Category Archives: Microbiology Investigations

Scotland – COVID-19 Guidance for Food Business Operators and Their Employees

Posted on January 5, 2022 by | Leave a comment

FSS

Food Standard Scotland’s guidance on COVID-19 for food businesses was first published in April 2020, and has been continually updated since then to take account of new evidence, changes to public health advice and the introduction of mandatory mitigation measures needed to control the spread of the virus.

With the arrival of the new Omicron variant, businesses should strengthen compliance with current protection measures and make an extra effort to do so from now through the festive period and beyond.

Since movement beyond level 0, food businesses have been following a baseline set of mitigation measures that was retained across all sectors. With the arrival of the new variant, food businesses are being referred to the updated Scottish Government’s general safer workplaces guidance which aims to further support businesses in controlling the risks of COVID-19. This guidance is for all businesses and workplaces and provides advice on measures that should be taken to reduce risk and create a safe environment for customers and staff.

To assist food businesses in translating the measures in the Scottish Government safer workplaces guidance, FSS has produced a risk assessment tool which will support FBOs in identifying and documenting the actions they need to take to prevent the spread of COVID-19, whilst maintaining an effective Food Safety Management System (FSMS). The tool provides a way of allowing all FBOs to document the measures they have taken, and demonstrate that these are being maintained on an on-going basis to ensure their staff and customers are protected from the risks of COVID-19.

FSS has also produced guidance for FBOs on the investigation of COVID-19 outbreaks. This has been developed in collaboration with Public Health Scotland (PHS) which aims to help food businesses understand how decisions will be taken when an outbreak of COVID-19 is identified in their workforce. This guidance is split into two main sections which describes what FBOs are expected to know in relation to controlling COVID-19 in the workplace, and how to prepare for an IMT.

This guidance package is essential for all food businesses operating throughout the current stage of the pandemic. Using the resources supplied by FSS and Scottish Government will also support FBOs in engaging with their employees on the management of COVID-19 risks to ensure a safe working environment, in accordance with the joint statement on ‘fair work expectations during the transition out of lockdown’ signed by The Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work & Culture, CoSLA, the Institute of Directors and Scottish Council for Development & Industry, the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations and the STUC. All employers are asked to reflect on and act in accordance with the Statement as the economy re-opens and to help progress the ambition shared by the Scottish Government and the Fair Work Convention for Scotland to become a Fair Work Nation.

It is important to note that this guidance package will continue to be reviewed regularly in line with Scottish Government’s review of COVID-19 restrictions, as well as emerging evidence and any further changes to public health advice.

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Posted in COVID-19, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations

UK – Guidance on use of Alternative Sanitation Systems for the Disinfection of Cutting Tools in Slaughterhouses

Posted on January 5, 2022 by | Leave a comment

FSS

This guidance is principally intended for food business operators (FBOs) in Slaughterhouses, Approved Game Handling Establishments (AGHE) and Cutting Plants.

This guidance sets out the process for implementing the use of alternative methods for the disinfection of tools in a Slaughterhouse, AGHE or Cutting Plant in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It provides an overview of the assessment processes for Officials and FBOs, including details of their roles and responsibilities. The guidance is not intended to detail all possible alternative disinfection methods or highlight how certain methods could be used on the wide variety of tools available.

It is ultimately the responsibility of the FBO to provide information on the method, the tools that will be disinfected, the validation data, the verification controls post- implementation and the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the use of the alternative method equivalent to the use of water above 82˚C.

FSA and FSS operations (and DAERA on behalf of FSA in Northern Ireland), in consultation with their Science colleagues, will assess the suitability of the alternative system and the validity of the SOP, when required.

Click to access FSA_FSANI_and_FSS_Guidance_for_Alternative_Systems_on_the_Disinfection_of_Tools_-_v6_final_-_October_2021.pdf

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

UK – Retailer’s Campylobacter results above FSA limit

Posted on January 5, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Marks and Spencer has again recorded the highest Campylobacter in chicken results in updated quarterly figures from the United Kingdom.

Campylobacter is the most common cause of bacterial food poisoning in the UK and the dose needed to make people sick can be as low as a few hundred cells. Marks and Spencer is the only retailer to publish data showing the percentage of chickens contaminated at 100 to 1,000 CFU/g and at under 100 CFU/g.

Contamination figures published by the retailer went down as the quarter went on. The latest data covers July to September 2021 for nine retailers on Campylobacter in fresh, shop-bought, UK-produced chickens.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) maximum level is 7 percent of birds with more than 1,000 colony forming units per gram (CFU/g) of Campylobacter. Marks and Spencer results were also above this limit in May and June 2021.

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Posted in Campylobacter, Campylobacter jejuni, Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Research, Retailer Campylobacter Survey

CPS – Research Project Funding 2022 – Bulb Onions

Posted on January 5, 2022 by | Leave a comment

CPS

Assessing the potential for production practices to impact dry bulb onion safety

In 2020, the dry bulb onion industry faced their first significant outbreak of foodborne illness when red onions grown in California were epidemiologically linked to >1,000 cases of salmonellosis. Since then, industry and food safety experts have been scratching their heads to figure out how this could have happened. After review of outbreak data and consultation with various stakeholders, we have identified a small number of practices with the potential to contribute to a large-scale contamination event, through water or agricultural input contamination. We have designed field trials to determine the risks of using contaminated water source or other agricultural input when 1) applying crop protection sprays (pesticides and/or clay) and 2) during irrigation (overhead vs. drip). Our primary goal is to collect evidence demonstrating risks of these practices and to communicate our findings to relevant stakeholders to reduce the potential for outbreak like this from recurring in the future. We will share our findings via a broad outreach strategy that communicates with industry throughout the two-year study. Outreach activities culminate with the development and delivery of a workshop and best practices guide that enables growers to better understand risks and implement changes to minimize the likelihood of crop contamination.

CPS

Strategic approaches to mitigate Salmonella contamination of bulb onions

The proposal aims to address the recent multi-state Salmonella outbreak associated with red onion, resulting in nationwide recalls of onions and associated products. The outbreak highlights the pathogen’s ability to persist and survive on bulb onions during production, handling, or storage, causing significant concern to the onion produce industry. Although Salmonella’s persistence on other farm produce is documented, there is a general lack of knowledge on Salmonella’s behavior on bulb onions. We propose developing an onion-specific risk reduction plan by investigating Salmonella’s survival and growth on onion bulbs using different genetic backgrounds, nutritional compositions influenced by agronomic practices, seasons, and managed stress environments. Additionally, to understand the potential to serve as a transient host for transmission, we will investigate the effects of genetic, nutritional, and physiochemical characters on Salmonella survival and growth. This project will provide the industry with tools (1) to identify factors in the onion production and supply chain that may allow a Salmonella to persist, (2) identify varieties and agronomic practices that would minimize or eliminate its persistence, and (3) to help the produce industry in developing guidelines to manage risks of Salmonella in onions effectively.

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

Research – USA – Hepatitis A

Posted on January 4, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

As of Nov. 9, 2021, health officials in Roanoke, Virginia, confirmed a total of 50 primary cases and two secondary cases of hepatitis A linked to a hepatitis A positive food service employee who worked at three Famous Anthony’s restaurants. Of those 52 cases, there have been at least 31 hospitalizations with one liver transplant, and unfortunately, three deaths. 

Hepatitis A is a highly contagious disease that attacks the liver. It is also the only vaccine-preventable foodborne illness. Hepatitis A vaccines are available and given out nationwide for free by local health departments, or at a cost of less than $100. 

So why aren’t all food workers vaccinated against hepatitis A? Your guess is as good as mine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hepatitis A vaccines are safe and effective at preventing hepatitis A infections. Severe allergic reactions following vaccination are rare, and the common side effects are usually mild and last 1-2 days. 

Had the food service employee who exposed patrons of three Famous Anthony’s restaurants been vaccinated, the Seattle law firm Marler Clark would not be representing 27 individuals in this outbreak and the families of two who died.  The cost to this restaurant will be in the tens of millions of dollars and will likely result in bankruptcy.

In the link above is what employers of food service employees and the CDC can do to prevent future illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths.

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Virus

Research – Best Practice for the Control of Human Pathogenic Microorganisms in Plant Production Systems

Posted on January 4, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Teagasc

There is an increased emphasis on and observance of food-borne diseases associated with fresh produce, due in part to changes in the processing, agronomy and distribution of fresh produce but also in the increasing trend for the consumption of minimally processed and raw, ready-to-eat crops. A recent meeting of European experts and commercial growers, assembled under the HuPlant Cost Action assessed the current European situation in relation to the safety of horticultural produce under the themes of
(1) protecting fresh produce from microbial pathogens,
(2) control strategies and sampling and
(3) risk assessment and risk based sampling.
The following report details the discussions and observations which emanated from that meeting, including a list of recommendations, aimed at
(1) Growers,
(2) Regulators and Advisors and
(3) Scientists.
For growers recommendations include reinforcement through clear communication on the need to prevent initial contamination of produce through the adoption of good microbiological safety practice, utilising on farm risk assessments and a focus on avoidance of initial contamination rather than a reliance on decontamination efforts.
This can be achieved through approaches such as the adoption and incorporation of good agricultural practice and good hygiene into standard operating procedures on farm. Recommendations to regulators and advisors include balancing communication messages to growers, indicating what is required of them, but also equally, clearly explaining why it is necessary.
Additionally it was felt that additional supports and materials could be made available to growers, particularly to smaller growers, to assist in the training of staff on the importance of biological safety practice, particularly in sectors where staff turnover may be high and differences in the native languages spoken.
Finally recommendations to scientists include a greater emphasis on knowledge transfer and also to, where possible focus knowledge transfer efforts into developing clear recommendations which growers can implement. The interaction between the plant microbiome, potential pathogens, environmental conditions and agricultural practices requires a greater level of attention and research to aid in predict the risk of human pathogen establishment.
Overall it was recognised that through increased interaction and information exchange between stakeholders will enable better understanding of the issues and opportunities faced by the horticultural sector and the co-creation of advice through participation of all stakeholders can assist in reducing the risk of contamination of horticultural produce.

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

Thailand – Norovirus outbreak reported in Chanthaburi

Posted on January 4, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today

Norovirus Food Safety kswfoodworld

According to the Head of the Clinical Emerging Disease Center Chulalongkorn Hospital, Asst. Prof. Dr. Opas Putcharoen said test results of 6 out of 8 people patients were Norovirus Genogroup II.

Earlier this week, reporters reported that their were a number of people on social media posting messages about the phenomenon of people in Chanthaburi province who had diarrhea, food poisoning and abdominal pain at the same time.

Reports are in residents and tourists. A specific location or food source has not been reported.

Officials recommend careful handwashing with soap and water.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Virus, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Norovirus, outbreak, Virus

Research – Control of Bacillus weihenstephanensis in Pasteurized Liquid Whole Eggs Formulated with Nisin

Posted on January 3, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Journal of Food Protection

Bacillus weihenstephanensis can grow at refrigeration temperature and cause food poisoning. It has been isolated from liquid whole egg products. The moderate heat used for pasteurization of liquid egg products is ineffective for killing spore-forming bacteria including Bacillus. Available predictive models and a pretrial study in broth suggested the potential for growth of Bacillus spp. under the tested conditions. Hence, hurdles such as storage of product below 4°C or use of preservatives would be needed to ensure the food safety of pasteurized egg products. This study evaluated the growth inhibition of B. weihenstephanensis in pasteurized liquid whole egg product formulated with 6.25 ppm nisin during storage at refrigerated and abuse refrigerated temperatures for a total 13 weeks, in three replicate trials. At day 0, the product had a pH of 7.52±0.29, while background microflora such as aerobic plate counts, presumptive B. cereus, and yeast and molds were <10 CFU/g. Product inoculated with target 2.5 log10 CFU/g of B. weihenstephanensis, stored at 4°C for 4 weeks and subsequently at 7 or 10°C for 9 weeks exhibited no growth in all three replicate trials.  Average counts reduced (p<0.05) by at least one-log10 in six weeks in all samples stored at either 7 or 10°C. Similarly, growth of total plate counts, presumptive Bacillus spp., yeast and mold counts was not observed in uninoculated controls stored at 4°C for 4 weeks and subsequently at 7 or 10°C for 9 weeks. Visual and odor evaluation performed at each sampling time point showed no abnormalities. This study assessed the efficacy of maximum allowed level of nisin for use in pasteurized liquid whole eggs and validated the inhibition of B. weihenstephanensis in the product for an extended shelf life of up to 13 weeks.

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Posted in Bacillus, Bacillus weihenstephanensis, Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Technology, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Research, Technology

Research – Prevalence and patterns of fecal shedding of Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli by cattle at a commercial feedlot in South Africa

Posted on January 3, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Wiley Online

Healthy colonized cattle are the major reservoir of Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and play a key role in the entry point of the pathogen into the beef chain. Excretion rates and the concentration of the pathogen in feces influence the epidemiology and transmission of the pathogen within herds and to humans. This study evaluated the prevalence and dynamics of fecal shedding of STEC by cattle in a commercial feedlot in Gauteng, South Africa. An initial cross-sectional survey was conducted; fecal samples were obtained from 106 randomly selected weaned beef calves on arrival at the feedlot using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to screen by detecting stx1 and stx2 genes. Subsequently, a longitudinal study was conducted, and 15 STEC-positive and 11 STEC-negative cattle were sampled monthly and followed to slaughter. STEC O157 and non-O157 were enumerated in samples using commercial chromogenic agar. Initial prevalence of STEC shedding was 27% (29/106; 95% CI [19, 37%]). All 26 cattle shed STEC intermittently or continuously during the study period, all except one were super-shedders (≥4 log10 CFU/g) at one or more samplings, and 19 (73%) were persistent or intermittent super-shedders. Of the 38 STEC isolates recovered, 15 (39%) were serotypeable, representing 11 non-O157 serogroups, including O101, O168, O178, and O68. The most frequent virulence combination profile was stx1 + eaeA + ehxA (n = 12; 32%). This study confirms the occurrence and variability of STEC super-shedding in feedlot cattle and highlights that super-shedding is not limited to STEC O157. It also shows their public health significance.

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Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Research, STEC, STEC E.coli

Research – Evaluation of Salmonella Biofilm Cell Transfer from Common Food Contact Surfaces to Beef Products

Posted on January 2, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Journal of Food Protection

Meat contamination by Salmonella enterica is a serious public health concern. Available studies have suggested that biofilm formation at processing plants and the contaminated contact surfaces might contribute to meat contamination. Since bacteria transfer from contact surfaces to food products via direct contact has been deemed as the most common transmission route that could lead to contamination, we evaluated the effect of Salmonella biofilm forming ability, contact surface materials, and beef surface tissue types on Salmonella biofilm transfer from hard surfaces to beef products. Salmonella biofilms developed on common contact surface stainless steel (S.S) and polyvinylchloride (P.V.C) were transferred consecutively via direct contacts of 30 sec each to either lean muscle or adipose tissue surfaces of 15 pieces of beef trim. Our results showed that Salmonella biofilm cells could be effectively transferred multiple times from contact surface to beef trim as enumerable Salmonella cells could be detected on most of the meat samples. Bacterial biofilm forming ability had the most significant impact (p<0.05) on transfer efficiency as the strong biofilm forming strains not only transferred higher amounts of bacteria after each contact, but also contaminated more meat samples with enumerable Salmonella cells compared to the weak biofilm formers. Contact surface materials could affect transferability as Salmonella biofilms on S.S surface appeared to transfer more efficiently compared to those on P.V.C surface. Conversely, the two types of meat surface tissues showed no significant difference (p>0.05) on biofilm transfer efficiency. Furthermore, biofilm – contacted beef trim without enumerable Salmonella cells all exhibited positive Salmonella prevalence after enrichment. Our study demonstrated the high potential of Salmonella biofilms on common contact surfaces to cause product cross contamination in meat processing plants.

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Posted in Biofilm, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Research, Salmonella