the food defect action levels
DESCRIPTION
The Food Defect Action Levels. Levels of natural or unavoidable defects in foods that present no health hazards for humans according to the FDA. The Food Defect Handbook. Handbook is created by the FDA for food processors. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Levels of natural or unavoidable defects in foods
that present no health hazards for humans according to the FDA
The Food Defect Action Levels
The Food Defect HandbookHandbook is created by the FDA for food
processors.Handbook reflects maximum levels of
natural or unavoidable defects in foods for human use that present no health hazard according to the FDA.
The FDA set these action levels because it is economically impractical to grow, harvest, or process raw products that are totally free of non-hazardous, naturally occurring, unavoidable defects.
Food ExamplesThe following slides contain examples of
how much of a specific contaminant can be found in foods we purchase.
For comparison purposes remember that a gram weighs about as much as one small paperclip.
One pound equals about 450 grams.
BERRIESAverage mold count is 60% or more.So almost 2/3 of berries could contain mold
spores. However, they may not appear moldy.
Average of 4 or more insect larvae per 500 grams.
BroccoliAverage of 60 or more aphids or mites per
quarter pound.
CHOCOLATEAverage is 60 or more insect fragments per
quarter pound.
CORNInsect larvae (corn ear worms, corn borers)
2 or more 3mm (1 mm is about 1/16 of an inch)or longer larvae, cast skins, larval or cast skin fragments of corn ear worms or corn borer.
Cannot exceed total of 12 mm (not quite an inch) in 24 pounds.
MACARONI AND NOODLE PRODUCTSAverage of 225 insect fragments or more
per 225 grams.Average of 4.5 rodent hairs per quarter
pound of pasta.
OLIVESAverage of 1.3 percent or more by count of
olives with whole pits and/or pit fragments 2 mm or longer measured in the longest dimension
PEANUT BUTTERAverage of 1 or more rodent hairs per 100
grams.Average of 30 or more insect fragments per
100 grams.5 insect fragments per tablespoon of
peanut butter is acceptable by the FDA.
PLUMSAverage of 5% or more plums by count with
rot spots larger than the area of a circle 12 mm in diameter.
POTATO CHIPSAverage of 6% or more pieces by weight
contain rot.
SESAME SEEDSAverage of 5% or more seeds by weight are
insect-infested or damaged.Average of 5 mg or more of rodent
excrements per pound.
TOMATO PRODUCTSAverage of 20 or more fly eggs per 100
grams.
Concluding ThoughtsCan these contaminants be avoided?Are we being too squeamish about
microscopic amounts of rodent hair, feces or insects in our food?
How much more would food cost if we tried to enforce 100% purity in our foods?
Do we need to just face the fact that our food comes from nature and nature is not perfect?