Microbiological Control

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In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Joelle Mosso about her work at Western Growers to help produce growers develop improved approaches to food safety and sustainability by considering the entire farm-to-fork continuum. She discusses microbial testing of agricultural water, the transition to sustainable packaging, hygienic design of farm equipment, and other topics.

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.

U.S. federal, state, and local public health agencies authorities are currently investigating an ongoing outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or "avian flu," among dairy herds nationwide. This article advocates the need for new technologies to address current and future food safety needs.

A recent study has demonstrated that targeting high-virulence Salmonella serotypes in risk management strategies and food safety regulation for poultry products—such as USDA’s new regulatory framework for Salmonella in raw poultry parts—could improve public health outcomes.

Following a survey of 3.2 million pigs raised under the U.S. Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) program, USDA has announced a total absence of Trichinella infections in the national pork supply—a parasite that was once a major food safety risk, but is now controlled.

Following the death of one restaurant patron who consumed a ground beef burger contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 (STEC), a Montana meat producer has announced a voluntary recall.

USDA-FSIS has published its revised regulatory framework for Salmonella in raw poultry products, setting an enforceable final product standard for the pathogen that focuses on serotypes of public health significance. The framework also establishes new requirements for sampling and verification, as well as process control.

A foodborne listeriosis outbreak linked to Boar’s Head ready-to-eat (RTE) deli products has sickened 34 people across 13 states, resulting in two deaths. A recall is in effect.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published the results of a sampling and testing assignment to determine the prevalence of Cyclospora cayetanensis, Salmonella, and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in cilantro, parsley, and basil.

In a new scientific opinion, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) warns that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to critical antibiotics is increasing in some Vibrio species, and that the prevalence of the pathogen is expected to increase globally due to climate change.