Consumer safety has become a central issue of the food supply system in most countries. It encompasses a large number of interacting scientific and tech nological matters, such as agricultural practice, microbiology, chemistry, food technology, processing, handling and packaging. The techniques used in understanding and controlling contaminants and toxicity range from the most sophisticated scientific laboratory methods, through industrial engineering science to simple logical rules implemented in the kitchen. The problems of food safety, however, spread far beyond those directly occupied in food production. Public interest and concern has become acute in recent years, alerting a wide spectrum of specialists in research, education and public affairs. This series aims to present timely volumes covering all aspects of the subject. They will be up-to-date, specialist reviews written by acknowledged experts in their fields of research to express each author's own viewpoint. The readership is intended to be wide and international, and the style to be comprehensible to non-specialists, albeit professionals. The series will be of interest to food scientists and technologists working in industry, universities, polytechnics and government institutes; legislators and regulators concerned with the food supply; and specialists in agriculture, engineering, health care and consumer affairs. One of the most difficult situations to control is the contamination of food by small numbers of pathogenic micro-organisms before they multiply to give the large populations causing food poisoning when eaten.

Infective bacterial food poisoning. toxic bacterial food poisoning. Other bacterial pathogens. Micotoxic fungi. Viruses and protozoa. Laboratory diagnosis. Epidemiology. microbiological control of food production. Food safet and food legislation. Food hygiene.

An expert survey of foodborne pathogens, illnesses, and control methods This volume offers broad and accessible coverage of the pathogens-bacteria, viruses, and parasites-most commonly responsible for foodborne illness. It discusses the nature of illnesses; the epidemiology of pathogens; and current detection, prevention, and control methods. It also features chapters on the globalization of the food supply, seafood toxins, and other miscellaneous agents. Twenty-one chapters, by experts from around the world, cover the most dangerous illnesses and foodborne pathogens currently threatening world populations. Topics include: * Arcobacter/Helicobacter * Aspergillus * Bacillus cereus * Campylobacter * Clostidium perfringens * Clostridium botulinum * Escherichia coli * Fusarium * Listeria * Salmonella * Shigella * Staphylococcus aureus * Vibrio * Yersinia enterocolitica Guide to Foodborne Pathogens offers up-to-date analysis of the growing body of scientific information on both established and new and emerging pathogens. It provides concise coverage that serves the needs of scientists and food professionals who lack a specialized background in foodborne illness but want to stay informed on this vital health issue.

Publisher Description

While systems such as GMP and HACCP assure a high standard of food quality, foodborne poisonings still pose a serious hazard to the consumer's health. The lack of knowledge among some producers and consumers regarding the risks and benefits related to food makes it imperative to provide updated information in order to improve food safety. To

Biological toxins are an important part of our world, a reality with which we need to cope, so in parallel with understanding their mechanisms of action and thereby improving our fundamental knowledge, there are successful efforts to utilize them as therapeutics against some debilitating human and animal diseases. In view of the complexity of different types of biotoxins and the broad range of toxin structure, physiology, utility, and countermeasures including regulatory issues, it was thus aimed to compile a book on biotoxins and bioweapons. This reference work in the Toxinology handbook series gathers together knowledge from around the globe about naturally inspired and manufactured biological weapons. The authors describe how they work; how authorities may detect their presence, prevent their use, and diagnose their impacts; and the means by which medical and paramedical professionals may treat victims. Also described are how they have been used to further our knowledge and what insights they have given us into evolutionary and physiological processes. Finally, it is also discussed how these toxins can be used as therapeutics and what the implications of such therapeutics are to their use as biothreat agents. This volume provides a reference accessible to scientists, educators, and medical experts alike with an interest in biotoxins, focusing on the major toxins used as bioweapons. Regulatory agencies will also benefit from the information provided in this book. Some in the intended audience may need to understand how they elicit their effects and how we can defend ourselves against them. Others may be interested in the sometimes colorful histories that surround this subset of biotoxins that can be and, in some cases, have been used as weapons.