Friday 6 May 2011

Food Safety

Seromonitoring

An assessment of immune status in the broiler breeders, layers and other livestock requires a measurement of antibodies in serum.

Enzyme immunoassay systems using specific antigen-antibody capture (ELISA) have proven efficacious in the quantification of antibody levels. Titers are measured and calculated using software. With additional information such as age of flock and vaccination program, a baseline can be generated.

An ongoing program of testing for antibodies to critical pathogens of livestock is essential for improving vaccination programs and for rapid detection of failures in a vaccination program or breakdowns in a flock bio-security program.

Halal Certification

Halal is a form of social obligation and it boosts customers' trust and confidence in products. Hence, halal certification provides tremendous export opportunities and have a competitive advantage over other food companies. Halal certification benefits all consumers as it not only covers religious requirements but it also imposes strict hygiene practices.


Compartmentalisation
In the veterinary services, compartmentalisation has been applied in many disease control program that are based on the concept of disease-free herds/flocks. Specific diseases surveillance, control and biosecurity measures has been applied for the purpose of international trade.


Pesticides Residues

How safe are the vegetables and fruits available today? It is estimated that more than 50 per cent of food products are contaminated with pesticide residues; and a substantial percentage of these contain residues above the tolerance levels.