Microbiological

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Following the high-profile, fatal listeriosis outbreak linked to Boar’s Head ready-to-eat (RTE) deli meats that prompted an internal review of USDA-FSIS processes, the agency has announced several new steps to strengthen its oversight of RTE facilities, including expanded Listeria rule requirements and stricter state-federal cooperative inspection agreements.

Filling a critical knowledge gap in light of recent outbreaks and recalls associated with low-moisture foods, a study led by National University of Singapore researchers has characterized dry surface Salmonella biofilms and developed a fit-for-purpose, antibiofilm, waterless sanitization protocol for the low-moisture food industry. 

A research project funded by the Center for Produce Safety (CPS) is exploring the microbial risks of unconventional surfaces in small and midsized produce packinghouses with the goal of determining sanitation best practices.

This article explores the use of growth inhibitors into formulations for deli meats to mitigate Listeria monocytogenes contamination, and provides guidance for the various options of effective compounds, including clean-label ingredients, to reduce the risk of Listeria contamination in deli meats.

Osaka Metropolitan University researchers have discovered the ability of an amino acid to inhibit Clostridium perfringens spore formation in the human gut, a process that causes foodborne illness.

The latest UK Food Security Report (UKFSR) has been published by the UK Government. A trend noted in the report is that, despite Campylobacter causing the most foodborne illnesses, outbreak detection is hindered by the lack of a required national typing scheme.

Development of a new microbiological risk assessment model, led by researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, could help the produce industry determine the best risk management strategies for a diverse range of production scenarios. 

The Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration's (IFSAC) Annual Report analyzes U.S. foodborne illness outbreak data for priority pathogens and specific foods and food categories. This data helps shape FDA priorities for the upcoming year, informs stakeholders, and helps the agency assess the effectiveness of prevention measures. 

In support of its proposed regulatory framework for Salmonella in raw poultry, USDA-FSIS has notified veterinary biologics manufacturers of its interest in vaccines for serotypes of public health significance. 

Salmonella illnesses in the U.S. in 2022 were attributed to a wide variety of foods, while Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes infections were mostly linked to two or three food groups, according to the Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration’s (IFSAC’s) latest foodborne illness source attribution report.