Category Archives: Microbiology

Research – Evaluation of the use of ampicillin- and streptomycin-resistant Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli to reduce the burden of background microbiota during food safety studies

Posted on November 18, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Wiley Online

Tracking artificially seeded foodborne pathogens in foods with high background microbiota is challenging. Wheat flour and its subsidiary products are known to carry a high native microbial load, which could interfere with tracking and enumeration of target organisms in such matrices. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) serogroups O26, O121, and O157:H7 were transformed with the pGFPuv plasmid encoding ampicillin resistance (+Amp) and green fluorescent protein and were additionally conferred resistance to streptomycin (+Amp + Strep) through exposure to incremental concentrations of the antibiotic. Growth characteristics of these antibiotic-resistant strains were compared to those of the nonresistant native strains (NR). The supplementation of ampicillin and ampicillin + streptomycin in growth media was evaluated for its ability to suppress growth of the native microbial load of three different commercial cake mixes. Antibiotic supplementation in growth media was successful in suppressing the native microbiota of the cake mixes, while the growth characteristics of the +Amp + Strep variants of the three STEC strains did not differ significantly from the NR strains (p > .05). These results indicate that STEC strains with ampicillin and streptomycin resistance markers have improved trackability over their wild-type counterparts when isolated from food matrices with high background microbiota. These strains would be advantageous for use in laboratory experiments on STEC survival in wheat and wheat derived products as their detection and enumeration can occur without interference from native microbial load.

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Posted in Antibiotic Resistance, E.coli O121, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, E.coli O26, 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 – Antimicrobial Potential of Plastic Films Incorporated with Sage Extract on Chicken Meat

Posted on November 18, 2021 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

The function of packaging is crucial in the maintenance of fresh meat product quality. This study aimed to assess the efficiency of six films added with coatings 2379L/220 and 2379L/221 (containing sage extracts) to inhibit Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli, which showed that two of the six films had a significant effect. Additionally, the effects of the films on refrigerated skinless chicken breast meat were evaluated based on microbiological content, colour, weight loss, texture and pH. Four of the six films were examined could extend the storability of refrigerated chicken breast fillets for up to seven days. All six treated films improved the pH, colour stability, weight loss, and texture of the chicken fillets. Therefore, these findings suggested that the coatings containing sage extracts having different viscosities (2379L/220 and 2379L/221) were effective as antimicrobial adhesives in food packaging films and can be commercially applied in prolonging the storage of chicken breast meat without affecting their quality. View Full-Text

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, E.coli, escherichia coli, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Research, Salmonella, Salmonella in Chicken, Staphylococcus aureus

New Zealand – Second round of consultation on food safety management of berries, leafy vegetables and melons

Posted on November 17, 2021 by | Leave a comment

FSANZ

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is commencing a second round of public consultation on its review of food safety in the berries, leafy vegetables and melons sectors.
FSANZ has assessed four regulatory and non-regulatory options for each sector to identify a preferred approach to improve food safety management and reduce rates of foodborne illness.
FSANZ Interim Chief Executive Officer Dr Sandra Cuthbert said the agency considered a variety of factors in its assessment.
“We took into account food safety risks, costs of foodborne illness, coverage of existing industry schemes, the lack of a national approach, cost-benefit and submissions to our first round of consultation when reviewing the options for each sector,” Dr Cuthbert said.
“As a result of this assessment, FSANZ’s preferred approach is to recommend the introduction of a combination of regulatory and non-regulatory measures to manage food safety in these sectors, delivering an estimated $138 million in net benefits over a 10-year period.

“We believe this option has the best cost-benefit ratio in terms of the costs of implementation and the benefits in reducing illness.”

Through proposal P1052 – Primary Production and Processing Requirements for Horticulture (Berries, Leafy Vegetables and Melons), FSANZ proposes to:

  • amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to include a primary production and processing standard for each of the three sectors, and
  • work with industry to develop non-regulatory measures to assist businesses to understand and comply with the standards.

“The food safety management measures included in the draft proposed standards would align with those in existing industry food safety schemes, to support cost-effective implementation by businesses already participating in such schemes,” Dr Cuthbert said.

“Should the proposed draft standards be introduced, they would create a level playing field for businesses in managing food safety and further strengthen consumer confidence in the safety of this fresh produce.

“Although a combination of regulatory and non-regulatory measures is currently FSANZ’s preferred approach, we are seeking information and views on all options.

“We recognise this is an important proposal for the three sectors and have extended the consultation period from six to 12 weeks to ensure we effectively engage businesses, industry and regulators in the process.”

FSANZ invites comments from interested parties on the proposed measures by 6pm (Canberra time) 9 February 2022. FSANZ will consider all submissions before making a final decision. All FSANZ decisions on proposals to develop or update standards are notified to the ministers responsible for food regulation in Australia and New Zealand, who can ask for a review or agree that the standard should become law.

More information

Media contact:

  • 0401 714 265 (Australia)
  •  +61 401 714 265 (from New Zealand)
  • media@foodstandards.gov.au

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Research

UK – FSA and UKRI join forces with the public to explore food safety

Posted on November 16, 2021 by | Leave a comment

FSA

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) are awarding a total of £200,000 to fund six projects to bring the public and researchers together to investigate food standards challenges.

These citizen science projects include exploring the bacteria on home grown produce, parents testing the safety of baby formula, and people with food hypersensitivities analysing the allergens in food bought online.

All of the funded projects are linked to the FSA’s Areas of Research Interest themes (Opens in a new window), covering issues such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), food hypersensitivity and food safety and hygiene in the home. The funding was delivered in collaboration with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) (Opens in a new window) and the Economic and Social research Council (ESRC) (Opens in a new window), both part of UKRI. It is part of a wider effort to coordinate activities and develop a joined-up approach to tackle the challenges of maintaining safe food in the UK.

Citizen science projects put the public at the heart of the research process. Rather than being the subjects of the research, citizens are actively involved in collecting and analysing data, and even deciding what questions they want to ask and co-developing the approaches with researchers. Citizen science gives participants the opportunity to directly contribute to scientific research and influence policy.

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

Ireland – Councillor hopeful north Kerry boil water notice could be lifted this week – Cryptosporidium

Posted on November 16, 2021 by | Leave a comment

water contamination

Radio Kerry

A Kerry county councillor says it’s hoped a boil water notice affecting 3,500 people for over a month could be lifted later this week.

On October 11th, the HSE issued a boil water notice for people supplied by the Ardfert North/Ballyheigue scheme, following the detection of cryptosporidium.

Irish Water is currently installing a UV system, which is now being commissioned before the matter is referred back to the HSE.

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Posted in Boil Water Notice, Contaminated water, Cryptosporidiosis, Cryptosporidium, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

Research – Brazil turns to WTO on EU Salmonella poultry dispute; WTO reviews other issues

Posted on November 16, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

kswfoodworld Salmonella

Brazil has again gone to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in a dispute with the European Union about controls of Salmonella in poultry meat.

The South American country has requested dispute consultations with the EU about measures on the import of salted poultry meat and turkey meat with pepper.

Brazil claims the EU’s approach to Salmonella food safety criteria on fresh poultry meat and some poultry meat preparations intended to be eaten cooked are inconsistent with WTO’s agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which creates “unjustified barriers” to trade.

The request for consultations is the first formal dispute step in the WTO process. It gives those involved an opportunity to discuss the matter and find a solution without litigation. After 60 days, if consultations have failed to resolve the dispute, Brazil may request a verdict by a panel.

Brazil has already raised a specific trade concern (STC) about the EU’s Salmonella food safety rules for fresh and poultry meat preparations on four occasions since 2017.

In the EU, fresh poultry meat cannot be placed on the market if Salmonella Enteritidis or Salmonella Typhimurium are detected. Rules on poultry meat preparations require the absence of all serotypes of Salmonella in a 25 gram sample.

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Posted in Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Salmonella, Salmonella in Chicken

India – Two-and-half-year-old boy dies of food poisoning in Kozhikode, six children admitted to hospital

Posted on November 15, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Kerala Kaumudi

KOZHIKODE: A two-and-a-half-year-old boy died and several other children fell ill due to food poisoning at Narikkuni in Kozhikode

The children fell ill after eating a chicken dish served during a wedding function

Police and health officials have launched an investigation into the incident

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, Food Poisoning Death, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Poisoning

Kerala – Kerala reports 13 cases of Norovirus

Posted on November 15, 2021 by | Leave a comment

First Post

Kerala has been put on alert after at least 13 cases of norovirus have been recorded in Wayanad district.

The infection was reported in some 13 students of a veterinary college in Pookode near Vythiri in Wayanad district two weeks ago.

As State health minister Veena George asked people to be vigilant, here’s a look at what the virus is, its symptoms and what can be done to treat it.

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Norovirus, Virus

Malaysia – Cholera In Selangor, Careful When Drinking Water, KKM Says

Posted on November 15, 2021 by | Leave a comment

TRP

Food Illness

The Health Ministry (KKM) has given out warnings to the public over the weekend on the dangers of cholera after the Petaling Health District discovered one case.

Selangor State Health Department mentioned that the case was reported on 21 October 2021, involving a 56-year-old patient.

The public is urged to:

  • drink treated or boiled water.
  • practice personal hygiene and always wash their hands.
  • do not eat raw or uncooked food. (sorry sushi lovers)

One is advised to seek immediate medical attention if they’ve experienced diarrhea.

Further investigations have been conducted thoroughly however we have not been able to identify the cause of the infection and no new cases have been received so far. Therefore, in line with the MOH’s recommendation, the Selangor State Health Department would like to emphasize that cholera can spread quickly and can cause death if not treated immediately.

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Posted in Contaminated water, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Vibrio, Vibrio cholera, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

Research – The Prevalence and Epidemiology of Salmonella in Retail Raw Poultry Meat in China: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Posted on November 14, 2021 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Foodborne disease caused by Salmonella is an important public health concern worldwide. Animal-based food, especially poultry meat, is the main source of human salmonellosis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and epidemiology of Salmonella contamination in raw poultry meat commercialized in China. Following the principle of systematic review, 98 sets of prevalence data were extracted from 74 publications conducted in 21 Chinese provincial regions. The random-effect model was constructed for subgrouping analysis by meat category, preservation type, and geographical location. The prevalence levels differed from high to low among raw poultry meat, including chicken, 26.4% (95% CI: 22.4–30.8%); pigeon, 22.6% (95% CI: 18.2–27.8%); duck, 10.1% (95% CI: 5.3–18.2%); and other poultry meat, 15.4% (95% CI: 12.0–19.5%). Prevalence data on the preservation type revealed that chilled poultry meat might be more likely to experience cross-contamination than non-chilled poultry meat in China. The distribution map of Salmonella for raw poultry meat showed that a higher prevalence level was found in the Shaanxi, Henan, Sichuan, and Beijing regions. All subgroups possessed high amounts of heterogeneity (I2 > 75%). The scientific data regarding the differences in prevalence levels between meat category, preservation method, and geographical region sources might be useful to improve specific interventions to effectively control the incidence of Salmonella in poultry meat. View Full-Text

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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 Chicken