Microbiological Safety of Mayonnaise, Salad Dressings, and Sauces Produced in the United States: A Review

2000 ◽  
Vol 63 (8) ◽  
pp. 1144-1153 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. B. SMITTLE
Keyword(s):  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Foodborne Pathogens ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
The United States ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Ph Values ◽  
Natural Preservatives ◽  
Adequate Research ◽  
Food Regulations

The literature on the death and survival of foodborne pathogens in commercial mayonnaise, dressing, and sauces was reviewed and statistically analyzed with emphasis on Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes. The absence of reports of foodborne illness associated directly with the consumption of commercially prepared acidic dressings and sauces is evidence of their safety. Salmonella, E. coli O157: H7, E. coli, L. monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Yersinia enterocolitica die when inoculated into mayonnaise and dressings. Historically, mayonnaise and dressings have been exempt from the acidified food regulations and have justly deserved this status due primarily to the toxic effect of acetic and to a lesser extent lactic and citric acids. These organic acids are inimical to pathogenic bacteria and are effective natural preservatives with acetic being the most effective in killing pathogenic bacteria at the pH values encountered in these products. Statistical analysis on data reported in the literature shows that the most important and significant factor in destroying pathogenic bacteria is pH as adjusted with acetic acid followed by the concentration of acetic acid in the water phase. The reported highest manufacturing target pH for dressings and sauces is 4.4, which is below the 4.75 pKa of acetic acid and below the reported inhibitory pH of 4.5 for foodborne pathogens in the presence of acetic acid. The overall conclusion is that these products are very safe. They should remain exempt from the acidified food regulations providing adequate research has been done to validate their safety, and the predominant acid is acetic and reasonable manufacturing precautions are taken.

Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment for Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Fresh-Cut Lettuce

2017 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 302-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Pang ◽  
Elisabetta Lambertini ◽  
Robert L. Buchanan ◽  
Donald W. Schaffner ◽  
Abani K. Pradhan
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Foodborne Pathogens ◽  
The United States ◽  
Intervention Strategies ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Baseline Model ◽  
Microbial Risk ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Fresh Cut

ABSTRACT Leafy green vegetables, including lettuce, are recognized as potential vehicles for foodborne pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7. Fresh-cut lettuce is potentially at high risk of causing foodborne illnesses, as it is generally consumed without cooking. Quantitative microbial risk assessments (QMRAs) are gaining more attention as an effective tool to assess and control potential risks associated with foodborne pathogens. This study developed a QMRA model for E. coli O157:H7 in fresh-cut lettuce and evaluated the effects of different potential intervention strategies on the reduction of public health risks. The fresh-cut lettuce production and supply chain was modeled from field production, with both irrigation water and soil as initial contamination sources, to consumption at home. The baseline model (with no interventions) predicted a mean probability of 1 illness per 10 million servings and a mean of 2,160 illness cases per year in the United States. All intervention strategies evaluated (chlorine, ultrasound and organic acid, irradiation, bacteriophage, and consumer washing) significantly reduced the estimated mean number of illness cases when compared with the baseline model prediction (from 11.4- to 17.9-fold reduction). Sensitivity analyses indicated that retail and home storage temperature were the most important factors affecting the predicted number of illness cases. The developed QMRA model provided a framework for estimating risk associated with consumption of E. coli O157:H7–contaminated fresh-cut lettuce and can guide the evaluation and development of intervention strategies aimed at reducing such risk.

Behavior of Acid-Adapted and Unadapted Escherichia coli O157:H7 When Exposed to Reduced pH Achieved with Various Organic Acids

1999 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
pp. 451-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
JEE-HOON RYU ◽  
YUN DENG ◽  
LARRY R. BEUCHAT
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Citric Acid ◽  
Organic Acids ◽  
Malic Acid ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Ph Values ◽  
Acid Ph

A study was done to determine if various organic acids differ in their inhibitory or lethal activity against acid-adapted and unadapted Escherichia coli O157:H7 cells. E. coli O157:H7 strain E0139, isolated from venison jerky, was grown in tryptic soy broth (TSB) and in TSB supplemented with 1% glucose (TSBG) for 18 h at 37°C, then plated on tryptic soy agar (TSA) acidified with malic, citric, lactic, or acetic acid at pH 5.4, 5.1, 4.8, 4.5, 4.2, and 3.9. Regardless of whether cells were grown in TSB or TSBG, visible colonies were not formed when plated on TSA acidified with acetic, lactic, malic, or citric acids at pH values of ≤5.4, ≤4.5, ≤4.2, or ≤4.2, respectively. Cells not adapted to reduced pH did not form colonies on TSA acidified with lactic acid (pH 3.9) or acetic acid (pH 3.9 and 4.2); however, a portion of acid-adapted cells remained viable on TSA containing lactic acid (pH 3.9) or acetic acid (pH 4.2) and could be recovered in TSB. Inactivation of acid-adapted cells was less than that of unadapted cells in TSB acidified at pH 3.9 with citric, lactic, or acetic acid and at pH 3.4 with malic acid. Significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher numbers of acid-adapted cells, compared with unadapted cells, were detected 12 h after inoculation of TSB acidified with acetic acid at pH 3.9; in TSB containing lactic acid (pH 3.9), the number of acid-adapted cells was higher than the number of unadapted cells after 5 h. In TSB acidified at pH 3.9 with citric acid or pH 3.4 with malic acid, significantly higher numbers of acid-adapted cells survived. This study shows that organic acids differ in their inhibitory or lethal activity against acid-adapted and unadapted E. coli O157:H7 cells, and acid-adapted cells are more tolerant than unadapted cells when subsequently exposed to reduced pH caused by these acids.

Outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Mechanically Tenderized Beef and the Largest Beef Recall in Canada, 2012

2019 ◽  
Vol 82 (9) ◽  
pp. 1532-1538 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANDREA CURRIE ◽  
LANCE HONISH ◽  
JENNIFER CUTLER ◽  
ANNIE LOCAS ◽  
MARIE-CLAUDE LAVOIE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Foodborne Pathogens ◽  
The United States ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Trim Cut ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Beef Products ◽  
Beef Steaks ◽  
Drug Regulations

ABSTRACT Contaminated beef is a known vehicle of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection, although more attention is given to the control of E. coli O157:H7 in ground, rather than whole-cut, beef products. In September 2012, an investigation was initiated at an Alberta, Canada, beef plant after the detection of E. coli O157:H7 in two samples of trim cut from beef originating from this plant. Later in September 2012, Alberta Health Services identified five laboratory-confirmed infections of E. coli O157:H7, and case patients reported eating needle-tenderized beef steaks purchased at a store in Edmonton, Alberta, produced with beef from the Alberta plant. In total, 18 laboratory-confirmed illnesses in Canada in September and October 2012 were linked to beef from the Alberta plant, including the five individuals who ate needle-tenderized steaks purchased at the Edmonton store. A unique strain of E. coli O157:H7, defined by molecular subtyping and whole genome sequencing, was detected in clinical isolates, four samples of leftover beef from case patient homes, and eight samples of Alberta plant beef tested by industry and food safety partners. Investigators identified several deficiencies in the control of E. coli O157:H7 at the plant; in particular, the evaluation of, and response to, the detection of E. coli O157 in beef samples during routine testing were inadequate. To control the outbreak, 4,000 tons of beef products were recalled, making it the largest beef recall in Canadian history. This outbreak, in combination with similar outbreaks in the United States and research demonstrating that mechanical tenderization can transfer foodborne pathogens present on the surface into the interior of beef cuts, prompted amendments to Canada's Food and Drug Regulations requiring mechanically tenderized beef to be labeled as such and to provide safe cooking instructions to consumers. A detailed review of this event also led to recommendations and action to improve the safety of Canada's beef supply.

scholarly journals Antibacterial Activity of the Epidermal Mucus of Barbodes everetti

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. a40-44
Author(s):  
JIAZHEN LIM ◽  
YANG LEE ◽  
BADIOZAMAN SULAIMAN ◽  
LESLEY MAURICE BILUNG ◽  
YEE LING CHONG
Keyword(s):  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Protein Concentration ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Antimicrobial Properties ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Epidermal Mucus

The epidermal mucus of fish contains antimicrobial agents that act as biological defence against disease. This study aims to identify antibacterial activity and protein concentration of epidermal mucus of Barbodes everetti, a Bornean endemic freshwater fish. The epidermal mucus was extracted with 3% acetic acid, 0.85% sodium chloride and crude solvents. The mucus activity against eight strains of human pathogenic bacteria, including Bacillus cereus ATCC 33019, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Salmonella braenderup ATCC BAA 664, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25933, and Vibrio cholerae, were tested. The acetic acid mucus extract of B. everetti was able to inhibit five strains of bacteria and show no activity toward E. coli O157:H7, B. cereus ATCC 33019 and L. monocytogenes ATCC 7644. Moreover, the highest protein concentration was quantified in crude extract, followed by aqueous and acetic acid extracts. This study provides a preliminary knowledge on the activity of epidermal mucus of B. everetti towards five out of the eight human pathogens tested, therefore it may contain potential sources of novel antibacterial components which could be further extracted for the production of natural antibiotics towards human-related pathogenic bacteria. Keywords: Antibacterial, antimicrobial properties, Barbodes everetti, epidermal mucus, pathogenic bacteria

PCR for the Specific Detection of an Escherichia coli O157:H7 Laboratory Control Strain

2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (9) ◽  
pp. 1738-1744 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHAEL KNOWLES ◽  
DOMINIC LAMBERT ◽  
GEORGE HUSZCZYNSKI ◽  
MARTINE GAUTHIER ◽  
BURTON W. BLAIS
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Control Measure ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Food Microbiology ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Control Strain ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Signature Sequences ◽  
Materials Used

Control strains of bacterial pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 are commonly processed in parallel with test samples in food microbiology laboratories as a quality control measure to assure the satisfactory performance of materials used in the analytical procedure. Before positive findings can be reported for risk management purposes, analysts must have a means of verifying that pathogenic bacteria (e.g., E. coli O157:H7) recovered from test samples are not due to inadvertent contamination with the control strain routinely handled in the laboratory environment. Here, we report on the application of an in-house bioinformatic pipeline for the identification of unique genomic signature sequences in the development of specific oligonucleotide primers enabling the identification of a common positive control strain, E. coli O157:H7 (ATCC 35150), using a simple PCR procedure.

Sequence of Colonization Determines the Composition of Mixed Biofilms by Escherichia coli O157:H7 and O111:H8 Strains†

2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (8) ◽  
pp. 1554-1559 ◽  
Author(s):  
RONG WANG ◽  
NORASAK KALCHAYANAND ◽  
JAMES L. BONO
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Foodborne Pathogens ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
The United States ◽  
Food Samples ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Cell Percentage ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Biofilm Development

Bacterial biofilms are one of the potential sources of cross-contamination in food processing environments. Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 and O111:H8 are important foodborne pathogens capable of forming biofilms, and the coexistence of these two STEC serotypes has been detected in various food samples and in multiple commercial meat plants throughout the United States. Here, we investigated how the coexistence of these two STEC serotypes and their sequence of colonization could affect bacterial growth competition and mixed biofilm development. Our data showed that E. coli O157:H7 strains were able to maintain a higher cell percentage in mixed biofilms with the co-inoculated O111:H8 companion strains, even though the results of planktonic growth competition were strain dependent. On solid surfaces with preexisting biofilms, the sequence of colonization played a critical role in determining the composition of the mixed biofilms because early stage precolonization significantly affected the competition results between the E. coli O157:H7 and O111:H8 strains. The precolonizer of either serotype was able to outgrow the other serotype in both planktonic and biofilm phases. The competitive interactions among the various STEC serotypes would determine the composition and structure of the mixed biofilms as well as their potential risks to food safety and public health, which is largely influenced by the dominant strains in the mixtures. Thus, the analysis of mixed biofilms under various conditions would be of importance to determine the nature of mixed biofilms composed of multiple microorganisms and to help implement the most effective disinfection operations accordingly.

Viability of Acid-Adapted Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Ground Beef Treated with Acidic Calcium Sulfate

2004 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 591-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
LARRY R. BEUCHAT ◽  
ALAN J. SCOUTEN
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Calcium Sulfate ◽  
Ground Beef ◽  
Storage Period ◽  
Acid Tolerance ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Acidic Environments ◽  
Subsequent Acid

The effects of lactic acid, acetic acid, and acidic calcium sulfate (ACS) on viability and subsequent acid tolerance of three strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7 were determined. Differences in tolerance to acidic environments were observed among strains, but the level of tolerance was not affected by the acidulant to which cells had been exposed. Cells of E. coli O157:H7 adapted to grow on tryptic soy agar acidified to pH 4.5 with ACS were compared to cells grown at pH 7.2 in the absence of ACS for their ability to survive after inoculation into ground beef treated with ACS, as well as untreated beef. The number of ACS-adapted cells recovered from ACS-treated beef was significantly (α = 0.05) higher than the number of control cells recovered from ACS-treated beef during the first 3 days of a 10-day storage period at 4°C, suggesting that ACS-adapted cells might be initially more tolerant than unadapted cells to reduced pH in ACS-treated beef. Regardless of treatment of ground beef with ACS or adaptation of E. coli O157:H7 to ACS before inoculating ground beef, the pathogen survived in high numbers.

Reducing Pathogens by Using Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Acetic Acid in Sheep Meat

2014 ◽  
Vol 77 (9) ◽  
pp. 1599-1604 ◽  
Author(s):  
MAHBOUBEH MIRHOSSEINI ◽  
VAHID ARJMAND
Keyword(s):  
Zinc Oxide ◽  
Antibacterial Activity ◽  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Zno Nanoparticles ◽  
Pathogenic Bacteria ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Initial Growth ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Sheep Meat

Practical applications of different concentrations (0, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 mM) of zinc oxide (ZnO) suspensions containing 1% acetic acid were investigated against the pathogenic bacteria Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus. ZnO suspensions (0, 1, 3, 6, and 8 mM) containing acetic acid had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of L. monocytogenes, E. coli, and S. aureus during 12 h of incubation, and the 8 mM suspensions of ZnO were the most effective against all the strains. These data suggested that the antibacterial activity of ZnO was concentration dependent. Thus, 6 and 8 mM ZnO were selected for further studies in meat. ZnO nanoparticles reduced initial growth of all inoculated strains in meat. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the antibacterial activity of ZnO nanoparticles in meat and indicates the potential of these nanoparticles as an antibacterial agent in the food industry.

Effect of Sampling Plans on the Risk of Escherichia coli O157 Illness

2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (7) ◽  
pp. 1370-1374
Author(s):  
ANDREAS KIERMEIER ◽  
JOHN SUMNER ◽  
IAN JENSON
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Sample Size ◽  
Health Effect ◽  
The United States ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Sampling Protocol ◽  
Sampling Plans ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Sample Amount

Australia exports about 150,000 to 200,000 tons of manufacturing beef to the United States annually. Each lot is tested for Escherichia coli O157 using the N-60 sampling protocol, where 60 small pieces of surface meat from each lot of production are tested. A risk assessment of E. coli O157 illness from the consumption of hamburgers made from Australian manufacturing meat formed the basis to evaluate the effect of sample size and amount on the number of illnesses predicted. The sampling plans evaluated included no sampling (resulting in an estimated 55.2 illnesses per annum), the current N-60 plan (50.2 illnesses), N-90 (49.6 illnesses), N-120 (48.4 illnesses), and a more stringent N-60 sampling plan taking five 25-g samples from each of 12 cartons (47.4 illnesses per annum). While sampling may detect some highly contaminated lots, it does not guarantee that all such lots are removed from commerce. It is concluded that increasing the sample size or sample amount from the current N-60 plan would have a very small public health effect.

Antagonistic Action of Cells of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis against Pathogenic and Spoilage Microorganisms in Fresh Meat Systems†

2003 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 418-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. SENNE ◽  
S. E. GILLILAND
Keyword(s):  
Salmonella Typhimurium ◽  
Foodborne Pathogens ◽  
Lactobacillus Delbrueckii ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Fresh Meat ◽  
Antagonistic Action ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Spoilage Microorganisms ◽  
Lactobacillus Delbrueckii Subsp

Cells of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. lactis RM2-5 were added to various meat model systems that had been inoculated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 or Salmonella Typhimurium to determine whether these lactobacilli were antagonistic to the pathogens during storage at 5°C. Experiments in which L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis RM2-5 was directly applied to the surfaces of beefsteaks resulted in significant (P < 0.05) reductions in the growth of psychrotrophs and coliforms plus a slight decrease in the numbers of E. coli O157:H7 over time relative to those for control samples to which no lactobacilli had been added. Experiments involving the direct application of L. delbrueckii subsp. lactis RM2-5 to the surfaces of freshly slaughtered beef and pork carcass samples inoculated with either E. coli O157:H7 or Salmonella Typhimurium showed significant (P < 0.05) declines in numbers of the pathogens as well as a reduction in the growth of psychrotrophs during storage at 5°C for 6 days. The results of the experiments suggest that lactobacillus cultures have potential for use in an intervention technology for the control of foodborne pathogens, especially on the surfaces of beef and pork carcasses. The results of this study also suggest that an extension of the shelf life of meat can result from the decreased growth of psychrotrophic spoilage organisms.

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