Category Archives: Microbiological Risk Assessment

Research – Modeling the survival of Campylobacter jejuni in raw milk considering the viable but non-culturable cells (VBNC)

Posted on July 8, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Wiley Online

Abstract

Campylobacter spp. cannot grow in raw milk, but it is able to transform into a viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state enabling the survival in such harsh conditions. In this study, Campylobacter jejuni survival in raw milk was investigated taken into consideration colony-forming units (CFUs) and VBNC cells. CFU from two different strains of C. jejuni (DSM 4688 and BfR-CA-18043) were enumerated at three temperatures (5°C, 8°C, and 12°C). In parallel, a viability real-time PCR was conducted to quantify intact and putatively infectious units (IPIUs) (comprising CFU and VBNC bacteria). The data generated were used to model the viability of C. jejuni during raw milk storage. Here, a one-step fitting approach was performed using parameter estimates from an intermediate two-step fit as starting values to generate tertiary models. Different primary model equations (Trilinear and Weibull) were required to fit the CFU and the IPIU data. Strain-specific linear secondary models were generated to analyze the effect of storage temperature on the maximum specific inactivation rate of the CFU data. The time of the first decimal reduction parameter of the IPIU models could be modeled by a strain-independent linear secondary model. The developed tertiary models for CFU and IPIU differ significantly in their predictions, for example, for the time required for a one log10 reduction. Taken into consideration that VBNC could revert to a culturable state during the raw milk storage, our results underline the importance of considering IPIU and not only CFU to avoid underestimation of the survival of C. jejuni in raw milk.

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Posted in Campylobacter, campylobacter coli, Campylobacter jejuni, 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, Raw Milk, raw milk cheese, Raw Milk Cream, Retailer Campylobacter Survey

Research – Microbial Succession in the Cheese Ripening Process—Competition of the Starter Cultures and the Microbiota of the Cheese Plant Environment

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MDPI

Abstract

A large variety of cheeses can be produced using different manufacturing processes and various starter or adjunct cultures. In this study, we have described the succession of the microbial population during the commercial production and subsequent ripening of smear-ripened cheese using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The composition of the microbiota during the first 6 days of production was constant and consisted mainly of LAB (lactic acid bacteria) originating from the starter culture. From day 7, the proportion of LAB decreased as other bacteria from the production environment appeared. From the 14th day of production, the relative proportion of LAB decreased further, and at the end of ripening, bacteria from the environment wholly dominated. These adventitious microbiota included Psychrobacter, Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis/hodoensis, Vibrio toranzoniae, and Vibrio litoralis (Proteobacteria phylum), as well as Vagococcus and Marinilactibacillus (Firmicutes phylum), Psychrilyobacter (Fusobacteria phylum), and Malaciobacter marinus (Campylobacterota phylum), all of which appeared to be characteristic taxa associated with the cheese rind. Subsequent analysis showed that the production and ripening of smear-ripened cheese could be divided into three stages, and that the microbiota compositions of samples from the first week of production, the second week of production, and supermarket shelf life all differed.

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

Research – Assessing the Risk of Seasonal Effects of Campylobacter Contaminated Broiler Meat Prepared In-Home in the United States

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MDPI

Abstract

Campylobacter has consistently posed a food safety issue in broiler meat. This study aimed to create a quantitative microbial risk assessment model from retail to consumption, designed to evaluate the seasonal risk of campylobacteriosis associated with broiler meat consumption in the United States. To achieve this, data was gathered to build distributions that would enable us to predict the growth of Campylobacter during various stages such as retail storage, transit, and home storage. The model also included potential fluctuations in concentration during food preparation and potential cross-contamination scenarios. A Monte Carlo simulation with 100,000 iterations was used to estimate the risk of infection per serving and the number of infections in the United States by season. In the summer, chicken meat was estimated to have a median risk of infection per serving of 9.22 × 10−7 and cause an average of about 27,058,680 infections. During the winter months, the median risk of infection per serving was estimated to be 4.06 × 10−7 and cause an average of about 12,085,638 infections. The risk assessment model provides information about the risk of broiler meat to public health by season. These results will help understand the most important steps to reduce the food safety risks from contaminated chicken products.

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Posted in Campylobacter, campylobacter coli, Campylobacter jejuni, 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 – Use of Essential Oil Emulsions to Control Escherichia coli O157:H7 in the Postharvest Washing of Lettuce

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MDPI

Abstract

Essential oils (EOs) have strong antibacterial properties and can be potential sanitizers to reduce pathogen load and prevent cross-contamination during postharvest washing. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of emulsions containing oregano (OR; Origanum vulgare) and winter savory (WS; Satureja montana) EOs at different concentrations (0.94 and 1.88 µL/mL) and storage times (0 h, 24 h, and 7 days), in reducing Escherichia coli O157:H7 on the surface of three types of lettuce (romaine, crisphead, and butterhead). The EO emulsions were compared with one no-rinse treatment and three rinse treatments using water, 200 ppm chlorine, and 80 ppm peroxyacetic acid (PAA), respectively, in a simulated washing system. The results showed that while the EO emulsions significantly reduced E. coli O157:H7 on crisphead lettuce over time, not all treatments were effective for romaine and butterhead lettuce. The mixture of OR and WS at concentrations of 0.94 and 1.88 µL/mL was found to be the most effective in reducing E. coli O157:H7 on inoculated lettuce, resulting in reductions of 3.52 and 3.41 log CFU/g, respectively. Furthermore, the PAA and the mixture of OR and WS at 1.88 µL/mL effectively limited bacterial cross-contamination close to the detection limit for all lettuce types during all storage times. These results suggest that OR and WS EOs could serve as potential alternatives to chemical sanitizers for postharvest lettuce washing.

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Posted in Antimicrobials, 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, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk

USA- CDC – Notes from the Field: Doubling of Cyclosporiasis Cases Partially Attributable to a Salad Kit — Florida, 2021–2022

Posted on July 7, 2023 by | Leave a comment

CDC

Cyclosporiasis is a gastrointestinal infection caused by a protozoan parasite, Cyclospora cayetanensis. This species is only known to infect humans and is acquired when oocysts are ingested through food or water contaminated with feces that contain the parasite. The illness was first reported in 1979, and the organism was identified and named in 1994 (1). Historically, infections were typically acquired outside of the United States or from produce that was imported into the United States (1). In recent years, the number of reported U.S. cases has been increasing: cases more than doubled from 537 in 2016 to 1,194 in 2017, and then nearly tripled, to 3,519 cases in 2018; in 2019, 4,703 cyclosporiasis cases were reported.* Recently, the parasite has been found on domestically grown produce (2), and infections have been attributed to these foods (3). Produce washing will decrease but not eliminate the parasite (1).

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Posted in Cyclospora, Cyclosporiasis, Decontamination Microbial, 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

USA – Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

Posted on July 7, 2023 by | Leave a comment

FDA

What’s New

  • A new outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis (ref #1163) in a not yet identified product has been added to the table. FDA has initiated sample collection and analysis.
  • For the outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis (ref #1159), the case count has increased from 36 to 37 cases.
Date
Posted		 Ref Pathogen
or
Cause of
Illness		 Product(s)
Linked to
Illnesses
(if any)		 Total
Case
Count
Status
7/6/2023 1163 Cyclospora
cayetanensis		 Not Yet
Identified		 105 Active
6/14/2023 1157 Salmonella
Paratyphi B
var. L(+)
tartrate+		 Not Yet
Identified		 34 Active
6/14/2023 1159 Cyclospora
cayetanensis		 Not Yet
Identified		 37 Active
5/24/2023 1156 Salmonella
Enteritidis		 Raw
Cookie
Dough		 See
Advisory		 Active
4/26/2023 1152 Not Yet
Identified		 Morel
Mushroom		 See
Advisory		 Active
3/1/2023 1143 Hepatitis
A Virus		 Frozen
Strawberries		 See
Advisory		 Active

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Posted in Cyclospora, Cyclosporiasis, 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, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak, Salmonella

Research – Local Salmonella Enteritidis restaurant outbreak investigation in England provides further evidence for eggs as source in widespread international cluster, March to April 2023

Posted on July 7, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Eurosurveillance

An outbreak of food-borne infection linked to a restaurant was reported to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) East of England Health Protection Team (HPT) in early April 2023. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) results indicated  Enteritidis infection, with all cases in a 5-single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) cluster falling into a wider genomically diverse 10-SNP cluster investigated in several countries. We identified additional cases in the 5-SNP cluster with no known links to the restaurant, and historical cases reported since July 2022.

Our investigations aimed to define common exposures for cases in the 5-SNP cluster to determine the likely source of infection and implement control measures.

A confirmed case was defined as a person with laboratory-confirmed  Enteritidis infection belonging to the 5-SNP cluster 1.2.3.18.180.7268.% [1] in England since 1 March 2023. A probable case was defined as a person with gastroenteritis or confirmed  spp. infection in England who dined at the restaurant of interest from 1 March to 1 April 2023. Confirmed cases were further categorised as having known, unknown or no exposure to the restaurant.

In early April 2023, UKHSA was notified via Accident and Emergency doctors, general practitioners, and a local authority environmental health (EH) department of multiple cases of gastroenteritis following food consumption at a restaurant, with attendance or take-away dates in late March. We identified  Enteritidis as the causative organism.  isolates are routinely sent to the UKHSA Gastrointestinal Bacteria reference unit (GBRU) for sequencing [2]. The outbreak cases were confirmed to be within a 5-SNP cluster defined at UKHSA as 1.2.3.18.180.7268.% matching the Enterobase cgMLST hierarchical cluster HC2_316378 [3], falling into a wider genomically diverse cluster 1.2.3.18.180.%/HC5_2301 that is subject to several national and international investigations.

Cases identified through initial case notifications were interviewed using generic food history questionnaires; for cases notified since 2 May 2023, a bespoke menu-based questionnaire was used. Early cases were re-interviewed with the bespoke questionnaire completed by telephone or online. Additional cases identified through WGS were contacted to establish whether they were linked to the restaurant, and if so, asked to complete the bespoke questionnaire by telephone or online. Cases who did not reveal exposure to the restaurant completed a modified  trawling questionnaire focussed on poultry products.

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Posted in 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, Salmonella in Eggs

Quebec- Notice not to consume the Pam Pi Gou brand 100% Haitian seasoning mix sold by the company Épicerie antillais et casse-croute Ében-Ézer – Clostridium botulinum

Posted on July 7, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Quebec

QUEBEC CITY , July 6. 2, 2023 /CNW/ – The Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation (MAPAQ), in collaboration with Épicerie antillais et casse-croute Ében-Ézer, located at 125, rue Valmont, in Repentigny , advises the population not to consume the product indicated in the table below, because it has not been prepared and packaged in such a way as to ensure its harmlessness. Indeed, this product could promote the proliferation of the bacterium  Clostridium botulinum .

Product name

Format

Affected lot

“100% HAITIAN SEASONING”

500ml  _

Units sold until July 5, 2023

The product that is the subject of this warning was offered for sale until July 5, 2023, and only at the place designated above. The product was packaged in a Mason type glass jar and sold chilled. The product label includes, in addition to its name, the words “PAM PI GOU”.

The operator is voluntarily recalling the product in question. It has agreed with MAPAQ to issue this warning as a precautionary measure. In addition, people who have this product in their possession are advised not to consume it. They must return it to the establishment where they bought it or throw it away.

Even if the affected product shows no sign of tampering or suspicious odor, it could be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum bacteria . Foods contaminated with the toxin of this bacterium can cause, when ingested, the following symptoms: facial paralysis, non-reactive or fixed pupils, difficulty swallowing, droopy eyelids, vision and speech disorders. In severe cases, the disease can cause death.

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

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Posted in Clostridium, Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, food recall, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Recall

New in August on Netflix – Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food

Posted on July 7, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

The doc first premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival with multiple screenings taking place between June 9th and June 17th first premiering at the SVA Theatre on June 9th.  It also was shown in the author, Jeff Benedict’s, hometown, as well as Bill Marler’s, the main character of the film.

Here’s what you can expect from the documentary based on the book Poisoned by Jeff Benedict (which has an updated cover to reflect the Netflix adaptation).Netflix was first announced to be attached to develop the documentary on the 2011 book back in November 2022.  Here is the link and the cover:

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

Sweden – Increase in cases of illness with Campylobacter infection

Posted on July 7, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Folkhalsomyndigheten

Campylobacter kswfoodworld

In recent weeks, there has been an increase in the number of people who have contracted campylobacter infection. The rise in the number of cases is preceded by an increase in campylobacter in broiler flocks. Good hygiene when handling raw chicken reduces the risk of becoming infected.

There has been an increase in the number of people who have been infected by the intestinal bacteria campylobacter in recent weeks. During week 26, the number of reported cases increased further compared to previous weeks and the increase looks set to continue.

Figure: The number of reported cases of campylobacter per week infected in Sweden or with an unknown country of infection (230706). Week 27 is not yet complete.

The number of sick people increased from week 21 to 60 cases per week from 30 cases. In week 26, the cases increased further, a similar increase is seen in 2020-2022.

From mid-June, an increase in the occurrence of campylobacter in Swedish broiler flocks has also been observed. Previous studies have shown a connection between campylobacter infection and the consumption of fresh chicken, where around a third of those who have contracted the disease have been linked to fresh chicken. Campylobacter infection in humans is more common in summer as is the presence of campylobacter in broiler flocks.

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Posted in Campylobacter, campylobacter coli, Campylobacter jejuni, Decontamination Microbial, 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