Category Archives: microbial contamination

Research – Outbreaks hit record high in France in 2022

Posted on February 27, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

France reported a record high number of foodborne outbreaks in 2022, according to recently released data.

Notified outbreaks were at their highest since the start of surveillance in 1987 and continued the upward trend observed before the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2022, 1,924 outbreaks were declared, affecting 16,763 people, of whom 643 went to hospital, and 17 died, said Santé publique France.

For 376 outbreaks, a pathogen could be confirmed in the food or in at least one sick person. A pathogen was suspected without microbiological confirmation for 1,260 outbreaks. For 288 outbreaks, no infectious agent was identified or suspected.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbial Spoilage, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak, Pathogen, pathogenic

Israel – The manufacturer AIM Tofu Israeli Ltd. calls for the recall of all products – Microbial Abnormality

Posted on February 20, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Gov IL

In an inspection conducted by the Ashkelon District Food Service, at the Ministry of Health, a microbial abnormality was found in the product and also, a failure in the manufacturing process of the products in the factory.

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Posted in bacterial contamination, cross contamination, food contamination, food recall, microbial contamination, product recall

Italy – VITEL TONNE – slices of cooked adult bovine meat in tuna sauce- Microbiological Risk

Posted on February 19, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Salute

Brand : Gianni Negrini srl

Name : VITEL TONNE – slices of cooked adult bovine meat in tuna sauce

Reason for reporting : Recall due to microbiological risk

Publication date : 16 February 2024

Documentation

Documentation

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

Research – A new Rogue-like Escherichia phage UDF157lw to control Escherichia coli O157:H7

Posted on February 9, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Frontiers In.org

Introduction: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 is one of the notorious foodborne pathogens causing high mortality through the consumption of contaminated food items. The food safety risk from STEC pathogens could escalate when a group of bacterial cells aggregates to form a biofilm. Bacterial biofilm can diminish the effects of various antimicrobial interventions and enhance the pathogenicity of the pathogens. Therefore, there is an urgent need to have effective control measurements. Bacteriophages can kill the target bacterial cells through lytic infection, and some enzymes produced during the infection have the capability to penetrate the biofilm for mitigation compared to traditional interventions. This study aimed to characterize a new Escherichia phage vB_EcoS-UDF157lw (or UDF157lw) and determine its antimicrobial efficacy against E. coli O157:H7.

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Posted in Bacteriophage, Biofilm, Decontamination Microbial, E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Pathogen, pathogenic, Phage, Research, STEC, STEC E.coli

Research – Tomato juice’s antimicrobial properties can kill Salmonella

Posted on February 4, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Science Daily

Tomato juice can kill Salmonella Typhi and other bacteria that can harm people’s digestive and urinary tract health, according to research published this week in Microbiology Spectrum, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology. Salmonella Typhi is a deadly human-specific pathogen that causes typhoid fever.

“Our main goal in this study was to find out if tomato and tomato juice can kill enteric pathogens, including Salmonella Typhi, and if so, what qualities they have that make them work,” said principal study investigator Jeongmin Song, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Cornell University.

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

Research – The Investigation of Changes in Bacterial Community of Pasteurized Milk during Cold Storage

Posted on February 3, 2024 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Abstract

The quality of pasteurized milk is commonly assessed through microbiological analysis, with variations in storage conditions significantly impacting the suppression of bacterial growth throughout the milk’s shelf life. This study investigated the dynamics of total bacterial counts (TBCs) and bacterial community shifts in milk that underwent pasteurization at 80 °C for 15 s. The milk was subsequently stored at 4 °C for varying intervals of 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, and 16 days. Culture-based testing revealed a significant TBC increase during the storage period spanning 1 to 16 days (up to −log10 4.2 CFU/mL at day 16). The TBC in pasteurized milk exhibited accelerated microbial growth from day 13 onwards, ultimately peaking on day 16. Bacillus was detected through 16S rRNA identification. Principal component analysis demonstrated a significant impact of storage time on bacterial communities in pasteurized milk. Analysis of bacterial diversity revealed a negative correlation between the Shannon index and the duration of pasteurized milk storage. Using high-throughput sequencing, Streptococcus and Acinetobacter were detected as prevalent bacterial genera, with Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus uberis showing as dominant taxa. The presence of Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Streptococcus uberis in pasteurized milk might be attributed to the initial contamination from raw milk with mastitis. This study offers new evidence of the prevalence of bacterial community in pasteurized milk, thereby adding value to the enhancement of quality control and the development of strategies for reducing microbial risks.

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Posted in Acinetobacter, Decontamination Microbial, Faecal Streptpcocci, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbial Spoilage, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Pasteurisation

Risk ranking of foodborne diseases in Denmark: Reflections on a national burden of disease study

Posted on January 31, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Science Direct

Abstract

National burden of foodborne disease (FBD) studies are useful for risk ranking and identifying priorities for food safety resource allocation. FBD are caused by microbiological and chemical hazards, which have different incidence and mortality, and lead to health-outcomes varying in severity and duration. Due to their different origins and characteristics, distinct prevention strategies can be implemented. We present the Danish initiative to estimate the burden of FBD caused by pathogens and chemicals. We describe the methodological approaches and data used, present an overview of results for the reference year 2019, and discuss lessons learned throughout more than seven years of the project. Our estimates show that the leading causes of FBD in Denmark include both pathogens and chemicals, suggesting that food safety strategies should be diversified to tackle different issues. The experiences with this national study are useful for other countries planning to implement a burden of FBD study.

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, foodborne disease, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbial Spoilage, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology

Research – Inhibition of Food-Borne Pathogen Growth and Biogenic Amine Synthesis by Spice Extracts

Posted on January 28, 2024 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Food-borne pathogens and their toxins cause significant health problems in humans. Formation of biogenic amines (BAs) produced by microbial decarboxylation of amino acids in food is undesirable because it can induce toxic effects in consumers. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the effects of natural additives with high bioactivity like spice extracts to inhibit the growth of these bacteria and the formation of BAs in food. In the present study, the antibacterial effects of diethyl ether spice (sumac, cumin, black pepper, and red pepper) extracts at doses of 1% (w/v) on Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis) and Gram-negative (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Campylobacter jejuni, Aeromonas hydrophila, Salmonella Paratyphi A, and Yersinia enterocolitica) food-borne pathogen bacterial strains (FBP) were established. In addition, the accumulation of ammonia (AMN), trimethylamine (TMA), and biogenic amines (BAs) in tyrosine decarboxylase broth (TDB) was investigated by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Sumac extract exhibited the highest antibacterial potential against all FBPs, followed by cumin and peppers. AMN (570.71 mg/L) and TMA (53.66 mg/L) production were strongly inhibited by sumac extract in the levels of 55.10 mg/L for Y. enterocolitica and 2.76 mg/L for A. hydrophila, respectively. With the exception of S. aureus, black pepper dramatically reduced the synthesis of putrescine, serotonin, dopamine, and agmatine by FBP especially for Gram-negative ones. Furthermore, sumac extracts inhibited histamine and tyramine production by the majority of FBP. This research suggests the application of sumac extracts as natural preservatives for inhibiting the growth of FBPs and limiting the production of AMN, TMA, and BAs.

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

France – Norovirus suspected in large Airbus outbreak

Posted on January 26, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Norovirus has been determined to be the suspected cause of a large outbreak at Airbus in France in late 2023, according to public health officials.

The Loire-Atlantique regional health agency (ARS) believes norovirus was behind almost 700 people falling sick at the Airbus Atlantic Christmas lunch in mid-December. Findings are based on the clinical symptoms in patients and the time it took for them to appear.

Sick people reported suffering from nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea after the event in Montoir at the company’s restaurant. Testing of food leftovers was negative for norovirus. No detail was given on whether patients or food handlers had been tested.

The varied menu is said to have included a cheese plate, a starter with scallops, a foie gras terrine, beef in sauce, and a lobster dish.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Norovirus, outbreak, Research

USA – Haleon Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Robitussin Honey CF Max Day Adult and Robitussin Honey CF Max Night time Adult Products Due to Microbial Contamination

Posted on January 25, 2024 by | Leave a comment

FDA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 24, 2024 – Warren, NJ, Haleon is voluntarily recalling eight lots of Robitussin Honey CF Max Day Adult and Robitussin Honey CF Max Night time Adult to the consumer level. The product is being recalled due to microbial contamination.

In immunocompromised individuals, the use of the affected product could potentially result in severe or life-threatening adverse events such as fungemia or disseminated fungal infection. In non-immunocompromised consumers, the population most likely to use the product, life-threatening infections are not likely to occur. However, the occurrence of an infection that may necessitate medical intervention cannot be completely ruled out.

To date, Haleon has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall.

Robitussin Honey CF Max Day and Nighttime are cough syrups indicated for the temporary relief of symptoms occurring with cold or flu, hay fever, or other respiratory allergies. This recall covers only the following lots:

Product Lot Number Expiry Date
ROBITUSSIN HONEY CF MAX
DAY ADULT 4OZ		 T10810 31OCT2025
ROBITUSSIN HONEY CF MAX
DAY ADULT 8OZ		 T08730
T08731
T08732
T08733
T10808		 31MAY2025
31MAY2025
31MAY2025
31MAY2025
30SEP2025
ROBITUSSIN HONEY CF MAX
NT ADULT 8OZ		 T08740 T08742 30JUN2026
30JUN2026

Haleon is notifying its distributors and customers directly and has provided them with instructions for the return of all recalled products. Consumers that have purchased the product listed should stop consumption immediately. Please call our Consumer Relations team at +1-800-245-1040 (Monday through Friday 8 AM to 6 PM Eastern Time) or reach out via email to mystory.us@haleon.com.

Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this product.

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Posted in FDA, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, fungi, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbial Spoilage, Mold/ MouldAscospores, Mould Toxin, Mould/Mold, Moulds, product recall, Recall