Johanna F. Lindahl

Bio: Johanna F. Lindahl is an academic researcher from CGIAR. The author has contributed to research in topics: Food safety & Livestock. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 27 publications receiving 212 citations.

Food safety in low- and middle-income countries: What works, what doesn't and why

Abstract: Evidence on foodborne disease (FBD) in low and middle income countries (LMICs) is still limited, but important studies in recent years have broadened our understanding. These suggest that developing country consumers are concerned about FBD; that most of the known burden of FBD disease comes from biological hazards; and, that most FBD is the result of consumption of fresh, perishable foods sold in informal markets. FBD is likely to increase in LMICs as the result of massive increases in the consumption of risky foods (livestock and fish products and produce) and lengthening and broadening value chains. Although intensification of agricultural production is a strong trend, so far agro-industrial production and modern retail have not demonstrated clear advantages in food safety and disease control. There is limited evidence on effective, sustainable and scalable interventions to improve food safety in domestic markets. Training farmers on input use and good practices often benefits those farmers trained, but has not been scalable or sustainable, except where good practices are linked to eligibility for export. Training informal value chain actors who receive business benefits from being trained has been more successful. New technologies, growing public concern and increased emphasis on food system governance can also improve food safety.

Sharing Lessons of Smallholders' Pig System in South Asia and Southeast Asia: a Review

Abstract: South Asia and Southeast (SE) Asia have some historical links from the past in respect of religion, tradition, culture, food habits, trade, language and population migration. Pig rearing is an important part of smallholders’ livelihood and socio-cultural belief among pig producers in both regions. Its distribution is largely determined by ethnicity and religion. Because of socio-religious sentiments towards pig rearing and pork consumption, pigs population in South Asia is much smaller than in SE Asia. Vietnam and the Philippines are the two major producers of pig among the SE Asian countries while India is the leading country in South Asia. The pig sub-sector in some of the countries in SE Asia is growing at a faster pace because of industrialisation of farming system and transformation of smallholder backyard system to more commercial farming system in response to market demand. Industrialisation of pig farming in South Asia is yet to take place although the transformation is going on at a slower pace. Naturally, SE Asia is endowed by a few more productive indigenous breeds compared to South Asia. Artificial insemination in pigs is more widely prevalent in SE Asia than in South Asia, although natural breeding is still predominant at smallholders’ level in both regions. Feed regime for pigs is found to be better in SE Asia than in South Asia in terms of use of more grains and protein sources. Cultivation of food-feed crops (sweet potato, maize, cassava etc.) for feeding of pigs is more popular in SE Asia than in South Asia. The housing system in both regions is in a transformation stage from scavenging to semi-intensive to intensive although the degree widely varies among the countries. There are many common diseases affecting pigs in both regions. Among these, classical swine fever (CSF) is a major disease affecting pigs in both regions. Vaccination against CSF is more common in SE Asia than in South Asia. The porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) that has been posing a major threat to the pig industry in SE Asia for the last several years has just been reported recently in South Asia (NE India). Disease prevention mechanisms through vaccination and deworming are more common and widely practiced in SE Asia. Marketing system of pig/ pork in rural areas is almost the same in both regions although it is more advanced in urban centers in SE Asia. The pig subsector in SE Asia has been a prominent component of the government development policies more than it has historically been in South Asia Export market for pork is more vibrant and growing rapidly in a few countries (eg. Thailand, Vietnam) in SE Asia while this is almost nil in South Asia. Pork safety is an important issue in both regions although there are wide country variations. Overall, the pig subsector in SE Asia is more advanced in terms of wider prevalence of better breed, feed, healthcare, processing and market infrastructure including industrial farming system and export-import market than South Asia. It could be anticipated that South Asia could be benefited from some of the lessons of pig systems in SE Asia.

Quality and safety improvements in informal milk markets and implications for food safety policy

Abstract: Milk marketing in Assam, NE India remains predominantly in the informal sector; there is also growing concern among consumers about the purity and quality of milk marketed by informal milk vendors and the possible health risk posed by it. ILRI’s study on milk safety (ILRI 2008) indicates that most of the milk samples (including pasteurized and UHT) available in Assam do not meet quality standards from the standpoint of physical quality, adulterants and bacterial load (total bacterial count and coliform count). In 2009, a training and certification program was initiated to improve milk handling among milk traders who are the main conduits of milk being marketed in Assam. The impact of the program on milk value chain actors was assessed through a prospective matched cohort study using a double difference design. Data was collected from surveys of producers, milk vendors, and consumers. Rapid diagnostic tests on milk samples were conducted to assess levels of hazards from presence of pathogens in milk traded in informal milk markets. Estimates of economic benefits show positive effects in terms of increased average profit margins and value added. Sector level benefits as approximated from micro-level estimates of economic indicators show that traditional dairy value chain in Kamrup generates about 0.8 million rupees value added per day; this translates to an annual estimate of economic impact in Kamrup of at least US$ 5.6 million. Given the important economic contribution of traditional dairy value chain, public policy that affects informal milk markets and actors will need to be based on risk and not hazard, and improving capacity for risk assessment and incentives for better risk management will support the continued viability of the traditional dairy sector in Assam.

United States food and drug administration

Abstract: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates medical devices primarily through the law known as the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as Amended (“the FD&C Act,” or “the Act”). Regulations promulgated by FDA in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) spell out the broad provisions contained in the Act.

Brucellosis remains a neglected disease in the developing world: a call for interdisciplinary action

Abstract: Brucellosis is an endemic zoonotic disease in most of the developing world that causes devastating losses to the livestock industry and small-scale livestock holders. Infected animals exhibit clinical signs that are of economic significance to stakeholders and include reduced fertility, abortion, poor weight gain, lost draught power, and a substantial decline in milk production. In humans, brucellosis typically manifests as a variety of non-specific clinical signs. Chronicity and recurring febrile conditions, as well as devastating complications in pregnant women are common sequelae. In regions where the disease is endemic, brucellosis has far-reaching and deleterious effects on humans and animals alike. Deeply entrenched social misconceptions and fear of government intervention contribute to this disease continuing to smolder unchecked in most of the developing world, thereby limiting economic growth and inhibiting access to international markets. The losses in livestock productivity compromise food security and lead to shifts in the cognitive competency of the working generation, influence the propagation of gender inequality, and cause profound emotional suffering in farmers whose herds are affected. The acute and chronic symptoms of the disease in humans can result in a significant loss of workdays and a decline in the socioeconomic status of infected persons and their families from the associated loss of income. The burden of the disease to society includes significant human healthcare costs for diagnosis and treatment, and non-healthcare costs such as public education efforts to reduce disease transmission. Brucellosis places significant burdens on the human healthcare system and limits the economic growth of individuals, communities, and nations where such development is especially important to diminish the prevalence of poverty. The implementation of public policy focused on mitigating the socioeconomic effects of brucellosis in human and animal populations is desperately needed. When developing a plan to mitigate the associated consequences, it is vital to consider both the abstract and quantifiable effects. This requires an interdisciplinary and collaborative, or One Health, approach that consists of public education, the development of an infrastructure for disease surveillance and reporting in both veterinary and medical fields, and campaigns for control in livestock and wildlife species.

Food Safety in Low and Middle Income Countries

Abstract: Evidence on foodborne disease (FBD) in low and middle income countries (LMICs) is still limited, but important studies in recent years have broadened our understanding. These suggest that developing country consumers are concerned about FBD; that most of the known burden of FBD disease comes from biological hazards; and, that most FBD is the result of consumption of fresh, perishable foods sold in informal markets. FBD is likely to increase in LMICs as the result of massive increases in the consumption of risky foods (livestock and fish products and produce) and lengthening and broadening value chains. Although intensification of agricultural production is a strong trend, so far agro-industrial production and modern retail have not demonstrated clear advantages in food safety and disease control. There is limited evidence on effective, sustainable and scalable interventions to improve food safety in domestic markets. Training farmers on input use and good practices often benefits those farmers trained, but has not been scalable or sustainable, except where good practices are linked to eligibility for export. Training informal value chain actors who receive business benefits from being trained has been more successful. New technologies, growing public concern and increased emphasis on food system governance can also improve food safety.

Food safety in low- and middle-income countries: What works, what doesn't and why

Abstract: Evidence on foodborne disease (FBD) in low and middle income countries (LMICs) is still limited, but important studies in recent years have broadened our understanding. These suggest that developing country consumers are concerned about FBD; that most of the known burden of FBD disease comes from biological hazards; and, that most FBD is the result of consumption of fresh, perishable foods sold in informal markets. FBD is likely to increase in LMICs as the result of massive increases in the consumption of risky foods (livestock and fish products and produce) and lengthening and broadening value chains. Although intensification of agricultural production is a strong trend, so far agro-industrial production and modern retail have not demonstrated clear advantages in food safety and disease control. There is limited evidence on effective, sustainable and scalable interventions to improve food safety in domestic markets. Training farmers on input use and good practices often benefits those farmers trained, but has not been scalable or sustainable, except where good practices are linked to eligibility for export. Training informal value chain actors who receive business benefits from being trained has been more successful. New technologies, growing public concern and increased emphasis on food system governance can also improve food safety.

The Safe Food Imperative: Accelerating Progress in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Abstract: Food safety is linked in direct and indirect ways to achieving many of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially those on ending hunger and poverty, and promoting good health and well-being. Food and nutritional security are realized only when the essential elements of a healthy diet are safe to eat, and when consumers recognize this. The safety of food is vital for the growth and transformation of agriculture, which are needed to feed a growing and more prosperous world population, for the modernization of national food systems, and for a country's efficient integration into regional and international markets. The safety of food is the result of the actions or inactions of many stakeholders operating under diverse environmental, infrastructure, and socio-political conditions. These stakeholders include farmers, food handlers and distributors, food manufacturers, food service operators, consumers, regulators, scientists, educators, and the media. Their behavior can be shaped by their awareness of food safety hazards; their technical, financial, and other capabilities to apply effective mitigating practices; and prevailing rules, incentives, and other motivators. Food safety outcomes can be strongly influenced by policies, investments, and other interventions. These alter the awareness, capabilities, and practices of stakeholders, from farm to fork. Well-functioning markets can provide incentives for farmers and food business operators to supply products that match the safety characteristics consumers demand. Even so, there are many circumstances stemming from problems of information and costs where pure market signals fail and additional measures are needed. Problems of information include the actual attributes of food products, and the location and origins of food safety hazards.