U.S. Food And Drug Adminstration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition |
Senior scientists from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) met with their counterparts from the National Institute for Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock Research (INIFAP) (1) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development of Mexico (SAGAR) in a two-day meeting to discuss the potential for developing collaborative, mutually beneficial research projects on produce safety. The meeting was hosted by INIFAP and developed under the auspices of the U.S.-Mexico Collaborative Exchange on Food Safety chaired by FDA and SAGAR.
The meeting consisted of an opening ceremony with officials from the U.S. and Mexico presiding, followed by a series of research updates from U.S. and Mexican scientists. The participants included approximately 74 scientists from SAGAR, the Ministry of Health, Mexican universities and research institutes. Following the research updates, the participants divided themselves into three workgroups to develop proposals for collaborative research projects in the following areas: Sampling and Detection of Pathogens, Residues and Mycotoxins, and Good Agricultural Practices.
Following the meeting, the organizers developed a process for review, refinement, and clearance of projects proposed by the workgroups.
The Secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services signed a Joint Statement on Food Safety with their counterparts in Mexico in June 1998. Following the signing of this document, a Collaborative Exchange on Food Safety was developed by FDA and SAGAR as the forum to facilitate the development of joint food safety activities. The Collaborative Exchange has the following areas of concentration: training, research, and education. The first round of collaborative projects focused on produce safety training.
Through the Collaborative Exchange, U.S. scientists from FDA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), USDA Cooperative Research Extension and Education Service (CSREES), and ARS participated in a series of produce training sessions developed by SAGAR that were held from August through December 1999. Additionally, a Regional Outreach Program on Food Safety for North and Central America was co-sponsored by FDA and SAGAR in September 1999.
The U.S. developed the "Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables" and elements of the guide have been adapted and incorporated into training manuals that are used throughout Mexico. Yet, there are a number of research questions remaining regarding good agricultural practices. Collectively, INIFAP, FDA, and USDA, in association with our respective university systems and several agricultural development and research institutes, have substantial expertise and resources to bring to bear to address some of the outstanding issues. At the Collaborative Exchange meeting held in Washington, D.C. in February 2000, Dr. Rodrigo Aveldaño, Director of the Division of Agricultural Research/SAGAR invited scientists from FDA and USDA to Mexico to explore opportunities for collaborative research projects.
The First Mexico-U.S. Food Safety Research Meeting was held May 2-3, 2000 in Mexico City, Mexico at the Sheraton Maria Isabel Hotel and was organized by INIFAP/SAGAR, FDA and ARS/USDA. The workshop program is attached as Appendix 1.
The workshop was attended by 74 participants including representatives from organizations such as SAGAR/INIFAP, Ministry of Health, University of Mexico, Research Center for Food and Development (CIAD), CONASAG, the University of Mexico and other agricultural and research institute organizations.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Ing. Jorge Kondo Lopez, Director and Chief, INIFAP, Dr. Francisco J. Gurría Treviño, Undersecretary of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development Ms. Camille Brewer, International Activities Coordinator FSI/FDA, Arthur Miller, Lead Scientist for Research and Risk Assessment, FSI/FDA, and James Lindsay, National Leader for Food Safety, ARS/USDA. Ing. Jorge Kondo López extended his welcome to the U.S. and Mexican delegates and acknowledged the work of the organizers. Dr. Gurría pointed out the tremendous strides that have been made in bilateral communication and cooperation on food safety issues. He noted that there is a need for a continuing dialogue on food safety and suggested that the dialogue be extended to include a discussion of biotechnology. He emphasized a need the continue work in the area of worker health and hygiene because both the U.S. and Mexico have large migrant farm workforces. He announced Mexico's interest in signing a MOU on Food Safety at the June meeting of Presidents Zedillo and Clinton. Ms. Brewer reviewed the history of collaborative produce safety projects and reviewed the objectives of the meeting. Drs. Miller and Lindsay provided an overview of the research programs underway at their respective agencies. Dr. Miller discussed the public health impetus for the food safety initiative. He focused on recent concerns about produce safety. Each speaker emphasized the scope of the research agenda for their respective agencies and the process by which research priorities are determined. Dr. Lindsay discussed the ARS budget.
Dr. Almonte provided an overview of food safety activities in Mexico. He profiled the productive capacity of the Mexican agricultural industry and discussed the volume of produce production and exports. He emphasized the need for an expanded and continuing training efforts targeted to the produce industry. Dr. Frias discussed the Mexican legislative and regulatory framework for sanitary and phytosanitary controls regarding produce safety.
Drs. Cherry and Sieber profiled the activities of the Eastern Regional Research Center in Wyndmoor, Pa. and the Western Regional Center in Albany, California. Both Centers maintain a robust portfolio of agricultural research activities. Each conducts research on produce safety. A series of presentations from U.S. and Mexican scientists followed. Dr. Brackett provided an overview of research issues related to produce safety. Dr. Robert Manrell discussed his work in microbial adhesion. Dr. Orlandi discussion molecular methods for the detection and differentiation of parasitic protozoa from food and other samples. Dr. Andrews discussed salmonella detection methods. Dr. Goswami discussed methods for the detection of enteric viruses. Drs. Orlandi, Goswami and Andrews emphasized the challenges, limitations, and advances in detection methods. Dr. Sapers discussed several research projects involving interventions to enhance the microbiological safety of fresh produce. Dr. Gross discussed food safety of fresh-cut produce.
Dr. Alvedaño provided an overview of produce safety research at INIFAP. He emphasized areas of expertise including tropical fruits and vegetables. MVZ. Diego Braña Varela provided information on animal health. Dr. Inocencio Higuera Ciapara provided information on CIAD, the Center for Food and Livestock Research . CIAD is private research institution that works with SAGAR and other private and government agencies to conduct research on food safety and other agricultural issues. It provides training and serves a function similar to the extension service in the U.S.
On day 2, participants divided themselves into 3 groups to develop project proposals. These proposals are as follows:
Preliminary version of the conclusions of the working groups in the
first Mexico-United States meeting on Food Safety Research
Research proposals
Proposal 1. Methods of detection for foodborne pathogens in products and environmental Sources
Objective: Evaluate sampling and detection methods in products and environmental sources.
Contacts:
P. A. Orlandi, USFDA /CFSAN
Z. García Vázquez, INIFAP
Dr. Raymundo García, CIAD – Culiacán
Products: Strawberries, cilantro, lettuce and basil.
Environmental Sources: Food handlers and irrigation water
Contacts:
W. Andrews, USFDA
Cristóbal Chaidez, CIAD – Culiacán
Arturo Mancera, INIFAP
Products: tomato, melon, mango and papaya.
Environmental Sources: Food handlers and irrigation water
Contacts:
P. Feng, USFDA / CFSAN
Dick Whiting, USFDA / CFSAN
T. Hitchins, USFDA / CFSAN
Laura Hernández, INIFAP
Shu I Tu, USDA / ARS
María Paredes, CIAD – Guaymas
Products: Those derived from the priority list compiled by the Good Agricultural Practices Group
Environmental Sources: Food handlers and irrigation water
Contacts:
B. Goswami, USFDA / CFSAN
María Quiñones, CIAD - Culiacán
Gary Richards, ARS
Products: Similar to sub-project a.
Environmental Sources: Food handlers and irrigation water
Contacts: Will be included in the applicable individual sub-projects
Research proposals
Proposal 1. Improved methods for disinfection of agricultural products by washing
Objective: Compare the efficacy of conventional washing methods to use of alternative sanitary agents to reduce microbial load on products.
Proposal 2. Improvement of technology for disinfection of water used to wash fruits and vegetables
Objective: Utilization of new technologies, for disinfecting fruits and vegetables by washing, that are broad spectrum and effective at the industrial level
Proposal 3. Water quality
Objective: The identification of potential risk factors associated with surface and ground water contamination.
Proposal 4. Comparison of agricultural practices between farms or production units in Mexico and the United States.
Objective: Determine critical control points in the production, handling, harvesting and processing of the following products: tomato, cilantro, strawberry, lettuce, avocado and mango, which will serve as products for comparison. The bacteria that will be monitored will be Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and others.
Proposal 1. Mycotoxins in corn, milk and products derived from milk
Objectives:
Cross validation of methodology for the identification and quantification of mycotoxins in corn and milk.
Evaluate pre and post harvest practices on mycotoxin levels.
Determine the critical levels of mycotoxins that could affect the nutritional value of corn
Evaluate the methodology for detoxification of mycotoxins by microorganisms and chemical products
Contacts:
Luis Jorge Gutiérrez Díaz, INIFAP,
C. E. Zacatepec
René Márquez M., INIFAP
Specific Activity: Organize a meeting on Mycotoxins in México
Points to Consider:
The climate leads to aflatoxigenesis in corn production sites in Mexico. Mycotoxins in corn pass through the food chain to humans. The critical points for development of aflatoxins in Mexico are not strong
Proposal 2. Pesticide residues in animal and vegetable products
Objectives:
Develop a national diagnostic of levels of pesticide residues in the principal agricultural products.
Develop an information system with respect to the state of pesticides, by product, by processed articles, and the by impact of the process on residue levels.
Develop a data base on triazine levels in eggs.
Contacts:
Daniel González, CENAPA
Alfonso Gardea, CIAD
Guillermo Uribe, Dirección General de Sanidad Vegetal
Sub - projects:
Sampling and adjustment of methods for the extraction, identification and quantification of pesticide residues. Selections of specific agricultural products for evaluation before and after processing. Sampling for quantification of triazine levels in major producing areas.
Points to consider:
A high percentage of Mexican crops (vegetables and tropical fruits) are both exported to the United States and consumed in Mexico.
Proposal 3. Beta analogs. Development of chemical analyses in animal products
Objectives: Develop specific, precise, low cost and practical analytical methods for all animal tissues with potential for human consumption.
Contacts:
José M. Zorrilla Ríos, INIFAP
Eastern Regional Research Center / Food And Feed Safety Research Unit,College Station, Tx / Red River Fargo, N. D.
Sub – projects :
Points to consider:
Proposal 4. Detection of residues and chemical analyses of beta-analogs in animal feed and their metabolites in animal tissues
Objectives:
Develop low cost, low specificity field diagnostic kits, for beta-analogs, zilpaterol, clembuterol, cimaterol, salbutemol, mabuterol and others. Kinetic studies of beta analogs to help identify factors that affect residues in tissues.
Develop standards and regulations for potential use of beta analogs according to the Mexican and U.S. markets and human consumption patterns.
Contacts:
Dr. José M. Zorrilla R., INIFAP
Igor Romero, Salud Animal
Ofelia Flores, Salud Animal
José Luis Delgadillo, Salud Animal
María Elena González, Salud Animal
Manuel León, Laboratorios Lesca
Gonzalo León, Laboratorios Lesca
Natalia González, CIAT – Sonora
Everardo González, UNAM
María Salud Rubio, U. de Chihuahua
Jeff Keown, U. de Nebraska
D. W. Thayer, ERRC
L. H. Stanker, FFSRU
D. J. Smith, BRL
Proposal 5. Evaluation and monitoring of heavy metals in forage and crops used for animal Feed
Objective: Develop of a databank to study concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Cd and Mg) in animal feed.
Contact: Enrique Vera Gutiérrez, INIFAP
Points to consider:
Consumer health aspects (chronic)
Origin of unknown residues in all regions
The meeting organizers met immediately following the close of the meeting to determine next steps. A process was agreed upon to develop the workgroup proposals and to submit them for review. Key features of the process include a) the enhancement of the proposals, internal review at FDA and USDA, with a simultaneous review at INIFAP, Salud, and CIAD; b) consensus development; c) identification of funding; and d) implementation. A chart that details each step follows.
Workshop Objectives--Camille Brewer, FDA, International Activities Coordinator, Food Safety Initiative
Inauguration--Francisco J. Gurría Trevino, undersecretary of Agriculture
US Food Safety Research Perspectives
Public Health Concerns about the Consumption of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: AN U.S. Perspective--Arthur Miller, Lead Scientist for Research and Risk Assessment, Food Safety Initiative, FDA
Overview of Food Safety Programs and Activities at ARS--James Lindsay, National Leader for Food Safety, ARS/USDA
Mexico Food Safety Food Safety Perspectives
Overview of Mexican Food Safety Activities--Jaime Almonte Alvarez, Director General for International Affairs, SAGAR
Overview of Produce Safety--Gustavo Frias Treviño, Director of Phytosanitary Regulations
Interventions Strategies, Foodborne Pathogens on Produce--Robert Brackett, Ph.D.
Adhesion of human pathogens to surfaces of fruits and vegetables--Robert Mandrell, Research Leader for Food Safety (WRRC)
Overview of Food Safety Research Program and Facilities at Eastern Regional Research Center--John P. Cherry, Director, ERRC
Overview of Food Safety Research Programs and Facilities at Western Regional Research Center WRRC--James Sieber, Director, WRRC
Overview of Agricultural Research at INIFAP--Rodrigo Aveldaño Salazar, Ph.D., Director of Produce Research, INIFAP
Molecular Methods for the Detection and Differentiation of Parasitic Protozoa from Food, Clinical and Environmental Samples--Palmer Orlandi, FDA Research Microbiologist
Salmonella Detection Methods--Wallace Andrews, Ph.D. Research Microbiologist
Methods for the Detection of Enteric Viruses in Shellfish and Produce--Biswendu Goswami, Ph.D., FDA Virologist
Interventions to Improve the Microbiological Safety and Quality of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables--Gerald M. Sapers, Ph.D., Research Food Technologist, ERRC, ARS
Quality Maintenance and Microbiological Safety of Fresh and Fresh -Cut Fruits and Vegetables--Kenneth Gross, Ph.D., Research Food Technologist, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, ARS
Workgroups
Presentation of Workshop Conclusions
Annex 2 -- Participant List
U.S. Delegation
Camille E. Brewer -- FSI/FDA, International Activities Coordinator, Food Safety Initiative (FSI), Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Delegation Lead
Arthur Miller, Ph.D., Lead Scientist for Research and Risk Assessment, FSI/CFSAN/ FDA, FDA Science Delegation Lead
Wallace Andrews, Ph.D., Research Microbiologist, CFSAN/FDA
Bisendu Goswami, Ph.D., Research Microbiologist, CFSAN/FDA
Palmer Orlandi, Ph.D., Research Microbiologist, CFSAN/FDA
Robert Brackett, Ph.D. Senior Microbiologist, CFSAN/FDA
James Lindsay, National Food Safety Lead, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), USDA Science Delegation Lead
John P. Cherry, Director, Eastern Regional Research Center (ERRC)
Gerald M. Sapers, Lead Scientist, Plant Science and Technology Research Unit (ERRC)
James Seiber, Director, Western Regional Research Center (WRCC)
Robert Manrell, Research Leader for Food Safety (WRRC)
Kenneth Gross, Research Leader, Beltsville,
DELEGACION DE MEXICO
Dr. Florencio Jiménez, INIFAP- Lider Nacional de Inocuidad Agricola: Región Norte Centro
Dr. Irineo Torres Pacheco, INIFAP- Lider Nacional de Hortalizas Agricola: Región Centro
Dr. Rafael Bujanos, INIFAP- Investigador Agrícola: Región Centro
Dr. Luis Jorge Gutiérrez Díaz, INIFAP- Investigador Agricola: Región Centro
Dra. Griselda Vázquez Carrillo, INIFAP- Investigador Agricola: Región Centro
Dr. Victor W. González Lauck, INIFAP- Director de Productos Industriales y de Exportación Agricola: Oficinas Centrales
Dr. Francisco Byerly Murphy, INIFAP- Director Agricola: Región Pacificó Centro
Dra. Dora Alicia Ortega, INIFAP- Investigador Agricola: Región Golfo Centro
Dr. Zeferino García Vázquez, INIFAP Líder y coordinador por la división pecuaria. Parasitologia
M.C. Arturo Mancera Martinez, INIFAP Bacteriologia pecuaria
Dra. Ma. Eugenia López Arellano, INIFAP Parasitologia pecuaria
Dr. Pablo Correa Girón, INIFAP Virologla pecuaria
Dr. René Márquez Márquez, INIFAP Micotoxinas pecuario
Dr. Jorge Torres Barranca, INIFAP Microbiologia- Bacteriologfa
Dr. José Luis Romano Muñóz, INIFAP Lider nacional de investigación en leche
Dr. José Zorrilla Ríos, INIFAP Lider Nacional de investigación en carne de bovinos
Dra. Laura Hernindez Andrade, INIFAP Bacteriologia pecuaria
Dr. Pedro Mendoza de Gives, INIFAP Parasitologia pecuaria
Efrén Díaz Aparicio, INIFAP Microbiologia pecuaria
Jesús Váquez Navarrete, INIFAP Microbiologia pecuaria
Martha Payán Roberts, Producción de leche
M.V2. Diego Braña Varela, INIFAP, Director General de la División Pecuaria y Coordinador de la Delegación Pecuaria.
Dr. Rodrigo Aveldaño Salazar, Director General de la División Agricola del INIFAP y Coordinador de la Delegación Agricola.
M.V.Z. FRANCISCO J. GURRIA TREVIÑ0
Subsecretario de Agricultura y Ganaderia, SAGAR
SR. PAULINO CARDENAS CRUZ
Coordinador General de Comunicación Social
DR. JAIME ALMONTE ALVAREZ
Director General de Asuntos Internacionales
LIC. ATANASIO ESPINOSA RAMÍREZ
Coordinador de Asesores del C. Secretario del Ramo
DR. LUIS ALBERTO AGUIRRE URIBE
Director General de Sanidad Vegetal
DR. ANGEL OMAR FLORES HERNANDEZ
Director General de Salud Animal
ING. JORGE CARDENAS MORALES
Director General de Inspección Fitozoosanitaria
DR. GUSTAVO FRIAS TREVIÑ0
Director de Regulación Fitosanitaria
LIC. MARIA DE LOS ANGELES PERALTA ARIAS
Directora General del Centro de Estadistica Agropecuaria
LIC. HUMBERTO JIMENEZ OJENDIZ
Director General de Desarrollo Agropecuario
ING. JOSE LUIS PLAZA SÁNCHEZ
Director General de Agricultura de la SAGAR
ING. IGNACIO DE JESUS LASTRA MARIN
Director General de Ganaderia
LIC. LEONEL RAMIREZ FARIAS
Coordinador General de la Unidad de Identificación y Promoción de Mercados
ING. MANUEL CONTIJOCH ESCONTRIA
Director General de FIRCO
DR. JORGE FRANCISCO PINO HERMOSILLO
Coordinador General de Extensionismo y Desarrollo Tecnológico
DRA. LAURA ELENA GARZA BUENO
Directora General del INCA-Rural
DR. JAVIER CASTELLANOS COUTIÑ0
SUbsecretario de Regulacion y Fomento Sanitario, Secretaria de Salud
ING. RAUL ARGOELLES DIAZ GONZALEZ
Director General Adjunto del BANCOMEXT
LIC. MARCO ANTONIO CALLEJA PINEDO
Director de Promoción Sectorial de Alimentos y Materiales para la Construcción del BANCOMEXT
DR. JAIRO SANCHEZ
Representante del Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo en Mkico
DR. OLIVER LAFOURCADE
Representante del Banco Mundial en Mexico
DR. ENRIQUE NAVARRO GUERRERO
Rector de la Universidad Antonio Narro
DR. FRANCISCO BOLIVAR ZAPATA
Coordinador de Investigación Cientifica de la UNAM
DR. INOCENCIO HIGUERA
Director General del Centro de Investigaciones en Alimentación y Desarrollo, CIAD
DR. JOSE REYES SANCHEZ
Rector de la Universidad Autonoma Chapingo
LIC. CARLOS BRADESH PARADA
Director General del CONACYT
DR. LUIS PONCE RAMIREZ
Director Adjunto de Desarrollo Cientifico y Tecnológico Regional, CONACYT
DR. BENJAMIN FIGUEROA SANDOVAL
Director General del Colegio de Postgraduados
SR. RAMON IRIARTE MAISTERRENA
Presidente del Consejo Nacional Agropecuario (CNA).
SR. BASILIO GATZIONIS
Presidente de la Confederación de Asociaciones Agricolas del Estado de Sinaloa
LIC. MARIBEL LOPEZ MARTINEZ
Directora General de la Entidad Mexicana de Acreditación, A. C. (EMMA)
LIC. MANUEL MARCOS MORALES
Comara Nacional de la Industria de Conservas Alimenticias (CANAINCA)
ING. RUBEN CASTILLO FRAGOSO
Presidente Ejecutivo del Consejo Mexicano del Cafe
ING. EDUARDO BENITEZ PAULIN
Director del Servicio Nacional de Inspección y Certificacion de Semillas
MVZ. IGOR ROMERO SOSA
Director del Centro Nacional de Servicios de Constatacion en Salud
ING. JOSE COLLI MISSET
Jefe de Laboratorio y planta de tratamiento, IMTA
LIC. GUILLERMO MARTIN MUN0Z
Director General de la Confederación Nacional Ganadera
MVZ. AMILCAR GONZALEZ DE COSSIO FRIAS
Secretario General de la Confederación Nacional de Propietarios Rurales (CNPR)
DR. TIMOTHY REEVES
Director del Centro Internacional para el Mejoramiento del Ma¬z y Trigo. (CIMMYT)
DR. OCTAVIO PAREDES LOPEZ
Director del Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Avanzados, (CINVESTAV-IPN)
DR. JOEL AVILA AGUILAR
Gerente de la Asociación Mexicana de Secretarios de Desarrollo Agropecuario, AMSDA
LIC. RICARDO DEL CASTILLO
Oficial de Comercio de la Embajada de Canadi en México
SR. FRANKLIN D. LEE
Ministro Agropecuario de Estados Unidos en México
SR LEWIS J. STOCKARD
Asistente Agricola de la Embajada de Estados Unidos de América
ING. JORGE KONDO LOPEZ
Director en Jefe del INIFAP
DR. RODRIGO AVELDAN0 SALAZAR
Director General de la Division Agricola del INIFAP
DR. DAVID MORENO RICO
Director General de Coordinación y Desarrollo del INIFAP
MVZ. DIEGO BRANA VARELA
Director General de la Division Pecuaria del INIFAP
Cover photograph -- Bottom row from left, Arthur Miller, James Sieber, Robert Brackett, Camille Brewer, Gerald Sapers, Bisendu Goswami, Kenneth Gross. Top row from left, Palmer Orlandi, James Lindsay, Wallace Andrews, John Cherry, Robert Mandrel.
Hypertext updated by bap/dms/ear 2001-DEC-04