Portable biosensor for rapid detection of viral contamination in food . The objective of this project is to create a miniaturised and cost-effective electrochemical biosensor device that can detect multiple pathogens, simultaneously, even at very low level of concentrations. This device will be crucial for rapidly detect pathogen contamination in food and water to monitor their safety and quality, particularly beneficial in an outbreak or natural disaster for testing these resources. In additio ....Portable biosensor for rapid detection of viral contamination in food . The objective of this project is to create a miniaturised and cost-effective electrochemical biosensor device that can detect multiple pathogens, simultaneously, even at very low level of concentrations. This device will be crucial for rapidly detect pathogen contamination in food and water to monitor their safety and quality, particularly beneficial in an outbreak or natural disaster for testing these resources. In addition to food and water, the successful development of this versatile cost-effective sensor will benefit a wide range of companies such as pharmaceuticals, medical device manufacturing and farms for controlling product quality where detection of life threatening pathogens is pivotal to prevent risk for consumers.Read moreRead less
SCRC: PhD : Protecting The Safety And Quality Of Australian Oysters Using Predictive Models Integrated With ‘Intelligent’ Cold Chain Technologies
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Molluscan shellfish are high-valued seafood products that require careful supply chain management to guarantee both product safety and quality. Together, storage time and temperature exert the greatest influence on microbial food safety and quality, and must be controlled during oyster processing, transport and storage. Vibrio species are a natural component of marine and estuarine environments, unlike faecal bacteria which are typically introduced into growing waters by land run-off. Consequent ....Molluscan shellfish are high-valued seafood products that require careful supply chain management to guarantee both product safety and quality. Together, storage time and temperature exert the greatest influence on microbial food safety and quality, and must be controlled during oyster processing, transport and storage. Vibrio species are a natural component of marine and estuarine environments, unlike faecal bacteria which are typically introduced into growing waters by land run-off. Consequently, it is prudent to assume that all live shellfish may potentially contain naturally-occurring Vibrio spp. These risks, including the quality of oysters, can be controlled by proper cold chain management. Improper cold chain handling may increase risk, decrease quality and ultimately affect value and the brand. The negative consequences can easily be spread across the entire industry. Thus, a proactive strategy is required to control and predict risk, with added benefits for maintaining product quality. This can be achieved through validated tools (models) that allow all stakeholders in the cold chain to monitor how conditions influence the safety and quality of oysters. The impact will include 1) improved product safety, 2) an optimised cold chain, 3) higher product quality, 4) greater access to export markets and 5) a more cooperative regulatory environment.Read moreRead less
SCRC: PhD : Methodologies For The Implementation Of Micro Mobile Information Systems In The Cold Chain And The Resulting Implications Of Time Temperature Logging For Models Of Microbial Growth
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
This project fits squarely into two of the key strategies of the seafood CRC’s theme 2, Strategy 1 - Traceability and product sensor technologies and, Strategy 2 – Predicting and managing seafood shelf life
This project intends to work with CRC Participant seafood supply chains and key markets, however identifying which participant is still an ongoing task. Though initial contact has been made with the Tasmanian Abalone industry and the local research community the Sydney Fish m ....This project fits squarely into two of the key strategies of the seafood CRC’s theme 2, Strategy 1 - Traceability and product sensor technologies and, Strategy 2 – Predicting and managing seafood shelf life
This project intends to work with CRC Participant seafood supply chains and key markets, however identifying which participant is still an ongoing task. Though initial contact has been made with the Tasmanian Abalone industry and the local research community the Sydney Fish market has also been visited (in an unannounced visit) for possible inclusion in this project.
The application is needed to enable better supply chain management of product quality and quality, by being able to identify products remotely (i.e. without the need for and problems of bar codes, scanners etc.) recognise potential quality problems (due to time and temperature), during product distribution, to assess the potential magnitude of those problems and to react to them in a timely manner to correct the problem or minimise its impact.Read moreRead less
Waterproof Labelling And Identification Systems Suitable For Shellfish And Other Seafood Products
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$9,800.00
Summary
Objectives: 1. To evaluate technology and products currently availabel for the individual tagging and identification of seafood products. 2. To identify the most appropriate technology and products (systems) and possible improvements to existing systems to enable for the on-farm tagging and identification of shellfish. 3. To evaluate the economic cost to industry of implementing the on-farm and market poace use of appropriate systems. 4. To evaluate the positive and negativ ....Objectives: 1. To evaluate technology and products currently availabel for the individual tagging and identification of seafood products. 2. To identify the most appropriate technology and products (systems) and possible improvements to existing systems to enable for the on-farm tagging and identification of shellfish. 3. To evaluate the economic cost to industry of implementing the on-farm and market poace use of appropriate systems. 4. To evaluate the positive and negative impacts in the market place resulting from the labelling of product. 5. To design an integrated "paddock to plate" trial to investigate both the on-farm feasibility of an appropriate tagging system(s) and the reliability tagging system(s) for market place product identification and traceback. Read moreRead less
Tactical Research Fund: Assessment Of Heavy Metals In Tropical Rock Oysters (blacklip And Milky) And Implications For Placement Into The Australian Seafood Market And For Indigenous Enterprise Development In The NT.
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$37,796.00
Summary
The aim of the project is to manage an unforeseen event that has arisen in the early staged of facilitating Indigenous tropical edible oyster enterprises in the NT (both wild harvest and farmed). Samples taken in December 2011 from two sites had high levels of some heavy metals in the flesh. Specifically, levels of cadmium and arsenic were above the Food Standards Code MRL’s. The implications of these results for Indigenous organisations planning to sell tropical oysters into Australian markets ....The aim of the project is to manage an unforeseen event that has arisen in the early staged of facilitating Indigenous tropical edible oyster enterprises in the NT (both wild harvest and farmed). Samples taken in December 2011 from two sites had high levels of some heavy metals in the flesh. Specifically, levels of cadmium and arsenic were above the Food Standards Code MRL’s. The implications of these results for Indigenous organisations planning to sell tropical oysters into Australian markets are unknown. An additional small, but more extensive, sampling program is needed to assess the extent (spatially and temporally) to which heavy metals peck above MRL's in NT tropical oysters.
The project's Industry partner, Mr Ziko Ilac of Darwin Fish Markets, sees this as a high priority issue. He is currently liaising with top-end Darwin restaurants to develop a niche market in Indigenous-produced, fair-trade seafood. His intention is to develop a niche market for small volumes of shellfish and fish, flown in weekly from remote communities when seasonally available. Restaurateurs see great potential in developing an 'NT seafood cuisine experience' for national and international visitors to Darwin using an 'Indigenous produced, fair-trade' marketing strategy.
Professor Karen Gibb, Leader Environmental Analytical Chemistry Unit (EACU), Charles Darwin University has advised that their own data and those of Peerzada et al. (1993) (Env. Monitoring & Assessment 28: 101-107) also showed elevated cadmium and arsenic in oysters collected along the northern coastline. However not all sites were elevated and Peerzada et al. implicated phytoplankton as a source of elevated metals. Before we can make informed decisions about the future of this very promising enterprise we critically need to gain an accurate measure of metals in replicated samples over two seasons and determine if there is an association with metal levels in water and/or phytoplankton.
Objectives: 1. Conduct a sampling survey of the spatial and temporal variability of heavy metals in tropical oysters (blacklip and milky) in the West Arnhem region 2. Assess the implications of results on the development strategy of the oyster enterprise and the sale of tropical oysters into the Australian seafood market 3. Employ Indigenous partners to conduct the shellfish monitoring outlined in this project to develop Indigenous capacity in fisheries sciences and an additional employment steam for Indigenous people Read moreRead less
Seafood CRC: New Directions In Australian Seafood Whole Of Chain Traceability And Supply Chain Technologies
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$96,384.66
Summary
Global seafood trade increased to 160 million tonnes per annum in 2013, with 37% of this being traded internationally. Traceability of seafood has become a hot topic, with the EU and US bringing in new regulations recently. In 2015 Food Standards Australia New Zealand will be examining traceability issues in Australia. The FAO Committee of Fisheries is also currently developing international best practice guidelines. SafeFish has listed traceability through chain as an ....Global seafood trade increased to 160 million tonnes per annum in 2013, with 37% of this being traded internationally. Traceability of seafood has become a hot topic, with the EU and US bringing in new regulations recently. In 2015 Food Standards Australia New Zealand will be examining traceability issues in Australia. The FAO Committee of Fisheries is also currently developing international best practice guidelines. SafeFish has listed traceability through chain as an emerging issue that industry needs support to address.
There are many different drivers for traceability, often determined by the product type and destination market. Internally companies use traceability as a production/management tool, or to simplify record keeping, and hence increase efficiencies. It may also provide a mechanism for fast and efficient recall of contaminated product. This internal financial benefit to business operations has been well demonstrated in case studies undertaken by the Global Chain Alliance. Traceability also enables manufacturers and growers to interface directly with their end users. Markets and regulators are increasingly demanding through chain traceability as a means of assurance of food safety, sustainable fishing practices (eg MSC "chain of custody" requirements, and product integrity (including protection against substitution).
In Australia’s seafood industry, paper traceability systems are the norm in most of the catching and harvesting sectors, despite the fact that the catch sector uses many sophisticated electronic instruments and devices in their operations and that electronic communications and computer use are wide spread on board, dockside and in processors. Whilst paper based systems can work, they are inherently inefficient and offer no scope for improvement.
However, with the learnings from 2012/702 informing this proposed project and increasing interest in electronic traceability systems, this project can assist Australian seafood companies to choose and implement traceability systems appropriate to their internal and external needs.
Objectives: 1. Development and extension of Seafood Traceability toolbox and decision tree (with case study examples) (in collaboration with SAFEFISH). 2. Undertake Full RFID/barcoding trial with at least two interested businesses and repeat of cost benefit analysis (as per 2012/702). Read moreRead less
Objectives: 1. To conduct a risk assessment of the health risks by the NSW seafood industry using accepted risk classification models and to identify those areas posing significant and/or immediate threats to human health and to prioritise the areas requiring food safety planning. 2. To review available information and identify any deficiencies in effectiveness and efficiency of current food safety measures for the seafood industry, and any risks not addressed by the current systems. < ....Objectives: 1. To conduct a risk assessment of the health risks by the NSW seafood industry using accepted risk classification models and to identify those areas posing significant and/or immediate threats to human health and to prioritise the areas requiring food safety planning. 2. To review available information and identify any deficiencies in effectiveness and efficiency of current food safety measures for the seafood industry, and any risks not addressed by the current systems. 3. To estimate likely costs to government and industry of implementation of food safety plans over a five year period to address the identified risks. Read moreRead less
Phase 2: Traceability Systems For Wild Caught Lobster, Via Sense-T And Pathways To Market
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$265,000.00
Summary
The need for traceability was first prioritised in strategic planning by SRL because of a bloom in harmful algae (HABs). These events in 2013 occurred during a closed season but highlighted the vulnerability of the industry to the lack of traceability - a bloom in the open season and subsequent recall would have led to all. Australian product being recalled, not just lobsters from affected areas. The impact would have been catastrophic. The need is now recognised to be wider than HABs and includ ....The need for traceability was first prioritised in strategic planning by SRL because of a bloom in harmful algae (HABs). These events in 2013 occurred during a closed season but highlighted the vulnerability of the industry to the lack of traceability - a bloom in the open season and subsequent recall would have led to all. Australian product being recalled, not just lobsters from affected areas. The impact would have been catastrophic. The need is now recognised to be wider than HABs and includes risk management options for food safety incidents beyond toxic algal blooms, compliance with changes to requirements of importing countries, business-to-business and business-to-consumer verification of food safety, quality, and sustainability credentials. Traceability also enables the industry to look back at harvesting operations - what locations and practices led to the best product delivered to consumers?
Seafood is the most highly traded food commodity globally, and yet there is very little traceability in any seafood supply chain, or country of origin labelling at the point of market, including those used for live Australian Southern Rock Lobster (ASRL). A successful project will lead the seafood industry in traceability, providing a lead for other seafood industries. Improved technical traceability may also open up new markets such as the European Union - currently no SRL operators are accredited for lobster export to the EU.
The main need at present is the Chinese market by the introduction of a tagging/traceability system to clearly identify and differentiate ASRL in the China market from other imported lobster. Indeed, actions to address traceability forms part of the first priority issue within Objective 1 (“Add value along the supply chain from fisher to customer”) within SRL’s SRL’s Strategy 2022, and previously Strategic Plan 2011-16. These type of requirements are increasingly being applied for traded food and are evolving. A traceability system for ASRL would also facilitate compliance with the Global Seafood Sustainability Initiative (GSSI) emerging. Objectives: 1. Traceability/sensor technologies integrated in chains; 2. Traceability system validated; 3. Traceability system value proposition(s) determined. Read moreRead less
SCRC: CoolFish - Traceability And Product Sensor Technologies To Manage Seafood Cool Chains APPROVAL FOR PHASE 1 ONLY FOR $14,600
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
There is a need to integrate both traceability and freshness technologies into a single platform, so that all pertinent information can be collected as the product moves through the supply chain from processing to wholesale/retail, and to remedy unnecessary costly project rejection. Real research developments are occurring in the integration of sensor technology (which has a microbiological focus, and includes developments in food hygiene indexes for predicting the degree of seafood spoilage on ....There is a need to integrate both traceability and freshness technologies into a single platform, so that all pertinent information can be collected as the product moves through the supply chain from processing to wholesale/retail, and to remedy unnecessary costly project rejection. Real research developments are occurring in the integration of sensor technology (which has a microbiological focus, and includes developments in food hygiene indexes for predicting the degree of seafood spoilage on the basis of time-temperature data), and traceability technology (which has a spatial focus and includes developments in geographic information systems).
The real questions for seafood producers, processors and sellers are ones of data management – what does an operator do with the data generated by devices such as temperature loggers and global traceability devices? The linkage between this information and protocols, guidelines and standards for seafood export, food safety or authenticity is not yet fully developed or tested.Read moreRead less
Raise Awareness Of The Guidelines Developed By The AAWWG (Aquatic Animal Welfare Working Group) With Industry And Review Their Adoption, Uptake Rates And Utility
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$34,771.45
Summary
Following the work of the AAWWG the four aquatic sectors now have a range of findings that, when combined, produce a series of practical outcomes and materials for circulation and use within the various sectors.
The take-up of these guidance materials now lies with the aquatic sectors to which they apply; commercial capture fishing, aquaculture, recreational fishing, ornamental fish and restaurants holding live seafood.
There is a need to undertake a workshop (or a series of ....Following the work of the AAWWG the four aquatic sectors now have a range of findings that, when combined, produce a series of practical outcomes and materials for circulation and use within the various sectors.
The take-up of these guidance materials now lies with the aquatic sectors to which they apply; commercial capture fishing, aquaculture, recreational fishing, ornamental fish and restaurants holding live seafood.
There is a need to undertake a workshop (or a series of workshops) to determine how well these previously developed materials are being used by industry and identify the reasons why there is not adoption (if this is the case). The workshop(s) will then provide advice and guidance to FRDC as to whether there is a need for fund further work to ‘plug any gaps’ or modify any materials that have been found to be difficult to use/adopt, or whether there is a need to assess industry barriers to change.
Objectives: 1. Through a series of workshops, to determine how well the implementation of the welfare guidelines developed in the earlier AAWS program (2005 - 2013) have been adopted, whether they are seen as fit for purpose / capable of being operationalised and identify any gaps that require future RD &/or E input. 2. For these gaps to seek funding opportunities to carry out this work. Read moreRead less