Food Safety: Role of Universities and Educational Institutions (MENA ) Present and Future programs

1. FACULTY OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD SCIENCES American University of Beirut Food Safety: Role of Universities and Educational Institutions (MENA)Present and Future programs Dr. Zeina Kassaify Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences 4th Dubai International Food Safety Conference; Dubai, UAE February 24- 26, 2009

2. Outline • MENA Region Facts- Educational Institutions and Food Safety • Universities & Food Safety- Research, Teaching and Outreach • Current Research, Teaching and OutreachRole of MENA Region Universities • Future Recommendations and Conclusions

3. MENA Region Facts Educational Institutions and Food Safety

4. MENA Region Facts Educational Institutions and Food Safety Higher Education Institutions (World Bank definition)

5. MENA Region Facts Educational Institutions and Food Safety • World Bank’s 2007 Report (MENA Economic Developments and Prospects): • Important recognition of higher education • 1990 - 2000, enrollment rates at higher levels of education increased by two-third • World Bank’s 2008 Report: (” The Road Not Traveled: Education Reform in the Middle East and North Africa”) • MENA countries invest a higher proportion of their GDP on education than other regions in the world!!!

6. MENA Region Facts Educational Institutions and Food Safety • Challenges are in developing high-quality education systems, promoting inquiry-based learning—problem solving, life-long learning and training that respond to the needs of the labor market • No reported data on the number of universities with specialized Departments that offer higher degrees in Food Science/Safety etc. • Many offer such degrees or education/training under Agriculture or Public Health or at the Masters level only • However, at least 2 universities in each MENA state contribute to Food safety by teaching, research or outreach initiatives

7. MENA Region Facts Educational Institutions and Food Safety • Many face difficulties in meeting international safety and quality standards due to lack in scientific research, testing and conformity (Impact of food safety standard on food and agricultural trade in the Near East FAO/WHO, 2005) • Some have imposed questionable restrictions on imported products because of lack of scientific justification • For example: • A max moisture content of 5% for frozen poultry- considered too low by some WTO members • Ban beef imports with fat content > than 7% • Zero tolerance to certain imported foods, which need now to be replaced by sanitary measures based on risk assessment.

8. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality The responsibility for food safety is multisided -shared among the government, industry, academia and consumers. Effective delivery of Food safety programs/system require: • Consultation • Communication • Policy Development • Implementation of risk alleviation measures • Consumer Confidence

9. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality Experts advisory committee Health professionals Advise Comment Educate Investigate review or make recommendations for action Scientific societies Academia Industry Associations Consumer associations Government agencies

10. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality Advise, Comment, Educate, Investigate review or make recommendations … Experts advisory committee create food safety laws and regulations, inspect, monitor, develop policies, enforce... GOVERNMENT Consumers Industries Make choices, participate in the decision-making process… produce safe food, implement…

11. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality Academic Investigators Communicate Design Execute Consumers, media, and legislators Demonstrate safety Industry Bring to market Comply to regulations

12. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality Ultimate Role of Universities Contribute to knowledge through research and publications Build capacity through educating students and continuing education programs for the area of food safety Enrich teaching and research and contribute to the creation of new knowledge by civic and community service activities

13. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality Examples of Missions/visions of some Food Science/ Safety Programs at Universities in MENA Countries Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut: …. to promote, through higher agricultural education, teaching, research, and extension in: ….Foods and Nutrition, ……as a basis for sustainable improvement in the lives of people throughout Lebanon, the Middle East region, and the world.

14. Department of Food Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo: ….to prepare professionals in the area of Food Science and Technology ……. to enhance products quality of the food industry … Food Science Program, United Arab Emirates University: ….to prepare the future leaders of the food industry and allied government and research institutions in the U.A.E. to assure food security, quality and safety

15. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality Food Safety Educational Programs (Higher level education) • Graduate Future Food Safety Professionals who : • Trained in related disciplines and capable to contribute to effective food safety programs (agronomic, animal and veterinary medical sciences, environmental and public health sciences. surveillance, consumer behavior, farm to fork supply chain, new traceability technologies, etc.) • Have methodological background to apply in current and future food safety research (molecular biology, immunology, epidemiology, and mathematical modeling) • Trained on food safety policy and international trade • Trained in adult education methods and program efficacy evaluation. (Jaykus and Ward 1999) • Distance Educationfor a broader and more diverse student populations

16. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality Food Safety Research Initiatives The Food Safety Golden Age (Food Bioterrorism and Global Food Security/Supply, etc.) Research initiatives are divided into: 1- Basic Research • Improve aspects of the food chain from farm to fork. • Improve methods to detect pathogens during production • Better understanding of the transmission of pathogens • Improved methods to control food borne illness and pathogen colonization in the food animal 2- Applied Research • Environmental impacts and social Environment management • Develop preventive systems • Traditional production and products

17. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality Food Safety Research Initiatives Research requires $$$$$$ • In October 2008, USDA Awards $13 Million for Food Safety Research • "Sound advice about food safety is based on good research to pinpoint potential pathways of contamination as well as effective solutions and safeguards." (USDA Secretary, Ed Schafer)

18. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality Food Safety Research Initiatives (MENA Countries) • Funding resources are limited for this sector and diversified • Oriented mainly towards development projects rather than basic or applied research • A very compartmentalized region and most of the research carried is disconnected from reality • We have individualistic tendencies (as described by Mr. Ziad Moussa, ESDU’s communications officer) • Participatory multi-action research and collaboration is the optimal plan

19. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality Food Safety Research Initiatives (MENA Countries) • For example: • Some Food Safety Research initiatives In collaboration with Universities in MENA Countries • Prevention, control and resistance of Salmonella sppin traditional foods; antibiotic residues in dairy products; Aflatoxin AFM1 in milk and cheeses; development of micro criteria for traditional foods etc..(AUB, Lebanon) • Pesticide residues; Occurrence and legislation of mycotoxins in food and feed …(Morocco)

20. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality Food Safety Research Initiatives (MENA Countries) • Avian Inlfuenza (Lebanon, Iran, Egypt), • Food Safety Policy Issues, Safety of Traditional foods… (UAE) • Food poisoning and gastroenteritis: Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi in seven Asian countries

21. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality Food Safety Outreach Programs Activities to provide current and relevant food safety information to all points of the food chain from farm to fork • Transferring of technology attained by research or knowledge • Training on Food safety and quality • Educating Consumers • Engaging in Policy development

22. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality Food Safety Outreach Programs • The UMass Food Safety Education program: • …training and resources on safe food handling to food producers and processors, food workers, regulatory officials, educators and volunteers serving high risk groups • Iowa State University Extension: • .. educational materials to the public to minimize their risk of foodborne illness and access research-based, unbiased information on food safety and quality.

23. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality Food Safety Outreach Programs • Extension Food Safety Education Michigan State University • ….materials for educating both consumers and the media regarding pertinent food safety-related issues; organizes food safety-related training sessions for a variety of audiences; investigates the sociological and communications aspects of food safety issues. • Food Safety outreach programs at Penn State: • partnerships to develop pro-active food safety programs and standards

24. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality Food Safety Outreach Programs in MENA Countries • Confined to occasional individualistic seminars, workshops, short courses, small scale consultations and services to the industry and public awareness campaigns during/after a crisis. • Lack of developed extension programs or specialized centers of excellence

25. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality Food Safety Outreach Programs in MENA Countries Examples of Outreach activities by some or in collaboration of MENA region Universities • American University of Beirut; Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Lebanon: • partnered with Lebanese government , UNIDO, & other non-government organization to establish a draft for a comprehensive food safety law • assist governmental agencies to develop & confine to international standards (member of committee to develop national Codex Alimentarius Standards),

26. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality Food Safety Outreach Programs in MENA Countries • Workshops to train Quality Control managers, Food service personnel, health ministry inspectors • Food safety symposia and surveillance studies, outbreak investigations, risk assessment, services and guidance to food industries

27. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality Food Safety Outreach Programs in MENA Countries • Zayed University, College of Family Sciences, UAE: • partnered with Dubai Municipality to establish the first UAE International Food Safety and Sanitation Professional Development Program. • train Emirati employees in food safety and sanitation, technical writing, and research and presentation skills • United Arab Emirates University; Department of Food Science, UAE • offer short courses for Food Inspectors • services to the food industry

28. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality Food Safety Outreach Programs in MENA Countries • Sultan Qaboos University, Food Science and Nutrition Department, Sultanate of Oman • Assist to develop standards for raw milk, dates and fermented products • Ain Shams University, Department of Food Science, Egypt • a specialized unit for training of food employees of food sectors on quality in food production and food safety

29. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality Future Roles and Recommendations for Food Safety Programs in MENA Countries • Assist in preparing the MENA Countries for the upcoming challenges : • Testing and certification of irradiated foods, food derived from GMO’s (imports and exports) • Traceability • Organic food • Provisions of scientific risk assessment

30. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality Future Roles and Recommendations for Food Safety Programs in MENA Countries • Get involved in • Raising awareness among policy and decision-makers about the importance of food safety and quality for consumer protection, food trade and economic development. • Carry out seminars, workshops and communication campaigns (senior government officials, food industry, the media and consumer associations)

31. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality Future Roles and Recommendations for Food Safety Programs in MENA Countries • Develop more effective education strategies that are based on global and regional experiences in the food sector. • Partner with industry to fund applied and basic research and outreach programs to reduce foodborne disease • Provide frequent training on food safety systems including Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), and International Standards Organization (ISO 22000). • Encourage collaborations and participation among commodity organizations, processors, industry consultants and food safety assurance coordinators.

32. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality Future Roles and Recommendations for Food Safety Programs in MENA Countries • Involve the WHO collaborating centers (the Nutrition and Food Science Department at AUB ) and the WHO Regional offices with the Department of Food Safety, Zoonoses and Foodborne Diseases (FOS) to activate and support regional food safety research in order to ensure a safer global food supply. • More partnerships should be formed among government/academia/industry at the state and regional level • More research and education is needed into the ecology of foodborne pathogens

33. Role of Universities in Food Safety and Quality Future Roles and Recommendations for Food Safety Programs in MENA Countries • The ultimate benefit to food safety education will be with an integrated approach (research, teaching and outreach) • It graduates students who will be more diverse, better qualified, and able to extend and model this collaborative teaching and research theme throughout their careers (Jaykus and Ward 1999) • The role of academic institutions is to provide a qualified, creative labor force that will make important contributions to food safety in the years to come "Most often, the prevention of food-borne illnesses comes through education and safe handling practices in the preparation of food," (Secretary Ed Schafer, USDA)

34. THANK YOU 