The use of whole genome sequencing (WGS)-based surveillance and rapid epidemiological intervention allowed public health experts to quickly link a Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium outbreak to cantaloupes grown in the United States.
Uncommon Salmonella Infantis variants displaying only flagellar antigens phenotypically showed identical incomplete antigenic formula but differed by molecular serotyping. Although most formed rough colonies, all shared antimicrobial resistances and the presence of usg gene with wild-type Salmonella Infantis. Moreover, they were undistinguishable wild-type Salmonella Infantis by whole-genome sequencing.
Posted in Salmonella, WGS, Whole Genomic Sequencing
Salmonella enterica serovar Abortusovis is a ovine-adapted pathogen that causes spontaneous abortion. Salmonella Abortusovis was reported in poultry in 2009 and has since been reported in human infections in New South Wales, Australia. Phylogenomic analysis revealed a clade of 51 closely related isolates from Australia originating in 2004. That clade was genetically distinct from ovine-associated isolates. The clade was widespread in New South Wales poultry production facilities but was only responsible for sporadic human infections. Some known virulence factors associated with human infections were only found in the poultry-associated clade, some of which were acquired through prophages and plasmids. Furthermore, the ovine-associated clade showed signs of genome decay, but the poultry-associated clade did not. Those genomic changes most likely led to differences in host range and disease type. Surveillance using the newly identified genetic markers will be vital for tracking Salmonella Abortusovis transmission in animals and to humans and preventing future outbreaks.
Posted in Food Microbiology Research, Research, Salmonella
It’s no secret Listeria monocytogenes is the enemy of produce packinghouses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates about 1,600 people in the U.S. get sick, and about 260 people die from listeriosis.
Research at Penn State University looks at the challenges facing produce packinghouses when trying to eradicate foodborne pathogens — and the results might seem a bit surprising.
Jasna Kovac, associate professor of food science and a professor of food safety at the university, says listeria can grow at temperatures similar to the human body but also at low temperatures found in food processing facilities and refrigerated food storage.
“This means that if listeria ends up in a food processing environment like fruit packing facilities, it’s going to be able to grow on environmental surfaces if there’s nutrients present to support its growth,” Kovac said in this episode of the “Tip of the Iceberg” podcast.
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is widespread and seriously threatens public health worldwide. This study aimed to investigate AFB1 in imported hazelnut samples in northwest of Iran (Eastern Azerbaijan Province) using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with a Fluorescent Detector (HPLC-FLD). In all tested samples AFB1 was detected. The mean concentration of AFB1 was 4.20 μg/kg and ranged from 3.145 to 8.13 μg/kg. All samples contained AFB1 levels within the maximum acceptable limit except for one sample. Furthermore, the human health risk assessment of AFB1 from consuming imported hazelnuts by Iranian children and adults was evaluated based on the margin of exposure (MoE) and quantitative liver cancer risk approaches. The MoE mean for children was 2529.76, while for adults, it was 8854.16, indicating a public health concern. The present study found that the risk of developing liver cancer among Iranian children was 0.11100736 per 100,000 people, and in the Iranian adult population was 0.0314496 cancers per 100,000 people. Since environmental conditions potentially affect aflatoxin levels in nuts, countries are advised to monitor aflatoxin contents in imported nuts, especially from countries with a conducive climate for mold growth.
SINGAPORE – Insects may soon be approved for sale in Singapore, but food sellers should not let up on hygiene standards, as a proposed law will require them to prove that an insect ingredient in their dish is an intentional choice – and not a result of contamination.
Come June 2024, 16 types of insects – including crickets, honeybees, silkworms and grasshoppers – will receive the green light from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) to be listed on menus here.
This is in line with recommendations from the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation promoting insects for human consumption, as they are a rich source of protein and can feed the world’s growing population in a more affordable and sustainable way.
Salmonella Infantis in chilled chicken breast from Ukraine in Hungary and the Netherlands
Salmonella enterica enterica ser. Typhimurium detected in chicken gizzards from Portugal
Salmonella Agona in turkey meat from Poland in Germany
Salmonella Infantis in chilled chicken breast from Ukraine in Hungary and the Netherlands
Salmonella spp. (in 4 out of 5 samples) in frozen dumplings from Latvia in Lithuania and Estonia
Salmonella bongori in fresh mint from Kenya via Netherlands in Finland
Salmonella in pork sausages supplied to UK from Ireland
Salmonella in hazelnut paste from Türkiye in Belgium
Salmonella Paratyphi B in minced chicken meat from Netherlands in Italy
Salmonella mbandaka in chili pepper (Capsicum annum) from China in Italy
Salmonella enteritidis in faeces of laying hens in Hungary from Croatia in Hungary
Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Polish Chicken Salmonella, RASFF, Salmonella
Norovirus in chilled oysters from Ireland via the Netherlands in Belgium
Norovirus presence in concave oysters from the Netherlands in Italy
Norovirus in oysters from France in Belgium
Norovirus in oysters from France in Belgium
Norovirus in chilled oysters from France in Belgium
Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Food Virus, Norovirus, Norovirus French Oysters, Norovirus Oysters, RASFF
Occurrence of Clostridium perfringens in cinnamon from Vietnam. in Spain
Posted in Clostridium, Clostridium perfringens, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, RASFF
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