76 results on '"Hempen, Michaela"'
Search Results
2. The impact of the proposed revised Australia's microbiological monitoring programme for beef and sheep meat exported to the EU.
- Author
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Blagojevic, Bojan, Guillier, Laurent, Lindqvist, Roland, Hempen, Michaela, Martino, Laura, Goudjihounde, Sonagnon Martin, and Koutsoumanis, Konstantinos
- Subjects
ESCHERICHIA coli ,BEEF carcasses ,MICROBIAL contamination ,SHEEP ,SALMONELLA - Abstract
The European Commission asks scientific and technical assistance from EFSA to determine the impact of the revision of the Australian monitoring programme on its ability to detect microbiological contamination. Considering that, in 2010, the European Commission determined the current Australian monitoring programme to be equivalent to the EU requirements for microbiological monitoring further to an EFSA scientific assessment, the current and proposed programmes were described and the total number of alerts was compared using a probabilistic modelling approach. In the current programme, only beef and sheep carcasses are monitored using three‐class moving window sampling plans, while in the proposed programme, carcass, bulk meat, primal and offal are monitored using four two‐class sampling plans and Salmonella testing is excluded. The models revealed that the current programme provides a higher number of alerts for APC, while the proposed monitoring programme provides a higher number of alerts for E. coli. For APC and E. coli combined, the mean, 5th and 95th centiles of the uncertainty distribution of the total number of alerts in the current and the proposed monitoring programme are 201 [179, 227] and 172 [149, 194] for beef, and 199 [175, 222] and 2897 [2795, 3008] for sheep, respectively. For Salmonella, there are no alerts for the proposed programme since sampling is excluded while for the current programme, the estimated mean, 5th and 95th centiles of the uncertainty distribution of the number of alerts for a 5‐year period were 143 [126, 144] for heifer/steer, 1.6 [0, 4] for cow/bull and 0 [0, 0] for lamb/sheep. Overall, for APC and E. coli, the estimated total number of alerts was similar (beef) or higher (sheep) for the proposed compared to the current programme. In contrast, Salmonella sampling is excluded from the proposed programme and thus cannot detect the number of current alerts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. Welfare of laying hens on farm
- Author
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European Commission, EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW), Saxmose Nielsen, Søren, Álvarez, Julio, Bicout, Dominique Joseph, Calistri, Paolo, Canali, Elisabetta, Drewe, Julian Ashley, Garin‐Bastuji, Bruno, Gonzales Rojas, Jose Luis, Gortázar, Christian, Herskin, Mette, Miranda Chueca, Miguel Ángel, Padalino, Barbara, Pasquali, Paolo, Roberts, Helen Clare, Spoolder, Hans, Ståhl, Karl, Velarde Calvo, Antonio, Viltrop, Arvo, Winckler, Christoph, Estevez, Inmaculada, Guinebretière, Maryse, Rodenburg, Bas, Schrader, Lars, Tiemann, Inga, Niekerk, Thea van, Ardizzone, Michele, Ashe, Sean, Hempen, Michaela, Mosbach‐Schulz, Olaf, Rojo Gimeno, Cristina, Stede, Yves van der, Vitali, Marika, Vitali, European Commission, EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW), Saxmose Nielsen, Søren, Álvarez, Julio, Bicout, Dominique Joseph, Calistri, Paolo, Canali, Elisabetta, Drewe, Julian Ashley, Garin‐Bastuji, Bruno, Gonzales Rojas, Jose Luis, Gortázar, Christian, Herskin, Mette, Miranda Chueca, Miguel Ángel, Padalino, Barbara, Pasquali, Paolo, Roberts, Helen Clare, Spoolder, Hans, Ståhl, Karl, Velarde Calvo, Antonio, Viltrop, Arvo, Winckler, Christoph, Estevez, Inmaculada, Guinebretière, Maryse, Rodenburg, Bas, Schrader, Lars, Tiemann, Inga, Niekerk, Thea van, Ardizzone, Michele, Ashe, Sean, Hempen, Michaela, Mosbach‐Schulz, Olaf, Rojo Gimeno, Cristina, Stede, Yves van der, Vitali, Marika, and Vitali
- Abstract
This scientific opinion focuses on the welfare of laying hens, pullets and layer breeders on farm. The most relevant husbandry systems used in Europe are described. For each system, highly relevant welfare consequences were identified, as well as related animal-based measures (ABMs), and hazards leading to the welfare consequences. Moreover, measures to prevent or correct the hazards and/or mitigate the welfare consequences are recommended. The highly relevant welfare consequences based on severity, duration and frequency of occurrence are bone lesions, group stress, inability to avoid unwanted sexual behaviour, inability to perform comfort behaviour, inability to perform exploratory or foraging behaviour, isolation stress, predation stress, resting problems, restriction of movement, skin disorders and soft tissue lesions and integument damage. The welfare consequences of non-cage compared to cage systems for laying hens are described and minimum enclosure characteristics are described for laying hens, pullets and layer breeders. Beak trimming, which causes negative welfare consequences and is conducted to reduce the prevalence and severity of pecking, is described as well as the risks associated with rearing of non-beak-trimmed flocks. Alternatives to reduce sharpness of the beak without trimming are suggested. Finally, total mortality, plumage damage, wounds, keel bone fractures and carcass condemnations are the most promising ABMs for collection at slaughterhouses to monitor the level of laying hen welfare on farm. Main recommendations include housing all birds in non-cage systems with easily accessible, elevated platforms and provision of dry and friable litter and access to a covered veranda. It is further recommended to implement protocols to define welfare trait information to encourage progress in genetic selection, implement measures to prevent injurious pecking, rear pullets with dark brooders and reduce male aggression in layer breeders.
- Published
- 2023
4. Welfare of laying hens on farm
- Author
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AISS Animal Welfare, AISS – Animal Welfare, EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Animal Welfare (AHAW), Nielsen, Soren Saxmose, Alvarez, Julio, Bicout, Dominique Joseph, Calistri, Paolo, Canali, Elisabetta, Drewe, Julian Ashley, Garin-Bastuji, Bruno, Rojas, Jose Luis Gonzales, Schmidt, Christian Gortazar, Herskin, Mette, Chueca, Miguel angel Miranda, Padalino, Barbara, Pasquali, Paolo, Roberts, Helen Clare, Spoolder, Hans, Stahl, Karl, Velarde, Antonio, Viltrop, Arvo, Winckler, Christoph, Estevez, Inmaculada, Guinebretiere, Maryse, Rodenburg, Bas, Schrader, Lars, Tiemann, Inga, Van Niekerk, Thea, Ardizzone, Michele, Ashe, Sean, Hempen, Michaela, Mosbach-Schulz, Olaf, Gimeno, Cristina Rojo, Van Der Stede, Yves, Vitali, Marika, Michel, Virginie, AISS Animal Welfare, AISS – Animal Welfare, EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Animal Welfare (AHAW), Nielsen, Soren Saxmose, Alvarez, Julio, Bicout, Dominique Joseph, Calistri, Paolo, Canali, Elisabetta, Drewe, Julian Ashley, Garin-Bastuji, Bruno, Rojas, Jose Luis Gonzales, Schmidt, Christian Gortazar, Herskin, Mette, Chueca, Miguel angel Miranda, Padalino, Barbara, Pasquali, Paolo, Roberts, Helen Clare, Spoolder, Hans, Stahl, Karl, Velarde, Antonio, Viltrop, Arvo, Winckler, Christoph, Estevez, Inmaculada, Guinebretiere, Maryse, Rodenburg, Bas, Schrader, Lars, Tiemann, Inga, Van Niekerk, Thea, Ardizzone, Michele, Ashe, Sean, Hempen, Michaela, Mosbach-Schulz, Olaf, Gimeno, Cristina Rojo, Van Der Stede, Yves, Vitali, Marika, and Michel, Virginie
- Published
- 2023
5. Welfare of laying hens on farm
- Author
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EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Animal Welfare, Nielsen, Søren Saxmose, Alvarez, Julio, Bicout, Dominique Joseph, Calistri, Paolo, Canali, Elisabetta, Drewe, Julian Ashley, Garin-Bastuji, Bruno, Gonzales Rojas, Jose Luis, Gortázar Schmidt, Christian, Herskin, Mette, Miranda Chueca, Miguel Ángel, Padalino, Barbara, Pasquali, Paolo, Roberts, Helen Clare, Spoolder, Hans, Stahl, Karl, Velarde, Antonio, Viltrop, Arvo, Winckler, Christoph, Estevez, Inmaculada, Guinebretière, Maryse, Rodenburg, Bas, Schrader, Lars, Tiemann, Inga, Van Niekerk, Thea, Ardizzone, Michele, Ashe, Sean, Hempen, Michaela, Mosbach-Schulz, Olaf, Rojo Gimeno, Cristina, Van der Stede, Yves, Vitali, Marika, Michel, Virginie, EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Animal Welfare, Nielsen, Søren Saxmose, Alvarez, Julio, Bicout, Dominique Joseph, Calistri, Paolo, Canali, Elisabetta, Drewe, Julian Ashley, Garin-Bastuji, Bruno, Gonzales Rojas, Jose Luis, Gortázar Schmidt, Christian, Herskin, Mette, Miranda Chueca, Miguel Ángel, Padalino, Barbara, Pasquali, Paolo, Roberts, Helen Clare, Spoolder, Hans, Stahl, Karl, Velarde, Antonio, Viltrop, Arvo, Winckler, Christoph, Estevez, Inmaculada, Guinebretière, Maryse, Rodenburg, Bas, Schrader, Lars, Tiemann, Inga, Van Niekerk, Thea, Ardizzone, Michele, Ashe, Sean, Hempen, Michaela, Mosbach-Schulz, Olaf, Rojo Gimeno, Cristina, Van der Stede, Yves, Vitali, Marika, and Michel, Virginie
- Abstract
This scientific opinion focuses on the welfare of laying hens, pullets and layer breeders on farm. The most relevant husbandry systems used in Europe are described. For each system, highly relevant welfare consequences were identified, as well as related animal-based measures (ABMs), and hazards leading to the welfare consequences. Moreover, measures to prevent or correct the hazards and/or mitigate the welfare consequences are recommended. The highly relevant welfare consequences based on severity, duration and frequency of occurrence are bone lesions, group stress, inability to avoid unwanted sexual behaviour, inability to perform comfort behaviour, inability to perform exploratory or foraging behaviour, isolation stress, predation stress, resting problems, restriction of movement, skin disorders and soft tissue lesions and integument damage. The welfare consequences of non-cage compared to cage systems for laying hens are described and minimum enclosure characteristics are described for laying hens, pullets and layer breeders. Beak trimming, which causes negative welfare consequences and is conducted to reduce the prevalence and severity of pecking, is described as well as the risks associated with rearing of non-beak-trimmed flocks. Alternatives to reduce sharpness of the beak without trimming are suggested. Finally, total mortality, plumage damage, wounds, keel bone fractures and carcass condemnations are the most promising ABMs for collection at slaughterhouses to monitor the level of laying hen welfare on farm. Main recommendations include housing all birds in non-cage systems with easily accessible, elevated platforms and provision of dry and friable litter and access to a covered veranda. It is further recommended to implement protocols to define welfare trait information to encourage progress in genetic selection, implement measures to prevent injurious pecking, rear pullets with dark brooders and reduce male aggression in layer breeders.
- Published
- 2023
6. Welfare of broilers on farm
- Author
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EFSA AHAW Panel, Nielsen, Søren Saxmose, Alvarez, Julio, Bicout, Dominique Joseph, Calistri, Paolo, Canali, Elisabetta, Drewe, Julian Ashley, Garin-Bastuji, Bruno, Gonzales Rojas, Jose Luis, Schmidt, Christian Gortázar, Herskin, Mette S, Miranda Chueca, Miguel Ángel, Padalino, Barbara, Pasquali, Paolo, Roberts, Helen Clare, Spoolder, Hans, Stahl, Karl, Velarde, Antonio, Viltrop, Arvo, Winckler, Christoph, Tiemann, Inga, de Jong, Ingrid, Gebhardt-Henrich, Sabine Gabriele, Keeling, Linda, Riber, Anja Brinch, Ashe, Sean, Candiani, Denis, García Matas, Raquel, Hempen, Michaela, Mosbach-Schulz, Olaf, Rojo Gimeno, Cristina, Van der Stede, Yves, Vitali, Marika, Bailly-Caumette, Eléa, Michel, Virginie, EFSA AHAW Panel, Nielsen, Søren Saxmose, Alvarez, Julio, Bicout, Dominique Joseph, Calistri, Paolo, Canali, Elisabetta, Drewe, Julian Ashley, Garin-Bastuji, Bruno, Gonzales Rojas, Jose Luis, Schmidt, Christian Gortázar, Herskin, Mette S, Miranda Chueca, Miguel Ángel, Padalino, Barbara, Pasquali, Paolo, Roberts, Helen Clare, Spoolder, Hans, Stahl, Karl, Velarde, Antonio, Viltrop, Arvo, Winckler, Christoph, Tiemann, Inga, de Jong, Ingrid, Gebhardt-Henrich, Sabine Gabriele, Keeling, Linda, Riber, Anja Brinch, Ashe, Sean, Candiani, Denis, García Matas, Raquel, Hempen, Michaela, Mosbach-Schulz, Olaf, Rojo Gimeno, Cristina, Van der Stede, Yves, Vitali, Marika, Bailly-Caumette, Eléa, and Michel, Virginie
- Abstract
This Scientific Opinion considers the welfare of domestic fowl (Gallus gallus) related to the production of meat (broilers) and includes the keeping of day-old chicks, broiler breeders, and broiler chickens. Currently used husbandry systems in the EU are described. Overall, 19 highly relevant welfare consequences (WCs) were identified based on severity, duration and frequency of occurrence: ?bone lesions?, ?cold stress?, ?gastro-enteric disorders?, ?group stress?, ?handling stress?, ?heat stress?, ?isolation stress?, ?inability to perform comfort behaviour?, ?inability to perform exploratory or foraging behaviour?, ?inability to avoid unwanted sexual behaviour?, ?locomotory disorders?, ?prolonged hunger?, ?prolonged thirst?, ?predation stress?, ?restriction of movement?, ?resting problems?, ?sensory under- and overstimulation?, ?soft tissue and integument damage? and ?umbilical disorders?. These WCs and their animal-based measures (ABMs) that can identify them are described in detail. A variety of hazards related to the different husbandry systems were identified as well as ABMs for assessing the different WCs. Measures to prevent or correct the hazards and/or mitigate each of the WCs are listed. Recommendations are provided on quantitative or qualitative criteria to answer specific questions on the welfare of broilers and related to genetic selection, temperature, feed and water restriction, use of cages, light, air quality and mutilations in breeders such as beak trimming, de-toeing and comb dubbing. In addition, minimal requirements (e.g. stocking density, group size, nests, provision of litter, perches and platforms, drinkers and feeders, of covered veranda and outdoor range) for an enclosure for keeping broiler chickens (fast-growing, slower-growing and broiler breeders) are recommended. Finally, ?total mortality?, ?wounds?, ?carcass condemnation? and ?footpad dermatitis? are proposed as indicators for monitoring at slaughter the welfare of broilers on-farm.
- Published
- 2023
7. Welfare of laying hens on farm
- Author
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EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Animal Welfare (AHAW), Nielsen, Soren Saxmose, Alvarez, Julio, Bicout, Dominique Joseph, Calistri, Paolo, Canali, Elisabetta, Drewe, Julian Ashley, Garin-Bastuji, Bruno, Rojas, Jose Luis Gonzales, Schmidt, Christian Gortazar, Herskin, Mette, Chueca, Miguel angel Miranda, Padalino, Barbara, Pasquali, Paolo, Roberts, Helen Clare, Spoolder, Hans, Stahl, Karl, Velarde, Antonio, Viltrop, Arvo, Winckler, Christoph, Estevez, Inmaculada, Guinebretiere, Maryse, Rodenburg, Bas, Schrader, Lars, Tiemann, Inga, Van Niekerk, Thea, Ardizzone, Michele, Ashe, Sean, Hempen, Michaela, Mosbach-Schulz, Olaf, Gimeno, Cristina Rojo, Van Der Stede, Yves, Vitali, Marika, Michel, Virginie, and AISS Animal Welfare
- Subjects
beak trimming ,on-farm welfare ,welfare consequences ,veterinary (miscalleneous) ,husbandry systems ,laying hens ,end the cage age ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Parasitology ,Plant Science ,animal-based measures ,Microbiology ,Food Science - Abstract
This scientific opinion focuses on the welfare of laying hens, pullets and layer breeders on farm. The most relevant husbandry systems used in Europe are described. For each system, highly relevant welfare consequences were identified, as well as related animal-based measures (ABMs), and hazards leading to the welfare consequences. Moreover, measures to prevent or correct the hazards and/or mitigate the welfare consequences are recommended. The highly relevant welfare consequences based on severity, duration and frequency of occurrence are bone lesions, group stress, inability to avoid unwanted sexual behaviour, inability to perform comfort behaviour, inability to perform exploratory or foraging behaviour, isolation stress, predation stress, resting problems, restriction of movement, skin disorders and soft tissue lesions and integument damage. The welfare consequences of non-cage compared to cage systems for laying hens are described and minimum enclosure characteristics are described for laying hens, pullets and layer breeders. Beak trimming, which causes negative welfare consequences and is conducted to reduce the prevalence and severity of pecking, is described as well as the risks associated with rearing of non-beak-trimmed flocks. Alternatives to reduce sharpness of the beak without trimming are suggested. Finally, total mortality, plumage damage, wounds, keel bone fractures and carcass condemnations are the most promising ABMs for collection at slaughterhouses to monitor the level of laying hen welfare on farm. Main recommendations include housing all birds in non-cage systems with easily accessible, elevated platforms and provision of dry and friable litter and access to a covered veranda. It is further recommended to implement protocols to define welfare trait information to encourage progress in genetic selection, implement measures to prevent injurious pecking, rear pullets with dark brooders and reduce male aggression in layer breeders.
- Published
- 2023
8. Update of the list of QPS-recommended microbiological agents intentionally added to food or feed as notified to EFSA 16: suitability of taxonomic units notified to EFSA until March 2022
- Author
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EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ), Koutsoumanis, Kostas, Allende, Ana, Alvarez-Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover-Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Cocconcelli, Pier Sandro, Fernández Escámez, Pablo Salvador, Prieto Maradona, Miguel, Querol, Amparo, Sijtsma, Lolke, Suarez, Juan Evaristo, Sundh, Ingvar, Vlak, Just, Barizzone, Fulvio, Hempen, Michaela, Correia, Sandra, Herman, Lieve, Indústries Alimentàries, Funcionalitat i Seguretat Alimentària, Koutsoumanis, Kosta, Allende, Ana, Alvarez-Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover-Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagioti, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Cocconcelli, Pier Sandro, Fernández Escámez, Pablo Salvador, Maradona, Miguel Prieto, Querol, Amparo, Sijtsma, Lolke, Suarez, Juan Evaristo, Sundh, Ingvar, Vlak, Just, Barizzone, Fulvio, Hempen, Michaela, Correia, Sandra, and Herman, Lieve
- Subjects
663/664 ,Veterinary (miscellaneous) ,Companilactobacillus formosensi ,Pseudomonas fluorescen ,Plant Science ,Papiliotrema terrestri ,Microbiology ,Streptococcus salivarius ,QPS ,Ensifer adhaeren ,Pseudonocardia autotrophica ,Microbacterium foliorum ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Parasitology ,Food Science - Abstract
The qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach was developed to provide a regularly updated generic pre-evaluation of the safety of microorganisms, intended for use in the food or feed chains, to support the work of EFSA's Scientific Panels. The QPS approach is based on an assessment of published data for each agent, with respect to its taxonomic identity, the body of relevant knowledge, safety concerns and occurrence of antimicrobial resistance. Safety concerns identified for a taxonomic unit (TU) are, where possible, confirmed at the species/strain or product level and reflected by ‘qualifications’. In the period covered by this statement, no new information was found that would change the status of previously recommended QPS TUs. Of the 50 microorganisms notified to EFSA in October 2021 to March 2022 (inclusive), 41 were not evaluated: 10 filamentous fungi, 1 Enterococcus faecium, 1 Clostridium butyricum, 3 Escherichia coli and 1 Streptomyces spp. because are excluded from QPS evaluation, and 25 TUs that have already a QPS status. Nine notifications, corresponding to seven TUs were evaluated: four of these, Streptococcus salivarius, Companilactobacillus formosensis, Pseudonocardia autotrophica and Papiliotrema terrestris, being evaluated for the first time. The other three, Microbacterium foliorum, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Ensifer adhaerens were re-assessed. None of these TUs were recommended for QPS status: Ensifer adhaerens, Microbacterium foliorum, Companilactobacillus formosensis and Papiliotrema terrestris due to a limited body of knowledge, Streptococcus salivarius due to its ability to cause bacteraemia and systemic infection that results in a variety of morbidities, Pseudonocardia autotrophica due to lack of body of knowledge and uncertainty on the safety of biologically active compounds which can be produced, and Pseudomonas fluorescens due to possible safety concerns. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
- Published
- 2022
9. Update of the list of qualified presumption of safety (QPS) recommended microorganisms intentionally added to food or feed as notified to EFSA
- Author
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EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ), Koutsoumanis, Konstantinos, Allende, Ana, Álvarez-Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover-Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, de Cesare, Alessandra, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luísa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Cocconcelli, Pier Sandro, Fernández Escámez, Pablo Salvador, Prieto Maradona, Miguel, Querol, Amparo, Sijtsma, Lolke, Suarez, Juan Evaristo, Sundh, Ingvar, Vlak, Just, Barizzone, Fulvio, Hempen, Michaela, Correia, Sandra, Herman, Lieve, Indústries Alimentàries, and Funcionalitat i Seguretat Alimentària
- Subjects
663/664 - Abstract
The qualified presumption of safety (QPS) provides a generic pre-assessment of the safety of microorganisms intended for use in the food or feed chains, to support the work of EFSA’s Scientific Panels. QPS assessment allows a fast track evaluation of strains belonging to QPS taxonomic units (TUs): species for bacteria, yeast, fungi, protists/microalgae and families for viruses. QPS TUs are assessed for their body of knowledge and safety. Safety concerns related to a QPS TU are reflected, when possible, as ‘qualifications’, which should be tested at strain and/or product level. Based on the possession of potentially harmful traits by some strains, filamentous fungi, bacteriophages, oomycetes, streptomycetes, Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coli and Clostridium butyricum are excluded from the QPS assessment. Between October 2019 and September 2022, 323 notifications of TUs were received, 217 related to feed additives, 54 to food enzymes, food additives and flavourings, 14 to plant protection products and 38 to novel foods. The list of QPS-recommended TUs is reviewed every 6 months following an extensive literature search strategy. Only sporadic infections with a few QPS status TUs in immunosuppressed individuals were identified and the assessment did not change the QPS status of these TUs. The QPS list has been updated in relation to the most recent taxonomic insights and the qualifications were revised and streamlined. The qualification ‘absence of aminoglycoside production ability’ was withdrawn for Bacillus velezensis. Six new TUs received the QPS status: Bacillus paralicheniformis with the qualification ‘absence of toxigenic activity’ and ‘absence of bacitracin production ability’; Bacillus circulans with the qualifications for ‘production purposes only’ and ‘absence of cytotoxic activity’; Haematococcus lacustris (synonym Haematococcus pluvialis) and Ogataea polymorpha, both with the qualification ‘for production purposes only’; Lactiplantibacillus argentoratensis; Geobacillus thermodenitrificans with the qualification ‘absence of toxigenic activity’. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
- Published
- 2023
10. Microbiological safety of aged meat
- Author
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EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ), Koutsoumanis, Konstantinos, Allende, Ana, Alvarez-Ordóñez, Avelino, Bover-Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, De Cesare, Alessandra, Herman, Lieve, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Blagojevic, Bojan, Van Damme, Inge, Hempen, Michaela, Messens, Winy, Bolton, Declan, Indústries Alimentàries, and Funcionalitat i Seguretat Alimentària
- Subjects
663/664 ,Veterinary (miscellaneous) ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Parasitology ,Plant Science ,Microbiology ,Food Science - Abstract
The impact of dry-ageing of beef and wet-ageing of beef, pork and lamb on microbiological hazards and spoilage bacteria was examined and current practices are described. As ‘standard fresh’ and wet-aged meat use similar processes these were differentiated based on duration. In addition to a description of the different stages, data were collated on key parameters (time, temperature, pH and aw) using a literature survey and questionnaires. The microbiological hazards that may be present in all aged meats included Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, enterotoxigenic Yersinia spp., Campylobacter spp. and Clostridium spp. Moulds, such as Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp., may produce mycotoxins when conditions are favourable but may be prevented by ensuring a meat surface temperature of −0.5 to 3.0°C, with a relative humidity (RH) of 75–85% and an airflow of 0.2–0.5 m/s for up to 35 days. The main meat spoilage bacteria include Pseudomonas spp., Lactobacillus spp. Enterococcus spp., Weissella spp., Brochothrix spp., Leuconostoc spp., Lactobacillus spp., Shewanella spp. and Clostridium spp. Under current practices, the ageing of meat may have an impact on the load of microbiological hazards and spoilage bacteria as compared to standard fresh meat preparation. Ageing under defined and controlled conditions can achieve the same or lower loads of microbiological hazards and spoilage bacteria than the variable log10 increases predicted during standard fresh meat preparation. An approach was used to establish the conditions of time and temperature that would achieve similar or lower levels of L. monocytogenes and Yersinia enterocolitica (pork only) and lactic acid bacteria (representing spoilage bacteria) as compared to standard fresh meat. Finally, additional control activities were identified that would further assure the microbial safety of dry-aged beef, based on recommended best practice and the outputs of the equivalence assessment. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
- Published
- 2023
11. Welfare of broilers on farm
- Author
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EFSA AHAW Panel (EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare), Nielsen, Søren Saxmose, Alvarez, Julio, Bicout, Dominique Joseph, Calistri, Paolo, Canali, Elisabetta, Drewe, Julian Ashley, Garin-Bastuji, Bruno, Gonzales Rojas, Jose Luis, Gortázar Schmidt, Christian, Herskin, Mette S, Miranda Chueca, Miguel Ángel, Padalino, Barbara, Pasquali, Paolo, Roberts, Helen Clare, Spoolder, Hans, Stahl, Karl, Velarde, Antonio, Viltrop, Arvo, Winckler, Christoph, Tiemann, Inga, de Jong, Ingrid, Gebhardt-Henrich, Sabine Gabriele, Keeling, Linda, Riber, Anja Brinch, Ashe, Sean, Candiani, Denis, García Matas, Raquel, Hempen, Michaela, Mosbach-Schulz, Olaf, Rojo Gimeno, Cristina, Van der Stede, Yves, Vitali, Marika, Bailly-Caumette, Eléa, Michel, Virginie, Producció Animal, and Benestar Animal
- Subjects
broilers ,welfare consequences ,Veterinary (miscellaneous) ,end the cage age ,Plant Science ,Microbiology ,on farm welfare ,husbandry systems ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Parasitology ,mutilations ,animal-based measures ,Food Science - Abstract
This Scientific Opinion considers the welfare of domestic fowl (Gallus gallus) related to the production of meat (broilers) and includes the keeping of day-old chicks, broiler breeders, and broiler chickens. Currently used husbandry systems in the EU are described. Overall, 19 highly relevant welfare consequences (WCs) were identified based on severity, duration and frequency of occurrence: ‘bone lesions’, ‘cold stress’, ‘gastro-enteric disorders’, ‘group stress’, ‘handling stress’, ‘heat stress’, ‘isolation stress’, ‘inability to perform comfort behaviour’, ‘inability to perform exploratory or foraging behaviour’, ‘inability to avoid unwanted sexual behaviour’, ‘locomotory disorders’, ‘prolonged hunger’, ‘prolonged thirst’, ‘predation stress’, ‘restriction of movement’, ‘resting problems’, ‘sensory under- and overstimulation’, ‘soft tissue and integument damage’ and ‘umbilical disorders’. These WCs and their animal-based measures (ABMs) that can identify them are described in detail. A variety of hazards related to the different husbandry systems were identified as well as ABMs for assessing the different WCs. Measures to prevent or correct the hazards and/or mitigate each of the WCs are listed. Recommendations are provided on quantitative or qualitative criteria to answer specific questions on the welfare of broilers and related to genetic selection, temperature, feed and water restriction, use of cages, light, air quality and mutilations in breeders such as beak trimming, de-toeing and comb dubbing. In addition, minimal requirements (e.g. stocking density, group size, nests, provision of litter, perches and platforms, drinkers and feeders, of covered veranda and outdoor range) for an enclosure for keeping broiler chickens (fast-growing, slower-growing and broiler breeders) are recommended. Finally, ‘total mortality’, ‘wounds’, ‘carcass condemnation’ and ‘footpad dermatitis’ are proposed as indicators for monitoring at slaughter the welfare of broilers on-farm. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
- Published
- 2023
12. An updated assessment of the effect of control options to reduce Campylobacter concentrations in broiler caeca on human health risk in the European Union
- Author
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Nauta, Maarten, primary, Bolton, Declan, additional, Crotta, Matteo, additional, Ellis-Iversen, Johanne, additional, Alter, Thomas, additional, Hempen, Michaela, additional, Messens, Winy, additional, and Chemaly, Marianne, additional
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
13. Updated list of QPS-recommended biological agents for safety risk assessments carried out by EFSA
- Author
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EFSA BIOHAZ Panel, Koutsoumanis, Konstantinos, Allende, Ana, Álvarez-Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover-Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Cocconcelli, Pier Sandro, Fernández Escámez, Pablo Salvador, Prieto Maradona, Miguel, Querol, Amparo, Sijtsma, Lolke, Suárez Fernández, Juan Evaristo, Sundh, Ingvar, Vlak, Just M., Barizzone, Fulvio, Hempen, Michaela, Correia, Sandra, Herman, Lieve, EFSA BIOHAZ Panel, Koutsoumanis, Konstantinos, Allende, Ana, Álvarez-Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover-Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Cocconcelli, Pier Sandro, Fernández Escámez, Pablo Salvador, Prieto Maradona, Miguel, Querol, Amparo, Sijtsma, Lolke, Suárez Fernández, Juan Evaristo, Sundh, Ingvar, Vlak, Just M., Barizzone, Fulvio, Hempen, Michaela, Correia, Sandra, and Herman, Lieve
- Abstract
The “list of microorganisms with QPS status” first established in 2007, has been revised and updated annually until 2014 via QPS Opinions; since 2014 the updates are carried out and published every 3 years. If new information is retrieved from extended literature searches (ELS) that would change the QPS status of a TU or its qualifications, this is also published in the Panel Statement covering the previous 6-months period. The ELS protocol can be found at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3607190 and the Search strategies are available at: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3607193. The QPS Panel Statement also includes the evaluation of microbiological agents notified to EFSA within the 6-month period for an assessment for feed additives, food enzymes, food additives and flavourings, and novel foods or plant protection products for a possible QPS status. The new QPS status recommendations are incorporated into the 2019 updated “list of microorganisms with QPS status” is available in this upload. The list of “Microbiological agents as notified to EFSA” from 2007, in the context of technical dossiers to EFSA Units, for intentional use in feed and/or food or as sources of food and feed additives, enzymes and plant protection products (PPPs) for safety assessment can be found at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3607184.
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- 2022
14. Microbiological agents as notified to EFSA
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EFSA BIOHAZ Panel, Koutsoumanis, Konstantinos, Allende, Ana, Álvarez-Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover-Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Cocconcelli, Pier Sandro, Fernández Escámez, Pablo Salvador, Prieto Maradona, Miguel, Querol, Amparo, Sijtsma, Lolke, Suárez Fernández, Juan Evaristo, Sundh, Ingvar, Vlak, Just M., Barizzone, Fulvio, Hempen, Michaela, Correia, Sandra, Herman, Lieve, EFSA BIOHAZ Panel, Koutsoumanis, Konstantinos, Allende, Ana, Álvarez-Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover-Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Cocconcelli, Pier Sandro, Fernández Escámez, Pablo Salvador, Prieto Maradona, Miguel, Querol, Amparo, Sijtsma, Lolke, Suárez Fernández, Juan Evaristo, Sundh, Ingvar, Vlak, Just M., Barizzone, Fulvio, Hempen, Michaela, Correia, Sandra, and Herman, Lieve
- Published
- 2022
15. Update of the list of QPS-recommended biological agents intentionally added to food or feed as notified to EFSA 15: suitability of taxonomic units notified to EFSA until September 2021
- Author
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EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ), Koutsoumanis, Kostas, Allende, Ana, Alvarez-Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover-Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Cocconcelli, Pier Sandro, Fernández Escámez, Pablo Salvador, Prieto-Maradona, Miguel, Querol, Amparo, Sijtsma, Lolke, Evaristo Suarez, Juan, Sundh, Ingvar, Vlak, Just, Barizzone, Fulvio, Hempen, Michaela, Herman, Lieve, Indústries Alimentàries, Funcionalitat i Seguretat Alimentària, Koutsoumanis K., Allende A., Alvarez-Ordonez A., Bolton D., Bover-Cid S., Chemaly M., Davies R., De Cesare A., Hilbert F., Lindqvist R., Nauta M., Peixe L., Ru G., Simmons M., Skandamis P., Suffredini E., Cocconcelli P.S., Fernandez Escamez P.S., Prieto-Maradona M., Querol A., Sijtsma L., Evaristo Suarez J., Sundh I., Vlak J., Barizzone F., Hempen M., and Herman L.
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663/664 ,Aurantiochytrium mangrovei ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,Veterinary (miscellaneous) ,Chemical technology ,Haematococcus lacustris ,Plant Science ,TP1-1185 ,Microbiology ,QPS ,Paenibacillus lentu ,Haematococcus lacustri ,Enterococcus lactis ,Schizochytrium aggregatum ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Parasitology ,TX341-641 ,Statement ,Paenibacillus lentus ,Chlamydomonas reinhardtii ,Food Science ,Enterococcus lacti - Abstract
The qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach was developed to provide a generic pre-evaluation of the safety of biological agents. The QPS approach is based on an assessment of published data for each agent, with respect to its taxonomic identity, the body of relevant knowledge and safety concerns. Safety concerns are, where possible, confirmed at the species/strain or product level and reflected by ‘qualifications’. The QPS list was updated in relation to the revised taxonomy of the genus Bacillus, to synonyms of yeast species and for the qualifications ‘absence of resistance to antimycotics’ and ‘only for production purposes’. Lactobacillus cellobiosus has been reclassified as Limosilactobacillus fermentum. In the period covered by this statement, no new information was found that would change the status of previously recommended QPS taxonomic units (TU)s. Of the 70 microorganisms notified to EFSA, 64 were not evaluated: 11 filamentous fungi, one oomycete, one Clostridium butyricum, one Enterococcus faecium, five Escherichia coli, one Streptomyces sp., one Bacillus nakamurai and 43 TUs that already had a QPS status. Six notifications, corresponding to six TUs were evaluated: Paenibacillus lentus was reassessed because an update was requested for the current mandate. Enterococcus lactis synonym Enterococcus xinjiangensis, Aurantiochytrium mangrovei synonym Schizochytrium mangrovei, Schizochytrium aggregatum, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii synonym Chlamydomonas smithii and Haematococcus lacustris synonym Haematococcus pluvialis were assessed for the first time. The following TUs were not recommended for QPS status: P. lentus due to a limited body of knowledge, E. lactis synonym E. xinjiangensis due to potential safety concerns, A. mangrovei synonym S. mangrovei, S. aggregatum and C. reinhardtii synonym C. smithii, due to lack of a body of knowledge on its occurrence in the food and feed chain. H. lacustris synonym H. pluvialis is recommended for QPS status with the qualification ‘for production purposes only’. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
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- 2022
16. Microbiological safety of aged meat.
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Koutsoumanis, Konstantinos, Allende, Ana, Alvarez‐Ordóñez, Avelino, Bover‐Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, De Cesare, Alessandra, Herman, Lieve, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Blagojevic, Bojan, Van Damme, Inge, Hempen, Michaela, Messens, Winy, and Bolton, Declan
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LACTIC acid bacteria ,PORK industry ,YERSINIA enterocolitica ,MEAT spoilage ,MEAT ,IMPACT loads - Abstract
The impact of dry‐ageing of beef and wet‐ageing of beef, pork and lamb on microbiological hazards and spoilage bacteria was examined and current practices are described. As 'standard fresh' and wet‐aged meat use similar processes these were differentiated based on duration. In addition to a description of the different stages, data were collated on key parameters (time, temperature, pH and aw) using a literature survey and questionnaires. The microbiological hazards that may be present in all aged meats included Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC), Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, enterotoxigenic Yersinia spp., Campylobacter spp. and Clostridium spp. Moulds, such as Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp., may produce mycotoxins when conditions are favourable but may be prevented by ensuring a meat surface temperature of −0.5 to 3.0°C, with a relative humidity (RH) of 75–85% and an airflow of 0.2–0.5 m/s for up to 35 days. The main meat spoilage bacteria include Pseudomonas spp., Lactobacillus spp. Enterococcus spp., Weissella spp., Brochothrix spp., Leuconostoc spp., Lactobacillus spp., Shewanella spp. and Clostridium spp. Under current practices, the ageing of meat may have an impact on the load of microbiological hazards and spoilage bacteria as compared to standard fresh meat preparation. Ageing under defined and controlled conditions can achieve the same or lower loads of microbiological hazards and spoilage bacteria than the variable log10 increases predicted during standard fresh meat preparation. An approach was used to establish the conditions of time and temperature that would achieve similar or lower levels of L. monocytogenes and Yersinia enterocolitica (pork only) and lactic acid bacteria (representing spoilage bacteria) as compared to standard fresh meat. Finally, additional control activities were identified that would further assure the microbial safety of dry‐aged beef, based on recommended best practice and the outputs of the equivalence assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
17. Update of the list of QPS‐recommended biological agents intentionally added to food or feed as notified to EFSA 13: suitability of taxonomic units notified to EFSA until September 2020
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EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ), Koutsoumanis, Kostas, Allende, Ana, Alvarez-Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover-Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Cocconcelli, Pier Sandro, Fernández Escámez, Pablo Salvador, Maradona, Miguel Prieto, Querol, Amparo, Sijtsma, Lolke, Suarez, Juan Evaristo, Sundh, Ingvar, Vlak, Just, Barizzone, Fulvio, Hempen, Michaela, Herman, Lieve, Indústries Alimentàries, Funcionalitat i Seguretat Alimentària, Koutsoumanis K., Allende A., Alvarez-Ordonez A., Bolton D., Bover-Cid S., Chemaly M., Davies R., De Cesare A., Hilbert F., Lindqvist R., Nauta M., Peixe L., Ru G., Simmons M., Skandamis P., Suffredini E., Cocconcelli P.S., Fernandez Escamez P.S., Maradona M.P., Querol A., Sijtsma L., Suarez J.E., Sundh I., Vlak J., Barizzone F., Hempen M., and Herman L.
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,safety ,663/664 ,Veterinary (miscellaneous) ,030106 microbiology ,Laboratory of Virology ,Rhodococcus ruber ,TP1-1185 ,Plant Science ,Biology ,yeast ,Microbiology ,QPS ,Laboratorium voor Virologie ,Corynebacterium stationis ,03 medical and health sciences ,Aurantiochytrium limacinum ,Mycobacterium aurum ,TX341-641 ,Pantoea ananatis ,bacteria ,Lactobacillus parafarraginis ,VLAG ,Bacillus circulan ,Methylorubrum extorquen ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,business.industry ,Chemical technology ,Methylorubrum extorquens ,PE&RC ,Food safety ,Zygosaccharomyces rouxii ,Biotechnology ,BBP Bioconversion ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Parasitology ,Statement ,business ,Bacillus velezensis ,Bacillus circulans ,Food Science - Abstract
Qualified presumption of safety (QPS) was developed to provide a generic safety evaluation for biological agents to support EFSA's Scientific Panels. The taxonomic identity, body of knowledge, safety concerns and antimicrobial resistance are assessed. Safety concerns identified for a taxonomic unit (TU) are where possible to be confirmed at strain or product level, reflected by 'qualifications'. No new information was found that would change the previously recommended QPS TUs and their qualifications. The list of microorganisms notified to EFSA was updated with 54 biological agents, received between April and September 2019; 23 already had QPS status, 14 were excluded from the QPS exercise (7 filamentous fungi, 6 Escherichia coli, Sphingomonas paucimobilis which was already evaluated). Seventeen, corresponding to 16 TUs, were evaluated for possible QPS status, fourteen of these for the first time, and Protaminobacter rubrum, evaluated previously, was excluded because it is not a valid species. Eight TUs are recommended for QPS status. Lactobacillus parafarraginis and Zygosaccharomyces rouxii are recommended to be included in the QPS list. Parageobacillus thermoglucosidasius and Paenibacillus illinoisensis can be recommended for the QPS list with the qualification 'for production purposes only' and absence of toxigenic potential. Bacillus velezensis can be recommended for the QPS list with the qualification 'absence of toxigenic potential and the absence of aminoglycoside production ability'. Cupriavidus necator, Aurantiochytrium limacinum and Tetraselmis chuii can be recommended for the QPS list with the qualification 'production purposes only'. Pantoea ananatis is not recommended for the QPS list due to lack of body of knowledge in relation to its pathogenicity potential for plants. Corynebacterium stationis, Hamamotoa singularis, Rhodococcus aetherivorans and Rhodococcus ruber cannot be recommended for the QPS list due to lack of body of knowledge. Kodamaea ohmeri cannot be recommended for the QPS list due to safety concerns.
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- 2021
18. Update of the list of QPS-recommended biological agents intentionally added to food or feed as notified to EFSA 13 : suitability of taxonomic units notified to EFSA until September 2020
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Koutsoumanis, Kostas, Allende, Ana, Alvarez-Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover-Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Cocconcelli, Pier Sandro, Fernández Escámez, Pablo Salvador, Maradona, Miguel Prieto, Querol, Amparo, Sijtsma, Lolke, Suarez, Juan Evaristo, Sundh, Ingvar, Vlak, Just, Barizzone, Fulvio, Hempen, Michaela, Herman, Lieve, Koutsoumanis, Kostas, Allende, Ana, Alvarez-Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover-Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Cocconcelli, Pier Sandro, Fernández Escámez, Pablo Salvador, Maradona, Miguel Prieto, Querol, Amparo, Sijtsma, Lolke, Suarez, Juan Evaristo, Sundh, Ingvar, Vlak, Just, Barizzone, Fulvio, Hempen, Michaela, and Herman, Lieve
- Abstract
The qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach was developed to provide a regularly updated generic pre-evaluation of the safety of biological agents, intended for addition to food or feed, to support the work of EFSA's Scientific Panels. It is based on an assessment of published data for each agent, with respect to its taxonomic identity, the body of knowledge, safety concerns and antimicrobial resistance. Safety concerns identified for a taxonomic unit (TU) are, where possible, confirmed at strain or product level, and reflected by ‘qualifications’. In the period covered by this statement, no new information was found that would change the status of previously recommended QPS TUs. Of the 36 microorganisms notified to EFSA between April and September 2020, 33 were excluded; seven filamentous fungi (including Aureobasidium pullulans based on recent taxonomic insights), one Clostridium butyricum, one Enterococcus faecium, three Escherichia coli, one Streptomyces spp. and 20 TUs that had been previously evaluated. Three TUs were evaluated; Methylorubrum extorquens and Mycobacterium aurum for the first time and Bacillus circulans was re-assessed because an update was requested in relation to a new mandate. M. extorquens and M. aurum are not recommended for QPS status due to the lack of a body of knowledge in relation to use in the food or feed chain and M. aurum, due to uncertainty concerning its pathogenicity potential. B. circulans was recommended for QPS status with the qualifications for ‘production purposes only’ and ‘absence of cytotoxic activity’.
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- 2021
19. Guidance on date marking and related food information: part 1 (date marking)
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EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ), Koutsoumanis, Konstantinos, Allende, Ana, Alvarez‐Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover‐Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Herman, Lieve, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Jacxsens, Liesbeth, Skjerdal, Taran, Da Silva Felicio, Maria Teresa, Hempen, Michaela, Messens, Winy, Lindqvist, Roland, Indústries Alimentàries, Funcionalitat i Seguretat Alimentària, Koutsoumanis K., Allende A., Alvarez-Ordonez A., Bolton D., Bover-Cid S., Chemaly M., Davies R., De Cesare A., Herman L., Nauta M., Peixe L., Ru G., Simmons M., Skandamis P., Suffredini E., Jacxsens L., Skjerdal T., Da Silva Felicio M.T., Hempen M., Messens W., and Lindqvist R.
- Subjects
Agriculture and Food Sciences ,Food spoilage ,Plant Science ,010501 environmental sciences ,Hazard analysis ,01 natural sciences ,0403 veterinary science ,TO-EAT FOODS ,TX341-641 ,Cold chain ,Marketing ,date marking ,CLOSTRIDIUM-BOTULINUM ,BACILLUS-CEREUS ,digestive, oral, and skin physiology ,PREDICTIVE MICROBIOLOGY ,MICROBIOLOGICAL RISK-ASSESSMENT ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,reasonably foreseeable condition ,Product (business) ,Identification (information) ,use by date ,shelf‐life ,663/664 ,040301 veterinary sciences ,Veterinary (miscellaneous) ,Food storage ,food donation ,TP1-1185 ,LACTIC-ACID BACTERIA ,Shelf life ,Microbiology ,best before date ,SHELF-LIFE ,BLOWN PACK SPOILAGE ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,business.industry ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,Chemical technology ,Food safety ,COLD CHAIN ,food storage ,LISTERIA-MONOCYTOGENES GROWTH ,shelf-life ,Scientific Opinion ,reasonably foreseeable conditions ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Parasitology ,Business ,Food Science - Abstract
A risk-based approach was developed to be followed by food business operators (FBO) when deciding on the type of date marking (i.e. 'best before' date or 'use by' date), setting of shelf-life (i.e. time) and the related information on the label to ensure food safety. The decision on the type of date marking needs to be taken on a product-by-product basis, considering the relevant hazards, product characteristics, processing and storage conditions. The hazard identification is food product-specific and should consider pathogenic microorganisms capable of growing in prepacked temperature-controlled foods under reasonably foreseeable conditions. The intrinsic (e.g. pH and a(w)), extrinsic (e.g. temperature and gas atmosphere) and implicit (e.g. interactions with competing background microbiota) factors of the food determine which pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms can grow in the food during storage until consumption. A decision tree was developed to assist FBOs in deciding the type of date marking for a certain food product. When setting the shelf-life, the FBO needs to consider reasonably foreseeable conditions of distribution, storage and use of the food. Key steps of a case-by-case procedure to determine and validate the shelf-life period are: (i) identification of the relevant pathogenic/spoilage microorganism and its initial level, (ii) characterisation of the factors of the food affecting the growth behaviour and (iii) assessment of the growth behaviour of the pathogenic/spoilage microorganism in the food product during storage until consumption. Due to the variability between food products and consumer habits, it was not appropriate to present indicative time limits for food donated or marketed past the 'best before' date. Recommendations were provided relating to training activities and support, using 'reasonably foreseeable conditions' collecting time-temperature data during distribution, retail and domestic storage of foods and developing Appropriate Levels of Protection and/or Food Safety Objectives for food-pathogen combinations. (C) 2020 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.
- Published
- 2020
20. Theme (concept) paper – More welfare: towards new risk assessment methodologies and harmonised animal welfare data in the EU.
- Author
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Ashe, Sean, Candiani, Denise Francesca, Fabrega, Julia, Fabris, Chiara, Hempen, Michaela, Heppner, Claudia, Lima, Eliana, Mur, Lina, Rojo Gimeno, Cristina, de Seze, Guilhem, Van der Stede, Yves, and Vitali, Marika
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RISK assessment ,ANIMAL welfare - Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
21. Update of the list of QPS‐recommended biological agents intentionally added to food or feed as notified to EFSA 12: suitability of taxonomic units notified to EFSA until March 2020
- Author
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EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ), Koutsoumanis, Kostas, Allende, Ana, Alvarez‐Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover‐Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Cocconcelli, Pier Sandro, Fernández Escámez, Pablo Salvador, Maradona, Miguel Prieto, Querol, Amparo, Suarez, Juan Evaristo, Sundh, Ingvar, Vlak, Just, Barizzone, Fulvio, Hempen, Michaela, Herman, Lieve, Indústries Alimentàries, Funcionalitat i Seguretat Alimentària, Koutsoumanis K., Allende A., Alvarez-Ordonez A., Bolton D., Bover-Cid S., Chemaly M., Davies R., De Cesare A., Hilbert F., Lindqvist R., Nauta M., Peixe L., Ru G., Simmons M., Skandamis P., Suffredini E., Cocconcelli P.S., Fernandez Escamez P.S., Maradona M.P., Querol A., Suarez J.E., Sundh I., Vlak J., Barizzone F., Hempen M., and Herman L.
- Subjects
safety ,Komagataella pastoris ,663/664 ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,Chemical technology ,Veterinary (miscellaneous) ,TP1-1185 ,Plant Science ,yeast ,Pseudomonas chlororaphis ,Pseudomonas chlororaphi ,Microbiology ,QPS ,Galdieria sulphuraria ,Corynebacterium ammoniagene ,Clostridium butyricum ,Corynebacterium ammoniagenes ,TX341-641 ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Parasitology ,Statement ,bacteria ,Komagataella pastori ,Food Science ,Akkermansia muciniphila - Abstract
The qualified presumption of safety (QPS) was developed to provide a generic safety evaluation for biological agents to support EFSA's Scientific Panels. It is based on an assessment of the taxonomic identity, the body of knowledge, safety concerns and antimicrobial resistance. Safety concerns identified for a taxonomic unit (TU) are where possible to be confirmed at strain or product level, reflected by ‘qualifications’. No new information was found that would change the previously recommended QPS TUs of the 39 microorganisms notified to EFSA between October 2019 and March 2020, 33 were excluded, including five filamentous fungi, five Escherichia coli, two Enterococcus faecium, two Streptomyces spp. and 19 TUs already evaluated. Six TUs were evaluated. Akkermansia muciniphila was not recommended for QPS status due to safety concerns. Clostridium butyricum was not recommended because some strains contain pathogenicity factors. This TU was excluded for further QPS evaluation. Galdieria sulphuraria and Pseudomonas chlororaphis were also rejected due to a lack of body of knowledge. The QPS status of Corynebacterium ammoniagenes (with the qualification ‘for production purposes only’) and of Komagataella pastoris (with the qualification ‘for enzyme production’) was confirmed. In relation to the taxonomic revision of the Lactobacillus genus, previously designated Lactobacillus species will be reassigned to the new species and both the old and new names will be retained in the QPS list. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
- Published
- 2020
22. Update and review of control options for Campylobacter in broilers at primary production
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EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ), Koutsoumanis, Konstantinos, Allende, Ana, Alvarez‐Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover‐Cid, Sara, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Herman, Lieve, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Alter, Thomas, Crotta, Matteo, Ellis‐Iversen, Johanne, Hempen, Michaela, Messens, Winy, Chemaly, Marianne, Indústries Alimentàries, Funcionalitat i Seguretat Alimentària, Koutsoumanis K., Allende A., Alvarez-Ordonez A., Bolton D., Bover-Cid S., Davies R., De Cesare A., Herman L., Hilbert F., Lindqvist R., Nauta M., Peixe L., Ru G., Simmons M., Skandamis P., Suffredini E., Alter T., Crotta M., Ellis-Iversen J., Hempen M., Messens W., and Chemaly M.
- Subjects
Relative risk reduction ,population‐attributable fraction ,663/664 ,040301 veterinary sciences ,Veterinary (miscellaneous) ,Population ,Specific risk ,TP1-1185 ,Plant Science ,010501 environmental sciences ,medicine.disease_cause ,01 natural sciences ,Microbiology ,modelling ,0403 veterinary science ,Toxicology ,SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being ,Control ,medicine ,Campylobacter, Control, Broiler, primary production, biosecurity, population-attributable fraction, modelling ,TX341-641 ,education ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,education.field_of_study ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,business.industry ,Chemical technology ,Broiler ,Campylobacter ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,Confidence interval ,Scientific Opinion ,Relative risk ,Population-attributable fraction ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Parasitology ,Flock ,business ,primary production ,biosecurity ,Food Science - Abstract
The 2011 EFSA opinion on Campylobacter was updated using more recent scientific data. The relative risk reduction in EU human campylobacteriosis attributable to broiler meat was estimated for on‐farm control options using Population Attributable Fractions (PAF) for interventions that reduce Campylobacter flock prevalence, updating the modelling approach for interventions that reduce caecal concentrations and reviewing scientific literature. According to the PAF analyses calculated for six control options, the mean relative risk reductions that could be achieved by adoption of each of these six control options individually are estimated to be substantial but the width of the confidence intervals of all control options indicates a high degree of uncertainty in the specific risk reduction potentials. The updated model resulted in lower estimates of impact than the model used in the previous opinion. A 3‐log10 reduction in broiler caecal concentrations was estimated to reduce the relative EU risk of human campylobacteriosis attributable to broiler meat by 58% compared to an estimate larger than 90% in the previous opinion. Expert Knowledge Elicitation was used to rank control options, for weighting and integrating different evidence streams and assess uncertainties. Medians of the relative risk reductions of selected control options had largely overlapping probability intervals, so the rank order was uncertain: vaccination 27% (90% probability interval (PI) 4–74%); feed and water additives 24% (90% PI 4–60%); discontinued thinning 18% (90% PI 5–65%); employing few and well‐trained staff 16% (90% PI 5–45%); avoiding drinkers that allow standing water 15% (90% PI 4–53%); addition of disinfectants to drinking water 14% (90% PI 3–36%); hygienic anterooms 12% (90% PI 3–50%); designated tools per broiler house 7% (90% PI 1–18%). It is not possible to quantify the effects of combined control activities because the evidence‐derived estimates are inter‐dependent and there is a high level of uncertainty associated with each. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
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- 2020
23. Evaluation of public and animal health risks in case of a delayed post-mortem inspection in ungulates
- Author
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EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ), Koutsoumanis, Konstantinos, Allende, Ana, Alvarez‐Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover‐Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Herman, Lieve, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Sánchez, Julio Álvarez, Blagojevic, Bojan, Fürst, Peter, Garin‐Bastuji, Bruno, Jensen, Henrik Elvang, Paulsen, Peter, Baert, Katleen, Barrucci, Federica, Broglia, Alessandro, Georgiadis, Marios, Hempen, Michaela, Hilbert, Friederike, Koutsoumanis K., Allende A., Alvarez-Ordonez A., Bolton D., Bover-Cid S., Chemaly M., Davies R., De Cesare A., Herman L., Lindqvist R., Nauta M., Peixe L., Ru G., Simmons M., Skandamis P., Suffredini E., Sanchez J.A., Blagojevic B., Furst P., Garin-Bastuji B., Jensen H.E., Paulsen P., Baert K., Barrucci F., Broglia A., Georgiadis M., Hempen M., Hilbert F., Indústries Alimentàries, and Funcionalitat i Seguretat Alimentària
- Subjects
Veterinary medicine ,Salmonella ,663/664 ,Tuberculosis ,meat inspection ,Disease detection ,040301 veterinary sciences ,delay ,Veterinary (miscellaneous) ,TP1-1185 ,Plant Science ,010501 environmental sciences ,medicine.disease_cause ,01 natural sciences ,Microbiology ,lesions ,0403 veterinary science ,lesion ,post‐mortem ,SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being ,Chemical contaminants ,Medicine ,TX341-641 ,ungulates ,Pyaemia ,Animal species ,post-mortem ,0105 earth and related environmental sciences ,Animal health ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,business.industry ,Chemical technology ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,medicine.disease ,Echinococcosis ,Scientific Opinion ,contaminants ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Parasitology ,business ,contaminant ,chemical residues ,chemical residue ,Food Science - Abstract
The potential effects of a 24 or 72‐h delay in post‐mortem inspection (PMI) of ungulates on public health and monitoring of animal health and welfare was evaluated. The assessment used a survey of meat inspectors, expert opinion, literature search and a stochastic model for Salmonella detection sensitivity. Disease detection sensitivity at a delayed PMI is expected to reduce detection sensitivity to a variable extent, depending on the hazard and on the signs/lesions and organs involved. No reduction is expected for Trichinella detection in meat from susceptible animal species and any decrease in detection of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) will not exceed the current tolerance for fallen stock. A 24‐h delay in PMI could result in a small reduction in sensitivity of detection for tuberculosis, echinococcosis and cysticercosis. A greater reduction is expected for the detection of pyaemia and Rift valley fever. For the detection of Salmonella, the median model estimates are a reduction of sensitivity of 66.5% (90% probability interval (PI) 0.08–99.75%) after 24‐h delay and 94% (90% PI 0.83–100%) after 72‐h delay of PMI. Laboratory testing for tuberculosis following a sampling delay of 24–72 h could result in no, or a moderate, decrease in detection depending on the method of confirmation used (PCR, culture, histopathology). For chemical contaminants, a delay in meat inspection of 24 or 72 h is expected to have no impact on the effectiveness of detection of persistent organic pollutants and metals. However, for certain pharmacologically active substances, there will be a reduced effectiveness to detect some of these substances due to potential degradation in the available matrices (tissues and organs) and the non‐availability of specific preferred matrices of choice. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
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- 2020
24. Microbial species as notified to EFSA
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Koutsoumanis, Kostas, Allende, Ana, Alvarez-Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover-Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Cocconcelli, Pier Sandro, Fernández Escámez, Pablo Salvador, Maradona, Miguel Prieto, Querol, Amparo, Sijtsma, Lolke, Suarez, Juan Evaristo, Sundh, Ingvar, Vlak, Just, Barizzone, Fulvio, Hempen, Michaela, Correia, Sandra, Herman, Lieve, Koutsoumanis, Kostas, Allende, Ana, Alvarez-Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover-Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Cocconcelli, Pier Sandro, Fernández Escámez, Pablo Salvador, Maradona, Miguel Prieto, Querol, Amparo, Sijtsma, Lolke, Suarez, Juan Evaristo, Sundh, Ingvar, Vlak, Just, Barizzone, Fulvio, Hempen, Michaela, Correia, Sandra, and Herman, Lieve
- Abstract
This is the list of “Microbiological agents as notified to EFSA” from 2007, in the context of technical dossiers to EFSA Units, for intentional use in feed and/or food or as sources of food and feed additives, enzymes and plant protection products (PPPs) for safety assessment., This is the list of “Microbiological agents as notified to EFSA” from 2007, in the context of technical dossiers to EFSA Units, for intentional use in feed and/or food or as sources of food and feed additives, enzymes and plant protection products (PPPs) for safety assessment. This is supplementing the QPS statement part 11, part 12, part 13, part 14, part 15 and the 2019 Scientific Opinion of the BIOHAZ Panel of EFSA - see related identifiers. EFSA topic on QPS: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/qualified-presumption-safety-qps
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- 2020
25. Evaluation of public and animal health risks in case of a delayed post‐mortem inspection in ungulates
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Koutsoumanis, Konstantinos, Allende, Ana, Alvarez‐Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover‐Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Herman, Lieve, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Sánchez, Julio Álvarez, Blagojevic, Bojan, Fürst, Peter, Garin‐Bastuji, Bruno, Jensen, Henrik Elvang, Paulsen, Peter, Baert, Katleen, Barrucci, Federica, Broglia, Alessandro, Georgiadis, Marios, Hempen, Michaela, Hilbert, Friederike, Koutsoumanis, Konstantinos, Allende, Ana, Alvarez‐Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover‐Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Herman, Lieve, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Sánchez, Julio Álvarez, Blagojevic, Bojan, Fürst, Peter, Garin‐Bastuji, Bruno, Jensen, Henrik Elvang, Paulsen, Peter, Baert, Katleen, Barrucci, Federica, Broglia, Alessandro, Georgiadis, Marios, Hempen, Michaela, and Hilbert, Friederike
- Abstract
The potential effects of a 24 or 72‐h delay in post‐mortem inspection (PMI) of ungulates on public health and monitoring of animal health and welfare was evaluated. The assessment used a survey of meat inspectors, expert opinion, literature search and a stochastic model for Salmonella detection sensitivity. Disease detection sensitivity at a delayed PMI is expected to reduce detection sensitivity to a variable extent, depending on the hazard and on the signs/lesions and organs involved. No reduction is expected for Trichinella detection in meat from susceptible animal species and any decrease in detection of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) will not exceed the current tolerance for fallen stock. A 24‐h delay in PMI could result in a small reduction in sensitivity of detection for tuberculosis, echinococcosis and cysticercosis. A greater reduction is expected for the detection of pyaemia and Rift valley fever. For the detection of Salmonella, the median model estimates are a reduction of sensitivity of 66.5% (90% probability interval (PI) 0.08–99.75%) after 24‐h delay and 94% (90% PI 0.83–100%) after 72‐h delay of PMI. Laboratory testing for tuberculosis following a sampling delay of 24–72 h could result in no, or a moderate, decrease in detection depending on the method of confirmation used (PCR, culture, histopathology). For chemical contaminants, a delay in meat inspection of 24 or 72 h is expected to have no impact on the effectiveness of detection of persistent organic pollutants and metals. However, for certain pharmacologically active substances, there will be a reduced effectiveness to detect some of these substances due to potential degradation in the available matrices (tissues and organs) and the non‐availability of specific preferred matrices of choice.
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- 2020
26. Update of the list of QPS-recommended biological agents intentionally added to food or feed as notified to EFSA 12:suitability of taxonomic units notified to EFSA until March 2020
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Koutsoumanis, Kostas, Allende, Ana, Alvarez-Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover-Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Cocconcelli, Pier Sandro, Fernández Escámez, Pablo Salvador, Maradona, Miguel Prieto, Querol, Amparo, Suarez, Juan Evaristo, Sundh, Ingvar, Vlak, Just, Barizzone, Fulvio, Hempen, Michaela, Herman, Lieve, Koutsoumanis, Kostas, Allende, Ana, Alvarez-Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover-Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Cocconcelli, Pier Sandro, Fernández Escámez, Pablo Salvador, Maradona, Miguel Prieto, Querol, Amparo, Suarez, Juan Evaristo, Sundh, Ingvar, Vlak, Just, Barizzone, Fulvio, Hempen, Michaela, and Herman, Lieve
- Abstract
The qualified presumption of safety (QPS) was developed to provide a generic safety evaluation for biological agents to support EFSA's Scientific Panels. It is based on an assessment of the taxonomic identity, the body of knowledge, safety concerns and antimicrobial resistance. Safety concerns identified for a taxonomic unit (TU) are where possible to be confirmed at strain or product level, reflected by ‘qualifications’. No new information was found that would change the previously recommended QPS TUs of the 39 microorganisms notified to EFSA between October 2019 and March 2020, 33 were excluded, including five filamentous fungi, five Escherichia coli, two Enterococcus faecium, two Streptomyces spp. and 19 TUs already evaluated. Six TUs were evaluated. Akkermansia muciniphila was not recommended for QPS status due to safety concerns. Clostridium butyricum was not recommended because some strains contain pathogenicity factors. This TU was excluded for further QPS evaluation. Galdieria sulphuraria and Pseudomonas chlororaphis were also rejected due to a lack of body of knowledge. The QPS status of Corynebacterium ammoniagenes (with the qualification ‘for production purposes only’) and of Komagataella pastoris (with the qualification ‘for enzyme production’) was confirmed. In relation to the taxonomic revision of the Lactobacillus genus, previously designated Lactobacillus species will be reassigned to the new species and both the old and new names will be retained in the QPS list.
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- 2020
27. Guidance on date marking and related food information: part 1 (date marking)
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Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ), EFSA, Koutsoumanis, Konstantinos, Allende, Ana, Alvarez-Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover-Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Herman, Lieve, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Jacxsens, Liesbeth, Skjerdal, Taran, Da Silva Felicio, Maria Teresa, Hempen, Michaela, Messens, Winy, Lindqvist, Roland, Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ), EFSA, Koutsoumanis, Konstantinos, Allende, Ana, Alvarez-Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover-Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Herman, Lieve, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Jacxsens, Liesbeth, Skjerdal, Taran, Da Silva Felicio, Maria Teresa, Hempen, Michaela, Messens, Winy, and Lindqvist, Roland
- Abstract
A risk-based approach was developed to be followed by food business operators (FBO) when deciding on the type of date marking (i.e. 'best before' date or 'use by' date), setting of shelf-life (i.e. time) and the related information on the label to ensure food safety. The decision on the type of date marking needs to be taken on a product-by-product basis, considering the relevant hazards, product characteristics, processing and storage conditions. The hazard identification is food product-specific and should consider pathogenic microorganisms capable of growing in prepacked temperature-controlled foods under reasonably foreseeable conditions. The intrinsic (e.g. pH and aw), extrinsic (e.g. temperature and gas atmosphere) and implicit (e.g. interactions with competing background microbiota) factors of the food determine which pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms can grow in the food during storage until consumption. A decision tree was developed to assist FBOs in deciding the type of date marking for a certain food product. When setting the shelf-life, the FBO needs to consider reasonably foreseeable conditions of distribution, storage and use of the food. Key steps of a case-by-case procedure to determine and validate the shelf-life period are: (i) identification of the relevant pathogenic/spoilage microorganism and its initial level, (ii) characterisation of the factors of the food affecting the growth behaviour and (iii) assessment of the growth behaviour of the pathogenic/spoilage microorganism in the food product during storage until consumption. Due to the variability between food products and consumer habits, it was not appropriate to present indicative time limits for food donated or marketed past the 'best before' date. Recommendations were provided relating to training activities and support, using 'reasonably foreseeable conditions', collecting time-temperature data during distribution, retail and domestic storage of foods and developing Appropriate Leve
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- 2020
28. Update and review of control options for Campylobacter in broilers at primary production
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Koutsoumanis, Konstantinos, Allende, Ana, Alvarez‐Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover‐Cid, Sara, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Herman, Lieve, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Alter, Thomas, Crotta, Matteo, Ellis‐Iversen, Johanne, Hempen, Michaela, Messens, Winy, Chemaly, Marianne, Koutsoumanis, Konstantinos, Allende, Ana, Alvarez‐Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover‐Cid, Sara, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Herman, Lieve, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Alter, Thomas, Crotta, Matteo, Ellis‐Iversen, Johanne, Hempen, Michaela, Messens, Winy, and Chemaly, Marianne
- Abstract
The 2011 EFSA opinion on Campylobacter was updated using more recent scientific data. The relative risk reduction in EU human campylobacteriosis attributable to broiler meat was estimated for on‐farm control options using Population Attributable Fractions (PAF) for interventions that reduce Campylobacter flock prevalence, updating the modelling approach for interventions that reduce caecal concentrations and reviewing scientific literature. According to the PAF analyses calculated for six control options, the mean relative risk reductions that could be achieved by adoption of each of these six control options individually are estimated to be substantial but the width of the confidence intervals of all control options indicates a high degree of uncertainty in the specific risk reduction potentials. The updated model resulted in lower estimates of impact than the model used in the previous opinion. A 3‐log10 reduction in broiler caecal concentrations was estimated to reduce the relative EU risk of human campylobacteriosis attributable to broiler meat by 58% compared to an estimate larger than 90% in the previous opinion. Expert Knowledge Elicitation was used to rank control options, for weighting and integrating different evidence streams and assess uncertainties. Medians of the relative risk reductions of selected control options had largely overlapping probability intervals, so the rank order was uncertain: vaccination 27% (90% probability interval (PI) 4–74%); feed and water additives 24% (90% PI 4–60%); discontinued thinning 18% (90% PI 5–65%); employing few and well‐trained staff 16% (90% PI 5–45%); avoiding drinkers that allow standing water 15% (90% PI 4–53%); addition of disinfectants to drinking water 14% (90% PI 3–36%); hygienic anterooms 12% (90% PI 3–50%); designated tools per broiler house 7% (90% PI 1–18%). It is not possible to quantify the effects of combined control activities because the evidence‐derived estimates are inter‐dependent and there is a h
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- 2020
29. Use of predictive modelling in recent work of the Panel on Biological Hazards of the European Food Safety Authority
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Messens, Winy, primary, Hempen, Michaela, additional, and Koutsoumanis, Kostas, additional
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- 2018
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30. Guidance on date marking and related food information: part 2 (food information)
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Koutsoumanis, Konstantinos, Allende, Ana, Alvarez‐Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover‐Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Herman, Lieve, Hilbert, Friederike, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Jacxsens, Liesbeth, Skjerdal, Taran, Da Silva Felício, Maria Teresa, and Hempen, Michaela
- Abstract
A risk‐based approach was used to develop guidance to be followed by food business operators (FBOs) when deciding on food information relating to storage conditions and/or time limits for consumption after opening a food package and thawing of frozen foods. After opening the package, contamination may occur, introducing new pathogens into the food and the intrinsic (e.g. pH and aw), extrinsic (e.g. temperature and gas atmosphere) and implicit (e.g. interactions with competing background microbiota) factors may change, affecting microbiological food safety. Setting a time limit for consumption after opening the package (secondary shelf‐life) is complex in view of the many influencing factors and information gaps. A decision tree (DT) was developed to assist FBOs in deciding whether the time limit for consumption after opening, due to safety reasons, is potentially shorter than the initial ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date of the product in its unopened package. For products where opening the package leads to a change of the type of pathogenic microorganisms present in the food and/or factors increasing their growth compared to the unopened product, a shorter time limit for consumption after opening would be appropriate. Freezing prevents the growth of pathogens, however, most pathogenic microorganisms may survive frozen storage, recover during thawing and then grow and/or produce toxins in the food, if conditions are favourable. Moreover, additional contamination may occur from hands, contact surfaces or contamination from other foods and utensils. Good practices for thawing should, from a food safety point of view, minimise growth of and contamination by pathogens between the food being thawed and other foods and/or contact surfaces, especially when removing the food from the package during thawing. Best practices for thawing foods are presented to support FBOs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2021
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31. Public health risks associated with food‐borne parasites
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Koutsoumanis, Kostas, Allende, Ana, Alvarez‐Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover‐Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Herman, Lieve, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Cacciò, Simone, Chalmers, Rachel, Deplazes, Peter, Devleesschauwer, Brecht, Innes, Elisabeth, Romig, Thomas, van der Giessen, Joke, Hempen, Michaela, Van der Stede, Yves, Robertson, Lucy, Koutsoumanis, Kostas, Allende, Ana, Alvarez‐Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover‐Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Herman, Lieve, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Cacciò, Simone, Chalmers, Rachel, Deplazes, Peter, Devleesschauwer, Brecht, Innes, Elisabeth, Romig, Thomas, van der Giessen, Joke, Hempen, Michaela, Van der Stede, Yves, and Robertson, Lucy
- Abstract
Parasites are important food-borne pathogens. Their complex lifecycles, varied transmission routes, and prolonged periods between infection and symptoms mean that the public health burden and relative importance of different transmission routes are often difficult to assess. Furthermore, there are challenges in detection and diagnostics, and variations in reporting. A Europe-focused ranking exercise, using multicriteria decision analysis, identified potentially food-borne parasites of importance, and that are currently not routinely controlled in food. These are Cryptosporidium spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Echinococcus spp. Infection with these parasites in humans and animals, or their occurrence in food, is not notifiable in all Member States. This Opinion reviews current methods for detection, identification and tracing of these parasites in relevant foods, reviews literature on food-borne pathways, examines information on their occurrence and persistence in foods, and investigates possible control measures along the food chain. The differences between these three parasites are substantial, but for all there is a paucity of well-established, standardised, validated methods that can be applied across the range of relevant foods. Furthermore, the prolonged period between infection and clinical symptoms (from several days for Cryptosporidium to years for Echinococcus spp.) means that source attribution studies are very difficult. Nevertheless, our knowledge of the domestic animal lifecycle (involving dogs and livestock) for Echinoccocus granulosus means that this parasite is controllable. For Echinococcus multilocularis, for which the lifecycle involves wildlife (foxes and rodents), control would be expensive and complicated, but could be achieved in targeted areas with sufficient commitment and resources. Quantitative risk assessments have been described for Toxoplasma in meat. However, for T. gondii and Cryptosporidium as faecal contaminants, development of validate
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- 2018
32. Hazard analysis approaches for certain small retail establishments and food donations: second scientific opinion
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Koutsoumanis, Kostas, Allende, Ana, Alvarez‐Ordóñez, Avelino, Bover‐Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, Herman, Lieve, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Jacxsens, Liesbeth, Petersen, Annette, Varzakas, Theo, Baert, Katleen, Hempen, Michaela, Van der Stede, Yves, Bolton, Declan, Koutsoumanis, Kostas, Allende, Ana, Alvarez‐Ordóñez, Avelino, Bover‐Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, Herman, Lieve, Hilbert, Friederike, Lindqvist, Roland, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Jacxsens, Liesbeth, Petersen, Annette, Varzakas, Theo, Baert, Katleen, Hempen, Michaela, Van der Stede, Yves, and Bolton, Declan
- Abstract
In 2017, EFSA published a ‘simplified’ food safety management system (FSMS) for certain small retail establishments (butcher, grocer, baker, fish and ice cream shop) based on the application of prerequisite programme (PRP) criteria. The aim of this opinion was to develop similar FSMSs for other small retail enterprises including retail distribution centres, supermarkets, restaurants (including pubs and other catering activities) and food donation. The latter presents several novel food safety challenges because donated food may be nearing the end of its shelf‐life and several actors are involved in the food donation chain, each reliant on each other to assure food safety. In this opinion, the simplified approach to food safety management is presented based on a fundamental understanding of processing stages and the activities contributing to increased occurrence of the hazards (biological, chemical (including allergens) or physical) that may occur. Control is achieved using PRP activities as previously described but with a modified ‘temperature control’ PRP and the addition of PRPs covering shelf‐life control, handling returned foods, shelf‐life evaluation for food donation, allocation of remaining shelf‐life, and freezing food intended for donation. Examples of the simplified approach are presented for retail distribution centres, supermarkets, restaurants and food donation.
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- 2018
33. Guidance on date marking and related food information: part 1 (date marking).
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Koutsoumanis, Konstantinos, Allende, Ana, Alvarez‐Ordóñez, Avelino, Bolton, Declan, Bover‐Cid, Sara, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, De Cesare, Alessandra, Herman, Lieve, Nauta, Maarten, Peixe, Luisa, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Suffredini, Elisabetta, Jacxsens, Liesbeth, Skjerdal, Taran, Da Silva Felicio, Maria Teresa, Hempen, Michaela, and Messens, Winy
- Subjects
SHELF-life dating of food ,BEHAVIORAL assessment ,FOOD storage ,FOOD spoilage ,DECISION trees - Abstract
A risk‐based approach was developed to be followed by food business operators (FBO) when deciding on the type of date marking (i.e. 'best before' date or 'use by' date), setting of shelf‐life (i.e. time) and the related information on the label to ensure food safety. The decision on the type of date marking needs to be taken on a product‐by‐product basis, considering the relevant hazards, product characteristics, processing and storage conditions. The hazard identification is food product‐specific and should consider pathogenic microorganisms capable of growing in prepacked temperature‐controlled foods under reasonably foreseeable conditions. The intrinsic (e.g. pH and aw), extrinsic (e.g. temperature and gas atmosphere) and implicit (e.g. interactions with competing background microbiota) factors of the food determine which pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms can grow in the food during storage until consumption. A decision tree was developed to assist FBOs in deciding the type of date marking for a certain food product. When setting the shelf‐life, the FBO needs to consider reasonably foreseeable conditions of distribution, storage and use of the food. Key steps of a case‐by‐case procedure to determine and validate the shelf‐life period are: (i) identification of the relevant pathogenic/spoilage microorganism and its initial level, (ii) characterisation of the factors of the food affecting the growth behaviour and (iii) assessment of the growth behaviour of the pathogenic/spoilage microorganism in the food product during storage until consumption. Due to the variability between food products and consumer habits, it was not appropriate to present indicative time limits for food donated or marketed past the 'best before' date. Recommendations were provided relating to training activities and support, using 'reasonably foreseeable conditions', collecting time–temperature data during distribution, retail and domestic storage of foods and developing Appropriate Levels of Protection and/or Food Safety Objectives for food–pathogen combinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
34. Hazard analysis approaches for certain small retail establishments in view of the application of their food safety management systems
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EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ), Ricci, Antonia, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, Fernández Escámez, Pablo Salvador, Girones, Rosina, Herman, Lieve, Lindqvist, Roland, Nørrung, Birgit, Robertson, Lucy, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Snary, Emma, Speybroeck, Niko, Ter Kuile, Benno, Threlfall, John, Wahlström, Helene, Allende, Ana, Barregård, Lars, Jacxsens, Liesbeth, Koutsoumanis, Kostas, Sanaa, Moez, Varzakas, Theo, Baert, Katleen, Hempen, Michaela, Rizzi, Valentina, Van der Stede, Yves, Bolton, Declan, and UCL - SSS/IRSS - Institut de recherche santé et société
- Subjects
Agriculture and Food Sciences ,Small food retailers ,Technology and Engineering ,Veterinary (miscellaneous) ,Control (management) ,Legislation ,TP1-1185 ,Plant Science ,hazard analysis and critical control point ,Hazard analysis ,INDUSTRY ,01 natural sciences ,Microbiology ,Hazard analysis and critical control point ,CHECKING ,food safety management ,0404 agricultural biotechnology ,prerequisite programme ,SMALL BUSINESSES ,IMPLEMENTATION ,TX341-641 ,Product (category theory) ,small food retailers ,Notice ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,business.industry ,Chemical technology ,010401 analytical chemistry ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,Prerequisite programme ,Food safety management ,Food safety ,040401 food science ,Hazard ,0104 chemical sciences ,CRITICAL CONTROL POINT ,HACCP SYSTEM ,Scientific Opinion ,Risk analysis (engineering) ,Critical control point ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Parasitology ,Business ,HYGIENE ,Food Science - Abstract
Under current European hygiene legislation, food businesses are obliged to develop and implement food safety management systems (FSMS) including prerequisite programme (PRP) activities and hazard analysis and critical control point principles. This requirement is especially challenging for small food retail establishments, where a lack of expertise and other resources may limit the development and implementation of effective FSMS. In this opinion, a simplified approach to food safety management is developed and presented based on a fundamental understanding of processing stages (flow diagram) and the activities contributing to increased occurrence of the hazards (biological, chemical (including allergens) or physical) that may occur. The need to understand and apply hazard or risk ranking within the hazard analysis is removed and control is achieved using PRP activities as recently described in the European Commission Notice 2016/C278, but with the addition of a PRP activity covering 'product information and customer awareness'. Where required, critical limits, monitoring and record keeping are also included. Examples of the simplified approach are presented for five types of retail establishments: butcher, grocery, bakery, fish and ice cream shop. (C) 2017 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.
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- 2017
35. Public health risks associated with hepatitis E virus (HEV) as a food-borne pathogen
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EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ), Ricci, Antonia, Allende, Ana, Bolton, Declan, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, Fernandez Escamez, Pablo Salvador, Herman, Lieve, Koutsoumanis, Kostas, Lindqvist, Roland, Nørrung, Birgit, Robertson, Lucy, Ru, Giuseppe, Sanaa, Moez, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Snary, Emma, Speybroeck, Niko, Ter Kuile, Benno, Threlfall, John, Wahlström, Helene, Di Bartolo, Ilaria, Johne, Reimar, Pavio, Nicole, Rutjes, Saskia, van der Poel, Wim, Vasickova, Petra, Hempen, Michaela, Messens, Winy, Rizzi, Valentina, Latronico, Francesca, Girones, Rosina, and UCL - SSS/IRSS - Institut de recherche santé et société
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Veterinary (miscellaneous) ,030106 microbiology ,pork ,Food-borne ,TP1-1185 ,hepatitis E virus ,Plant Science ,liver ,medicine.disease_cause ,Wild boar ,Microbiology ,Virus ,03 medical and health sciences ,Hepatitis E virus ,biology.animal ,Epidemiology ,medicine ,TX341-641 ,Pork ,Infectivity ,Public health ,biology ,Nutrition. Foods and food supply ,Transmission (medicine) ,Chemical technology ,food‐borne ,Outbreak ,Salut pública ,Virology ,Diet ,Alimentació ,Scientific Opinion ,Liver ,HEV ,Herd ,Animal Science and Zoology ,Parasitology ,Virus de l'hepatitis E ,wild boar ,Food Science - Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important infection in humans in EU/EEA countries, and over the last 10 years more than 21,000 acute clinical cases with 28 fatalities have been notified with an overall 10‐fold increase in reported HEV cases; the majority (80%) of cases were reported from France, Germany and the UK. However, as infection in humans is not notifiable in all Member States, and surveillance differs between countries, the number of reported cases is not comparable and the true number of cases would probably be higher. Food‐borne transmission of HEV appears to be a major route in Europe; pigs and wild boars are the main source of HEV. Outbreaks and sporadic cases have been identified in immune‐competent persons as well as in recognised risk groups such as those with pre‐existing liver damage, immunosuppressive illness or receiving immunosuppressive treatments. The opinion reviews current methods for the detection, identification, characterisation and tracing of HEV in food‐producing animals and foods, reviews literature on HEV reservoirs and food‐borne pathways, examines information on the epidemiology of HEV and its occurrence and persistence in foods, and investigates possible control measures along the food chain. Presently, the only efficient control option for HEV infection from consumption of meat, liver and products derived from animal reservoirs is sufficient heat treatment. The development of validated quantitative and qualitative detection methods, including infectivity assays and consensus molecular typing protocols, is required for the development of quantitative microbial risk assessments and efficient control measures. More research on the epidemiology and control of HEV in pig herds is required in order to minimise the proportion of pigs that remain viraemic or carry high levels of virus in intestinal contents at the time of slaughter. Consumption of raw pig, wild boar and deer meat products should be avoided.
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- 2017
36. Challenges and prospects of the European Food Safety Authority biological hazards risk assessments for food safety
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Latronico, Francesca, primary, Correia, Sandra, additional, Felicio, Teresa da Silva, additional, Hempen, Michaela, additional, Messens, Winy, additional, Ortiz-Pelaez, Angel, additional, Stella, Pietro, additional, Liebana, Ernesto, additional, and Hugas, Marta, additional
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- 2017
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37. Hazard analysis approaches for certain small retail establishments in view of the application of their food safety management systems
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UCL - SSS/IRSS - Institut de recherche santé et société, EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ), Ricci, Antonia, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, Fernández Escámez, Pablo Salvador, Girones, Rosina, Herman, Lieve, Lindqvist, Roland, Nørrung, Birgit, Robertson, Lucy, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Snary, Emma, Speybroeck, Niko, Ter Kuile, Benno, Threlfall, John, Wahlström, Helene, Allende, Ana, Barregård, Lars, Jacxsens, Liesbeth, Koutsoumanis, Kostas, Sanaa, Moez, Varzakas, Theo, Baert, Katleen, Hempen, Michaela, Rizzi, Valentina, Van der Stede, Yves, Bolton, Declan, UCL - SSS/IRSS - Institut de recherche santé et société, EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ), Ricci, Antonia, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, Fernández Escámez, Pablo Salvador, Girones, Rosina, Herman, Lieve, Lindqvist, Roland, Nørrung, Birgit, Robertson, Lucy, Ru, Giuseppe, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Snary, Emma, Speybroeck, Niko, Ter Kuile, Benno, Threlfall, John, Wahlström, Helene, Allende, Ana, Barregård, Lars, Jacxsens, Liesbeth, Koutsoumanis, Kostas, Sanaa, Moez, Varzakas, Theo, Baert, Katleen, Hempen, Michaela, Rizzi, Valentina, Van der Stede, Yves, and Bolton, Declan
- Abstract
Under current European hygiene legislation, food businesses are obliged to develop and implement food safety management systems (FSMS) including prerequisite programme (PRP) activities and hazard analysis and critical control point principles. This requirement is especially challenging for small food retail establishments, where a lack of expertise and other resources may limit the development and implementation of effective FSMS. In this opinion, a simplified approach to food safety management is developed and presented based on a fundamental understanding of processing stages (flow diagram) and the activities contributing to increased occurrence of the hazards (biological, chemical (including allergens) or physical) that may occur. The need to understand and apply hazard or risk ranking within the hazard analysis is removed and control is achieved using PRP activities as recently described in the European Commission Notice 2016/C278, but with the addition of a PRP activity covering ‘product information and customer awareness’. Where required, critical limits, monitoring and record keeping are also included. Examples of the simplified approach are presented for five types of retail establishments: butcher, grocery, bakery, fish and ice cream shop.
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- 2017
38. Public health risks associated with hepatitis E virus (HEV) as a food‐borne pathogen
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UCL - SSS/IRSS - Institut de recherche santé et société, EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ), Ricci, Antonia, Allende, Ana, Bolton, Declan, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, Fernandez Escamez, Pablo Salvador, Herman, Lieve, Koutsoumanis, Kostas, Lindqvist, Roland, Nørrung, Birgit, Robertson, Lucy, Ru, Giuseppe, Sanaa, Moez, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Snary, Emma, Speybroeck, Niko, Ter Kuile, Benno, Threlfall, John, Wahlström, Helene, Di Bartolo, Ilaria, Johne, Reimar, Pavio, Nicole, Rutjes, Saskia, van der Poel, Wim, Vasickova, Petra, Hempen, Michaela, Messens, Winy, Rizzi, Valentina, Latronico, Francesca, Girones, Rosina, UCL - SSS/IRSS - Institut de recherche santé et société, EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ), Ricci, Antonia, Allende, Ana, Bolton, Declan, Chemaly, Marianne, Davies, Robert, Fernandez Escamez, Pablo Salvador, Herman, Lieve, Koutsoumanis, Kostas, Lindqvist, Roland, Nørrung, Birgit, Robertson, Lucy, Ru, Giuseppe, Sanaa, Moez, Simmons, Marion, Skandamis, Panagiotis, Snary, Emma, Speybroeck, Niko, Ter Kuile, Benno, Threlfall, John, Wahlström, Helene, Di Bartolo, Ilaria, Johne, Reimar, Pavio, Nicole, Rutjes, Saskia, van der Poel, Wim, Vasickova, Petra, Hempen, Michaela, Messens, Winy, Rizzi, Valentina, Latronico, Francesca, and Girones, Rosina
- Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important infection in humans in EU/EEA countries, and over the last 10 years more than 21,000 acute clinical cases with 28 fatalities have been notified with an overall 10-fold increase in reported HEV cases; the majority (80%) of cases were reported from France, Germany and the UK. However, as infection in humans is not notifiable in all Member States, and surveillance differs between countries, the number of reported cases is not comparable and the true number of cases would probably be higher. Food-borne transmission of HEV appears to be a major route in Europe; pigs and wild boars are the main source of HEV. Outbreaks and sporadic cases have been identified in immune-competent persons as well as in recognised risk groups such as those with pre-existing liver damage, immunosuppressive illness or receiving immunosuppressive treatments. The opinion reviews current methods for the detection, identification, characterisation and tracing of HEV in food-producing animals and foods, reviews literature on HEV reservoirs and food-borne pathways, examines information on the epidemiology of HEV and its occurrence and persistence in foods, and investigates possible control measures along the food chain. Presently, the only efficient control option for HEV infection from consumption of meat, liver and products derived from animal reservoirs is sufficient heat treatment. The development of validated quantitative and qualitative detection methods, including infectivity assays and consensus molecular typing protocols, is required for the development of quantitative microbial risk assessments and efficient control measures. More research on the epidemiology and control of HEV in pig herds is required in order to minimise the proportion of pigs that remain viraemic or carry high levels of virus in intestinal contents at the time of slaughter. Consumption of raw pig, wild boar and deer meat products should be avoided.
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- 2017
39. Guidance on the use of the weight of evidence approach in scientific assessments
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Hardy, Anthony, Benford, Diane, Halldorsson, Thorhallur, Jeger, Michael John, Knutsen, Helle Katrine, More, Simon, Naegeli, Hanspeter, Noteborn, Hubert, Ockleford, Colin, Ricci, Antonia, Rychen, Guido, Schlatter, Josef R, Silano, Vittorio, Solecki, Roland, Turck, Dominique, Benfenati, Emilio, Chaudhry, Qasim Mohammad, Craig, Peter, Frampton, Geoff, Greiner, Matthias, Hart, Andrew, Hogstrand, Christer, Lambre, Claude, Luttik, Robert, Makowski, David, Siani, Alfonso, Wahlstroem, Helene, Aguilera, Jaime, Dorne, Jean-Lou, Fernandez Dumont, Antonio, Hempen, Michaela, Valtueña Martínez, Silvia, Martino, Laura, Smeraldi, Camilla, Terron, Andrea, Georgiadis, Nikolaos, Younes, Maged, Hardy, Anthony, Benford, Diane, Halldorsson, Thorhallur, Jeger, Michael John, Knutsen, Helle Katrine, More, Simon, Naegeli, Hanspeter, Noteborn, Hubert, Ockleford, Colin, Ricci, Antonia, Rychen, Guido, Schlatter, Josef R, Silano, Vittorio, Solecki, Roland, Turck, Dominique, Benfenati, Emilio, Chaudhry, Qasim Mohammad, Craig, Peter, Frampton, Geoff, Greiner, Matthias, Hart, Andrew, Hogstrand, Christer, Lambre, Claude, Luttik, Robert, Makowski, David, Siani, Alfonso, Wahlstroem, Helene, Aguilera, Jaime, Dorne, Jean-Lou, Fernandez Dumont, Antonio, Hempen, Michaela, Valtueña Martínez, Silvia, Martino, Laura, Smeraldi, Camilla, Terron, Andrea, Georgiadis, Nikolaos, and Younes, Maged
- Abstract
EFSA requested the Scientific Committee to develop a guidance document on the use of the weight of evidence approach in scientific assessments for use in all areas under EFSA's remit. The guidance document addresses the use of weight of evidence approaches in scientific assessments using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Several case studies covering the various areas under EFSA's remit are annexed to the guidance document to illustrate the applicability of the proposed approach. Weight of evidence assessment is defined in this guidance as a process in which evidence is integrated to determine the relative support for possible answers to a question. This document considers the weight of evidence assessment as comprising three basic steps: (1) assembling the evidence into lines of evidence of similar type, (2) weighing the evidence, (3) integrating the evidence. The present document identifies reliability, relevance and consistency as three basic considerations for weighing evidence.
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- 2017
40. Die mikrobiologische Qualität von roher und fermentierter Milch von Märkten und kleinbäuerlichen Milchbetrieben und damit verbundene potentielle Gesundheitsrisiken für Verbraucher in Gambia
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Hempen, Michaela
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food safety ,sour milk ,milk hygiene ,health hazards ,raw milk ,microbial contamination ,Gambia ,West-Africa ,milk quality - Abstract
Milch wird als wesentlicher Lieferant von Energie, Proteinen und Kalzium angesehen, insbesondere für Kinder in Entwicklungsländern, die wenige Alternativen für diese Nährstoffe haben. Milch ist aber auch, vor allem in tropischen Ländern, ideal für das Wachstum von pathogenen Bakterien und Verderbniskeimen und kann für die Übertragungvon bakteriellen, viralen und parasitären Krankheiten verantwortlich sein. Pathogene Organismen in Milch können von der Kuh stammen aber auch vom Menschen und der Umgebung. In Gambia, wie in den anderen Ländern West-Afrikas, werden Kühe von Hand gemolken, nachdem das Kalb den Milchfluß durch kurzes Säugen stimuliert hat. Wasser ist an den Melkplätzen im allgemeinen nicht vorhanden und weder die Hände des Melkersnoch das Euter werden vor dem Melken gereinigt. Utensilien wie Melkeimer und Sammelbehälter werden nur unzureichend mit kaltem Wasser ausgespült. Mangelnde Kühlmöglichkeiten und lange Transportwege zu Milchhändlern, offenen Märkten und Konsumenten bieten Bakterien gute Bedingungen zur Vermehrung. Ziel dieser Arbeit war die Untersuchung des hygienischen Status der Milch, die in Gambia produziert und vermarktet wird und der Vergleich mit Grenzwerten, die für die Europäische Union oder Kenia als afrikanisches Vergleichsland gelten. Anhand der gewonnenen Information soll abgeschätzt werden, ob die auf Märkten angebotene Milch gesundheitsschädigend für Konsumenten sein kann. Dies ist besonders bedeutend in Ländern wie Gambia, in denen die öffentliche Gesundheitsversorgung unzureichend und ein Bewußtsein für lebensmittelbedingte Krankheiten kaum vorhanden ist. Für die Untersuchung wurden vier Märkte aus unterschiedlichen Verwaltungseinheiten Gambias ausgewählt. Die Milchverkäufer auf den jeweiligen Märkten wurden mit Hilfe von strukturierten Fragebögen interviewt; aus den Informationen wurde versucht, dieVermarktungskette von Milch zurückzuverfolgen und beliefernde Zwischenhändler und Produzenten zu identifizieren. Diese Vermarktungsketten bildeten die Grundlage für den Beprobungsplan. Dementsprechend wurden Milchproben auf unterschiedlichen Ebenen der Produktions- und Vermarktungskette genommen, angefangen mit Proben der Herdenmilchauf der Ebene der Produzenten über Proben der Sammelmilch auf der Ebene der Zwischenhändler bis zu den Endprodukten, die auf den Märkten den Konsumentenangeboten wurden. Roh- und Sauermilchproben wurden mikrobiologisch auf aerobe Gesamtkeimzahl, coliforme Bakterien, E. coli, Koagulase-positive Staphylokokken, Salmonella spp., Listeriaspp., H2S-reduzierende Clostridien und B. cereus untersucht. Die Ergebnisse wurden miteuropäischen und kenianischen Grenzwerten verglichen, um anhand der Standards für beide Regionen ein Gesundheitsrisiko für Verbraucher abzuschätzen. Es wurden 236 Rohmilch- und 142 Sauermilchproben untersucht. Die aerobe Gesamtkeimzahl lag bei 90,9% der Rohmilchproben mit über 2x10(hoch 6) KbE/ml außerhalb des Akzeptanzbereiches kenianischer Normen. Auch der Gehalt coliformer Bakterien lag bei 64% der Rohmilch- und 55% der Sauermilchproben über dem kenianischen Grenzwert von 5x10(hoch 4) KbE/ml. Keimzahlen über 1x10(hoch 5) KbE/ml E. coli wurden bei 22,6% der Rohmilch-und 23,7% der Sauermilchproben gefunden. 25% der Rohmilchproben enthielten mehr als 2x10(hoch 3) KbE/ml Koagulase-positive Staphylokokken und lagen damit über demeuropäischen Standard für Milch für die Herstellung von Milchprodukten. Listerien und Salmonellen konnten nur in Einzelfällen aus den Proben isoliert werden, Sporenbildner wie H2S- reduzierende Clostridien und Bacillus cereus wurden dagegen häufig nachgewiesen. 22,3% der Rohmilch- und 14,4% der Sauermilchproben enthielten H2S-reduzierendeClostridien und in 17% respektive 12,7% waren B. cereus auffindbar. Die mangelhafte hygienische Qualität der Milch ist zum einen auf die schlechten hygienischen Verhältnisse beim Melken zurückzuführen und zum anderen auf die ungenügende Reinigung der Melkutensilien und Milchgefäße. In die Milch gelangte Keime finden gute Bedingungen zur Vermehrung, da die Milch nicht gekühlt wird und die Wege zum Verbraucher meist lang sind. Die Ergebnisse dieser Arbeit geben Gründe zu der Annahme, dass der Verzehr von sowohl roher als auch von fermentierter Milch in Gambia Krankheitssymptome auslösen kann. Rückschlüsse auf die tatsächlichen Gesundheitsrisiken durch den Verzehr von lokaler Milch zu ziehen bleibt dennoch schwierig. Fehlende Labordiagnosen bei menschlichen Erkrankungen mit gastrointestinalen Symptomen, das Fehlen von Systemen zur Rückverfolgung von kontaminierten Lebensmitteln und das fehlende Bewußtsein der Bevökerung für Gesundheitsrisiken durch Lebensmittel im Allgemeinen lassen nur Vermutungen über das tatsächliche Risiko zu., Milk is considered as being an attractive source of energy, proteins and calcium especiallyfor children in developing countries, who have only few alternatives for these nutrients.But milk is equally suitable for the growth of spoilage and pathogenic bacteria and can bethe vehicle for the transmission of bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases. Pathogens in milk can derive from the cow but also from the milker or the environment. In The Gambia, as in other West-african countries, cows are milked by hand, after the stimulation of milk let-down by a suckling calf. Water is usually not available at the milking place and neither themilker s hands nor the udder is cleaned before milking. Milking equipment and containers are inadequately rinsed with cold water. The lack of cooling facilities and long distances between producers, traders and consumers provide optimal conditions for the growth of bacteria. The objective of this study was the identification and quantification of bacterial contaminants and pathogenic agents in milk at producer s, trader s and vendor s level and the comparison with hygiene standards of the European Union and Kenya. Results of this investigation were used to evaluate the potential risk for consumers in The Gambia. This is particularly important in countries such as The Gambia, where the public healthinfrastructure is insufficient and the public awareness for health risks related to food is more or less inexistant. Four local markets in different Divisions were selected and milk vendors were interviewed using structured questionnaires. With the information acquired through the interviews, existing milk marketing chains were identified, which served as a basis for the sampling of milk along the marketing ways. Raw and fermented milk samples were tested for total bacterial count, coliform bacteria, E.coli, coagulase-positive Staphylococci, Salmonella spp., Bacillus cereus, Listeria spp.and H2S- reducing Clostridia. The results were compared with European and Kenyanhygiene standards to estimate the potential risk for consumers of milk in The Gambia. 236 raw and 142 fermented milk samples were investigated. The total bacteria count of 90.9%of raw milk samples was above Kenyan standard with a highest acceptable count of 2x10(hoch6) cfu/ml. 64% of raw milk and 55% of fermented milk samples contained more than 5x104cfu/ml, which is the acceptance limit in Kenya. E.coli counts above 1x104 cfu/ml were found in 22.6% of raw milk and 23.7% of fermented milk. 25% of raw milk samplesexceeded the European acceptance limit of 2x103 cfu/ml coagulase-positive Staphylococci.Listeria spp. and Salmonella spp. were only isolated in a few samples. Sporeforming bacteria such as Bacillus cereus and H2S- reducing Clostridia were more frequentlyisolated. 22.3% of raw milk and 14.4% of fermented milk contained H2S- reducing Clostridia. Bacillus cereus could be found in 17% of raw milk and in 12.7% of fermented milk. The poor hygienic quality of milk is mainly caused by the poor hygienic conditions around milking and to the inadequate cleaning of milking equipment and containers. Bacterial contaminants in milk find good conditions for growth as milk is not cooled and usually transported over long distances to traders and consumers. Results of this study lead to the assumption that the consumption of both raw and fermented milk in The Gambia poses a public health hazard. However, poor public health infrastructure, lack of laboratory confirmed cases and the low public awareness for food-borne diseases in general make it difficult to establish a direct relationship between the high contamination of milk and the health risk for consumers.
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- 2007
41. An updated assessment of the effect of control options to reduce Campylobacterconcentrations in broiler caeca on human health risk in the European Union
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Nauta, Maarten, Bolton, Declan, Crotta, Matteo, Ellis-Iversen, Johanne, Alter, Thomas, Hempen, Michaela, Messens, Winy, and Chemaly, Marianne
- Abstract
-Lower campylobacterconcentrations in broiler caeca give lower concentrations on meat.-The effect of reduction of caecal concentrations on human health risk is assessed.-The predicted relative risk reductions are smaller than previously estimated.-The association between concentrations in caeca and on meat is important but uncertain.
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- 2022
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42. Welfare of broilers on farm.
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Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin-Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Schmidt CG, Herskin MS, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Padalino B, Pasquali P, Roberts HC, Spoolder H, Stahl K, Velarde A, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Tiemann I, de Jong I, Gebhardt-Henrich SG, Keeling L, Riber AB, Ashe S, Candiani D, García Matas R, Hempen M, Mosbach-Schulz O, Rojo Gimeno C, Van der Stede Y, Vitali M, Bailly-Caumette E, and Michel V
- Abstract
This Scientific Opinion considers the welfare of domestic fowl ( Gallus gallus ) related to the production of meat (broilers) and includes the keeping of day-old chicks, broiler breeders, and broiler chickens. Currently used husbandry systems in the EU are described. Overall, 19 highly relevant welfare consequences (WCs) were identified based on severity, duration and frequency of occurrence: 'bone lesions', 'cold stress', 'gastro-enteric disorders', 'group stress', 'handling stress', 'heat stress', 'isolation stress', 'inability to perform comfort behaviour', 'inability to perform exploratory or foraging behaviour', 'inability to avoid unwanted sexual behaviour', 'locomotory disorders', 'prolonged hunger', 'prolonged thirst', 'predation stress', 'restriction of movement', 'resting problems', 'sensory under- and overstimulation', 'soft tissue and integument damage' and 'umbilical disorders'. These WCs and their animal-based measures (ABMs) that can identify them are described in detail. A variety of hazards related to the different husbandry systems were identified as well as ABMs for assessing the different WCs. Measures to prevent or correct the hazards and/or mitigate each of the WCs are listed. Recommendations are provided on quantitative or qualitative criteria to answer specific questions on the welfare of broilers and related to genetic selection, temperature, feed and water restriction, use of cages, light, air quality and mutilations in breeders such as beak trimming, de-toeing and comb dubbing. In addition, minimal requirements (e.g. stocking density, group size, nests, provision of litter, perches and platforms, drinkers and feeders, of covered veranda and outdoor range) for an enclosure for keeping broiler chickens (fast-growing, slower-growing and broiler breeders) are recommended. Finally, 'total mortality', 'wounds', 'carcass condemnation' and 'footpad dermatitis' are proposed as indicators for monitoring at slaughter the welfare of broilers on-farm., (© 2023 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.)
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- 2023
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43. Update of the list of QPS-recommended microbiological agents intentionally added to food or feed as notified to EFSA 16: suitability of taxonomic units notified to EFSA until March 2022.
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Koutsoumanis K, Allende A, Alvarez-Ordóñez A, Bolton D, Bover-Cid S, Chemaly M, Davies R, De Cesare A, Hilbert F, Lindqvist R, Nauta M, Peixe L, Ru G, Simmons M, Skandamis P, Suffredini E, Cocconcelli PS, Fernández Escámez PS, Maradona MP, Querol A, Sijtsma L, Suarez JE, Sundh I, Vlak J, Barizzone F, Hempen M, Correia S, and Herman L
- Abstract
The qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach was developed to provide a regularly updated generic pre-evaluation of the safety of microorganisms, intended for use in the food or feed chains, to support the work of EFSA's Scientific Panels. The QPS approach is based on an assessment of published data for each agent, with respect to its taxonomic identity, the body of relevant knowledge, safety concerns and occurrence of antimicrobial resistance. Safety concerns identified for a taxonomic unit (TU) are, where possible, confirmed at the species/strain or product level and reflected by 'qualifications'. In the period covered by this statement, no new information was found that would change the status of previously recommended QPS TUs. Of the 50 microorganisms notified to EFSA in October 2021 to March 2022 (inclusive), 41 were not evaluated: 10 filamentous fungi, 1 Enterococcus faecium , 1 Clostridium butyricum, 3 Escherichia coli and 1 Streptomyces spp. because are excluded from QPS evaluation, and 25 TUs that have already a QPS status. Nine notifications, corresponding to seven TUs were evaluated: four of these, Streptococcus salivarius, Companilactobacillus formosensis, Pseudonocardia autotrophica and Papiliotrema terrestris , being evaluated for the first time. The other three, Microbacterium foliorum, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Ensifer adhaerens were re-assessed. None of these TUs were recommended for QPS status: Ensifer adhaerens, Microbacterium foliorum, Companilactobacillus formosensis and Papiliotrema terrestris due to a limited body of knowledge , Streptococcus salivarius due to its ability to cause bacteraemia and systemic infection that results in a variety of morbidities, Pseudonocardia autotrophica due to lack of body of knowledge and uncertainty on the safety of biologically active compounds which can be produced, and Pseudomonas fluorescens due to possible safety concerns ., (© 2022 Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KgaA on behalf of the European Food Safety Authority.)
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- 2022
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44. Update of the list of QPS-recommended biological agents intentionally added to food or feed as notified to EFSA 15: suitability of taxonomic units notified to EFSA until September 2021.
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Koutsoumanis K, Allende A, Alvarez-Ordóñez A, Bolton D, Bover-Cid S, Chemaly M, Davies R, De Cesare A, Hilbert F, Lindqvist R, Nauta M, Peixe L, Ru G, Simmons M, Skandamis P, Suffredini E, Cocconcelli PS, Fernández Escámez PS, Prieto-Maradona M, Querol A, Sijtsma L, Evaristo Suarez J, Sundh I, Vlak J, Barizzone F, Hempen M, and Herman L
- Abstract
The qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach was developed to provide a generic pre-evaluation of the safety of biological agents. The QPS approach is based on an assessment of published data for each agent, with respect to its taxonomic identity, the body of relevant knowledge and safety concerns. Safety concerns are, where possible, confirmed at the species/strain or product level and reflected by 'qualifications'. The QPS list was updated in relation to the revised taxonomy of the genus Bacillus , to synonyms of yeast species and for the qualifications 'absence of resistance to antimycotics' and 'only for production purposes'. Lactobacillus cellobiosus has been reclassified as Limosilactobacillus fermentum . In the period covered by this statement, no new information was found that would change the status of previously recommended QPS taxonomic units (TU)s. Of the 70 microorganisms notified to EFSA, 64 were not evaluated: 11 filamentous fungi, one oomycete, one Clostridium butyricum , one Enterococcus faecium , five Escherichia coli , one Streptomyces sp., one Bacillus nakamurai and 43 TUs that already had a QPS status. Six notifications, corresponding to six TUs were evaluated: Paenibacillus lentus was reassessed because an update was requested for the current mandate. Enterococcus lactis synonym Enterococcus xinjiangensis , Aurantiochytrium mangrovei synonym Schizochytrium mangrovei , Schizochytrium aggregatum , Chlamydomonas reinhardtii synonym Chlamydomonas smithii and Haematococcus lacustris synonym Haematococcus pluvialis were assessed for the first time. The following TUs were not recommended for QPS status: P. lentus due to a limited body of knowledge, E. lactis synonym E. xinjiangensis due to potential safety concerns, A. mangrovei synonym S. mangrovei , S. aggregatum and C. reinhardtii synonym C. smithii , due to lack of a body of knowledge on its occurrence in the food and feed chain. H. lacustris synonym H. pluvialis is recommended for QPS status with the qualification 'for production purposes only'., (© 2022 Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KgaA on behalf of the European Food Safety Authority.)
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- 2022
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45. Update of the list of QPS-recommended biological agents intentionally added to food or feed as notified to EFSA 14: suitability of taxonomic units notified to EFSA until March 2021.
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Koutsoumanis K, Allende A, Alvarez-Ordóñez A, Bolton D, Bover-Cid S, Chemaly M, Davies R, De Cesare A, Hilbert F, Lindqvist R, Nauta M, Peixe L, Ru G, Simmons M, Skandamis P, Suffredini E, Cocconcelli PS, Fernández Escámez PS, Prieto-Maradona M, Querol A, Sijtsma L, Suarez JE, Sundh I, Vlak J, Barizzone F, Hempen M, and Herman L
- Abstract
The qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach was developed to provide a regularly updated generic pre-evaluation of the safety of biological agents, intended for addition to food or feed, to support the work of EFSA's Scientific Panels. The QPS approach is based on an assessment of published data for each agent, with respect to its taxonomic identity, the body of relevant knowledge, safety concerns and occurrence of antimicrobial resistance. Safety concerns identified for a taxonomic unit (TU) are, where possible, confirmed at the species/strain or product level and reflected by 'qualifications'. In the period covered by this statement, no new information was found that would change the status of previously recommended QPS TUs. Schizochytrium limacinum , which is a synonym for Aurantiochytrium limacinum , was added to the QPS list. Of the 78 microorganisms notified to EFSA between October 2020 and March 2021, 71 were excluded; 16 filamentous fungi, 1 Dyella spp., 1 Enterococcus faecium , 7 Escherichia coli , 1 Streptomyces spp., 1 Schizochytrium spp. and 44 TUs that had been previously evaluated. Seven TUs were evaluated: Corynebacterium stationis and Kodamaea ohmeri were re-assessed because an update was requested for the current mandate. Anoxybacillus caldiproteolyticus , Bacillus paralicheniformis , Enterobacter hormaechei, Eremothecium ashbyi and Lactococcus garvieae were assessed for the first time. The following TUs were not recommended for QPS status: A. caldiproteolyticus due to the lack of a body of knowledge in relation to its use in the food or feed chain, E. hormaechei, L. garvieae and K. ohmeri due to their pathogenic potential , E. ashbyi and C. stationis due to a lack of body of knowledge on their occurrence in the food and feed chain and to their pathogenic potential. B. paralicheniformis was recommended for the QPS status with the qualification 'absence of toxigenic activity' and 'absence of genetic information to synthesize bacitracin'., (© 2021 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.)
- Published
- 2021
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46. Update of the list of QPS-recommended biological agents intentionally added to food or feed as notified to EFSA 13: suitability of taxonomic units notified to EFSA until September 2020.
- Author
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Koutsoumanis K, Allende A, Alvarez-Ordóñez A, Bolton D, Bover-Cid S, Chemaly M, Davies R, De Cesare A, Hilbert F, Lindqvist R, Nauta M, Peixe L, Ru G, Simmons M, Skandamis P, Suffredini E, Cocconcelli PS, Fernández Escámez PS, Maradona MP, Querol A, Sijtsma L, Suarez JE, Sundh I, Vlak J, Barizzone F, Hempen M, and Herman L
- Abstract
The qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach was developed to provide a regularly updated generic pre-evaluation of the safety of biological agents, intended for addition to food or feed, to support the work of EFSA's Scientific Panels. It is based on an assessment of published data for each agent, with respect to its taxonomic identity, the body of knowledge, safety concerns and antimicrobial resistance. Safety concerns identified for a taxonomic unit (TU) are, where possible, confirmed at strain or product level, and reflected by 'qualifications'. In the period covered by this statement, no new information was found that would change the status of previously recommended QPS TUs. Of the 36 microorganisms notified to EFSA between April and September 2020, 33 were excluded; seven filamentous fungi (including Aureobasidium pullulans based on recent taxonomic insights), one Clostridium butyricum , one Enterococcus faecium , three Escherichia coli , one Streptomyces spp. and 20 TUs that had been previously evaluated. Three TUs were evaluated; Methylorubrum extorquens and Mycobacterium aurum for the first time and Bacillus circulans was re-assessed because an update was requested in relation to a new mandate. M. extorquens and M. aurum are not recommended for QPS status due to the lack of a body of knowledge in relation to use in the food or feed chain and M. aurum, due to uncertainty concerning its pathogenicity potential. B. circulans was recommended for QPS status with the qualifications for 'production purposes only' and 'absence of cytotoxic activity'., (© 2021 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.)
- Published
- 2021
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47. Evaluation of public and animal health risks in case of a delayed post-mortem inspection in ungulates.
- Author
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Koutsoumanis K, Allende A, Alvarez-Ordóñez A, Bolton D, Bover-Cid S, Chemaly M, Davies R, De Cesare A, Herman L, Lindqvist R, Nauta M, Peixe L, Ru G, Simmons M, Skandamis P, Suffredini E, Sánchez JÁ, Blagojevic B, Fürst P, Garin-Bastuji B, Jensen HE, Paulsen P, Baert K, Barrucci F, Broglia A, Georgiadis M, Hempen M, and Hilbert F
- Abstract
The potential effects of a 24 or 72-h delay in post-mortem inspection (PMI) of ungulates on public health and monitoring of animal health and welfare was evaluated. The assessment used a survey of meat inspectors, expert opinion, literature search and a stochastic model for Salmonella detection sensitivity. Disease detection sensitivity at a delayed PMI is expected to reduce detection sensitivity to a variable extent, depending on the hazard and on the signs/lesions and organs involved. No reduction is expected for Trichinella detection in meat from susceptible animal species and any decrease in detection of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) will not exceed the current tolerance for fallen stock. A 24-h delay in PMI could result in a small reduction in sensitivity of detection for tuberculosis, echinococcosis and cysticercosis. A greater reduction is expected for the detection of pyaemia and Rift valley fever. For the detection of Salmonella , the median model estimates are a reduction of sensitivity of 66.5% (90% probability interval (PI) 0.08-99.75%) after 24-h delay and 94% (90% PI 0.83-100%) after 72-h delay of PMI. Laboratory testing for tuberculosis following a sampling delay of 24-72 h could result in no, or a moderate, decrease in detection depending on the method of confirmation used (PCR, culture, histopathology). For chemical contaminants, a delay in meat inspection of 24 or 72 h is expected to have no impact on the effectiveness of detection of persistent organic pollutants and metals. However, for certain pharmacologically active substances, there will be a reduced effectiveness to detect some of these substances due to potential degradation in the available matrices (tissues and organs) and the non-availability of specific preferred matrices of choice., (© 2020 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.)
- Published
- 2020
- Full Text
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48. Update of the list of QPS-recommended biological agents intentionally added to food or feed as notified to EFSA 12: suitability of taxonomic units notified to EFSA until March 2020.
- Author
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Koutsoumanis K, Allende A, Alvarez-Ordóñez A, Bolton D, Bover-Cid S, Chemaly M, Davies R, De Cesare A, Hilbert F, Lindqvist R, Nauta M, Peixe L, Ru G, Simmons M, Skandamis P, Suffredini E, Cocconcelli PS, Fernández Escámez PS, Maradona MP, Querol A, Suarez JE, Sundh I, Vlak J, Barizzone F, Hempen M, and Herman L
- Abstract
The qualified presumption of safety (QPS) was developed to provide a generic safety evaluation for biological agents to support EFSA's Scientific Panels. It is based on an assessment of the taxonomic identity, the body of knowledge, safety concerns and antimicrobial resistance. Safety concerns identified for a taxonomic unit (TU) are where possible to be confirmed at strain or product level, reflected by 'qualifications'. No new information was found that would change the previously recommended QPS TUs of the 39 microorganisms notified to EFSA between October 2019 and March 2020, 33 were excluded, including five filamentous fungi, five Escherichia coli , two Enterococcus faecium , two Streptomyces spp. and 19 TUs already evaluated. Six TUs were evaluated. Akkermansia muciniphila was not recommended for QPS status due to safety concerns. Clostridium butyricum was not recommended because some strains contain pathogenicity factors. This TU was excluded for further QPS evaluation. Galdieria sulphuraria and Pseudomonas chlororaphis were also rejected due to a lack of body of knowledge. The QPS status of Corynebacterium ammoniagenes (with the qualification 'for production purposes only') and of Komagataella pastoris (with the qualification 'for enzyme production') was confirmed. In relation to the taxonomic revision of the Lactobacillus genus, previously designated Lactobacillus species will be reassigned to the new species and both the old and new names will be retained in the QPS list., (© 2020 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.)
- Published
- 2020
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49. Update and review of control options for Campylobacter in broilers at primary production.
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Koutsoumanis K, Allende A, Alvarez-Ordóñez A, Bolton D, Bover-Cid S, Davies R, De Cesare A, Herman L, Hilbert F, Lindqvist R, Nauta M, Peixe L, Ru G, Simmons M, Skandamis P, Suffredini E, Alter T, Crotta M, Ellis-Iversen J, Hempen M, Messens W, and Chemaly M
- Abstract
The 2011 EFSA opinion on Campylobacter was updated using more recent scientific data. The relative risk reduction in EU human campylobacteriosis attributable to broiler meat was estimated for on-farm control options using Population Attributable Fractions (PAF) for interventions that reduce Campylobacter flock prevalence, updating the modelling approach for interventions that reduce caecal concentrations and reviewing scientific literature. According to the PAF analyses calculated for six control options, the mean relative risk reductions that could be achieved by adoption of each of these six control options individually are estimated to be substantial but the width of the confidence intervals of all control options indicates a high degree of uncertainty in the specific risk reduction potentials. The updated model resulted in lower estimates of impact than the model used in the previous opinion. A 3-log
10 reduction in broiler caecal concentrations was estimated to reduce the relative EU risk of human campylobacteriosis attributable to broiler meat by 58% compared to an estimate larger than 90% in the previous opinion. Expert Knowledge Elicitation was used to rank control options, for weighting and integrating different evidence streams and assess uncertainties. Medians of the relative risk reductions of selected control options had largely overlapping probability intervals, so the rank order was uncertain: vaccination 27% (90% probability interval (PI) 4-74%); feed and water additives 24% (90% PI 4-60%); discontinued thinning 18% (90% PI 5-65%); employing few and well-trained staff 16% (90% PI 5-45%); avoiding drinkers that allow standing water 15% (90% PI 4-53%); addition of disinfectants to drinking water 14% (90% PI 3-36%); hygienic anterooms 12% (90% PI 3-50%); designated tools per broiler house 7% (90% PI 1-18%). It is not possible to quantify the effects of combined control activities because the evidence-derived estimates are inter-dependent and there is a high level of uncertainty associated with each., (© 2020 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.)- Published
- 2020
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50. Public health risks associated with food-borne parasites.
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Koutsoumanis K, Allende A, Alvarez-Ordóñez A, Bolton D, Bover-Cid S, Chemaly M, Davies R, De Cesare A, Herman L, Hilbert F, Lindqvist R, Nauta M, Peixe L, Ru G, Simmons M, Skandamis P, Suffredini E, Cacciò S, Chalmers R, Deplazes P, Devleesschauwer B, Innes E, Romig T, van der Giessen J, Hempen M, Van der Stede Y, and Robertson L
- Abstract
Parasites are important food-borne pathogens. Their complex lifecycles, varied transmission routes, and prolonged periods between infection and symptoms mean that the public health burden and relative importance of different transmission routes are often difficult to assess. Furthermore, there are challenges in detection and diagnostics, and variations in reporting. A Europe-focused ranking exercise, using multicriteria decision analysis, identified potentially food-borne parasites of importance, and that are currently not routinely controlled in food. These are Cryptosporidium spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Echinococcus spp. Infection with these parasites in humans and animals, or their occurrence in food, is not notifiable in all Member States. This Opinion reviews current methods for detection, identification and tracing of these parasites in relevant foods, reviews literature on food-borne pathways, examines information on their occurrence and persistence in foods, and investigates possible control measures along the food chain. The differences between these three parasites are substantial, but for all there is a paucity of well-established, standardised, validated methods that can be applied across the range of relevant foods. Furthermore, the prolonged period between infection and clinical symptoms (from several days for Cryptosporidium to years for Echinococcus spp.) means that source attribution studies are very difficult. Nevertheless, our knowledge of the domestic animal lifecycle (involving dogs and livestock) for Echinoccocus granulosus means that this parasite is controllable. For Echinococcus multilocularis , for which the lifecycle involves wildlife (foxes and rodents), control would be expensive and complicated, but could be achieved in targeted areas with sufficient commitment and resources. Quantitative risk assessments have been described for Toxoplasma in meat. However, for T. gondii and Cryptosporidium as faecal contaminants, development of validated detection methods, including survival/infectivity assays and consensus molecular typing protocols, are required for the development of quantitative risk assessments and efficient control measures., (© 2018 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.)
- Published
- 2018
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