Category Archives: Clostridium perfringens

Research- Antimicrobial effects of plant extracts against Clostridium perfringens with respect to food-relevant influencing factors

Posted on June 19, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Journal of Food Protection

The application of plant extracts (PEs) could be a promising option to satisfy consumers’ demand for natural additives to inhibit growth of variable pathogenic bacteria. Thus, the aim of this study was to develop a standardized microdilution method to examine the antimicrobial effects of ten hydrophilic plant extracts against two strains of C. perfringens facing various food-relevant influencing factors. Due to the high opacity of PEs, resazurin was used as an indicator for bacterial growth instead of pellet formation. The highest value of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the replications of each PE was defined as effective plant extract concentration (EPC), whereas the next concentration beneath the lowest MIC value was defined as the ineffective plant extract concentration (IEPC). The EPC of seven PEs: allspice, cardamom, cinnamon, clove, coriander, ginger and mace were between 0.625 – 10 g/kg, whereas extracts of caravey, nutmeg and thyme showed no antimicrobial activity up to the maximum concentration tested (10 g/kg) against C. perfringens in vitro. Two intrinsic factors, sodium chloride and sodium nitrite, displayed either synergistic/additive effects or no interaction with most PEs. By combination with PEs at its ineffective plant concentration (IEPC, 0.08 – 1.25 g/kg), MIC of NaCl and NaNO2 decreased from 25 – 50 g/kg to 6 – 25 g/kg and > 200 mg/kg to 0.2 – 100 mg/kg respectively. On the contrary, lipid (sun flower oil) at a low concentration inhibited the antimicrobial effects of all tested PEs. For extrinsic factors, only allspice, ginger and coriander could maintain their antimicrobial effects after being heated to 78 °C for 30 min. The synergistic effect between PEs and pH values (5.0 and 5.5) was also found for all PEs. The established screening method with resazurin and defining EPC and IEPC values allows the verification of antimicrobial effects of PEs under various food-relevant influencing factors in a fast and reproducible way.

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Posted in Antimicrobials, Clostridium, Clostridium perfringens, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Research

Research – Attributing Human Foodborne Diseases to Food Sources and Water in Japan Using Analysis of Outbreak Surveillance Data

Posted on November 29, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Journal of Food Protection

ABSTRACT

In Japan, strategies for ensuring food safety have been developed without reliable scientific evidence on the relationship between foodborne diseases and food sources. This study aimed to provide information on the proportions of foodborne diseases caused by seven major causative pathogens (Campylobacter spp., Salmonella, enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli [EHEC], Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Clostridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus, and norovirus) attributed to foods and to explore factors affecting changes in these source attribution proportions over time using analysis of outbreak surveillance data. For the calculation of the number of outbreaks attributed to each source, simple-food outbreaks were assigned to the single-food category in question, and complex-food outbreaks were classified under each category proportional to the estimated probability. During 2007 to 2018, 8,730 outbreaks of foodborne diseases caused by seven pathogens were reported, of which 6,690 (76.6%) were of unknown source. We estimated the following source attribution proportions of foodborne diseases: chicken products (80.3%, 95% uncertainty interval [UI] 80.1 to 80.4) for Campylobacter spp.; beef products (50.1%, UI 47.0 to 51.5) and vegetables (42.3%, UI 40.9 to 45.5) for EHEC; eggs (34.6%, UI 27.8 to 41.4) and vegetables (34.4%, UI 27.8 to 40.8) for Salmonella; finfish (50.3%, UI 33.3 to 66.7) and shellfish (49.7%, UI 33.3 to 66.7) for V. parahaemolyticus; grains and beans (57.8%, UI 49.7 to 64.9) for S. aureus; vegetables (63.6%, UI 48.5 to 74.6), chicken products (12.7%, UI 4.6 to 21.5), and beef products (11.1%, UI 8.5 to 13.1) for C. perfringens; and shellfish (75.5%, UI 74.7 to 76.2) for norovirus. In this study, we provide the best available evidence-based information to evaluate the link between foodborne diseases and foods. Our results on source attribution for Campylobacter spp. and EHEC suggest that the strict health regulations for raw beef were reflected in the proportions of these diseases attributed to this food.

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Source attribution proportions of foodborne diseases in Japan were estimated.
  • Source attribution was useful to guide interventions and evaluate their effect.
  • Strict health regulations for raw beef affected source attribution proportions.

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens, EHEC, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Testing, Norovirus, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus

RASFF Alert – Clostridium Sulphite Reducer – Organic Canned White Sausages

Posted on September 4, 2020 by | Leave a comment

RASFF

Clostridium sulphite reducer (2.8x10E7 CFU/g) in organic canned white sausages from Germany in Germany

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, Clostridium perfringens, Clostridium Sulphite Reducer, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Temperature Abuse, Food Testing, Food Toxin, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Spores, SRC

Hong Kong – CFS announces results of targeted surveillance on Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens in ready-to-eat food

Posted on August 6, 2020 by | Leave a comment

CFS

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (July 17) announced the results of a recently completed targeted food surveillance project on Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens in ready-to-eat food. None of the samples taken were found to be unsatisfactory, according to the Microbiological Guidelines for Food.

“A total of 300 samples of ready-to-eat food were collected from different retail outlets including online retailers and food factories for testing of Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens this year. The samples included dim sum, rice, noodles, pastries, soya products, stewed meat and meat sauce,” a spokesman for the CFS said.

Bacillus cereus is commonly found in the environment. It can form spores which are able to resist heat and survive cooking temperatures. Bacillus cereus can produce different toxins causing two types of food poisoning, with emetic intoxication (causing vomiting) being caused by heat-stable toxins in food, and diarrhoeal being caused by ingestion of a large amount of Bacillus cereus that can produce toxins in the intestine. As the production of preserved bean curd requires fermentation, Bacillus cereus will multiply when production is not hygienic or storage is not proper.

Cooking heat can activate the germination of Clostridium perfringens spores, which survive in anaerobic conditions like inside internal cavities, rolls of meat, stuffed poultry, or gravies. The organism can then multiply in the area where the oxygen level is low. Cooling of food at ambient temperature for a long period also allows rapid multiplication of the bacterium. Hence, foods prepared in bulk, especially cooked meat, poultry dishes and juices, which are stored at ambient temperatures with a long cooling period after cooking are at high risk. In food poisoning caused by Clostridium perfringens, common symptoms include sudden abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhoea.

The spokesman reminded the trade and the public not to take the risk lightly. They should always maintain good personal and food hygiene to ensure food safety. When handling food that is not to be consumed immediately, keep it at a safe temperature (above 60 degrees Celsius or at 4 degrees C or below). Consume perishable prepackaged food and beverages promptly after opening or reheating and avoid prolonged storage at ambient temperatures. Reheat food thoroughly with the core temperature at 75 degrees C or above. If cooked foods are to be cooled, the trade should adopt measures to shorten the required cooling time to restrict the growth of Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens in heat treated food. For example, install specific rapid chilling equipment, divide food into smaller portions and place it in shallow containers and in an ice bath. They should also closely monitor the refrigerator temperature and maintain a temperature log. Cross-contamination of food during cooling and storage should be prevented. The trade should also observe the Good Hygienic Practices in each stage of production to ensure safe and proper processing of the food and to comply with the limits stipulated in the Microbiological Guidelines for Food.

Ends/Friday, July 17, 2020

 

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Posted in Bacillus cereus, CFS, Clostridium perfringens, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Uncategorized

Research – Attributing human foodborne diseases to food sources and water in Japan using analysis of outbreak surveillance data

Posted on July 19, 2020 by | Leave a comment

JFP

In Japan, strategies for ensuring food safety have been developed without reliable scientific evidence on the relation between foodborne infections and foods. The aim of this research was to provide information on the proportions of foodborne diseases caused by seven major causative pathogens ( Campylobacte r spp., Salmonella spp., EHEC, V. parahaemolyticus , Clostridium perfringens , Staphylococcus aureus , and Norovirus) attributable to foods using analysis of outbreak surveillance data. For the calculation of the number of outbreaks attributed to each source, simple-food outbreaks were attributed to the single-food category in question, and complex-food outbreaks were classified under each category proportionally to the estimated probability. Between 2007 and 2018, 8.730 outbreaks of foodborne diseases caused by seven pathogens were reported and another 6,690 (76.6%) were of “unknown source”. We observed fluctuations in the sources of foodborne diseases caused by the seven pathogens from 2013 to 2018 as follows: chicken products (92.9%, CI 92.6–92.9) for Campylobacter spp., beef products (40.1%, CI 38.2–41.2) and vegetables (39.3%, CI 38.2–41.2) for EHEC, eggs (22.8%, CI 14.9–31.9), chicken products (13,3%, CI 6.4–21.3) for Salmonella spp., finfish (86.3%, CI 62.5–95.8) and shellfish (13.7%, CI 4.2–37.5) for V. parahaemolyticus, grains and beans (47.2%, CI 31.2–62.5) for S. aureus, vegetables (69.3%, CI 50.8–79.7) and beef products (13.1%, CI 10.2–15.3) and chicken products (10.0%, CI 1.7–27.1) for C. perfringens , and shellfish (74.7%, CI 73.1–75.9) for Norovirus. In this study, we provide the best currently available basis to evaluate the link between foodborne diseases and foods. Additionally, our results reflected the effect of strict health regulations for raw beef during a given time period, and demonstrate the importance of controlling the contamination rate of Campylobacter spp. in chicken products at each step of the food supply chain.

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Posted in Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens, EHEC, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, foodborne disease, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, Norovirus, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Uncategorized, Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Research – Research shows estimated 180 deaths per year in UK because of foodborne illness

Posted on July 16, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Researchers have estimated there are 180 deaths per year in the United Kingdom caused by foodborne diseases from 11 pathogens.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) estimates that about 2.4 million cases of foodborne illness occur every year in the UK.

Foodborne norovirus is projected to cause 56 deaths per year, Salmonella 33 deaths, Listeria monocytogenes 26, Clostridium perfringens 25, and Campylobacter 21. Most fatalities occur in those aged 75 years and older.

Foodborne deaths from Shigella, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, adenovirus, astrovirus and rotavirus are rare, according to the study published in the journal BMJ Open Gastroenterology.

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Posted in Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens, Cryptosporidium, food contamination, food death, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Poisoning Death, Food Safety, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Giardia, Listeria monocytogenes, Norovirus, Research, Salmonella, Shigella, Uncategorized

USA – Chipotle hit with $25 Million Food Safety Fine for Norovirus, Clostridium Perfringens Outbreaks

Posted on April 23, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

“Although there is no intentional criminal behavior like there was in the Peanut Corporation of America case that sickened several hundred, killing nine, this hefty food safety fine for negligence, should clearly send a message to the restaurant industry,” said Marler Clark attorney, William Marler.

According to a US Attorney press release today, Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. will pay $25 million to resolve criminal charges related to the company’s involvement in foodborne illness outbreaks that sickened more than 1,100 people between 2015 and 2018.

The $25 million criminal fine, the largest ever in a food safety case.

Chipotle was implicated in at least five foodborne illness outbreaks between 2015 and 2018 connected to restaurants in the Los Angeles area, Boston, Virginia, and Ohio.  These incidents primarily stemmed from store-level employees’ failure to follow company food safety protocols at company-owned restaurants, including a Chipotle policy requiring the exclusion of employees who were sick or recently had been sick.

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Posted in Clostridium perfringens, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Poisoning Death, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Norovirus, outbreak, Research, Uncategorized

France – New report documents rise in foodborne illness outbreaks in France

Posted on April 16, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

More than 1,600 foodborne outbreaks were declared in France in 2018 affecting 14,700 people with two deaths, according to statistics published by the national public health agency.

A total of 1,630 illness outbreaks were reported involving 14,742 people, and 777 of them needed hospital treatment.

Santé Publique France said the number has gone up from 2017 when 1,310 outbreaks were recorded affecting 13,010 people.

The two people that died were more than 85 years old. The first death was because of microbiologically confirmed poisoning from Bacillus cereus. The second followed intoxication where Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens were suspected.

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Posted in Bacillus cereus, Clostridium perfringens, food bourne outbreak, food death, Food Illness, Food Poisoning Death, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Uncategorized

Information – Common Symptoms of All of the Food Poisoning Pathogens

Posted on April 8, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Food poisoning outbreaks occur every year in the United States. These outbreaks can be caused by bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria Monocytogenes, Clostridium botulinum, Campylobacter, Shigella, Staphylococcus aureus, Brucella, Vibrio, and Bacillus cereus; and viruses such as norovirus and hepatitis A. At least 48,000,000 Americans are sickened with food poisoning every year. Do you know the common symptoms of all of the food poisoning pathogens? Follow the link above to find out.

 

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Posted in Bacillus, Bacillus cereus, Campylobacter, Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium perfringens, E.coli, food contamination, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Testing, foodborne disease, Foodborne Illness, Hepatitis A, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Norovirus, Salmonella, Shigella, Uncategorized, Vibrio

Research – Outbreak of Clostridium perfringens food poisoning linked to leeks in cheese sauce: an unusual source

Posted on March 24, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Cambridge Uni Press

Between 11–13 December 2018, local public health authorities in the West Midlands, England were alerted to 34 reports of diarrhoea with abdominal cramps. Symptom onset was ~10 h after diners ate Christmas meals at a restaurant between 7–9 December 2018. A retrospective case-control study, environmental and microbiological investigations were undertaken to determine the source and control the outbreak. An analytical study was undertaken with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Forty persons were recruited to the analytical study (28/40 cases). Multivariable analysis found that leeks in cheese sauce was the only item associated with illness (aOR 51.1; 95% CI 4.13–2492.1). Environmental investigations identified significant lapses in food safety, including lapses in temperature control during cooking and hot holding, likely cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods and the reuse of leftover cheese sauce for the next day’s service. No food samples were taken during the exposure period. Two faecal samples were positive for Clostridium perfringens with one confirming the enterotoxigenic gene. Cheese sauce is an unusual vehicle for the organism and the first time this has been reported in England.

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Posted in Clostridium perfringens, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Research, Uncategorized