Effectiveness of Quaternary Ammonium in Reducing Microbial Load on Eggs

Table eggs are an affordable yet nutritious protein source for humans. Unfortunately, eggs are a vector for bacteria that could cause foodborne illness. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a quaternary ammonium compound (quat) sanitizer against aerobic mesophilic bacteria, yeast, and mold load on the eggshell surface of free-range and commercial farms and the post-treatment effect on microbial load during storage. Total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, yeast, and molds were enumerated using plate count techniques. The efficacy of the quaternary ammonium sanitizer (quat) was tested using two levels: full factorial with two replicates for corner points, factor A (maximum: 200 ppm, minimum: 100 ppm) and factor B (maximum: 15 min, minimum: 5 min). Quat sanitizer significantly (p < 0.05) reduced approximately 4 log10 CFU/cm2 of the aerobic mesophilic bacteria, 1.5 to 2.5 log10 CFU/cm2 of the mold population, and 1.5 to 2 log10 CFU/cm2 of the yeast population. However, there was no significant (p ≥ 0.05) response observed between individual factor levels (maximum and minimum), and two-way interaction terms were also not statistically significant (p ≥ 0.05). A low (<1 log10 CFU/cm2) aerobic mesophilic bacteria trend was observed when shell eggs were stored in a cold environment up to the production expiry date. No internal microbial load was observed; thus, it was postulated that washing with quat sanitizer discreetly (without physically damaging the eggshell) does not facilitate microbial penetration during storage at either room temperature or cold storage. Current study findings demonstrated that the quat sanitizer effectively reduced the microbial population on eggshells without promoting internal microbial growth.

Egg pricing and labeling on supermarkets in São Paulo

Brazil is a big table egg producer and consumer. Although battery cages are still the main production system in the country, growth in demand for specialty eggs can be identified from the growing availability of free-range and organic eggs in the market. The goal for this study was to report the prices of different table egg categories, varying in features such as eggshell color, package size or farming system, and to characterize the information available on labels. We investigated fifteen supermarket units, randomly distributed along the west side of the city of São Paulo, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Four data collections were performed throughout one year, in each unit. Our results indicate that organic eggs were the most expensive among different farming system categories. Furthermore, brown shell eggs were more expensive compared to white shell eggs, regardless of the farming system. Eggs sold in small packages were more expensive than eggs sold in large packages. Cage-free and organic eggs had labels with more informative content and, lastly, eggs with more detailed labels were related to higher prices.

Draft Genome Sequence of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Serovar Enteritidis ODA 99-30581-13, a Heat-Resistant Strain Isolated from Shell Eggs

ABSTRACT Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis ODA 99‐30581‐13 is a relatively heat-resistant strain isolated from shell eggs. The strain has a 4,777,965-bp genome sequence (52.1% GC content) that was predicted to encode 4,455 proteins, including heat stress response proteins and stress response regulators; these may be involved in its heat resistance.

Influence of floor egg shell cleanliness and cleaning treatment on hatchability and chick quality

A total of 3,600 floor eggs from a 59-week-old Cobb 500 parent flock were collected to examine the effects of shell cleanliness and cleaning treatment on incubation results. The eggs were divided into two equal groups according to the cleanliness of the shell: eggs with a visually clean shell (clean eggs) and eggs with a dirty shell (dirty eggs). Depending on the cleaning treatment, clean and dirty eggs were divided into three equal groups: eggs that were not cleaned at all (intact), eggs that were cleaned with metal wire (scraped eggs) and eggs that were washed (washed eggs). Cleaning treatment significantly affected egg weight loss (p = 0.057). The hatchability of set eggs was under significant influence of egg cleanliness (p = 0.018), while the hatchability of fertile eggs was under significant influence of egg cleanliness (p = 0.003) and cleaning treatment (p = 0.029). Significant influence of shell cleanliness (p = 0.000) and cleaning treatment (p = 0.000) on egg contamination was also observed. Early, middle and total embryonic mortality were not significantly influenced by shell cleanliness and cleaning treatment, in contrast to late mortality which was under significant influence of egg cleanliness (p = 0.028). The number of first grade chicks per incubator tray was significantly influenced by egg cleanliness (p = 0.018). Chick weight and length were not significantly affected by shell cleanliness and cleaning treatment. The study showed that washed eggs had a higher weight loss compared to intact and scraped eggs. Dirty eggs had a lower hatchability, a higher percentage of contamination and late mortality as well as a lower number of first grade chicks per incubation tray, compared to clean eggs. Cleaning treatments did not have a significantly positive effect on the incubation results of either clean or dirty eggs. Washing treatment had a particularly negative effect on dirty eggs as they had reduced hatchability and increased contamination. The absence of a positive effect of scraping and washing treatment on the incubation results makes justification of these cleaning treatments for floor eggs doubtful.

Content analysis of food safety implications in online flour-handling recipes

PurposeNumerous food recalls and outbreaks were associated with wheat flour in recent years. Few consumers are cognizant of food safety risks associated with raw flour. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the food safety information and flour-handling behaviors presented in popular food blog recipes and in YouTube videos using cookie, cookie dough and egg noodle recipes as examples.Design/methodology/approachEighty-five blog recipes and 146 videos were evaluated. Blog author and video host food-handling experience was classified as professional or nonprofessional. Food safety information and food-handling behaviors were evaluated for adherence to government and scientific recommendations.FindingsBlog authors and video hosts demonstrated higher awareness of food safety risks associated with raw eggs compared to raw flour, which only translated into better adherence with recommended food-handling behaviors during ingredient addition steps. Cross-contamination from adding raw flour to the product was observed in 25% of videos, whereas cross-contamination from hosts adding raw shell eggs was observed 3% of videos. Blog authors and video hosts did not recommend or demonstrate handwashing after handling raw shell eggs nor raw flour, and fewer than 5% provided recommendations for cleaning work surfaces. Heat treatment methods to convert raw flour into ready-to-eat products were mentioned by 24% of blog authors and 18% of video hosts; however, the recommendations were not scientifically validated.Originality/valueThis study demonstrates the need to develop educational interventions that increase blog authors' and video hosts' awareness of risks associated with raw flour and that translate this knowledge into practiced behaviors.