Category Archives: Research

USA – Research – Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Found in Retail Meat

Posted on February 9, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning BulletiniStock_000008493122Small

The National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) has just released its annual meat report detailing the bacteria found on meat sold at the retail level. The report states that there are increases in antibiotic-resistant bacteria found on ground turkey and chicken.

Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY), a microbiologist, released a press statement about the report. She said, “we are standing on the brink of a public health catastrophe. The threat of antibiotic-resistant disease is real, it si growing and those most at risk are our seniors and children. We can help stop this threat by drastically reducing the overuse of antibiotics in our food supply, and Congress should act swiftly to do so today.” Rep. Slaughter is the author of the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA), which would phase out the use of medically important antibiotics in healthy food-producing animals.

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Posted in Antibiotic Resistance, Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Technology, Food Testing, Methods, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research

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Research – Bacterial Fighting?

Posted on February 7, 2013 by | Leave a comment

mbiosphere

Bacteria and fungi: are they friends of foes? In the case of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans, they’re definitely foes. A study in mBio this week reveals that P. aeruginosa puts the kibosh on C. albicans’ growth by altering the fungus’ respiratory activity.

 

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Technology, Microbiology, Pseudomonas, Research

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UK – FSA – Bite Magazine – Food Safety and Europe

Posted on February 6, 2013 by | Leave a comment

FSAfood_standards_agency_logo

The UK’s relationship with the European Union continues to hit the headlines, highlighting the debate under way on whether the EU works in the interest of its citizens. As a contribution to the discussion, the latest issue of the FSA’s Bite magazine examines the UK’s interaction with Brussels in the area of food safety.

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Standards Agency, Microbiology, Research

Research – Killing Pathogens on Seeds

Posted on February 6, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Science Direct

Farmers treat seeds chemically in order to rid them of pest infestation. Now researchers have developed a method that kills pathogens without harming the environment. Pioneering seed suppliers are already implementing the procedure commercially.

The scientists of the Fraunhofer Institute for Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP in Dresden, Germany have developed an environmentally friendly method for removing germs from seeds. They treat the seeds with electrons, which within milliseconds destroy the DNA of the harmful organisms. Due to a special device setup, the elementary particles only act on the surface and in seed coat. The embryo in the interior of the seed is not affected so that the ability of the seeds to germinate is not impaired.

The scientists from the FEP are confident that, in the long term, the treatment with electrons will prove to be a success story. There is some support for this: Starting in 2015, farmers must prove that they are trying to reduce their CO2 footprint and lower the use of chemical pesticides. “With our unit, we are able to contribute significantly to this,” says Rögner. Should the treatment with electrons gain greater acceptance, the scientists from FEP could license their process to plant construction companies.

The scientists are currently promoting their activities abroad. The FEP is endeavoring to introduce the electron treatment process into the Chinese and Indian markets. “Due to the large amounts of seed produced, we see good opportunities there,” says Rögner.

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Posted in Food Safety, Food Technology, Food Testing, Methods, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research

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Research – China’s Foodborne Illness Statistics

Posted on February 6, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Science Direct

Abstract

To understand the general trends and status of China’s food safety, we analyzed 2387 individual incidents of acute foodborne illnesses that had been reported by medical professionals in published journal papers during the last decade. As a result, 99,487 illnesses and 380 deaths were found in these 2387 incidents. In our analysis, we tried to understand the risks of acute foodborne illnesses and deaths corresponding to food pathogens, food location and settings, implicated food vehicles, sources of contamination and human causes. Based on our analysis, we made recommendations for risk communication, risk management and future research in regard to foodborne illnesses in China.

Highlights

► We analyze China’s food safety problem in the case of acute foodborne illness. ► Data were extracted from detailed reports on 2387 incidents of foodborne illness. ► Risk factors are discussed from multiple perspectives. ► Recommendation for policies and strategies towards food safety are provided. ► This is so far the most comprehensive analysis of acute foodborne illness in China.

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Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, Food Chemistry, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Technology, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Methods, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, Research

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UK – East Midlands Free Listeria Seminar for SME’s

Posted on February 6, 2013 by | Leave a comment

ReadyMealsInfo

East Midlands food businesses that make, distribute and sell chilled, ready-to-eat products are to be given help and advice to help them keep their products safe from Listeria.

According to data from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) serious cases of laboratory-confirmed Listeria infection in the UK almost doubled between 2000 and 2009. In 2010 numbers decreased but were still higher than during the 1990s.
The Food and Drink iNet, which is run by trade organisation The Food and Drink Forum, is funding a six-month collaborative research and development project at The University of Nottingham working with the food hygiene specialists Diversey, to turn the spotlight on the issue.

As part of the project, a seminar is being run to give small and medium-sized businesses in the chilled food sector, guidance and advice about how to manage the risk of Listeria.  The seminar will be held in the Plant Sciences Building at the University’s Sutton Bonington campus between 4 pm and 6.45 pm on Wednesday February 13.

The Food and Drink iNet, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), is managed by a consortium, led by the Food and Drink Forum and including Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and The University of Nottingham. It is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, with advisors covering the East Midlands region to offer a range of support to small and medium-sized enterprises that work in the sector.

To book places at the seminar email iNet advisor Jo Murphy at jo.murphy@foodanddrink-inet.org.uk and for more information visit www.foodanddrink-inet.org.uk

 

 

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Technology, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Methods, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research

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UK -FSA – Results of Industry Testing

Posted on February 5, 2013 by | Leave a comment

FSAfood_standards_agency_logo

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has agreed with the food industry to publish the results of industry testing of meat products, to provide a clearer picture of standards in the food chain. The results will also be made publicly available.

The decision was taken at a meeting to address how testing can maintain consumer confidence in the accuracy of food labelling, attended by Food and Farming Minister David Heath, representatives of the FSA, and major food businesses and suppliers.

Catherine Brown, Chief Executive of the FSA, said: ‘I am pleased that we have been able to agree a way forward to maintain consumer confidence in the food that people eat. We need to move swiftly to get this work under way to reassure consumers.’

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Chemistry, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Standards Agency, Food Technology, Food Testing, Methods, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research

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Research – Super Feezing Campylobacter to Death !

Posted on February 4, 2013 by | Leave a comment

news.scotsman.comCampylobacter

FOOD safety experts plan to “superfreeze” chickens to halt the rise of campylobacter  food poisoning. The Food Standards Agency is currently looking into a procedure which involves exposing the surface of slaughtered chickens to extreme cold, known as rapid surface chilling.

The radical process is currently being considered to help curb the rampant levels of  the food poisoning bacteria commonly found in uncooked poultry products.

Around two-thirds of fresh, raw chicken sold by retailers is believed to be contaminated with campylobacter, which can cause sever stomach upsets.

The FSA aims to reduce the proportion of birds in the highest category of contamination at UK poultry houses from 27 per cent to 10 per cent by 2015.

Dr Jacqui McElhiney, policy adviser on food-borne disease at the FSA in Scotland, said: “This process acts to temporarily cool only the very outer surface of the chicken carcass without freezing the meat itself. It involves exposing the surface of poultry carcasses to very low temperatures for a very short time, which reduces the numbers of campylobacter bacteria on the surface, as they are sensitive to an extreme cold shock treatment of this type.”

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Posted in Campylobacter, Food Hygiene, Food Safety, Food Technology, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research

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CDC – Hedgehogs and Salmonella

Posted on February 1, 2013 by | Leave a comment

CDChttp://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benutzer:Olaf1541

A total of 20 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported from 8 states.

  • The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Alabama (1), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Michigan (3), Minnesota (3), Ohio (3), Oregon (1), and Washington (7).
  • 31% of ill persons have been hospitalized. One death associated with Salmonella infection has been reported in Washington.
  • 45% of ill persons are children 10 years of age or younger.
  • Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback findings have linked this outbreak of human Salmonella infections to contact with pet hedgehogs purchased from multiple hedgehog breeders in different states.
  • It is very important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water right after touching hedgehogs or anything in the area where they live and roam. Adults should supervise hand washing for young children.

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Posted in Bacteria, CDC, Hygiene, Illness, outbreak, Pathogen, Recall, Research

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UK – FSA Publishes its Science Priorties 2013

Posted on February 1, 2013 by | Leave a comment

FSAfood_standards_agency_logo

The Food Standards Agency has published its Forward Evidence Plan for 2013. The plan outlines priority science and evidence activities for the coming year, including potential areas for research funding and workshops that will help develop the Agency’s evidence base.

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Posted in Food Safety, Food Standards Agency, Research

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