Category Archives: Food Microbiology Research

Research – Detection, Mitigation and Control of Listeria and Salmonella: What We Know and Where We’re Heading

Posted on March 9, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety Tech

The detection and mitigation of foodborne illness-causing pathogens continue to be a challenge for all aspects of the food industry from farm to fork. Join Food Safety Tech and the Center for Foodborne Illness Research and Prevention at the Fawcett Center at The Ohio State University on April 3-5 in Columbus, Ohio, for three days of food safety hazards education.

The Food Safety Tech’s Hazards Conference + CFI Think Tank brings together leading minds in industry and academia for two days of practical education on the detection, mitigation, control and regulation of key food hazards, followed by discussion geared toward identifying gaps for research and innovation. The program includes:

Leave a comment

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

Research – First report of foodborne botulism due to Clostridium botulinum type A(B) from vegetarian home-canned pate in Hanoi, Vietnam

Posted on March 8, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Science Direct

Abstract

Even one case of foodborne botulism constitutes a public health emergency. We report a series of cases with delayed treatment due to delayed diagnosis. Clostridium botulinum type A(B) was isolated from vegetarian home-canned pate, but not from stool samples. These are the first recorded cases of foodborne botulism in Hanoi.

Introduction

Botulism is a rare but serious neuroparalytic illness caused by botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) [1,2]. The sources of BoNTs are Clostridium botulinum and sometimes C. butyricum, C. baratii, and C. argentinense. The toxins are produced under anaerobic conditions and act presynaptically at peripheral cholinergic neuromuscular junctions, blocking acetylcholine release. Seven types (A–G) of BoNTs have been identified [3]. The classical early signs of botulism include cranial nerve palsies that progress to the symmetrical descending weakness of the trunk, extremities, and smooth muscle, with eventual flaccid paralysis. Typical early symptoms include diplopia (visual disturbances), dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), dysphonia (voice change), and dysarthria (slurred speech) [4]. Considering the severity and potential public health impact of this disease, rapid diagnosis is necessary. This report describes the first recorded cases of foodborne botulism in Hanoi, associated with vegetarian home-canned pate. This was caused by C. botulinum type A(B), which carries both type A and type B bont genes but does not produce active type B toxin because of mutations or truncations.

Leave a comment

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

Gastro, food poisoning or stomach flu: Everything you need to know

Posted on March 8, 2023 by | Leave a comment

ABC News AU

Whether you’re feeling nauseous, have the runs, or are actively vomiting, there’s nothing pleasant about an upset stomach.

As Nirvana Luckraj, the chief medical officer of Healthdirect Australia explains, gastro is an overarching condition.

“Gastroenteritis is a general term that refers to inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

“[It] can be caused by a variety of factors including viral or bacterial infections, food poisoning, or it can be a reaction to certain medications, or even dietary changes.”

Her team saw a spike in interest in gastro over the December and January holiday period, but have seen a downward trend since then.

Whatever variant you’re experiencing, this is how to look after yourself and those around you.

What are the symptoms of gastro, food poisoning and the stomach flu?

Symptoms of gastroenteritis can include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Stomach cramps
  • Fever

Dr Luckraj says food poisoning, stomach bugs and other forms of gastro all have similar symptoms, but differ in their causes.

Stomach flu, also known as viral gastroenteritis, is caused by viral infection, and can be spread via contact with an infected person, or by consuming contaminated food or water.

Food poisoning is caused by consuming contaminated food like undercooked meat, contaminated produce, or dairy products. Dr Luckraj says symptoms usually start quickly — even just hours after consumption.

Leave a comment

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

France – PECORINO A LA POIRE Cheese – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on March 8, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Feed
  • Product subcategory Milk and dairy products
  • Product brand name Section Cheese by the slice
  • Model names or references Pecorino with pear
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Lot Date
    0201487000000 2740 Date of minimum durability 02/28/2023
  • Packaging Sliced ​​cheese stand
  • Marketing start/end date From 17/12/2022 to 06/02/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Trelissac
  • Distributors Leclerc de Trelissac

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall Detection of Listeria monocytogenes
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Listeria monocytogenes (causative agent of listeriosis)

Leave a comment

Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes

Research – Safe Food Australia – A guide to the Food Safety Standards 

Posted on March 6, 2023 by | Leave a comment

FSANZ

​​​​​​Last updated: February 2023​

Safe Food Australia coverSafe Food Australia is a guide to the four mand​atory food safety standards:

  • Standard 3.1.1 Interpretation and Application
  • Standard 3.2.2 Food Safety Practices and General Requirements
  • Standard 3.2.2A Food Safety Management Tools​
  • Standard 3.2.3 Food Premises and Equipment.

The guide is for government agencies who are responsible for enforcing the standards. Food businesses may also find it offers helpful information about the standards and food safety issues.

Fourth Edition, February 2023

Download the complete Safe Food Australia guide (PDF 7 mb)

​​New content!​

​Standard 3.2.2A is a new food safety standard for food service, caterer and related retail businesses, becoming enforceable in December 2023. It contains requirements for food handler training, a food safety supervisor, and evidence that specific food handling activities are being adequately managed. Businesses will need to implement either two or three of these tools depending on their food handling activities.

InfoBites for food businesses

We’ve also developed some short factsheets to help you understand the food safety standards, by topic. See our InfoBites.

Leave a comment

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

Research – Italy sees most HUS cases for decades – STEC E.coli

Posted on March 6, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Italy has reported the highest annual total of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) cases since records began.

From January to December 2022, 91 cases were recorded. This is the most observed in a single year since the start of surveillance in 1988. HUS is a severe complication associated with E. coli infection that causes kidney failure and can result in lifelong, serious health problems and death.

The number is still lower than in France, which recorded 128 HUS cases in 2021. This was the lowest figure since 2017 and was down from 167 in 2020. Data for 2022 is not yet available but a rise is expected due to an outbreak linked to Nestlé Buitoni Fraîch’Up brand frozen pizzas.

Leave a comment

Posted in Bacterial Toxin, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Toxin, Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome, HUS, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, STEC, STEC E.coli

India- Manipur: 500 hospitalised after suspected food poisoning in Kangpokpi

Posted on March 6, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Nenow

Imphal: At least 500 people, most of them children and women, were hospitalised on Sunday after suspected food poisoning in the Chalwa Kuki villa area of Manipur‘s Kangpokpi district.

According to preliminary reports from health officials, around 1000 villagers had taken part in a grand feast as part of a local ritual and traditional festival at around 6.30 pm on Saturday.

Seventy individuals taken ill were given injections and life-saving drugs.

Two medical camps have also been opened to treat the patients. The cause of the food poisoning is still being investigated.

Leave a comment

Posted in 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, Poisoning

Food Safety News – USA- Publisher’s Platform: It’s time to deal with hepatitis A and food service workers

Posted on March 6, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) provides advice and guidance to the Director of the CDC regarding use of vaccines and related agents for control of vaccine-preventable diseases in the civilian population of the United States. Recommendations made by the ACIP are reviewed by the CDC Director and, if adopted, are published as official CDC/HHS recommendations in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).

Presently, approximately 5% of all hepatitis A outbreaks are linked to infected food-handlers.

Here is what the CDC continues to say about vaccinating food-handlers:

Why does CDC not recommend all food handlers be vaccinated if an infected food handler can spread disease during outbreaks?

Leave a comment

Posted in Decontamination Microbial, food bourne outbreak, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Virus, foodborne outbreak, Hepatitis A, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak, Virus

Research – Survey shows Germans underestimate the risk of raw foods

Posted on March 6, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

People in Germany often eat raw or unheated food and are not fully aware of the related risks, according to a survey.

Findings come from a special edition of the consumer monitor by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) that focused on raw foods.

“The health risks of raw foods are often underestimated. Diseases can be avoided with simple kitchen hygiene rules. Sensitive groups of people in particular should only eat raw animal food that has been sufficiently heated,” said Andreas Hensel, BfR president.

The survey of 1,004 people in September 2022 aimed to find out which food groups are eaten raw and how often, how Germans assessed their benefits and health risks, and which pathogens are associated with which foods.

Many respondents did not feel well informed about the health risk of raw flour but more people were comfortable with hygiene recommendations and storage advice for raw food.

Leave a comment

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

Greece – Catered food linked to school outbreak in Greece – Clostridium perfringens

Posted on March 6, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

A suspected Clostridium perfringens outbreak affected 30 people in Greece in 2021, according to a study.

In May 2021, several gastroenteritis cases were reported among students and staff of a high school on a Greek island. Daily hot lunches were delivered by a catering company and consumed in classrooms.

In late May, the Hellenic National Public Health Organization was informed by a regional unit of the Hellenic Food Authority (EFET) about a cluster of gastroenteritis cases among 12 to 18-year-old students and teachers. The school is in a small town on a remote north-eastern Aegean Greek island, which had limited capacity for specific laboratory testing.

Study Link

Leave a comment

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