Category Archives: Microbiology Investigations

Research – Mycotoxins and Essential Oils—From a Meat Industry Hazard to a Possible Solution: A Brief Review

Posted on November 22, 2022 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Abstract

The preservation of food supplies has been humankind’s priority since ancient times, and it is arguably more relevant today than ever before. Food sustainability and safety have been heavily prioritized by consumers, producers, and government entities alike. In this regard, filamentous fungi have always been a health hazard due to their contamination of the food substrate with mycotoxins. Additionally, mycotoxins are proven resilient to technological processing. This study aims to identify the main mycotoxins that may occur in the meat and meat products “Farm to Fork” chain, along with their effect on the consumers’ health, and also to identify effective methods of prevention through the use of essential oils (EO). At the same time, the antifungal and antimycotoxigenic potential of essential oils was considered in order to provide an overview of the subject. Targeting the main ways of meat products’ contamination, the use of essential oils with proven in vitro or in situ efficacy against certain fungal species can be an effective alternative if all the associated challenges are addressed (e.g., application methods, suitability for certain products, toxicity). View Full-Text

Leave a comment

Posted in Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Technology, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Mould Toxin, Mould/Mold, Mycotoxin, Research, Technology

Research – Molecular Epidemiological Evidence Implicates Cattle as a Primary Reservoir of Campylobacter jejuni Infecting People via Contaminated Chickens

Posted on November 22, 2022 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

CDC Campy

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the relative contribution of cattle to the burden of illness in a model agroecosystem with high rates of human campylobacteriosis (≥ 115 cases/100 K), and high densities of cattle, including large numbers of cattle housed in confined feeding operations (i.e., in southwestern Alberta, Canada).
To accomplish this, a large-scale molecular epidemiological analysis of Campylobacter jejuni circulating within the study location was completed. In excess of 8000 isolates of C. jejuni from people (n = 2548 isolates), chickens (n = 1849 isolates), cattle (n = 2921 isolates), and water (n = 771 isolates) were subtyped.
In contrast to previous studies, the source attribution estimates of clinical cases attributable to cattle vastly exceeded those attributed to chicken (i.e., three- to six-fold). Moreover, cattle were often colonized by C. jejuni (51%) and shed the bacterium in their feces.
A large proportion of study isolates were found in subtypes primarily associated with cattle (46%), including subtypes infecting people and those associated with chickens (19%). The implication of cattle as a primary amplifying reservoir of C. jejuni subtypes in circulation in the study location is supported by the strong cattle association with subtypes that were found in chickens and in people, a lack of evidence indicating the foodborne transmission of C. jejuni from beef and dairy, and the large number of cattle and the substantial quantities of untreated manure containing C. jejuni cells.
Importantly, the evidence implicated cattle as a source of C. jejuni infecting people through a transmission pathway from cattle to people via the consumption of chicken. This has implications for reducing the burden of campylobacteriosis in the study location and elsewhere. View Full-Text

Leave a comment

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

 USA – Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak (reference # 1113) 

Posted on November 21, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning News

kswfoodworld salmonella

As of November 16, 2022, a Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak (reference # 1113) has been identified in the United States with no known source as the cause of the outbreak. A total of 264 cases have been identified in connection with the outbreak, though the number of actual cases is thought to be much higher and the investigation remains ongoing. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is leading the investigation in collaboration with both federal, state, and local partners. The FDA is currently working vigilantly to find the source of the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak and will update the public accordingly.

Leave a comment

Posted in 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, Salmonella

Singapore – Suspension of Rasel Catering Singapore Pte Ltd’s food business operations – Gatroenteritis

Posted on November 21, 2022 by | Leave a comment

SFA

The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) are investigating two incidents of gastroenteritis affecting a total of 284 persons who reported gastroenteritis symptoms after consuming food prepared by Rasel Catering Singapore Pte Ltd between 8 and 16 November 2022. They either sought outpatient treatment, self-medicated, or recovered without treatment. None were hospitalised.

Leave a comment

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

Research – Crustaceans (shrimp, crab, and lobster): A comprehensive review of their potential health hazards and detection methods to assure their biosafety

Posted on November 20, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Wiley Online

Abstract

Crustaceans are popular seafood items worldwide owing to their rich nutritional value, unique tastes, and their incorporation in a variety of cuisines. There has been a great concern about the safety of crustaceans for human consumption being more prone to hazardous contaminants due to their exposure to diverse habitats and unhealthy farming and handling practices. These hazards can arise from chemical contaminants such as heavy metals, environmental pollutants, and biotoxins or biological sources, that is, pathogenic microbes and parasites. The different types of chemical contamination of crustaceans as well as biological hazards are reviewed as major part of this review. Although there are many reviews on contaminants in fisheries, nothing is traces to crustaceans. The current review compiles the food safety hazards of crustaceans arising from both chemical and biological origins and their impact on human health in farmed versus wild origins. The different methods of contaminants detection, viz. microbiological, molecular, and analytical methods, as well as control measures viz. cooking and processing methods that can be implemented to safeguard consumer safety are also reviewed. Future perspectives have been raised toward HACCP protocol implementation during handling, processing, and storage of crustaceans and posing real-time freshness monitoring tools such as intelligent packaging.

Leave a comment

Posted in 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 – Combined Pulsed Electric Field with Antimicrobial Caps for Extending Shelf Life of Orange Juice

Posted on November 20, 2022 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of combined pulsed electric fields (PEF) and antimicrobial packaging treatment in maintaining the quality and stability of orange juice stored at 10 °C. Orange juice was treated by PEF and stored in glass jars with antimicrobial caps coated with 10 µL of carvacrol essential oil (AP). Microbial reductions and physiochemical properties of juice samples were determined after treatments and during storage at 10 °C. Orange juice samples subjected to the combined treatment (PEF+AP) had the lowest yeast and mold populations after 14 day-storage at 10 °C. There were no significant differences in pH, acidity, color, total soluble solid contents, total phenol compounds, and Vitamin C among all samples after treatments. Storage studies showed that PEF, AP, and PEF+AP treatments maintained the quality and stability of orange juice stored at 10 °C for 5 weeks but lost Vitamin C. This study provides valuable information to juice processors for consideration and design of nonthermal pasteurization with antimicrobial packaging of juice products. View Full-Text

Leave a comment

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

Research – Occurrence and Characteristics of Escherichia albertii in Wild Birds and Poultry Flocks in Switzerland

Posted on November 19, 2022 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Abstract

Escherichia albertii, a zoonotic pathogen, has sporadically been associated with infectious diarrhea in humans. Poultry and wild birds are considered potential reservoirs. We assessed the occurrence of E. albertii in 280 fecal samples from wild birds (n = 130) and pooled fecal samples collected at slaughterhouse level from poultry flocks (n = 150) in Switzerland. Using an E. albertii-specific PCR targeting the Eacdt gene, 23.8% (31/130) of the samples from wild birds, but not from the pooled poultry fecal samples, tested positive for Eacdt. The positive samples originated from 11 bird species belonging to eight families. Strain isolation was attempted on the PCR-positive samples by subculturing the broth cultures onto xylose–MacConkey plates. Isolation was possible on 12 of the 31 Eacdt-PCR-positive samples. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the strains belonged to nine distinct sequence types, with ST13420 and ST5967 being represented by two and three isolates, respectively. All strains harbored the eae gene, while two strains were also positive for stx2f. Our study thus shows that E. albertii is present in the Swiss wild bird population, which can potentially act as a source of this pathogen to humans, other animals, and the environment. View Full-Text

Leave a comment

Posted in E.albertii, eae, Escherichia albertii, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Pathogen, pathogenic, STX 1, STX 2, Zoonosis

Research – Mathematical modeling of Bacillus cereus in Saengsik, a powdered ready-to-eat food and its application in quantitative microbial risk assessment

Posted on November 19, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Wiley Online

Abstract

In this study, we developed a mathematical model to describe the fate of Bacillus cereus in Saengsik, a powdered ready-to-eat food with reduced moisture content, and to estimate the probability of B. cereus infection from Saengsik consumption, using quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA). The isothermal kinetic behavior of B. cereus was analyzed as a function of temperature (5–40°C). Bacterial cell counts were fitted to the Weibull model using GinaFit, and the obtained delta values (required time for the first decimal reduction) for each temperature were 128.3–17,124.1 hr and concave (ρ < 1) were observed under all experimental conditions. The obtained delta values were analyzed using the Davey model as a function of temperature, and the performance of the developed model of survival of B. cereus was appropriate based on the validation parameters (Bf, Af, and RMSE) within the acceptable range. QMRA model was developed using data on the prevalence and concentration of B. cereus along with time and temperature along the retail-to-consumer steps. Using a baseline model with the currently available data, the probability of B. cereus infection was zero. These results provide useful information for the risk assessment and management of microbial risk in foods, especially those with very low-moisture content.

Leave a comment

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

Greece – Two Clostridium botulinum Cases

Posted on November 18, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Hellas Posten

The EODY rang the bell for two serious cases of botulism in Greece.

As he states in his announcement, on November 15, 2022, a confluence of 2 suspected botulism cases linked to each other by a family relationship (couple) was declared through the EODY’s Mandatory Disease Notification System.

The botulism antitoxin distribution mechanism was immediately mobilized through the EODY, in collaboration with the treating doctors, to administer the antitoxin to the two patients.

With the assistance of the World Health Organization, it was possible to administer the special antitoxin within the first twenty-four hours from the declaration of the 2 cases to EODY. The two patients, one of whom is intubated, are hospitalized in a stable clinical condition in health units in Attica.

According to the EODY, from the reported food consumption history, it emerged that the couple, of foreign nationality, who were in Greece on vacation, consumed, a few days before the onset of symptoms, asparagus prepared by them through the canning process.

It is noted that in the period 2004-2021, three laboratory-confirmed cases of botulism in infants and one suspected case in an adult were reported to EODY.

Leave a comment

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

Sweden – At least 100 ill in Swedish Cryptosporidium salad outbreak

Posted on November 18, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

water contamination

A rise in Cryptosporidium infections in Sweden has been attributed to contaminated salad by public health officials.

The Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten) said 101 cases of a certain type of Cryptosporidium parvum had been confirmed in 13 regions of the country.

Patients fell ill from Sept. 25 to Oct. 15 this year and women were more affected than men. Cases range from 4 to 86 years old with an average age of 42.

Link to salad
The agency added there are another 99 potential cases being investigated. The type of Cryptosporidium parvum involved is common so there could be several possible sources.

Local infection control units, the Swedish Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket) and Folkhälsomyndigheten investigated the increase in infections to find a source.

Analysis of information from patients on what they had eaten before becoming ill shows they ate mixed or bagged salad more often than a control group.

Salad has a short shelf life so health officials don’t think it is still available for sale but no products have been sampled.

Livsmedelsverket has looked into possible producers and growers but has been unable to find the likely source of infection.

As reported cases of Cryptosporidium have decreased and are at similar levels to previous years, officials believe the outbreak is over.

Leave a comment

Posted in Contaminated water, Cryptosporidiosis, Cryptosporidium, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety