Expert scientists from nine African countries convened recently in Accra, Ghana to launch a new wave of diagnostic testing using DNA sequencing aimed at improving food safety and controlling antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has highlighted the importance of its engagement with international organizations on critical food safety topics, in particular, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
The UK Food Standards Agency recently highlighted the Pathogen Surveillance in Agriculture, Food and Environment (PATH-SAFE) program, which aims to develop a national surveillance network that uses whole genome sequencing (WGS) to improve the monitoring of foodborne pathogens and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we talk with Martin Wiedmann, Ph.D., D.V.M., the Gellert Family Professor in Food Safety and Food Science at Cornell University, about his research on Listeria and Salmonella, his work to strengthen foodborne illness surveillance and response, his use of whole genome sequencing (WGS), and other topics.
Using whole genome sequencing (WGS), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were able to link a persistent, drug-resistant strain of Escherichia coli O157:H7 to multiple sources for various foodborne illness outbreaks.
In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we talk with Susan Mayne, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dr. Mayne discusses the work she oversees at CFSAN, such as implementing guidances and policies related to FSMA and the Closer to Zero initiative, as well as her perspective on the future of human foods regulation at FDA amid a proposed reorganization of the Foods program. Additionally, Bob Ferguson, President of Strategic Consulting Inc., speaks about his latest Food Safety Insights column on how food processors are preparing to comply with the FSMA Food Traceability Final Rule.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is planning to hold a workshop for government officials from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to learn about whole genome sequencing (WGS). Individuals interested in participating are invited to apply.
Using whole genome sequencing (WGS), researchers from the University of Johannesburg have identified a trend of nonpathogenic Listeria strains developing concerning characteristics, such as virulence and stress resistance. Like the pathogenic L. monocytogenes, the “harmless” strains L. innocua and L. welshimeri are common to food processing facilities.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CIFA) recently provided insight into how whole genome sequencing (WGS) and international data-sharing helped trace a 2020 multinational food safety outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes to enoki mushrooms, enabling countries to rapidly recall the affected products.
Virginia Tech researchers in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are examining how fresh pears change during storage, and how such knowledge can be used to keep food safety risks low over time.
