Environmental Public Health Journal 2015 | BCIT Institutional Repository

Environmental Public Health Journal 2015

Effectiveness of mechanically tenderized beef labels on influencing practices of cooking beef in British Columbia
Background: Mechanically tenderized beef poses a higher risk for Escherichia coli 0157:H7 infection than intact beef and has been implicated in several outbreaks. As such, all products are mandated to be labeled in Canada. Purpose: This study assessed the effectiveness of mechanically tenderized beef labels on influencing practices of cooking beef in British Columbia. Methods: 74 adults within British Columbia who cooked beef were surveyed electronically using a snowball method. An inferential (Pearson chi-square analysis) and descriptive analysis was performed on the nominal data in PSPP and Microsoft Excel respectively. Results: Only 8% of respondents abided with information on mechanically tenderized beef labels. No statistically significant associations were found between practices of abiding with information on mechanically tenderized beef labels and various socio-demographic factors (e.g. age, gender, education level, and food safety education) (p<0.01). The practice of not using food thermometers was the major contributing factor that lowered the effectiveness of mechanically tenderized beef labels. Conclusion: Mechanically tenderized beef labels were ineffective in influencing behaviours of cooking beef in British Columbia. Therefore, other risk communication strategies are needed to persuade adults in British Columbia to adequately cook mechanically tenderized beef products. Recommendations: Future studies can assess whether the general public is properly cooling mechanically tenderized beef as the label does not address this practice., Project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Health, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 2015., Peer-reviewed article, Published., Peer reviewed, Mechanically tenderized beef, Escherichia coli 0157:H7, Label, Risk communication
Increased organic contamination found on mobile phones after touching it while using the toilet
Background: Mobile phones are considered as an indispensable handheld item in society today. Frequently used, these devices are a “high-touched” commodity. Previous research has demonstrated that E. coli and other environmental contamination are responsible for the contamination of mobile phones. This study will measure the level of contamination (or sanitation) of mobile phones at an educational institution. Method: The Hygiena MicroSnap Coliform and E. coli Enrichment Swab and the Coliform and E. coli Detection Swabs were used to detect the presence (or absence) of E. coli and total coliforms on subjects’ mobile phones. The Hygiena UltraSnap ATP Surface Test was used to detect levels of ATP. The SystemSURE Plus Luminometer generated readings in RLUs that determined the level of sanitation. In addition, each subject answered two questions regarding their gender and whether or not they have touched their phones while using the toilet within the past week. Results: No presence of E. coli or total coliforms were detected (0 RLUs). A one-tailed paired T-test confirmed that the ATP levels sampled from participants that touched their phones while using the toilet within the past week was statistically significant (P=0.008390). A two-tailed paired T-test confirmed that ATP levels was not statistically significantly different between males and females. Conclusions: Based on the results, touching mobile phones while using the toilet contributes to increased ATP levels found on mobile phones. There were no differences in ATP levels found between males and females. Future studies are required to confirm this., Project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Technology in Environmental Health, British Columbia Institute of Technology, 2015., Peer-reviewed article, Published., Peer reviewed, ATP, E. coli, Mobile phone, Toilet, Cross-contamination, Fecal-oral route, Organic contamination