Background: Food safety is an integral part of food security. It refers to the protection of the food supply against risks of microbial, chemical and physical origin at every stage of the food chain. The study aimed t...Background: Food safety is an integral part of food security. It refers to the protection of the food supply against risks of microbial, chemical and physical origin at every stage of the food chain. The study aimed to investigate the sanitary quality of meals served in the canteens and vicinity of the Lagoon Mother and Child University Hospital Centre (CHU-MEL) and National Hospital and University Centre Hubert Koutoukou Maga (CNHU-HKM) of Cotonou. Methods: It was a cross-sectional with a data collection period from 16 March to 22 April 2021. There were 32 vendors surveyed and 40 meals sampled for microbiological examination. We collected data on the vendors’ socio-demographic characteristics, working environment, health status, knowledge and food hygiene practices. Results: About 83% of the meals contained pathogenic microorganisms. All meals had a temperature from 4°C to 60°C called the “danger zone”. The level of knowledge about food hygiene was low in 65.7% of the vendors. About 47% had poor personal and clothing hygiene, food storage and service practices. Conclusion: These results show that the meals sold in the CHU-MEL and CNHU-HKM could present a health risk for the consumer. There is a need for improvement of the sanitary quality of the meals delivered in the canteens and vicinity of these hospitals.展开更多
The aim of the present study is to assess the efficacy of the methods used in a HACCP system by measuring the Total Viable Count (TVC) and Coliforms, after cleaning and disinfecting the surfaces used and also by monit...The aim of the present study is to assess the efficacy of the methods used in a HACCP system by measuring the Total Viable Count (TVC) and Coliforms, after cleaning and disinfecting the surfaces used and also by monitoring TVC and enterobacteriaceae of hot and cold meals. In order to evaluate the appropriateness of the surfaces used, samples were obtained from kitchens of 37 Greek hotels/resorts, all of which operated a documented HACCP safety management scheme, while the samples of hot and cold meals were selected from the menu of a catering unit and collected from the actual point of hot and cold dishes banquette at the start time (time 0) and after 4 hours. The developed colonies were counted. The results showed that only 13.5% of the hotels presented surfaces without any TVC or coliforms and 86.5% of the hotels had surfaces with TVC or coliforms or both above the limits. However, 75.8% of the total surfaces examined were acceptable for TVC and 81.9% of the surfaces examined were coliforms. Our microbiological monitoring of food showed that the TVC content of hot meal samples after 4 hours of display (above 60℃) was not significantly different from the TVC content of the aforementioned samples at time 0, while in cold meals TVC and enterobacteriaceae content had significantly risen after 4 hours of display (below 5℃).Conclusively, insufficient application of disinfection and ineffective surface and equipment cleaning programs were found. Additionally, cold meals are more vulnerable than hot meals in developing TVC and enterobacteriaceae.展开更多
Purpose: The objective of the present study was to identify the type of experiences that parents and their children have with each other when late-school age children take on roles in family routines related to daily ...Purpose: The objective of the present study was to identify the type of experiences that parents and their children have with each other when late-school age children take on roles in family routines related to daily meals. Methods: A grounded theory approach was used. The participants were children in the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades of elementary school and their main caregivers. First, 10 parent and child dyads were interviewed using a semi-structured schedule. Next, online group interviews were conducted for 17 parent and child dyads to deductively confirm the categories. Results: The average age of the subjects was 41.9 years for parents and 10.4 years for children in parent-child interviews, and 41.1 years for parents and 9.6 years for children in group interviews. Six categories emerged with nineteen subcategories. Conclusions: Experiences mutually nurtured by parents and their children included experiences in which children used negotiation and conversation skills to consensually engage in family routines related to meals. It also included experiences that socialized the children in family life and fostered good communication. The six categories will be useful for healthcare professionals and school authorities in providing health guidance that addresses health functions of late school-age children and their families.展开更多
Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate salt levels in popular hot takeaway meals in three large China cities, and to compare the difference in sodium content in different types of takeaway meals. Meth...Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate salt levels in popular hot takeaway meals in three large China cities, and to compare the difference in sodium content in different types of takeaway meals. Methods: We randomly collected a total of 4450 samples of 7 different types of takeaway meals, which were the most consumed by local residents from takeaway platforms. The main ingredients, auxiliary ingredients, as well as the weight used in takeaway meals were collected. The sodium content in takeaway meals was obtained by calculation. Results: Obtained results show that the sodium content in three large China cities is alarmingly high. Comparing medians (interquartile range) of takeaway meals from different cities, Beijing contained the highest sodium content per portion (1371.3 mg (890.3 - 2137.4)), followed by Hangzhou (1348.45 mg (694.25 - 1541.62)) and Shanghai (340.1 (259.75 - 942.25)). In addition, the sodium content between pasta and porridge, Chinese meals, and western meals show significant differences (p 0.05). Compared with Chinese Dietary Reference Intakes, the average sodium content exceeded dietary recommendations for one takeaway meal. The sodium content differed among takeaway meals prepared with various cooking methods and meats. Conclusion: Notable differences are detected in takeaway meals’ sodium content between several large cities in China. To meet China’s target salt intake, consumers in these cities are highly recommended to reduce sodium content in their everyday meals.展开更多
Breakfast is considered an important meal for daily appetite control. We examined the effect of high-protein breakfasts on within-day appetite sensations and subsequent ad libitum intake, in men and women. Twenty subj...Breakfast is considered an important meal for daily appetite control. We examined the effect of high-protein breakfasts on within-day appetite sensations and subsequent ad libitum intake, in men and women. Twenty subjects attended on 4 occasions, to consume in a randomised order high-protein (30% energy) breakfast meals, as, 1) maintenance (MTD) fed to energy requirements (2.67 MJ), 2) a weight-loss (WL) bacon-based meal breakfast (WL-B, 2.13 MJ), 3) a WL-chicken salad (WL-CS, 2.13 MJ) and 4) a WL-smoothie (WL-S, 2.08 MJ). The 3 HP-WL breakfasts elicited differences in hunger (p = 0.007), fullness (p = 0.029), desire to eat (p = 0.006) and prospective consumption (p = 0.020). The WL-B meal reduced hunger (p = 0.002) and enhanced fullness (p = 0.02), compared with the two other WL breakfasts. Although these differences were not reflected in ad libitum energy intake later in the day, a HP breakfast can modify morning satiety, which is important during dieting.展开更多
文摘Background: Food safety is an integral part of food security. It refers to the protection of the food supply against risks of microbial, chemical and physical origin at every stage of the food chain. The study aimed to investigate the sanitary quality of meals served in the canteens and vicinity of the Lagoon Mother and Child University Hospital Centre (CHU-MEL) and National Hospital and University Centre Hubert Koutoukou Maga (CNHU-HKM) of Cotonou. Methods: It was a cross-sectional with a data collection period from 16 March to 22 April 2021. There were 32 vendors surveyed and 40 meals sampled for microbiological examination. We collected data on the vendors’ socio-demographic characteristics, working environment, health status, knowledge and food hygiene practices. Results: About 83% of the meals contained pathogenic microorganisms. All meals had a temperature from 4°C to 60°C called the “danger zone”. The level of knowledge about food hygiene was low in 65.7% of the vendors. About 47% had poor personal and clothing hygiene, food storage and service practices. Conclusion: These results show that the meals sold in the CHU-MEL and CNHU-HKM could present a health risk for the consumer. There is a need for improvement of the sanitary quality of the meals delivered in the canteens and vicinity of these hospitals.
文摘The aim of the present study is to assess the efficacy of the methods used in a HACCP system by measuring the Total Viable Count (TVC) and Coliforms, after cleaning and disinfecting the surfaces used and also by monitoring TVC and enterobacteriaceae of hot and cold meals. In order to evaluate the appropriateness of the surfaces used, samples were obtained from kitchens of 37 Greek hotels/resorts, all of which operated a documented HACCP safety management scheme, while the samples of hot and cold meals were selected from the menu of a catering unit and collected from the actual point of hot and cold dishes banquette at the start time (time 0) and after 4 hours. The developed colonies were counted. The results showed that only 13.5% of the hotels presented surfaces without any TVC or coliforms and 86.5% of the hotels had surfaces with TVC or coliforms or both above the limits. However, 75.8% of the total surfaces examined were acceptable for TVC and 81.9% of the surfaces examined were coliforms. Our microbiological monitoring of food showed that the TVC content of hot meal samples after 4 hours of display (above 60℃) was not significantly different from the TVC content of the aforementioned samples at time 0, while in cold meals TVC and enterobacteriaceae content had significantly risen after 4 hours of display (below 5℃).Conclusively, insufficient application of disinfection and ineffective surface and equipment cleaning programs were found. Additionally, cold meals are more vulnerable than hot meals in developing TVC and enterobacteriaceae.
文摘Purpose: The objective of the present study was to identify the type of experiences that parents and their children have with each other when late-school age children take on roles in family routines related to daily meals. Methods: A grounded theory approach was used. The participants were children in the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades of elementary school and their main caregivers. First, 10 parent and child dyads were interviewed using a semi-structured schedule. Next, online group interviews were conducted for 17 parent and child dyads to deductively confirm the categories. Results: The average age of the subjects was 41.9 years for parents and 10.4 years for children in parent-child interviews, and 41.1 years for parents and 9.6 years for children in group interviews. Six categories emerged with nineteen subcategories. Conclusions: Experiences mutually nurtured by parents and their children included experiences in which children used negotiation and conversation skills to consensually engage in family routines related to meals. It also included experiences that socialized the children in family life and fostered good communication. The six categories will be useful for healthcare professionals and school authorities in providing health guidance that addresses health functions of late school-age children and their families.
文摘Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate salt levels in popular hot takeaway meals in three large China cities, and to compare the difference in sodium content in different types of takeaway meals. Methods: We randomly collected a total of 4450 samples of 7 different types of takeaway meals, which were the most consumed by local residents from takeaway platforms. The main ingredients, auxiliary ingredients, as well as the weight used in takeaway meals were collected. The sodium content in takeaway meals was obtained by calculation. Results: Obtained results show that the sodium content in three large China cities is alarmingly high. Comparing medians (interquartile range) of takeaway meals from different cities, Beijing contained the highest sodium content per portion (1371.3 mg (890.3 - 2137.4)), followed by Hangzhou (1348.45 mg (694.25 - 1541.62)) and Shanghai (340.1 (259.75 - 942.25)). In addition, the sodium content between pasta and porridge, Chinese meals, and western meals show significant differences (p 0.05). Compared with Chinese Dietary Reference Intakes, the average sodium content exceeded dietary recommendations for one takeaway meal. The sodium content differed among takeaway meals prepared with various cooking methods and meats. Conclusion: Notable differences are detected in takeaway meals’ sodium content between several large cities in China. To meet China’s target salt intake, consumers in these cities are highly recommended to reduce sodium content in their everyday meals.
文摘Breakfast is considered an important meal for daily appetite control. We examined the effect of high-protein breakfasts on within-day appetite sensations and subsequent ad libitum intake, in men and women. Twenty subjects attended on 4 occasions, to consume in a randomised order high-protein (30% energy) breakfast meals, as, 1) maintenance (MTD) fed to energy requirements (2.67 MJ), 2) a weight-loss (WL) bacon-based meal breakfast (WL-B, 2.13 MJ), 3) a WL-chicken salad (WL-CS, 2.13 MJ) and 4) a WL-smoothie (WL-S, 2.08 MJ). The 3 HP-WL breakfasts elicited differences in hunger (p = 0.007), fullness (p = 0.029), desire to eat (p = 0.006) and prospective consumption (p = 0.020). The WL-B meal reduced hunger (p = 0.002) and enhanced fullness (p = 0.02), compared with the two other WL breakfasts. Although these differences were not reflected in ad libitum energy intake later in the day, a HP breakfast can modify morning satiety, which is important during dieting.
