Microbiological

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released new foodborne illness incidence data that show a lack of progress toward disease reduction goals—but that may be attributed to an increased use of culture-independent diagnostic tests (CIDTs), which allows for the diagnosis of infections that previously would have gone undetected.

Ice cream has historically been associated with human cases of infection by various foodborne pathogens. Pathogen introduction into ice cream can occur at various points throughout the production process for a range of reasons, which can be addressed through proper food safety controls. 

A recent study provided insight into the on-farm hygiene characteristics that affect the contamination of milk produced at informal dairy farms in Zimbabwe. The risk variables identified in the study can serve as a foundation for microbial contamination prevention strategies for the sector.

This article discusses the significance of Salmonella in poultry and explores deep serotyping for improved Salmonella control in broiler operations.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published an outline of its research priorities regarding the dairy food safety implications of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1.

Researchers from Purdue University have developed a new biosensor-based rapid test that can detect fecal contamination of produce in-field with 90–100 percent accuracy.

Approximately half of raw chicken sold at Lidl stores across five European countries are contaminated with antibiotic-resistant foodborne pathogens, according to the findings of a recent sampling and testing project commissioned by Essere Animali.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has provided updates on its sampling and testing activities of retail milk for the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viral fragments. Additionally, Health Canada and CFIA recently completed a study on pasteurization’s efficacy against HPAI in milk. 

Intended to inform food safety decision-making, a new risk assessment model developed by researchers at Penn State University helps milk processors evaluate possible consumer exposure to Bacillus cereus from milk subjected to high-temperature, short-time pasteurization.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA’s FSIS) is planning to implement new detection approaches in its laboratories and will update the associated Microbiology Laboratory Guidebook chapters.