Browsing by Author "Jakobsen, Lea"
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- Aflatoxin exposure through food consumption – are we ready to face the risk associated to climate change?Publication . Assunção, Ricardo; Alvito, Paula; Jakobsen, Lea; Pires, S.Climate change (CC) has been indicated as a driver for food safety issues worldwide, mainly due to the impact on the occurrence of food safety hazards at various stages of food chain. Mycotoxins, natural contaminants produced by fungi, are mentioned to be one of the most important food safety hazards affected by CC. Aflatoxins, which have the highest acute and chronic toxicity of all mycotoxins, assumes particular importance within this context. A recent study predicted aflatoxin contamination in maize and wheat crops in Europe within the next 100 years. The authors concluded that aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is predicted to become a food safety issue in Europe, especially in the +2 °C scenario, the most probable scenario of CC expected for the next years. In Europe, previous reported studies estimated mean dietary exposures to aflatoxins for the general population from all food sources ranging from 0.93 ng kg bw-1 day-1 to 2.4 ng kg bw-1 day-1. In Portugal, an estimation of a probable daily exposure to aflatoxins of 0.501 ng kg bw-1 day-1 by the Portuguese population was reported. In addition, other authors also estimated aflatoxin exposure of Portuguese children (1-3 years) and reported a potential health concern associated to the exposure, wherein AFB1 was the main contributor. Considering the potential risks associated to Portuguese exposure to aflatoxins through diet, and the potential influence of CC on the temperature, humidity, precipitation and consequently on the mycotoxin contamination of food products, this presentation will discuss the CC impact on public health. To face this objective, burden of disease (BoD) associated to aflatoxin exposure of the Portuguese population will be estimated, for the first time, using a model of three components: an exposure, health-outcome and disability adjusted life years (DALY) modules. BoD of different scenarios will be discussed in light of the current knowledge about recent estimates of CC impact in Europe.
- Building capacity in risk-benefit assessment of foods: lessons learned from the RB4EU ProjectPublication . Boué, Géraldine; Assunção, Ricardo; Alvito, Paula; Brazão, R.; Carmona, Paulo; Carvalho, Catarina; Correia, D.; Fernandes, Paulo; Jakobsen, Lea; Lopes, Carla; Martins, Carla; Membré, Jeanne-Marie; Monteiro, Sarogini; Nabais, Pedro; Thomsen, Sofie; Torres, Duarte; Pires, SaraRisk-Benefit Assessment (RBA) of food, food ingredients and diets, has recently emerged to address multidisciplinary public health issues. RBA aims to assess in a global perspective potential risks and benefits related to microbiology, toxicology and nutrition; in order to evaluate different options and to support decision-making process. At this time, significant methodological progress have been made but only few research groups have experience in RBA. To promote knowledge transfer, the RiskBenefit4EU project was funded by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The objective of the presentation will be to introduce the strategy developed to capacitate a new team in RBA and to give an overview on lessons learned from this experience. The new team was comprised of experts in risk assessment in toxicology, microbiology or nutrition, epidemiology, dietary assessment or data analysis to answer to a specific multidisciplinary public health issue on cereal-based foods consumed by young children considering breakfast and infant cereals. Activities of the capacity building experience were designed by experienced researchers in RBA to transfer a harmonized methodology. Two weeks of face-to-face training were organized, one on theoretical concepts used in RBA and one on their application to the cereal case study. This experience has highlighted the necessity to build a common language within the team by harmonizing important concepts including hazard, health effect, adverse health effect, beneficial health effect, risk, benefit, health and health impact. It was also important that all participant learn basis of all area of expertise used in RBA. A harmonized RBA stepwise approach was introduced with key steps illustrated with examples of previous RBA performed. Finally, the RBA case study was initiated to design a shared protocol. The learning by doing process experienced under the RB4EU project enabled to create the first training in RBA. The strategy developed, with materials and method used, can now be re-used to capacitate other new teams in RBA and can be considered as a robust basis to build on.
- Escolhas alimentares sustentáveis: o contributo do projeto ALTERNATIVA enquanto ferramenta para a escolha de fontes alternativas de proteínaPublication . Serôdio, Ana; Biasini, Beatrice; Boué, Géraldine; Castanheira, Isabel; Cozzi, Elena; Federighi, Michel; Jakobsen, Lea; Martins, Carla; Menozzi, Davide; Motta, Carla; Naska, Androniki; Niforou, Katerina; Pavel, Marta; Pires, Sara; Poulsen, Morten; Assunção, RicardoO aumento da população humana e a consequente pressão exercida pelos sistemas alimentares desafiam a saúde e o meio ambiente, cujo impacto se reflete, entre outros, ao nível das alterações climáticas associadas ao aquecimento global, exploração de recursos naturais e da perda de biodiversidade. Entre os fatores que mais contribuem para esse impacto está a produção de proteínas de origem animal, como a carne vermelha e os lacticínios. Neste sentido, urge uma transformação dos sistemas alimentares, sendo que esta transformação deverá ser sustentada numa avaliação dos impactos de fontes alternativas de proteínas, quer na saúde quer na sustentabilidade. Este artigo tem como principal objetivo discutir os desafios colocados aos sistemas alimentares e a necessidade de avaliar o impacto destes, à luz do projeto ALTERNATIVA (Alternative sources of protein in European diets – integrating risk-benefit for health and sustainability) como uma ferra menta para o desenvolvimento sustentável nas diferentes vertentes – ambiental, social e económica, através de uma metodologia que reúne e combina conhecimentos em avaliação do risco-benefício (ARB) de alimentos e a avaliação da sustentabilidade. A utilização de abordagens holísticas, como a que está a ser aplicada no projeto ALTERNATIVA com o objetivo de fornecer ferramentas inovadoras para apoiar decisões sobre as futuras dietas, é fundamental para minimizar os efeitos dos desafios atuais tentando garantir alimentos seguros, economicamente justos, acessíveis, dietas nutricionalmente adequadas e saudáveis com menores impactos ambientais.
- Fontes alternativas de proteínas nas dietas europeias: a contribuição do projeto ALTERNATIVA para a perspetiva One HealthPublication . Serôdio, Ana; Biasini, Beatrice; Boué, Géraldine; Cozzi, Elena; Federighi, Michel; Jakobsen, Lea; Martins, Carla; Menozzi, Davide; Motta, Carla; Naska, Androniki; Niforou, Katerina; Pavel, Marta; Pires, Sara; Poulsen, Morten; Assunção, RicardoA abordagem como a One Health, baseada em princípios que promovem a coexistência saudável, bem-estar e sustentabilidade entre humanos, animais e ambiente, tem surgido como indispensável para fazer face aos diversos problemas globais associados às alterações climáticas e sus- tentabilidade. A mesma multidisciplinaridade do conceito One Health é, também, uma característica do conceito e aplicação da Avaliação de Risco-Benefício (ARB). Este estudo tem como objetivo demonstrar de que forma é que o projeto ALTERNATIVA – Alternative protein sources in the European diets integrating health risk-benefit and sustainability (Fontes alternativas de proteínas nas dietas europeias – integrando risco-benefício para a saúde e sustentabilidade) contribui para o desenvolvimento e aplicação do conceito One Health, tendo por base a ARB de diferentes dietas alimentares. Realizou-se uma pesquisa bibliográfica sobre o conceito “One Health” através da base de dados Pubmed/U.S. National Library of Medicine e no Google Scholar, nos quais foram efetuadas pesquisas avançadas, que in- cluíram os termos: “One health approach”, “Risk benefit food one health”, “Alternative protein”, “One health food” e “One health food assessment”. Os resultados deste estudo demonstram de que forma é que o projeto ALTERNATIVA, através das suas diferentes atividades desenvolvidas, integra os principais pilares do conceito One Health (Humano, Animal e Ambiental) em todas as suas dimensões. Conclui-se que o projeto ALTERNATIVA aliado ao conceito One Health, constitui uma ferramenta inovadora para apoiar as melhores decisões sobre as dietas do futuro, garantindo a nutrição humana e a saúde planetária, ao contribuir para a mitigação das tendências adversas que estão diretamente associadas às nossas escolhas alimentares.
- Nut consumption in Portugal: the balance between the risks and the benefits regarding liver cancer and cardiovascular diseasePublication . Assunção, Ricardo; Jakobsen, Lea; Alvito, Paula; Carmona, P.; Carvalho, C.; Lopes, C.; Martins, C.; Monteiro, Sarogini; Nabais, P.; Correia, D.; Torres, D.; Viegas, Carla; Viegas, S.; Nauta, Marten; Pires, SaraNuts are rich sources of cis-unsaturated fatty acids, fibre, vitamins, minerals, and a number of bioactive substances and the regular consumption of nuts are being associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality, particularly cardiovascular disease (CVD). At the same time, the occurrence of mycotoxins in nuts, including the most potent carcinogenic aflatoxins (AFTs), has been reported by several authors worldwide. According to the National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (IAN-AF 2015-16), the usual consumption of nuts by the Portuguese adults is 2.7 g/day. Some recent epidemiological studies (e.g. PREDIMED) suggested that a daily nuts consumption of 30 g could reduce the incidence of CVD. The present study aimed to quantify the health impact in terms of Disability-adjusted life years (DALY) of increasing nut consumption to 30 g/day by adult Portuguese population, when compared to the current intake. Regarding nut consumption, two scenarios were established: current consumption (CS) – 2.7 g/day; alternative scenario (AS) – 30 g/day. AFTs occurrence in nuts available in Portuguese market and nut consumption data were used to estimate AFTs intake. Epidemiological and National population data were used to estimate the DALYs, considering two different endpoints: the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma due to exposure to AFTs (IPSC/WHO) and the prevention of acute myocardial infarction due to nuts’ consumption (PREDIMED). A mean daily intake of AFTs of 0.013 (CS) and 0.142 (AS) ng/kg bw/day was predicted. This intake is estimated to cause 0.013 (CS) and 0.15 (AS) extra cases of Hepatocellular Carcinoma, corresponding to 0.2 (CS) and 2.7 (AS) annual DALYs. In contrast, the estimated number of preventable cases of myocardial infarction due to the increasing of nut consumption to 30 g/day was 1402 and the DALYs gained was 5658. Integrating risks and benefits, 5656 annual DALYs could be potentially saved. These results suggest an overall beneficial health effect of increased nut consumption in Portugal. Therefore, it seems not advisable to reduce exposure to AFTs by recommending a reduced intake of nuts.
- Risk-benefit assessment of cereal-based foods consumed by children - a case study under RB4EU projectPublication . Assunção, Ricardo; Boué, Géraldine; Alvito, Paula; Brazão, R.; Carmona, Paulo; Carvalho, Catarina; Correia, D.; Fernandes, Paulo; Jakobsen, Lea; Lopes, Carla; Martins, Carla; Membré, Jeanne-Marie; Monteiro, Sarogini; Nabais, Pedro; Thomsen, Sofie; Torres, Duarte; Pires, SaraFoodstuffs, as cereal-based products, may present both potential risks and benefits to consumers. Cereal-based foods including breakfast and infant cereals, represent important components of human diets and are also among the first solid foods that young children usually eat. From the risk components, cereals are one of the most frequent foodstuffs contaminated by mycotoxins. Aflatoxins, a frequent mycotoxin found in cereals, are undoubtedly the most toxic and are associated to genotoxic, carcinogenic and immunosuppressive toxic effects. Besides chemical hazards, cereal-based foods also potentially contain microbiological hazards, as e.g. Bacillus cereus. Despite the fact that organisms cannot easily grow in low moisture foods as e.g. breakfast and infant cereals, B. cereus can persist for long periods of time and can cause illness due to possible subsequent temperature abuse that allows the organism to grow. Cereal-based products are also a source of several nutrients, including sodium, fibre and free sugars. High sodium intake is linked to increased blood pressure and also represents a risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. Regarding free sugars, WHO strongly recommends a reduced intake, up to 10% of total energy. Dietary fibre intake contributes to significant immediate and future health benefits, as e.g. promotion of normal gastrointestinal function, prevention of childhood obesity and risk reduction for future chronic diseases. The present case study, developed under RiskBenefit4EU project and funded by EFSA, aimed to assess the risks and the benefits associated to the consumption of cereal-based products by the Portuguese young children. The risks posed by breakfast and infant cereals, due to aflatoxins, B. cereus, sodium and free sugars, were evaluated against the benefits of the intake of fibre. Obtained results showed that moving from the current consumption to the considered alternative scenarios could result in a gain of healthy-life years.
- RiskBenefit4EU – Partnering to strengthen the risk-benefit assessment within EU using a holistic approachPublication . Assunção, Ricardo; Martins, Carla; Viegas, S.; Fernandes, P.; Carvalho-Oliveira, I.; Torres, D.; Lopes, C.; Monteiro, Sarogini; Nabais, Pedro; Membré, Jeanne-Marie; Boué, Géraldine; Persson, Marie; Thompsen, Sofie; Jakobsen, Lea; Pires, Sara; Poulsen, Morten; Alvito, Paula“RiskBenefit4EU – Partnering to strengthen the risk-benefit assessment within EU using a holistic approach” is a recent European pilot project funded by EFSA and coordinated by Portugal (PT). This project integrates a multidisciplinary team from health and food institutes, national food safety authorities, R&D institutions and academia from PT, Denmark (DK) and France (FR). The main objectives of RiskBenefit4EU concerns the development of a set of RBA tools that can estimate the overall health effects of foods, food ingredients and diets and that can be applied to data from different countries. RiskBenefit4EU aims to strengthen the EU capacity to assess and integrate food risks and benefits using an holistic approach integrating the areas of toxicological, nutritional and microbiological components through the development of a harmonized framework. This pilot project will validate the RBA framework created using data from different areas of the Portuguese reality: a Portuguese case study on breakfast cereals, including results obtained under the MYCOMIX project (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsKaz3mt2J4), the National Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Survey (IAN-IF, https://ian-af.up.pt/) and data provided under the National Sampling Plan (PNCA, http://www.asae.gov.pt/).