Proceedings of the Second Annual Meeting of the Lactoperoxidase Group of Experts
1-3 December 1999
Held at FAO Headquarters
Rome
iv
Proceedings of the Second Annual Meeting of the Lactoperoxidase Group of Experts
1-3 December 1999
Held at FAO Headquarters
Rome
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Rome 2000
Table of Contents
Page no.
Executive summary 1
1.1 Introduction 3
1.2 Background 3
2.0 Presentations
2.1 Prof. O. Claesson President of the GLP 5
2.2 Dr. H. Kudo, Chief of the Animal Production and Health Service, FAO, Rome 7
2.3 Dr. J.C. Lambert, Global Lactoperoxidase Secretariat 8
3.0 Recent Developments
3.1 The Swedish LP-s Group. Prof. O. Claesson. 9
3.2 Current research and application of the enzyme Lactoperoxidase in France. 10
Prof. JP Ramet
3.3 Lactoperoxidase and Codex. Dr. Y. Yamada 14
4.0 Issues Resolved/Recommendations
4.1 Issue 1 Provision of information 16
4.2 Issue 2 Funding of the programme 16
4.3 Issue 3 Outreach 17
4.4 Issue 4 Provision of equipment for milk quality testing 17
4.5 Issue 5 Demonstration organisation and approach 17
4.6 Issue 6 Mechanism for distribution and access to chemicals 18
4.7 Issue 7 Determination of LP-s chemical quality through known and
accredited laboratories 18
4.8 Issue 8 Provision of policy, advice on control and regulation of the use of
LP-s chemicals 18
Annex 1
List of manufacturers/distributors of Lactoperoxidase activation kits 21
Annex 2
Protocol on LP-s chemical packaging 22
Annex 3
List of experts of the Lactoperoxidase Programme and meeting participants 23
Acronyms
AGAP Animal Production Service of the Animal Production and Health Division
EC European Community
FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations
GLP Global Lactoperoxidase Programme
IDF International Dairy Federation
JECFA Joint Experts Committee on Food Additives
LP-s Lactoperoxidase system
SLU Swedish University of Agricultural Science
WHO World Health Organisation
26
Executive summary
The second annual meeting of the Global Lactoperoxidase group of experts was held at FAO headquarters, Rome, Italy from 1-3 December 1999. Experts from all five continents met to review the progress of the Global Lactoperoxidase Programme (GLP) to date and address key issues as proposed by the GLP secretariat. The first phase (preparatory) of the programme was financed by the Swedish Government under a trust fund arrangement. The secretariat is now prepared to move into the second phase, which is the active promotion of the Lactoperoxidase system (LP-s) of preservation as a real and effective method of raw milk preservation worldwide.
Recommendations from the first experts' meeting which was held in Uppsala, Sweden in July 1998 have been implemented. A field training manual on the practical use and application of the LP-s has been printed in the three languages, English, French and Spanish. Wall posters and substantial support material have been prepared and distributed and to date 50 countries have confirmed their interest in participating actively in the programme and have identified suitable national collaborating institutions and demonstration areas.
Using savings from the preparatory phase a number of pilot demonstrations have been conducted, notably in Guyana, Togo, Algeria and Senegal. Presentations were made to the experts on these demonstrations and substantial donor interest was generated which is shortly expected to result in continued funding for the programme. The secretariat has been very active in the preparation of project proposals for funding and has approached a number of donors and is also actively trying to mobilise internal FAO resources.
A number of technical issues regarding the quality, packaging and labelling of chemicals were successfully resolved by the group of experts, chaired by the president Prof. O. Claesson of the Swedish University of Agricultural Science.
The experts encouraged the urgent move of the programme into the implementation phase. The secretariat was further encouraged to make maximum use of available resources and flexibility of approach in conducting national demonstrations in areas identified by participating national governments.
It was agreed that the third annual meeting would be held in Cuba in late 2000.
1.1 Introduction
Lactoperoxidase is a naturally occurring enzyme found in milk, which has a bacteriostatic effect. Following the milking process the level falls rapidly and allows microbial growth, which results in milk souring over time. The Lactoperoxidase system (LP-s) of milk preservation is designed to raise the level of Lactoperoxidase once again in the milk, but for a 7-8 hour period only at 30C. This enables the transportation of milk from collection point to the processing centre for pasteurisation. To raise the level, a tiny quantity of sodium thiocyanate (Activator 1) is added to the milk and thoroughly mixed. Then after 1 min a small quantity of sodium percarbonate (Activator 2) is added and again mixed. The milk is thus maintained at a bacteriostatic level and no souring occurs. FAO is promoting the system for areas where there is insufficient dairy infrastructure i.e., lack of cooling facilities, which is commonly the case in many developing countries.
Meeting Objective: The objective of the meeting was to review the progress of the Global Lactoperoxidase Programme to date and develop a suitable strategy for the successful implementation of the requested national demonstrations of the use of the Lactoperoxidase system (LP-s) in 80 countries. This will ultimately lead to the development of a workable guideline on the practical application and promote the uptake of the Lactoperoxidase system of milk preservation.
1.2 Background
The LP-s was discovered at the Swedish University of Agricultural Science more than 30 years ago. Following extensive field trials in a number of countries including Cuba, Uganda, China, Sri Lanka and the Philippines, the system was formally approved by the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius commission in 1991. The LP-s was proved to be completely safe and there are no harmful residues. It is specifically recommended for areas or regions where milk cooling is not possible.
Since 1991 FAO has been active in the promotion of the LP-s. This included holding international and regional meetings and workshops but recent budget restrictions have curtailed these activities. A panel of international experts on Lactoperoxidase has been established and includes representatives of Codex Alimentarius, World Health Organisation (WHO), representatives of private industry and operates in collaboration with the International Dairy Federation. The first meeting of these experts took place in Uppsala, Sweden in 1998.
Some of the main recommendations of the Uppsala meeting included the following:
- Ongoing liaison with WHO on the application of LP-s.
- Preparation of letter of interest by the secretariat to be sent to the member countries and signed by a senior official of FAO.
- Organisation of annual meetings of the Global Lactoperoxidase Group to advise the secretariat on the effective implementation of the Global programme.
All have been carried out and the secretariat is now poised to move into the implementation phase.
Representatives of a number of donor agencies and countries including Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland, Netherlands, France were invited to the first day of the meeting by the secretariat. This provided an opportunity for donors to clearly see the activities and impact of the project and also the future potential of the programme. As a result a number of donors have expressed their interest in funding, either wholly or in part the programme.
The Irish Government has already provided US$20,000 towards the programme and project proposals have been forwarded to the French Government and Finland. Positive feedback is expected in the near future.
Upon registration each participant was presented with a comprehensive information pack which included a copy of all documentation prepared to date by the secretariat. (See Annex 3 List of participants).
The second day of the three-day meeting consisted of a one-day technical visit to an integrated water buffalo and Mozzarella cheese production plant. The plant, which is, located some 40km from Rome produces the traditional type fresh buffalo mozzarella and ricotta cheese and is certified for organic production. The processing plant is certified to European standard and exports products throughout the EU.
On the third day the experts held a series of round table discussions and broke into three working groups during the morning session. Each group was assigned the task of reviewing the Global Strategy, which had been prepared by the secretariat. The findings of the three working groups were presented, discussed and consensus reached on all of the eight key issues presented. Findings and decisions are detailed in the issues resolved/recommendations section. (see page 16)
2 Presentations
2.1 Address by Prof. O. Claesson, President of the Global Lactoperoxidase Programme
I have the honour to be in Rome for this the second meeting of the Lactoperoxidase Group of Experts. Looking back my first time in Rome under the programme was in 1997 when I had a meeting in FAO and with representatives of the Swedish Embassy which led to the initiation of this very important programme.
The first annual meeting was held in Uppsala in July 1998 and led to was the foundation of this Global Lactoperoxidase Programme. A year and half-later many important developments have taken place and the presence of many newcomers at this meeting is the demonstration that the programme continues to grow and attract new participants.
First of all I would like to congratulate the secretariat of this Programme which is based here in FAO under the able leadership of Mr. Jean Claude Lambert, for the ongoing work done in maintaining contacts between the experts by the numerous newsletters, articles and workshops. The officers of the Secretariat have been the driving force behind the dissemination of information to many developing countries, the development of training and extension materials and publications.
Particular thanks to Antonella Falcone for the preparation and the organisation of that meeting and to Guy Sneyers the Project Officer who has through his inventiveness provided the finances to enable the meeting to take place.
As I have mentioned, between these two meetings a number of important developments have taken place under the programme. For this reason I requested the secretariat to organise this meeting before the end of the year.
The objective of this meeting is to evaluate and analyse the activities implemented during this period, to assess the new developments regarding the legislation or the situation of the dairy sector in developing countries and to prepare the programme of work and budget for the next two years.
I am confident that this meeting will be successful and will contribute greatly to the objective of this programme which is as you know the publication of a code of practice based on the practical demonstrations of this new approach for milk collection under difficult conditions.
Each of you has a copy of the programme of this 3 day meeting which is divided into 3 main components:
- The first day will be the evaluation of the on-going programme, developments in research on Lactoperoxidase and an outline of future activities.
- The second day will be devoted to the procedure, the control and the certification and availability of one of the element of this programme, which are the chemicals for activation of Lactoperoxidase.
- The third day will be the establishment of the programme of activities for the following 2 years and the budget required. I request each and every one of the experts present to participate fully in the development of a well focused and organised future of the programme as we are now entering one of the most critical phases of the programme which is the elaboration of a code of practice and dissemination of this most promising and safe system of milk preservation.
We have the honour to have with us Dr. Hiroshi Kudo who is representing the Animal Production and Health division and as Chief of the Animal Production Service he will give us an outline of the FAO activities in dairy development. Thank you for your attendance and I look forward to receiving your contributions to the meeting.
2.2 “FAO activities in Dairy Development”. Dr. H. Kudo, Chief of the Animal Production and Health Service, FAO, Rome
It is a real honour to represent the Animal Production and Health Division at this the second group meeting of the GLOBAL LACTOPEROXIDASE PROGRAMME. This Programme is an integral part of our Regular Programme of activities dealing with food security and poverty alleviation in the context of the extensive animal production system in developing countries. The Animal Production and Health Division has identified that there is significant growth in demand for livestock products. Demand grew in many developing and emerging states, by 3040% per year and 66% growth is predicted globally over the next 20 years.
The growth rate of per capita consumption of milk is determined by economic factors such as incomes and prices. The price of milk arriving to the consumers is depending of many factors but as a general rule, transaction costs increase with distance due to the increased cost of transportation and risk of dairy product spoilage before a buyer is found. Farmers located further away from urban population have significantly less attractive options for marketing their milk. Milk collection in developing countries is highly organised but costly and can go up to 50% of the buying price of milk to the producer. It is estimated that 58% of the milk produced in the world is collected. In USA, New Zealand or Europe this amount is about 90% while the biggest milk producer of the world, India, only 10% of the milk produced is collected by the formal dairy industry. This demonstrates that milk collection is the crucial element for small milk producers leaving in remote areas.
Milk collection in developing countries utilising the conventional method which is the establishment of milk cooling centres can be economically justified when the volume of milk received represents a minimum of 75% of the capacity of the milk cooling tank. After testing, cooling, storage the milk should be transported by insulated road tankers to the milk plant. This system requires a significant capital investment, which is generally not feasible for a group of small producers.
The use of the Lactoperoxidase system of milk preservation represents an exceptional opportunity for small producers to directly access the market for increasing the family income and the opportunity for increasing milk production in the pastoral livestock production system.