scholarly journals Challenge Test as Special Tool to Estimate the Dynamic of Listeria monocytogenes and Other Foodborne Pathogens

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
Luigi Lanni ◽  
Valeria Morena ◽  
Adriana Scattareggia Marchese ◽  
Gessica Destro ◽  
Marcello Ferioli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
Foodborne Pathogens ◽  
Challenge Test ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Hospital Treatment ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Challenge Tests

Over 23 million cases of foodborne disease (FBD) occur in Europe each year, with over 4700 deaths. Outbreaks of FBD have a significant impact on our society due to the high economic losses they cause (hospital treatment of affected patients and destruction of contaminated food). Among its health objectives, the European Union has set itself the goal of reducing the incidence of the main FBDs, approving various regulations that codify requirements in order to produce food that is “safe” for human consumption. Among these rules, Regulation 2005/2073 establishes precise food safety criteria for foods that are judged to be most at risk of causing episodes of FBD. The food business operator (FBO) must know their food better and know how to estimate whether a food can support the growth of food pathogens or if they are able to hinder it during the food’s shelf life. It is becoming crucial for each FBO to schedule specific laboratory tests (challenge tests) to establish the growth potential of individual pathogens and their maximum growth rate. In 2008 the European Union published the guidelines for programming the challenge tests for Listeria monocytogenes in RTE foods. These guidelines were further implemented in 2014 and again in 2019. In June 2019 the UNI EN ISO 20976-1 was published, which contains indications for setting up and carrying out challenge tests for all foodborne pathogens in all foods. In this article, we compare the three official documents to highlight their common aspects and differences, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages that each of them offers for those who have to set up a challenge test for the various foodborne pathogens. Our conclusion is that the challenge test is today the most effective tool to estimate the dynamics and growth potential of pathogenic microorganisms in food, if it is designed and implemented in a scrupulous way. It is important to develop a rational experimental design for each challenge test, and for each food, and this requires professionals who are experts in this specific field of study and who must be properly trained.

scholarly journals Growth Potential of Listeria monocytogenes in Three Different Salmon Products

Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1048 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinne Eicher ◽  
Andres Ruiz Subira ◽  
Sabrina Corti ◽  
Arnulf Meusburger ◽  
Roger Stephan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
Challenge Test ◽  
High Growth ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Food Borne ◽  
Smoked Salmon ◽  
Good Manufacturing Practices ◽  
Challenge Tests ◽  
Low Levels

Cold smoked salmon and sushi salmon have been implicated in outbreaks of listeriosis. We performed challenge tests and a durability study with Listeria monocytogenes on different salmon products to determine the growth potential of this important food-borne pathogen. Data from the challenge test showed a significant growth potential of L. monocytogenes on all of the tested salmon products, with faster growth in sushi salmon than in cold smoked salmon. In identical products that were naturally contaminated at low levels, the durability study did not confirm a high growth potential, possibly due to interactions with competing microflora. The injection of sodium lactate (NaL) at a high concentration (30%) into cold smoked salmon significantly reduced the growth potential of L. monocytogenes. In addition to good manufacturing practices, the injection of higher concentrations of NaL may therefore be a useful additional hurdle to prevent growth of L. monocytogenes to high numbers in the tested salmon products.

scholarly journals Analysis of process factors of dry fermented salami to control Listeria monocytogenes

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrico Novelli ◽  
Lucia Dal Santo ◽  
Stefania Balzan ◽  
Barbara Cardazzo ◽  
Dino Spolaor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Challenge Test ◽  
Potassium Nitrate ◽  
Black Pepper ◽  
Starter Cultures ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Main Concern ◽  
Challenge Tests ◽  
Process Factors

Challenge tests are a clear opportunity for manufacturers interested in the evaluation of their management system with the aim to reduce the spread of foodborne pathogens. This is a main concern especially in ready-to-eat food in relation to the risk associated with <em>Listeria monocytogenes</em>. For small and medium-scale food industry the manufacturing practices and products formulation are characterized by a wider variability and poor repeatability. The use of ad-hoc challenge test and the comparison among different processing systems are strongly required. This paper reports a preliminary comparison among different challenge tests (n=12) commissioned by three manufacturers of raw-fermented Salami during a period of three years (2013-2016). The challenge tests were designed to evaluate the growth potential (δ) of <em>L. monocytogenes</em> during the whole processing period of the Salami. The doughs were prepared according to different formulations: the simplest formulation was represented by the use of salt, potassium nitrate, black pepper and starter cultures while the most composited formulations also included the use of sugars and ascorbic acid in addition to nitrite salt. All the processing steps were conducted within an experimental laboratory dedicated for the processing of meat. After stuffing the salami were dried and ripened under temperature and relative humidity control. The sugar inclusion can be considered as protective factor, while the drying step at high temperature (above 20°C) was associated with higher δ values (δ&gt;0.5 log cfu/g). The addition of starter cultures, and the subsequent acidification highlighted the importance of pH as the parameter able to affect the L. monocytogenes growth.

scholarly journals Evaluation of growth potential and growth dynamics of Listeria monocytogenes on ready-to-eat fresh fruit

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David Collu ◽  
Luisa Marras ◽  
Adriana Sanna ◽  
Gerolamo Carrucciu ◽  
Antonella Pinna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
Challenge Test ◽  
Growth Dynamics ◽  
Food Product ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Salmonella Spp ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Challenge Tests

The consumption of fresh or RTE fruits is increasing every year and Listeria monocytogenes has been identified on raw or minimally processed fruits. A food product can become contaminated with L. monocytogenes anywhere along the pathway of food production during planting, harvesting, packaging, distribution and serving. The aim of this work was to assess the microbiological risks associated with consumption of ready- to- eat fruit such as melon, pineapple, coconut and fruit salad. The presence of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes was also evaluated. Microbiological challenge tests were carried out for the evaluation of the L. monocytogenes growth potential in RTE fruit stored at 4 and 8°C. E. coli counts resulted under the detection limit of 10 CFU g-1, Salmonella and L. monocytogenes were not detected (absence in 25g). The growth potential values in coconut and melon (δ>0.5) showed the growth capacity of Listeria at the temperatures considered. A low initial load, also derived from good hygiene practices, and correct storage temperatures are essential to reduce bacterial growth in RTE fruit. The challenge test showed how each type of RTE fruit has a different commercial life based on its specific growth potential and that food should be stored at temperatures not higher than 4°C for a short period.

scholarly journals Thermal inactivation and growth potential of Listeria monocytogenes in smoked tench

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaella Branciari ◽  
Andrea Valiani ◽  
Raffaella Franceschini ◽  
David Ranucci ◽  
Alessia Lupattelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
Thermal Inactivation ◽  
Challenge Test ◽  
Listeria Innocua ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
Post Processing ◽  
Colony Forming Unit ◽  
Post Process ◽  
Hygiene Measures

An experimental study for the evaluation of <em>Listeria monocytogenes</em> inactivation during a hot smoking process in tench was performed using <em>Listeria innocua</em> strains. Furthermore, the survival of <em>L. monocytogenes</em> in smoked tench was determined after post-processing in contaminated samples, evaluating the growth potential during storage. <em>L. innocua</em> was not detected after the smoking process. In the challenge test, the growth potential of <em>L. monocytogenes</em> was 5.68 log colony forming unit g<sup>−1</sup>. The results showed that hot smoking at an inner temperature around 72°C is able to eliminate the microorganism. Nevertheless, the product is able to support the growth of the pathogen if post-process contamination occurs, as the food is suitable for <em>Listeria</em> multiplication. Product recontamination should be prevented by means of appropriate application of hygiene measures.

scholarly journals PROSPECTS FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY FOR LOW-RISE BUILDINGS IN CRIMEA

2020 ◽  
pp. 85-93
Author(s):  
N. V. Tsopa ◽  
A. E. Dikarev
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Power Supply ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
The World ◽  
The Crimea

in the article provides a comparative analysis of the development of solar energy in the world, in the European Union, in Russia and in Crimea; the advantages and disadvantages of the use of solar energy, the features of the use of renewable energy sources are considered, the use of solar energy in the Crimea is justified; describes the mechanism of a feasibility study for the use of autonomous power supply for low-rise buildings in Crimea.

ANALYZING THE DETERMINANTS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION’S REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (01) ◽  
pp. 1950002 ◽  
Author(s):  
AUGUSTIN IGNATOV
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Economic Development ◽  
Global Market ◽  
Growth Potential ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Economic Progress ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
Size Population ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Institutional Efficiency

The European Union (EU) is a heterogeneous political and economic structure comprising 28 nations, differing in terms of size, population, economic development and institutional efficiency. National socio-economic context determines countries’ growth potential and their ability to compete for foreign markets. The socio-economic discrepancies present, respectively, between the Western, Northern, Southern and Eastern EU nations still persist, thus reducing the community’s ability to compete on the global market, especially with the USA, Japan and China, which are considered the main powerhouses of the world’s economy capable of challenging economic positions of the European Union. Consequently, the present research aims to assess to which extent economic growth determinants in the European Union differ taking into account the regional context. An individual per region regression analysis was developed intending to identify which are the determinants of economic development at the level of EU’s geographical regions. The results reached confirm this assumption underlining the fact that there are significant dissimilarities between the motivators of economic progress in the EU. This fact should particularly concern the European elites as these variations determine the further accentuation of development disparities not only among the countries but also between entire groups of states.

scholarly journals The pros and cons of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in the context of Member States’ trade relations with the European Union (EU)

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-85
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Czermińska ◽  
Joanna Garlińska-Bielawska
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Trade Relations ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Economic Partnership Agreement ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
Economic Partnership ◽  
Partnership Agreement ◽  
Benefits And Costs ◽  
The Eu

The article aims to present the benefits and costs for the SADC member countries of the conclusion of EPA and of the implementation of trade liberalisation thereunder, in the light of their trade relations with the European Union. The hypothesis adopted is that for the majority of the SADC countries entering into the agreement will involve improved access for their products to the EU market. The assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of the conclusion of an EPA will take account of a situation in which the countries of the region would not sign an EPA: how their customs status would change and whether it would affect the conditions of trade with the European Union.

scholarly journals STATUS AND TRENDS OF PRODUCTION AND BREEDING DEVELOPMENT OF TOMATO IN BULGARIA

2012 ◽  
pp. 32-37
Author(s):  
Zh. P. Danailov
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Market Economy ◽  
Agricultural Policy ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Tomato Production ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Status And Trends ◽  
The Status ◽  
Tomato Breeding

We made an analysis of the status and development of tomato production in Bulgaria after its transition to a market economy and accession to the European Union. The problems encountered in the single market are shown. A brief description of the development of tomato breeding is given. The advantages and disadvantages of foreign and Bulgarian tomato varieties, directions of research with an emphasis on flavor and antioxidant properties of fruits are shown. The basic ways of overcoming the crisis and the need to protect the interests and positions of the country in the development of EU Common Agricultural Policy in 2014 - 2020 are described.

scholarly journals Trade and Cooperation Agreement Between the EU and the UK: Conditionality Versus Sovereignty

2021 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 5-16
Author(s):  
Lyudmila Babynina ◽  
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Transition Period ◽  
Trade Agreement ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Customs Union ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Cooperation Agreement ◽  
British Case ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Eu

The United Kingdom left the European Union on January 31, 2020. On December 31, 2020, the transition period ended, during which all EU rules and regulations applied to Britain. The trade agreement was reached in record time, but it is too early to talk about long-term mutual benefits. The British case in the system of trade and economic agreements of the European Union is unique. On the one hand, at the time of the negotiations, the UK retained EU law, was a member of the EU Single Internal Market and Customs Union, subject to the jurisdiction of the EU Court of Justice. On the other hand, the EU for the first time found itself in a situation when a third country was determined to distance itself as much as possible from EU rules while concluding a trade agreement, despite the obvious economic losses. At the same time, both sides understood that the absence of an agreement threatened all interested actors with serious losses, and that it must be concluded. As a result, the compromise text of the TCA reflects the fundamentally different approaches of the parties to bilateral cooperation, and its provisions suggest a change of its format in the future.

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