scholarly journals Introduction to Special Issue: Study of Microbiological Safety in the Food Chain

Processes ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 149
Author(s):  
Nevijo Zdolec

Ensuring microbiological safety in the food (of animal origin) chain is a challenging task due to the complex interactions among animals, humans and the environment [...]

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 687
Author(s):  
Mustafa Sadek ◽  
Hirofumi Nariya ◽  
Toshi Shimamoto ◽  
Shizuo Kayama ◽  
Liansheng Yu ◽  
...  

We describe here the complete genome sequence of an Enterobacter hormaechei ST279 coharbouring blaVIM-1 and mcr-9 recovered from uncooked beef patty in June 2017, Egypt. The tested isolate was resistant to carbapenem but susceptible to colistin (minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), 0.5 μg/mL). The antimicrobial susceptibility profile and conjugation experiments were performed. The entire genome was sequenced by the Illumina MiniSeq and Oxford Nanopore methods. The blaVIM-1 and mcr-9 genes are carried on the same IncHI2/pMLST1 plasmid, pMS37a (Size of 270.9 kb). The mcr-9 gene was located within the physical boundaries demarcated by two insertion elements IS903 (upstream) and IS1 (downstream) but did not possess the downstream regulatory genes (qseC/qseB) which regulate the expression of mcr-9. Therefore, the mcr-9 might be silently disseminated among carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales. In addition to blaVIM-1 and mcr-9, plasmid pMS37a harbored various antibiotic resistance genes including aac(6’)-Il, ΔaadA22, aac(6’)-Ib-cr, sul1, dfrA1 and tetA. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a blaVIM-1 and mcr-9-coharbouring E. hormaechei isolate of food origin worldwide. The identification of a multidrug-resistant VIM-1 and mcr-9 positive Enterobacter hormaechei isolate from food is worrisome as retail meat and meat products could serve as a vehicle for these MDR bacteria, which could be transferred between animals and humans through the food chain. It further highlights that Enterobacterales co-producing MCR and carbapenemases being found in the food chain indeed correspond to a One-Health issue, highlighting the need for serious steps to prevent their further dissemination.


2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 388-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gordana Vitorovic ◽  
Branislava Mitrovic ◽  
Velibor Andric ◽  
Mirjana Stojanovic ◽  
Mirjana Lazarevic-Macanovic ◽  
...  

The main aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the coal mine in Lazarevac, and the coal-fired power stations in Obrenovac, on the activity concentrations of radionuclides 40K, 238U, 232Th, and 137Cs in some parts of human food chain of people living in the surrounding area. The obtained results showed that natural environment around the examined coal mine and the coal-fired power stations are not significantly affected by the emission of primordial radionuclides. The activity concentrations of 238U in the soil around the open coal mine and the coal processing installations (66.4-76.0 Bq/kg) and in the soil around the coal-fired power stations (55.5-61.2 Bq/kg) were not significantly higher than the average values in Serbia. The significant increase in the activity concentrations of natural radioisotopes in the samples of soil, vegetation, and animal products, was not confirmed. Food of animal origin used in human consumption is safe, i. e. not contaminated by radiation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-92
Author(s):  
Maciej Sosnowski ◽  
Jacek Osek

AbstractThe organic food sector and consumer interest in organic products are growing continuously. The safety and quality of such products must be at least equal to those of conventional equivalents, but attaining the same standards requires overcoming a particular problem identified in organic food production systems: the occurrence of bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and pathogenic Escherichia coli. These food-borne microorganisms were detected in the production environments of such food. The prevalence of pathogenic bacteria in organic livestock and products may be higher, but may also be the same as or lower than in like material from conventional farms. Furthermore, the incidence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria was more often detected in conventional than in organic production. The aim of this review was to present the recent information on the microbiological safety of food of animal origin produced from raw materials from organic farms.


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1547
Author(s):  
Radmila Pavlovic ◽  
Federica Di Cesare ◽  
Francesca Longo ◽  
Franco Abballe ◽  
Sara Panseri ◽  
...  

(Poly)phosphates are approved as water-preserving and emulsifying agents that improve the appearance and consistency of many food products. The labelling of added (poly)phosphates is essential for protecting vulnerable population groups and to prevent unfair trade practices resulting in economic fraud. The problems with (poly)phosphates’ utilisation concerns both analytical and legislative issues, such as: (1) their straightforward detection; (2) excessive addition altering freshness perception and misleading consumers; (3) uncontrolled usage increasing foodstuff weight; (4) application in products where they are not permitted; and (5) no indication on the label. Bearing all these issues in mind, the main purpose of this study was the quantification and screening of the (poly)phosphates profile in meat, marine and dairy products (160 samples), of which 43 were without declared (poly)phosphate treatment. Analysis was completed by high-performance ion-exchange chromatography either with conductometric detection or coupled to Q-Exactive Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry. Although the (poly)phosphates profiles varied greatly according to species and processing type, the following criteria for detection of illicit treatment were established: high orthophosphate level, quantified short-chain (poly)phosphate anions and the presence of long-chain forms. In conclusion, the instrumental platforms used in this study can be recommended to inspection bodies as reliable methods for the detection of food adulteration with (poly)phosphates.


2016 ◽  
Vol 100 ◽  
pp. 16-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saverio Caini ◽  
Giovanna Masala ◽  
Patrizia Gnagnarella ◽  
Ilaria Ermini ◽  
William Russell-Edu ◽  
...  

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 454
Author(s):  
Robinson H. Mdegela ◽  
Elibariki R. Mwakapeje ◽  
Bachana Rubegwa ◽  
Daniel T. Gebeyehu ◽  
Solange Niyigena ◽  
...  

All infections are potentially curable as long as the etiological agents are susceptible to antimicrobials. The increased rate at which antimicrobials are becoming ineffective is a global health risk of increasing concern that threatens withdrawal of beneficial antimicrobials for disease control. The increased demand for food of animal origin, in particular eggs, meat and milk has led to intensification and commercial production systems where excessive use and misuse of antimicrobials may prevail. Antimicrobials, handled and used by farmers and animal attendants with no formal education, may be predisposed to incorrect dosages, misuse, incorrect applications and non-adherence to withdrawal periods. This study was conducted to assess the regulatory roles and governance of antimicrobials, establish the pattern and extent of their use, evaluate the antimicrobial residues and resistance in the food animals and crop agriculture value chains, and relate these findings to existing strategies in place for combating the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in Tanzania. A multimethod approach (desk review, field study and interviews) was used. Relevant establishments were also visited. High levels of resistance to penicillin G, chloramphenicol, streptomycin and oxytetracycline have been reported, especially for Actinobacter pyogenes, Staphylococcus hyicus, Staphylococcus intermedius and Staphylococcus aureus from dairy cattle with mastitis and in humans. Similar trends were found in poultry where eggs and meat are contaminated with Escherichia coli strains resistant to amoxicillin + clavulanate, sulphamethoxazole and neomycin. An increasing trend of emerging multidrug resistant E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella was also found in food animals. An increase in methicillin resistant Staphlococcus aureus (MRSA) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) in the livestock sector in Tanzania have been reported. The pathogens isolated in animals were resistant to ampicillin, augmentin, gentamicin, co-trimoxazole, tetracycline, amoxicillin, streptomycin, nalidixic acid, azithromycin, chloramphenicol, tylosin, erythromycin, cefuroxime, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin. An increased usage of antimicrobials for prophylaxis, and therapeutics against pathogens and for growth promotion in livestock, aquaculture and crop production were observed. A One Health strategic approach is advocated to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the food and agriculture sectors in Tanzania. Practical recommendations include (a) legislation review and implementation; (b) antimicrobial use (AMU), AMR and antimicrobial residue (AR) awareness and advocacy among stakeholders along the value chain; (c) strengthening of surveillance and monitoring programs for AMU, AMR and AR; (d) enhanced development and use of rapid and innovative diagnostic tests and the promotion of biosecurity principles; and (e) good husbandry practices. The utilization of this information to improve public health policies and reduce the burden of AMR will be beneficial.


2003 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 913-921 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebere C. Anyanwu ◽  
Mohamed H. El-Saeid ◽  
Akpan I. Akpan ◽  
Mahmoud A. Saled

Chlorinated dioxins are the group of environmental pollutants consisting of 210 chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans. They are highly toxic and persistent. They are lipophilic and can easily biomagnify in the food chain, hence posing a serious threat to human health. The daily consumption of low-level contaminated food, mainly of animal origin, leads to the accumulation of dioxins in the human body. The exposures of the general human population to dioxins and the specific issues of a risk assessment of dioxin pose serious concerns in public environmental and nutritional health. This paper reviews the analysis of chlorinated dioxins in ground beef. The sources of contamination of chlorinated dioxins in ground beef are first reviewed to form a basis for a clear understanding of the health implications of chlorinated dioxins in the human food chain and why it is necessary to monitor the level of dioxins in animal food products, especially ground beef. The methods of collection, sampling, and processing of ground beef, and the methods of sample clean up prior to the analysis, are reviewed. Emphasis is laid on the new techniques that are available and that might be effective in the analysis of chlorinated dioxins in ground beef. Among these new methods and techniques are: the synergistic combination of ELISA/GC/MS, direct sample introduction to /GC/MS-MS, automated clean-up method, and the supercritical fluid extraction methods. The possible treatments of results from each method and technique are discussed and their respective efficiencies are compared. Finally, quality control and quality assurance parameters are evaluated for levels of accuracy, reproducibility, and precision.


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