Farming methods

Chemical residue in food

• residue = sml amount of chemical remains in or on an agricultural product
• Contaminate = an impurity that gives health and safety concerns including, pesticdesm vet medicines, mycotoxins (naturally occurring) and micororganisms
• Chamicals that m,right be detected - Anti biotics, insecticides, herbicides, hormonal growth
• APVMA set maximum use of vet chemicals in animals. and set MRL maximum residue levels.
• MRL listed in food standard codeimprted food companies moist comply
• enforced by states and teritories

Chemical residue - health risks

• principle of holistic nutirition is to optimise the intake of beneficial nutrients and phytochemicals an drecude the ptoentially harmful substances.

Pesticides

• the generic term, for natural and syntheic chemicals.
• pests cover, worms, mice, slugs, mould, bacteria viruses.
• Advantages
• protect crops beforea nd after harvest
• play a major role in a sable food supply
• we expect a blemish free F & V
• Disadvantages
• can be dangerous to health and environment if not used correctly
• we want a more holist approach to pest management so eco systems are kept in balance
• Health risks
• parkisons
• ADHD austism
• endocrines disorders
• increased risk of some cancers

Pesticides- minimise exposure

• eat a variety of Foods to minimise exposure to any one pesticde, consider buying certified organic food.

Antibiotics

• used ion the treatment and preveention of disease in livestock
• concerns
• development of antibiotic resistant bacteria form animal to humans
• AB residue in food.

Hormonal Growth promotants

• HPG given to animals to promote growth
• used in Cattle in Aust >40% of cattle > 30years
• improve growth rate of cattle
• more efficient
• reduce Impact on envornment
• reduce green house emissions due to faster growth rate
• if we didn;t use HPG we would need and increase of 7% in our cattle industry
• 1998 Eu declared HPG unsafe, AUS investigated, HPG found to be ok.
• not in poultry

Slide 7

Summary

• Each farming method has its advantages and disadvantages
• chemicals in food have the potential to have adverse health effects
• organic and traditional farming methods are more respectful to the environment.