The Relationship of Animal Health and Management to Food Safety

Both animal health and food safety remain at the forefront of the minds of producers and consumers as both cohorts desire a safe, sustainable, and cost-effective food supply. In recent years, more attention has been directed toward pre-harvest management strategies and how these management practices in live animal production influence food safety, downstream. Much of these efforts have centered around the use of antibiotic alternative supplements and how they affect pathogen colonization while reducing the use of medically important antibiotics. Simultaneously, some of these products may positively impact animal health and growth efficiency. While many feed supplements have been explored, research is also being conducted with respect to other management strategies, processes, and engineering controls that may positively impact animal health and food safety.

The aim of this Research Topic is to characterize nutritional products and practices with the potential to enhance food safety and its subsequent impact on animal health.

Contributors are welcome that address or explore topics including the following:

-Antibiotic alternatives that have the potential to impact animal health, performance, and food safety
-Nutritional management practices that influence animal health and food safety
-The relationship of animal health to food safety