Microbiological Testing & Analysis

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Whole genome sequencing of Enterococcus faecium presents the theoretical possibility of probiotics in swine and cattle production as a source of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS) recently published a study that observed the evolution of certain shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 strains over 23 years.

Regardless of whether or not cooks wash their poultry or not before cooking it, bacterial contamination is rampant in the kitchen, a recent study finds.

The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control and the European Food Safety Authority have released a report on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animals and food throughout the EU during 2019–2020.

A recent survey of UK lamb and turkey retail meat reveals new information about antimicrobial resistance levels in Escherichia coli and Campylobacter.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service found that Salmonella caused 80 percent of pathogen and toxin violations from 2002–2019, based on a recent study of import refusals.

This column will expand on the findings of the FDA study of the economic evaluation of the GenomeTrakr whole genome sequencing (WGS) program, adding data on the use of sequencing and how it will continue to change food safety practices and markets. It will also discuss what FDA is doing with GenomeTrackr to uncover previously unseen outbreaks and how this is keeping pressure on processors to expand environmental monitoring and controls.

When determining the shelf life of meat products, it is important to consider how the growth of both spoilage organisms and pathogenic bacteria can be prevented, while at the same time keeping a keen eye on the sensory quality of the product.