ABSTRACT
Consumer demands for food and food safety were discussed as were applications of risk assessment methodology to food safety. Economic impacts of foodborne disease were described and consumer perceptions of several food safety issues were considered. In addition, a single protocol was proposed which would satisfy the requirements of 6 regulatory authorities in Canada, the European Economic Community, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Japan, and the USA. Fluorescence line-narrowing spectroscopy is a highly sensitive and selective analytical technique for the detection and characterization of DNA adducts in organisms exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. An alternative metabolic activation system for promutagens in the Ames assay utilizes extracts of mammalian cells expressing P450 cDNAs. Positive dose-related increases in DNA fragmentation were observed after these cell cultures were exposed for 1 h to 4 different direct-acting alkylating agents.
