Analytical Techniques for Glass Contamination of Food: A Guide for Administrators and Analysts.

An analytical scheme is presented to provide an overview of techniques applicable to glass contamination in a variety of consumer products. Procedures are referenced or presented in detail, with emphasis on quality assurance. References on forensic and analytical methods for the examination of glass are provided.

Effects of Processing Equipment on Howard Mold and Rot Fragment Counts of Tomato Catsup.

Two studies were done to determine the effects of processing equipment on Howard mold and rot fragment counts of tomato catsup. In a pilot plant study in 1980, batches of catsup with known cut-out rot levels were produced and processed through various types of comminution equipment. Urschel and Fitzpatrick mills and homogenizers at 500 to 700 and 1500 to 2000 psi increased mold counts more than twofold over the range of data obtained. Contrary to previous reports, Urschel mills increased rot counts significantly. A nationwide survey was conducted in 1983 to determine if similar effects would be found with well-characterized commercial products. Data were obtained on inline and finished products from 164 lots of catsup produced at 16 plants located across the country. Urschel and Fitzpatrick mills tended to increase mold counts over twofold and caused a slight increase in rot counts. High pressure homogenizers (≥2000 psi) tended to decrease mold counts; low pressure homogenizers (<2000 psi) increased them. Homogenization at any pressure reduced rot counts dramatically. Although mold counts were highest for catsup produced in the eastern United States and lowest for catsup produced in the West, milling and low pressure homogenization were also most prevalent in the East and least prevalent in the West. When the effects of these types of comminution were removed, the difference between regions diminished. Compared with the norm, rainfall levels for the growing regions involved in this survey were fairly typical.

Defects of Inshell Walnuts, Pecans and Brazil Nuts.

A survey was done to determine the level of defects in inshell walnuts, pecans and Brazil nuts. The analytical data, which represented inshell nuts at the national retail level, were obtained on 406 samples of Brazil nuts, 386 samples of pecans and 450 samples of walnuts. Defective inshell nuts were classed as insect-infested, moldy, rancid, decomposed, shriveled, blank and dirty. The mean and percentage range of total defects were walnuts 4.0 (0-23.5), pecans 5.7 (0-47.0), and Brazil nuts 5.7 (0-24.1). The percentages of samples of each nut type which contained at least one defect were walnuts 88.0%, pecans 93.5%, and Brazil nuts 97.0%.

Evaluation of a Proposed Reconditioning Process for Frozen Shrimp.

A proposed procedure for reconditioning filth-contaminated shrimp was evaluated for its effectiveness in removing urea, a component of soluble filth. Contamination of fresh shrimp was simulated by placing 1.0 µl aliquots of a solution containing 0.025 × 10-6mCi 14C-urea onto the epithelium of peeled shrimp. Following the washing procedure, 41% of the labeled urea remained with the shrimp tissue.

Rodent Excreta Contamination and Insect Damage of Wheat.

A survey was made to determine the levels of insect damage and rodent excreta pellets in wheat. The analytical data obtained represented the various grade designations of wheat normally encountered during wheat grade certification in the 34 Agricultural Marketing Service, Grain Division, field offices. The mean and range of weights of insect-damaged kernels per 100 g and rodent excreta pellets and pellet fragments per kilogram were 71.5 mg (0-3809 mg) and 0.9 mg (0-100 mg), respectively. The mean and range of numbers of insect-damaged kernels and rodent excreta pellets were 3.3 (0-169) and 0.1 (0-11), respectively. The percentages of samples containing insect-damaged kernels and rodent excreta were approximately 35 and 7%, respectively.