Food safety issues and Outbreaks in Americas Food Supply Research Paper

Food safety issues and Outbreaks in Americas Food Supply - Research Paper Example Among the steps are the procurement of farm inputs, production process, manufacturing practices, retailing practices and all these processes have the capability of determining quality of food which in turn affects the health of the consumers. The food chain thus provides the best platform in which the safety of food for consumption can be managed properly and efficiently. An effective risk management practice is thus required in order to protect the consumers from developing health complications that arise from food consumption. Ensuring food safety to protect the public health and promote economic development remains a challenge to America due to variety of food produced in their country. Considerable progress has been achieved to strengthen food safety programs with most emphasis given to ways of preventing foodborne diseases. Foodborne risk in humans can arise due to biological, chemical and physical causes both of which are equally dangerous to human health. In the past few decad es, risk management, risk assessment, risk management and communication have been advanced to help tackle new challenges which arise from food insecurity. Health trends Many nations are realizing the human health and monetary burden that foodborne diseases pose to their economy. in the United States, foodborne diseases results to about 76 million illness and over 300, 000 hospitalizations leading to about 5000 deaths every year (WHO, 2005). The research service in the U.S.A department of agriculture consumes over 7billion Dollars annually in the research of foodborne diseases caused by Campylobacter, Salmonella, Escherichia and Listeria. Food safety is thus a matter of public concern in most counties due to deaths and economic burden it causes in the long run (WHO, 2005). Eating disorders is also a major problem related to food safety issues since most people lack proper eating habits in their diets. Eating disorders usually stars when the child is young especially at elementary sch ool level and they may proceed into adulthood resulting into health-related problems (Stanfield, 2010). Among the eating disorders are Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia nervosa among others and they have negative effects to humans and thus should be avoided at whatever costs. People should prescribe to health practitioners to guide them on proper diets so that they evade unhealthy eating habits which have negative consequences. Improper eating habits are largely contributed by the sedentary lifestyle of most Americans leading to decreased energy needs and improper BMR conditions. Improper consumption of more calories than expected results in to obesity hence it is prudent if people realize that obesity is caused by overconsumption of calories and not fattening foods. Eating a balanced diet of moderate proportions coupled with regular exercise is important in maintaining right energy balance required by the body (Stanfield, 2010). Changing food safety environment The link between the hazards and in food and the potential of causing illness is sometimes hard to establish and requires advanced scientific knowledge in health-related issues. Challenges still pose major threat to food safety in America due to technical hitches that arise form ever-changing environment. International trade agreements developed under the world trade organizations under the WHO emphasize the need for regulations governing food supply.

Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 4

Management - Essay Example The bank offers a wide range of banking services responding to the needs of individuals, businesses and corporations. The bank is going to enter the Brazilian market. A branch of the firm will open in Brazil. The relevant project will be completed by the end of the year. The employees will be mainly nationals who will be appropriately trained by Australians on the bank’s services and products. The aim of the organization is to continuously develop its customer relationships and its employee relationships (Westpac 2011). Moreover, the bank aims to ‘be a leader in the community’ (Westpac 2011). Current report aims to present the issues that managers in Westpac should take into consideration before the bank enters the Brazilian market. The Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions model and a SWOT analysis have been employed for presenting the characteristics of the environment in which the specific initiative will be attempted. 2.0 Political Environment 2.1 Government s tability The current president of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff, has been the first woman president in Brazil ever. The last elections were held in October 2010. The country is characterized by political stability. During the presidency of the country’s previous president, President Lula, the quality of life of people in Brazil was improved (BBC News 2011). 2.2 Government and contribution The country’s government tries to keep good relations with other states; recently an agreement was developed between Brazil and Germany for the promotion of bilateral partnership and innovation (Federative Republic of Brazil 2011). The last years the Brazilian government tries to improve the quality of life of people and the limitation of poverty (BBC News 2011). 2.3 Analysis Local authorities will provide to Westpac the necessary support, a fact critical for the successful entrance of the bank in the Brazilian market. 3.0 Legal Environment 3.1 Regulatory framework The most important legisla tive text of the country is the Constitution. At the next level, supplementary laws have the power to regulate important issues; ordinary and delegated laws follow these laws. At the bottom of the hierarchy of laws in Brazil are the legislative decrees (Brazil Government 2011). 3.2 Business laws The Constitution of the country is used, along with the Taxation law, as described above, for regulating business activities across Brazil. The new Civil Code Law 10.406 is the main legislative text regulating the activities of businesses in Brazil (Nogueira 2004). The Law No. 9279/ 1996 is also used in cases that conflicts appear on Industrial property (Brazil Government 2011). 3.3 Labour laws The key legal texts regulating the labor in Brazil is the Federal Constitution of 1988 along with the Consolidation of Labor Laws (C.L.T.) (Brazil Government 2011). 3.4 Taxation laws Taxation in Brazil is regulated by the Federal Constitution (Title VI); additionally, the Law 5.172 (National Tax Code) is applied for any potential issue, which is not regulated by the Constitution (Brazil Governmen