Category Archives: Food Microbiology Research

Catalonia – Viruses and food safety

Posted on June 7, 2024 by | Leave a comment

ACSA

Albert Bosch, professor of microbiology at the University of Barcelona and member of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Food Safety, explains (in the link above) the diseases caused by viruses that can be acquired through food and how to prevent them.

The Scientific Advisory Committee for Food Safety is the advisory body on the technical and scientific aspects of food safety and quality. It is made up of fifteen experts in food safety with recognized solvency, from universities and research centers, appointed by the councilor of the department responsible for health, at the proposal of the Food Safety Steering Committee.

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Posted in Food Microbiology Research, Food Virus, Food Virus Death, Food Virus Illness, Research

France -Reblochon type Tomme -Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on June 6, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Gov France

Product category
Food
Product subcategory
Milk and dairy products
Product brand name
The Grands Villepins farm
Model names or references
Reblochon-style cow’s tomme
Product identification
GTIN Batch Date
3760263450208 All lots Minimum durability date between 05/09/2024 and 06/18/2024
Packaging
350g
Start/end date of marketing
From 05/09/2024 to 05/28/2024
Storage temperature
Product to keep in the refrigerator
Health mark
FR37.158.014CE
Geographical sales area
Departments: INDRE-ET-LOIRE (37), LOIR-ET-CHER (41)
Distributors
Lochoise Flavors, From My Lands, O near the Peasants

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

USA – FDA – Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

Posted on June 6, 2024 by | Leave a comment

FDA

What’s New

  • An outbreak of Salmonella Braenderup illnesses (ref # 1229) linked to a not yet identified product has been added to the table. FDA has initiated traceback.
  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Africana illnesses (ref # 1227) linked to a not yet identified product, the case count has increased from 141 to 162. FDA has initiated an inspection and sampling. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
  • The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Africana illnesses that may be linked to cucumbers. On June 5, 2024, FDA issued an outbreak advisory. FDA and CDC are also investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Braenderup infections that shares several similarities with the Salmonella Africana outbreak, including where and when illnesses occurred and the demographics of ill people. Investigators are working to determine whether the two outbreaks could be linked to the same food. This investigation is ongoing; the outbreak advisory and the CORE Investigation Table will be updated once additional information becomes available.

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Posted in CORE Investigation Table, FDA, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Microbiology Research, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, Research

Research – Use of dishwashers fails to inactivate foodborne pathogens in home-canned model foods

Posted on June 2, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Science Direct

Unlabelled Image

Abstract

Risky home canning techniques are still performed for food preservation due to limited science-based recommendations. This study aimed to evaluate the inactivation of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enterica (ser. Typhimurium, Enteritidis, and Infantis) and Listeria monocytogenes during home canning with a household dishwasher. The 450 mL of blended tomato (acidic liquid food) and potato puree (non-acidic solid food) were prepared with 1.5 % salt and 25 mL vinegar as model foods in glass jars (660 mL). The two model foods were sterilized, then inoculated with separate cocktails of each pathogen at 106–107 CFU/g. The prepared jars were placed in the bottom rack of a dishwasher and subjected to the following cycles: economic (50 °C, 122 min), express (60 °C, 54 min), and intensive (70 °C, 96 min). Temperature changes in jars were monitored by using thermocouples during heat treatment. Within the center of the jars, temperatures were measured as 45 to 53 °C in blended tomato and 44 to 52 °C in potato puree during all tested dishwasher cycles, respectively. The economic cycle treatment reduced S. enterica, E. coli O157:H7, and L. monocytogenes populations by 3.1, 4.6, and 4.2 log CFU/g in blended tomato (P ≤ 0.05), where a <1.0 log reduction was observed in potato puree (P > 0.05). All pathogens showed similar heat resistance during the express cycle treatment with a log reduction ranging from 4.2 to 5.0 log CFU/g in blended tomato and 0.6 to 0.7 log CFU/g in potato puree. Reduction in L. monocytogenes population was limited (0.6 log CFU/g) compared to E. coli O157:H7 (2.0 log CFU/g) and S. enterica (2.7 log CFU/g) in blended tomato during the intensive cycle treatment (P ≤ 0.05). Dishwasher cycles at manufacturer defined settings failed to adequately inactivate foodborne pathogens in model foods. This study indicates that home-canned vegetables may cause foodborne illnesses when dishwashers in home kitchens are used for heat processing.

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Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, Food Microbiology Research, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Research, Salmonella, STEC, STEC E.coli

Research – Development of Predictive Modelling for Removal of Multispecies Biofilms of Salmonella Enteritidis, Escherichia coli, and Campylobacter jejuni from Poultry Slaughterhouse Surfaces

Posted on June 1, 2024 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Abstract

Salmonella Enteritidis, Escherichia coli, and Campylobacter jejuni are among the most common foodborne pathogens worldwide, and poultry products are strongly associated with foodborne pathogen outbreaks. These pathogens are capable of producing biofilms on several surfaces used in the food processing industry, including polyethylene and stainless steel. However, studies on multi-species biofilms are rare. Therefore, this study aimed to develop predictive mathematical models to simulate the adhesion and removal of multispecies biofilms. All combinations of microorganisms resulted in biofilm formation with differences in bacterial counts. E. coli showed the greatest ability to adhere to both surfaces, followed by S. Enteritidis and C. jejuni. The incubation time and temperature did not influence adhesion. Biofilm removal was effective with citric acid and benzalkonium chloride but not with rhamnolipid. Among the generated models, 46 presented a significant coefficient of determination (R2), with the highest R2 being 0.88. These results provide support for the poultry industry in creating biofilm control and eradication programs to avoid the risk of contamination of poultry meat.

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Posted in Biofilm, Campylobacter, campylobacter coli, Campylobacter jejuni, E.coli, Food Microbiology Research, Research, Salmonella

Main food-related diseases rise in Norway

Posted on May 30, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

E. coli infections hit a record high in Norway in 2023, while other pathogens are returning to levels seen before the Coronavirus pandemic.

Data published by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) shows that the number of Campylobacter, Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria infections rose compared to the previous year, while Yersinia cases fell.

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Posted in Campylobacter, Food Microbiology Research, Listeria monocytogenes, Research, Salmonella

Research – An outbreak of hepatitis E virus genotype 4d caused by consuming undercooked pig liver in a nursing home in Zhejiang Province, China

Posted on May 29, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Science Direct

Abstract

Hepatitis E infection is typically caused by contaminated water or food. In July and August 2022, an outbreak of hepatitis E was reported in a nursing home in Zhejiang Province, China. Local authorities and workers took immediate actions to confirm the outbreak, investigated the sources of infection and routes of transmission, took measures to terminate the outbreak, and summarized the lessons learned. An epidemiological investigation was conducted on all individuals in the nursing home, including demographic information, clinical symptoms, history of dietary, water intake and contact. Stool and blood samples were collected from these populations for laboratory examinations. The hygiene environment of the nursing home was also investigated. A case-control study was conducted to identify the risk factors for this outbreak. Of the 722 subjects in the nursing home, 77 were diagnosed with hepatitis E, for an attack rate of 10.66 %. Among them, 18 (23.38 %, 18/77) individuals had symptoms such as jaundice, fever, and loss of appetite and were defined as the population with hepatitis E. The average age of people infected with hepatitis E virus (HEV) was 59.96 years and the attack rate of hepatitis E among women (12.02 %, 59/491) was greater than that among men (7.79 %, 18/231). The rate was the highest among caregivers (22.22 %, 32/144) and lowest among logistics personnel (6.25 %, 2/32); however, these differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Laboratory sequencing results indicated that the genotype of this hepatitis E outbreak was 4d. A case-control study showed that consuming pig liver (odds ratio (OR) = 7.50; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 3.84–16.14, P < 0.001) and consuming raw fruits and vegetables (OR = 5.92; 95 % CI: 1.74–37.13, P = 0.017) were risk factors for this outbreak of Hepatitis E. Moreover, a monitoring video showed that the canteen personnel did not separate raw and cooked foods, and pig livers were cooked for only 2 min and 10 s. Approximately 1 month after the outbreak, an emergency vaccination for HEV was administered. No new cases were reported after two long incubation periods (approximately 4 months). The outbreak of HEV genotype 4d was likely caused by consuming undercooked pig liver, resulting in an attack rate of 10.66 %. This was related to the rapid stir-frying cooking method and the hygiene habit of not separating raw and cooked foods.

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Posted in Food Illness, Food Microbiology Research, Food Virus, Foodborne Illness, Hepatitis E, Illness, Research, Virus

EFSA – Safe2Eat

Posted on May 29, 2024 by | Leave a comment

EFSA

The #Safe2EatEU project aims to help you get more information about food safety in Europe and how to make informed decisions about what foods to buy, eat and enjoy – safely and healthily every day.

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, food safety training

Research – Aspergillus flavus and Aflatoxins

Posted on May 29, 2024 by | Leave a comment

ACSA

The individual consumer generally cannot control the presence of mycotoxins in the food he or she purchases, except to observe whether mold is present. Mycotoxin-producing fungi generally grow during the production and storage of plant products. The most common mycotoxins that can be present in foods are: aflatoxins, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, patulin and ochratoxin A.

The four main aflatoxins are AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2. These toxins are produced primarily by certain strains of Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus . Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is produced by mammals after consumption of feed (or food) contaminated by AFB1. Aflatoxins are tasteless, colorless, and odorless, fluoresce under ultraviolet light, and can withstand high temperatures.

In PDF. Open in a new window. 

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Posted in Aflatoxin, Aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin m1, Aspergillus, Aspergillus Toxin, Food Microbiology Research, Mold Toxin, Mould/Mold, Mycotoxin, Research

Research – Foodborne Illnesses from Leafy Greens in the United States: Attribution, Burden, and Cost

Posted on May 27, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Science Direct

Abstract

Leafy green vegetables are a major source of foodborne illnesses. Nevertheless, few studies have attempted to estimate attribution and burden of illness estimates for leafy greens. This study combines results from three outbreak-based attribution models with illness incidence and economic cost models to develop comprehensive pathogen-specific burden estimates for leafy greens and their subcategories in the United States. We find that up to 9.18% (90% CI: 5.81%-15.18%) of foodborne illnesses linked to identified pathogens are attributed to leafy greens. Including ‘Unknown’ illnesses not linked to specific pathogens, leafy greens account for as many as 2,307,558 (90% CI: 1,077,815–4,075,642) illnesses annually in the United States. The economic cost of these illnesses is estimated to be up to $5.278 billion (90% CI: $3.230-$8.221 billion) annually. Excluding the pathogens with small outbreak sizes, Norovirus, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (both non-O157 and O157:H7), Campylobacter spp., and nontyphoidal Salmonella, are associated with the highest number of illnesses and greatest costs from leafy greens. While lettuce (romaine, iceberg, “other lettuce”) takes 60.8% of leafy green outbreaks, it accounts for up to 75.7% of leafy green foodborne illnesses and 70% of costs. Finally, we highlighted that 19.8% of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 illnesses are associated with romaine among all food commodities, resulting in 12,496 estimated illnesses and $324.64 million annually in the United States.

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Posted in Campylobacter, E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, Food Microbiology Research, Food Pathogen, Norovirus, Pathogen, pathogenic, Research, Salmonella, STEC, STEC E.coli