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15 pages, 1517 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Confronting Views of Companies and Authorities on Food Safety Issues—A Cross-Country Survey

by Ilija Djekic, Garegin Hambardzumyan, Aleksandra Nikolić, Alen Mujčinović, Dimitar Nakov, Aleksandra Silovska Nikolova, Anastasia A. Semenova, Oksana A. Kuznetsova, Fatih Oz, Emel Oz, Nino Terjung, Heinz Volker and Igor Tomasevic

Foods 2024, 13(5), 773; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13050773 - 1 Mar 2024

Viewed by 3083

Abstract

This study investigated food safety issues as perceived by food companies and food safety authorities in six countries in Europe and Central Asia. A total of 66 companies and 16 authorities participated in the survey. The results provide important insights related to what [...] Read more.

This study investigated food safety issues as perceived by food companies and food safety authorities in six countries in Europe and Central Asia. A total of 66 companies and 16 authorities participated in the survey. The results provide important insights related to what the main food safety priorities are, how they are addressed in the countries that participated in the survey, and what the role of the main stakeholders is in the food value chain. Almost 50% of food companies identified ‘food fraud’ as the most influential food safety attribute. One-third of food safety authorities recognized ‘food safety management system’ as the most influential food safety attribute. Principal component analysis separated food safety statements into two dimensions named ‘food safety hazards and risks’ and ‘food safety system’. Although there are slight differences in food safety statements between the two stakeholders, i.e., food companies and food safety authorities, it is the country of origin that plays a more important role in understanding their views. Food companies will need to implement a systemic approach and transform the entire food value chain continuum while considering new food safety challenges. It is expected that food safety authorities will have to play a more proactive role in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Risk Assessment and Control of Food Hazards)

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19 pages, 3025 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantitative NMR Spectrometry of Phenylpropanoids, including Isoeugenol in Herbs, Spices, and Essential Oils

by Pascal Fabry, Sandra Weber, Jan Teipel, Elke Richling, Stephan G. Walch and Dirk W. Lachenmeier

Foods 2024, 13(5), 720; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13050720 - 27 Feb 2024

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2665

Abstract

Isoeugenol (2-methoxy-4-(1-propenyl)phenol) has been recently classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). This study conducted an analysis of isoeugenol in common herbs and spices, including basil, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, using ¹H [...] Read more.

Isoeugenol (2-methoxy-4-(1-propenyl)phenol) has been recently classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). This study conducted an analysis of isoeugenol in common herbs and spices, including basil, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, using ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry. Additionally, over 1300 coffee samples were analysed by ¹H-NMR for isoeugenol, but it was not detected in any of the analysed samples. Various essential oils, including nutmeg, basil, clove, sweet flag, and ylang-ylang oils, were examined for isoeugenol content. Out of the twelve nutmeg oils tested, four contained isoeugenol, with concentrations ranging from 3.68 ± 0.09 g/kg to 11.2 ± 0.10 g/kg. However, isoeugenol was not detected in the essential oils of calamus, basil, ylang-ylang, and clove using NMR spectrometry. These findings warrant critical evaluation of the previous literature, given reports of high isoeugenol levels in some of these matrices. A toxicological assessment has determined that there is no risk to human health by exposure to isoeugenol via nutmeg essential oils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Risk Assessment and Control of Food Hazards)

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14 pages, 2539 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Food Safety Assessment and Nutraceutical Outcomes of Dairy By-Products: Ovine Milk Whey as Wound Repair Enhancer on Injured Human Primary Gingival Fibroblasts

by Carlotta Ceniti, Anna Di Vito, Rosa Luisa Ambrosio, Aniello Anastasio, Jessica Bria, Domenico Britti and Emanuela Chiarella

Foods 2024, 13(5), 683; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13050683 - 23 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1725

Abstract

The valorization of milk whey appears to be a promising strategy for managing by-products from dairy food industries, which incur demanding economic costs for treatment and/or disposal. Thanks to its numerous bioactive components, whey is expected to be increasingly incorporated into foods in [...] Read more.

The valorization of milk whey appears to be a promising strategy for managing by-products from dairy food industries, which incur demanding economic costs for treatment and/or disposal. Thanks to its numerous bioactive components, whey is expected to be increasingly incorporated into foods in the future. We investigated the safety of ovine milk whey through in vitro experiments on human primary gingival fibroblast (HGF-1) proliferation and wound healing. Fibroblasts play a crucial role in the repair processes from the late inflammatory phase until the final stages. Cells treated with varying concentrations of ovine whey (0.01%, 0.1%, 1%, and 10%) were able to close wounds more rapidly than vehicle-treated cells. Time- and dose-dependent responses were observed in cell populations exposed to ovine whey. Specifically, wounds treated with 0.1% and 10% milk whey showed better migratory capabilities compared to those treated with 0.01% and 1% milk whey after 24 and 48 h. In addition, ovine milk whey stimulates extracellular matrix deposition, as evidenced by the increasing levels of CD44 antigen density evaluated through FACS analysis, as well as COL1A1 expression measured both via RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence. This phenomenon was particularly evident at concentrations of 0.01% and 10%. Ensuring quality and safety has become a major concern for health authorities in the food industry. Our findings suggest that ovine milk whey is safe and possesses regenerative properties. It facilitates tissue re-establishment following exposure to environmental stress, particularly accelerating gingival wound closure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Risk Assessment and Control of Food Hazards)

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19 pages, 318 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Distribution of Pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Food of Animal Origin in Croatia

by Maja Đokić, Tamara Nekić, Ivana Varenina, Ines Varga, Božica Solomun Kolanović, Marija Sedak, Bruno Čalopek, Ivana Kmetič, Teuta Murati, Darija Vratarić and Nina Bilandžić

Foods 2024, 13(4), 528; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13040528 - 8 Feb 2024

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2293

Abstract

Pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent environmental pollutants. When entering the food chain, they can represent a public health problem due to their negative effects on health. In this study, concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), pyrethroids, carbamates, and PCBs—a [...] Read more.

Pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent environmental pollutants. When entering the food chain, they can represent a public health problem due to their negative effects on health. In this study, concentrations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), organophosphate pesticides (OPPs), pyrethroids, carbamates, and PCBs—a total 73 compounds—were determined in a total of 2268 samples of fat tissues (beef, pork, sheep, goat, poultry, game, horse, rabbit) and processed fat, meat, and processed meat products collected in Croatia during an 8-year period. In fatty tissues, 787 results exceeded the limits of quantification (LOQ): 16 OCPs, eight OPPs, six pyrethroids, one carbamate, and seven PCBs. The most positive results in fat samples were found for OCPs, with a frequency of quantification in the range of 57.5–87.5%. Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) were quantified in the highest percentages, in the ranges of 5.5–66.7% and 5.4–55.8%. Concentrations above the MRL values were determined for chlorpyrifos in pork fat and for resmethrin in six fat samples and one pâté. In 984 samples of meat and meat products, only 62 results exceeded the LOQ values. The highest frequency of quantification was determined for OCPs (25 samples), of which 40% were DDT isomers (60% DDE). Frequency quantifications of PCBs in fat samples were between 7.23 and 36.7%. An evaluation of the health risk assessment showed that the consumption of fat, meat, and meat products does not pose a threat to consumer health, since all EDI values were well below the respective toxicological reference values. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Risk Assessment and Control of Food Hazards)

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23 pages, 2223 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Singapore’s Total Diet Study (2021–2023): Study Design, Methodology, and Relevance to Ensuring Food Safety

by Geraldine Songlen Lim, Jun Cheng Er, Kalpana Bhaskaran, Paul Sin, Ping Shen, Kah Meng Lee, Guat Shing Teo, Joachim Mun Choy Chua, Peggy Chui Fong Chew, Wei Min Ang, Joanna Lee, Sheena Wee, Yuansheng Wu, Angela Li, Joanne Sheot Harn Chan and Kyaw Thu Aung

Foods 2024, 13(4), 511; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13040511 - 6 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5141

Abstract

A total diet study is often used to evaluate a population’s baseline dietary exposure to chemical hazards from across the diet. In 2021–2023, Singapore carried out a TDS, and this article presents an overview of the study design and methodological selections in Singapore’s [...] Read more.

A total diet study is often used to evaluate a population’s baseline dietary exposure to chemical hazards from across the diet. In 2021–2023, Singapore carried out a TDS, and this article presents an overview of the study design and methodological selections in Singapore’s TDS, as well as its relevance to ensuring food safety. A food consumption survey was conducted on Singapore citizens and permanent residents, where food consumption patterns of the Singapore population were identified. The selection of chemical hazards and foods for inclusion in Singapore’s TDS, as well as principal considerations on sampling, food preparation, and analytical testing are discussed. Commonly consumed foods by the Singapore population in food categories such as grain and grain-based products, meat and meat products, fish and seafood, vegetables, fruits, milk and dairy products were included in this study, and mean concentrations of chemicals tested in each food category were reported, with food categories possessing higher levels identified. Future work will include dietary exposure assessments for the population and analysis of the contributions by food and cooking method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Risk Assessment and Control of Food Hazards)

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13 pages, 1450 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Toxic Elements in Beans from Zhejiang, Southeast China: Distribution and Probabilistic Health Risk Assessment

by Sha Yu, Xiao-Dong Pan and Jian-Long Han

Foods 2023, 12(17), 3300; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12173300 - 2 Sep 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2385

Abstract

This study described the distribution of As, Cd, Cr, Hg, and Pb in 692 bean samples from Zhejiang province, southeast China, and estimated the health risk using Monte Carlo simulation. The average levels of As, Cd, Cr, Hg, and Pb were 0.0349, 0.0379, [...] Read more.

This study described the distribution of As, Cd, Cr, Hg, and Pb in 692 bean samples from Zhejiang province, southeast China, and estimated the health risk using Monte Carlo simulation. The average levels of As, Cd, Cr, Hg, and Pb were 0.0349, 0.0379, 0.246, 0.0019, and 0.0246 mg kg⁻¹. Correlation analyses showed very strong positive correlations for Cd-Pb in kidney beans and mung beans, Cd-As in black beans, and Pb-As in red beans. The target hazard quotients (THQs) were adopted for non-carcinogenic risk assessment, and THQs at the 50th percentile were all less than 1, indicating that there are no deleterious effects from rice exposure to these elements. When evaluating THQ for multiple elements, the certainty with a hazard index (HI) greater than 1 for children was 12.64%, for teens 11.54%, and for adults 1.01%. The sensitivity analysis reveals that the concentration of Cd in beans and ED (exposure duration) are the main principal factors that contributed to the total risk. The mean carcinogenic risks for children, teens, and adults were all less than 1 × 10⁻⁴, indicating no potential carcinogenic risk. Despite that, the routine monitoring of these elements, especially for Cd should be continued. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Risk Assessment and Control of Food Hazards)

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19 pages, 351 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Are Chokeberry Products Safe for Health? Evaluation of the Content of Contaminants and Health Risk

by Ewa Olechno, Anna Puścion-Jakubik, Jolanta Soroczyńska, Katarzyna Socha and Małgorzata Elżbieta Zujko

Foods 2023, 12(17), 3271; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12173271 - 31 Aug 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1881

Abstract

The health-promoting properties of chokeberry fruit have been confirmed in numerous scientific studies. It has been shown that the consumption of these fruits, due to the high content of bioactive compounds, has beneficial effects in neurodegenerative diseases, in addition to having hypolipemic, hypotensive, [...] Read more.

The health-promoting properties of chokeberry fruit have been confirmed in numerous scientific studies. It has been shown that the consumption of these fruits, due to the high content of bioactive compounds, has beneficial effects in neurodegenerative diseases, in addition to having hypolipemic, hypotensive, hypoglycemic, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, different conditions and methods of fruit cultivation, as well as methods of juice and fiber production, may result in a high content of toxic substances, which reduce the health value of chokeberry products. Many substances are environmental pollutants. In this study, for the first time, we examined the content of toxic elements (As, Hg, Cd, Pb), nitrates, and nitrites in all chokeberry juices (organic, conventional, from concentrate, and not from fruit concentrate) without additives and in all chokeberry fibers available in Poland. In addition, risk indicators of adverse health effects were calculated. The median content of the contaminants tested in juices was 0.461 µg/kg for As, 1.170 µg/kg for Cd, 0.427 µg/kg for Hg, 1.404 µg/kg for Pb, 4.892 mg/kg for NO₂⁻, and 41.788 mg/kg for NO₃⁻. These values did not exceed the permissible standards for the calculated indicators. There were also no statistically significant differences in the content of Cd, Hg, and Pb, as well as nitrates (III) and nitrates (V), in the tested juices depending on the method of cultivation and juice production. However, statistically significant differences in As content were found between juices from conventional and organic cultivation (1.032 µg/kg vs. 0.458 µg/kg) and juices from concentrate and not from concentrate (1.164 µg/kg vs. 0.460 µg/kg). There were no statistically significant differences with respect to impurities in fibers. It is shown that the consumption of chokeberry juice and fiber in the amount normally consumed does not pose a health risk associated with the intake of toxic substances; in the case of long-term fiber consumption, the Pb content should be monitored. In particular, organic juices and those not from fruit concentrate are recommended due to the lower As content. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Risk Assessment and Control of Food Hazards)

17 pages, 6240 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prediction and Visual Analysis of Food Safety Risk Based on TabNet-GRA

by Yi Chen, Hanqiang Li, Haifeng Dou, Hong Wen and Yu Dong

Foods 2023, 12(16), 3113; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12163113 - 18 Aug 2023

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3295

Abstract

Food safety risk prediction is crucial for timely hazard detection and effective control. This study proposes a novel risk prediction method for food safety called TabNet-GRA, which combines a specialized deep learning architecture for tabular data (TabNet) with a grey relational analysis (GRA) [...] Read more.

Food safety risk prediction is crucial for timely hazard detection and effective control. This study proposes a novel risk prediction method for food safety called TabNet-GRA, which combines a specialized deep learning architecture for tabular data (TabNet) with a grey relational analysis (GRA) to predict food safety risk. Initially, this study employed a GRA to derive comprehensive risk values from fused detection data. Subsequently, a food safety risk prediction model was constructed based on TabNet, and training was performed using the detection data as inputs and the comprehensive risk values calculated via the GRA as the expected outputs. Comparative experiments with six typical models demonstrated the superior fitting ability of the TabNet-based prediction model. Moreover, a food safety risk prediction and visualization system (FSRvis system) was designed and implemented based on TabNet-GRA to facilitate risk prediction and visual analysis. A case study in which our method was applied to a dataset of cooked meat products from a Chinese province further validated the effectiveness of the TabNet-GRA method and the FSRvis system. The method can be applied to targeted risk assessment, hazard identification, and early warning systems to strengthen decision making and safeguard public health by proactively addressing food safety risks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Risk Assessment and Control of Food Hazards)

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12 pages, 313 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Metal Load of Potentially Toxic Elements in Tuna (Thunnus albacares)—Food Safety Aspects

by József Lehel, Zita Papp, András Bartha, Péter Palotás, Rita Szabó, Péter Budai and Miklós Süth

Foods 2023, 12(16), 3038; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12163038 - 12 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4896

Abstract

The consumption of marine fishes has a positive effect on a consumer’s health; however, it poses a potential risk due to their level of heavy metals in their body. Heavy metals can be naturally found in the environment, but their concentration can be [...] Read more.

The consumption of marine fishes has a positive effect on a consumer’s health; however, it poses a potential risk due to their level of heavy metals in their body. Heavy metals can be naturally found in the environment, but their concentration can be increased with anthropogenic activities. Samples of tuna (Thunnus albacares) were collected at a fishery market. The potentially toxic elements (arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury) were determined with a validated method in the flesh of fish using inductively plasma optical emission spectrometry after microwave digestion. Generally, the average concentration of them was below the official limit values regulated by the European Union, except for lead. Based on the concentrations of arsenic (inorganic derivates: 0.05 ± 0.02 mg/kg) and cadmium (0.03 ± 0.01 mg/kg) in the tuna fish samples, and their calculated EDI values (As: 0.03–0.09 µg/kg/day; Cd: 0.05–0.07 µg/kg/day), the investigated food could be declared safe for human consumption. Generally, mercury content was below the official regulated limit, and the calculated EDI value was below the dietary reference value (0.3 μg/kg/day) in most of the samples (90%), exceeding it only in two samples (0.69 and 0.82 μg/kg/day); thus, they may not be harmful to the consumer. The concentration of lead above the official maximum limit (0.30 mg/kg) in 40% of tuna samples (0.30–1.59 mg/kg), as well as the exceeding of the dietary reference value for lead (adult: 0.16 μg/kg/day; children: 0.26 μg/kg/day) based on the calculated EDI values (0.28–1.49 μg/kg/day), draw attention to the importance of environmental pollution and the protection of consumers’ health. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Risk Assessment and Control of Food Hazards)

16 pages, 2406 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Elemental Profile and Health Risk of Fruška Gora Wines

by Ljilja Torović, Danijela Lukić, Tatjana Majkić and Ivana Beara

Foods 2023, 12(15), 2848; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12152848 - 27 Jul 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1880

Abstract

The elemental composition of wine is influenced by endogenous sources and interventions from winemakers. The ICP-MS analysis of Fruška Gora wines (113) from vintages spanning across a decade (2011–2020), produced by 30 wineries and representing 18 autochthonous and international wine varieties, allowed a [...] Read more.

The elemental composition of wine is influenced by endogenous sources and interventions from winemakers. The ICP-MS analysis of Fruška Gora wines (113) from vintages spanning across a decade (2011–2020), produced by 30 wineries and representing 18 autochthonous and international wine varieties, allowed a comprehensive insight into their elemental composition. Based on the mean concentrations of 23 investigated elements, B, Fe, and Mn, which were determined in mg per L of wine regardless of its colour or origin, were the most abundant. Red and white wines showed significant concentration differences in the case of B, Mn, and Sr (higher in red) as well as Be, Al, V, As, Mo, and Pb (higher in white). The elements of the highest toxicological concern were found in all (Pb and As) or almost all of the samples (Cd and Hg). Pb levels (maximum 47.1, 61.6, and 73.2 μg/L in red, rose, and white, respectively) were well below the legal limit. The applied risk assessment approaches (hazard quotient and index, margin of exposure) revealed no health concerns associated with consumption of Fruška Gora wines, except for a slightly increased lifetime cancer risk in the case of high wine consumption, and thus supported the promotion of Fruška Gora wines in the highly competitive international market. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Risk Assessment and Control of Food Hazards)

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21 pages, 4137 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Safety Assessment of Herbal Food Supplements: Elemental Profiling and Associated Risk

by Ljilja Torović, Slađana Vojvodić, Danijela Lukić, Branislava Srđenović Čonić and Sanja Bijelović

Foods 2023, 12(14), 2746; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12142746 - 19 Jul 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3586

Abstract

Increased usage of herbal food supplements by both the paediatric and adult populations prompted a health risk assessment study. The elemental profiles of 52 supplements collected in Serbia were obtained using ICP-MS. The calculated contribution to permitted daily exposure was in compliance with [...] Read more.

Increased usage of herbal food supplements by both the paediatric and adult populations prompted a health risk assessment study. The elemental profiles of 52 supplements collected in Serbia were obtained using ICP-MS. The calculated contribution to permitted daily exposure was in compliance with the guidelines for elemental impurities: up to 46.8% for Pb (infants), 67.2% for Cu (toddlers), 6.8% for As (preschool children), and 8.0% for Hg (adolescents). Hazard quotients indicated high exposure of toddlers to Cu (100.9%) and Zn (112.7%), although by only one supplement, for which hazard indices ranged from 229 to 105% (aligning from toddlers to adolescents). Based on the margin of exposure, As and Pb were not of safety concern. Conversely, the proportion of supplements exceeding the acceptable level of lifetime cancer risk due to As exposure varied from 41.9% in adolescents to 54.3% in adults. Simultaneous use of multiple supplements over a prolonged period of time could further deepen health concerns. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Risk Assessment and Control of Food Hazards)

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15 pages, 1362 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multivariate Assessment and Risk Ranking of Pesticide Residues in Citrus Fruits

by Jelena Radulović, Milica Lučić, Aleksandra Nešić and Antonije Onjia

Foods 2023, 12(13), 2454; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12132454 - 22 Jun 2023

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3992

Abstract

Pesticides are extensively used in the cultivation and postharvest protection of citrus fruits, therefore continuous monitoring and health risk assessments of their residues are required. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of pesticide residues on citrus fruits and to evaluate the acute [...] Read more.

Pesticides are extensively used in the cultivation and postharvest protection of citrus fruits, therefore continuous monitoring and health risk assessments of their residues are required. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of pesticide residues on citrus fruits and to evaluate the acute and chronic risk for adults and children. The risk ranking of twenty-three detected pesticides was carried out according to a matrix ranking scheme. Multiple residues were detected in 83% of 76 analyzed samples. In addition, 28% contained pesticides at or above maximum residue levels (MRLs). The most frequently detected pesticides were imazalil, azoxystrobin, and dimethomorph. According to the risk ranking method, imazalil was classified in the high-risk group, followed by prochloraz, chlorpyrifos, azinphos-methyl, tebufenpyrad, and fenpiroximate, which were considered to pose a medium risk. The majority of detected pesticides (74%) posed a low risk. The health risk assessment indicated that imazalil and thiabendazole contribute to acute (HQa) and chronic (HQc) dietary risk, respectively. The HQc was negligible for the general population, while the HQa of imazalil and thiabendazole exceeded the acceptable level in the worst-case scenario. Cumulative chronic/acute risk (HIc/HIa) assessment showed that chronic risk was acceptable in all samples for children and adults, while the acute risk was unacceptable in 5.3% of citrus fruits for adults and 26% of citrus fruits for children. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the ingestion rate and individual body weight were the most influential risk factors. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Risk Assessment and Control of Food Hazards)

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20 pages, 870 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

The Socioeconomic Factors of Street Food Vending in Developing Countries and Its Implications for Public Health: A Systematic Review

by Acácio Salamandane, Manuel Malfeito-Ferreira and Luísa Brito

Foods 2023, 12(20), 3774; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12203774 - 14 Oct 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 13485

Abstract

The sale of ready-to-eat (RTE) street food represents an important source of income in many developing countries. However, these foods are frequently implicated in outbreaks of gastrointestinal diseases. Street food vendors face several constraints that hamper improvement in the microbiological quality of their [...] Read more.

The sale of ready-to-eat (RTE) street food represents an important source of income in many developing countries. However, these foods are frequently implicated in outbreaks of gastrointestinal diseases. Street food vendors face several constraints that hamper improvement in the microbiological quality of their products. The aim of this review was to update knowledge about the main causes of foodborne illnesses in developing countries, including the growing concern with the microbial transmission of antibiotic resistance. Following PRISMA guidelines, this systematic review was conducted on original articles published from January 2010 to July 2023. The search was carried out using Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Food Science and Technology Abstracts (FSTA), the International Information System for Agricultural Sciences and Technology (AGRIS), as well as isolated searches of relevant articles from Google Scholar. The initial search identified 915 articles, 50 of which were included in this systematic review. The results indicate that, in the majority of the 15 countries examined, women constitute the predominant segment of street food vendors, representing more than 55% of the total number of these vendors. In 11 countries, street food vendors under the age of 18 were identified. Most vendors had a low level of education and, consequently, were unaware of good hygiene practices when handling food. The combination of factors such as poor hygiene practices on the part of food handlers and the lack of facilities, namely, the absence of available potable water, were frequently listed as the main causes of food contamination. Enterobacteriaceae such as Escherichia coli (61.9%), Salmonella (30.1%), and Shigella spp. (9.5%), as well as Staphylococcus aureus (30.1%) and Listeria monocytogenes (14.3%), were the most common pathogens found in RTE street foods. In 22 studies from 13 developing countries, 59% (13/22) reported high multidrug resistance in Enterobacteriaceae (40% to 86.4% in E. coli, 16.7 to 70% in Salmonella, and 31 to 76.4% in S. aureus). To address the challenges faced by street vendors and improve their economic activities, it is necessary for government entities, consumers, and vendors to work together collaboratively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Risk Assessment and Control of Food Hazards)

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10 pages, 592 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Food Safety Controls during Bulk Food Preparation—An Observational Analysis

by Sri Harminda Pahm Hartantyo, Renuka Selvaraj, Jiaying Ho, Jia Quan Oh, Jun Cheng Er, Angela Li and Kyaw Thu Aung

Foods 2023, 12(12), 2376; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12122376 - 15 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4103

Abstract

Seeing the palpable impact of food poisoning associated with catering operations, we surveyed caterers with and without past hygiene violations to examine staffing, food safety practices and correlations with microbial counts in food and the processing environment. Past infringements did not negatively impact [...] Read more.

Seeing the palpable impact of food poisoning associated with catering operations, we surveyed caterers with and without past hygiene violations to examine staffing, food safety practices and correlations with microbial counts in food and the processing environment. Past infringements did not negatively impact the current execution of food safety measures nor the microbial quality of food. In preference to added stringencies for errant operators, we discuss alternative efforts to augment food safety, as well as the policy implications thereof. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Risk Assessment and Control of Food Hazards)

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