Quantitative risk assessment for type A staphylococcal enterotoxin poisoning due to consumption of Minas Frescal cheese in Brazil.

This study aimed to estimate the risk of staphylococcal toxin type A (SEA) poisoning from consuming Minas Frescal cheese (MFC) in Brazil. A Quantitative Microbiological Risk Assessment model was developed, focussing on the production of SEA while still in the raw material. The baseline scenario yielded a simulated mean concentration of SEA in the MFC portion of 16.20 ng. The concentration of Staphylococcus aureus in raw milk is proved to be the most influential parameter for the risk, followed by the serving size and the prevalence of toxin genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]