FoodWorld

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Experts in Belgium have given reasons why they believe a second analysis is not needed when doing microbiological testing.

The Scientific Committee of the Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FASFC) proposed an amendment to the draft decree on the taking and analysis of samples in foodborne outbreaks. The advisory body provides advice on the assessment and management of risks in the food chain.

Experts said a second microbiological analysis is not scientifically relevant, given that the analysis of the first sample by an accredited laboratory provides a reliable assessment of the microbial safety of the lot.

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European public health officials are monitoring an outbreak linked to international travel on long-haul flights.

A cluster of 20 genetically linked Shigella sonnei sequence type (ST) 152 cases were first reported by the United Kingdom.

Austria, France, Ireland, and the Netherlands have also recorded genetically linked cases, suggesting a common source of infection. Austria and France have seven cases each while Ireland has three and the Netherlands has one.

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In recent years, Salmonella outbreaks have become a pressing public health concern, highlighting the vulnerabilities in our food supply chain. Salmonella, a group of bacteria commonly linked to foodborne illnesses, is notorious for causing symptoms ranging from mild gastrointestinal distress to severe infections. It’s time for both consumers and industry players to adopt more rigorous safety practices to prevent these outbreaks and protect public health.

Salmonella can find its way into various foods, including poultry, eggs, produce, and even processed goods. The challenge lies in the bacteria’s resilience and adaptability, which allow it to thrive in diverse environments. Recent incidents trace back to unsanitary farming practices, cross-contamination in processing facilities, and improper food handling. Clearly, we need systemic changes to mitigate these risks.

At the industry level, manufacturers and farmers must adopt stricter hygiene standards and invest in regular inspections. Implementation of comprehensive safety protocols, such as better temperature control and sanitation methods, is essential in preventing contamination. The integration of technology, like blockchain for traceability, can help in quickly identifying and isolating sources during outbreaks, thereby reducing the spread of contaminated products.

UK cultivated meat manufacturer Meatly has achieved another first, after gaining UK regulatory approval for its cultivated meat in July 2024.

https://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/Article/2025/02/06/meatly-and-the-pack-launch-pet-treats-made-from-lab-grown-meat-into-pets-at-home/

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The European Commission has adopted legislation requiring EU countries to do Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) during foodborne outbreaks.

Member states will need to collect Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli, Campylobacter jejuni, and Campylobacter coli isolates from food, animal, feed, and related environmental samples from food and feed businesses, where the isolates are associated or suspected to be associated with a foodborne outbreak. They will also need to carry out WGS on those isolates.

EU countries would send results to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which developed the One Health WGS system with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). EFSA would compare the WGS results on these samples with findings from human isolates communicated to ECDC to identify the source of outbreaks.

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Investigators from the Food and Drug Administration are working on a new Salmonella outbreak of unknown origin.

The Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak has sickened at least 18 people. The FDA has not reported the ages of the patients or where they live. The agency has initiated traceback efforts, but has not reported what food is being traced.

There are likely many more people who have been sickened in the outbreak than are reported at this time because the CDC estimates that for every confirmed Salmonella patient in an outbreak there are 29 patients who go unreported.

In other outbreak news, the FDA has determined that an outbreak of E. coli O26:H11 infections was likely due to alfalfa or clover sprouts. Public health officials conducted patient interviews and traceback investigations to determine the likely source of the pathogen.

“Although sprouts were confirmed as the vehicle, investigators were unable to determine which type of sprouts was making people sick,” according to the FDA.

The FDA first posted information about the outbreak on Oct. 30, 2024. Investigators confirmed 10 patients in the outbreak, but many more people were likely sickened. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 26 patients go unreported for every confirmed patient in an E. coli outbreak.

Once investigators had enough information to confirm sprouts as the source of this outbreak, the products were past their shelf life and no longer available for sale.

TRADIVAL and FRESH Savoyard paving stone x2 in a protective atmosphere
Suspicion of Salmonella

SALTING OF THE SANCY PLAIN SAUSAGE WITH FLEUR DE SEL
detection of Salmonella

ISLA GLOBAL Chicken Breast 500g
Listeria monocytogenes detection

Carré du Tertre , Le Villersois , crème fraîche , butter
Listeria monocytogenes

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An agreement has been struck for Tiger Brands to compensate some of those seriously affected by the world’s largest Listeria outbreak in South Africa more than six years ago.

Tiger Brands, Richard Spoor Inc. and LHL Attorneys have reached a deal for payments to be made to an initial group of people seeking interim assistance to address urgent medical needs.

Discussions are ongoing to extend relief to other qualifying claimants in similar situations.

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The alarm certainly sounded long and loud in 2022 when Abbott recalled Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare powdered infant formulas after an FDA investigation found Cronobacter sakazakii in the powdered infant formulas. 

Do not use recalled product produced at Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, MI, facility the FDA urged.

The largest supplier of infant formula in America withdrew its products from supermarket shelves nationwide. A suddenly very limited supply coupled with concern about the safety of what few products could still be found on supermarket shelves created consumer panic.

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Researchers have documented the first enteroinvasive E. coli outbreak in Thailand.

An enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC) outbreak affecting 154 people was identified among attendees at a wedding in Loei Province. The median time to symptom onset was 18 hours and ranged from seven to 72 hours. The epidemiological evidence suggested that larb-neua-dib, a spicy ground raw beef salad, was the probable source.

According to the study published in the European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, EIEC outbreaks are underreported because of challenges with identification.