Emergency Network is a recent initiative of the World Health Organization that will facilitate information exchange and may enhance the control of international food safety incidents. "(Background, 13 March 2009). Most of these authorities are conservative and allow no scope for breach of their laws, it is extremely important in order to ensure the satisfaction and good health of the consumers. When this topic is being discussed simultaneously in many countries, it becomes a boon in more ways than one.

The regulatory authorities can establish standard norms when it comes to food safety and every country involved in this can chip in with their contribution. "The United Kingdom (UK) Food Standards Agency conducted a survey of soy and oyster sauces in 2001, which found high levels of 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD) in some products. International notification by the UK of this issue and the associated test result data, combined with Australian dietary exposure information, were initially used by FSANZ to initiate a preliminary food safety risk assessment and formulate an initial response.

( Background, 13 March). There was another research conducted on soy and oyster sauces available in Australia and the results were truly shocking. The research assessed the risks involved in those items made available to the Australian consumers. High levels of chemicals were again found in the research conducted by the authorities. This goes to show that there are major concerns when it comes to food safety and the earlier these issues get sorted out the better. In another research conducted by the authorities in the year 2002, it was found that there were harmful chemicals in prawn and honey; it was later found that the food researched was not permitted to be sold in the outlets in Australia.

Hence it is very fair to conclude that there are several food safety issues and the concerned authorities should make it a point to conduct extensive research before permitting any food material to be sold in the outlets located across the length and breadth of the world.ConclusionBackground. In Food and Agriculture organization of the United States. Retrieved on 13 March 2009 from: http://www.fao.org/docrep/meeting/008/ae081e.htm