Food risk profiles

The NZFSA Statement of Intent 2008-2011 identifies control of Listeria monocytogenes as a strategic priority, with the performance indicator being no increase in cases of listeriosis after five years. This Risk Profile is intended to help inform the NZFSA Listeria monocytogenes Risk Management Strategy, and to provide a scientific underpinning for associated risk management measures. It is an update of a previous document completed in 2002, and describes the risk to New Zealand consumers from Listeria monocytogenes in processed ready-to-eat meats.

Risk Profile Mycotoxin in the New Zealand Food Supply

The purpose of this Risk Profile is to critically review available information and determine if the risk to human health from V. parahaemolyticus had changed since 2003.
Keywords: Risk Profile, Vibrio, parahaemolyticus, bivalve, molluscan, shellfish

The purpose of this Risk Profile is to critically review available information and determine the risk to human health from V. vulfificus in bivalve molluscan shellfish.

Keywords: Risk Profile, Vibrio, vulfificus, bivalve, molluscan, shellfish

The significance for human health of Salmonella (non-typhoid) in high lipid foods such as sesame seed-based foods.

Information was compiled on Listeria prevalence in an expanded definition of ready-to-eat (RTE) salads to include pre-dressed and fruit RTE salads. New Zealand studies have reported low prevalence of L. monocytogenes in packaged fruit salads and Listeria spp. from bagged leafy salads. Sprouted seeds and RTE fruit salads, particularly those containing melon, may represent more significant risks, but these foods are yet to be identified as risk factors in notified cases of listeriosis in NZ.

The purpose of this discussion document is to collate and review information from overseas and New Zealand regarding bacterial pathogens in dried ready-to-eat (RTE) meats.

Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoan parasite that infects warm blooded animals.

Improvements in the sensitivity and scope of analytical methods have enabled the detection of chemicals in wastewater and the aquatic receiving environment, which were previously undetectable or could not be quantified.

The Risk Profile on microplastics in the New Zealand diet identified that the characteristics and levels of chemical contaminants associated with microplastics in New Zealand are unknown and requires further research in order to assess the risk to human health. Research programmes are now underway in New Zealand to specifically investigate if microplastics are a food safety concern.

keywords; microplastics, nanoplastics, emerging contaminants, environmental contaminant

This risk profile on ciguatoxins in seafood is an update of the 2007 risk profile. Although there is no evidence that ciguatoxic fish is currently being caught for consumption in New Zealand, climate change might change the geographic distribution of the ciguatoxin producing organism.