The EU has adopted a new regulation requiring Member States to conduct whole genome sequencing (WGS) on the isolates of five important pathogens during the investigations of foodborne illness outbreaks, and sets data-sharing parameters.
Between 2017 and 2019, Canadian public health laboratories transitioned to whole genome sequencing (WGS) for foodborne illness outbreak surveillance. A recent study shows the positive impact of this transition of national outbreak detection and response for important foodborne pathogens.
A survey of 200 international food processors provides insight into which food safety technologies are being adopted and their effects on daily operations. Part 3 explores the impact and need for further development of testing technologies, focusing on responses from participants outside of North America.
Published in CDC’s Emerging Infectious Diseases, one of the largest-ever whole genome sequencing (WGS) analyses of Campylobacter in Africa found antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in 75 percent of human and poultry isolates from Tanzania and Kenya.
Penn State University researchers have demonstrated the usefulness of wastewater monitoring for foodborne pathogen surveillance, after successfully isolating Salmonella from wastewater samples and linking them to clinical isolates from an existing foodborne illness outbreak.
The European Commission has published a draft regulation that, if adopted, would require EU Member States to conduct whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis during foodborne illness outbreak investigations involving several important pathogens, and to report the results of WGS analyses.
A recent survey of raw flour and flour-based foods conducted by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) found a low incidence of Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) among sampled products. Whole genome sequencing revealed a link between a Salmonella isolate from a sample and a human illness.
In the June/July Food Safety Insights column, a significant number of global food processors reported adopting new analytical testing technologies. This column dives further into processors' adoption of analytical testing technologies, whether for laboratory or in-plant use.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is accepting applications for participation in an upcoming global meeting on whole genome sequencing (WGS) for food safety and water surveillance within the One Health framework.