Hobbs' Food Poisoning and Food Hygiene

This unique textbook takes a holistic approach to food poisoning and food hygiene, explaining in clear and non-technical language the causes of food poisoning with practical examples from 'real-life' outbreaks. Now in its seventh edition, the book retains its longstanding clarity, while being completely revised and updated by a new team of editors and contributing authors.

Hobbs' Food Poisoning and Food Hygiene gives the reader a practical and general introduction to the relevant micro-organisms that affect food in relation to food safety and foodborne illness. Emphasis is given to the main aspects of hygiene necessary for the production, preparation, sale and service of safe food. Information about the behaviour of microbiological agents in various foods, their ability to produce toxins and the means by which harmful organisms reach food is applied to manufacture and retail procedures, and to equipment and kitchen design. For the first time the book includes coverage of waterborne infections and sewage and, through judicious selection of case examples, indicates the global nature of food and water hygiene today. The contribution of different professional groups to the control of food- and waterborne organisms is also recognized.

This book remains an essential course text for students and lecturers dealing with food science, public health, microbiology, environmental health and the food service industry. It also serves as an invaluable handbook for professionals within the food industry, investigators, researchers in higher education and those in the retail trade.

Table of Contents

PART 1: THE ROLE OF MICROBIOLOGY IN FOOD POISONING AND FOODBORNE INFECTIONS

1. Introduction

2. Introduction to microbiology

3. Life and death of micro-organisms in food, spoilage and preservation

4. Microbial agents of food poisoning and foodborne infection

5. Food types, reservoirs, vehicles of infection and ways of spread

6. Epidemiology

7. Water supply, waterborne infection and sewage/sludge

PART 2: FOOD HYGIENE IN THE PREVENTION OF FOOD POISONING

8. Personal hygiene of the food handler

9. Food preparation, cooking, cooling and storage

10. Food hygiene in modern food manufacturing

11. Food hygiene in the retail trade

12. Disinfection and cleaning

13. Food premises and equipment

14. Control of infestation

15. Legislation

16. Microbiological criteria

17. Education

18. Food hygiene in developing countries

19. Food hygiene in the wilderness

PART 3: CONTRIBUTION TO FOOD POISONING AND FOOD HYGIENE IN SPECIFIC SETTINGS AND BY SPECIFIC PROFESSIONAL GROUPS

20. Food service sector including healthcare and educational institutions, small retailers and domestic caterers

21. Food safety on ships and aircraft

22. Food trade associations

23. The environmental health practitioner

24. Seaport and airport health

25. The medical practitioner

26. The veterinarian’s contribution to food safety

27. Commercial laboratories

28. Public sector laboratories

29. Reference laboratories

30. Surveillance of food and communicable disease

31. The Food Standards Agency

32. Investigation, control and management of foodborne outbreaks