Toxicological Investigations in Food

Since its inception, Global Journal of Nutrition & Food Science is going to publish reports which provides more coherent and varied viewpoints on such subjects, the journal is introducing a new feature under our editorship. Beginning with this issue and periodically hereafter, the journal will present an evaluation or planning case study along with critiques by relevant researchers or practitioners.

Global Journal of Nutrition & Food Science is designed to reach a stage of development meriting its recognition as an elected pioneering-leading medium for communicating a wide variety of toxicological investigations. This achievement is due largely to the unstinting efforts of the editorial board, whose resignation will be viewed with considerable regret by past contributors and subscribers. Toxicology as an applied biological science needs no introduction to readers. There is also an increasing realization that toxicological data can have a substantial impact on commercial operations, on regulatory control and legislation and at the level of public concern. These are practical reflections of its day-today importance to the community at large. From time to time these relationships are responsible for differences of opinion between scientists on the interpretation and significance of toxicological data leading inevitably to the involvement of “nonscientists” in government departments, industry, political circles, the media and finally the general public. Bearing this in mind, there can be no substitute for “good science” and the standards of journals which disseminate the original information, thereby initiating subsequent debate, must be of the highest order. The complexity of the interactions founded on apparently unrelated multidisciplinary laboratory exercises is illustrated by the review of data on food colors included in the present issue. These highly controversial compounds are surrounded by difficulties, not the least an assessment of their “benefit” to the consumer. Papers can demonstrate some of the major problems which beset contemporary toxicology and underline those deficiencies which may arise when experimental guidelines are used as sacrosanct instructions, especially where considerable reliance has to be placed on animal data requiring the application of large “safety factors” when extrapolations to the human situation are attempted. It will be recognized freely that waiting comments apply equally to all types of toxicological investigation in food commodities. Whether the studies involve food additives, biocides, drugs or industrial compounds, the basic questions posed, and the mode of scientific approach have much in common. The editorial policy of this journal is based in no small measure on this precept and in its relatively short history will publish papers in virtually every field of toxicological endeavor. It is the intention of the new joint editors that this desirable state of affaire will continue.

If you are interested in developing a case study for Global Journal of Nutrition & Food Science, send us a brief description of what you have in mind. We will collaborate with you in finding people to comment on the case and in developing the presentation. Please feel free to submit any ideas you have, no matter how simple or elaborate. Is the case interesting because of its problems? Is it interesting because it is perfect? If you have ideas for this series, let us know.