Category Archives: Food Microbiology Research

Research – Microbiological safety when storing cut tomatoes and onions at room temperature

ACSA

The scientific committee of the Belgian Food Chain Agency (AFSCA) has published an opinion on microbiological safety when storing tomatoes and cut onions at room temperature.

He concludes that issues such as PH will also be decisive along with the degree of maturation of the products, the variety, the handling conditions, and of course the temperature and the time variable.

It could not be clearly demonstrated that storing tomatoes and cut onions at room temperature (16 – 29°C) rather than below 7°C for 4 to 6 hours does not pose an increased risk to food safety. Simulations of potential growth were performed for Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes.

In short, a brief temperature fluctuation of 3 °C upwards in the product is not accepted as safe storage.

Click to access Avis10-2023_SciCom2022-13_temperaturedeconservationlegumesdecoupes.pdf

Research – Resistant Salmonella infections linked to worse outcomes

CIDRAP

kswfoodworld Salmonella

Infections caused by Salmonella with any antibiotic resistance are associated with more severe clinical outcomes, including hospitalization and death, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researchers reported yesterday in Clinical Infectious Diseases.

Using epidemiologic data from the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) and antimicrobial resistance data from the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS), researchers from the CDC’s Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases examined outcomes in patients with nontyphoidal Salmonella infections from 2004 through 2018. They compared outcomes for resistant Salmonella infections with those caused by non-resistant Salmonella before and after adjusting for age, state, race/ethnicity, international travel, outbreak association, and isolate serotype or source.

Research – Natural Antimicrobials: A Reservoir to Contrast Listeria monocytogenes

MDPI

Abstract

Natural environments possess a reservoir of compounds exerting antimicrobial activity that are forms of defence for some organisms against others. Recently, they have become more and more attractive in the food sector due to the increasing demand for natural compounds that have the capacity to protect food from pathogenic microorganisms. Among foodborne pathogens, Listeria monocytogenes can contaminate food during production, distribution, or storage, and its presence is especially detected in fresh, raw food and ready-to-eat products. The interest in this microorganism is related to listeriosis, a severe disease with a high mortality rate that can occur after its ingestion. Starting from this premise, the present review aims to investigate plant extract and fermented plant matrices, as well as the compounds or mixtures of compounds produced during microbial fermentation processes that have anti-listeria activity.

France Two people in deadly Botulism outbreak remain in hospital

Food Safety News

According to researchers, at least two patients in a botulism outbreak in France remain in hospital.

The study covered eight individuals from four countries admitted to the intensive care unit at Bordeaux University Hospital, where six required invasive mechanical ventilation. Cases reported consuming locally produced canned sardines at a Tchin Tchin Wine Bar restaurant.

As of Oct. 12, six of them had been discharged, but two people still needed mechanical ventilation, according to the study published in the journal Eurosurveillance.

India – 16 students hospitalised due to suspected food poisoning at BMC-run school

Hindustan Times

16 students of a civic-run school in Mumbai were hospitalized due to suspected food poisoning after eating a midday meal provided by Shantai Mahila Industrial Co-operative Society. The affected students are now in stable condition and the food supply operation has ceased.

D Gangadharan, joint commissioner (education), BMC along with Kankal and other officials, visited the hospital to inspect the students’ well-being. Gangadharan said, “We examined the school premises to assess the situation. A sample of the food supplied at the school and other materials that were used in the kitchen has been sent to the BMC laboratory in G/North for testing, and the analysis report is expected shortly.”

Research – Economic costs related to foodborne disease in Burkina Faso and Ethiopia in 2017

Frontiers In

Introduction: Foodborne diseases (FBD) are a significant problem in low- and middle-income countries, especially in Africa. Country-specific estimates of the economic costs related to FBD caused by different hazards in different food products can inform decision makers about this problem’s magnitude. This aids policy makers in prioritising actions to mitigate risks and prevent illness. Although estimates exist for many high-income countries, they are lacking for African countries.

Results: Mean economic costs related to FBD caused by NTS, CAMP and ETEC in 2017 were estimated at 391 million constant 2017 international dollars in Burkina Faso and 723 million in Ethiopia. These represent 3.0% of gross national income in Burkina Faso and 0.9% in Ethiopia. Lost productivity contributed 70%, WTP to reduce risk of death 30%, and WTP to reduce risk of pain and suffering 1-2%. NTS caused the highest costs, followed by ETEC and CAMP. Chicken meat caused 9-12 times higher costs than tomatoes. Children under five years (14.6-17.1% of populations) bore 20-75% of the costs. Due to uncertainty in disease burden and economic data, costs could be four times higher than mean estimates.

Research – Salmonella in animals and feed in Great Britain2022

Gov UK

This publication presents data on Salmonella reports from livestock species in Great
Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) collected and collated by the Animal and Plant
Health Agency (APHA) during 2022 and also provides data from previous years for
comparative purposes.
The data in the first 12 chapters cover reports of Salmonella in livestock, with separate
chapters for the main species, reports of Salmonella in dogs, reports of Salmonella in
wildlife and reports of Salmonella in animal feedingstuffs. The 13th chapter covers the
antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella (England and Wales only).
Since 1993, the date of a Salmonella incident has been recorded as the date it was
reported to an Officer of the Minister. Under the present system, any Salmonella reports
that are confirmed or identified after the publication of the annual report will be
incorporated into the revised tables that appear in the following year’s publication. This
may result in the number of incidents and isolations differing from that previously given for
a particular year. The most recent version of the report should therefore always be used
when comparing data from year to year.
Revisions in the way that data have been compiled and presented since 1993 mean that,
with the exception of the tables on Salmonella in animal feedingstuffs, data in this report
cannot be compared directly with information published prior to 1993. A more detailed
comparison can be generated, if required, for any Salmonella serovar, or phage type in the
case of S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium. Requests for such data should be made to the
Department of Epidemiological Sciences, APHA Weybridge (email address:
Foodbornezoonoses@apha.gov.uk), who will be happy to assist with requests.
Care should be taken when comparing data from one year to another as an increase or
decrease in the number of isolations and incidents does not necessarily indicate a similar
change in prevalence. This is because the total number of samples examined and their
distribution are often not known.

Research – Pathogenic E. coli in the Food Chain across the Arab Countries: A Descriptive Review

MDPI

Abstract

Foodborne bacterial infections caused by pathogens are a widespread problem in the Middle East, leading to significant economic losses and negative impacts on public health. This review aims to offer insights into the recent literature regarding the occurrence of harmful E. coli bacteria in the food supply of Arab countries. Additionally, it aims to summarize existing information on health issues and the state of resistance to antibiotics. The reviewed evidence highlights a lack of a comprehensive understanding of the extent to which harmful E. coli genes are present in the food supply of Arab countries. Efforts to identify the source of harmful E. coli in the Arab world through molecular characterization are limited. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have conducted few surveys specifically targeting harmful E. coli in the food supply. Despite having qualitative data that indicate the presence or absence of harmful E. coli, there is a noticeable absence of quantitative data regarding the actual numbers of harmful E. coli in chicken meat supplies across all Arab countries. While reports about harmful E. coli in animal-derived foods are common, especially in North African Arab countries, the literature emphasized in this review underscores the ongoing challenge that harmful E. coli pose to food safety and public health in Arab countries.

Ghana – Over 40% of grains contain unacceptable levels of Aflatoxin contamination

Ghana Web

See  the link above for the full story

France – Natural chipolatas – Salmonella

Gov france

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Meats
  • Product brand name THE MONTLOUISIAN
  • Model names or references chipolatas 60g x20
  • Product identification
    Batch Date
    400123 Use-by date 10/18/2023
  • Start/end date of marketing From 03/10/2023 to 03/10/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to keep in the refrigerator
  • Health mark FR 37.156.031 CE
  • Further information Protective atmosphere tray
  • Geographical sales area Whole France
  • Distributors Sologne Frais, Gallais, Leclerc Rueil Malmaison