Project reports
A range of research project reports may be accessed here.
The production of this guide represents three years of intensive and incredibly detailed work, involving key dairy industry players and regulators, motivated and led by Distinguished Professor Phil Bremer (the Centre’s Chief Scientist) and Associate Professor Simon Swift (member of the Centre’s Science Leadership Team). Cronobacter is of increasing concern to the infant formula industry after two newborns died from drinking contaminated formula, produced in the US (2022). The consequences were enormous, including a critical national shortage of formula.
Cyclone Gabrielle (13-14 February 2023) caused extensive damage to the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, including key horticultural production areas in Hawkes Bay, Gisborne/Tairāwhiti and Northland. This incident highlighted the limited information available to growers to assist their decision-making as to when flood-affected soils could be replanted with food crops without compromising food safety. The horticulture industry has an immediate need for guidance, to ensure both food security and safety.
The maintenance of safe food supply is important. Food contamination can result in negative impacts on human and animal health, including mortality, illness, disability, and decreased quality of life. It can also lead to significant societal and economic losses related to production and trade in the case of food recalls. Systems for the detection of pathogens, harmful chemicals, and physical contamination in relation to food products are an important tool for maintaining a safe food supply and preventing foodborne illness outbreaks. Science for food safety therefore plays a critical role in protecting the general public and economy from damages related to unsafe food.
One Pager - Infographic
In 2022, the NZFSSRC commissioned the Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit (AERU) at Lincoln University to quantify the value of the Centre’s work and its impact more broadly in New Zealand.
This study builds on a literature review of the benefits of food safety undertaken by Guenther et al. (2022) as part of this research. Research methods included interviews with participants from food industry and a desktop analysis.
Three case studies for economic valuation of the Centre’s involvement were constructed. These case studies do not capture all of the benefits of the NZFSSRC, but they are representative examples that indicate its substantial impact.
Dr Joanne Kingsbury, ESR, undertook the seventh comprehensive literature review, focusing on these research questions
- What is the latest information on the routes of transmission for COVID-19 (including anything that implicates food as a vehicle)?
- What is the international consensus on survival rates of SARS-CoV-2 in and on food products and packaging?
- What is international best practice for mitigation options to reduce transfer of COVID-19 from workers to food products, including risk management strategies when a worker is identified as being infected with SARS-CoV-2?
Joanne Kingsbury and Rob Lake at ESR have been on constant watch for any evidence from overseas pointing to food as a transmission route for SARS-CoV-2. They have just produced another comprehensive literature review. It’s good news for NZ food producers…”still no evidence that food is a source or a transmission route for SARS-CoV-2 ".
This study aimed to provide a better understanding of on-farm sources for Campylobacter contamination of broiler flocks. The Centre/poultry industry collaboration, led by Dr Joanne Kingsbury, was structured into two workstreams. Phase 1 included a literature review, the development of a Campylobacter-specific metabarcoding method and a limit of detection (LOD) laboratory study. These three elements all informed the Phase 2 longitudinal broiler farm microbiological survey.
This work was commissioned by the NZ Food Safety Science & Research Centre and co-funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and Fonterra. The study was conducted by Peter Cressey and Dr Belinda Cridge.
A question and answer document on nitrates
The Centre partnered with Plant & Food Research to apply to MBIE’s Unlocking Curious Minds Fund.
This document (link) provides a summary of knowledge that may be useful to the student as they investigate the watercress growing in their local environment and assess its safety. Watercress grows wild and continues to be the staple in households and marae of the Hauiti people in Uawa/Tolaga Bay, used on a regular basis in meals, and often collected by the local children as part of their training by community elders. The aim of this project is to increase school children’s knowledge and understanding of the importance of the local environment’s water quality for safe watercress production.
This powerpoint presentation (link) is another valuable education tool for teachers, students and the community.