Review

The Food Safety File

In January 2008, the English edition of the Food Safety File was published on cd-rom.

The first author, Prof. S. Notermans, is internationally renowned for his research in the field of food hygiene and risk assessment, which he performed first at the Dutch National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and later at the TNO Institute of Nutrition and Food Research.

The file is based on food related problems which have drawn attention during during the last 10 years with regard to the new integral approach of food safety and -quality.

The file comprises 16 chapters. (Contents)

As was to be expected, the majority of the chapters regards micro-organisms. In these chapters all actual bacterial, mycotical, parasitic and viral hazards are regarded, including references to control measures. In addition two chapters with regard to food safety have been added.

Every chapter contains the relevant legislation and scientific background information as well as examples of recent cases of food related problems. In addition the relevant literature references are provided which can easily by consulted by a simple click ‘in situ’.

The information is enlightened by many tables, graphs, figures and photographs.

Annually a new edition will be issued in order to keep the information up to date.

The program is very user-friendly, and leads the reader immediately to the subject which he wants to read.

Given the timeliness and accessibility of the information the Food Safety File is highly recommended to quality assurance managers in the area of production, handling, processing and catering of food, managers in charge of food safety surveillance within Food Safety Authorities, consultants in food safety, students at college and university level, and scientists interested in food safety.

Prof. Jan van Hoof