Testing & Analysis

A Silver Lining of the Pandemic: Whole-Genome Sequencing and Food Safety

The benefits of whole-genome sequencing are far ranging

Masami Takeuchi Ph.D. Isabella Apruzzese M.Sc.

June 20, 2021

Whole-genome sequencing has become a significant tool in investigating foodborne disease outbreaks. We examined the current use of this technology for foodborne disease surveillance and food monitoring at the global level and sought to understand the factors limiting its use in developing countries.

Whole-Genome Sequencing for Food Safety

Just what is whole-genome sequencing, and how can it be used to improve food safety?

Peter Gerner-Smidt M.D., D.Sc.,

June 19, 2021

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is a concept in food safety. This brief review of WGS describes how it has revolutionized food safety in recent years as an integral part of public health surveillance and used by the food industry worldwide.

Food Safety Testing Continues to Increase

Processors plan more testing—but only some analytical methods show growth

Bob Ferguson

June 17, 2021

In a continuation of this topic from April/May, we dig deeper into current microbiology sample collection and analysis practices of food processors around the world and their future plans.

Food Safety Insights

Testing to Continue to Increase in 2021

Environmental monitoring and a focus on continuous improvement in sanitation drive increases in test volumes

Bob Ferguson

April 15, 2021

As food processors continue to recover from 2020, we wanted to find out more about their plans for 2021. One thing was clear: Testing—especially environmental monitoring—will continue to grow at a rapid pace.

A Bacterial Virus Helps Spread Salmonella

Rob Kingsley, Ph.D.

April 6, 2021

A toxin-carrying virus is involved in the emergence of a new strain of Salmonella in pigs.

Testing

Guilty Until Proven Innocent: Presumption of Positivity and the Presumed Problem of Nonconfirmable Presumptives in Food Pathogen Diagnostics

Daniel R. Demarco Ph.D.

February 26, 2021

The rate of nonconfirmable presumptives in food pathogen diagnostics has increased significantly in recent years. We explore the reasons why in this article.

PerkinElmer E. coli Pathogen Detection for Beef & Beef Trim Testing

New Offering's High Throughput Capabilities Give Food Processors Timely Results for Most Prevalent E. coli Strain.

January 27, 2021

PerkinElmer, Inc. has launched the Solus One E. coli O157 Pathogen Detection Assay for raw ground beef and raw beef trim.

You Can’t Change the Future by Always Looking at the Past

Ongoing food safety issues with leafy greens

Keith Warriner Ph.D.

January 15, 2021

I recall sitting in the office one day in the fall of 2018 when I received a call from a reporter who informed me that there had been a further outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 linked to romaine lettuce. After an initial response of “oh, no,” the reporter asked why do we continue to have outbreaks linked to lettuce?

Back-to-Back Outbreaks in Frozen and Dried Imported Coconut

Donald C Obenhuber Ph.D.

October 19, 2020

Here we explore foodborne illness outbreak investigations related to coconuts, highlight the challenges experienced, and share the food safety lessons learned.