Food safety- plant health Flashcards
(25 cards)
what are the two groups of the severity of risks posed by pesticide residues?
-acute or long term risks
what are 4 symptoms of acute health risks caused by pesticide residues?
-nausea
-vomiting
-abdominal pain
-diarrhoea
what happens in severe cases of exposure to pesticide residues which happens immediately?
-acute pesticide poisoning which can require medical intervention
what are 4 example of long term health issues which can be causes of exposure to high levels of pesticide residues?
-endocrine disruption (controls hormones)
-hormone imbalance
-reproductive issues
-increased risk of cancers
what is an example of a pesticide which can cause neurotoxicity, what is the effect of this toxicity on children?
-organophosphates which can impact the nervous system and cause behavioural issues in children
what organisations are responsible for assessing the risk of pesticide residues?
-EFSA, FSA, DAERA
what is the role of the EFS in relation to regulating pesticide residues to ensure food safety? what do they test for in their evaluations?
-EFSA conduct evaluations to determine maximum residue levels (MRLs) in foods to ensure they are fit for human consumption
-they test for potential endocrine disrupting properties of pesticides and their impact on human health
-they also provide scientific and advice to risk managers and food businesses on pesticide residues
what is the role of the FSA on assessing pesticide residues to ensure food safety? what do the FSA do when the residue is above the MRL?
-monitor residues through regular testing programmes e.g. sampling food products at random intervals in the food chain e.g. at retail outlets
-they use analytical methods to ensure pesticide residues remain within the MRL
-they conduct risk assessments to determine the potential impacts on human health
what is the role of DAERA on assessing pesticide residues to ensure food safety? what is the 3 things they provide guidance on?
-in NI are responsible for implementing EU pesticide regulations and ensuring compliance with the law
-they monitor residues and conduct control measures to ensure they stay within the MRL
-they provide guidance on the safe use of pesticides and promote safe pest management controls, and promote reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides
what are the 3 roles of farmers/ producers in NI to ensure food safety?
-adhering to agricultural practices
-implementing food safety measures
-to comply with legislation and regulations
how do farmers follow good agricultural practices to ensure food safety?
-they must follow the best practices for planting, growing and harvesting crops
-they must use pesticides and fertilisers properly to minimise residues and environmental impact
how do farmers implement food safety measures to ensure food safety, what is the effect of this?
-they are responsible for processing, packaging and storing food in a way that prevents contamination
-this ensures it is safe for human consumption
how do farmers comply with legislation to ensure food safety?
-must comply with EU regulations regarding food safety, pesticide use and environmental protection
-e.g. EU regulation 396/ 2005 - establish MRLs on food and feed related products
what are the 4 consequences of farmers not following protocols for food safety?
-legal repercussions
-limited market access
-health risks
-environmental impacts
what are the legal repercussions caused by farmers not following food safety measures?
-it can lead to fines, penalties and legal action
-regulatory bodies e.g. DAERA conduct inspections to enforce compliance
what is the effect on market access of food product produced by farmer who do not follow food safety regulations?
-it can result in loss of market loss
-products may be banned from sale, which leads to financial losses and damage to reptuation
what are the health risks associated with consumption of food products produced by farmers who do not follow food safety regulations?
-it can pose health risks to consumers
-can result in food borne illnesses and long term health issues
what is the environmental impact of farmers not following food safety regulations?
-improper use of pesticides can harm soil health, water quality and biodiversity
what are mycotoxins? where do they grow best in?
-naturally occurring chemicals which are produced by certain moulds that crop in crops e.g. cereals and dried fruits
-these moulds thrive in warm humid conditions
what are two examples of mycotoxins and what are the health risks associated with them?
-aflatoxins and patulin
-cancer, liver and kidney damage and immune system suppression
what are the acute symptoms of exposure to mycotoxins?
-acute symptoms with serious illnesses can appear soon after exposure
-nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
what are the long term health risks of mycotoxins? how many mycotoxins have negative effects on health?
-linked to some cancers and immune deficiency
-there have been 12 identified which are associated with adverse health effects
-they are naturally occurring so cannot be completely avoided
how are aflatoxins produced? what are some of the risks associated with large doses of it?
-one of the most poisonous mycotoxins
-produced by moulds in soils and decaying vegetation
-large doses can lead to acute poisoning and can be life threatening through liver damage
-they also are genotoxic meaning they can damage the DNA in the liver and cause cancer
what is the main risk of over exposure to the mycotoxin patulin?
-it is often found in mouldy fruits and apple products
-it causes nausea, gastrointestinal issues and vomiting
