Salmonella poses a heightened risk for individuals over 65 years of age due to several key factors: Read more at the link above.
As people age, their immune systems naturally weaken, making them more vulnerable to infections, including those caused by Salmonella. The body’s ability to fight off harmful bacteria diminishes, increasing the chances of severe infection.
Scientists have provided more detail on some of those sickened in a botulism outbreak in Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
The study covered the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of 19 people who were suspected and eight cases that met the case definition for botulism as part of the outbreak that affected a total of 75 people in Riyadh. Foodborne botulism has not been previously reported in Saudi Arabia.
All patients referred to Riyadh First Health Cluster Hospitals between April 22 to 25, with gastrointestinal symptoms, respiratory distress, or descending paralysis after consuming mayonnaise from the popular Hamburgini burger restaurant chain were admitted for assessment and care.
Sprouts are popular due to their high nutritional content, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and enzymes. However, the conditions favorable for sprouting, such as warm and humid environments, are also ideal for the growth of bacteria, including food-borne pathogens. Here, we analyzed the growth and developed predictive models of locally isolated and commercial strains of Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes in alfalfa sprouts under various constant temperatures, ranging from 5°C to 25°C. Our findings indicated that these pathogens could grow at 5°C in sprouts, albeit with a low growth rate. A rapid increase in concentration occurred at temperatures of 10°C and above. The fitted models demonstrated high performance, with R2 values ranging from 0.964 to 0.997 and RMSE values ranging from 0.15 to 0.51, respectively. Based on the fitted values, bias factor (Af) values varied between 1.01 and 1.06, with all accuracy factor (Bf) values at 1.00. Acceptable prediction zone (APZ) values ranged from 81.8% to 100%. Validation of the models under dynamic temperature conditions for specific strains showed acceptable performance. This study enhances our understanding of S. enterica and L. monocytogenes growth in alfalfa sprouts. The findings of this study could be used to improve the risk assessment of these pathogens in alfalfa sprouts.
Listeria, specifically the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, poses a significant risk to pregnant women due to several factors: Read more at the link above.
During pregnancy, a woman’s immune system undergoes changes to support the fetus, making her more susceptible to infections like listeriosis. This altered immune response means that even a small amount of bacteria that might not impact others can have serious effects on a pregnant woman.
Liverwurst is a type of sausage made from liver and other meats, along with spices. It’s popular in various cuisines, particularly in German-speaking countries. Liverwurst can be spreadable or sliceable, depending on its formulation.
Liverwurst, along with other ready-to-eat deli meats and pâtés, is prone to contamination by Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium that causes listeriosis, for several reasons: Read more at the link above.
Adding essential oils in an edible coating could be an alternative for the food industry to control foodborne pathogens. In 2014, EFSA published a report highlighting the risk associated with Salmonella spp. and Norovirus in fresh and frozen berries. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an edible coating (RP-7) with carvacrol and citral on reducing the population of Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and murine Norovirus (MNV-1) in frozen strawberries and blueberries. Before evaluating the efficacy, the best method for applying the coating on fruit was studied. The immersion method was selected, with an optimal drying time of 45 min. After this, the berries were frozen and stored for one, two, three, four, and eight weeks at −18 °C. In strawberries, all bacteria were reduced to below 0.7 log cfu/strawberry in the eighth week, and the MNV-1 infectivity showed a reduction of nearly 2 logarithmic units. In blueberries, S. enterica and E. coli O157:H7 were reduced to 0.8 log cfu/blueberries within a week, and MNV-1 achieved a reduction of 0.8 logarithmic units at the end of the assay. The application of RP-7 affected the studied microorganisms in frozen strawberries and blueberries.
Escherichia coli O157:H7 (often referred to simply as E. coli O157:H7) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) can be particularly alarming for parents due to the severity and potential outcomes of infections associated with them. Here’s why they are considered a serious concern: Read more at the link above
Ireland has reported the number of infections caused by major pathogens from April to June.
Data comes from a report published by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) that includes foodborne illnesses in the second quarter of 2024.
In the first quarter of 2024, there were 733 Campylobacter cases, five Listeria infections, 67 Salmonella cases, and 116 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a report on its investigation of the Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak in Peaches. The FDA and multiple state and federal partners investigated an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections that were linked to the consumption of peaches during the summer of 2020. In total, the outbreak caused 101 reported illnesses across 17 states, including 28 hospitalizations. This appears to be the first time a Salmonella outbreak has been linked to peaches.
The FDA conducted this investigation in conjunction with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state partners, and Canadian public health officials between August and October 2020. The epidemiological and traceback investigation determined that peaches packed or supplied by a large grower/producer were the likely source of the outbreak. The traceback evidence informed and helped to prioritize two subsequent investigations of peach packing/holding operations and peach orchards in Cutler, Kerman, and Sanger, California. The large grower/producer cooperated with FDA throughout the investigation and is continuing to engage with FDA on the agency’s findings and recommendations.
Investigators conducted over 700 tests on environmental, peach, and peach tree leaf samples. While no test results matched the 2020 outbreak strain, four tests conducted on peach and peach tree leaf samples collected from an orchard adjacent to a poultry operation yielded positives for Salmonella Alachua which were further linked via whole genome sequencing (WGS) to 2019 and 2020 chicken isolates. This finding prompted a follow-up investigation more closely focused on growing areas and a voluntary recall by the firm, preventing the tested, contaminated product from reaching the market. During the follow-up investigation, two tests of peach tree leaf samples collected from orchards adjacent to a cattle feedlot yielded positives for Salmonella Montevideo that were genetically similar via WGS to 2018-2020 beef and cattle isolates.
While investigators did not find the outbreak strain, and the strains of Salmonella found during this outbreak were not linked to any clinical illnesses, the investigational findings reinforce the FDA’s concern about the potential impact that adjacent land uses can have on the safety of produce.
The FDA views the implementation of appropriate science- and risk-based measures to reduce the potential for contamination of peaches and other produce as the most effective and practicable means to improve the safety of fresh produce, especially when measures are tailored to the specific practices and conditions on individual farms. The FDA encourages all growers to be cognizant of and assess risks that may be posed by adjacent and nearby land uses, including for the potential impact of dust exposure. The FDA also recognizes the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment when it comes to public health outcomes, and we encourage collaboration among various groups in the broader agricultural community (e.g., produce growers, those managing animal operations, state and federal government agencies, and academia) to address this issue.
Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, can create significant public health challenges, particularly regarding food and water safety. When Hurricane Idalia hit Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina in late September 2023, it not only brought destruction through powerful winds and floods but also triggered concerns about foodborne illnesses. Now survivors are contending with the aftermath of Helene – having survived the storm, they now need to focus on preventing further harm to their families and themselves.
Food poisoning is a common aftermath of hurricanes due to compromised food storage, contamination of food and water supplies, and lack of sanitation in areas affected by widespread power outages and flooding.
FoodWorld 