Food SafetyFood Safety

Fertilizers, Pesticides, Fertilizers, Pesticides, Preservatives, and BacteriaPreservatives, and Bacteria

Food SafetyFood Safety

PA StandardsPA Standards 4.5.12.C: Integrated Pest 4.5.12.C: Integrated Pest

ManagementManagement 3.2.12.A: Inquiry and Design3.2.12.A: Inquiry and Design 3.3.12.C: Biological Sciences3.3.12.C: Biological Sciences 3.8.12.C: Science, Technology, and 3.8.12.C: Science, Technology, and

Human Endeavors Human Endeavors 3.2.12.C: Inquiry and Design3.2.12.C: Inquiry and Design

““Since the mid-1940’s over 200 basic Since the mid-1940’s over 200 basic chemicals have been created for use chemicals have been created for use in killing insects, weeds, rodents, in killing insects, weeds, rodents, and other organisms described in and other organisms described in the modern vernacular as ‘pests.’”the modern vernacular as ‘pests.’”

- - Rachel Carson, Rachel Carson, Silent SpringSilent Spring, 1962, 1962

Explain the dynamics of Explain the dynamics of integrated pest management integrated pest management practices and their relative practices and their relative effects upon society.effects upon society.

Evaluate the nature of Evaluate the nature of scientific and technological scientific and technological knowledge using case knowledge using case studies. studies.

Describe genetic engineering Describe genetic engineering techniques, applications, and techniques, applications, and impacts.impacts.

Evaluate the consequences Evaluate the consequences and impacts of scientific and and impacts of scientific and technological solutions.technological solutions.

Apply the elements of Apply the elements of scientific inquiry to solve scientific inquiry to solve multi-step problems.multi-step problems.

Key QuestionsKey Questions

How can we protect food resources from How can we protect food resources from pests?pests?

What are the environmental effects of What are the environmental effects of producing food?producing food?

What laws govern the use of pesticides?What laws govern the use of pesticides? What is Integrated Pest Management?What is Integrated Pest Management? How has the development of preservatives How has the development of preservatives

impacted food?impacted food? What impact does foodborne illnesses have What impact does foodborne illnesses have

on the U.S.?on the U.S.?

How can we protect food How can we protect food resources from pests?resources from pests?

PROTECTING FOOD RESOURCES: PROTECTING FOOD RESOURCES: PEST MANAGEMENTPEST MANAGEMENT

Organisms found in Organisms found in nature (such as nature (such as spiders) control spiders) control populations of most populations of most pest species as part pest species as part of the earth’s free of the earth’s free ecological services.ecological services.

PROTECTING FOOD RESOURCES: PROTECTING FOOD RESOURCES: PEST MANAGEMENTPEST MANAGEMENT

We use chemicals to repel or kill pest We use chemicals to repel or kill pest organisms as plants have done for millions of organisms as plants have done for millions of years.years.

Chemists have developed hundreds of Chemists have developed hundreds of chemicals (pesticides) that can kill or repel chemicals (pesticides) that can kill or repel pests.pests. Pesticides vary in their persistence.Pesticides vary in their persistence. Each year > 250,000 people in the U.S. become Each year > 250,000 people in the U.S. become

ill from household pesticides.ill from household pesticides.

What are the environmental What are the environmental effects of producing food?effects of producing food?

Conventional Chemical PesticidesConventional Chemical Pesticides

Which advantage/disadvantage do you feel is Which advantage/disadvantage do you feel is the most important? the most important?

Individuals Matter: Rachel CarsonIndividuals Matter: Rachel Carson

Wrote Wrote Silent SpringSilent Spring (1962) which (1962) which introduced the U.S. introduced the U.S. to the dangers of the to the dangers of the pesticide DDT and pesticide DDT and related compounds related compounds to the environment.to the environment.

DDTDDT

DDT sprayed on Long Island beaches in 1945. It is also used in agriculture, sprayed on fields and sometimes from the air. It is far less poisonous than the pre-WWII arsenic compounds.

Time magazine ad for DDT, we can look forward to a new era of prosperity and peace guided by science and technology.

Silent Spring AssignmentSilent Spring Assignment

Read the selection from Read the selection from Silent SpringSilent Spring by by Rachel Carson.Rachel Carson.

Answer the discussion points on the Answer the discussion points on the handout.handout.

PollutionPollution Each year pesticides:Each year pesticides:

Kill about 1/5Kill about 1/5thth of the of the U.S. honeybee U.S. honeybee colonies.colonies.

67 million birds.67 million birds. 6 -14 million fish.6 -14 million fish. Threaten 1/5Threaten 1/5thth of the of the

U.S.’s endangered U.S.’s endangered and threatened and threatened species.species.

Example of Example of biomagnificationbiomagnification or or bioaccumulationbioaccumulation of DDT in of DDT in an aquatic food chain.an aquatic food chain.

The ideal Pesticide and the The ideal Pesticide and the Nightmare Insect PestNightmare Insect Pest

The ideal pest-killing chemical has these The ideal pest-killing chemical has these qualities:qualities: Kill only target pest.Kill only target pest. Not cause genetic resistance in the target Not cause genetic resistance in the target

organism.organism. Disappear or break down into harmless Disappear or break down into harmless

chemicals after doing its job.chemicals after doing its job. Be more cost-effective than doing nothing.Be more cost-effective than doing nothing.

SuperpestsSuperpests

Superpests are Superpests are resistant to resistant to pesticides.pesticides.

Superpests like the Superpests like the silver whiteflysilver whitefly (left) (left) challenge farmers challenge farmers as they cause > as they cause > $200 million per $200 million per year in U.S. crop year in U.S. crop losses.losses.

What laws govern the use What laws govern the use of pesticides?of pesticides?

Pesticide Protection Laws in the U.S.Pesticide Protection Laws in the U.S.

Government regulation has banned a number Government regulation has banned a number of harmful pesticides but some scientists call of harmful pesticides but some scientists call for strengthening pesticide laws.for strengthening pesticide laws. The The Environmental Protection AgencyEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA), (EPA),

the the Department of AgricultureDepartment of Agriculture (USDA), and the (USDA), and the Food and Drug AdministrationFood and Drug Administration (FDA) regulate (FDA) regulate the sales of pesticides under the the sales of pesticides under the Federal Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide ActInsecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).(FIFRA).

The EPA has only evaluated the health effects of The EPA has only evaluated the health effects of 10% of the active ingredients of all pesticides.10% of the active ingredients of all pesticides.

What Can You Do?

Reducing Exposure to Pesticides

• Grow some of your food using organic methods.

• Buy organic food.

• Wash and scrub all fresh fruits, vegetables, and wild foods you pick.

• Eat less or no meat.

• Trim the fat from meat.

Class DiscussionClass Discussion

Do the advantages of using synthetic Do the advantages of using synthetic chemical pesticides outweigh their chemical pesticides outweigh their disadvantages? disadvantages? a. No. Synthetic pesticides are overused, a. No. Synthetic pesticides are overused,

damage the environment, and increase cancer damage the environment, and increase cancer risks.risks.

b. Yes. Pesticides save human lives and protect b. Yes. Pesticides save human lives and protect crops. crops.

What is Integrated Pest What is Integrated Pest Management?Management?

Other Ways to Control PestsOther Ways to Control Pests

There are cultivation, biological, and There are cultivation, biological, and ecological alternatives to conventional ecological alternatives to conventional chemical pesticides.chemical pesticides. Fool the pest through cultivation practices.Fool the pest through cultivation practices. Provide homes for the pest enemies.Provide homes for the pest enemies. Implant genetic resistance.Implant genetic resistance. Bring in natural enemies.Bring in natural enemies. Use pheromones to lure pests into traps.Use pheromones to lure pests into traps. Use hormones to disrupt life cycles.Use hormones to disrupt life cycles.

Other Ways to Control PestsOther Ways to Control Pests

Biological pest Biological pest controlcontrol: Wasp : Wasp parasitizing a parasitizing a gypsy moth gypsy moth caterpillar.caterpillar.

Other Ways to Control PestsOther Ways to Control Pests

Genetic Genetic engineering can engineering can be used to be used to develop pest and develop pest and disease resistant disease resistant crop strains.crop strains.

Both tomato plants were exposed to Both tomato plants were exposed to destructive caterpillars. The genetically destructive caterpillars. The genetically altered plant (right) shows little damage.altered plant (right) shows little damage.

Case Study DiscussionCase Study Discussion

Read the Case Study: Integrated Pest Read the Case Study: Integrated Pest Management: A component of Sustainable Management: A component of Sustainable Agriculture.Agriculture.

Answer the discussion question at the Answer the discussion question at the conclusion of the Case Study.conclusion of the Case Study.

Case Study: Integrated Pest Case Study: Integrated Pest Management: A Component of Management: A Component of

Sustainable AgricultureSustainable Agriculture

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)Integrated Pest Management (IPM) An ecological approach to pest control uses a An ecological approach to pest control uses a

mix of cultivation and biological methods, and mix of cultivation and biological methods, and small amounts of selected chemical pesticides as small amounts of selected chemical pesticides as a last resort.a last resort.

Case Study: Integrated Pest Case Study: Integrated Pest Management: A Component of Management: A Component of

Sustainable AgricultureSustainable Agriculture Many scientists urge the USDA to use three Many scientists urge the USDA to use three

strategies to promote IPM in the U.S.:strategies to promote IPM in the U.S.: Add a 2% sales tax on pesticides.Add a 2% sales tax on pesticides. Establish federally supported IPM demonstration Establish federally supported IPM demonstration

project for farmers.project for farmers. Train USDA personnel and county farm agents in Train USDA personnel and county farm agents in

IPM.IPM. The pesticide industry opposes such The pesticide industry opposes such

measures.measures.

Class DiscussionClass Discussion

Should governments heavily subsidize a Should governments heavily subsidize a switch to integrated pest management? switch to integrated pest management? a. No. Without extensive funding and training, a. No. Without extensive funding and training,

mere subsidies are not enough to successfully mere subsidies are not enough to successfully promote integrated pest management.promote integrated pest management.

b. Yes. These subsidies would decrease pollution b. Yes. These subsidies would decrease pollution and exposure to hazardous pesticides. and exposure to hazardous pesticides.

How has the development How has the development of preservatives impacted of preservatives impacted

food?food?

Mini-ProjectMini-Project

Research one natural preservative and one Research one natural preservative and one artificial preservative.artificial preservative.

Create a fact sheet on the following Create a fact sheet on the following information:information: Describe the differences between the two types.Describe the differences between the two types. What types of food are associated with your What types of food are associated with your

examples.examples. Explain the positives and negatives about each.Explain the positives and negatives about each.

What impact does What impact does foodborne illnesses have on foodborne illnesses have on

the U.S.?the U.S.?

Foodborne IllnessFoodborne Illness

What impact does foodborne illnesses have on the What impact does foodborne illnesses have on the U.S.?U.S.? U.S has one of the safest food supplies in the world.U.S has one of the safest food supplies in the world.

• Each year 76,000,000 people get sick from foodborne illnesses.Each year 76,000,000 people get sick from foodborne illnesses.• 300,000 people are hospitalized300,000 people are hospitalized• 5,000 people die5,000 people die

More dangerous bacteria in our food today than we were More dangerous bacteria in our food today than we were aware of in 1942.aware of in 1942.

May become sick in 20 minutes to 6 weeks after eating May become sick in 20 minutes to 6 weeks after eating food with harmful bacteria.food with harmful bacteria.

Who is prone to foodborne illnesses?Who is prone to foodborne illnesses?• Infants and young children, pregnant women, older adults, and Infants and young children, pregnant women, older adults, and

people with weaken immune systemspeople with weaken immune systems

E. coliE. coli O157:H7 Outbreak From Fresh Spinach O157:H7 Outbreak From Fresh Spinach Case Counts by StateCase Counts by State

(As of October 6, 2006)(As of October 6, 2006)

Source: http://www.cdc.gov/foodborne/ecolispinach/case_count_us_map.htm

Foodborne IllnessFoodborne Illness

What outbreaks of illnesses have occurred in our What outbreaks of illnesses have occurred in our state?state? http://http://www.cdc.gov/foodsafetywww.cdc.gov/foodsafety

Why be concerned about food safety?Why be concerned about food safety? About 50 percent of the money spent on food goes About 50 percent of the money spent on food goes

toward food prepared by others.toward food prepared by others. Much of the food today comes from around the world, Much of the food today comes from around the world,

where food sanitation may be lacking.where food sanitation may be lacking. Resistant bacteria are on the rise. Resistant bacteria are on the rise.

• In 1950, five foodborne pathogens were known.In 1950, five foodborne pathogens were known.• In 2002, this number had grown to 25.In 2002, this number had grown to 25.

BacteriaBacteria

What is bacteria (pl) or bacterium(s)?What is bacteria (pl) or bacterium(s)? Single cell microorganisms, of which some are beneficial to man Single cell microorganisms, of which some are beneficial to man

and others are harmful.and others are harmful.• Bacteria that are harmful to man are called Bacteria that are harmful to man are called pathogenspathogens..

Bacteria are found everywhere.Bacteria are found everywhere. How many bacteria would exist after 24 hours from a single How many bacteria would exist after 24 hours from a single

cell division?cell division? They multiply rapidly through They multiply rapidly through binary fissionbinary fission; one cell can double in ; one cell can double in

20 minutes. 20 minutes.

BacteriaBacteria

How can food become contaminated with bad How can food become contaminated with bad bacteria (pathogens)?bacteria (pathogens)? Animals –Animals –droppings and saliva or disease droppings and saliva or disease

microorganisms within the animal. microorganisms within the animal. • Thus if food is not properly cooked, foodborne illness can occur.Thus if food is not properly cooked, foodborne illness can occur.

Soil – Soil – contaminated animal droppings that are contaminated animal droppings that are transferred to plants, thus if the plant products are not transferred to plants, thus if the plant products are not cleaned or cooked properly, foodborne illness can occur.cleaned or cooked properly, foodborne illness can occur.

Water – Water – contaminated animal droppings come in contact contaminated animal droppings come in contact with water, and water is consumed or sprayed on crops.with water, and water is consumed or sprayed on crops.

Humans – Humans – food contaminated with hands that are not food contaminated with hands that are not clean.clean.

BacteriaBacteria

What do bacteria need to grow and reproduce?What do bacteria need to grow and reproduce? Nutrients – Nutrients – bacteria, like people, need many of the same bacteria, like people, need many of the same

things that humans need to growthings that humans need to grow Moisture – Moisture – bacteria need moisture to grow and bacteria need moisture to grow and

reproduce. They may exist on dry food and surfaces, but reproduce. They may exist on dry food and surfaces, but nothing will happen until moisture is introduced.nothing will happen until moisture is introduced.

pH- pH- bacteria grow well around a 4.6 pH. That is why bacteria grow well around a 4.6 pH. That is why acidic foods tend to be safe from pathogenic bacteria.acidic foods tend to be safe from pathogenic bacteria.

Temperature – Temperature – bacteria grow rapidly in temperatures bacteria grow rapidly in temperatures between 80-105 degrees F. Proper cooking and chilling between 80-105 degrees F. Proper cooking and chilling slows the growth of bacteria.slows the growth of bacteria.

Time –Time –bacteria can multiply rapidly, sometimes two to bacteria can multiply rapidly, sometimes two to three times per hourthree times per hour

LabLab

Microbiological Analysis of Food LabMicrobiological Analysis of Food Lab You will apply the elements of scientific inquiry to solve a You will apply the elements of scientific inquiry to solve a

multi-step problem.multi-step problem. You will examine the presence of bacteria on food. You will examine the presence of bacteria on food.

• Generate a Generate a questionquestion about food and bacteria. The source of about food and bacteria. The source of bacteria may not be from the human body (ex. saliva – double bacteria may not be from the human body (ex. saliva – double dipping) and no rotten food (ex. spoiled meat).dipping) and no rotten food (ex. spoiled meat).

• Evaluate the appropriateness of question. Can you effectively Evaluate the appropriateness of question. Can you effectively test a test a hypothesishypothesis??

• Design an Design an investigationinvestigation with adequate control and limited with adequate control and limited variables to investigate a question. What is your control, variables to investigate a question. What is your control, independent variable, and dependent variable?independent variable, and dependent variable?

• Organize experimental information using analytic and descriptive Organize experimental information using analytic and descriptive techniques. How will you collect techniques. How will you collect datadata??

• EvaluateEvaluate the significance of experimental information in the significance of experimental information in answering the question.answering the question.

• Project additional Project additional questionsquestions from a research study that could be from a research study that could be studied.studied.

Mini-ProjectMini-Project

You are the owner of a restaurant. After a recent You are the owner of a restaurant. After a recent outbreak of food poisoning at local restaurants, you outbreak of food poisoning at local restaurants, you want to make sure your employees are want to make sure your employees are knowledgeable on food safety. knowledgeable on food safety.

Create a pamphlet containing the following Create a pamphlet containing the following information:information: Two common types of food borne illnesses.Two common types of food borne illnesses.

• Include the cause and the symptoms.Include the cause and the symptoms. General Guidelines for the safe handling of food.General Guidelines for the safe handling of food. Ways to tell if food is safe.Ways to tell if food is safe.

Suggested resources: CDC and USDASuggested resources: CDC and USDA

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

Globalization of the food supplyGlobalization of the food supply –Imported and exported foods will –Imported and exported foods will only increase in the future. How can the regulatory agencies handle this only increase in the future. How can the regulatory agencies handle this increased activity? How can countries work together to protect and increased activity? How can countries work together to protect and provide a safe food supply that is traded between countries?provide a safe food supply that is traded between countries?

Increase use of organic foodsIncrease use of organic foods – Production and the demand for – Production and the demand for organic foods will continue to grow. The general impression is that organic foods will continue to grow. The general impression is that organic foods are safer, but that is not always true. How can producers organic foods are safer, but that is not always true. How can producers of organic foods minimize the possibility of pathogens contaminating of organic foods minimize the possibility of pathogens contaminating their foods and what precautions should consumers take with organic their foods and what precautions should consumers take with organic foods?foods?

Changes in food consumptionChanges in food consumption –Increase in ethnic food demands and –Increase in ethnic food demands and consumers eating more fruits and vegetables pose problems. Raw and consumers eating more fruits and vegetables pose problems. Raw and fresh vegetables and fruits (that are eaten uncooked) have a greater fresh vegetables and fruits (that are eaten uncooked) have a greater chance for dangerous pathogens to be consumed by the public. How chance for dangerous pathogens to be consumed by the public. How can the public be educated on the safe practices for eating fruits and can the public be educated on the safe practices for eating fruits and vegetables? vegetables?

At-risk subpopulationsAt-risk subpopulations – As the numbers of elderly population grows, a – As the numbers of elderly population grows, a group more susceptible to foodborne illnesses, and the technology for group more susceptible to foodborne illnesses, and the technology for organ transplants develops further. How should people and businesses organ transplants develops further. How should people and businesses directly involved in the food chain change their practices?directly involved in the food chain change their practices?

Discussion Questions con’t…Discussion Questions con’t…

Pathogen evolutionPathogen evolution –Microbial evolution has always and will always –Microbial evolution has always and will always occur, meaning that health and regulatory agencies must continue to occur, meaning that health and regulatory agencies must continue to monitor the food supply chain to assure safe foods. How will society pay monitor the food supply chain to assure safe foods. How will society pay for this continual expense?for this continual expense?

Consumer understandingConsumer understanding – All participants in the food supply chain – All participants in the food supply chain must accept the responsibilities and risks that are associated with safe must accept the responsibilities and risks that are associated with safe foods. How can young children be educated on the safe practices for the foods. How can young children be educated on the safe practices for the safe handling of foods? How can adults be reminded of their safe handling of foods? How can adults be reminded of their responsibilities?responsibilities?

Integrated food supplyIntegrated food supply –The farm/ranch to table food supply and safety –The farm/ranch to table food supply and safety system is a complex system and involves many different environments, system is a complex system and involves many different environments, people, and businesses. What role and responsibility can each of you people, and businesses. What role and responsibility can each of you assume in this system to help assure safe food for yourself and others?assume in this system to help assure safe food for yourself and others?

Identifying all foodborne pathogensIdentifying all foodborne pathogens – The number of diseases – The number of diseases caused by pathogens is more than 200 and it is still growing. How can caused by pathogens is more than 200 and it is still growing. How can society keep ahead of these new evolutions?society keep ahead of these new evolutions?

Controlling the worst pathogensControlling the worst pathogens –It is difficult to determine the worst –It is difficult to determine the worst pathogen. Should researchers focus on a pathogen that affects a low pathogen. Should researchers focus on a pathogen that affects a low number of people, but is deadly, or on one that affects a large number of number of people, but is deadly, or on one that affects a large number of people, but is not deadly?people, but is not deadly?

Review Key QuestionsReview Key Questions

How can we protect food resources from How can we protect food resources from pests?pests?

What are the environmental effects of What are the environmental effects of producing food?producing food?

What laws govern the use of pesticides?What laws govern the use of pesticides? What is Integrated Pest Management?What is Integrated Pest Management? How has the development of preservatives How has the development of preservatives

impacted food?impacted food? What impact does foodborne illnesses have What impact does foodborne illnesses have

on the U.S.?on the U.S.?