In March 2001, the Economic and Social Department of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations released this 135-page document. The handbook focuses on the Food Security Information and Early Warning System (FSIEWS), and includes treatment of the system's structure, advantages, and didactic approach. A FSIEWS "relies on existing monitoring systems for information on the...

Users interested in food safety will find The Food Safety Research Information Office Web site a useful resource. Citations and abstracts of food safety research projects are available through the online database. Search by keyword, or choose from articles arranged by category and agency. An online form also allows scientists to submit an abstract of their own research to be considered for...

The first Web site (1) is an article from State University of New York College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry. It provides a short, readable introduction to the biology and natural history of wild turkeys in the US. Wild or domesticated, turkey meat is well know for its soporific power. Visitors to the Web site from International Anti-aging Systems (2) can learn all about tryptophan, the...

Given all the recent concern about different foodborne pathogens in the news and on television, this site (sponsored by the US federal government) will help answer a variety of questions that consumers and persons in the food industry may have about any number of related topics. For consumers with questions about preparing food and purchasing food from the supermarket, the site has a very helpful...

This Executive Summary produced by Jules Pretty and Rachel Hine of the University of Essex in February 2001 provides a summary of evidence from the SAFE-World Research Project. This extensive report includes background reasons for the study such as global food security challenges, information about sustainable agriculture, project methodology, summary of projects and evidence, and conclusions. A...

During the past few decades, there has been an increased concern over food safety and quality and human nutrition across the globe. A number of large international organizations have begun to bring their expertise and knowledge to the Web, and this site, developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is a good resource of information on these (and other) topics. The...

The Food and Environment program was developed by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) to help "create a food system that encourages innovative and environmentally sustainable ways to produce high-quality, safe, and affordable food, while ensuring that citizens have a voice in how their food is grown." The Food and Environment website provides information about three UCS focus areas: Antibiotic...

Growing concern about food safety has spurred a number of international organizations to action, and the World Health Organization (WHO) is one group that has been concerned with this issue for the past few years. The WHO has worked closely with a number of like-minded organizations (such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) to address food safety issues “along the...

Amidst the backdrop of climate change and staggering world population growth, many agronomists, scientists, and government leaders are concerned about both food security and availability. The Global Crop Diversity Trust is intimately concerned with such matters, and their primary goal is to maintain and preserve crop diversity through a variety of creative and innovative techniques. Visitors can...

Most people have probably heard about the recent troubles with mad cow disease, but they might not know much about the broader changes that have occurred with meat production over the past fifty years. This compelling 124-page report, released in April 2008, takes a close look into the nature of industrial meat production in America. The report was funded by a grant from The Pew Charitable Trusts...