Research Publications (Food Safety)

Publication date: December 2015
, Volume 52
Author(s): Marilyn C. Erickson, Jean Liao, Jennifer L. Cannon, Ynes R. Ortega

Anne Abysique, Catherine Tardivel, Jean-Denis Troadec, Bernadette Félix

Housing systems for laying hens have changed over the years due to increased public concern regarding animal welfare. In terms of sustainability, animal welfare is just one aspect that needs to be considered. Social aspects as well as environmental and economic factors need to be included as well. In this study, we assessed the sustainability of enriched cage, barn, free-range, and organic egg production systems following a predefined protocol.

The use of antimicrobial agents as feed additives in poultry production is a public health concern due to the overall increase in antimicrobial resistance. Although some alternative products are commercially available, little is known on their potential impact on flock health and productivity.

The present study evaluated the effectiveness of 4 cleaning protocols designed to reduce the bacteriological infection pressure on broiler farms and prevent food-borne zoonoses. Additionally, difficult to clean locations and possible sources of infection were identified. Cleaning and disinfection rounds were evaluated in 12 broiler houses on 5 farms through microbiological analyses and adenosine triphosphate hygiene monitoring.

Ducks are a natural reservoir for H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses, which produces a range of clinical outcomes from asymptomatic infections to severe disease with mortality. Vaccination against HPAI is one of the few methods available for controlling avian influenza virus (AIV) infection in domestic ducks; therefore, it is necessary to improve vaccine efficacy against HPAI in domestic ducks.

Two studies were conducted to study regulatory T cell [Treg (CD4+CD25+)] properties during the establishment of a persistent intestinal infection in broiler chickens. Four-day-old broiler chicks were orally gavaged with 5 x 106 CFU/mL Salmonella enteritidis (S. enteritidis) or sterile PBS (control). Samples were collected at 4, 7, 10, and 14 d postinfection.

Aims
This study aimed to assess the sanitary situation in agricultural biogas plants regarding pathogenic Clostridium spp..

Nucleotide signalling molecules are important intracellular messengers that regulate a wide range of biological functions. The human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus produces the signalling nucleotide cyclic di-adenosine monophosphate (c-di-AMP). This molecule is common among Gram-positive bacteria and in many organisms essential for survival under standard laboratory growth conditions. In this study, we investigated the interaction of c-di-AMP with the S. aureus KdpD protein.

We collected 599 Canadian retail pork chops and 283 pork livers routinely (usually weekly) from April 2011 to March 2012 using the Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS) retail sampling platform. Samples were assayed using validated real-time (q) reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and nested classical RT-PCR for the detection of hepatitis E virus (HEV), porcine enteric calicivirus (PEC) and rotavirus (RV).

Publication date: September 2015
, Volume 82
Author(s): Mónica Lamas-Maceiras, Esther Rodríguez-Belmonte, Manuel Becerra, M Isabel González-Siso, M Esperanza Cerdán

Kosa, Katherine M. et al. Numerous cases and outbreaks of Salmonella infection are attributable to shell eggs each year in the United States. Safe handling and consumption of shell eggs at home can help reduce foodborne illness attributable to shell eggs. A nationally representative Web survey of 1,504 U.S. adult grocery shoppers was conducted to describe consumer handling practices and consumption of shell eggs at home.

Magajna, Brenda et al. Despite being considered fragile and fastidious, Campylobacter jejuni remains the leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in the developed world. C. jejuni survives stresses by forming biofilms or entering a viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state.

Yang, Xianqin et al. The possible origin of Escherichia coli found on cuts and trimmings in the breaking facility of a beef packing plant was examined using multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis. Coliforms and E.

Ukuku, Dike O. et al. For health reasons, people are consuming fresh-cut fruits with or without minimal processing and, thereby, exposing themselves to the risk of foodborne illness if such fruits are contaminated with bacterial pathogens. This study investigated survival and growth parameters of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and aerobic mesophilic bacteria transferred from cantaloupe rind surfaces to fresh-cut pieces during fresh-cut preparation.

Gereffi, Scott et al. Tomato Best Management Practices require Florida packers to treat tomatoes in a flume system containing at least 150 ppm of free chlorine or other approved sanitizer. However, research is needed to determine the ability of these sanitizers to prevent the transfer of pathogens from contaminated to uncontaminated tomatoes, particularly under realistic packinghouse conditions.

Torso, Lauren M. et al. Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a common cause of foodborne illness in the United States. Beef ground at establishments regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service is routinely tested for E. coli O157:H7. Prior to December 2013, boxed beef product (wholesale cuts of beef, such as beef loin, packaged into bags and boxed for shipping) was not always tested for this pathogen.

Evans, Nicholas P. et al. Salmonella is an important economic and public health concern for the poultry industry. Fresh ground product has been linked with multiple salmonellosis outbreaks in humans. Exposure can be controlled by proper handling and preparation by consumers; however, the industry desires to minimize carriage levels in the final product. A substantial obstacle in reducing product contamination stems from limitations in diagnostic methodologies.

Bowman, Lauren S. et al. Salmonellosis has been increasingly associated with contaminated spices. Identifying inoculation and stabilization methods for Salmonella on whole spices is important for development of validated inactivation processes. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of inoculation preparation on the recoverability of Salmonella enterica from dried whole peppercorns and cumin seeds. Whole black peppercorns and cumin seeds were inoculated with S.

Brooks, Brian W. et al. Non-O157 enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli in priority serogroups O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145 are increasingly recognized as important human pathogens. In the present study, a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to the lipopolysaccharide O antigens of E. coli in serogroups O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145 was produced. The specificity was evaluated by examining the reactivity of the MAbs with 50 E. coli strains and 42 non–E.

Publication date: December 2015
, Volume 52
Author(s): Avelina Franco-Vega, Nelly Ramírez-Corona, Aurelio López-Malo, Enrique Palou

Publication date: December 2015
, Volume 52
Author(s): Marie-Josée Gagné, Julie Barrette, Tony Savard, Julie Brassard

Publication date: November 2015
, Volume 109
Author(s): Antonio Velarde, Emma Fàbrega, Isabel Blanco-Penedo, Antoni Dalmau

Publication date: November 2015
, Volume 109
Author(s): Adisorn Swetwiwathana, Wonnop Visessanguan

Publication date: Available online 17 July 2015

Author(s): D. Lacasta, L.M. Ferrer, J.J. Ramos, J.M. González, A. Ortín, G.C. Fthenakis