Inventory of Ongoing Federal Food Safety and Nutrition Research: 2003

Health Canada

Table of Contents

Introduction
Abbreviated List of Health Canada projects (titles only)
Health Canada project details
 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada project details
 Canadian Food Inspection Agency project details

Introduction

The Inventory of Ongoing Federal Food Safety and Nutrition Research contains food safety projects that were carried out by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada in 2003. This inventory is designed to provide scientists, science managers and top executives with a global view of the food safety research carried out in all federal institutions, in order to help identify gaps in research, develop a national research strategy, and stimulate collaboration.

The inventory was designed to be easy to use, with a short initial core section intended for decision and policy makers consisting of a list of project titles and a summary table, followed by appendices in which the projects are described in more detail for use by scientists.

The inventory was also designed to be easy to update. Each project has been given a unique alpha-numerical ID Project Number, and this number will never change until the project is completed and removed from the inventory. As an example, project number AAFC0215 is the fifteenth Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada project entered in the safety inventory in the year 2002.

The projects are presented following the pattern:

Project number Project title
Project Leader: Name of leading investigator, laboratory, E-mail address
Starting Date: Year/ Month. [Only the starting date is given, since projects will be removed from the list when completed]
Collaboration: Organizations other than the laboratory of the project leader
Description: A concise description of the project goals [maximum of 100 words]
Project Identification: Identification assigned by the department or agency for tracking.

Abbreviated List of Health Canada projects (titles only)

HC0295 Total Diet Study

HC0301 Exposure to Dioxin-like Compounds and Health Outcomes in Humans

HC0302 Alternaria Toxins

HC0303 Allergens

HC0298 Toxic Trace Elements in Foods

HC0304 Natural Toxins

HC0305 Fusarium Moniliforme Toxins

HC0306 Metal and Inorganic Speciation in Foods

HC0307 The Nature and Occurrence of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Food and Humans

HC0294 Use of Veterinary Drugs in Salmon Aquaculture: Drug Residues and Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria in Reared Salmon and Related Marine Species

HC0202 Biological Characterisation, Molecular Detection and Control of Foodborne Viruses

HC0203 Health Hazard Assessment of Clostridium botulinum in Foods

HC0206 Foodborne and Waterborne Disease in Canada Annual Summaries

HC0207 Antibiotic Resistance of Foodborne Enteric Pathogens in Canada

HC0210 Development of Methods to Detect Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli in Foods

HC0211 Risk Assessment and Detection Methods for Salmonella in Foods

HC0212 Detection of Vibrio spp. in Seafoods

HC0213 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment of Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-eat and Minimally Processed Foods

HC0214 Seafood Safety and Aquaculture

HC0215 Methods and Risk Assessment of Parasites in Foods

HC0225 Quantitative Assessment of Salmonella, Listeria and Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli in Raw Milk Cheese

HC0308 Canadian Nutrient File

HC0309 Nutrition and Food Consumption Surveys

HC0296 Veterinary Drug Residues

HC0310 Dietary Exposure of Organophosphate Insecticides via Apple Consumption

HC0227 Methods of Detection and Risk Assessment for Campylobacter spp. in Foods

HC0311 Analysis of Vitamin D3 for the Canadian Nutrition File

HC0312 International Dietary Datasets

HC0313 Statistical Issues in Consolidation of Historical Provincial Datasets

HC0314 Food-Borne Carcinogens: In Vitro Detection and Characterization of Genotoxic and Non-Genotoxic Carcinogens

HC0228 Food Ecology, Bacteriocins and Probiotics

HC0229 Development of Methods to Detect Suspected or Emerging Microbial Pathogens in Foods

HC0230 Molecular Genetics, Genomic Profiling, and Diagnostic Applications for Foodborne Pathogens

HC0292 Tetrahydrocannabinol in Foods Containing Hemp Products

HC0315 Quality of Frying Oil in Commercial Operations

HC0316 Child Health - Dietary Surveillance

HC0317 In Vitro Examination of Dietary Factor Effects on Human Colorectal Cancer Cells

HC0244 Endemic Food-borne Botulism in Nunavik: Risk Assessment and Risk Management of Human Botulism in the Canadian Arctic

HC0246 Molecular Diagnostics and Characterization of Genetically Modified Organisms

HC0318 Methodological Development Dietary Monitoring

HC0248 Development of a Polymerase Chain Reaction Based Method for the Detection of Shigella spp. and Aeromonads in Foods

HC0319 Veterinary Drugs used as Growth Promoters in Food

HC0320 Canadian Community Health Survey

HC0321 Organic and Inorganic Contaminants in Retail Fresh Water Fish and Seafood Products

HC0322 Application of Biomarkers in Mechanism-based Risk Assessment

HC0368 Food-Borne Carcinogens: In Vitro Examination of Heating/Cooking Effects on Endocrine Disruptive and Carcinogenic Potentials of Bovine Veterinary Drugs

HC0253 Microbial Method Evaluation for Development of Nationally Accepted Standard Methods

HC0323 Exposure Assessment Methodology

HC0324 Statistical Methods in the Analysis of Gene Expression Microarrays

HC0325 Dietary Fibre - Methodology

HC0326 Dietary Fibre - Novel Fibres/Prebiotics

HC0327 Method Development for Vitamin E in Plant Based Beverages

HC0328 Nutrients in the Canadian Total Diet Study

HC0329 Development of a Food Iron Bioavailability Index for the Canadian Nutrient File

HC0330 Development, Refinement and Transfer of Methods for Extraction and Analysis of Water Soluble Vitamins in Foods and Biological Tissues

HC0331 Analytical Methods to Detect Protein Markers of Transgenic Crops in Processed Foods

HC0332 National Surveillance Activity Database

HC0333 National Surveillance Program of Veterinary Drug Residues in Foods

HC0334 Development of a Rapid Microarray Diagnostic Assay for Detection of Norwalk-Like Viruses in Food.

HC0335 Biofilm Formation in Food Borne Pathogens

HC0336 Clostridium botulinum type A Genomic DNA Microarray

HC0337 Packaging Material Migrants in Food

HC0338 Rapid Microorganisms Identification Method Based on Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

HC0339 Naturally - Occurring Carcinogen (Ochratoxin A) in Milk

HC0340 Toxic Mycotoxins in Retail Herbal and Botanical Products

HC0341 Naturally Occurring Carcinogenic Mycotoxins (Ochratoxin A and Fumonisins) in Teas and Herbal Teas

HC0342 Carcinogenic and Immunosuppressive Mycotoxins in Domestic and Imported beers

HC0343 Ochratoxin A in Canadian Durum Wheat

HC0344 Toxic Contaminants in Herbal and Plant Materials Offered for Sale as Food

HC0345 Persistence and Transport of Veterinary Drugs used in Cattle Farming

HC0346 Investigation of Antibiotic Residues in Farmed and Wild Salmon Tissues and Incidence of Antibiotic Resistant Microorganisms

HC0347 Acrylamide in Foods

HC0348 Cadmium and Toxic Elements in Feeds

HC0349 Dioxins and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Bio-solids

HC0350 Giardia and Cryptosporidium in Water, Food and Faecal Samples at the Farm Level

HC0351 Bacterial DNA Microarray

HC0352 Coronavirus Survival and Activation on Farm Settings

HC0353 Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in Raw Milk

HC0354 Escherichia coli O157:H7

HC0355 Shigella Screening with Polymerase Chain Reaction/Polymerase Chain Reaction - Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism

HC0356 Detection and Control of Campylobacter spp. at Farm Level

HC0357 Salmonella spp. in Raw Chicken Nuggets and Pelleted Feeds; Prevalence, Fate and Molecular Characterization of Isolates

HC0358 Method Development for Determination of Deoxynivalenol in Soft Wheat

HC0359 Food Allergens - Screening Methodologies for Determination of Allergens

HC0360 Soy Allergens - Markers of Soy in Food Products

HC0361 Alternaria in Fruit Beverages

HC0362 Fumonisins in Corn Foods and Meat

HC0363 Dietary Exposure of Organophosphate Insecticides via Apple Consumption - Agricultural Policy Framework

HC0364 Dioxin-like Compounds in Animal Feeds

HC0365 Mycotoxins in Infant Foods

HC0366 Solanine in Potatoes

HC0367 Cross Canada Bottled Water Survey

HC0254 Development of a Laboratory Procedure for the Quantitation of Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia coli in Samples coming from the Agro-environment

HC0255 Validation and Application of the Agro-environmental Public Health Index

HC0256 Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella

HC0257 Development and Implementation of Provincial Data Repositories Supporting the Integration of Food, Animal, Environment and Human Surveillance Data Relating to Enteric Pathogens

HC0259 Serotyping and Phagetyping of Salmonella

HC0260 Salmonella Typing Laboratory - Integrated Surveillance Initiative

HC0261 Verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli Reference Services

HC0262 National Integrated Surveillance Pilot Project of Priority Food-borne Pathogens - Antimicrobial Resistant Salmonella in Pigs at Slaughter in Quebec

HC0263 Implementation of Laboratory Data Management System, Support and Data Sharing Between Health Canada- Laboratory of Food-borne Zoonoses and Remote Units

HC0264 Public Health Risk to Zoonotic Pathogens

HC0265 Sources of Faecal Contamination of Surface Water in Southern Alberta

HC0266 The Relationship Between Phagetype, Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence in Salmonella typhimurium Phagetype 104.

HC0267 Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in Human and Retail Chicken Products in a Defined Geographical Area in Ontario

HC0270 Antimicrobial Use in Food Animals Surveillance and Pilot Project Coordination (Formerly Surveillance of Antimicrobial Use in Aquaculture and Agri-food Sectors)

HC0271 Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Agri-food, Aquaculture and Veterinary Medicine Field Research Coordination (Formerly Research in Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Agri-food, Aquaculture and Veterinary Medicine)

HC0272 Surveillance of Biological Risks Related to Aquaculture

HC0273 Saliva as an Alternative to Serum for Detection of Human Antibody Responses to Infection with Verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli

HC0274 Comparison of Campylobacter jejuni Strains to Assess Virulence Potential for Humans

HC0275 Analysis of Clonal Relationships and Potential Pathogenicity of non-O157 verotoxigenic Escherichia coli

HC0276 Molecular Comparison of O157:H7

HC0277 Colonization of Cattle by Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Other Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli

HC0278 Risks of Human Disease Associated with Campylobacter jejuni Isolates from Animals and Environmental Sources in Southern Alberta

HC0279 Genetic Basis for Differences in Pathogenicity of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strains

HC0280 Studies on the Pathogenetic Significance of non-O157 Verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli Using a Comparative Genomics Strategy

HC0281 Anti-toxin and Anti-colonization Factor Immunity to Verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli Infection

HC0282 Monitoring and Analysis of Emerging Zoonotic Issues

HC0283 International Collaborations in the Development of Science-based Risk Management Strategies to Reduce Incidence of Food- and Water-borne Illnesses

HC0284 Development of Microbial Risk Assessment and Decision Making Tools

HC0285 Scientific Coordination and Planning of Risk Assessment Activities

HC0286 National Integrated Surveillance Pilot of Priority Food-borne Pathogens - Analysis of AMR Surveillance Data

HC0368 Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella

HC0369 Mathematical Stochastic Modelling of Zoonotic Enteropathogen Dynamics in the Agroenvironment

HC0370 Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Laboratory Methods Optimization

HC0371 Occurrence of Salmonella and Antimicrobial Resistant Enteric Bacteria in Commercially Available Pet Treats and Raw Food Diets and Associated Risk to Human Health

HC0372 Plasmid-associated Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance in Campylobacter jejuni

Health Canada projects in support of food safety research

HC0216 Microbiological Safety of Foods (Submission Evaluation)

HC0219 National and International Risk Management Activities

HC0221 Policy Development of Injurious Extraneous Material in Foods

HC0231 Food Directorate Contribution to the Fightbac!™ Campaign

HC0232 Policy Development in Novel Foods

HC0233 Pre-market Evaluation of Food Additives and Contaminants

HC0234 Harmonization Through Federal/Provincial/Territorial Risk Management Activities

HC0235 Regulatory Development

HC0236 Policy Development on Raw Food of Animal Origin

HC0237 Interdepartmental Risk Management Activities

HC0238 Policy Development for Raw Foods of Plant Origin

HC0239 Pre-market Evaluation of Irradiated Foods

HC0240 Pre-market Evaluation of Novel Foods and Novel Food Ingredients

HC0242 A New National Website for Food-borne Illness in Canada

HC0243 Listeriosis Reference Service

HC0243 National Reference Centre for Foodborne Listeriosis

HC0251 Laboratory Projects in Support of Risk Assessment

Health Canada project details

HC0295 Total Diet Study

Project Leader: Robert W. Dabeka, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: bob_dabeka@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1999/04

Collaboration: Kemptville Community College

Description: The total diet study involves the purchase of foods at the retail level, processing of the foods as for consumption (Kemptville Community College), combining the foods into about 140 food composites (each one a separate food), homogenization of the composites, analysis of the composites for background concentrations of various potential toxicants, calculation of the dietary intake of each chemical toxicant by different age/sex groups, and posting of the results on the Food Directorate website. Foods from one city are sampled from 4 different supermarkets once a year. In 2003, foods from Montreal will have been sampled and homogeneous composites prepared for: Trace elements, Methylmercury, Pesticides, Dioxin, Furans, Polychlorinated Biphenyls .

Project Identification: 4500008

HC0301 Exposure to Dioxin-like Compounds and Health Outcomes in Humans

Project Leader: Jake Ryan, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: jake_ryan@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1999/04

Collaboration: Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Description: Reliable methods exist to detect dioxins and furans in biota. Methods for the 12 dioxin-like Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) have mostly been verified but are not as widespread in their application. Data gathering total diet projects are presently obtaining current dioxin, furan, and dioxin-like PCB data from several Canadian cities. Goals of this project: (1) Continue to verify the validity of analytical methods for dioxin-like PCBs in foods by participating in the Norway Institute of Public Health international interlaboratory study; (2) Continue the data gathering of dioxin-like compounds in commercial foods by the analysis of one set of about 50 total diet food samples collected in Vancouver in the spring of 2002 and by the compilation of existing total diet data (dioxins, furans, and all PCBs) including that generated both by the Bureau of Chemical Safety and regional laboratories (Toronto and Vancouver); (3) Obtain data on trends of dioxin-like compounds and related POPs in human milk by the analyses of about 60 samples already collected across Canada in 2001-2 and by the collation of all data; (4) Examine the presence of dioxin-like compounds in animal feeds with emphasis on supplements such as kaolin, bentonite, zinc and copper (collaborative with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency).

Project Identification: 4500024

HC0302 Alternaria Toxins

Project Leader: Peter M. Scott, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: peter_scott@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1998/04

Description: This research project will study methods for and and carry out surveys on the natural occurrence of Alternaria toxins in fruit beverages. The desired outcomes are: 1) suitable methods of analysis (including evaluation of immunoaffinity based methods) for alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether and possibly altertoxin I in fruit and vegetable juices and 2) needed knowledge of natural occurrence of these mycotoxins in beverages.

Project Identification: 4500025

HC0303 Allergens

Project Leader: Samuel Ben Rejeb, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: samuel_benrejeb@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

Collaboration: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Description: This project aims at providing the technical tools to both Health Canada (Food Directorate) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency useful for: developing a pro-active regulation on labeling of food ingredients to protect allergen-sensitive consumers, assisting the Canadian Food Inspection Agency in enforcement activities related to undeclared allergens in foods, developing a repository of reagents and a compendium of methodologies for allergen testing in processed foods, to be used by government and industry keeping the department up-to-date on the state of the science in relation with threshold levels, sensitivity of individuals to allergens, and to adapt the available tools to these findings. This project is directed to answer the requirements identified through the new national and international developments in relation with allergens in foods (updated regulation, updated enforcement activities etc..)

Project Identification: 4500027

HC0298 Toxic Trace Elements in Foods

Project Leader: Robert W. Dabeka, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: bob_dabeka@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1998/04

Description: Analytical infrastructure, analytical method development, technology transfer and surveillance of targeted foods for the presence of toxic trace elements. Assessment of human exposure to toxic trace elements for the purpose of risk assessment. Support infrastructure for addressing terrorist threats. The morbidity and mortality associated with toxic trace elements in foods is about $2-4 billion annually. The goals this year are a survey of bottled waters, hiring an operator and developing a method for W in total diet samples using the new Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry, and investigating baby food vegetables for Lead, Cadmium and Arsenic contamination.

Project Identification: 4500028

HC0304 Natural Toxins

Project Leader: Dorothea Rawn, Health Canada, Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Research Division, E-mail: Thea_Rawn@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1998/01

Description: This project aims at the development of methodologies for the determination of Seafood toxins and other related toxins likely to be present in food commodities from marine source. Target analytes are Domoic Acid, Okadaic acid and other algal toxins likely to be present in fish and seafood products. This project is to be linked to project URGENCE (Rapid methodologies) and will supply confirmatory methodologies to the screening systems (developed under URGENCE).

Project Identification: 4500030

HC0305 Fusarium Moniliforme Toxins

Project Leader: Peter M. Scott, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: peter_scott@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1998/04

Description: Fumonisins are fungal carcinogens which bind to protein and other food components during heat processing. The bound fumonisins are not detectable by the usual analyses but can be estimated following hydrolysis, so that the hydrolysed fumonisin B1 is measured. The project will improve the methodology and confirmation and provide data on natural occurrence of bound fumonisins in foods, especially corn-based foods and meats.

Project Identification: 4500031

HC0306 Metal and Inorganic Speciation in Foods

Project Leader: Don S. Forsyth, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: don_forsyth@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1997/04

Description: This project will develop a new, rapid, low solvent consumption method for methylmercury in fish and other food matrices. It will incorporate a new technology developed at Health Canada.

Project Identification: 4500032

HC0307 The Nature and Occurrence of Persistent Organic Pollutants in Food and Humans

Project Leader: Jake Ryan, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: jake_ryan@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1999/04

Description: All Brominated Flame Retardants have many if not all the properties of Persistent Organic Pollutants including presence in food. For instance, Fisheries and Oceans Canada have reported Brominated Diphenyl Ethers in aquatic and marine species including those from remote areas. Recent data from Europe have documented that levels of Brominated Diphenyl Ethers have increased in biota particularly human milk. Data in North America on human milk now shows human exposure is higher than Europe and has increased ten fold in the last decade. Little or nothing is known of the toxicokinetics of Brominated Diphenyl Ethers and other environmental contaminants in mammalian milk with regard to mother/child burdens, exchange between them, and accumulation in tissues. Information on human exposure to Brominated Diphenyl Ethers has depended on classical analytical methods of solvent extraction and extensive extract purification without recourse to the recently developed environmental friendly technology such as solid phase microextraction or supercritical fluid extraction. Exposure data on the other two main Brominated Flame Retardants (Tetrabromobisphenol A and hexabromocyclododecane) are limited partly due to lack of reliable methodology. Common commercial foods are expected to play a major role in human exposure to Brominated Flame Retardants but the extent and method of transfer to humans is still largely speculative.

Project Identification: 4500033

HC0294 Use of Veterinary Drugs in Salmon Aquaculture: Drug Residues and Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria in Reared Salmon and Related Marine Species

Project Leader: Health Canada, Western Region

Starting Date: 1998/04

Description: As drug-resistant bacteria poses serious threat to human health and increasing concerns of the usage of antibiotics in aquaculture industry, Western Region Organic Residues Laboratory initiated this project to investigate the possible linkage of the use of veterinary drugs in salmon aquaculture and antimicrobial resistant bacteria in reared salmon and related marine species.

Project Identification: 4500055

HC0202 Biological Characterisation, Molecular Detection and Control of Foodborne Viruses

Project Leader: Sabah Bidawid, Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, Health Canada, E-mail: sabah_bidawid@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1999/04

Description: Foodborne viruses, principally Norwalk virus, cause more than 65% of non-bacterial gastroenteritis. However our ability to rapidly detect these viruses in foods remains limited at present. This project aims at developing novel molecular based methods for studying various aspects of foodborne illnesses caused by these viruses will result in a marked improvement in the ability to detect, investigate, and control foodborne outbreaks and related diseases caused by viruses in Canada.

Project Identification: 4500096

HC0203 Health Hazard Assessment of Clostridium botulinum in Foods

Project Leader: John Austin, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: john_austin@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

Description: This project addresses the importance of storage temperature, pH, water activity, shelf-life and packaging atmosphere on the probability of growth of C. botulinum and botulinum neurotoxin production in foods.

Project Identification: 4500098

HC0206 Foodborne and Waterborne Disease in Canada Annual Summaries

Project Leader: Jeffrey Farber, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: jeff_farber@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1998/04

Description: The aim of this project is to compile relevant data related to Canadian foodborne and waterborne microbial outbreaks. This information would be available to provincial and federal authorities through a secured web site.

Project Identification: 4500104

HC0207 Antibiotic Resistance of Foodborne Enteric Pathogens in Canada

Project Leader: Jean-Yves D'Aoust, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: jean-yves_d'aoust@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1996/04

Description: This on-going collaborative study involving federal and provincial government agencies provides national baseline data on the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of medically important bacterial pathogens ( i.e. Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter spp., Vibrio spp., E. coli O157:H7 and other verotoxigenic strains ) in domestic and imported retail foods in the Canadian marketplace.

Project Identification: 4500105

HC0210 Development of Methods to Detect Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli in Foods

Project Leader: Jeffrey Farber, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: jeff_farber@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1999/04

Description: E. coli 0157:H7 continues to pose a serious threat to human health as evident by the continuous occurrence of outbreaks resulting is serious sickness and fatalities. This project aims at conducting research to develop molecular technologies (i.e., Polymerase Chain Reaction, microarrays) for the rapid detection and surveillance of E. coli in foods, investigate bacterial pathogenicity/virulence factors, identify health risks along the food continuum and probe new non-thermal technologies (i.e., high hydrostatic pressure, electron beam...) to inactivate verotoxigenic E. coli and probe appropriate measures to control this pathogen.

Project identification: 4500110

HC0211 Risk Assessment and Detection Methods for Salmonella in Foods

Project Leader: Jean-Yves D'Aoust, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: jean-yves_d'aoust@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

Description: Conduct research / surveillance activities to identify human health risks and risk management options for the effective control of Salmonellae in the Canadian food chain. Develop / evaluate methods for the rapid and cost-effective detection of Salmonella spp. in foods and agricultural products.

Project Identification: 4500112

HC0212 Detection of Vibrio spp. in Seafoods

Project Leader: Swapan Banerjee, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: swapan_banerjee@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1998/04

Description: Vibrio species are known to cause morbidity and mortality in humans via wound infection, gastroenteritis and primary septicemia. They are most commonly found in oysters, clams and other seafood products. This project focuses on the detection and enumeration of pathogenic Vibrio species in seafoods, from the initial harvest sites to retail outlets. Timely, sensitive and more versatile methods for accurate and cost-effective identification, currently lacking for these pathogens, will be pursued.

Project Identification: 4500113

HC0213 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment of Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-eat and Minimally Processed Foods

Project Leader: Franco Pagotto, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: franco_pagotto@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1998/04

Description: This project looks at how the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes enters, survives and grows in foods that are ready-to-eat or that are minimally processed prior to consumption. This project also investigates the potential for novel and/or exotic and ethnic foods being consumed by Canadians that may allow the growth or survival of this important foodborne pathogen.

Project Identification: 4500114

HC0214 Seafood Safety and Aquaculture

Project Leader: Jean-Yves D'Aoust, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: jean-yves_d'aoust@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1998/04

Description: This on-going project involves concurrent surveillance activity on the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic residues in: 1) aquaculture and wild salmon in British Columbia; 2) aquaculture and wild mollusks in coastal waters of British Columbia and Québec.

Project Identification: 4500115

HC0215 Methods and Risk Assessment of Parasites in Foods

Project Leader: Brent Dixon, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: Brent_Dixon@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

Description: There is an increasing number of cases and outbreaks of parasitic infections in Canada associated with the consumption of contaminated foods. This is largely due to global trade, international travel, the growing immunocompromised population, and changes in consumer habits towards more raw and lightly cooked food. The parasites of public health significance include a variety of microscopic, single-celled parasites, as well as some larger worms. These pathogens may result in severe and chronic diarrhea and various other symptoms. Infection with Cryptosporidium in particular is untreatable and can be life-threatening in vulnerable groups. There is currently little information available on the sources of contamination of foods, or the methods to control parasites in foods. The major reason for this is the lack of effective methods for detecting and identifying parasites in foods and in other environmental samples. This project involves research and development into new and effective methods for the detection and characterization of parasites, and an evaluation of various methods for the destruction of parasites in foods. This project also involves research on the possible sources of contamination of foods. This information is required in order to accurately assess the risks of certain foods and to guide policy decisions.

Project Identification: 4500117

HC0225 Quantitative Assessment of Salmonella, Listeria and Verotoxigenic E. coli in Raw Milk Cheese

Project Leader: Jean-Yves D'Aoust, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: jean-yves_d'aoust@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1998/04

Description: Phase 2 of the on-going national raw milk cheese project examines the prevalence of Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, E.coli 0157:H7 and other verotoxigenic E.coli in imported and domestic raw milk cheese obtained from retail outlets in Canada.

Project Identification: 4500132

HC0308 Canadian Nutrient File

Project Leader: Josie Deeks, Health Canada: Bureau of Nutritional Sciences, Food Directorate, E-mail: Josie_Deeks@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1999/04

Description: The Canadian Nutrient File is the standard reference food composition database reporting the amount of nutrients in foods commonly consumed in Canada. This nutrition research tool is integral to many activities within the Food Program such as policy formulation, as in the micronutrient addition project, standard setting for the Food and Drug Act and Regulations, risk assessment studies, and the food consumption surveys. Other government users include Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, Statistics Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Office of Nutrition Policy and Promotion, as well as First Nations and Inuit Health. A combination of the expanding information linking diet habits to health and disease, as well as the boom in personal computer technology, has resulted in a multitude of uses for which a wide variety of non-governmental clients are now seeking and utilizing Canadian food nutrient data: hospitals, clinics, public health units, dietitians in private practice, high schools, colleges and universities, libraries, food manufacturers and the general public interested in healthy eating and better food choices. The maintenance of the Canadian Nutrient File has been associated for many years as a research activity because it relies on the research publications in the literature, the information from the manufacturers' quality control laboratories, and our own Food Program research laboratories (central and Regional). This project has been aligned within the Nutrition Survey Section as the Canadian Nutrient File was originally created to support the national food surveillance program and will continue to be central to the present protocols for the nutrition component of the Canadian Community Health Survey.

Project Identification: 4500142

HC0309 Nutrition and Food Consumption Surveys

Project Leader: Maya Villeneuve, Health Canada: Bureau of Nutritional Sciences, Food Directorate, E-mail: Maya_Villeneuve@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1999/04

Description: The Bureau of Nutritional Sciences carried out provincial nutrition surveys on adults in collaboration with the Provinces. This surveillance activity was done in a unique partnership between the federal and provincial governments where both financial and human resources were shared. The data entry and verification of each provincial survey has now been completed. In 2003-2004 we will be working on completing the last stage of 8 different adult provincial nutrition surveys. The work that remains to be completed is to assist the Bureau of Biostatistics and Computer Applications in the quality assurance of the dataset, assist the provinces in the data interpretation and report writing and to review the draft and final reports in view of subsequent public release for each remaining province (Prince Edward Island, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Ontario, British Columbia and Manitoba).

Project Identification: 4500143

HC0296 Veterinary Drug Residues

Project Leader: Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Research Division

Starting Date: 1998/04

Collaboration: Veterinary Drugs Directorate (Health Canada)

Description: This project has been established in support of the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed between the Food Directorate, Bureau of Chemical Safety and the Veterinary Drugs Directorate, establishing a framework of research activities that the Bureau of Chemical Safety was to perform with the support of the Veterinary Drugs Directorate. These research and monitoring activities are aimed at providing data to ensure that the levels of veterinary drugs present in foods do not pose an unacceptable risk to the health of Canadians. They will also be useful to Veterinary Drugs Directorate in their current re-evaluation activities of veterinary drugs. This project will involve the development of methodologies for the determination of veterinary drugs in foods and their application to generate base line data useful for evaluation activities. The list of compounds and their priority is to be determined in consultation with Veterinary Drugs Directorate officials. Based on previous accomplishments development activities are planned for the following classes of compounds:

(1) Sulfonamides; (2) Chloramphenicol and other phenicols; (3) Growth promoters including Beta-agonists, endogenous and synthetic steroids, tranquillizers; (4) Fluoroquinolones. Furthermore, in the Western Region, the goals of this project is to develop a specific trace detection method and conduct a mini-survey of veterinary drug avermectin residues in food matrices.

Project Identification: 4500180

HC0310 Dietary Exposure of Organophosphate Insecticides via Apple Consumption.

Project Leader: Dorothea Rawn, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: Thea_Rawn@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1999/04

Collaboration: Pest Management Regulatory Agency

Description: Acutely toxic organophosphate insecticide residues will be measured in apples, a frequently eaten single serving commodity. The data generated in this project will be submitted to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency for use in risk assessments on these compounds.

Project Identification: 4500182

HC0227 Methods of Detection and Risk Assessment for Campylobacter spp. in Foods

Project Leader: Jeffrey Farber, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: jeff_farber@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1999/04

Description: Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli are recognized as the leading causes of bacterial foodborne diarrhoeal disease throughout the development world. This pathogen is recognized as the most common infectious agent associated with the development of Guillain-Barré syndrome, an inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves. A major problem with Campylobacter species is their uniquely fastidious growth requirements and an unusual sensitivity to environmental stress. The aim of this project is to develop new and improved methods for the isolation of this important foodborne pathogen.

Project Identification: 4500189

HC0311 Analysis of Vitamin D3 for the Canadian Nutrition File

Project Leader: Andre Fouquet, Health Canada: Québec Region, Health Products and Food Branch, Food Directorate, E-mail: Andre_Fouquet@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1999/04

Description: This project is designed to fill the needs of reliable Vitamin D data for the Canadian Nutrient File as identified following the Nutrition Canada Survey and problems in attempting to use American databases. This project is linked to the mandate of the Food Directorate as it will fill gaps in the Canadian Nutrient File. The data are used for any activity requiring data on nutrients in foods such as the food fortification policy and its application, the development of the Dietary Reference Intakes, the nutritional quality of foods for vulnerable groups and the food consumption surveys. The general public is interested to have access to nutrient values in commonly consumed foods. Data produced by this project meet this expectation.

Project Identification: 4500193

HC0312 International Dietary Datasets

Project Leader: Elizabeth Junkins, Health Canada: Bureau of Biostatistics and Computer Applications, Food Directorate, E-mail: Beth_Junkins@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date:1999/04

Description: This project is designed to fill information gaps in Health Canada by extracting and incorporating international data sets of diet and physical measures into Food Directorate statistical analyses.

Project Identification: 4500261

HC0313 Statistical Issues in Consolidation of Historical Provincial Datasets

Project Leader: Elizabeth Junkins, Health Canada: Bureau of Biostatistics and Computer Applications, Food Directorate, E-mail: Beth_Junkins@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1999/04

Description: This project will identify and address the statistical issues involved in the consolidation of the federal provincial adult food and nutrition surveys including the 10 adult surveys and the one youth survey. It will work towards standardizing file structures and data coding over the 11 surveys as much as possible, consolidate surveys where possible, document the survey processes for the initiative as a whole. It will consider the implementation of mechanisms to address concerns about identifyability, confidentiality and reportability.

Project Identification: 4500262

HC0314 Food-borne Carcinogens: in Vitro Detection and Characterization of Genotoxic and Non-genotoxic Carcinogens

Project Leader: Timothy Schrader, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: tim_schrader@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1999/04

Description: Overall, the major goals of this project can be summarized as follows: 1) To assist in improving/ensuring the safety of the food supply by identifying potentially carcinogenic contaminants in the food supply. Results from this work will assist regulatory scientists/food inspectors/food producers in identifying hazardous components, and in establishing acceptable exposure/consumption limits; 2) To extend the capabilities of existing in vitro assays for measuring the induction of such carcinogenicity related endpoints as DNA damage and repair, mutagenicity, and inhibition of gap junctional communication; 3) To develop new in vitro approaches towards the identification and assessment of possible food-borne carcinogens; 4) For 2003-2004, direct activities toward examining acrylamide and acrylamide-containing foods for genotoxic activity in vitro.

Project Identification: 4500288

HC0228 Food Ecology, Bacteriocins and Probiotics.

Project Leader: Martin Kalmokoff, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: Martin_Kalmokoff@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

Description: Research encompasses subprojects dealing with antimicrobial resistance, probiotics, prebiotics, antibiotics, diet and disease. Development and application of leading-edge technologies for bacterial detection/identification and new methods.

Project Identification: 4500294

HC0229 Development of Methods to Detect Suspected or Emerging Microbial Pathogens in Foods.

Project Leader: Jean-Yves D'Aoust, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: jean-yves_d'aoust@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1999/02

Description: The possible contamination of foods with Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Helicobacter pylori and live cells of pathogenic mycobacteria (Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis) is of concern to human health, consumers and producers. This project is aimed at developing novel cultural and/or rapid diagnostic methods for the detection of these foodborne bacterial pathogens.

Project Identification: 4500296

HC0230 Molecular Genetics, Genomic Profiling, and Diagnostic Applications for Foodborne Pathogens

Project Leader: Franco Pagotto, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: franco_pagotto@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1999/04

Description: In order to better understand and track how foodborne pathogens grow, adapt and survive in foods, there is a need to develop methods that give a "forensic fingerprint" of each pathogen. This information allows us to understand how and why certain pathogens are found in certain foods. The methods used are also aimed at being able to begin to use the "forensic fingerprint" to develop detection strategies for these pathogens in foods at a much faster rate and with more specificity than conventional methods.

Project Identification: 4500297

HC0292 Tetrahydrocannabinol in Foods Containing Hemp Products.

Project Leader: Veronica Roscoe, Health Canada: Manitoba and Saskatchewan Region, Health Products and Food Branch - Regional Office - Food, E-mail: veronica_roscoe@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1999/04

Description: This project was first developed (1999 - 2000) to study, modify and validate methods for the analysis of hemp seed oil and hemp-based food products for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and related compounds (see T. Lehman and R. Brenneisen, J. Liq. Chromatogr., 18, 689-670 (1995)). During 1999-2000 and 2000-01, MB-SK region developed a method that is applicable to a wide variety of hemp-based food products and is capable of quantitating 3 cannabinoids to low ppm levels (~0.01 - 0.04 ug/g). Manitoba-Saskatchewan Region also completed a survey of 47 hemp-based foods sold in Canada for Tetrahydrocannabinol and related compounds. The survey found 41 of 47 specimens contained detectable levels of at least one of Tetrahydrocannabinol, CBD or CBN. The average levels determined in the positive specimens were 2.0 ug Tetrahydrocannabinol /g (n = 40) , 2.8 ug CBD/g (n = 40) and 1.6 ug CBN /g (n = 39). The highest average levels of cannabinoids were detected in hemp oil. To support an improved risk assessment, a survey of 90 specimens (30 each of hemp oil, hemp flour and hemp-based snack foods) was proposed in 2002 - 03, but was unfunded and therefore not undertaken.

Project Identification: 4500333

HC0315 Quality of Frying Oil in Commercial Operations

Project Leader: Patrick Calway, Health Canada: Ontario/Nunavut Region, Health Products and Food Branch, E-mail: patrick_calway@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1999/04

Description: Heat degraded cooking oils from fast food operations, are known to contribute to atherosclerosis. This project will assess the levels of degradation by products in cooking oils from retail food outlets preparing deep-fried foods such as fish and chips, fried chicken, french fries etc. The analyses will quantitate the levels of oil degradation/polymerization products in commodities collected from these outlets. In addition, samples will be analyzed for trans fatty acids to provide information for the Canadian Nutrient File. Samples in hand from last year's survey of commercial potato chip and fried chicken producers will be completed.

Project Identification: 4500339

HC0316 Child Health - Dietary Surveillance

Project Leader: Robert W. Dabeka, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: bob_dabeka@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

Description: Exposure of infants to chemicals negatively impacts on the Canadian economy by about $10-12 billion dollars annually. This project is designed to assess exposure of infants to toxic chemicals. It is designed to cover 2 areas of surveillance: baby foods and infant formulas, and human milk. Manufacturers are careful about the manufacture of baby foods and infant formulae, however, they do not monitor their products for most high-priority toxicants. The project is designed to partially address this gap by analysing all baby foods and formulas sold in Canada at least once every 3 years. Such monitoring in the United States has proven useful in identifying and eliminating isolated instances of contaminated foods. National human milk surveys are recommended by the World Health Organization for all countries, and are useful in monitoring exposure of the mothers to many different toxic chemicals. Such monitoring is useful in identifying time-trends as well as overall exposure. The Food Research Division generally conducts a national baby food survey once every 5-10 years.

Project Identification: 4500354

HC0317 In Vitro Examination of Dietary Factor Effects on Human Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Project Leader: Timothy Schrader, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: tim_schrader@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

The ultimate goals of this project are to: (1) characterize several human colorectal cell lines originating from patients displaying hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer as an in vitro assay system assisting in the identification of dietary components involved in either the development of, or protection against colorectal carcinogenesis; (2) use the in vitro system to identify some of the molecular pathways by which dietary components can modulate the progression of the disease.

Project Identification: 4500370

HC0244 Endemic Food-borne Botulism in Nunavik: Risk Assessment and Risk Management of Human Botulism in the Canadian Arctic

Project Leader: John Austin, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: john_austin@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

Description: This project addresses the high incidence of type E botulism in the Nunavik Region of Quebec. By collecting data in support of a risk assessment (identification of the sources of contamination of seal meat with C. botulinum, identification of the routes of contamination of seal meat with C. botulinum, determination of the factors that influence the growth of C. botulinum and toxin formation in seal igunaq) the final result will be a quantitative assessment of the risk of botulism from eating traditional Inuit foods.

Project Identification: 4500410

HC0246 Molecular Diagnostics and Characterization of Genetically Modified Organisms

Project Leader: Franco Pagotto, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: franco_pagotto@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/09

Description: The objectives of this proposal are to develop detection and identification procedures for genetically modified organisms based on Deoxyribonucleic acid chip technology. Such methods will be used to evaluate and optimize detection systems for the analysis of Genetically Modified Organisms in processed foods, food ingredients and related samples, including Transgenic soy, corn, potatoes and canola. We will adapt the technology to allow for the quantitative detection of target Genetically Modified Organisms molecular fingerprints.

Project Identification: 4500422

HC0318 Methodological Development Dietary Monitoring

Project Leader: Elizabeth Junkins, Health Canada: Bureau of Biostatistics and Computer Applications, Food Directorate, E-mail: Beth_Junkins@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2001/04

Description: This project supports the development of surveillance and monitoring methods and frameworks in the Department. It includes methodological development, contributions to the technical working groups on dietary monitoring, surveillance, indicators, as well as the Departmental committee developing a nutritional surveillance system.

Project Identification: 4500458

HC0248 Development of a Polymerase Chain Reaction based method for the detection of Shigella spp. and Aeromonads in foods

Project Leader: César Bin Kingombe, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: cesar_bin_kingombe@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2001/03

Description: Shigella spp as well as Aeromonas spp. are food and water-borne pathogens. There are no official detection methods for these two pathogens in food in Canada. The two recent Shigella sonnei outbreaks in Canada (British Columbia in 2001 and Ontario in 2002) point out a pressing need of creating rapid, sensitive, and specific methods for these pathogens.

Project Identification: 4500470

HC0319 Veterinary Drugs used as Growth Promoters in Food

Project Leader: Dayue Shang, Health Canada: British Columbia/Yukon Region, Health Products and Food Branch - Organic Residue Laboratory, E-mail: Dayue_Shang@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2001/04

Description: Development of highly specific and sensitive analytical detection methods for the surveillance of residue concentrations of veterinary drugs used as growth promoters in meat products. Conduct a nationwide survey of the residue levels of the growth promoter antibiotics in Canadian food supply.

Project Identification: 4500477

HC0320 Canadian Community Health Survey

Project Leader: Maya Villeneuve, Health Canada: Bureau of Nutritional Sciences, Food Directorate, E-mail: Maya_Villeneuve@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2002/04

Description: A new survey, the Canadian Community Health Survey is being conducted by Statistics Canada to provide regular and timely cross-sectional estimates of health determinants, health status and health system utilisation for the 136 health region across the country. Each two-year collection cycle will be comprised of two distinct components: a General Health Survey and a Focus Content Survey. For Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 2.2, the focus content targeted is nutrition. This initiative is a partnership between Statistics Canada, Health Canada and the Canadian Institute for Health Information. Our role in this project for the next fiscal year is to work jointly with Statistics Canada on the planning and implementation of cycle 2.2 of the Canadian Community Health Survey, test the modified United States Department of Agriculture data collection tool, develop and modify the training material, modify the Nutrition Survey System food and recipe database, implement the automated coding of foods contained in the United States Department of Agriculture data collection tool, modify the Nutrition Survey System to accommodate the automated coding, train food coders and verification personnel and advise Statistics Canada on food coding and verification of the data.

Project Identification: 4500500

HC0321 Organic and Inorganic Contaminants in Retail Fresh Water Fish and Seafood Products

Project Leader: Don S. Forsyth, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: don_forsyth@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2002/04

Description: Methods will be developed to measure pesticides associated with the aquaculture industry, in fish. Additionally, retail fish raised in aquaculture environments and fish raised in the wild will be analyzed and compared to determine if residue levels are elevated in those fish raised using fish farming.

Project Identification: 4500501

HC0322 Application of Biomarkers in Mechanism-based Risk Assessment

Project Leader: Rekha Mehta, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: Rekha_Mehta@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2002/04

Description: The primary objective of this project is to review the current status internationally in the application of biomarkers developed through new technologies such as genomics and proteomics for understanding toxic responses and mechanisms, and develop methodologies to apply such data and biomarkers in enhanced risk assessment and management of food related substances of regulatory interest. The ultimate goal is to generate data and develop appropriate biomarkers that can be incorporated into the Health Canada regulatory and policy-making framework.

Project Identification: 4500502

HC0368 Food-borne Carcinogens: in Vitro Examination of Heating/Cooking Effects on Endocrine Disruptive and Carcinogenic Potentials of Bovine Veterinary Drugs

Project Leader: Timothy Schrader, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: tim_schrader@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2002/04

Short Term Objectives: To examine the effects of heating/cooking growth promoting chemicals (estradiol-17, testosterone, progesterone, zeranol, trenbolone acetate and melengestrol acetate) on: 1) steroid hormone receptor binding; 2) electrophilic (potential DNA binding/DNA damaging/mutagenic) characteristics; and 3) inhibition of gap junctional communication. Long Term Objectives: To determine whether food preparation (heating/cooking) affects the biological activity and potential human health outcomes associated with growth promoters used in beef cattle production; To examine if some of the health claims regarding endocrine disruption and carcinogenicity of growth promoters as outlined by the European Union in trade disputes are justified; To build in vitro laboratory capability for examining the effects of food preparation on food additive effects.

Project Identification: 4500507

HC0253 Microbial Method Evaluation for Development of Nationally Accepted Standard Methods

Project Leader: Don Warburton, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: Don_Warburton@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2002/04

Description: Method development and publication are provided to aid in compliance activities with the food industry. They are provided on an on-going basis and the Division is committed to responding to routine compliance and on an emergency basis.

Project Identification: 4500510

HC0323 Exposure Assessment Methodology

Project Leader: Elizabeth Junkins, Health Canada: Bureau of Biostatistics and Computer Applications, Food Directorate, E-mail: Beth_Junkins@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: This project will modify, refine and develop methods to estimate exposure of Canadians to microbes, chemicals and nutrients through foods. This new project code combines work from 4500265 & 4500260, and expands the methodological scope to consider different types of exposures, as well as different approaches to determining exposure.

Project Identification: 4500532

HC0324 Statistical Methods in the Analysis of Gene Expression Microarrays

Project Leader: Elizabeth Junkins, Health Canada: Bureau of Biostatistics and Computer Applications, Food Directorate, E-mail: Beth_Junkins@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: The objective of this project is to develop statistical capacity in the unique and newly established area of gene expression microarrays. In this project links will be made with ongoing work in Health Canada, contact with international leaders in the area will be made, statistical programs will be developed, tested and refined by a small team, and the knowledge transferred to the statistical group as a whole.

Project Identification: 4500533

HC0325 Dietary Fibre - Methodology

Project Leader: Stephen Brooks, Health Canada: Bureau of Nutritional Sciences, Food Directorate, E-mail: steve_brooks@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: Recently, the Institute of Medicine of the United States National Academies of Science re-examined the definition of dietary fibre. This process resulted in a new definition that opens the door for accepting materials not previously allowed by Health Canada as Dietary Fibre. These new materials are not properly analyzed by current Dietary Fibre methodologies (the Health Protection Branch method and the Prosky method). This definition will, therefore, require the development of newer methodologies that can easily capture all Dietary Fibre components while excluding components that will not be defined as Dietary Fibre. This methodology is required by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for the fulfillment of their mandate. The present project proposes to develop newer methodologies to measure total Dietary Fibre as defined by the latest Institute of Medicine documentation. It is the intention to include steps to allow for the identification of many of the newer Dietary Fibre components so that the contribution of each will be known.

Project Identification: 4500534

HC0326 Dietary Fibre - Novel Fibres/Prebiotics

Project Leader: Stephen Brooks, Health Canada: Bureau of Nutritional Sciences, Food Directorate, E-mail: steve_brooks@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: This project aims to provide a sound scientific examination of the role of diet in altering gut microflora by using culture-independent methodologies to assess diet-related changes in gut microflora. This research will give Health Canada the ability to assess the effect of prebiotics and novel fibres on the bacterial populations of the gut and to evaluate the health and nutritional claims relating to the safety and efficacy of these products. It is anticipated that a link to colonic health can be made in the future. The problem with the current, culture-dependent methodologies is that they do not capture the extensive species diversity present in fecal samples and they significantly under represent the total number of bacteria.

Project Identification: 4500535

HC0327 Method Development for Vitamin E in Plant Based Beverages

Project Leader: Nicolas Hidiroglou, Health Canada: Bureau of Nutritional Sciences, Food Directorate, E-mail: Nick_Hidiroglou@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: To develop and refine analytical procedures (High Pressure Liquid Chromatography) for the detection and quantitation of vitamin E in various plant based beverages. This project supports a priority requirement for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (Under: Research and Development Needs, Priority # 4: Vitamin E in Plant Based Beverages).

Project Identification: 4500538

HC0328 Nutrients in the Canadian Total Diet Study

Project Leader: Kevin A. Cockell, Health Canada: Bureau of Nutritional Sciences, Food Directorate, E-mail: kevin_cockell@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: This project is a continuation of the study of nutrients in the Canadian Total Diet study and forms the Nutrition Research Division's contribution to the main Total Diet Study project coordinated by the Bureau of Chemical Safety, relying on sample acquisition and processing coordinated through that project. In the last fiscal year (2002-03) Dr Ratnayake's lab analysed the total fat and fatty acid composition of the Total Diet Study food composites collected in Fall 2000 from the Ottawa-Carleton region. The Quebec Region lab in Longueuil have completed analyses for 13 mineral nutrients (Na, K, Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Mo, V, Cr, Co) in approximately 140 food composites from that same collection. Iodine analyses of these samples were conducted in Dr. L'Abbé's lab in the Nutrition Research Division. During fiscal year 2003-04 Dr. Ratnayake's lab will be analysing 140 food composites collected in June 2001 from St. John's, Newfoundland. In 2004-05, they are planning to analyse samples collected from Vancouver in June 2002. When this work is completed, they will be able to determine Canadian population intakes of total fat and individual fatty acids. The fatty acid data will complement the Canadian Nutrient File as well as provide missing literature values to permit better calculations of intakes of total fat and levels of major fatty acid classes. Knowledge of Canadian intakes of fat and the quality of fat is essential to regulators in setting policies and standards relating to dietary fats.

Project Identification: 4500543

HC0329 Development of a Food Iron Bioavailability Index for the Canadian Nutrient File

Project Leader: Mary R. L'Abbé, Health Canada: Bureau of Nutritional Sciences, Food Directorate, E-mail: mary_l'abbe@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/08

Description: Iron Requirements: The Recommended Dietary Allowance is the average daily dietary nutrient intake level sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97 to 98 percent) healthy individuals in a particular life stage and gender group. The latest Recommended Dietary Allowances for iron have been derived by the factorial method, i.e. the required "absorbed iron" which is the sum of the iron needs to replace basal losses, menstrual losses (if applicable), plus the amount needed for accretion (growth and pregnancy). Estimated average requirements were first calculated by multiplying the required "absorbed iron" by "1/iron bioavailability" based on an estimate that iron in the North American diet is 18% bioavailable, and then adjusting for variability to arrive at the Recommended Dietary Allowance . The overall goal of this research project is to establish a Food Iron Bioavailability Index for foods in the Canadian Nutrient File and to use it to assess the adequacy of "bioavailable iron" from the Canadian diet for various age and sex groups.

Project Identification: 4500544

HC0330 Development, Refinement and Transfer of Methods for Extraction and Analysis of Water Soluble Vitamins in Foods and Biological Tissues

Project Leader: Robert W. Peace, Health Canada: Bureau of Nutritional Sciences, Food Directorate, E-mail: Bob_Peace@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/03

Description: Literature searching and laboratory procedures will be undertaken to develop and/or adapt existing methods for extraction and analysis of water soluble vitamins in foods and biological tissues. The goal this year is to establish and standardize a laboratory method for High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography analysis of thiamine in foods using detectors etc. already available in the laboratory. Procedures for extraction and High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography analysis of folic acid, niacin, riboflavin and pyridoxine will be provided for Canadian Food Inspection Agency use. These existing methods may require some refinement to meet Canadian Food Inspection Agency requirements.

Project Identification: 4500551

HC0331 Analytical Methods to Detect Protein Markers of Transgenic Crops in Processed Foods

Project Leader: Samuel Ben Rejeb, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: samuel_benrejeb@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: This project aims at filling the gaps of the lack of protein-based methodologies for the detection of Transgenic foods. This project is planned to initiate further technical support (introduction of new technologies, of novel diagnostics systems, evaluation tools etc..) to regulatory actions taken by the Food Directorate in the area of Transgenic foods. It also constitutes a response to some recommendations of the Royal Society in relation with the evaluation of safety of Transgenic foods.

Project Identification: 4500553

HC0332 National Surveillance Activity Database

Project Leader: Don S. Forsyth, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: don_forsyth@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: This project will identify and inventory federal, provincial and territorial food surveillance activities as a first step in developing a national food surveillance program. The Food Informatics Division will construct a web application capable of capturing food surveillance subject area and researcher/party information.

Project Identification: 4500554

HC0333 National Surveillance Program of Veterinary Drug Residues in Foods

Project Leader: Samuel Ben Rejeb, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: samuel_benrejeb@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: This project comes as a direct recommendation of the workshop on National surveillance of chemical contamination in foods organized by the Food Directorate in March 2003. It aims at starting a pilot project to identify an inventory of federal, provincial and territorial food surveillance and monitoring activities for a selected family of compounds (Veterinary drug residues) as a pilot project toward a large food surveillance project.

Project Identification: 4500555

HC0334 Development of a Rapid Microarray Diagnostic Assay for Detection of Norwalk-Like Viruses in Food.

Project Leader: Sabah Bidawid, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: sabah_bidawid@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: Norwalk-like viruses are currently the leading viral pathogens responsible for more than 65% of non-bacterial gastroenteritis in the United States. While there is considerable epidemiological evidence incriminating foods as vehicles for virus transmission, our ability to rapidly detect these viruses in foods remains limited. The ultimate goal of this work is the development of a rapid and sensitive diagnostic tool to screen foods (and water as applicable) for the presence of these foodborne viruses. The development of novel, genetic techniques of virus detection will result in a marked improvement in the ability to detect, investigate, and control enteric foodborne viral outbreaks and associated foodborne illness.

Project Identification: 4500556

HC0335 Biofilm Formation in Food Borne Pathogens

Project Leader: Martin Kalmokoff, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: Martin_Kalmokoff@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/03

Description: In natural environments bacteria are associated with surfaces forming communities of attached bacteria known as biofilms. Biofilms are resistant to cleaning and sanitizers, and represent a continuous source of contaminating pathogenic bacteria within the food processing industry. It is important to understand the mechanisms by which pathogenic bacteria form biofilms. Understanding these mechanisms will allow a rational approach to the development of strategies aimed at eliminating pathogens from the food processing environment, increasing the safety of foods.

Project Identification: 4500557

HC0336 Clostridium botulinum Type A Genomic DNA Microarray

Project Leader: John Austin, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: john_austin@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/07

Description: An international group is developing a Clostridium botulinum type A genomic microarray. The array will contain neurotoxin genes from all serotypes of C. botulinum. The microarray will used for rapid identification of C. botulinum isolates and genome comparisons between strains.

Project Identification: 4500559

HC0337 Packaging Material Migrants in Food

Project Leader: Andre Fouquet, Health Canada: Qubec Region, Health Products and Food Branch, Food Directorate, E-mail: Andre_Fouquet@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2002/04

Description: This project targets vulnerable group (infants) for possible exposure to specific contaminant and overall evaluation of Bisphenol A Diglycidyl Ether and Bisphenol A in foods.

Project Identification: 4500560

HC0338 Rapid Microorganisms Identification Method Based on Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

Project Leader: Lorraine Gour, Health Canada: Quebec Region, Food Directorate, E-mail: Lorraine_Gour@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: This project is funded under the Agricultural Policy Framework and is part of the Research in Support of Standard Setting component. There is a need for continuous monitoring of food and agricultural products to ensure public safety. Current methods of bacterial identification are both time consuming and expensive. Researchers at Health Canada and McGill University are developing a rapid, simple and cost effective means of bacterial identification. One of the emerging "whole organism" identification methods is based on infrared spectroscopy. It is well recognized that an infrared spectrum of microorganism is as characteristic as a fingerprint. Thus, Infrared Spectrum spectroscopy can be an effective method for "fingerprinting" the microorganisms.

Project Identification: 4500561

HC0339 Naturally - Occurring Carcinogen (Ochratoxin A) in Milk

Project Leader: Veronica Roscoe, Health Canada: Manitoba and Saskatchewan Region, Health Products and Food Branch - Regional Office - Food, E-mail: veronica_roscoe@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: This project is funded under the Agricultural Policy Framework and is part of the Research in Support of Standard Setting component. Ochratoxin A is a naturally-occurring mycotoxin. Ochratoxin A has a number of adverse effects on laboratory animals; it is nephrotoxic, immunotoxic, teratogenic and carcinogenic. Ochratoxin A has been found in foods of plant origin and in the tissues of animals eating these plants. Human exposure to Ochratoxin A has been clearly demonstrated by its detection in blood and breast milk. The presence of ochratoxin A in foodstuffs is clearly undesirable. Although transmission to the milk of cows has been demonstrated, few surveys of Ochratoxin A in cow's milk have been carried out. A survey of 100 samples of milk is proposed. Samples will be analysed for both Ochratoxin A and its major metabolite OT-alpha.

Project Identification: 4500563

HC0340 Toxic Mycotoxins in Retail Herbal and Botanical Products

Project Leader: Veronica Roscoe, Health Canada: Manitoba and Saskatchewan Region, Health Products and Food Branch - Regional Office - Food, E-mail: veronica_roscoe@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: Toxic Mycotoxins in Retail Herbal and Botanical Products This project will employ a multi-mycotoxin screening method using high performance liquid chromatography and a photodiode array detector to identify high levels of mycotoxins in fresh, dried and/or powdered herbal products. Samples of approximately 20 target herbals (total=100) will be collected nationally by Canadian Food Inspection Agency or Health Canada staff.

Project Identification: 4500564

HC0341 Naturally Ocurring Carcinogenic Mycotoxins (Ochratoxin A and Fumonisins) in Teas and Herbal Teas

Project Leader: Veronica Roscoe, Health Canada: Manitoba and Saskatchewan Region, Health Products and Food Branch - Regional Office - Food, E-mail: veronica_roscoe@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: Naturally occurring carcinogenic mycotoxins (ochratoxin A and fumonisins) in Teas and Herbal Teas This project will develop and validate methods for analysis of ochratoxin A and fumonisins in tea and herbal teas. In 2004-05, the project will collect 100 samples (50 black, green and oolong teas, and 50 herbal teas) for analysis.

Project Identification: 4500565

HC0342 Carcinogenic and Immunosuppressive Mycotoxins in Domestic and Imported Beers

Project Leader: Veronica Roscoe, Health Canada: Manitoba and Saskatchewan Region, Health Products and Food Branch - Regional Office - Food, E-mail: veronica_roscoe@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: Ochratoxin A has carcinogenic, nephrotoxic, teratogenic and immunotoxic properties in animals and humans and trichothecenes, zearalenone and fumonisins have significant health impacts. Per capita consumption of beer in Canada is around 85L. 100 samples of domestic and imported beers will be analyzed in each of the next three years for these mycotoxins. The trichothecenes, zearalenone and fumonisins analyses will be performed in the MB-SK regional lab, the ochratoxin A analyses will be performed in the Ontario-Nunavit regional lab. Communication: Data summary report to Chemical Health Hazard Assessment Division, Bureau of Chemical Safety. Publication in a peer reviewed scientific journal.

Project Identification: 4500566

HC0343 Ochratoxin A in Canadian Durum Wheat

Project Leader: Mohan Mankotia, Health Canada: Ontario/Nunavut Region, Food Directorate, E-mail: Mohan_Mankotia@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: Reports from the Canadian Grain Commission's export monitoring activities indicate increasing levels of ochratoxin A are being found in Canadian amber durum wheat. This wheat is used in the production of pasta products. This project will gather and analyse pasta from the Canadian manufacturers as a marker commodity to determine the incidence and levels of Ochratoxin A in Durum wheat in Canada. The data will be provided to the Canadian Grain Commission and Chemical Health Hazard Assessment Division to develop an exposure estimate and recommendations. Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

Project Identification: 4500567

HC0344 Toxic Contaminants in Herbal and Plant Materials Offered for Sale as Food

Project Leader: Monica Dyck, Health Canada: British Columbia/Yukon Region, Organic Residue Laboratory, Food Directorate, E-mail: Monica_Dyck@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: As herbal and plant materials are being increasingly sold and consumed, there is a concern regarding possible contamination with toxic chemicals or even pharmaceuticals. The project described in the following pages will address this concern by developing methods and conducting analyses of herbal products sold as food, such as ginseng, for the presence and levels of pesticide and pharmaceutical or veterinary drug residues. This issue has not been widely investigated, with only a few studies published in the literature, but it is of vital importance in ensuring the safety of such products with regards to the health of consumers. The information generated by this project will support policy development with regards to quality standards of herbal and plant materials.

Project Identification: 4500568

HC0345 Persistence and Transport of Veterinary Drugs used in Cattle Farming

Project Leader: Dayue Shang, Health Canada: British Columbia/Yukon Region, Organic Residue Laboratory, Food Directorate, E-mail: Dayue_Shang@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: Increase scientific knowledge of the persistence of veterinary drug residues in composted manure and the potential exposure to consumers through environmental transport. This project is funded under the Agricultural Policy Framework and is part of the On-Farm Food Safety Standard Setting, with some outputs contributing to the Research In Support of Standard Setting component.

Project Identification: 4500569

HC0346 Investigation of Antibiotic Residues in Farmed and Wild Salmon Tissues and Incidence of Antibiotic Resistant Microorganisms

Project Leader: Helen Nicolidakis, Health Canada: British Columbia/Yukon Region, Organic Residue Laboratory, Food Directorate, E-mail: helen_nicolidakis@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: As drug-resistant bacteria poses serious threat to human health and increasing concerns of the usage of antibiotics in aquaculture industry, in conjunction with Department of Fisheries and Oceans Institute of Ocean Sciences, Western Regional Laboratory initiated this project to investigate the level of antibiotic residues in farmed and wild salmon tissues and their relationship with incidence of antibiotic resistant microorganisms in the presence of other simultaneously measured factors.

Project Identification: 4500571

HC0347 Acrylamide in Foods

Project Leader: Adam Becalski, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: Adam_Becalski@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: The recent discovery of acrylamide in foods for human consumption necessitates an investigation of the levels and sources of acrylamide in the Canadian food supply because acrylamide is a rodent carcinogen, a human neurotoxin, is known to form adducts with DNA, and is classified as a probable human carcinogen.

Project Identification: 4500572

HC0348 Cadmium and Toxic Elements in Feeds

Project Leader: Robert W. Dabeka, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: bob_dabeka@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: To assess the impact of cadmium and other toxic elements in fertilizers and feed on concentrations in Canadian grain, vegetable and fruit products. This project is funded under the Agricultural Policy Framework and is part of the On-Farm Food Safety Standard Setting component.

Project Identification: 4500602

HC0349 Dioxins and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Bio-solids

Project Leader: Monica Dyck, Health Canada: British Columbia/Yukon Region, Organic Residue Laboratory, Food Directorate, E-mail: Monica_Dyck@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: The objective of this project is to determine if grazing of livestock on biosolids-amended grazing land increases concentrations of dioxins and dioxin-like Polychlorinated Biphenyls in beef tissue. This project is funded under the Agricultural Policy Framework and is part of the Research In Support of Standard Setting, with some outputs contributing to the On-Farm Food Safety Standard Setting component.

Project Identification: 4500608

HC0350 Giardia and Cryptosporidium in Water, Food and Faecal Samples at the Farm Level

Project Leader: Brent Dixon, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: Brent_Dixon@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: Monitor the presence and transmission of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in water, food and faecal samples at the farm level. This project is funded under the Agricultural Policy Framework and is part of the Research in Support of Standard Setting component.

Project Identification: 4500609

HC0351 Bacterial DNA Microarray

Project Leader: Martin Kalmokoff, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: Martin_Kalmokoff@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: To construct a total intestinal species deoxyribonucleic acid microarray which would provide coverage of humans, rats, pigs, chickens, cattle and sheep. This super array will allow us the ability to routinely carry out experiments addressing larger questions concerning microbial ecology with gut systems on a time scale which has not previously been possible. This project is funded under the Agricultural Policy Framework and is part of the Research in Support of Standard Setting component.

Project Identification: 4500610

HC0352 Coronavirus Survival and Activation on Farm Settings

Project Leader: Sabah Bidawid, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: sabah_bidawid@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: Investigate coronavirus survival and inactivation in foods, water and environmental on farm settings, control/intervension strategies, and virus detection and genotyping by DNA microarray technology. This project is funded under the Agricultural Policy Framework and is part of the Research in Support of Standard Setting component.

Project Identification: 4500611

HC0353 Mycobacterium paratuberculosis in Raw Milk

Project Leader: Jeffrey Farber, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: jeff_farber@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: Identifying and managing risks for contamination at source of raw bulk tank milk, exposure of neonates, and contamination of land and watercourses from high risk animals / farms is of concern to dairy farmers and for the food industry. Although rapid molecular techniques have been developed, their expense and technical challenges (inhibition of Polymerase Chain Reaction) has limited their widespread use and application at farm level. There is a requirement for sensitive, rapid and cost-effective methods for screening (biological and environmental samples) and detection of live M. paratuberculosis bacterium. This project is funded under the Agricultural Policy Framework and is part of the Research in Support of Standard Setting component.

Project Identification: 4500612

HC0354 Escherichia coli O157:H7

Project Leader: Jeffrey Farber, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: jeff_farber@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: Increase knowledge on E. coli prevalence, contamination and survivability in foods and in environmental settings. This project is funded under the Agricultural Policy Framework and is part of the Research in Support of Standard Setting component.

Project Identification: 4500613

HC0355 Shigella screening with Polymerase Chain Reaction/Polymerase Chain Reaction - Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism

Project Leader: César Bin Kingombe, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: cesar_bin_kingombe@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: We are proposing the application of this novel and sensitive method for the screening of Shigella spp. and Entero-Invasive Escherichia coli in fresh domestic vegetables collected directly from Canadian vegetables farms This project is funded under the Agricultural Policy Framework and is part of the Research in Support of Standard Setting component.

Project Identification: 4500614

HC0356 Detection and Control of Campylobacter spp. at Farm Level

Project Leader: Jeffrey Farber, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: jeff_farber@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: Improve current systems for the early detection and effective control of Campylobacter jejuni in the agri-food industry. This project is funded under the Agricultural Policy Framework and is part of the Research in Support of Standard Setting component.

Project Identification: 4500615

HC0357 Salmonella spp. In Raw Chicken Nuggets and Pelleted Feeds; Prevalence, Fate and Molecular Characterization of Isolates.

Project Leader: Jean-Yves D'Aoust, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: jean-yves_d'aoust@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Increased knowledge on the prevalence and survival of Salmonella in raw chicken and in pelleted poultry feeds. This project is funded under the Agricultural Policy Framework and is part of the Research in Support of Standard Setting component.

Project Identification: 4500616

HC0358 Method Development for Determination of Deoxynivalenol in Soft Wheat

Project Leader: Veronica Roscoe, Health Canada: Manitoba and Saskatchewan Region, Health Products and Food Branch - Regional Office - Food, E-mail: veronica_roscoe@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Validation of a method of analysis for the determination of the Fusarium mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON, vomitoxin) in soft wheat. This project is funded under the Agricultural Policy Framework and is part of the Research in Support of Standard Setting component.

Project Identification: 4500621

HC0359 Food Allergens - Screening Methodologies for Determination of Allergens.

Project Leader: Samuel Ben Rejeb, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: samuel_benrejeb@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Sensitive methodologies to detect and quantify markers of allergens in raw material and final processed foods to be made available to regulatory agencies and Food Industry. Improved quality of the Canadian food supply with accurate ingredient listing along the food continuum. This project is funded under the Agricultural Policy Framework and is part of the Research in Support of Standard Setting component.

Project Identification: 4500622

HC0360 Soy Allergens - Markers of Soy in Food Products

Project Leader: Samuel Ben Rejeb, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: samuel_benrejeb@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Filling the methodology gaps in the determination of markers of soy in food products. The combination of both the immunochemical option to measure soy protein markers and Polymerase Chain Reaction/Polymerase Chain Reaction-ELISA techniques would allow improved detection and characterization of soy products. This project is funded under the Agricultural Policy Framework and is part of the Research in Support of Standard Setting component.

Project Identification: 4500623

HC0361 Alternaria in Fruit Beverages

Project Leader: Peter M. Scott, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: peter_scott@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Study methods for and and carry out surveys on the natural occurrence of Alternaria toxins (alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether and other Alternaria toxins - tenuazonic acid, altertoxin I) in Canadian beverages. This project is funded under the Agricultural Policy Framework and is part of the Research in Support of Standard Setting component.

Project Identification: 4500624

HC0362 Fumonisins in Corn Foods and Meat

Project Leader: Peter M. Scott, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: peter_scott@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Continue investigation on methods for hidden (bound) fumonisins in heat processed corn foods such as corn flakes and extend method application to meat. This project is funded under the Agricultural Policy Framework and is part of the Research in Support of Standard Setting component.

Project Identification: 4500625

HC0363 Dietary Exposure of Organophosphate Insecticides via Apple Consumption - Agricultural Policy Framework

Project Leader: Dorothea Rawn, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: Thea_Rawn@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Develop a multi-residue method for detection of Organophosphate insecticides in apples at parts per billion levels. Acutely toxic organophosphate insecticide residues will be measured in apples, a frequently eaten single serving commodity. The data generated in this project will be submitted to the Pest Management Regulatory Agency for use in risk assessments on these compounds. This project is funded under the Agricultural Policy Framework and is part of the Research in Support of Standard Setting component.

Project Identification: 4500626

HC0364 Dioxin-like Compounds in Animal Feeds

Project Leader: Jake Ryan, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: jake_ryan@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Program to monitor feeds for dioxins and related compounds, which farm animals consume and whole products then become human food. This project is funded under the Agricultural Policy Framework and is part of the On-Farm Food Safety Standard Setting component.

Project Identification: 4500628

HC0365 Mycotoxins in Infant Foods

Project Leader: Tine Kuiper-Goodman, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: tine_kuiper@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Risk assessment regarding presence of mycotoxins (ochratoxin, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins and ergot alkaloids) in infant foods. This project is funded under the Agricultural Policy Framework and is part of the On-Farm Food Safety Standard Setting component.

Project Identification: 4500631

HC0366 Solanine in Potatoes

Project Leader: Tine Kuiper-Goodman, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: tine_kuiper@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Develop new guidelines to be used for developing and testing new varieties of potatoes for the natural plant toxicant solanine and related glycoalkaloids. This project is funded under the Agricultural Policy Framework and is part of the On-Farm Food Safety Standard Setting component.

Project Identification: 4500634

HC0367 Cross Canada Bottled Water Survey

Project Leader: Don S. Forsyth, Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate, E-mail: don_forsyth@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

This study will establish methodology for inorganic disinfection byproducts and bromate in bottled water. A cross Canada survey of bottled water products will be undertaken to determine current levels of these compounds before the new bottled water regulations come into effect. In addition, toxic elements will be measured to test potential compliance with new bottled water regulations.

Project Identification: WATER01

HC0254 Development of a Laboratory Procedure for the Quantitation of Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia coli in Samples Coming from the Agro-environment

Project Leader: Marie-Josée Champagne, Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, Saint Hyacinthe, E-mail: champagnemj@inspection.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2002/04

Collaboration: HC-Laboratory of Food-borne Zoonoses

Description: To understand the complex interactions of factors associated with the microbe-animal-environment-human interface, a dynamic model for the flow of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli will be constructed based on a temporal and spatial description of a defined agro-ecological system linked with cattle farms. To create this model, a laboratory procedure that can quantify Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli organisms from a large number of agro-environment samples is needed. This project will focus on the development and validation of such a procedure for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli.

Project Identification: 256171

HC0255 Validation and Application of the Agro-environmental Public Health Index

Project Leader: André Ravel, Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, Saint Hyacinthe, E-mail: andre_ravel@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2002/04

Description: The agro-environmental public health indicators have been recently proposed to assess the microbiological pressures induced by livestock productions on human health. This project aims at validating these agro-environmental public health indicators and evaluating their potential application regarding the surveillance of risk for water-borne enteric diseases.

Project Identification: 256169

HC0256 Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella

Project Leader: Cornelius Poppe, Health Canada-Laboratory of Food-borne Zoonoses, E-mail: cornelius_poppe@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2001/04

Description: The occurrence and genetic nature of antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella will be examined by passive and active surveillance and by phenotypic and genetic characterization of resistant Salmonella. The information will identify trends in antimicrobial resistance among Salmonella and link outbreaks of animal and human salmonellosis caused by resistant serovars and phagetypes. It will enable policy makers to make evidence-based decisions and recommendations to prevent outbreaks of salmonellosis due to multiple resistant Salmonella in animals and humans, to help prevent the spread of such organisms along the food chain and to encourage the prudent and judicious use of antimicrobials.

Project Identification: 256113

HC0257 Development and Implementation of Provincial Data Repositories Supporting the Integration of Food, Animal, Environment and Human Surveillance Data Relating to Enteric Pathogens

Project Leader: Elroy Mann, Health Canada-Laboratory of Food-borne Zoonoses, E-mail: elroy_mann@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2001/04

Description: This project falls under the Health Canada-Laboratory of Food-borne Zoonoses program focus of "Integrated Enteric Pathogen Surveillance". It encourages and supports the development of intra-provincial data repositories that would allow the integrated analysis of data relating to human enteric infections with data on isolation of enteric pathogens from food and animal sources. It involves feasability studies in selected provinces to determine the desire for a common data repository relating to food safety and enteric disease and the requirements for its development and establishing a pilot data exchange process between Health Canada-Laboratory of Food-borne Zoonoses and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

Project Identification: 256130

HC0259 Serotyping and Phagetyping of Salmonella

Project Leader: Anne Muckle, Health Canada - Laboratory of Food-borne Zoonoses, E-mail: anne_muckle@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: Ongoing service

Description: Serotyping and phagetyping reference testing of Salmonella isolated from animals, food, feed and the environment identifies Salmonella that may cause severe illness and mortality in animals and humans such as Salmonella typhimurium definitive type 104. Ongoing monitoring of Salmonella isolates facilitates prevention and eradication of enteric zoonoses in humans by providing surveillance data and information to policy-makers. The Salmonella Typing Laboratory is shifting from passive surveillance to an enhanced passive surveillance.

Project Identification: 256133

HC0260 Salmonella Typing Laboratory - Integrated Surveillance Initiative

Project Leader: Anne Muckle, Health Canada-Laboratory of Food-borne Zoonoses, E-mail: anne_muckle@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2001/04

Description: It is important that the Health Canada O.I.É. Reference Laboratory for Salmonellosis (Salmonella Typing Laboratory) enhance its passive surveillance system in order to contribute efficiently as a reference laboratory to a national enteric pathogen surveillance system. Therefore, the lab is shifting from passive surveillance to an enhanced passive surveillance system. Several recommended changes to the lab's testing services, submission and test report forms, lab data reports and client partnerships from the first phase of this project will be implemented by the Salmonella Typing Laboratory in 2002.

Project Identification: 256134

HC0261 Verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli Reference Services

Project Leader: Kim Ziebell, Health Canada-Laboratory of Food-borne Zoonoses, E-mail: kim_ziebell@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: Ongoing service

Description: Reference services for the characterization and epidemiologic evaluation of strains of verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli with emphasis on those from non-human sources (animal, food, feed and environments) are provided. Data on isolates submitted to this laboratory are shared with the National Laboratory for Enteric Pathogens in Winnipeg, epidemiologists from Labratory Centre for Disease Control and provincial public health scientists to permit epidemiological analysis of links between human, animal food and environmental isolates. This work is an on-going service.

Project Identification: 256135

HC0262 National Integrated Surveillance Pilot Project of Priority Food-borne Pathogens - Antimicrobial Resistant Salmonella in Pigs at Slaughter in Quebec

Project Leader: Marie-Josée Champagne, Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, Saint Hyacinthe, E-mail: marie-josee_champagne@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

Description: Sampling will be done in one abattoir to establish the prevalence mean of Salmonella in caecal samples of pigs. The MSRV method for isolation of Salmonella will be compared with the conventional method. The distribution of Salmonella serotypes and antimicrobial resistance patterns will be determined on selected isolates. In addition, the effect of pooling individual samples on the distribution of Salmonella serotypes and AMR patterns recovered will be evaluated.

Project Identification: 256140

HC0263 Implementation of Laboratory Data Management System, Support and Data Sharing Between Health Canada-laboratory of Food-borne Zoonoses and Remote Units

Project Leader: Elroy Mann, Health Canada-Laboratory of Food-borne Zoonoses, E-mail: elroy_mann@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2002/04

Description: This project focuses on the implementation of a common Laboratory Data Management System in Health Canada-Laboratory of Food-borne Zoonoses and its remote units to collect surveillance data in a common format that could be exchanged. This would allow the integrated analysis of data relating to human enteric infections with data on isolation of enteric pathogens from food and animal sources. This involves customizing the Laboratory Data Management System system for the various units within Health Canada-Laboratory of Food-borne Zoonoses and also developing an interface for data sharing via the Health Canada network.

Project Identification: 256172

HC0264 Public Health Risk to Zoonotic Pathogens

Project Leader: Pascal Michel, Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, Saint Hyacinthe, E-mail: pascal_michel@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2002/04

Description: This project aims to provide support to ongoing collaborative epidemiological research projects in the areas of population and environmental determinants of zoonotic enteric infection and health risk modelling. This specifically includes activities linked to the following research projects: "Drinking water contamination linked to agricultural activities" (Université Laval), "Sources and Risk Factors for Campylobacter in Poultry and Impact on Human Disease in a Closed System" Iceland project) and "Development of a dynamic model of bacteria flow in dairy and swine farms" (Université de Montréal).

Project Identification: 256168

HC0265 Sources of Faecal Contamination of Surface Water in Southern Alberta

Project Leader: Victor Gannon, Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, Lethbridge, E-mail: gannonv@inspection.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2002/04

Collaboration: Health Canada-Laboratory of Food-borne Zoonoses Description: Identifying the host species that are the source of faecal contamination of water would be invaluable in public health interventions. Selected phenotypic and genetic traits of Escherichia coli, faecal streptococci, Salmonella and Bacteroides species strains will be determined and clusters of host-specific bacterial traits will be used to identify sources of water contamination.

Project Identification: 256170

HC0266 The Relationship between Phagetype, Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence in Salmonella typhimurium Phagetype 104.

Project Leader: Cornelius Poppe, Health Canada-Laboratory of Food-borne Zoonoses, E-mail: cornelius_poppe@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

Description: A high percentage of Salmonella typhimurium phagetype or definitive type 104 isolates from humans, cattle, pigs, poultry and foods of animal origin in Canada are resistant to several antimicrobials. The mortality rate of humans infected with definitive type104 is 10-30 fold higher than in patients infected with other non-typhoid Salmonella serovars and phagetypes. The associations between phagetype, virulence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella typhimurium definitive type 104 are poorly understood. The proposed research is aimed at gaining a better understanding of these relationships in order to identify improved prevention and treatment options.

Project Identification: 256120

HC0267 Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in Human and Retail Chicken Products in a Defined Geographical Area in Ontario

Project Leader: Alfonso Valdivieso, Health Canada-Laboratory of Food-borne Zoonoses, E-mail: alfonso_valdivieso@hc-sc.gc.ca and Anne Deckert, E-mail: anne_deckert@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2001/04

Description: This study is designed to determine the occurrence and microbial resistance patterns of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in retail chicken products and human cases in a defined geographical area in Ontario. The combination of data on antimicrobial resistance in Campylobacter in chicken and in human illness associated with chicken consumption will provide valuable information that will improve our understanding of the potential transmission of antimicrobial resistant strains of Campylobacter via the foodchain.

Project Identification: 256141

HC0270 Antimicrobial Use in Food Animals Surveillance and Pilot Project Coordination (Formerly Surveillance of Antimicrobial Use in Aquaculture and Agri-food Sectors)

Project Leader: Richard Reid-Smith, Health Canada-Laboratory of Food-borne Zoonoses, E-mail: richard_reid-smith@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2001/04

Description: This project encompasses the coordination and execution of a number of pilot projects investigating potential sources of antimicrobial use information in agri-food, aquaculture and veterinary medicine. These pilot projects/studies will both generate preliminary quantitative antimicrobial use data in various agri-food and aquaculture commodity sectors and contribute to the development of an integrated antimicrobial use surveillance system.

Project Identification: 256147

HC0271 Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Agri-food, Aquaculture and Veterinary Medicine Field Research Coordination (Formerly Research in Antimicrobial Use and Resistance in Agri-food, Aquaculture and Veterinary Medicine)

Project Leader: Richard Reid-Smith, HC-Laboratory of Food-borne Zoonoses, E-mail: richard_reid-smith@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2001/04

Description: This project encompasses a number of studies which will generate data on the association between antimicrobial use in agri-food, aquaculture and veterinary medicine and the development of antimicrobial resistance. It also includes studies which are designed to identify/determine on-farm and attitudinal risk factors which promote increased and imprudent antimicrobial use in agri-food, aquaculture and veterinary medicine.

Project Identification: 256149

HC0272 Surveillance of Biological Risks Related to Aquaculture

Project Leader: André Ravel, Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, Saint-Hyacinthe, E-mail: andre_ravel@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2002/04

Collaboration: Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses

Description: This project aims at proposing the design for the active surveillance of AMR for the aquaculture sector. It also aims at studying the risk of transmitting zoonotic pathogens from fish farms to humans through water in order to propose agro-environmental public health indicators to specifically manage such risk.

Project Identification: 256154

HC0273 Saliva as an Alternative to Serum for Detection of Human Antibody Responses to Infection with Verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli

Project Leader: Roger Johnson, Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, E-mail: roger_johnson@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2001/04

Description: Immunity to Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli is one of the key determinants of the incidence and outcome of human verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli infections. Serological testing potentially can provide this information but is no longer feasible on a broad scale because of the legal and ethical constraints on blood collection. We propose to develop salivary antibody testing as a non-invasive method for determining immunity to verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli in humans. The method will enable population and case based seroepidemiological studies which will contribute strongly to defining the incidence of and risk factors for verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli infections in humans.

Project Identification: 256111

HC0274 Comparison of Campylobacter jejuni Strains to Assess Virulence Potential for Humans

Project Leader: Kris Rahn, Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, E-mail: kris_rahn@hc-sc.gc.ca Starting Date: 2001/04

Description: Genomic comparison will be performed on approximately 40 representative Campylobacter jejuni strains from clinical illness in humans and animal and environmental isolates. Strains will be grown on conventional media and also passaged through in vitro cell culture and embryonated eggs, and then hybridised against the Campychip microarray for comparison. Multilocus Sequence Typing and heat stable serotyping proficiency testing will be conducted in conjunction with the National Microbiology Laboratory, Health Canada, Winnipeg.

Project Identification: 256121

HC0275 Analysis of Clonal Relationships and Potential Pathogenicity of non-O157 verotoxigenic Escherichia coli

Project Leader: Kim Ziebell, Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, E-mail: kim_ziebell@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2001/04

Description: There is a need to investigate the population of non-O157 verotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Using Multilocus sequence typing and genomic sizing, we would address the evolutionary relationships and thus potential pathogenic clones between verotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from human and animal sources.

Project Identification: 256122

HC0276 Molecular Comparison of O157:H7

Project Leader: Kim Ziebell, Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, E-mail: kim_ziebell@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2001/04

Description: Using Octomer-based genome scanning, we would create a collection of isolates from one lineage containing O157 associated with human disease and another lineage which contains isolates commonly found only in animals. Using single-strand conformation polymorphism and sequencing we would assess the differences in the virulence genes of the collection of isolates. The differences would be analysed for inclusion in an MLST approach for differentiating pathogenic clones from the less pathogenic clones of verotoxigenic Escherichia coli. In addition, we would carry out subtractive hybridization of two representative isolates to identify any differences in gene content that would account for the two different lineages.

Project Identification: 256129

HC0277 Colonization of Cattle by Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli

Project Leader: Roger Johnson, Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, E-mail: roger_johnson@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2001/04

Description: Human enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections are most frequently linked to foods of bovine origin. Several virulence factors have been identified that potentially contribute to the ability of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and other enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli to colonize the bovine gut. This project will determine the relative roles of these several factors in infection of cattle by binding inhibition studies using specific antibodies to enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli colonization factors in intestinal explants. The results will provide a better understanding of the mechanisms of bovine infection by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli and identification of possible targets for immune intervention in this process.

Project Identification: 256010

HC0278 Risks of Human Disease Associated with Campylobacter jejuni Isolates from Animals and Environmental Sources in Southern Alberta

Project Leader: Victor Gannon, Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, Lethbridge, E-mail: gannonv@inspection.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2001/04

Collaboration: Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses

Description: Campylobacter jejuni is the leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in southern Alberta. Infections associated with this organism have been traced to contaminated food, water and animal contact. However, it is unclear if all Campylobacter jejuni strains are equally virulent and which strains pose the greatest risk for human infections. Animal, human and environmental Campylobacter jejuni isolates will be genetically typed to determine if there are clones of the organism more commonly associated with human disease.

Project Identification: 256139

HC0279 Genetic Basis for Differences in Pathogenicity of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strains

Project Leader: Victor Gannon, Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, Lethbridge, E-mail: gannonv@inspection.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2001/04

Description: Recent studies suggest that there are two divergent lineages of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from cattle and that only one lineage is pathogenic for humans. A comparison of the genomes of Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains from these lineages will be carried out with respect to expression of virulence attributes and biofilm formation.

Project Identification: 256137

HC0280 Studies on the Pathogenetic Significance of non-O157 Verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli using a Comparative Genomics Strategy

Project Leader: Mohamed Karmali, Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, E-mail: mohamed_karmali@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2001/04

Description: The relative virulence potential of different non-O157 verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli will be assessed using a comparative genomics strategy, taking advantage of the published genome sequences of Escherichia coli O157:H7. Specifically, the distribution of seven, potential virulence-encoding, O157:H7 genomic islands will be investigated in different non-O157 verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli groups and correlated with the association of the later with human illness, including epidemic disease and hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Project Identification: 256118

HC0281 Anti-toxin and Anti-colonization Factor Immunity to Verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli infection

Project Leader: Mohamed Karmali, Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, E-mail: mohamed_karmali@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2001/04

Description: Cross-immunity between EspAEHEC and EspAEPEC will be investigated by correlating seropositivity to both antigens by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting in sera from patients with enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli and EPEC infections and in sera from health control populations.

Project Identification: 256127

HC0282 Monitoring and Analysis of Emerging Zoonotic Issues

Project Leader: Judy Greig, Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, E-mail: judy_greig@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2001/04

Description: To review and evaluate new knowledge and developments concerning identified/non-identified/established and emerging zoonotic issues. This work will identify current and emerging issues, trends, data gaps and potential opportunities. Information gathered will help to develop quantitative risk models for application to current national and international zoonotic issues management, aiding strategic decision-making to facilitate policy development.

Project Identification: 256157

HC0283 International Collaborations in the Development of Science-based Risk Management Strategies to Reduce Incidence of Food- and Water-borne Illnesses

Project Leader: Anna Lammerding, Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, E-mail: anna_lammerding@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2001/04

Description: The work involves participating in and contributing to international activities on issues of human health risk assessment, risk management of microbial pathogens and the establishment of standards for foods in international trade which are relevant to policies and management strategies within Canada.

Project Identification: 256160

HC0284 Development of Microbial Risk Assessment and Decision Making Tools

Project Leader: Aamir Fazil, Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, E-mail: aamir_fazil@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2001/04

Description: A series of sub-projects that all intend to develop microbial risk assessment and decision making tools. Techniques are developed that allow processor performance criteria to be based on human health outcomes. Also, qualitative approaches are developed to serve as a first step in a hierarchical assessment process. There is also a sub-project to develop techniques that allow food safety programs to be assessed in terms of their effectiveness at reducing public health impacts. In addition, there is continued involvement in the development of a framework and advice on appropriate methods for the Health Canada Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy risk assessment.

Project Identification: 256158

HC0285 Scientific Coordination and Planning of Risk Assessment Activities

Project Leader: Judy Greig, Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, E-mail: judy_greig@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2002/04

Description: Involves development of functional networks between risk assessors in Health Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada and their provincial and territorial counterparts. Will reduce duplication of efforts, promote development of more effective techniques, enable collaborative joint initiatives and identification of quantitative research needed to provide the necessary data for precise risk assessments.

Project Identification: 256162

HC0286 National Integrated Surveillance Pilot of Priority Food-borne Pathogens - Analysis of Amr Surveillance Data

Project Leader: Pascal Michel, Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, Saint Hyacinthe, E-mail:pascal_michel@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

Collaboration: Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses

Description: This project aims to establish the operating framework for an integrated surveillance system to monitor population exposure to priority food-borne enteric pathogens, targeting initially antimicrobial resistant Salmonella microorganisms. A long-term goal of the project will be the capacity to establish possible links, through epidemiological and genetic investigations, between representative surveillance information from meat contamination and corresponding reported infection in human population.

Project Identification: 256146

HC0369 Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella

Project Leader: Cornelius Poppe, Health Canada, Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, E-mail: cornelius_poppe@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: The occurrence and genetic nature of antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella will be examined by passive and active surveillance and by phenotypic and genotypic characterization of resistant Salmonella. The information will identify trends in antimicrobial resistance among Salmonella and link outbreaks of animal and human salmonellosis caused by resistant serovars and phagetypes. It will enable policy makers to make evidence-based decisions and recommendations to help prevent outbreaks of salmonellosis due to multiple resistant Salmonella in animals and humans, to prevent the spread of such organisms along the food chain and to encourage the prudent and judicious use of antimicrobials.

HC0370 Mathematical Stochastic Modelling of Zoonotic Enteropathogen Dynamics in the Agroenvironment

Project Leader: André Ravel, Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, E-mail: andre_ravel@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Livestock productions have the potential of contaminating drinking water sources with zoonotic enteropathogens. This bacterial spread in the agroenvironment is highly dynamic due to natural or human activities. The following project aims at elaborating a mathematical stochastic model of the dynamics spread of zoonotic enteropathogens from food animals to water. The model will be used to study this dynamics and simulate the impact of changes in the factor driving it.

HC0371 Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Laboratory Methods Optimization

Project Leader: Marie-Josée Champagne, Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, E-mail: marie-josee_champagne@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: Antimicrobial testing in support of the Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance has begun last September with the abattoirs pilot project. In addition, the retail pilot project will begin shortly. Laboratory methods for the isolation and identification of each bacterial species targeted in the antimicrobial program have been chosen after a review of the literature. Because of practical considerations and a tight schedule, those laboratory methods have been applied without any evaluation, modification or validation. Questions and concerns on the recovery rates, accuracy of the identification and representativeness of these bacterial species, arose during the course of the project and a need was clearly identified to proceed at the validation and evaluation of laboratory methods and procedures for Escherichia coli, Enteroccocus, Salmonella and Campylobacter. The project will thus revolve around comparative evaluations of laboratory methods and procedures on samples submitted in the pilot projects. In addition, in planning for the expansion of the antimicrobial program in the future vs laboratory capacity involves that we take a proactive approach to explore the different avenues that can be taken to increase throughput and the range of analysis offered. This will be done by exploring and setting out recommendations on the avenue of automation of laboratory procedures performed in antimicrobial surveillance.

HC0372 Occurrence of Salmonella and Antimicrobial Resistant Enteric Bacteria in Commercially Available Pet Treats and Raw Food Diets and Associated Risk to Human Health

Project Leaders: Richard Reid-Smith, Susan Read, Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonosis, E-mail: richard_reid-smith@hc-sc.gc.ca, susan_read@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: Pet treat and raw food diet samples will be obtained from retail outlets in 4 Canadian cities. Salmonella and generic Escherichia coli will be cultured and antimicrobial susceptibility tested. Salmonella isolates will be typed and compared with available human and canine isolates. This study will contribute to risk assessment and policy making regarding the pet treat and raw food industries.

HC0373 Plasmid-associated Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance in Campylobacter jejuni

Project Leader: Monika Keelan, Research Associate Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, Health Canada, Edmonton.

Starting Date: 2003/04

Description: Campylobacter jejuni is the most common cause of foodborne infection in Canada. The frequency of antibiotic resistance and virulence plasmids in animal and human isolates of C. jejuni will be determined, and human data correlated with disease severity. Genotyping will identify subtypes of C. jejuni common to animals and humans.

Health Canada projects in support of food safety research

HC0216 Microbiological Safety of Foods (Submission Evaluation)

Project Leader: Helene Couture, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards - Food Directorate, Helene_Couture@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

Collaboration: Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety - Food Directorate, Bureau of Nutritional Sciences - Food Directorate; Canadian Food Inspection Agency, provinces and territories, food industry, academia

Description: Sometimes, before a food can be allowed for sale in Canada, a review and evaluation of industry submissions regarding foods is completed. Those submissions review food ingredients, products that may come into contact with foods/food contact surfaces and products used to control microbiological load. Other times, industry wants to modify their formulation and microbiological data are then evaluated to ensure the product is still safe.

Project Identification: 4500120

HC0219 National and International Risk Management Activities

Project Leader: Helene Couture, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards - Food Directorate, Helene_Couture@hc-sc.gc.caa

Starting Date: 2000/04

Collaboration: Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety - Food Directorate, Bureau of Nutritional Sciences - Food Directorate; Canadian Food Inspection Agency, provinces and territories, food industry (both domestic and import)

Description: 1. To provide input/participate in meetings of the federal/provincial/territorial Committee on Food Safety Policy and the Canadian Food Inspection System, to achieve harmonization with policy development. Policy on microbiological criteria are presented and discussed at FPTCFSP. Canadian Food Inspection Agency/provinces/territories are informed, invited to participate in the compliance aspects of the policies developed by Health Canada; 2. To provide input/participate with international organizations to achieve harmonization with Canadian requirements and formulate policies.

Project Identification: 4500124

HC0221 Policy Development of Injurious Extraneous Material in Foods

Project Leader: Helene Couture, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards - Food Directorate, Helene_Couture@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 1999/04

Collaboration: Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Department of National Defence, food industry (both domestic and import) Description: Policy for control of injurious extraneous material in foods. Risk assessments are conducted at the request of other agencies, particularly Canadian Food Inspection Agency. A number of recommendations made on hard pieces in food and the policy on injurious extraneous material needs to be re-drafted. This is discussed at Codex Food Hygiene and under committees such as processed fruits (fruits with stones).

Project Identification: 4500128

HC0231 Food Directorate Contribution to the Fightbac!T Campaign

Project Leader: Helene Couture, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards - Food Directorate, Helene_Couture@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

Collaboration: Federal and provincial government, consumer, health and environmental groups, food industry

Description: Contribute to reduction of microbial food-borne illness in Canada by increasing awareness of safe food handling practices through the coordination and delivery of food safety education programs focussed on the consumer. Health Canada's role is to serve on the Board of Directors and Education Committee, to provide secretariat services, scientific technical support, storage and distribution of all FightBAC!T materials, to develop and produce new education materials.

Project Identification: 4500298

HC0232 Policy Development in Novel Foods

Project Leader: Brian Harrison, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards - Food Directorate, Brian_Harrison@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

Collaboration: Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, provinces, international governments, food biotechnology industry, consumer groups, and the Canadian public

Description: Guideline development for assessing novel foods. Continue international capacity building and harmonization in regulation and safety assessment of genetically modified foods, including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Task Force on Novel Foods and Feeds project; development of a Codex standard for foods derived from biotechnology-derived plants and microorganisms, participation in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Association of South-East Asian Nations, and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development initiatives in capacity building for safety assessment of novel foods.

Project Identification: 4500299

HC0233 Pre-market Evaluation of Food Additives and Contaminants

Project Leader: Brian Harrison, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards - Food Directorate, Brian_Harrison@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

Collaboration: Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety - Food Directorate, Bureau of Nutritional Sciences - Food Directorate; Canadian Food Inspection Agency, occasionally provinces

Description: Review and evaluate industry submissions regarding foods/food ingredients that are food additives, including genetically modified enzymes; products that may contact foods/food contact surfaces and products used to control microbiological load. Pre-market assessment may be required for some products.

Project Identification: 4500300

HC0234 Harmonization Through Federal/Provincial/Territorial Risk Management Activities

Project Leader: Helene Couture, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards - Food Directorate, Helene_Couture@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

Collaboration: Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety - Food Directorate, Bureau of Nutritional Sciences - Food Directorate; Canadian Food Inspection Agency, occasionally provinces

Description: To provide input/participate in meetings of federal/provincial/territorial Committee on Food Safety and the Canadian Food Inspection System in order to achieve harmonization of position with canadian requirements. A two-phase study will be contracted out to diversified research for the development of safe cooking time/temperatures of poultry products. This activity is on-going.

Project Identification: 4500301

HC0235 Regulatory Development

Project Leader: Helene Couture, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards - Food Directorate, Helene_Couture@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

Collaboration: Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, provinces, food industry, consumer groups, and the Canadian public

Description: Initiate amendment and development of new regulations under the Food and Drugs Act. Discussion of raw milk cheese proposal in consultation with stakeholders. Bottled water undergoing internal review. Regulations are being drafted to assess the environmental impact of new products of biotechnology including foods. Considerations is given to learning a new regulation for the labelling of raw ground beef.

Project Identification: 4500302

HC0236 Policy Development on Raw Food of Animal Origin

Project Leader: Tom Gleeson, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards - Food Directorate, Tom_Glesson@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

Collaboration: Provincial/territorial governments, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, university, industry, consumer groups

Description: Policy development is on-going for the risk management policy for raw foods of animal origin (raw beef, chicken, eggs, aquicultured fish, raw milk cheese), with regard to Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter. Work is in progress to facilitate the development of microbiological safety standards or guidelines for fish products.

Project Identification: 4500303

HC0237 Interdepartmental Risk Management Activities

Project Leader: Richard Szabo, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards - Food Directorate, Richard_Szabo@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

Description: Time is needed to prepare, to provide adequate input when participating in meetings of Agriculture Canada Expert Committee on Meat and Poultry, Expert Committee on Food Engineering and Processing, Interdepartmental Working Group on Hermetically Sealed Thermally Processed Foods, Agriculture Canada Irradiation Work Group for the Control of Salmonella in Poultry and Poultry Feeds, Interdepartmental Committee on Xenotransplantation, Interdepartmental Committee on Deoxyribonucleic Acid Vaccines, Salmonella Task Force meetings, Canadian Agri-Food Research Council Expert Committee on Eggs and Egg Products, Microbiology Methods Committee, Canadian Biotechnology Strategy Review Committee, Food Directorate Working Group on Biotechnology.

Project Identification: 4500304

HC0238 Policy Development for Raw Foods of Plant Origin

Project Leader: Helene Couture, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards - Food Directorate, Helene_Couture@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

Collaboration: Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, provinces and territories, food industry, industry associations, consumer groups, the Canadian public

Description: Policy development initiatives are on-going with several being long-term, spanning several reporting periods. Policies reach a different level of completion throughout the year. In addition, performance evaluation of those policies is sometimes done, based on budget availability, to determine the effectiveness of Health Canada policies. Work will continue on unpasteurized juice/cider and on sprouts with consultation with stakeholders.

Project Identification: 4500305

HC0239 Pre-market Evaluation of Irradiated Foods

Project Leader: Tom Gleeson, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards - Food Directorate, Tom_Gleeson@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

Collaboration: Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety - Food Directorate, Bureau of Nutritional Sciences - Food Directorate; Canadian Food Inspection Agency, provinces

Description: Review and evaluate industry submissions regarding foods that have been subjected to irradiation, for which there are pre-market requirements. These activities are ongoing responsibilities of the Food Program. This project is linked to similar submission evaluation projects in other divisions of the Food Program.

Project Identification: 4500306

HC0240 Pre-market Evaluation of Novel Foods and Novel Food Ingredients

Project Leader: Brian Harrison, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards - Food Directorate, Brian_Harrison@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

Collaboration: Health Canada: Bureau of Chemical Safety - Food Directorate, Bureau of Nutritional Sciences - Food Directorate; Canadian Food Inspection Agency, occasionally Pest Management Regulatory Agency, Environment Canada and provinces

Description: Review and evaluate submissions regarding novel foods and novel food ingredients for which there is a requirement for pre-market notification (Schedule 948) Division 28 and which are intended to be placed upon the Canadian market.

Project Identification: 4500308

HC0242 A New National Website for Food-borne Illness in Canada

Project Leader: Franco Pagotto, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards - Food Directorate, Franco_Pagotto@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

Collaboration: Health Canada: Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses, Evaluation Division; national health associated industry and government facilities

Description: This project will become an ongoing effort. Initially targeting Listeria monocytogenes, we will continue to recruit experts in other areas to generate a highly detailed, one-stop information centre. The web page will expand to showcase the Bureau of Microbial Hazards (for example, researchers, evaluators, areas of research, general information.

Project Identification: 4500408

HC0243 National Reference Centre for Foodborne Listeriosis

Project Leader: Franco Pagotto, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, E-mail: Franco_Pagotto@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

Description: The purpose of the Listeriosis Reference Service is to assist physicians and Provincial Departments of Health when foodborne listeriosis is suspected and to rapidly examine suspect foods and clinical specimens submitted for analysis. The Listeriosis Reference Service maintains reference cultures of Listeria monocytogenes to allow proper investigations into foodborne outbreaks of listeriosis to take place. The Listeriosis Reference Service has as its objectives to reduce the number of foodborne listeriosis cases and hence the disease burden due to this pathogen in Canada.

Project Identification: 4500409

HC0251 Laboratory Projects in Support of Risk Assessment

Project Leader: Ashton Hughes, Health Canada: Bureau of Microbial Hazards - Food Directorate Ashton_Hughes@hc-sc.gc.ca

Starting Date: 2000/04

Collaboration: Canadian Food Inspection Agency, food processors and manufacturers

Description: Participants in this project will be primarily Evaluation Division staff. The project involves general training in food processing/container integrity. Phase 1 (2001-2002). This phase of the project will be divided into two parts; (a) Theoretical considerations in the design and functioning of hermetically sealed containers for food, (b) Practical or hands on methods for assessing container integrity.

Project Identification: 4500473