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Research – Some E. coli Strains May Be Linked to Development of Bowel Cancer

Posted on March 14, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

CDC E.coli

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According to a new study in the journal Nature, E. coli infections may be linked to bowel cancer. Some species of the intestinal microbiota, which is the collection of bacteria and viruses that live in the human gut, have been associated with colorectal cancer, but a direct role hasn’t been proven.

As it turns out, E. coli bacteria carry what is called a pathogenicity island pks, that creates enzymes that synthesize a compound called colibactin. Colibactin causes double-strand breaks in cultured cells. This damage can lead to cancer over time. Colibactin is found more often in fecal samples of people who do have bowel cancer than healthy people.

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Posted in E.coli, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Microbiome, Research, Uncategorized

Research – The Growth and Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2 Production by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus on Ground Flax Seeds (Linum usitatissimum)

Posted on March 13, 2020 by | Leave a comment

JFP

Flax seed has become an increasingly popular food ingredient because of its nutrient richness as well as potential health benefits.  Flax seeds are often ground before consumption and flax seed cakes are used as animal feed.  Aflatoxin production may occur subsequently when the ground seeds are stored in an environment supporting fungal growth. The objectives of this study were to determine the growth of two  toxigenic fungi, Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus , and to quantify the concentrations of four major aflatoxins (AFB1, AFG1, AGB2, and AFG2) produced by the two fungi on ground flax seeds with 0.82, 0.86, 0.90, 0.94 and 0.98 a w incubated for 30 days at 20, 27 and 35°C. Results of the study showed that A. flavus was able to grow on ground seeds with 0.86-0.98 a w at all three temperatures, and the most rapid growth occurred at 0.90 and 0.94 a w at 27°C. Whereas A. parasiticus grew on seeds with 0.86-0.98 a w at 27 and 35°C as well as on seeds with 0.86-0.90 a w at 20°C, and the most favorable growth condition was 0.90-0.94 a w at 35°C. Aspergillus flavus produced aflatoxins on seeds with 0.90-0.94 a w at 27°C as wells as on seeds with 0.86-0.98 a w at 35°C and the maximum total aflatoxin (298 µg/kg), AFB1 (247 µg/kg) and AFG1 (51 µg/kg) were found on seeds with 0.90 a w at 35°C. Whereas, A. parasiticus produced aflatoxins under a wider range of conditions which included 0.86 a w at 27 and 35°C, 0.90 a w at 20 and 27°C, 0.94 a w at 27°C, and 0.98 a w at 35°C.  The maximum total aflatoxin (364 µg/kg) and maximum AFB1 (324 µg/kg) along with 34 µg/kg AFG1 and 6 µg/kg AFB2 were produced by A. parasiticus on seeds with 0.98 a w incubated at 35°C for 30 days. Linear regression models also indicated that high incubation temperature (35°C) was optimal for overall fungal growth as well as formation of high levels of aflatoxin by both fungi. Future studies should also address aflatoxin contamination in flax seed oil.

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Posted in Aflatoxin, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Toxin, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, Uncategorized

Research – Exposure Assessment of Multi-Mycotoxins in Black and White Sesame Seed Consumed in Thailand

Posted on March 13, 2020 by | Leave a comment

JFP

This study was conducted to determine the occurrence of 16 well recognized and emerging mycotoxins in black and white sesame seed samples being commercialized in Thailand, and to evaluate health risk assessment in consumers. Samples were extracted and cleaned up by a modified QuEChERS based procedure. Multi-mycotoxins in sesame seed samples were analyzed using a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. Additionally, the risk of mycotoxin exposure via dietary intake of sesame was evaluated using hazard quotient, margin of exposure (MOE) and quantitative liver cancer risk approaches established by EFSA and FAO/WHO, respectively. The results show that 21.5 % of total samples (n = 200) were contaminated with mycotoxins. 19.5 % of total samples (n = 200) were contaminated with a single mycotoxin and 2 % of total samples were contaminated with multiple mycotoxins. 9 % of total samples were contaminated with aflatoxins (AFs), however only one black and one white sesame seed sample was above the regulatory limits of the European Union (2 µg / kg). The MOE values derived from consumption of black and white sesame were generally below 10,000 especially in the heavily consuming group. The number of liver cancer cases over a life time associated with AFB 1 exposure based on upper bound values at high level of black and white sesame consumption (97.5th percentile) is estimated to be more than 1 liver cancer case per million persons. Therefore, a potential risk to consumer health exists through the dietary consumption of black and white sesame and subsequent exposure to AFB 1 . However, further evaluation using larger sample sizes is necessary for more accurate calculation. In addition, continuous monitoring of mycotoxin contamination of sesame with risk assessment is recommended.

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Safety, Food Toxin, mold, Mould Toxin, Moulds, Mycotoxin, Toxin, Uncategorized

Research -Towards a better understanding of listeriosis risk among older adults in the United States: Characterizing dietary patterns and the sociodemographic and economic attributes of consumers with these patterns

Posted on March 13, 2020 by | Leave a comment

JFP

Older adults are at higher risk of invasive listeriosis compared with the general population.  Some foods are more likely than others to be contaminated with or contain high levels of Listeria monocytogenes . The objectives of this study were to, 1) determine dietary consumption patterns, among older adults in the United States; 2) evaluate sociodemographic and economic characteristics of older adults associated with each pattern; 3) determine intake of foods associated with larger relative risk of listeriosis within these patterns; and 4) rank these patterns based on risk. Data of older adults, age 60 and older, participating in the cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 2009-2010, 2011-2012, and 2013-2014 (n=4,967) were included in these analyses. Cluster analysis was used to define dietary patterns based on day 1 and day 2 24-hour dietary recalls. Mean intake of foods associated with higher risk of listeriosis were examined within each pattern, and ANOVA with Dunnett’s method of adjustment was used to evaluate significant differences in mean intake of foods. Patterns were ranked based on relative risk of listeriosis using outbreak illness attribution data. Five distinct dietary patterns were identified. Patterns ranked at highest relative risk of listeriosis, based on US outbreak illness attribution data, were characterized by relatively higher intakes of, (1) fruits, vegetables, and cheeses (~13% respondents) or (2) cereal, milk, and yogurt (~14% respondents).  Individuals consuming these dietary patterns differed in sex, race, food security, self-rated diet quality, and self-rated health. Cluster analysis, despite methodological limitations, provides new information on consumption, sociodemographic, and economic characteristics of subgroups within susceptible populations that may be used to target educational messages .

 

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Research, Uncategorized

RASFF Alerts – Aflatoxin – Curry powder – Chilli Powder – Groudnut Kernels – Almond Kernels

Posted on March 13, 2020 by | Leave a comment

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RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 7.6; Tot. = 9.3 µg/kg – ppb) in curry powder from Malaysia, via the United Kingdom in Switzerland

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 9.2 µg/kg – ppb) in chili powder from India in Hungary

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 14; Tot. = 16 / B1 = 32; Tot. = 36 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from India in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 2.9; Tot. = 19) in almond kernels from the United States in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 19; Tot. = 22 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from India in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 49; Tot. = 55 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from India in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 2.2; Tot. = 2.2 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Argentina in the Netherlands

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Posted in Aflatoxin, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, RASFF, Uncategorized

RASFF Alerts – Salmonella – Raw Chicken – Chicken Legs – Pork Diaphragm – Camel Burger – Sesame Seeds – Chicken Cordon Bleu – Chicken Thighs – Minced Veal – Minced Beef – Frozen Kebab- Frozen Pork – Black Chia Seeds – Chicken Breast – Chicken Fillet – Turkey Meat

Posted on March 13, 2020 by | Leave a comment

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RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium (presence /25g) in chilled raw chicken from France in Norway

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Kottbus (presence /25g) in frozen chicken leg quarters from Poland in Bulgaria

RASFF – Salmonella (in 1 out 5 samples /25g) in frozen pork diaphragm from the United Kingdom in the Czech Republic

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /10g) in frozen camel burger from Belgium in Belgium

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Herston (presence /25g) in sesame seeds from Sudan, dispatched from the United Arab Emirates in Greece

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Nessa (presence /25g), Salmonella enterica ser. salamae (presence /25g) and Salmonella enterica ser. Salford (presence /25g) in sesame seeds from Sudan in Greece

RASFF – Salmonella (in 1 out of 3 samples /25g) in chilled chicken cordon bleu from the Netherlands in the Netherlands

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (presence /25g) in frozen chicken thighs from Poland, via Lithuania in Estonia

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (in 2 out of 5 samples /25g) in chilled chicken broiler thigh meat from Poland in Lithuania

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in frozen minced veal from the Netherlands in the Netherlands

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in minced beef from Denmark, via Germany in Sweden

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium (presence /25g) in frozen chicken broiler thighs from Poland in Lithuania

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Infantis (in 1 out of 5 samples /25g) in chicken broiler quarters from Lithuania, with raw material from Poland in Lithuania

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Bredeney (presence /25g) and Salmonella enterica ser. Infantis (presence /25g) in frozen kebab from Slovenia in Italy

RASFF -Salmonella (presence /25g) in frozen pork from Germany in Sweden

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Bredeney (presence /25g) in black chia seeds from Bolivia in Romania

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Aberdeen (presence /25g) in sesame seeds from Sudan, via the United Arab Emirates in Greece

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (in 3 out of 5 samples /25g) in chilled chicken breast fillets from Poland in the Czech Republic

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in frozen chicken breast fillets from Poland in Italy

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Infantis (presence /25g) in frozen chicken fillet from Hungary in Lithuania

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium monophasic (1 ,4, [5], 12:i:-) (present /25g) in various chilled turkey meat from France in France

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, RASFF, Salmonella, Salmonella in Chicken, Salmonella Sesame Seeds, Uncategorized

RASFF Alert – Ochratoxin A – Raisins

Posted on March 13, 2020 by | Leave a comment

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RASFF – ochratoxin A (33.8 µg/kg – ppb) in raisins from South Africa, via Germany in Switzerland

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, Ochratoxin, RASFF, Uncategorized

RASFF Alerts – E.coli – Chilled Cheese – Live Mussels

Posted on March 13, 2020 by | Leave a comment

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RASFF – too high count of Escherichia coli (110000 CFU/g) in chilled cheese from France in France

RASFF – high count of Escherichia coli (up to 1100 MPN/100g) in live mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from Italy, with raw material from Spain in Italy

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Posted in E.coli, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, RASFF, Uncategorized

RASFF Alerts – Listeria monocytogenes – Chilled Vegetarian Smoked Sausage – Chilled Herring Fillets – RTE Chicken Meat Products

Posted on March 13, 2020 by | Leave a comment

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RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes (in 2 out of 5 samples /25g) in chilled vegetarian smoked sausage from Germany in the Netherlands

RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes (60 ; 100 CFU/g) in chilled herring fillets from Italy in Italy

RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes (>1500 CFU/g) in ready-to-eat chicken meat products from France in France

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, RASFF, Uncategorized

RASFF Alerts – Norovirus – Live Oysters

Posted on March 13, 2020 by | Leave a comment

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RASFF – norovirus (GII – 0.023 /g) in live oysters from France in Italy

RASFF – norovirus (detected /2g) in live oysters (Cassostrea gigas) from France in Italy

 

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Toxin, Food Virus, Norovirus, RASFF, Uncategorized, Virus