scholarly journals Arcobacter butzleri in Sheep Ricotta Cheese at Retail and Related Sources of Contamination in an Industrial Dairy Plant

2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (22) ◽  
pp. 7036-7041 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Scarano ◽  
Federica Giacometti ◽  
Gerardo Manfreda ◽  
Alex Lucchi ◽  
Emanuela Pes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pfge Pattern ◽  
Industrial Plant ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Processing Plant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Surface Samples ◽  
Plant Environment ◽  
Arcobacter Butzleri ◽  
Dairy Plant ◽  
Sources Of Contamination

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to evaluateArcobacterspecies contamination of industrial sheep ricotta cheese purchased at retail and to establish if the dairy plant environment may represent a source of contamination. A total of 32 sheep ricotta cheeses (1.5 kg/pack) packed in a modified atmosphere were purchased at retail, and 30 samples were collected in two sampling sessions performed in the cheese factory from surfaces in contact with food and from surfaces not in contact with food. Seven out of 32 samples (21.9%) of ricotta cheese collected at retail tested positive forArcobacter butzleriat cultural examination; all positive samples were collected during the same sampling and belonged to the same batch. Ten surface samples (33.3%) collected in the dairy plant were positive forA. butzleri. Cluster analysis identified 32 pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns. The same PFGE pattern was isolated from more than one ricotta cheese sample, indicating a common source of contamination, while more PFGE patterns could be isolated in single samples, indicating different sources of contamination. The results of the environmental sampling showed thatA. butzlerimay be commonly isolated from the dairy processing plant investigated and may survive over time, as confirmed by the isolation of the same PFGE pattern in different industrial plant surface samples. Floor contamination may represent a source ofA. butzlerispread to different areas of the dairy plant, as demonstrated by isolation of the same PFGE pattern in different production areas. Isolation of the same PFGE pattern from surface samples in the dairy plant and from ricotta cheese purchased at retail showed that plant surfaces may represent a source ofA. butzleripostprocessing contamination in cheeses produced in industrial dairy plants.

scholarly journals Occurrence and Genetic Diversity of Arcobacter butzleri in an Artisanal Dairy Plant in Italy

2013 ◽  
Vol 79 (21) ◽  
pp. 6665-6669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federica Giacometti ◽  
Alex Lucchi ◽  
Gerardo Manfreda ◽  
Daniela Florio ◽  
Renato Giulio Zanoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Culture Method ◽  
Raw Milk ◽  
Food Samples ◽  
Processing Plant ◽  
Mozzarella Cheese ◽  
Pfge Analysis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Arcobacter Butzleri ◽  
Dairy Plant

ABSTRACTThe present study aimed to investigate the presence, distribution, and persistence ofArcobacterspp. in an artisanal dairy plant and to test the isolates to determine their different genotypes in the processing plant and in foods. Samples were collected in an artisanal cheese factory on four occasions between October and December 2012. Food samples (raw milk, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and conditioning liquid), water samples, and environmental samples were analyzed by the culture method; isolates were identified by multiplex PCR and genotyped by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis.Arcobacter butzleriwas isolated from 29 out of 59 samples (46.6%), 22 of which were from environmental samples and 7 of which were from food samples. Cluster analysis divided the strains into 47 PFGE patterns: 14 PFGE clusters and 33 unique types. Our findings indicate that the plant harbored numerousA. butzleripulsotypes and that the manual cleaning and sanitation in the studied dairy plant do not effectively removeArcobacter. The recurrent isolation ofA. butzlerisuggests that the environmental conditions in the dairy plant constitute a good ecological niche for the colonization of this microorganism. In some cases, the presence of indistinguishable strains isolated from the same facilities on different sampling days showed that these strains were persistent in the processing environment.

scholarly journals Coselection of Cadmium and Benzalkonium Chloride Resistance in Conjugative Transfers from Nonpathogenic Listeria spp. to Other Listeriae

2012 ◽  
Vol 78 (21) ◽  
pp. 7549-7556 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Katharios-Lanwermeyer ◽  
M. Rakic-Martinez ◽  
D. Elhanafi ◽  
S. Ratani ◽  
J. M. Tiedje ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resistance Genes ◽  
Benzalkonium Chloride ◽  
Heavy Metal Resistance ◽  
Metal Resistance ◽  
Processing Plant ◽  
Cadmium Resistance ◽  
Transfer Resistance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Plant Environment ◽  
Disinfectant Resistance

ABSTRACTResistance to the quaternary ammonium disinfectant benzalkonium chloride (BC) may be an important contributor to the ability ofListeriaspp. to persist in the processing plant environment. Although a plasmid-borne disinfectant resistance cassette (bcrABC) has been identified inListeria monocytogenes, horizontal transfer of these genes has not been characterized. NonpathogenicListeriaspp. such asL. innocuaandL. welshimeriare more common thanL. monocytogenesin food processing environments and may contribute to the dissemination of disinfectant resistance genes in listeriae, includingL. monocytogenes. In this study, we investigated conjugative transfer of resistance to BC and to cadmium from nonpathogenicListeriaspp. to other nonpathogenic listeriae, as well as toL. monocytogenes. BC-resistantL. welshimeriandL. innocuaharboringbcrABC, along with the cadmium resistance determinantcadA2, were able to transfer resistance to other nonpathogenic listeriae as well as toL. monocytogenesof diverse serotypes, including strains from the 2011 cantaloupe outbreak. Transfer among nonpathogenicListeriaspp. was noticeably higher at 25°C than at 37°C, whereas acquisition of resistance byL. monocytogeneswas equally efficient at 25 and 37°C. When the nonpathogenic donors were resistant to both BC and cadmium, acquisition of cadmium resistance was an effective surrogate for transfer of resistance to BC, suggesting coselection between these resistance attributes. The results suggest that nonpathogenicListeriaspp. may behave as reservoirs for disinfectant and heavy metal resistance genes for other listeriae, including the pathogenic speciesL. monocytogenes.

scholarly journals Genetic Listeria monocytogenes Types in the Pork Processing Plant Environment: From Occasional Introduction to Plausible Persistence in Harborage Sites

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 717
Author(s):  
Niels Demaître ◽  
Geertrui Rasschaert ◽  
Lieven De Zutter ◽  
Annemie Geeraerd ◽  
Koen De Reu
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Genetic Characterization ◽  
Processing Plant ◽  
Pfge Analysis ◽  
Food Contact ◽  
Plant Environment ◽  
Food Contact Surfaces ◽  
Contact Surfaces ◽  
Cleaning And Disinfection

The purpose of this study was to investigate the L. monocytogenes occurrence and genetic diversity in three Belgian pork cutting plants. We specifically aim to identify harborage sites and niche locations where this pathogen might occur. A total of 868 samples were taken from a large diversity of food and non-food contact surfaces after cleaning and disinfection (C&D) and during processing. A total of 13% (110/868) of environmental samples tested positive for L. monocytogenes. When looking in more detail, zone 3 non-food contact surfaces were contaminated more often (26%; 72/278) at typical harborage sites, such as floors, drains, and cleaning materials. Food contact surfaces (zone 1) were less frequently contaminated (6%; 25/436), also after C&D. PFGE analysis exhibited low genetic heterogeneity, revealing 11 assigned clonal complexes (CC), four of which (CC8, CC9, CC31, and CC121) were predominant and widespread. Our data suggest (i) the occasional introduction and repeated contamination and/or (ii) the establishment of some persistent meat-adapted clones in all cutting plants. Further, we highlight the importance of well-designed extensive sampling programs combined with genetic characterization to help these facilities take corrective actions to prevent transfer of this pathogen from the environment to the meat.

scholarly journals Occurrence of Antimicrobial-Resistant Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica in the Beef Cattle Production and Processing Continuum

2014 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 713-725 ◽  
Author(s):  
John W. Schmidt ◽  
Getahun E. Agga ◽  
Joseph M. Bosilevac ◽  
Dayna M. Brichta-Harhay ◽  
Steven D. Shackelford ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Salmonella Enterica ◽  
Generation Cephalosporin ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Processing Plant ◽  
Cattle Production ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Beef Processing ◽  
Tract Infections

ABSTRACTSpecific concerns have been raised that third-generation cephalosporin-resistant (3GCr)Escherichia coli, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole-resistant (COTr)E. coli, 3GCrSalmonella enterica, and nalidixic acid-resistant (NALr)S. entericamay be present in cattle production environments, persist through beef processing, and contaminate final products. The prevalences and concentrations of these organisms were determined in feces and hides (at feedlot and processing plant), pre-evisceration carcasses, and final carcasses from three lots of fed cattle (n= 184). The prevalences and concentrations were further determined for strip loins from 103 of the carcasses. 3GCrSalmonellawas detected on 7.6% of hides during processing and was not detected on the final carcasses or strip loins. NALrS. entericawas detected on only one hide. 3GCrE. coliand COTrE. coliwere detected on 100.0% of hides during processing. Concentrations of 3GCrE. coliand COTrE. colion hides were correlated with pre-evisceration carcass contamination. 3GCrE. coliand COTrE. coliwere each detected on only 0.5% of final carcasses and were not detected on strip loins. Five hundred and 42 isolates were screened for extraintestinal pathogenicE. coli(ExPEC) virulence-associated markers. Only two COTrE. coliisolates from hides were ExPEC, indicating that fed cattle products are not a significant source of ExPEC causing human urinary tract infections. The very low prevalences of these organisms on final carcasses and their absence on strip loins demonstrate that current sanitary dressing procedures and processing interventions are effective against antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.

How buyer roles and critical times affect buyer-supplier exchange episodes

IMP Journal ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 376-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
William James Newell
Keyword(s):  
Social Space ◽  
Critical Time ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Relationship Change ◽  
Research Stream ◽  
E Mail ◽  
Critical Times

Purpose The purpose of this paper is threefold: first, to examine how buyer-supplier episodes are characterised by their dimensions of time and social space, and how these dimensions interact to impact the criticality of an episode; second, to explore how time and social space create patterns of episodes that lead to buyer-supplier relationship change and continuity; and third, to examine the social space by the different roles that the buyer assumes among their episodes, while focusing on the concept of critical time to denote the temporal context. Design/methodology/approach A case study of a small retailer and five suppliers is employed. The primary data are e-mail communications between the buying and selling firms, along with a two-week field study at the retailer’s location. A total of 2,000 e-mails are coded to yield 75 episodes for the analysis. Findings The criticality of episodes differs depending on the role that the buyer assumes, and whether the episode occurs within a critical time period. The social space affects the type of criticality, while critical times enhance an episode’s criticality. This study outlines five different patterns of episodes occurring within critical times and across social spaces that characterise each of the buyer-supplier relationships. Research limitations/implications This paper focuses on e-mail communication, with little data on interactions occurring outside of this medium. Originality/value To the researcher’s knowledge, this paper is the first to link specific patterns of episode characteristics to the concept of buyer roles. It also examines episodes using e-mail communication, which is not a common source within the IMP research stream.

Hygiene behavior assessment of a hazelnut processing plant

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 400-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rinaldo Botondi
Keyword(s):  
Indoor Air ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reference Data ◽  
Processing Plant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hygiene Behavior ◽  
Microbiological Parameters ◽  
Processing Line ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi ◽  
Microbial Groups

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate the possible microbiological contamination in terms of total counts and representative microbial groups found in the hazelnuts as well as in work areas and on the working surfaces of a hazelnut processing plant.Design/methodology/approachSome microbiological parameters related to the manufacturing process (e.g. aerobic colony count yeast and fungi) were evaluated. Indoor air samples were tested in order to evaluate the possible contamination of fungal strains (i.e. mycotoxin producing fungi).FindingsThe results showed that the highest values (>of 500 CFU/m3) for bacteria and fungi were only observed in the shelling and sorting areas. Some species such as Aspergillus and Penicillium (potential mycotoxin-producers) as well as some noxious colonies ofAspergillus fumigatuswere detected along the processing line. No occurrence of aflatoxins was observed in the finished product. Microbial loads obtained through surface analyses were in accordance to the reference data.Originality/valueThe aim of this study was to monitor and improve the procedures currently used in a hazelnut processing plant.

scholarly journals Bacteremia Caused by Arcobacter butzleri in an Immunocompromised Host

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 1448-1451 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Arguello ◽  
Caitlin C. Otto ◽  
Peter Mead ◽  
N. Esther Babady
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Causative Agent ◽  
Immunocompromised Host ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Watery Diarrhea ◽  
Emerging Pathogen ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Gastrointestinal Pathogens ◽  
Arcobacter Butzleri

Arcobacter butzleriis an emerging pathogen that has been implicated as the causative agent of persistent watery diarrhea. We describe a case involving a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who developed invasiveA. butzleribacteremia. This case illustrates the unique challenges involved in diagnosing infections caused by emerging gastrointestinal pathogens.

Operationalising resilience in tropical agricultural value chains

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Aboah ◽  
Mark M.J. Wilson ◽  
Karl M. Rich ◽  
Michael C. Lyne
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Food System ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Citation Network ◽  
System Level ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Stakeholder Interactions

Purpose The analysis of the concept of resilience in supply chain management studies mostly focuses on the downstream side of the value chain and tacitly assumes an unlimited supply of raw materials. This assumption is unreasonable for agricultural value chains, as upstream disruptions clearly have a material impact on the availability of raw materials, and indeed, are a common source of supply problems. This paper aims to present a framework for the operationalisation of the concept of socioecological resilience in agricultural value chains that incorporates upstream activities. Design/methodology/approach A citation network analysis was adopted to review articles. A conceptual framework is then advanced to identify elements of resilience and indicators relevant to tropical agricultural value chains. Findings There are limited studies that assess resilience in the food chain context. Flexibility, collaboration, adaptability and resourcefulness are key elements for assessing resilience at the individual chain actor level. However, the paper argues that adaptability is the relevant element for the assessment of resilience at an aggregate food system level because it considers the alteration of a system’s state of resilience. Practical implications The proposed framework and propositions accommodate stakeholder interactions in the value chain and could serve as a tool to guide the assessment of resilience in agricultural value chains. Originality/value This paper is one of the few to extend resilience to cover the socioecological interaction aspects for supply chains that yield the raw materials needed for continuity in channel-wide value creation processes.

Multistate product traceforward investigation to link imported romaine lettuce to a US cyclosporiasis outbreak – Nebraska, Texas, and Florida, June–August 2013

2015 ◽  
Vol 144 (13) ◽  
pp. 2709-2718 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. F. BUSS ◽  
M. V. JOSHI ◽  
J. L. DEMENT ◽  
V. CANTU ◽  
T. J. SAFRANEK
Keyword(s):  
Symptom Onset ◽  
Common Origin ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Romaine Lettuce ◽  
Us States ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Potential Sources ◽  
Production Practices ◽  
Sources Of Contamination

SUMMARYDuring June–August 2013, 25 US states reported 631 cyclosporiasis cases including Nebraska and Iowa where a regional investigation implicated common-source imported salad mix served in two chain restaurants. At least two common-origin growing fields were likely sources of contaminated romaine lettuce. Using producer- and distributor-provided data, we conducted a grower-specific traceforward investigation to reveal exposures of ill US residents elsewhere who reported symptom onset during 11 June–1 July 2013, the time period established in the Nebraska and Iowa investigation. Romaine lettuce shipped on 2–6 June from one of these Mexico-origin growing fields likely caused cyclosporiasis in 78 persons reporting illness onsets from 11 June to 1 July in Nebraska, Texas, and Florida. Nationwide, 97% (314/324) of persons confirmed with cyclosporiasis with symptom onset from 11 June to 1 July 2013 resided in 11 central and eastern US states receiving approximately two-thirds of romaine lettuce from this field. This grower's production practices should be investigated to determine potential sources of contamination and to develop recommendations to prevent future illnesses.

scholarly journals Application of multi-based quality function deployment (QFD) model to improve halal meat industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iwan Vanany ◽  
Ghoffar Albab Maarif ◽  
Jan Mei Soon
Keyword(s):  
Food Production ◽  
Quality Function Deployment ◽  
Food Industry ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Processing Plant ◽  
Final Phase ◽  
Quality Function ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Halal Food

PurposeHalal food market has grown significantly over the years. As consumers are becoming more aware of the significance of halal food products and certification, food industries will benefit from a model that controls and assures halal food production. Quality function deployment (QFD) is a tool to support product design and improve food quality systems. Thus, the purpose of this study is to propose a multi-phased QFD model to identify key processes and prioritise programmes to improve halal food production.Design/methodology/approachThe matrix in the first phase was designed using the halal assurance system (HAS) requirements and the set of production process. The relationships between HAS requirements and a set of halal critical factors [i.e. raw material (chicken), workers, procedures and documentation, equipment and premises] were established in the second phase. In the final phase, potential problems and improvement programmes arising under each critical halal phase were identified. The QFD model was developed and applied in a chicken processing plant in Indonesia.FindingsIn Matrix 1, slaughtering, meat processing and meat delivery were identified as the key process, whilst equipment, procedures and documentation and workers were determined as the most critical halal factors in Matrix 2. The final phase of the QFD approach assisted the chicken processing plant in reducing potential issues by identifying key improvement programmes. The prioritisation of improvement programmes also supports the company in decision-making and allocating their resources accordingly.Practical implicationsThe multi-phased QFD model can be designed and adapted to specific food industry. It can be used to assure halal food production and inform food industry which area to prioritise and to allocate resources accordingly. The improvement of halal food production will assist food companies to target and access international markets.Originality/valueThis study proposed a new multi-phased QFD model that can be used as a halal food assurance and prioritisation tool by the food industry. This model will benefit food industry intending to implement halal assurance scheme in their process, halal auditors and policymakers.

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