Category Archives: Food Microbiology Research

Research – CFA’s dataset central to preparing response to awaited changes in EU Listeria regulations – but more involvement needed from other sections of industry

Posted on April 20, 2023 by | Leave a comment

CFA

Work continues on building a consortium of European and international industry and the industry Response to the EU’s awaited but undefined proposed changes to Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) legislation (EU Microbiological Criteria for Foodstuffs Regulation 2073/2005) (CFA News #56 and #57).

Potential changes to the regulation include:

  • loss of 100 cfu/g as an upper limit and introduction of zero tolerance/not detected in 25g
  • requirements to set shelf life by challenge testing and not durability testing.

This is the most important policy matter for the UK industry, which can demonstrate through hard data (epidemiology, food and environmental sampling) that its approach is much more effective from a public health perspective than that in other major European countries and across Europe, the UK listeriosis rate consistently being half that of Europe as a whole.

Read more at the link above.

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, EU2073, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk

Research – Presence of Foodborne Bacteria in Wild Boar and Wild Boar Meat—A Literature Survey for the Period 2012–2022

Posted on April 20, 2023 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Abstract

The wild boar is an abundant game species with high reproduction rates. The management of the wild boar population by hunting contributes to the meat supply and can help to avoid a spillover of transmissible animal diseases to domestic pigs, thus compromising food security. By the same token, wild boar can carry foodborne zoonotic pathogens, impacting food safety. We reviewed literature from 2012–2022 on biological hazards, which are considered in European Union legislation and in international standards on animal health. We identified 15 viral, 10 bacterial, and 5 parasitic agents and selected those nine bacteria that are zoonotic and can be transmitted to humans via food. The prevalence of Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, and Yersinia enterocolitica on muscle surfaces or in muscle tissues of wild boar varied from 0 to ca. 70%. One experimental study reported the transmission and survival of Mycobacterium on wild boar meat. Brucella, Coxiella burnetii, Listeria monocytogenes, and Mycobacteria have been isolated from the liver and spleen. For Brucella, studies stressed the occupational exposure risk, but no indication of meat-borne transmission was evident. Furthermore, the transmission of C. burnetii is most likely via vectors (i.e., ticks). In the absence of more detailed data for the European Union, it is advisable to focus on the efficacy of current game meat inspection and food safety management systems.

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Posted in Brucella melitensis, Brucellosis, Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Mycobacterium, Pathogen, pathogenic, STEC, STEC E.coli, Yersinia, Zoonosis

Research – FSA Vacuum Packing/MAP Guidance – more questions asked

Posted on April 20, 2023 by | Leave a comment

CFA

In June 2022 CFA Director General Karin Goodburn MBE gave evidence to the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF) Subgroup conducting the review of the entire risk basis of the FSA Guidelines on the control of non-proteolytic Clostridium botulinum in the vacuum and modified atmosphere packaging of chilled food (CFA News 58) and looking more widely at botulism risks.

The subgroup was not authorised by FSA to review the guidance in relation to fresh meat although industry maintains that it does not reflect internationally-established risk. CFA is seeking correction of technical errors and removal of UK-only technical barriers to businesses. Instead, as is standard for other pathogens, information required for the use of HACCP should be provided by FSA including continuing to allow the use of risk-based data for the use of novel thermal and other processes.

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Posted in Clostridium, Clostridium botulinum, Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk

Research – WHO Releases Manual for Improving Safety of Traditional Food Markets

Posted on April 20, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety Magazine

The World Health Organization of the United Nations’ (WHO’s) new manual, Five Keys for Safety Traditional Food Markets: Risk Mitigation in Traditional Food Markets in the Asia-Pacific Region, aims to support and guide local authorities, market community, and consumers in enhancing the safety and health of traditional food markets through practical risk mitigation measures and community engagement strategies. The manual provides guidance on the implementation of five keys to promote public health and safety in the context of food safety, zoonotic diseases, and infectious respiratory diseases.

Aligned with the WHO Global Food Safety Strategy and the One Health initiative, the manual was developed after WHO included public health risks associated with traditional food markets as a theme in the agenda of the 150th session of its Executive Board in September 2021. Subsequently, the Executive Board requested the implementation of such measures at the global level.

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Safety, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, food safety training, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk

Research – Nestlé strikes settlement deal over France E. coli scandal

Posted on April 20, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Just Food

Nestlé has agreed to a settlement with victims of a fatal E. coli outbreak last year.

Dozens of children fell sick after eating contaminated food – and two died. In April last year, the Paris prosecutor’s office opened an investigation into alleged involuntary manslaughter. Health officials ordered production at the Caudry factory to cease five days later.

The company told Just Food today (18 April) it had settled with “the vast majority of claimants”, who are represented by lawyer Pierre Debuisson

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Posted in Death, E.coli, food bourne outbreak, food death, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning Death, Foodborne Illness, Foodborne Illness Death, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak, STEC, STEC E.coli

USA- FDA Core Outbreak Table Update – Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

Posted on April 20, 2023 by | Leave a comment

FDA

What’s New

  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Infantis (ref #1141), an onsite inspection and sample collection and analysis has been initiated.
  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Hartford (ref #1144), the case count has increased from 53 to 54 cases. This outbreak has ended and the investigation has closed, with no vehicle identified.
  • For the outbreak of hepatitis A virus (ref #1143), an onsite inspection has been initiated.
Date
Posted		 Ref Pathogen
or
Cause of
Illness		 Product(s)
Linked to
Illnesses
(if any)		 Total
Case
Count
Status
3/29/2023 1141 Salmonella Infantis Raw Flour See
CDC
Investigation
Notice		 Active
3/1/2023 1143 Hepatitis A Virus Frozen Organic
Strawberries		 See
Outbreak
Advisory		 Active
2/15/2023 1123 Listeria
monocytogenes		 Not Yet
Identified		 See
CDC
Investigation
Notice		 Active

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Posted in FDA, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Hepatitis A, Illness, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak, Salmonella

USA – FDA begins onsite inspection of unnamed location in relation to flour outbreak – Salmonella

Posted on April 20, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

The Food and Drug Administration has expanded its investigation into an outbreak of infections caused by Salmonella Infantis that has been linked to flour.

As of the most recent update, on March 30, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the outbreak has sickened at least a dozen people across 11 states. Three of the patients have required hospitalization. No deaths have been reported.

Although a specific brand of flour has not been revealed by federal officials, the FDA reports that it has begun onsite inspection of an unnamed location and sample collection.

Illnesses started on dates ranging from Dec. 6, 2022, to Feb. 13, 2023, but there are likely more sick people who have not yet been confirmed because of the time it takes for testing and reporting.

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Posted in FDA, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak, Salmonella

Quebec – Absence of information necessary for the safe consumption of Stimpson’s surf clams and plain whelks sold by Marché de Poisson Lemieux – Possibility of Bacterial Growth

Posted on April 20, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Quebec

QUEBEC CITY , April 19, 2023 /CNW/ – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), in collaboration with Lemieux Fish Market , located at 1560, rue du Phare, in Rimouski , warns the public not to consume the products listed in the table below if they have not been kept refrigerated at all times since the time of purchase. In fact, product labels do not include the information necessary for their safe consumption, namely the statement “Keep refrigerated” which is required.

Product name

Format

Affected batch

“MARCTE STIMPSON”

1 litre

Units sold until April 19, 2023

“NATURE BOURGOTS”

1KL, 2KL

Units sold until April 19, 2023

The products that are the subject of this warning were offered for sale until April 19, 2023 inclusive, only at the establishment designated above. They were packed in glass jars and sold chilled. The label of the products included, in addition to their name, the mention “PLACE LEMIEUX 1560 ROUTE DU PHARE”.

The operator is voluntarily recalling the products in question. It has agreed with MAPAQ to issue this warning as a precautionary measure. People who have any of these products in their possession and have not kept them refrigerated at all times from the time of purchase are advised not to consume them. They must return it to the establishment where they bought it or throw it away. Even if the affected products show no signs of tampering or suspicious odors, their consumption may represent a health risk.

It should be noted that no case of illness associated with the consumption of these foods has been reported to MAPAQ to date.

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk

India – Indore: 20 students fall ill due to food poisoning, many hospitalised

Posted on April 19, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Hindustan Times

At least 20 female students staying in a hostel of a private university in Madhya Pradesh‘s Indore district fell ill due to alleged food poisoning, an official said on Monday. The students complained of vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain late Sunday night, SAGE University registrar Manish Chowdhary told PTI.

The university management, however, has denied that the food prepared in the hostel’s canteen was contaminated. “Many students of our hostel had gone to the city during the day and might have returned after consuming food from outside. We have also found out that some students had non-vegetarian food cooked outside the hostel premises on Sunday,” Chaudhary said.

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, Foodborne Illness, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk

Research – Rapid salmonella test poised to accelerate food safety in poultry

Posted on April 19, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Ingredients First

Researchers at McMaster University, Canada, have developed a test for Salmonella contamination that “provides accurate results in an hour or less.” The inexpensive test could improve food safety and mitigate broad recalls of contaminated food.

Salmonella is one of the primary contamination risks for poultry processors, with major chicken producers having to perform “tens of thousands” of lab tests each year to prevent the infection, which causes 155,000 deaths each year globally, according to the report.

The report notes that: “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports an estimated 450 deaths, 23,000 hospitalizations and US$365 million in direct medical costs are caused by Salmonella infection alone in the US each year.”

Reducing or eliminating the need for overnight Salmonella testing and replacing it with a rapid, easily-used test will save time and money, notes study co-author Yingfu Li, a Biochemistry and Chemical Biology professor and leader of McMaster’s Functional Nucleic Acids Research Group.

“Anyone can use it right in the setting where food is being prepared, processed or sold,” he says.

“There’s a balance between cost, convenience and need. If it’s cheap, reliable and easy, why not use it?”

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Research, Salmonella