Methodological Exploration of Risk-based Approaches to Improve Microbial Food Safety Along Food Production Chains

The overall goal is to improve microbial food safety through science-based systems approaches. Specifically, we proposed that three approaches will be used, which are the SR and MA for evidence collection and synthesis, QMRA for intervention efficiency evaluation and food standard determination, and CEA for multi-criteria decision making on risk management strategies adoption For the goal of this proposal Campylobacter in broiler chicken and spore-forming bacteria in milk are selected as target risk scenarios. However, the suggested approaches can be extended to other pathogenic and/or spoilage microbes in other food products. The overall goal will be achieved by fulfilling the following specific objectives and studies with investigators and collaborators indicated in parenthesis.Objective 1. Collect and synthesize scientific evidence as inputs for QMRA by SR and MA. Study 1-1. Conduct SR and MA to identify and evaluate interventions that can be implemented in steps at primary
production and processing stages of broiler chicken related products. (Investigators: Bing Wang; Collaborators: Jennifer Clarke and Gary Sullivan)Study 1-2. Map the changes of spore-forming bacteria in prevalence and/or concentration along the pasteurized milk supply chain. (Investigators: Bing Wang, Andreia Bianchini, Jayne Stratton; Collaborators: Jennifer Clarke)Objective 2. Develop QMRA models to inform risk management decision making from a food safety perspective.Study 2-1. Develop QMRA to identify critical control points (CCPs) for Campylobacter spp. throughout broiler chicken supply chain and compare relative efficacies of different intervention strategies that can be implemented at CCPs to determine their potential impact on public health risks. (Investigators: Bing Wang; Collaborators: Jennifer Clarke)Study 2-2. Develop a modeling approach to derive PO for spore-forming bacteria in pasteurized milk. (Investigators: Bing Wang, Andreia Bianchini, Jayne Stratton; Collaborators:
Jennifer Clarke)Objective 3. Integrate the economic analysis and food safety protection to inform risk management decision making on the intervention adoption?Study 3-1. Conduct CEA to investigate trade-offs between efficacies of intervention strategies and the corresponding monetary costs for their implementation, and to explore how stakeholders would choose between different strategies according to their own risk preferences. (Investigators: Fabio Mattos; Collaborators: Bing Wang)