Microbial Survey of Selected Ontario-Grown Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

2007 ◽  
Vol 70 (12) ◽  
pp. 2864-2867 ◽  
Author(s):  
LINDSAY ARTHUR ◽  
SANDRA JONES ◽  
MARTHA FABRI ◽  
JOSEPH ODUMERU
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Risk Mitigation ◽  
Fresh Market ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Safety Research ◽  
Potential Risks ◽  
Leaf Lettuce

Recent produce-related outbreaks have been receiving heightened media coverage, which has increased public concern toward the safety of fresh fruits and vegetables. In response, the microbial contamination of Ontario-grown fresh fruits and vegetables was evaluated by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs during the summer of 2004. Prior to this survey, information specific to the microbial contamination of Ontario-produced fruits and vegetables was limited. This nonregulatory survey had two objectives: (i) to obtain a general microbiological profile of selected fruits and vegetables produced in Ontario and (ii) to use the information and knowledge gained from this survey to direct and support future on-farm food safety research and food safety programs to manage potential risks. In all, 1,183 samples, including muskmelon (151), scallions and green onions (173), leaf lettuce (263), organic leaf lettuce (112), head lettuce (155), parsley (127), cilantro (61), and fresh market tomatoes (141), were collected and analyzed. Samples were analyzed for Salmonella, Shigella, and generic E. coli. Enrichment cultures positive for E. coli were further assessed for verotoxigenicity. One sample each of Roma tomato and organic leaf lettuce were positive for Salmonella, with no samples yielding Shigella or verotoxigenic E. coli. The E. coli prevalence was highest in parsley (13.4%), followed by organic leaf lettuce (11.6%), leaf lettuce (6.5%), scallions (6.4%), cilantro (4.9%), muskmelon (1.3%), head lettuce (0%), and fresh market tomatoes (0%). These findings, in combination with foodborne illness data, will help target those commodities that require more focused risk mitigation efforts.

Household Food Preparers' Food-Safety Knowledge and Practices Following Widely Publicized Outbreaks of Foodborne Illness

1997 ◽  
Vol 60 (9) ◽  
pp. 1105-1109 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARGY J. WOODBURN ◽  
CAROLYN A. RAAB
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Food Poisoning ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Foodborne Illness ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
E Coli ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Safety Knowledge

There has been extensive media coverage of the Pacific Northwest outbreak of foodborne illness caused by Escherichia coli O157:H7 in 1993 and continuing smaller incidences of both E. coli and salmonella transmission by food. An increase in consumer awareness and knowledge of microbial food safety was expected as a result. A telephone survey of Oregon food preparers (using a random-digit-dialing household sample) in December 1995 and January 1996 revealed that knowledge about foodborne illness was greater than in previous studies. Of the 100 respondents, 88% named appropriate foods as being at high risk for food poisoning. Salmonella contamination was recognized as a problem in food by 99%, E. coli by 100%, but campylobacter by only 7%. Major foods which have been associated with salmonella were named correctly by 90% and with E. coli by 87%. Although raw or rare meats or fish were rarely eaten or ordered by respondents, hamburgers were frequently requested to be cooked to “medium” doneness. Many said they would thoroughly cook food contaminated with bacteria to make it safe to eat (56% for salmonella and 59% for E. coli) but 40% responded that the foods either couldn't be made safe to eat or that they didn't know of a way. Respondents in general could not identify specific groups of people especially at risk for foodborne illness. Educational efforts should focus on risk groups and ways that consumers can prevent foodborne illness.

scholarly journals Draft Genomic Sequences of Nine Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli Isolates from Retail Chicken Skin

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aixia Xu ◽  
Shannon Tilman ◽  
Kristy Wisser-Parker ◽  
O. Joseph Scullen ◽  
Christopher H. Sommers
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Genomic Sequences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Safety Research ◽  
Pathogenic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Chicken Skin

Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli strains were isolated from retail chicken skin. Here, we report the draft genomic sequences for these nine E. coli isolates, which are currently being used in agricultural and food safety research.

Insight into the Prevalence and Distribution of Microbial Contamination To Evaluate Water Management in the Fresh Produce Processing Industry

2012 ◽  
Vol 75 (4) ◽  
pp. 671-681 ◽  
Author(s):  
KEVIN HOLVOET ◽  
LIESBETH JACXSENS ◽  
IMCA SAMPERS ◽  
MIEKE UYTTENDAELE
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Fresh Produce ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Processing Industry ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Fresh Cut ◽  
Insight Into

This study provided insight into the degree of microbial contamination in the processing chain of prepacked (bagged) lettuce in two Belgian fresh-cut produce processing companies. The pathogens Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes were not detected. Total psychrotrophic aerobic bacterial counts (TPACs) in water samples, fresh produce, and environmental samples suggested that the TPAC is not a good indicator of overall quality and best manufacturing practices during production and processing. Because of the high TPACs in the harvested lettuce crops, the process water becomes quickly contaminated, and subsequent TPACs do not change much throughout the production process of a batch. The hygiene indicator Escherichia coli was used to assess the water management practices in these two companies in relation to food safety. Practices such as insufficient cleaning and disinfection of washing baths, irregular refilling of the produce wash baths with water of good microbial quality, and the use of high product/water ratios resulted in a rapid increase in E. coli in the processing water, with potential transfer to the end product (fresh-cut lettuce). The washing step in the production of fresh-cut lettuce was identified as a potential pathway for dispersion of microorganisms and introduction of E. coli to the end product via cross-contamination. An intervention step to reduce microbial contamination is needed, particularly when no sanitizers are used as is the case in some European Union countries. Thus, from a food safety point of view proper water management (and its validation) is a critical point in the fresh-cut produce processing industry.

scholarly journals Microbial Contamination, an Increasing Threat to the Consumption of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables in Today’s World

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gadafi Iddrisu Balali ◽  
Denis Dekugmen Yar ◽  
Vera Gobe Afua Dela ◽  
Priscilla Adjei-Kusi
Keyword(s):  
Clostridium Botulinum ◽  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Normal Flora ◽  
Vibrio Cholera ◽  
Production Chain ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Pathogenic Microbes ◽  
Etiological Agents

Microbes are found all over the globe with some few exceptions, including sterilized surfaces. They include normal flora that is nonpathogenic, which contribute to the larger percentage, and pathogenic species which are few. Hence, the activities of humans cannot be completely separated from microbes. Thus, many pathogenic microbes have found their way into fresh fruits and vegetables which are a great source of a healthy diet for humans. The growing demand for fresh fruits and vegetables has necessitated larger production. The larger production of vegetables within the shortest possible time to meet the growing demand has placed them at a higher risk of contamination with the pathogenic microbes, making the safety of consumers uncertain. Study of sources of contamination and type of pathogenic etiological agents isolated from fresh fruits and vegetables includes Bacillus cereus, Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridium botulinum, E. coli O157: H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Shigella, Staphylococcus, and Vibrio cholera. Several measures have proven to be effective in controlling contamination of microbes and they include the establishment of surveillance systems to monitor the production chain and thoroughly washing vegetables with vinegar water. Saltwater and other washing techniques are effective but caution should be taken to make sure one does not use one cycle of water for washing all vegetables. The consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables is still encouraged by this review but significant measures must be taken to check the safety of these products before consumption.

Contamination of Tomatoes with Coliforms and Escherichia coli on Farms and in Markets of Northwest Nigeria

2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
KENNETH C. SHENGE ◽  
CLEMENT M. Z. WHONG ◽  
LYDIA L. YAKUBU ◽  
RAPHAEL A. OMOLEHIN ◽  
J. MARK ERBAUGH ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Tomato Fruit ◽  
Safety Practices ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Field Samples ◽  
Fruit Samples

Although recent reports indicated that produce contamination with foodborne pathogens is widespread in Nigeria, the sources and magnitude of microbial contamination of fruits and vegetables on farms and in markets have not been thoroughly identified. To ascertain possible pathways of contamination, the frequency and magnitude of coliform and Escherichia coli contamination of tomatoes produced in northwest Nigeria was assessed on farms and in markets. Eight hundred twenty-six tomato fruit samples and 36 irrigation water samples were collected and assessed for fecal indicator organisms. In addition, the awareness and use of food safety practices by tomato farmers and marketers were determined. Median concentration of coliforms on all field- and market-sourced tomato fruit samples, as well as in irrigation water sources, in Kaduna, Kano, and Katsina states exceeded 1,000 most probable number (MPN) per g. Median E. coli counts from 73 (17%) of 420 field samples and 231 (57%) of 406 market tomato fruit samples exceeded 100 MPN/g. Median E. coli concentrations on tomato fruits were higher (P < 0.01) in the rainy season (2.45 Log MPN/g), when irrigation was not practiced than in the dry (1.10 Log MPN/g) and early dry (0.92 Log MPN/g) seasons. Eighteen (50%) of 36 irrigation water samples had E. coli counts higher than 126 MPN/100 ml. Median E. coli contamination on market tomato fruit samples (2.66 Log MPN/g) were higher (P < 0.001) than those from tomatoes collected on farms (0.92 Log MPN/g). Farmers and marketers were generally unaware of the relationship between food safety practices and microbial contamination on fresh produce. Good agricultural practices pertaining to food safety on farms and in local markets were seldom used. Adoption of food safety practices on-farm, during transport, and during marketing could improve the microbial quality of tomatoes available to the public in this region of the world.

scholarly journals Evaluation of food contamination in Dak Lak province from 2014 - 2018

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 44-50
Author(s):  
Hoai Truong Huu ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Food Contamination ◽  
Contamination Rate ◽  
Chemical Contamination ◽  
Safety Hazards ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Cooking Oil

Statistics of monitoring results of food-safety hazards of Dak Lak Department of Food Safety and Hygiene from 2014 - 2018 showed that: The general food contamination rate was of 28.9%, of which microbial contamination was of 39.6%; and chemical contamination was of 20.9%. Edible ice has the highest rate of microbial contamination (90.6%); Fried cooking oil samples have the highest chemical contamination rate of 51.1%. E. coli contamination rate accounted for 66.2%; Coliforms contamination rate accounted for 53.5%. The rate of borax contamination in spring rolls was 23.4%. The ratio of fried cooking oil contaminated by friable was 51.1%. The ratio of methanol contamination in manual production alcohol was 13.7%.

Food Safety on the Farm: Good Agricultural Practices and Good Handling Practices – Packing Operation Sanitation

EDIS ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesscia A. Lepper ◽  
Aswathy Sreedharan ◽  
Renée Goodrich Schneider ◽  
Keith R. Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Good Agricultural Practices ◽  
Produce Safety ◽  
Foreign Countries ◽  
Safety Rule ◽  
Handling Practices ◽  
Voluntary Program ◽  
Federal Guidelines

Good agricultural practices (GAPs) and good handling practices (GHPs) encompass the general procedures that growers, packers and processors of fresh fruits and vegetables should follow to ensure the safety of their product. GAPs usually deal with preharvest practices (i.e., in the field), while GHPs cover postharvest practices, including packing, storage and shipping. This factsheet covers GAPs relating to packing operation sanitation. There are seven other Florida Cooperative Extension factsheets in the ‘Food Safety on the Farm’ series that focus on specific aspects of the GAPs program and how they relate to Florida crops and practices. Under the new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), GAPs are a foundation of the Produce Safety Rule (PSR). Other than for round tomatoes in Florida (T-GAPs regulation), GAPs have mainly been a voluntary program. Additionally the PSR mandates all non-exempt operations to follow these new FSMA federal guidelines (6), but all exempt commodities and for those producers exporting to foreign countries, GAPs may still be required. Both the mandatory PSR and GAPs aim to reduce the foodborne illness burden associated with produce.

ASSESSMENT OF THE POTENTIAL RISKS OF AIRBONE MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION IN SOLID RECOVERED FUEL PLANTS: A CASE STUDY IN ISTANBUL

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. 1415-1421
Author(s):  
Yasemin Tabak ◽  
Senol Yildiz ◽  
Volkan Enc ◽  
Mustafa Kara ◽  
Emine Acet
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Contamination ◽  
Potential Risks

The Prosperity Paradox

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Martin
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Farm Workers ◽  
Farm Labor ◽  
Labor Laws ◽  
New Era ◽  
Labor Policies ◽  
The Us ◽  
Vulnerable Workers

Why do farm workers become more vulnerable as countries get richer? As countries get richer, the share of workers employed in agriculture falls. In richer countries, hired farm workers do ever more of the work on the fewer and larger farms that produce most farm commodities. These hired workers include local workers who lack the skills and contacts needed to get nonfarm jobs that usually offer higher wages and more opportunities as well as legal and unauthorized migrants from poorer countries who may not know or exercise their labor-related rights. Government enforcement of labor laws depends on complaints, and vulnerable workers rarely complain. The Prosperity Paradox explains why farm-worker problems often worsen as the agricultural sector shrinks and lays out options to help vulnerable workers. Analysis of farm labor markets in the US, Mexico, and other countries shows that unions and fair trade efforts to protect farm workers cover a very small share of all workers and are unlikely to expand quickly. Most labor-intensive fruits and vegetables are eaten fresh. Unsafe food that sickened consumers led to voluntary industry and later government-mandated food-safety programs to ensure that food is safe when it leaves the farm, with protocols enforced by both government inspectors and buyers who refused to buy from noncompliant farms. This food-safety model offers the most promise for a new era in protective labor policies.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Characterization of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in Ready-to-Eat Street Foods

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 850
Author(s):  
Shobha Giri ◽  
Vaishnavi Kudva ◽  
Kalidas Shetty ◽  
Veena Shetty
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Extended Spectrum

As the global urban populations increase with rapid migration from rural areas, ready-to-eat (RTE) street foods are posing food safety challenges where street foods are prepared with less structured food safety guidelines in small and roadside outlets. The increased presence of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria in street foods is a significant risk for human health because of its epidemiological significance. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae have become important and dangerous foodborne pathogens globally for their relevance to antibiotic resistance. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the potential burden of antibiotic-resistant E. coli and K. pneumoniae contaminating RTE street foods and to assess the microbiological quality of foods in a typical emerging and growing urban suburb of India where RTE street foods are rapidly establishing with public health implications. A total of 100 RTE food samples were collected of which, 22.88% were E. coli and 27.12% K. pneumoniae. The prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae was 25.42%, isolated mostly from chutneys, salads, paani puri, and chicken. Antimicrobial resistance was observed towards cefepime (72.9%), imipenem (55.9%), cefotaxime (52.5%), and meropenem (16.9%) with 86.44% of the isolates with MAR index above 0.22. Among β-lactamase encoding genes, blaTEM (40.68%) was the most prevalent followed by blaCTX (32.20%) and blaSHV (10.17%). blaNDM gene was detected in 20.34% of the isolates. This study indicated that contaminated RTE street foods present health risks to consumers and there is a high potential of transferring multi-drug-resistant bacteria from foods to humans and from person to person as pathogens or as commensal residents of the human gut leading to challenges for subsequent therapeutic treatments.

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