Microbiological Control

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A new study assessed the efficacy of a commercial lytic bacteriophage cocktail as a preharvest agricultural water treatment against Salmonella Infantis, and found modest but consistent pathogen reductions across diverse water conditions.

New research has demonstrated a low overall prevalence of Campylobacter on retail chicken meat; however, recovered C. jejuni strains did not match known poultry-associated genotypes, suggesting the need for sensitive detection methods and expanded genomic surveillance.

A recent study investigating Listeria monocytogenes in South Korea’s beef supply chain revealed the presence of the pathogen exclusively in retail product samples, underscoring the importance of strict food safety controls post-harvest. The strains isolated were hypervirulent and stress-adapted.

A recent study investigating biofilms in water hoses used in a meat processing facility revealed widespread microbial colonization, reaffirming concerns about hoses as reservoirs for pathogens, and underscoring the need for routine monitoring and maintenance of water delivery systems.

As the food safety threats posed by fungal contamination continue to grow, ILSI Europe has introduced a practical risk prioritization framework designed to identify which mycotoxins present the greatest risk to consumers, and where mitigation efforts should be concentrated.

The Trivalent Salmonella Conjugate Vaccine (TSCV), which simultaneously addresses typhoid fever and foodborne illness caused by non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica, elicited strong immune response in 100 percent of participants in the randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. 

Cyclosporiasis is considered an "important neglected parasitic infection" by CDC. It is also a nationally notifiable disease. Cyclospora is an emergent foodborne pathogen that is frequently overlooked in risk assessments for food safety assurance—an oversight that might not be justifiable.

An updated literature review from the Scientific Committee of the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) summarizes the effects of climate change on foodborne pathogens, and how strengthening surveillance and investing in control technologies can address the growing risks.

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has reported on the outcomes of the recently concluded, £24 million Pathogen Surveillance in Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (PATH-SAFE) program, and announced that it will continue to build on the work of PATH-SAFE with a national Food Surveillance Program.

An ongoing outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to prepared pasta meals has expanded to 15 states, causing 20 illnesses, 19 hospitalizations, and four deaths. The meals were sold under various brand names at Walmart, Kroger, and Trader Joe’s stores.