Tag Archives: science

USA – Raw Milk Campylobacter Outbreak

Alaska PublicCampylobacter

The State Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of a food borne illness linked to raw milk. Officials have confirmed four cases of Campylobacter infection in people who drank raw milk on the Kenai Peninsula. The illness causes diarrhea, vomiting and fever.

Dr. Brian Yablon is a medical epidemiologist with the state. He says the cases have all been identified by the state lab in the last three weeks:

“When they looked at these strains, they found that the four specimens were all exactly the same type, so that is consistent with a cluster of illnesses and when we found out additional information it seemed that all of the people who developed the infection had consumed raw milk or unpasteurized milk in the proceeding several days before they got sick,” Yablon said.

The state is still working to identify the source of the raw milk. A farmer named Kevin Byers in Kasilof distributes raw milk to families around the state. He did not agree to a recorded interview, but said he doesn’t know if his milk is responsible for the outbreak. He says his customers drink his milk for the perceived health benefits. According to a recent newspaper article, Byers has 150 customers as far away as Sitka.

Selling raw milk is illegal in Alaska. But farmers have found ways to do it legally.

Research – Evaluation of PCR Detection of Salmonella in Alfalfa Sprouts

Ingenta ConnectEurofins

Abstract:

This study evaluated the efficacy of a PCR-based system (DuPont Qualicon BAX) for detection of Salmonella in sprouts and spent irrigation water collected during sprouting of seeds naturally contaminated with Salmonella. Alfalfa seeds were grown in Mason jars at 20 and 30°C for 3 days. Levels of Salmonella present in the water and sprouts were determined by most-probable-number (MPN) analysis. Background microflora levels were also determined. Samples of spent irrigation water and sprouts were enriched overnight individually in tetrathionate broth and in buffered peptone water with novobiocin at 42°C and then run in the BAX system. Samples were also enriched according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Bacteriological Analytical Manual (FDA BAM) method for Salmonella as a comparison. Salmonella levels were lower at 20°C compared with 30°C for some trials, and background microflora levels ranged from 107 to 108 CFU/g or ml at 20°C and 108 to 109 CFU/g or ml at 30°C. In trials with a Salmonella level >1.1 MPN/g or ml, both the BAX and FDA BAM methods were able to detect Salmonella in all samples. In trials with lower levels (0.21 MPN/g or ml or lower) of Salmonella, BAX was able to detect more positive samples than FDA BAM. For one trial with <0.003 MPN/g or ml of Salmonella, the presence of the pathogen was not indicated by either the BAX or the FDA BAM method. The results suggest that PCR detected low levels of Salmonella in sprouts or spent irrigation water collected from sprouting of naturally contaminated seeds.

Hong Kong – Norovirus

Dept Health Hong Kong

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 14) reminded members of the public and management of institutions to maintain personal and environmental hygiene to prevent gastroenteritis.

The appeal was made following the CHP’s investigation into an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis at an elderly home in North District involving 20 female residents and three female staff members.

The affected residents, aged between 77 and 96, together with three staff members, presented with symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, including vomiting, fever and diarrhoea, since February 4.

Two of them were admitted to North District Hospital. All the 23 affected persons are in stable condition.

Rectal swabs of three patients tested positive for norovirus. Investigations are continuing.

Officers of the CHP have visited the institution and provided health advice to the staff concerning proper disinfection, disposal of vomitus, and personal and environmental hygiene.

USA -FDA Recall – Salted Fish – Clostridium botulinum

FDAClost

ZIP International Group LLC is recalling Dry Salted Fish (bream) because the product was found to be uneviscerated, and has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

The recalled product, Dry Salted Fish (bream) was distributed by East Coast Foods Inc. Brooklyn, NY via delivery to retail stores and wholesalers in September 2012.

The recalled product, Dry Salted Fish (bream) is packaged in vacuum sealed packaging labeled “Astrakhansky Lesh” (Dry Salted Fish Eviscerated) weight 14.2oz. Bar Code 835856001228 is located on the top right corner of the package. The recalled product, Dry Salted Fish (bream) is a product of Russia.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

Dry Salted Fish(bream) was sampled by the New York State Department of Agriculture during inspection. Subsequent analysis of the product by New York State Food Laboratory personnel confirmed that the Dry Salted Fish (bream) was not properly eviscerated prior to processing.

The sale of uneviscerated fish is prohibited under New York State Agriculture and Markets regulations because Clostridium botulinum spores are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than any other portion of the fish. Uneviscerated fish have been linked to outbreaks of botulinum poisioning.

Consumers that have purchased Dry Salted Fish (bream) are advised not to eat it and should return it to the place of purchase or discard for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company East Coast Foods Inc. at (718) 371-1113, Monday-Friday 10am-4pm Eastern Standard Time.

 

Research – Compressed Air – Food Industry

Parker Balston

Understanding the potential risks from compressed air contamination is crucial for developing an effective compliance solution for your plant. Microbial contamination can exist wherever compressed air contacts food either directly or indirectly. As of July 2012, SQF auditors now assess this risk as they perform audits in accordance with the SQF 7th edition code.

How can you ensure your air filtration meets the most discriminating industry
standards and ensures compliance with ALL published GMPs? Proper filtration at point-of-use will minimize your contamination risks. Read this GMP Template for Food Plants that use risk-based systems including HACCP Procedures and GFSI – SQF Code.

Research – The Microbiological Efficacy of Fresh Produce

Science Direct

Abstract

Fresh fruits and vegetables are an essential part of the world populations’ diet, contributing essential vitamins and minerals, and they are often eaten raw or minimally processed. Fruits and vegetables grown using conventional agricultural methods are at risk from microbiological contamination and foodborne illness relating to the consumption of produce is widely reported throughout the world, as illustrated by recent figures from the USA (at least 713 produce related outbreaks between 1990 and 2005) and UK (88 outbreaks between 1996 and 2006). Better understanding of produce decontamination is essential to support industry in assuring the safety of fruit and vegetable products, thus contributing to consumer health protection.

The purpose of this study was to establish the current state of knowledge on industrial produce decontamination techniques and to identify and prioritise research gaps regarding practical and effective mechanisms to reduce microbial loading of produce with particular reference to industrially cut, washed and prepared fresh produce. Using suitable keywords, a literature review was executed using academic databases and industry sources to identify current literature on different decontamination technologies. Efficacy of approaches was compared to that of chlorine washing, the most common decontamination method used by the fresh produce industry.

Findings indicate that the identified technologies had varying efficacy of microbiological reduction when compared to chlorine, and the reductions achievable across a range of methods are limited, giving rise to food safety concerns. In addition, the results demonstrate that there has been limited consideration given to several key factors, namely industrial application of the technology approaches, organoleptic acceptability of the product, whether the microbiological reduction could be sustained throughout the life of the product and consumer acceptability of the technology. This preliminary study has highlighted concerns about the efficacy of existing produce decontamination techniques and identified research gaps regarding efficacy and industrial application of new decontamination technologies.


Highlights

► The paper investigates current literature on fresh produce decontamination methods. ► Microbiological reduction is evaluated for various decontamination technologies. ► Different technologies have varying efficacy on microbiological reduction. ► Highlights a need for practical alternatives to chlorine washing to be found. ► Suggests further work on industrial use, organoleptic and consumer acceptability.

//

Keywords

  • Fresh produce microbiological decontamination;
  • Fresh produce safety;
  • Fresh produce washing;
  • Chlorine decontamination efficacy;
  • Fresh produce and foodborne illness;
  • Fresh produce industrial processing


There are no figures or tables for this document.

Corresponding author contact information
Corresponding author. Tel.: +44 (0) 1772 893657; fax: +44 (0) 1772 892927.
1
Tel.: +44 7801 608 117; fax: +33 233 46 58 57.

Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

//

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    Research – FDA Risk Assessment of Listeria monocytogenes in Cheese

    FDA FDA

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a draft quantitative assessment of the risk of listeriosis from soft-ripened cheese consumption in the United States and Canada. The risk assessment is a joint effort between FDA and Health Canada. View the Federal Register Notice for the assessment.

    The new FDA/Health Canada draft risk assessment found that the risk of listeriosis from soft-ripened cheeses made with raw milk is estimated to be 50 to 160 times higher than that from soft-ripened cheese made with pasteurized milk. This finding is consistent with the fact that consuming raw milk and raw milk products generally poses a higher risk from pathogens than do pasteurized milk and its products.

    While raw milk and raw milk products put all consumers at risk, the bacteria they may contain can be especially dangerous to people with weakened immune systems, older adults, pregnant women and children. View guidelines for avoiding illness by choosing milk and milk products carefully.

    FDA invites comments that can help FDA and Health Canada improve:

    • the approach used;
    • the assumptions made;
    • the modeling techniques;
    • the data used; and
    • the clarity and transparency of the draft quantitative risk assessment documentation.

    To submit comments electronically, go to docket FDA-2012-N-1182 on regulations.gov. The comment period opens February 11, 2013 for 75 days.

    Research – Flash Drying Poultry Cages – Reduces Campylobacter Levels

    Food Poisoning Bulletin Campylobacter

    Campylobacter is a bacteria that is commonly found in the intestines of poultry and shed  in their feces. During slaughter, these bacteria sometimes make their way onto cuts of meat, posing a health threat to consumers.

    Sometimes these bacteria are spread from infected birds to healthy ones during transport. For example, a healthy bird may be placed in a poultry cage whose previous occupant was infected, or the healthy bird’s poultry cage may be placed beneath an infected bird’s cage on a truck. Despite the risk to consumers, there hasn’t been much progress in reducing the presence of the pathogen in poultry, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

    A few years ago, researchers discovered that drying the cages for 24-48 hours after washing them, cut down and even eliminated Campylobacter levels in poultry cages. But these drying times were found to be overly long and impractical by the industry. So  microbiologists Mark Berrang and Richard Meinersmann at the US Department of Agriculture’s  Agricultural Research Service and their colleague Charles Hofacre at the University of Georgia in Athens researched a shorter drying time with a blast of hot air.

    They found that flowing hot air for 15 minutes on cages that had been spray washed with water “lowered the numbers of Campylobacter to an undetectable level,” according to a report of their study published in the January 2013 edition of Agricultural Research, a USDA publication. No word  yet on how the poultry industry views the breakthrough.

    Research – HHP Inactivation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus

    Science Direct Vibrio

    Abstract

    The effects of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatments on Vibrio parahaemolyticus cells were investigated using viability counting, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in order to determine optimal inactivation conditions and further understand the mechanisms of microorganism inactivation under HHP. The results showed that 300-MPa treatment for 10 min could extensively inactivate V. parahaemolyticus, with the number of viable bacteria decreasing from 109 CFU/mL to no viable bacteria. Damage to the cell wall, cell membrane, and cytoplasmic components by HHP treatments can be observed on scanning as well as transmission electron microscopy images. SDS-PAGE results showed that the protein bands differed between HHP untreated and treated V. parahaemolyticus, whereas HHP decreased protein content and caused partial protein degradation. Therefore, our results indicate that HHP can be applied to inactivate V. parahaemolyticus by inducing morphological changes in internal and external structures in the cell, as well as by causing cell membrane damage, cell wall rupture, and membrane protein degradation.

    Israel – Foodborne Illness – Hepatitis A – Market Vegetables

    Link

    Dozens of hepatitis A cases reported in the Tel Aviv area in Israel since last year may be linked to vegetables health officials say, according to a Haaretz report Friday.

    Israeli health officials say since the beginning of 2012, there have been 69 cases of the viral liver disease reported from the area, with the majority reported in the latter half of the year.

    This is a dramatic increase from the seven cases reported in all of 2011.

    According to the report, Health Ministry officials believe the source may be vegetables sold in open-air markets in the south of the city.