Search

As part of a program to reduce numbers of the human pathogen Campylobacter on retail chickens, 22 broiler processing lines, representing more than 90% of UK production, were characterized by enumerating Campylobacter on pooled neck skins after exsanguination, scalding, defeathering, evisceration, crop removal, inside-outside washing, and air-chilling stages of processing. Sixteen of the processing lines investigated showed significant (P < 0.05) reductions in Campylobacter numbers because of carcass scalding. However, in all of these lines, the following defeathering stage caused a significant increase in Campylobacter contamination that effectively negated the reductions caused by scalding. On four processing lines, primary chilling also caused a significant reduction in numbers of Campylobacter. On three lines, there was a significant microbiological benefit from inside-outside washing. The stages where Campylobacter numbers were reduced require further investigation to determine the specific mechanisms responsible so that the observed pathogen reductions can be optimized and then more widely implemented. The transfer of up to 4 log CFU Campylobacter per g of neck skin from a colonized flock to a following uncolonized flock was observed. Cross-contamination was substantial and still detectable after 5,000 carcasses from an uncolonized flock had been processed. Numbers of Campylobacter recovered from the uncolonized flocks were highest on the first of the uncolonized birds to pass along the line, and in general, the numbers declined as more uncolonized birds were processed. Air sampling recovered low numbers at the processing stages monitored, indicating that airborne transmission was unlikely to be the primary transfer mechanism operating for cross-contamination between flocks.

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary fungal metabolites that contaminate feeds, and their levels remain stable during feed processing. The economic impact of mycotoxins on animal production happens mainly due to losses related to direct effects on animal health and trade losses related to grain rejection. Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a trichothecene mycotoxin that has contaminated approximately 60% of the grains worldwide. Ingestion of DON induces many toxic effects on human and animal health. Detoxification strategies to decrease DON levels in food and feeds include physical and chemical methods; however, they are not very effective when incorporated into the industrial production process. A valuable alternative to achieve this aim is the use of lactic acid bacteria. These bacteria can control fungal growth and thus overcome DON production or can detoxify the mycotoxin through adsorption and biotransformation. Some Lactobacillus spp. strains, such as Lactobacillus plantarum, have demonstrated preventive effects against DON toxicity in poultry and swine. This beneficial effect is associated with a binding capacity of lactic acid bacteria cell wall peptidoglycan with mycotoxins. Moreover, several antifungal compounds have been isolated from L. plantarum supernatants, including lactic, acetic, caproic, phenyl lactic, 3-hydroxylated fatty, and cyclic dipeptide acids. Biotransformation of DON by L. plantarum into other products is also hypothesized, but the mechanism remains unknown. In this concise review, we highlight the use of L. plantarum as an alternative approach to reduce DON levels and toxicity. Although the action mechanism of L. plantarum is still not fully understood, these bacteria are a safe, efficient, and low-cost strategy to reduce economic losses from mycotoxin contamination cases.

It is estimated that one in five cases of foodborne illnesses is acquired in the home. However, how pathogens move throughout a kitchen environment when consumers are preparing food is not well characterized. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and degree of cross-contamination across a variety of kitchen surfaces during a consumer meal preparation event. Consumers (n = 371) prepared a meal consisting of turkey patties containing the bacteriophage MS2 as a tracer organism and a ready-to-eat lettuce salad. Half were shown a video on proper thermometer use before the trial. After meal preparation, environmental sampling and detection were performed to assess cross-contamination with MS2. For most surfaces, positivity did not exceed 20%, with the exception of spice containers, for which 48% of the samples showed evidence of MS2 cross-contamination. Spice containers also had the highest MS2 concentrations, at a mean exceeding 6 log viral genome equivalent copies per surface. The high level of MS2 on spice containers drove the significant differences between surfaces, suggesting the significance of spice containers as a vehicle for cross-contamination, despite the absence of previous reports to this effect. The thermometer safety intervention did not affect cross-contamination. The efficiency of MS2 transfer, when expressed as a percentage, was relatively low, ranging from an average of 0.002 to 0.07%. Quantitative risk assessment work using these data would aid in further understanding the significance of cross-contamination frequency and efficiency. Overall, these data will help create more targeted consumer messaging to better influence consumer cross-contamination behaviors.

The monitoring of carcass surface contamination along the slaughter line enables verification of slaughter operation hygiene and the use of good manufacturing practices. Pork meat is a common source of human nontyphoidal salmonellosis, one of the most frequently reported foodborne illnesses worldwide. This study was conducted to gather data on microbial loads before and after evisceration on the surfaces of swine carcasses in two slaughterhouses. The presence of Salmonella enterica was evaluated only after evisceration on carcass surfaces and in livers and floor drains (environmental samples) because pigs are common carriers of this pathogen. The contamination of carcass surfaces was evaluated by delimitation of surface area with sterilized templates (100 cm2), and surface samples were collected with gauze swabs. Total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and Escherichia coli were enumerated. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in counts of mesophilic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and E. coli were found on the external carcass surfaces, with higher counts after evisceration. The neck and abdominal areas had higher levels of mesophilic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and E. coli and a high prevalence of Salmonella. Salmonella was detected in only one of the studied slaughterhouses; 19 (7.3%) of 259 analyzed carcass samples were positive for Salmonella, and Salmonella was detected in two livers and two floor drains. A total of 52 Salmonella isolates (44 from carcasses, 5 from livers, and 3 from drains) were recovered. Three Salmonella serovars (Typhimurium 4,5:i- , Wernigerone, and Derby) were identified, and 53.8% of the 52 isolates were multidrug resistant. The results reveal the need for continuous improvement of slaughtering operations and implementation of good manufacturing practices to ensure the safety of pork produced in Portugal. Highlights: Higher counts of indicator microorganisms were obtained after swine evisceration; Salmonella was detected in 7.3% of swine carcass surface samples; Three Salmonella serovars were identified: Typhimurium 4,5:i− , Wernigerone, and Derby; Of the 52 Salmonella isolates, 53.8% were multidrug resistant. This work was funded by project UIDB/CVT/00772/2020 supported by the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT). The authors are grateful for scientific collaboration under FCT project UID/Multi/50016/2019 and the financial support for J. Barbosa from a postdoctoral fellowship from FCT (SFRH/BPD/113303/2015) info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Food can be contaminated by multiple classes of toxic substances, mainly including mycotoxins, heavy metals and pesticides, which leads to a possibility of simultaneous exposure to two or more food contaminants for humans. Thus, it is necessary to examine whether the combined exposure could result in enhanced toxicity. Initially, the studies on the combined toxicity of food contaminants mainly focus on the mixtures of same classes of food contaminants due to their co-occurrence feature in foodstuffs, such as mixtures of mycotoxins or mixtures of heavy metals. Given the possibility that consumers are likely exposed to mixtures of different classes of food contaminants, recently, studies on the combined toxicity of different classes of food contaminants have been receiving increasing attentions. In this review article, we summarize the findings of combined toxicity studies related to co-exposure to food-borne mycotoxins and other classes of food contaminants mainly heavy metals or pesticides, and propose issues that need to be addressed in future studies for more accurately performing risk assessment of co-exposure to mycotoxins and other classes of food contaminants.

The health and economic burden of foodborne illness is high, with approximately 2.4 million cases occurring annually in the United Kingdom. A survey to understand the baseline microbial quality and prevalence of food-related hazards of fresh beef mince on retail sale could inform risk assessment, management, and communication to ensure the safety of this commodity. In such a survey, a two-stage sampling design was used to reflect variations in population density and the market share of five categories of retail outlets in Scotland. From January to December 2019, 1,009 fresh minced beef samples were collected from 15 geographic areas. The microbial quality of each sample was assessed using aerobic colony count and Escherichia coli count. Samples were cultured for Campylobacter and Salmonella, and PCR was used to detect target genes (stx1 all variants, stx2 a to g, and rfbO157) for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). The presence of viable E. coli O157 and STEC in samples with a positive PCR signal was confirmed via culture and isolation. Phenotypic antimicrobial sensitivity patterns of cultured pathogens and 100 E. coli isolates were determined, mostly via disk diffusion. The median aerobic colony count and E. coli counts were 6.4 × 105 (interquartile range, 6.9 × 104 to 9.6 × 106) and10 CFU/g (interquartile range,10 to 10) of minced beef, respectively. The prevalence was 0.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0 to 0.7%) for Campylobacter, 0.3% (95% CI, 0 to 1%) for Salmonella, 22% (95% CI, 20 to 25%) for PCR-positive STEC, and 4% (95% CI, 2 to 5%) for culture-positive STEC. The evidence for phenotypic antimicrobial resistance detected did not give cause for concern, mainly occurring in a few E. coli isolates as single nonsusceptibilities to first-line active substances. The low prevalence of pathogens and phenotypic antimicrobial resistance is encouraging, but ongoing consumer food safety education is necessary to mitigate the residual public health risk.

Although public health risk assessments for Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) have been published for various foods, firm-level decision making on interventions targeting Lm involves considerations of both public health and enterprise risks. Smoked seafood is a ready-to-eat product with a high incidence of Lm contamination and has been associated with several recalls. We used cold-smoked salmon as a model product to develop a decision support tool (the regulatory and recall risk [3R] model) to estimate (i) baseline regulatory and recall (RR) risks (i.e., overall risks of a lot sampled and found positive for Lm, e.g., by food regulatory agencies) due to Lm contamination and (ii) the RR risk reduction that can be achieved through interventions with underlying mechanisms such as reducing the prevalence and/or level of Lm and retarding or preventing Lm growth. Given that a set number of samples (e.g., 10) are tested for a given lot, the RR risk equals the likelihood of detecting Lm in at least one sample. Under the baseline scenario, which assumes a 4% Lm prevalence and no interventions, the median predicted RR risk for a given production lot was 0.333 (95% credible interval: 0.288, 0.384) when 10 25-g samples were tested. Nisin treatments, which reduce both the prevalence and initial level of Lm, reduced RR risks in a concentration-dependent manner to 0.109 (0.074, 0.146) with 5 ppm, 0.049 (0.024, 0.083) with 10 ppm, and 0.017 (0.007, 0.033) with 20 ppm. In general, more effective reduction in RR risks can be achieved by reducing Lm prevalence than by retarding Lm growth; the RR risk was reduced to 0.182 (0.153, 0.213) by a 50% prevalence reduction but to only 0.313 (0.268, 0.367) by bacteriostatic growth inhibitors. Sensitivity analysis indicated that prevalence and initial level of Lm and storage temperature have the greatest impact on predicting RR risks, suggesting that reliable data for these parameters will improve model performance.

Deoxynivalenol (DON), a highly prevalent food contaminant, is known to induce reproductive and immunotoxicity in humans upon exposure. The present study focused on the consequences of exposure to DON during pregnancy for placental barrier and immune function, as well as fetal survival. Female mice received diets contaminated with DON (6.25 and 12.5 mg/kg of diet), starting immediately after mating until the end of the experiment. On day 17 of pregnancy the animals were killed, and maternal and fetal samples were collected for further analysis. Feeding on DON-contaminated diets decreased fetal survival, and DON was detected at significant levels in the fetus. Placentae from DON-exposed mice revealed a reduction in expression of junctional proteins, ZO-1, E-cadherin and claudins, upregulation of AHR mRNA expressions, and increase in IFN-ꝩ, IL-6 and IL-4 production. In conclusion, results of this study demonstrate harmful effects of DON on the course of pregnancy and fetal survival, which might be due to immunological changes in maternal immune organs and placenta. Altogether, these data underline the importance of the quality of maternal diet during pregnancy as they clearly demonstrate the potential harmful effects of a commonly present food-contaminant.

Ochratoxin A (OTA), primarily produced by the fungi belonging to the species of Aspergillus and Penicillium, is one of the most common mycotoxins found in cereals and fruits. In addition to resulting in huge economic losses, OTA contamination also poses considerable threat to human and livestock health. Microbial degradation of mycotoxins has been considered with great potential in mycotoxins decontamination. In a previous study, Bacillus velezensis E2 was isolated by our laboratory and showed appreciable inhibitory effect on Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxin production in rice grains. In this study, B. velezensis E2 was investigated for its ability to remove OTA and biocontrol against the ochratoxigenic Aspergillus westerdijkiae fc-1. The results revealed that B. velezensis E2 has considerable inhibitory effect on A. westerdijkiae fc-1 both on PDA medium and pear fruits, with inhibitory rate of 51.7% and 73.9%, respectively. In addition, its ability to remove OTA was evaluated in liquid medium and the results showed that more than 96.1% of OTA with an initial concentration of 2.5 μg/mL could be removed by B. velezensis E2 in 48 h. Further experiments revealed that enzymatic transformation and alkaline hydrolysis might be the main mechanisms related to OTA degradation by B. velezensis E2, with ring open ochratoxin α (OP-OTα) as a possible degradation product. Our study indicated that the B. velezensis E2 strain could be a potential bacterial candidate in biodegradation of OTA and biocontrol against A. westerdijkiae fc-1.

Clays, glucomannans and their combinations are widely used to bind mycotoxins in contaminated feeds to reduce their toxic effects on animals. In the present study, the binding abilities of clinoptilolite, sepiolite, bentonite, and montmorillonite, glucomannan, and four commercial TB products (P1, P2, C1 and C2) were investigated in vitro for their binding effects on seven different mycotoxins (AF, aflatoxin; OTA, ochratoxin; ZEA, zearalenone; DON, deoxynivalenol; FUM, fumonisin; T-2 toxin, and HT-2 toxin) in medium at pH 3.0 and 6.8. The clays were observed to bind AF, DON, and OTA at the following levels: clinoptilolite on AF at 72-90%, on DON at 61-68%, and on OTA at 52-62%; sepiolite on AF at 92-98%, on DON at 36-68%, and on OTA at 53-55%; bentonite on AF at 88-95%, on DON at 23-73%, and on OTA at 54-56%, and montmorillonite on AF at 74-80%, on DON at 46-68%, and on OTA at 54-55%. We also observed that these clays bound ZEA, FUM, T-2, and HT-2 at 25-45%. Glucomannan bound AF at a high rate (85-96%); however, bound DON at 31-56% and OTA at 54-55%, and other mycotoxins at 25-43%. Although P1, which consisted of clay combinations, bound AF and OTA at high rates, it bound DON, FUM, ZEA, T-2, and HT-2 at medium rates. P2, to which glucomannan was added to the clay combination, was observed to have the ability to bind OTA, FUM, and T-2 at ∼15-20% more than P1. When similar commercial products were compared, P2 provided ∼10% adsorption of AF, 20% of OTA and FUM, and 5% of T-2 than C1, while similar binding ability of these two products were observed on the other toxins.

Listeria monocytogenes, a foodborne pathogen that causes human listeriosis, is commonly found in meat products. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of L. monocytogenes in a variety of Brazilian meat products, using a meta-analysis of data from the literature. A total of 29 publications from five databases, published between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2019, were included in the study. Estimated by the random-effects model, the combined prevalence of L. monocytogenes was 13%, ranging from 0 to 59%. The combined prevalence of L. monocytogenes was 14% and 11% for raw meat and ready-to-eat (RTE) meat, respectively. The prevalence of L. monocytogenes was higher in the swine species' meat products and the Southeast region of Brazil. Regarding the type of establishment, it was the retail market that presented the highest combined prevalence rate (19%). The most prevalent serotypes of L. monocytogenes were 4b, 1/2a, 1/2b, and 1/2c. The knowledge of differences in the prevalence levels of L. monocytogenes in different meat products can guide in its efficient control by the competent authorities and by industry.

Mycotoxins are toxic metabolites or secondary metabolites produced by fungi and exist widely in all kinds of food and feed raw materials. They have led to many poisoning events and brought huge economic losses to livestock and poultry breeders every year. At present, the main challenges in the field of feed mycotoxin prevention and control are the high contamination rate, high coexistence rate, high detection cost and lagging research and development of prevention and control technology. Based on research data and results published by Chinese scholars in academic journals at home and abroad in recent years, this paper summarizes the status and causes of mycotoxin contamination in different feeds in China. At the same time, problems exist in the detection of mycotoxin contamination in Chinese feed. It is hoped to provide guidelines for the prevention and control of mycotoxin contamination.

The traffic in international animal products can become a public health hazard when legal import sanitary procedures are not followed. In Brazil, due to its extensive border area, the importation of animal products is a common practice in many areas, especially in Rio Grande do Sul, a state that borders Argentina and Uruguay. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of veterinary drug residues (antibiotics and antiparasitics) in animal products consumed in Rio Grande do Sul. The presence of residues of veterinary antibiotics and antiparasitics was assessed in 189 meat (beef, pork, and chicken), processed dairy, and meat product samples bought in Argentina (n = 90) and Uruguay (n = 99). Residues of these veterinary drugs were detected in 50 (26.45%) of the samples; 28 samples (14.81%) had antibiotic residues, and 22 samples (11.64%) had antiparasitic residues. Of the 50 positive samples, 40% (15 from Argentina and 5 from Uruguay) had residues above the maximum residue limits (MRLs). Of these 20 samples, 12 had antiparasitic residues above the MRLs (11 beef samples had ivermectin and 1 pork sample had ivermectin and doramectin) and 8 had antibiotic residues above the MRLs (2 pork and 2 sausage samples had doxycycline, 2 cheese samples had doxycycline and chlortetracycline, 1 poultry meat sample had chloramphenicol, and 1 cheese sample had monensin). Because of the potential toxic effects on humans and the potential for pathogens to develop antibiotic resistance, the presence of these residues above the MRLs is a potential risk to public health. The negative impact of consumption of imported animal products can be reduced by implementation of an effective surveillance system and educational campaigns for the general population.

Our study evaluated aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) levels in packed rice marketed in Lebanon and determined the exposure to this toxin from rice consumption. A total of 105 packed white, parboiled, and brown rice bags were collected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure AFB1. A comprehensive food frequency questionnaire was completed by 500 participants to determine patterns of rice consumption and, subsequently, the exposure levels to AFB1 from rice consumption in Lebanon. AFB1 was detected in all rice samples (100%). The average concentration ± standard deviation of AFB1 was 0.5 ± 0.3 μg/kg. Contamination ranged between 0.06 and 2.08 μg/kg. Moisture content in all rice samples was below the recommended percentage (14%). Only 1% of the samples had an AFB1 level above the European Union limit (2 μg/kg). Brown rice had a significantly higher AFB1 level than white and parboiled rice (P = 0.02), while a significant difference was found between both collections for the same brands (P = 0.016). Packing season, packing country, country of origin, presence of a food safety management certification, grain size, and time between packing and purchasing had no significant effect. Exposure to AFB1 from rice consumption in Lebanon was calculated as 0.1 to 2 ng/kg of body weight per day.

For 60 y, it has been known that aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a mycotoxin produced by Aspergillus fungi in certain food and feed crops, causes hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer; HCC) in humans. The annual global burden of AFB1-related HCC has been estimated. However, much less is known about the potential carcinogenic impact of a metabolite of AFB1 called aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), which is secreted in milk when dairy animals consume AFB1-contaminated feed. The cancer risk of AFM1 to humans from milk consumption has not yet been evaluated.We sought to estimate the global risk of AFM1-related liver cancer through liquid milk consumption, accounting for possible synergies between AFM1 and chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) in increasing cancer risk.We conducted a quantitative cancer risk assessment by analyzing extensive datasets of national population sizes, dairy consumption patterns, AFM1 concentrations in milk in 40 nations, and chronic HBV prevalence. Two separate cancer risk assessments were conducted: assuming a possible synergy between AFM1 and HBV in increasing cancer risk in a manner similar to that of AFB1 and HBV, and assuming no such synergy.If there is no synergy between AFM1 and HBV, AFM1 may contribute ∼0.001% of total annual HCC cases globally. If there is synergy between AFM1 and HBV infection, AFM1 may contribute ∼0.003% of all HCC cases worldwide. In each case, the total expected AFM1-attributable cancer cases are ∼13-32 worldwide.AFM1 exposure through liquid milk consumption does not substantially increase liver cancer risk in humans. Policymakers should consider this low risk against the nutritional benefits of milk consumption, particularly to children, in a current global situation of milk being discarded because of AFM1 concentrations exceeding regulatory standards.

This study evaluated the microbial contamination status of cold dishes consumed by residents of Jilin Province and investigated to determine the incidence of four pathogenic bacteria in cold dishes. A total of 300 samples of cold dishes, including meat, vegetable, and mixed products, were collected from three purchasing places: supermarkets, farmers' markets, and mobile vendors. Viable bacteria were isolated using conventional culture methods. After separation, a quick and easy PCR was used to detect Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, and Salmonella. The results showed that the total number of microbial colonies in the vegetable samples exceeded the standard rate of 8% and the total number of microbial colonies in the meat and mixed samples did not exceed the standard. The total microbial colony count exceeded the standard in all three procurement sites, with the highest exceedance of 7.4% in the mobile vendor sites. The detection rates of enterotoxigenic E. coli, S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, and Salmonella, among the four pathogenic bacteria detected in all samples, were 4.3, 3.3, 3.0, and 1.0%, respectively. This study can be used to qualitatively assess the microbiological quality associated with cold dishes. It provides data to support the detection of possible food safety problems.

Following removal of hides and viscera during beef processing, carcasses are inspected for tissue adhesions that can affect meat quality or harbor bacteria. Carcasses with pleural or abdominal adhesions may be diverted from the production line for manual excision and then returned to the line. No published data indicate whether adhesion excision is associated with bacterial contamination. Therefore, our objective was to determine the presence and concentration of generic Escherichia coli and non-E. coli coliforms from the internal and external surfaces of carcasses that were, or were not, diverted for adhesion excision. During 9 processing days over a 4-month period in a large commercial beef processing facility, 1,738 carcass sponge samples from 2,730 cm2 areas on both the internal and the external surfaces of carcasses with and without tissue adhesions were collected. Coliforms and E. coli were cultured and enumerated using Petrifilm procedures, and data were analyzed with mixed models. Coliforms were present at higher concentrations than E. coli, and prevalence and mean log concentrations of both coliforms and E. coli were significantly higher for samples from the external than from the internal surfaces of carcasses. However, differences in prevalence and concentration of coliforms between external and internal surfaces varied significantly based on whether carcasses had adhesions excised. The difference was greatest for coliforms present on the external (2.06 log CFU/100 cm2) versus the internal (0.93 log CFU/100 cm2) carcass surfaces without adhesions, whereas the difference in concentrations from the external (1.80 log CFU/100 cm2) and the internal (1.31 log CFU/100 cm2) surfaces of carcasses with adhesions was not as large. These results indicate that surveillance of carcass bacteria may be affected by whether the external versus the internal surfaces are sampled and whether carcasses are diverted for excision of adhesions.

Chili (Capsicum annum) and chili powder are widely consumed in south India. The inherent and eco physiological factors with unusual nutritional characteristics of chili favors the growth of molds, during harvest and post-harvest processing. Chilies have been identified as one of the commodities with the highest Aflatoxin contamination levels. On safety perspective, the presence of fungi and the co-occurrence of mycotoxins in the chili available at market level may pose a major threat on human health. A study was conducted to assess the mycotic impact on the quality of dried red chili and chili powder available in the markets of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. The common molds like Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger were present in dried chilies and chili powder and the level of green mold contamination ranges from 15.71 × 10

This study aimed to review the scientific literature on the quality and safety of beef sold in retail, methodologies used for quality evaluation, and proposed interventions for the sector. Bibliographical research was performed in order to identify scientific articles using the electronic databases Ovid, PubMed, Scielo, LILACS, Scopus and Embase. Thirty-three articles were included in the review. Given the different dimensions of the studies, the results were organized into three categories, according to the following approaches: food, environment and handlers; consumers and selection criteria; and intervention strategies for the segment. The applied methodological strategies revealed inadequate conditions and neglect in several processing and operation stages that are fundamental to the maintenance of quality standards. The results confirm a worrying scenario and the presence of risks to consumers. Based on the studies evaluated, it is necessary to emphasize the consumer concern about the importance of the integrated information chain - all stages involved in the production process and meat distribution for retail meat stores. The reported conditions on different studies indicate the need for interventions, with a view to prevention of health risks, continued training of food handlers and transformation of evidenced realities. In this context, it is possible to point out the predominance of diagnostic studies, in contrast with interventional studies focused on the training / qualification of food handlers.

In this study, the distribution of hygienic indicator bacteria in cattle livers and bile was examined at slaughterhouses. One hundred twenty-seven cattle livers with gallbladders were carefully eviscerated from carcasses at 10 slaughterhouses. Microbiological examination revealed that nine bile samples (7.1% prevalence) and 19 liver parenchyma samples (15.0% prevalence) were positive for Enterobacteriaceae (EB) with means ± standard deviations of 3.68 ± 4.63 log CFU/mL and 1.59 ± 2.47 log CFU/g, respectively; thus, bacterial contamination was apparent even at the postevisceration stage. Subsequently, 70 cattle livers were obtained at the postprocessing and storage stage from 7 of the 10 slaughterhouses. Microbiological analysis revealed significantly higher levels of EB in the liver parenchyma (3.00 ± 3.89 log CFU/g, P = 0.011) than those at the postevisceration stage, suggesting that bacterial dissemination and/or replication occurred in the liver parenchyma during processing and storage. According to 16S rRNA ion semiconductor sequencing analysis of representative samples from 12 cattle, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria were dominant in both the parenchyma and bile in which EB and Escherichia coli were predominant among livers with higher EB levels. These results suggest that bile plays a role as a vehicle for bacterial transmission to the liver parenchyma. This study is the first to evaluate bacterial distribution and community structure in the liver and biliary microecosystem of cattle at slaughter. Our data support the use of EB testing of bile to screen cattle livers contaminated with high levels of fecal indicator bacteria.

This study investigated the concentration of the pesticide residues found in Fragaria and Myrica rubra sold in the city of Hangzhou, People's Republic of China. From an analysis of 151 (77 Fragaria and 74 M. rubra) samples using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), 41 pesticide residues were found to be present. Of the 41 residues, 14 were found using GC-MS/MS and 27 were found using LC-MS/MS. Of the 151 samples, 10 (13.0%) of the 77 Fragaria samples and 5 (6.8%) of the 74 M. rubra samples were found to contain a specific pesticide residue, and only 4 Fragaria samples and 2 M. rubra samples were found to be without pesticide residue. In addition, 18 of the 41 pesticides were not detected in either Fragaria or M. rubra samples. Of the 41 residues, 10 were detected in Fragaria samples and 20 were detected in M. rubra samples. In Fragaria, procymidone was the most commonly detected residue, with a detection rate of 88.3%, followed by prochloraz, with a detection rate of 53.2%. In M. rubra, prochloraz was the most commonly detected residue, with a detection rate of 71.6%, followed by carbendazim, with a detection rate of 68.9%. The pesticide residues in some samples exceeded the maximum residue limit set in China. The limit of dimethomorph was exceeded in three of the Fragaria samples, and that of dichlorvos was exceeded in two of the M. rubra samples.

Cheese made with unpasteurized milk has been associated with outbreaks of illness. However, there are limited data on the prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in these products and a lack of clarity over the significance of E. coli as a general indicator of hygiene in raw milk cheeses. The aim of this study was to provide further data to address both of these issues, as well as assessing the overall microbiological quality of raw milk cheeses available to consumers in England. A total of 629 samples of cheese were collected from retailers, catering premises, and manufacturers throughout England. The majority (80%) were made using cow's milk, with 14% made from sheep's milk and 5% from goat's milk. Samples were from 18 different countries of origin, with the majority originating from either the United Kingdom (40%) or France (35%). When interpreted against European Union microbiological criteria and United Kingdom guidance, 82% were considered to be of satisfactory microbiological quality, 5% were borderline, and 12% were unsatisfactory. Four samples (0.6%) were potentially injurious to health due to the isolation of STEC from one,104 CFU/g of coagulase-positive staphylococci in two, and100 CFU/g of Listeria monocytogenes in the fourth sample. Indicator E. coli and Listeria species were detected more frequently in soft compared with hard cheese. Higher levels of indicator E. coli were significantly associated with a greater likelihood of detecting Shiga toxin genes (stx1 and/or stx2).

Although many neurotoxicity prediction studies of food additives have been developed, they are applicable in a qualitative way. We aimed to develop a novel prediction score that is described quantitatively and precisely. We examined cell viability, reactive oxygen species activity, intracellular calcium and RNA transcription level of potential prediction related genes to develop a high-throughput neurotoxicity test method in vitro to screen the neurotoxicity of hazardous factors in food using AI-based machine learning. We trained artificial intelligence models (random forest and neural network) to predict neurotoxicity precisely, establishing a universal classification assessment score (CA-Score) that relies on the expression status of only 13 of prediction related genes. The CA-Score system is almost universally applicable to food risk factors (p

Fresh produce continues to be the main source of foodborne illness outbreaks in the United States, implicating bacterial pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 (EHEC). The efficacy of nanoemulsified carvacrol (NCR) as a washing treatment in reducing EHEC on fresh produce was investigated. Fresh baby spinach, romaine lettuce, and iceberg lettuce leaves (2.5-cm-diameter cores) were spot inoculated with a five-strain cocktail of nalidixic acid-resistant EHEC at ∼6 log CFU/cm2. After air drying for 1 h, 20 pieces of each inoculated produce leaf were immersed in water-based treatment solutions (200 mL per group), including water alone, 25 or 50 ppm of free chlorine, and 0.25 or 0.75% NCR for 2 min. Inoculated produce leaves without any treatment served as baseline. Produce leaves were stored at 10°C, and surviving EHEC populations were enumerated on days 0, 2, 7, and 14. The viability of EHEC following NCR treatments on the fresh produce was visualized under a fluorescence microscope. NCR treatment at 0.75% immediately reduced EHEC populations on iceberg lettuce by 1.3 log CFU/cm2 as compared with the produce treated with water alone (P0.05). Antimicrobial activity of NCR against EHEC was comparable to chlorine treatments on day 0 for all produce (P0.05). After 14 days of storage at 10°C, populations of EHEC on 0.75% NCR-treated romaine lettuce were reduced by 2.3 log CFU/cm2 compared with the recovery from 50 ppm of chlorine-treated samples (P0.05). Microscopic images revealed that EHEC cells were observed to be clustered on the baseline samples, indicating the development of cell aggregation, compared with the scattered cells seen on NCR-treated leaf surfaces. Treatments with NCR did not significantly affect the color of the fresh produce leaves during 14 days of storage at 10°C. Results of this study support the potential use of NCR as a water-soluble natural antimicrobial wash treatment for controlling EHEC on fresh produce.

The ubiquity of Listeria monocytogenes in the environment affects the food industry and presents concerns for frozen food facilities. This study determined the prevalence and numbers of Listeria species and L. monocytogenes on raw produce arriving at frozen food facilities. Raw produce was collected using multilevel blinding protocols to ensure anonymity of participants and avoid traceback. Five raw vegetables were selected: corn, carrots, green beans, peas, and spinach. Raw products were collected after arrival at the facilities but before cleaning or other preprocessing steps that are typically performed inside the facility. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Bacteriological Analytical Manual method for detection of Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes was followed, with PCR screening followed by selective plating methods. Listeria numbers were estimated from positive samples using the most-probable-number (MPN) methodology. A total of 290 samples were collected, with 96 and 17 samples positive for Listeria spp. (33.1%) and L. monocytogenes (5.9%), respectively. Enumeration data for the 96 Listeria spp. samples indicated 82 samples had greater than 100 MPN of Listeria spp. per g and 14 samples had less than 100 MPN Listeria spp. per g. The prevalence of Listeria spp. varied by commodity: spinach (66.7%), peas (50%), corn (32.2%), green beans (22.2%), and carrots (13%). L. monocytogenes prevalence was determined in corn (13.6%), peas (6.3%), and green beans (4.2%) arriving at processing facilities. Such data were previously unavailable to frozen vegetable processors and are valuable in implementing process control standards. The prevalence and pathogen concentration data from raw commodities found in this study can provide the industry with information to conduct more accurate quantitative risk assessments and a baseline to model and target appropriate pathogen reduction steps during processing. HIGHLIGHTS

The first step in quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) is to determine the distribution of pathogen contamination among servings of the food in question at some point in the farm-to-table chain. In the present study, the distribution of Salmonella contamination among servings of chicken liver for use in the QMRA was determined at meal preparation. Salmonella prevalence (P), most probable number (MPN, N), and serotype for different serving sizes were determined by use of a combination of five methods: (i) whole sample enrichment; (ii) quantitative PCR; (iii) culture isolation; (iv) serotyping; and (v) Monte Carlo simulation. Epidemiological data also were used to convert serotype data to virulence (V) values for use in the QMRA. A Monte Carlo simulation model based in Excel and simulated with @Risk predicted Salmonella P, N, serotype, and V as a function of a serving size of one (58 g) to eight (464 g) chicken livers. Salmonella P of chicken livers was 72.5% (58 of 80) per 58 g. Four Salmonella serotypes were isolated from chicken livers: (i) Infantis (P = 28%, V = 4.5); (ii) Enteritidis (P = 15%, V = 5); (iii) Typhimurium (P = 15%, V = 4.8); and (iv) Kentucky (P = 15%, V = 0.8). Salmonella N was 1.76 log MPN/58 g (median) with a range of 0 to 4.67 log MPN/58 g, and the median Salmonella N was not affected (P > 0.05) by serotype. The model predicted a nonlinear increase (P ≤ 0.05) of Salmonella P from 72.5%/58 g to 100%/464 g, a minimum N of 0 log MPN/58 g to 1.28 log MPN/464 g, and a median N from 1.76 log MPN/58 g to 3.22 log MPN/464 g. Regardless of serving size, predicted maximum N was 4.74 log MPN per serving, mean V was 3.9 per serving, and total N was 6.65 log MPN per lot (10,000 chicken livers). The data acquired and modeled in this study address an important data gap in the QMRA for Salmonella and whole chicken liver. HIGHLIGHTS

The United States is one of the largest catfish producers in the world. Louisiana is the leading producer of wild-caught catfish. Historically, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration inspected all seafood products; however, in 2008, Congress moved the inspection of fish in the order Siluriformes to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service. Full enforcement of the rule began on 1 September 2017. The present study was conducted to assess the impact of USDA Siluriformes fish regulation on small Louisiana wild-caught catfish processors and to determine the microbiological quality of and Salmonella prevalence in raw fillets. Nine facilities participated in the assessment study. Surveys were conducted before and after full enforcement to identify whether facilities had established prerequisite programs and record keeping associated with sanitation, hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) plans, food defense, and product recall. The processors' attitude about the change in regulations also was analyzed. For analysis of the microbiological quality and Salmonella prevalence, catfish samples were collected once per month for 2 years. Samples were evaluated for aerobic bacteria counts (APC), coliforms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella. The preenforcement survey revealed that only one facility had developed a HACCP plan, but it was not implemented. After 1 year of full enforcement, all the facilities developed and implemented a HACCP plan to process fresh catfish, and 78% of the processors reported a reduction in the amount of catfish processed due to limits in hours of operation and loss of fishermen. For microbiological quality, the mean (±SD) APC and counts of E. coli, coliforms, and S. aureus were 5.01 ± 0.70, 0.58 ± 0.89, 2.16 ± 0.77, and 0.73 ± 1.02 log CFU/g, respectively; 5.3% of the samples was confirmed positive for Salmonella. These findings indicate that after USDA enforcement, facilities improved food safety program documentation; however, the processing practices did not change. The microbial quality of the catfish fillets was within the acceptable levels in accordance with the International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods. HIGHLIGHTS

The efficient use of waste from food processing industry is one of the innovative approaches within sustainable development, because it can be transferred into added value products, which could improve economic, energetic and environmental sectors. In this context, the squid pen waste from seafood industry was used as raw material to obtain nanofibrous β-chitin films. In order to extend functionality of obtained films, elderberry extract obtained from biomass was added at different concentrations. The tensile strength of chitin-elderberry extract films was improved by 52%, elongation at break by 153% and water vapor barrier by 65%. The obtained material showed distinct color change when subjected to acidic or basic solutions. It was proven by CIELab color analysis that all color changes could be easily perceived visually. In addition, the obtained nanofibrous film was successfully used to monitor the freshness of Hake fish. Namely, when the film was introduced in a package that contained fresh fish, its color was efficiently changed within the time during the storage at 4 °C. The obtained results demonstrated that food processing waste could be efficiently valorized, and could give sustainable food package design as a spoilage indicator of high protein food.

Edible insects are a novel food in most countries; their popularity is growing because of their high protein/low fat content, ease of cultivation, and small environmental impact. To our knowledge, this is the first report that addresses both microbiological and chemical hazards in edible insects. Samples were collected from retail stores or purchase through e-commerce. A total of 51 samples of dried whole insects or insect powders were tested for generic Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) which serves as an indicator of the overall sanitation conditions throughout the food production chain, and the bacterial pathogen Salmonella species (spp.) Neither Salmonella spp. nor generic E. coli (>100 Colony Forming Units (CFU)/g) were found in any of the samples. 43 samples of crickets (protein bars, powders, flours, whole insects) and 4 samples of silkworm (whole insects) were analyzed for up to 511 pesticides. 39 samples contained residues from one to four pesticides; 34 samples were compliant and 5 samples were non-compliant with Canadian regulations. Seven different pesticide residues were detected with glyphosate and its metabolite, AMPA, being the predominant residues detected. Nineteen of the samples tested for pesticides were also analyzed for arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead; there was insufficient material remaining to allow for metals testing. The positive rate for arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury was 100%, 79%, 58% and 74%, respectively. The detected concentrations ranged from 0.030 mg/kg to 0.34 mg/kg for arsenic, from 0.031 mg/kg to 0.23 mg/kg for cadmium, 0.019 mg/kg to 0.059 mg/kg for lead, and from 0.00094 mg/kg to 0.028 mg/kg for mercury. Based on the lack of detection of microbiological contamination, and the positive rate and levels of pesticides and metals observed in the products, Health Canada determined that all insect products analyzed were safe for human consumption. This is a limited study; CFIA will continue to monitor this novel food.

Science-based guidance was used at eight small and very small state and federally inspected ready-to-eat meat and poultry processors across Michigan. Data were collected to determine the current level of sanitary control methods used for reducing Listeria in the processing environment and compared interactions with the facility microbial results. A checklist was created to assess the current recommended sanitary control methods from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The checklist, composed of 178 items divided into 10 general content domains, was used to assess which of the recommended controls were being used in the facilities to prevent postlethality contamination of ready-to-eat products. Effectiveness of preoperational and operational sanitation was assessed through sampling 12 nonfood contact surfaces by using an ATP reader and amplified nucleic single temperature reaction test for Listeria spp., including L. monocytogenes, at each facility. In total, 288 samples were taken collectively from the eight facilities (96 ATP, 96 preoperational Listeria spp., and 96 operational Listeria spp.). Microbial outcomes did not differ (P > 0.05) based on the overall number of recommended sanitary control methods used and the type of facility inspection. There was a greater content domain compliance overall in operational sanitation (P = 0.0005), sanitation (P = 0.0030), facility (P = 0.0397), and personal hygiene (P = 0.0033) than for segregation procedures regardless of the regulating body. Findings suggest that regardless of the regulating body, the quality of sanitary control measures used is more impactful for microbial control than simply the quantity implemented. Pathogen control may be obtained without implementing all of the sanitary control methods within the guidance documents. HIGHLIGHTS

Fungi in the Fusarium genus produce trichothecene mycotoxins including deoxynivalenol (DON) and T-2 toxin which may elicit their damaging effects on the gastrointestinal tract following the consumption of contaminated cereal-based foods. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of these commonly occurring fusarotoxins alone and in combination using the human, non-cancerous intestinal epithelial cell line HIEC-6. Based on our experimental data, 24 h after treatment with fusarotoxins, hydrogen peroxide levels, intracellular oxidative stress and the amounts of inflammatory interleukins IL-6 and IL-8 significantly increased. Cell membrane localization of the tight junction protein claudin-1 decreased, whereas distribution of occludin remained unchanged. Taken together, the HIEC-6 cell line appears to be a suitable experimental model for monitoring the combined effects of mycotoxins at the cellular level including changes in the redox states of cells.

Spoilage of high-temperature, short-time (HTST)- and vat-pasteurized fluid milk due to the introduction of gram-negative bacteria postpasteurization remains a challenge for the dairy industry. Although processing facility-level practices (e.g., sanitation practices) are known to impact the frequency of postpasteurization contamination (PPC), the relative importance of different practices is not well defined, thereby affecting the ability of facilities to select intervention targets that reduce PPC and provide the greatest return on investment. Thus, the goal of this study was to use an existing longitudinal data set of bacterial spoilage indicators obtained for pasteurized fluid milk samples collected from 23 processing facilities between July 2015 and November 2017 (with three to five samplings per facility) and data from a survey on fluid milk quality management practices, to identify factors associated with PPC and rank their relative importance. This ranking was accomplished using two separate approaches: multimodel inference and conditional random forest. Data preprocessing for multimodel inference analysis showed (i) nearly all factors were significantly associated with PPC when assessed individually using univariable logistic regression and (ii) numerous pairs of factors were strongly associated with each other (Cramer's V ≥ 0.80). Multimodel inference and conditional random forest analyses identified similar drivers associated with PPC; factors identified as most important based on these analyses included cleaning and sanitation practices, activities related to good manufacturing practices, container type (a proxy for different filling equipment), in-house finished product testing, and designation of a quality department, indicating potential targets for reducing PPC. In addition, this study illustrates how machine learning approaches can be used with highly correlated and unbalanced data, as typical for food safety and quality, to facilitate improved data analyses and decision making. HIGHLIGHTS

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of deoxynivalenol (DON) contaminated diet on performance, immune system, gut morphology and jejunal gene expression in broiler chickens. Eighty-one-day old chicks were randomly allotted into two treatments with 4 replicates (10 birds in each replication). Experimental diets were the control diet (maize-soybean meal) and an experimentally contaminated diet with 10 mg/kg DON. The results indicated that DON-challenged birds had decreased (P 0.05) average feed intake (AFI) during starter period as compared to control group. Also, average daily gain (ADG), AFI and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not affected (P 0.05) by inclusion of DON contaminated diet during the whole experimental period. Dietary addition of DON to the basal diet caused Fabricius bursa relative weight reduction, while increased the abdominal fat and serum triglyceride (TG) concentration (P 0.05). Dietary DON feeding caused an enhancement (P 0.05) in the blood aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma glutamytransferase (GGT) contents. Moreover, DON decreased the serum total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) concentrations. Inclusion of DON in diet reduced (P 0.05) the white blood cell (WBC) count, lymphocyte number and antibody titer against Newcastle disease virus, but increased (P 0.05) the blood heterophil count. The DON consumption also diminished (P 0.05) the villus height, villus to crypt ratio, mucosa thickness and villus surface area in the duodenum. Mucin-2 expression was decreased (P 0.05) by DON consumption, but toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) and claudin-5 (CLDN-5) expressions were not affected (P 0.05) by dietary treatments. In conclusion, although DON could not influence the performance attributes in broiler chickens, it adversely affected the immune response, muc-2 gene expressions in the jejunum and gut morphology, enhanced the liver enzyme indices and lessened the blood protein contents.

The mycotoxin patulin is primarily produced as a secondary metabolite by numerous fungal species and predominantly by Aspergillus, Byssochlamys, and Penicillium species. It is generally associated with fungal infected food materials. Penicillium expansum is considered the only fungal species liable for patulin contamination in pome fruits, especially in apples and apple-based products. This toxin in food poses serious health concerns and economic threat, which has aroused the need to adopt effective detection and mitigation strategies. Understanding its origin sources and biosynthetic mechanism stands essential for efficiently designing a management strategy against this fungal contamination. This review aims to present an updated outline of the sources of patulin occurrence in different foods and their biosynthetic mechanisms. It further provides information regarding the detrimental effects of patulin on human and agriculture as well as its effective detection, management, and control strategies.

Objectives Ready-to-eat (RTE) food sold in Quetta, Pakistan was assessed for microbial contamination. Methods Equal numbers of samples were collected from four categories of RTE food – burgers, shawarma, pizza and sandwiches – from January 2018 to December 2018. Microbial contamination of individual food samples was assessed by quantifying the total aerobic count obtained from plating samples on bacterial growth medium. Salmonella spp. serovars were identified using polymerase chain reaction. Results Approximately 38% (121/320) of RTE food samples were not fit for human consumption. The most contaminated type of RTE food was shawarma (49%). Microbial contamination of food samples was higher in summer compared with the other seasons. Approximately 40% (49/121) of food samples that were not fit for human consumption were contamined with Salmonella spp. Salmonella enteritidis (69%) and Salmonella typhimurium (31%) were the only serovars among the samples testing positive for Salmonella spp. Of the 49 samples with high microbial counts, S. enteritidis was present in 34 samples and S. typhimurium was present in 15 samples. The antibiotic sensitivity results demonstrated that both S. enteritidis and S. typhimurium were resistant to amoxicillin. In addition, S. enteritidis was resistant to chloramphenicol and erythromycin, and S. typhimurium presented high resistance to erythromycin. Both S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis were highly sensitive to kanamycin. Conclusion RTE food sold by street vendors in Quetta was found to be contaminated with Salmonella spp. and poses a great health risk to consumers. As such, consumption should be avoided, and the health authorities should take stringent action to ensure the quality of street food in order to reduce the healthcare burden.

Patients with celiac disease continue to be exposed to gluten despite efforts to maintain a gluten-free diet (GFD). Gluten exposure in those with celiac disease leads to pathological changes in the small intestine that may or may not be associated with gastrointestinal distress. While several studies have investigated a GFD, little is known about sources of gluten contamination that prevent proper maintenance of such a diet by celiac patients. In this study, we investigate common food practices that could lead to gluten cross-contact. Three different practices were examined for gluten cross-contact: gluten-free foods fried in a fryer also used for gluten containing foods, gluten-free bread toasted in a toaster also used for gluten-containing bread, and popular sandwich spreads applied with a knife used on gluten-containing bread (mayonnaise, jam, and peanut butter). We used the ALLER-TEK™ Gluten ELISA test kit and the sandwich ELISA RIDASCREEN Gliadin test kit, which is endorsed for determination of gluten content and used for the evaluation of food cross-contact. Using both kits gave the advantage of using the 401.2 antibody as well as the better established R5 antibody, providing increased confidence in our results. We found these practices resulted in small amounts of gluten cross-contact, although the majority of the results (93.6%) showed no significant cross-contact. Mayonnaise and peanut butter samples were contaminated with gluten above the limit designated by the FDA as gluten-free20 kg/mg (ppm).

Salad vegetables purchased from farmer's markets and grocery stores in central Ohio during the summers of 2015 and 2016 were tested for the presence of Enterobacteriaceae resistant to extended-spectrum cephalosporins and carbapenems, Salmonella contamination, and coliform bacterial counts. A total of 364 samples were collected from 36 farmers' markets and 33 grocery stores. Using selective media, we found 23 (6.3%) samples that produced Enterobacteriaceae expressing an AmpC β-lactamase phenotype, with 11 (3.0%) confirmed to contain blaCMY and 6 (1.6%) that produced Enterobacteriaceae with an extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) phenotype, 1 (0.3%) of which was confirmed to contain blaCTX-M. All blaCMY and blaCTX-M strains were isolated from leafy greens. No Salmonella spp. or carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae were recovered from fresh produce samples. Adjusting for year, the geometric mean coliform count differed (P < 0.05) between produce types, with the count in tomatoes (15 CFU/mL) being lower than those in cucumbers (77.4 CFU/mL) and leafy greens (75.0 CFU/mL). The coliform counts also differed (P < 0.05) between years, with 19.6 CFU/mL in 2015 and 96.0 CFU/mL in 2016. There was no difference in coliform counts or the prevalences of Enterobacteriaceae expressing AmpC or ESBL phenotypes in produce purchased from farmers' markets and grocery stores. HIGHLIGHTS

Vegetables in Cambodia are commonly sold in informal markets lacking food safety standards and controls. Currently, data on microbial contamination of vegetables in Cambodian informal markets are limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate Salmonella enterica and indicator organisms (generic Escherichia coli and coliforms) on the surface of fresh vegetables sold in informal markets in Cambodia. A sample of loose-leaf lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers were collected from 104 vendors at four informal markets in Battambang and Siem Reap provinces during rainy and dry seasons. Detection methods for Salmonella enterica were adapted from the Food and Drug Administration's Bacteriological Analytical Manual (FDA BAM). Quantification of coliforms and generic E. coli populations was conducted by plating onto E. coli/Coliform count plates. Salmonella enterica was most prevalent on lettuce during the dry season (56.5%, 95% CI [41.0, 70.8]) compared to the rainy season (15.4 95% CI [7.5, 29.1]), whereas no significant seasonal differences were apparent for tomatoes and cucumbers. Regardless of season, levels of Salmonella enterica were highest on lettuce (5.7 log CFU/g, 95% CI [5.5, 5.9]), relative to cucumbers (4.2 log CFU/g, 95% CI [3.8, 4.6]) and tomatoes (4.3 log CFU/g, 95% CI [4.1, 4.6]). For generic E. coli, prevalence was higher during the rainy season (34.0%, 95% CI [25.4, 43.8]) as compared to the dry season (9.1%, 95% CI [4.9, 16.5]), with the highest prevalence estimated on lettuce. Similarly, the level of coliforms on lettuce and tomatoes was greater during the rainy season (6.3 and 5.3 log CFU/g, 95% CI [5.7, 6.8] and [4.7, 5.8], respectively), relative to the dry season (5.2 and 3.9 log CFU/g, 95% CI [4.7, 5.7] and [3.4, 4.4], respectively). In summary, these results indicate seasonal patterns for microbial prevalence in lettuce, and an overall high level of bacterial contamination on raw vegetables sold in Cambodian informal markets.

Foodborne disease outbreak investigations identify foods responsible for illnesses. However, it is not known the degree to which foods implicated in outbreaks reflect the distribution of food consumption in the U.S. population or the risk associated with their consumption. We compared the distribution of 24 categories of foods implicated in outbreaks with the distribution of foods consumed by the U.S. population. Beef, chicken, eggs, fish, herbs, mollusks, pork, sprouts, seeded vegetables, and turkey were implicated in outbreaks significantly more often than expected based on the frequency of their consumption by the general population, suggesting a higher risk of contamination or mishandling from foods in these categories than from foods in other categories. In contrast, pasteurized dairy, fruits, grains and beans, oils and sugars, and root and underground vegetables were less frequently implicated in outbreaks than their frequency of consumption by the general population, suggesting a lower health risk associated with these food categories. HIGHLIGHTS

Research suggests that small, independent delicatessens are less likely to follow proper sanitation procedures, including slicer inspection, which could lead to a higher likelihood of these delis being a reservoir for Listeria monocytogenes growth and cross-contamination. This study was undertaken to determine the incidence of L. monocytogenes in counter-sliced turkey deli meat obtained from independent delis in an urban city. Deli meat, counter-sliced on site, was collected from 118 independent delis in New York City. The samples were analyzed for L. monocytogenes using the U.S. Department of Agriculture Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook methodology for isolation and confirmation. The selection criteria for delis included using the city's restaurant inspection and grading system. Two samples, from separate delis, were confirmed as positive for L. monocytogenes (1.69%). Analysis of the genomic sequences of one of the samples revealed a close match to a cluster of six clinical isolates, which were part of an ongoing multistate listeriosis outbreak spanning four states. The sequence of the second isolate matched a clinical isolate in a neighboring state. Both isolates were obtained from delis that did not have the top inspection grade. Although a snapshot of one urban area, this study is the first report on the current incidence of L. monocytogenes on counter-sliced deli meat from independent deli establishments. This study suggests that these delis can potentially serve as sources of L. monocytogenes contamination or contribute to downstream foodborne listeriosis. Information provided by city inspection and grading systems, in addition to the letter grade, may serve as a tool to identify delis with potential L. monocytogenes contamination issues and a basis for product and environmental sampling by public health authorities. HIGHLIGHTS

The occurrence, concentrations, and variables associated with tetracycline, polyether ionophore, and anthelmintic residues in the livers of chickens sold in the informal market in South Africa were determined. Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to simultaneously analyze for four tetracyclines, five polyether ionophores, and six anthelmintic residues. The study determined the presence of residues in liver samples at both the limit of quantifications (LOQ) and concentrations over the maximum residue limit (MRL), i.e., noncompliant. Doxycycline (tetracycline group) was detected in 24 (24.5%) of 98 chicken livers, and 15 (15.3%) of the 98 were noncompliant. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) concentrations of 919.04 ± 1,081.30 ppb (LOQ) and 1,410.57 ± 108.89 ppb (MRL) were obtained. Maduramicin was detected in 27 (27.6%) of 98 chicken livers, and 19 (19.4%) of 98 were noncompliant. The mean ± SD for LOQ was 117.96 ± 84.56 ppb, and MRL was 153.21 ± 76.29 ppb. The concentrations of residues of doxycycline and maduramicin in chicken livers varied significantly across townships. Lasalocid was found in 31 (31.6%) of 98 samples, of which 5 (5.1%) had concentrations above the MRL. The mean ± SD concentration of lasalocid was 62.90 ± 170.84 ppb for samples in which lasalocid was quantified and 310.16 ± 356.68 ppb for noncompliant samples. Detectable concentrations of praziquantel, closantel, and rafoxanide (anthelmintics) residues were found in 3 (3.1%), 1 (1.0%), and 2 (2.0%) of 98 chicken livers, respectively. The presence of residues of three classes of veterinary drugs in chicken livers poses food safety implications to consumers and indicates a need for enhanced regulatory enforcement in controlling these drugs in South Africa. HIGHLIGHTS

The topic of food safety continues to receive increased attention and has ramifications on various human, environmental, policy, and economic levels worldwide. By garnering feedback from 30 food industry experts, this study was undertaken to identify the most critical issues facing the food industry in relation to food safety. According to expert opinion and after three rounds of Delphi inquiry, food contamination detection, outbreaks, and prevention along with governmental oversight, education for and communication with consumers and employees, and globalization were identified as the main areas at the forefront of food safety. Delphi and constant comparative research methods are explained, and suggestions on how to make meaning from the results to progress in this area are discussed. HIGHLIGHTS

Climate-driven invasions of toxin-producing plants compromise human health, food safety, and food security. A recent poisoning that involved cereal products distributed by the World Food Programme revealed contamination with tropane alkaloids from seeds of invasive common thorn-apple. With continued global change, plant toxin contaminations could become a more widespread phenomenon.

We evaluated fresh vegetables for residues of 18 pesticides with different chemical structures, including organochlorine pesticides, organophosphorus pesticides, carbamate pesticides, and pyrethroid pesticides and estimated that the potential health risks for consumers. A total of 313 samples were collected from 12 kinds of vegetables in Changchun, the capital of Jilin Province, People's Republic of China. Pesticide residues were analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, and the curves were highly linear at 0.01 to 1.00 μg/mL (R2 ≥ 0.99). The mean recovery rate of the pesticides was 62 to 110% (relative standard deviation of5%). The limit of detection was 0.0001 to 0.0167 mg/kg, the limit of quantification was 0.0002 to 0.0556 mg/kg, and the overall detection rate was 28.43%. The prevalence of pesticides and of samples above the standard limit were highest in celery, the prevalence of pesticides was lowest in potatoes, and the prevalence of samples above the standard limit was lowest in cucumber. Three of the 18 pesticides were not detected: omethoate, chlorpyrifos, and fenvalerate. Among the 15 pesticides detected, the maximum risk factor of six (carbofuran, omethoate, phorate, dicofol, dimethoate, and dichlorvos) is1, indicating possible harm to human health. Residues of a single pesticide may not adversely affect a person's health, but multiple pesticide residues could present a health risk.

Salmonella is a foodborne pathogen commonly associated with poultry products. The aims of this work were to (i) estimate the impact of critical steps of the slaughter process on Salmonella detection from broiler chicken carcasses in two commercial poultry slaughter plants in Quebec, Canada; (ii) investigate the presence of Salmonella in the slaughter plant environment; (iii) describe, using a high-resolution melting (HRM) approach, the HRM Salmonella profiles and serotypes present on carcasses and in the slaughter plant environment; and (iv) evaluate whether the HRM flock status after chilling could be predicted by the flock status at previous steps of the slaughter process, the status of previous flocks, or the status of the processing environment, for the same HRM profile. Eight visits were conducted in each slaughter plant over a 6-month period. In total, 379 carcass rinsates from 79 flocks were collected at five critical steps of the slaughter process. Environmental samples were also collected from seven critical sites in each slaughter plant. The bleeding step was the most contaminated, with >92% positive carcasses. A decrease of the contamination along the slaughtering process was noted, with carcasses sampled after dry-air chilling showing ≤2.5% Salmonella prevalence. The most frequently isolated serotypes were Salmonella Heidelberg, Kentucky, and Schwarzengrund. The detection of the Salmonella Heidelberg 1-1-1 HRM profile on carcasses after chilling was significantly associated with its detection at previous steps of the slaughter process and in previously slaughtered flocks from other farms during a same sampling day. Results highlight the importance of the chilling step in the control of Salmonella on broiler chicken carcasses and the need to further describe and compare the competitive advantage of Salmonella serotypes to survive processing. The current study also illustrates the usefulness of HRM typing in investigating Salmonella contamination along the slaughter process. HIGHLIGHTS

Sake (Japanese rice wine) has been recognized as being low risk in terms of its microbiological safety. However, a confirmation of the food safety aspects of sake based on scientific evidence is important for establishing consumer confidence, in part because consumer concerns regarding food safety have increased. The presence of Bacillus cereus spores in refined rice wine has been reported, and in light of consumers' growing concern over food safety, the establishment of food and beverage safety is important for consumers' reassurance. Herein, to confirm the microbiological safety of sake, we investigated the content and growth of B. cereus. We conducted a spore addition test to determine whether B. cereus spores grow during sake production, and we observed no growth or germination of B. cereus spores during the manufacturing process. We also observed that processes such as solid-liquid separation and filtration help remove the risk posed by B. cereus. We then conducted a survey to assess the density of B. cereus in various commercial sake products. We analyzed 162 samples of commercial sake and observed that 11 of the products had ≥1 CFU of living cells in 1 mL of sake (detection rate, 6.8%). There was no product in which ≥100 CFU of living cells per 1 mL of sake was detected. Our findings confirmed that the density of these bacteria in sake is lower than that in other foods and that the probability of infection is very low. The emetic toxin produced by B. cereus was not detected in any of the sake samples. This is the first study based on experimental data demonstrating that B. cereus is not able to grow in sake or during the sake manufacturing process. We, thus, conclude that the safety risk of B. cereus in sake is negligible. Our findings indicating that B. cereus is not a significant hazard in the sake brewing process will contribute to food hygiene management based on scientific evidence in sake breweries. HIGHLIGHTS

Food, especially animal origin food is the main source of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) for human exposure. So, a simple, rapid and cheap bioassay method is needed for determination of dioxins in food samples. In this study, we used a new highly sensitive reporter cell line to determine the concentration of dioxins in 33 fish and seafood samples. The samples were extracted by shaking with water/isopropanol (1:1 v/v) and hexane and cleaned-up by a multi layered silica gel column and an alumina column, then analyzed using CBG 2.8D cell line. We compared the results obtained from the CBG 2.8D cell assay to those obtained from conventional High-Resolution Gas Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HRGC-HRMS) analysis. Good correlations were observed between these two methods (r2=0.93). While the slope of regression line was 1.76, the bioanalytical equivalent (BEQ) values were 1.76 folds higher than WHO-TEQ values and the conversion coefficient was 0.568 (the reciprocal of 1.76). In conclusion, CBG 2.8D cell assay was an applicable method to determine dioxins levels in fish and sea food samples.

Abstarct In the last few years, sildenafil and its analogues have emerged as an illegal ingredient in health food and products, causing illness and death. To address this problem, herein, a gold nanoparticle-based immunochromatographic assay for simultaneous detection sildenafil and its analogues was developed by using just one monoclonal antibody. This method can realize qualitative and quantitative analysis of sildenafil and its analogues with a detection range (IC20-IC80) of 0.12–28.05 ng mL−1, the IC50 was 0.31–8.45 ng mL−1 and the cut-off value was 5.0–80.0 ng mL−1. Meanwhile, this method could also accomplish semi-quantitative analysis of vardenafil with a cut-off value of 0.625 ng mL−1. The detection can be finished in 6 min and showed no cross-reactivity with avanafil and tadalafil. The recoveries of spiked samples ranged from 70.5 to 118.9% with a coefficient variation less than 15%, which confirmed the assay was sensitive, accurate and adapted to the rapid determination of sildenafil and its analogues.

A simple and effective approach to remove pesticide residues on vegetables is necessary for food safety. Ozone microbubbles treatment as an eco-friendly washing technique was investigated for three vegetables (celery, pakchoi and cowpea) collected from the field applied with five pesticides. The removal rates of five pesticide residues on cowpea by ozone microbubbles treatment were 15 %-47 % higher than that by ozone macrobubbles. Moreover, compared with the other four systemic pesticides, emamectin benzoate had a preferable removal rate (65 %-94 %) as a non-systemic pesticide with high water solubility. Through Mass Spectrometry (MS), the double-bonded structure of emamectin benzoate made it more possible to be removed chemically, carrying a degradation rate of 88 % at 25 min in water. Additionally, cowpea showed low removal (28 %-65 %) owing to its stomata and rough surface with SEM. Conclusively, this study demonstrated the potential of the ozone microbubble treatment on pesticide residues removal to enhance food safety.