Search Results (66)

This study assessed microbiological contamination in street-sold meat products, focusing on Enterobacterales and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) species and their antibiotic resistance. Chicken and mutton street foods like shawarma and brochettes were tested for bacterial load, species distribution. and resistance profiles. The results showed significant contamination, with Enterobacter cloacae (5.38 Log 10 CFU/g). Staphylococcus lentus and Staphylococcus xylosus were also common, reaching 6.23 Log 10 CFU/g in some samples. Contamination levels varied significantly by food type, with chicken shawarma showing the highest risk. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed high multidrug resistance, particularly among E. cloacae and Staphylococcus species. Biofilm formation an indicator of resistance was observed mainly in staphylococci and enhanced under fed-batch culture. These findings highlight public health concerns tied to poor hygiene and undercooking in street food environments. The study emphasizes the need for improved hygiene practices, standardized cooking methods, and systematic food safety monitoring to reduce contamination and antibiotic resistance risks. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study assessed Knowledge and Practices related to Food Safety (KPFS) among nutrition services employees in hospitals across the Al-Ahsa Governorate, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The objective was to evaluate the staff’s understanding of key food safety principles, including foodborne illness prevention, food handling, personal hygiene, and food storage and preparation practices. Methods: A descriptive survey method was used, and data were collected using an electronic questionnaire, which was either self-administered by the participants or completed with the assistance of the researcher in cases involving employees who did not speak Arabic or English. This study included 302 staff members involved in the preparation, service, and supervision of food provided to hospital patients. Results: The results indicated a high level of knowledge among nutrition services employees regarding food safety principles, critical temperature control, cross-contamination prevention, and proper hygiene practices. The employees also demonstrated a strong commitment to personal hygiene behaviors, such as handwashing, wearing appropriate clothing, and avoiding unsafe practices. Additionally, a high degree of knowledge and understanding was found regarding food storage procedures and contamination prevention. The study also highlighted a very high level of awareness concerning the cleaning and sterilization of equipment, tools, and food storage surfaces, as well as maintaining a clean and healthy environment. These findings emphasize the importance of continuous training in enhancing food safety knowledge among nutrition services employees. Conclusions: It is recommended that all employees, regardless of education level, experience, or role, participate regularly in food safety training programs to sustain and improve food safety practices within hospital environments. Full article

Edible insects are gaining traction worldwide; however, the existing data regarding their microbiological quality remain inadequate. This study investigated the bacterial communities and microbiological quality of five types of frozen edible insects commercially available in Thailand. Amplicon sequencing revealed Firmicutes (Bacillota) and Proteobacteria (Pseudomonadota) as the main phyla across all samples; Bacteroidota was predominant in house crickets, Actinobacteriota in silkworms, and Desulfobacterota was exclusively found in house and mole crickets. Culture-based assays showed total viable counts, lactic acid bacteria, yeasts–molds, and spore-formers ranging from 3.41–6.58, 2.52–7.41, 1.83–5.62, to 2.00–4.70 log CFU·g⁻¹, respectively. In some samples, Enterobacteriaceae and Escherichia coli, key hygiene indicators, reached 5.05 and 2.70 log CFU·g⁻¹, respectively. Among foodborne pathogens, presumptive Bacillus cereus was found to vary from <1.70 to 3.93 log CFU·g⁻¹, while Clostridium perfringens and Staphylococcus aureus were under the quantitation limit, and Salmonella was absent. Overall, the results indicate significant variation in microbial diversity and quality among different insect types. The high levels of microbial hygiene indicators and foodborne pathogens in some samples raised food safety concerns and point to the need to develop or implement production guidelines and microbiological criteria for frozen edible insects to ensure food safety. Full article

The popularity of small-scale and local fruit and vegetable production has increased in recent years due to perceived economic, environmental, and social benefits. However, these operations face contamination risks that both consumers and small-scale producers may underestimate. The present study aimed to assess the microbiological and chemical hazards on fruit, vegetables, soil, and water samples from small-scale farms in north-western Portugal during pre-harvest activities. Additionally, the study investigated farmers’ non-compliance with food safety regulations and good agricultural practices (GAPs), exploring how their behaviour might contribute to the identified hazards. A before-and-after analysis of non-compliant behaviours was conducted to determine the impact of training on improving food safety practices. The analysis identified the presence of pathogenic bacteria, pesticides, flame retardant residues, nitrates, and heavy metals. Lead (Pb) concentrations exceeded EU limits in organic carrots from one producer (0.156 ± 0.043 mg/kg) and in chard from another (0.450 ± 0.126 mg/kg). Cadmium (Cd) levels were also above regulatory thresholds in bell peppers (0.023 ± 0.009 mg/kg) and organic tomatoes (0.026 ± 0.015 mg/kg) from two different producers. Elevated levels of heavy metals were detected in irrigation water from two sites, with zinc (Zn) at 0.2503 ± 0.0075 mg/L and Pb at 0.0218 ± 0.0073 mg/L. Among food samples, the most prevalent microorganisms were Pseudomonas spp. (88.2%), Bacillus cereus (76.5%), and aerobic mesophilic bacteria (100%). Phosphorus flame retardants (PFRs), particularly tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP), were detected in all food and soil samples. Some EU-banned pesticides were detected in food and soil samples, but at levels below the maximum residue limits (MRLs). Chlorpyrifos (35.3%) and p,p’-DDD (23.5%) were the most detected pesticides in food samples. After the training, GAP behaviour improved, particularly that related to hygiene. However, issues related to record-keeping and soil and water analyses persisted, indicating ongoing challenges in achieving full compliance. Full article

This study investigated the nutritional composition, antinutritional factors, oxidative stability, microbiological safety, and sensory characteristics of hempseed cake (HC) derived from Cannabis sativa L. cv. ‘Henola’. The effects of dehulling and storage (1, 3, and 6 months) on dehulled (DHC) and hulled (HHC) hemp cake were systematically assessed. DHC exhibited significantly higher crude protein (up to 42.2%) and residual oil content (up to 37.5%), while HHC was richer in dietary fiber (up to 41.3%) and total carbohydrates (up to 48.2%). Despite comparable PUFA contents (63–72%) and favorable n-6/n-3 ratios (~3.1:1), DHC showed greater energy concentration and reduced levels of indigestible carbohydrates and phytates. Oxidative stability tests revealed increased acid and peroxide values in both HHC and DHC after six months, indicating quality deterioration (Totox index > 15). Microbiological analyses confirmed hygienic safety across all samples, with slightly higher microbial counts in HHC linked to hull-associated contamination. Sensory evaluations revealed stable color, odor, and texture during storage, with DHC rated more aromatic. These findings confirm that processing conditions—particularly dehulling—strongly affect the functional and nutritional profile of hempseed by-products. DHC emerges as a promising, shelf-stable, protein-rich ingredient for functional food and feed applications. Full article

Listeria species are ubiquitous microorganisms that can be present all over the food chain. They can survive under adverse conditions and are frequently found in food-processing plants. In this study, 19 Listeria innocua and 19 Listeria welshimeri strains were isolated from meat product manufacturing companies in Spain, and biofilm formation capabilities were analyzed. In addition, 37 Listeria monocytogenes strains were also isolated, and their genetic diversity, biofilm formation capabilities, and antibiotic resistance were analyzed too. The species distribution was similar between two food-processing plants in the Basque Country, while it demonstrated significant variation when compared to three other plants from the Valencian Community, Catalonia, and Andalusia. Biofilm formation was significant at both 25 °C and 37 °C, with L. monocytogenes showing strong biofilm formation capabilities. Biofilms enhance the ability of bacteria to persist on surfaces and equipment. Listeria monocytogenes serogroup analysis indicated significant differences between Basque Country strains and those from the other regions, with most strains belonging to serogroups commonly associated with human listeriosis cases. Antibiotic multi-resistance was a common feature among L. monocytogenes strains. The presence of different antibiotic multi-resistance profiles and strong biofilm-forming capabilities highlights the importance of stringent hygiene and monitoring practices to prevent the spread of L. monocytogenes in the food chain and avoid food-safety threats and public-health issues. Full article

Background/Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess overall patient satisfaction with hospital services, including cleanliness, ward conditions, and food quality. Another key goal is to determine patient willingness to return for future medical services and identify the factors influencing this decision. Moreover, the study explores the relationship between patient satisfaction and continuity of care, as indicated by previous hospitalizations. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate patient satisfaction at the Bihor County Emergency Clinical Hospital in Oradea, Romania. A standardized 40-item questionnaire was developed in accordance with the Framework Agreement on the provision of medical assistance within the Romanian healthcare system. The survey, which was administered over a four-year period (2019–2022), covered seven domains: demographic data, accessibility, hotel conditions, quality of care, patient safety and rights, overall satisfaction, and feedback. A total of 12,802 patients completed the questionnaire, and all statistical analyses were performed using R Studio. Results: This study analyzes patient-reported satisfaction and experiences in a large healthcare facility, based on data from 12,802 participants. Overall, 91% of respondents rated the hospital positively, with 62% giving an excellent score. Spiritual assistance was well received (71%), and 70% of patients expressed willingness to return for future medical needs. Hospital cleanliness and ward conditions were rated highly, with 71% of respondents reporting excellent experiences. Food quality was positively reviewed by 66% of participants. Most patients (95%) confirmed proper hygiene practices by medical staff, and 95% were informed about their diagnosis. However, only 67% were aware of the complaint submission process. The dataset spans 2019–2022, with the highest hospitalizations in 2020 (36%) and obstetrics, cardiology, and general surgery being the most common specialties. Conclusions: This dataset reflects a high level of patient satisfaction across multiple dimensions of hospital services, including cleanliness, quality of care, and patient information. However, areas such as complaint handling and transparency in medication handling require further attention to improve the overall patient experience. The findings underscore the hospital’s strong performance in meeting patient expectations while identifying key areas for continued improvement. Full article

The illegal treatment of tuna with nitrite is a significant food safety concern. The risk may be due to not only the high nitrite levels and the possible formation of N-Nitrosamines but also to the possible increase in biogenic amines and microbial load and also pathogens. This study optimized the treatment of red tuna (Thunnus thynnus) with nitrite solutions and then determined several chemical (histamine, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN), biogenic amines, nitrite/nitrate, ascorbic acid, and sulfites) and microbiological (total microbial count, Enterobacteriaceae, Vibrionaceae, coagulase-positive staphylococci, Salmonella, Escherichia coli) parameters, comparing the results obtained with fresh samples with those obtained with treated samples after 5 days of storage (4 °C). The effect of such treatment on samples voluntarily contaminated with some pathogens was also investigated. The results indicate that if the products are characterized by suitable hygienic quality, the total microbial load and the levels of histamine and TVBN after 5 days of storage are below the legal limits, and no health risk subsists. The growth of pathogens/histaminogens (Salmonella and Morganella morganii) was also substantially inhibited during storage. Thus, this work confirmed that the high nitrite amounts and the possible development of N-nitrosamines represent the only significant food safety concerns. Full article

Food safety, particularly within the meat industry, is a significant concern addressed under the One Health concept, emphasizing the necessity of enhanced surveillance and hygiene protocols to mitigate contamination risks. This study assessed microbiological risks in Romanian bovine slaughterhouses by analyzing 150 samples from stool and carcasses at the post-evisceration and cooling stages over seven months in two abattoirs, using standardized microbiological methods and PCR to quantify aerobic colony counts (ACCs), Enterobacteriaceae, and pathogens (E. coli, Salmonella spp., and Listeria spp.). ACCs and Enterobacteriaceae levels decreased significantly [p < 0.05] during processing, highlighting effective hygiene measures. Pathogenic E. coli was identified in 14% of fecal samples and 5% of carcasses, indicating cross-contamination risks. Salmonella spp. were found in 28% of fecal samples but absent on carcasses, suggesting successful containment. Listeria spp. were rare and not detected on carcasses. PCR confirmed the presence of pathogenic strains in stool samples, emphasizing the need for strict hygiene practices and regular monitoring to improve meat safety and protect public health. In conclusion, the prevalence of E. coli, particularly serogroups like O101 and O26, and the absence of Salmonella and Listeria in carcass samples reflect both regional differences in pathogenic strains and the need for comprehensive, multi-stage control measures. Further studies should broaden pathogen surveillance to include more E. coli serogroups and implement stricter hygiene protocols to prevent cross-contamination during evisceration, skinning, and cooling. Regular monitoring of Salmonella and Listeria, especially in silage-fed cattle regions, along with improved coordination across the food production, health, and environmental sectors, is essential to mitigate contamination risks and safeguard public health. Full article

Bottarga is a traditional Sardinian (Italy) food derived from several treatments of female mullet gonads (Mugil cephalus) that occur in specific humidity (53%) and temperature (25 °C) conditions. In this work, samples from the east (BEC) and west coasts (BWC) of Sardinia were evaluated for microbiological quality, physico-chemical composition, and sensorial features. Chemical analyses show a protein and fat content of about 39% and 18.6%, respectively, without any difference between the two areas. The bottarga also had a concentration of calcium equal to 455 and 413 mg/kg for BWC and BEC, respectively, as well as a sodium concentration of about 0.70% in both samples. The cholesterol found in the samples was 417 and 389 mg/100 g of the edible part of the bottarga from the west and east coasts, respectively. Overall, microbiological evaluation indicates appropriate hygiene and safety conditions. No significant differences were observed between BEC and BWC samples regarding color uniformity and texture attributes (greasiness, adhesiveness, and friability), while the global odor and sea odor were higher for BWC than BEC. Full article

The aim of this study was to determine the mold and ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination of tarhana, a traditional product widely consumed in Turkish cuisine. For this purpose, a total of 350 tarhana samples (homemade and industrially produced) were randomly collected from retail stores, markets, and bazaars in different regions of Türkiye and analyzed by means of LC-MS/MS for the occurrence of OTA. According to the results, OTA was detected in 36 of 150 (24%) industrially produced tarhana samples, with a concentration range of 0.12–2.34 µg/kg, while 118 of 200 (59%) homemade tarhana samples contained OTA, with the range from 0.16 to 4.15 µg/kg. Only 8 of 350 (4%) homemade tarhana samples were found to be above the maximum permissible limit (3.0 µg/kg) for OTA. The mold contamination was found to be higher in homemade tarhana (3.756 log CFU/g) than in the industrially produced samples (2.742 log CFU/g). The estimated weekly intake values of OTA with tarhana consumption were well below the provisional tolerable weekly intake values for both industrially produced and homemade tarhana samples, even when consumed every day of the week, indicating that dietary intake of OTA through tarhana consumption does not pose a health risk. In conclusion, optimizing the fermentation and drying conditions applied during tarhana production and ensuring proper hygiene conditions can help to reduce the risk of OTA contamination. Moreover, monitoring and testing the OTA levels in tarhana on a regular basis can also ensure the food safety of this product. Full article

Contamination of fresh blueberries via contact with an equipment surface is an important food hygiene/safety issue. In this study, four and six over-the-row blueberry machine harvesters in Georgia or Oregon were each sampled twice on two different harvest days in the 2022 harvest season. Nine sites on the top loaders (n = 8) and seven sites on the bottom loaders (n = 2) were sampled before and after cleaning/sanitation. Populations of total aerobes (TA), total yeasts and molds (YM), total coliforms (TC), and the presence of fecal coliforms (FC) and enterococci (EC) in collected samples were determined. Data collected was analyzed using the split-plot ANOVA of SAS. On average, cleaned/sanitized surfaces had about one log lower (p ≤ 0.05) TA and YM counts than the uncleaned surfaces, while no difference in TC counts was observed. The vertical and horizontal conveyors and fruit-catch plates had significantly higher TA, YM, and TC counts than other sampled sites. FC and EC were detected in 7.8% or 14.1% of the Georgia samples and 5.6% or 10.2% of the Oregon samples. The type and concentration of sanitizers and frequency and approach of cleaning/sanitation treatments all impacted the hygiene status of berry-contact surfaces of machine harvesters. Full article

Biological hazards in products of animal origin pose a significant threat to human health. In Cambodia, there are few comprehensive data and information on the causes of foodborne diseases or risks. To date, there has been no known published study similar to this review. This systematic review is aimed to investigate the prevalence of biological hazards and their indicators in products of animal origin from 2000 to 2022. The main objective of this study was also to contribute to strengthening Cambodia’s food control system. This review followed the established “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses” (PRISMA) guidelines. In total, 46 studies were retained for complete review. Most studies (n = 40) had been conducted by or with external researchers, reflecting the under-resourcing of the National Food Control System in terms of surveillance; areas outside the capital were relatively understudied, reflecting evidence found in Ethiopia and Burkina Faso. Five categories of hazards were reported with the highest number of studies on fish parasites. Marketed fish, often originating from different countries, had a higher mean value of parasite prevalence (58.85%) than wild-caught fish (16.46%). Viral pathogens in bat meat presented a potential spillover risk. Many potentially important hazards had not yet been studied or reported (e.g., Norovirus, Shigella, toxin-producing Escherichia coli, and Vibrio cholerae). The findings of our review highlighted significant urgencies for national competent authorities to enhance food hygiene practices along the production chain, tackle import control, and enforce the implementation of a traceability system, alongside more research collaboration with neighboring countries and key trading partners. It is crucial to conduct more extensive research on food safety risk analysis, focusing on the identification and understanding of various biological hazards and their associated risk factors in food. Full article

Poultry farming in Ethiopia is crucial for food security and income, but it faces significant challenges due to gaps in farmer awareness. A cross-sectional study was conducted using the Biocheck.UGent™ biosecurity scoring system and a questionnaire to evaluate poultry farmers’ basic and practical knowledge concerning salmonellosis and mycotoxins. The questionnaire revealed substantial gaps in basic and practical knowledge regarding Salmonella spp infections and mycotoxin among 38 poultry farmers in Jimma. About 68.4% of farmers were unaware of the impact of salmonellosis on both poultry and human health. Moreover, 78.9% had limited basic knowledge of how salmonellosis affects production and the economy. Farmers also showed limited practical knowledge of farm management and hygiene practices essential for preventing Salmonella spp. infections. Regarding mycotoxins, 63.2% of farmers lacked awareness of poultry feed management, 60.5% were unaware of the health risks mycotoxins pose, and 73.7% did not recognize signs of mycotoxin contamination. Although 55.3% of farmers demonstrated acceptable practical knowledge of strategies to reduce the impact of mycotoxin contaminations, there are still concerns, particularly since 65.8% and 55.3% only showed moderate practical knowledge of feed storage and mycotoxin prevention, respectively. The overall biosecurity scores of poultry farms were below the global average, with a score of 41.7 compared to the worldwide average of 64. The overall mean score for external biosecurity was 44.9, below the global average of 63. All 3 scoring platforms and biosecurity parameters indicated that internal biosecurity was the weakest aspect, with a score of 31.6, well below the global standard of 64. The results showed a weak correlation (rₛ = 0.06) between farmers’ basic and practical knowledge scores about Salmonella spp. infections and mycotoxins. Similarly, there was a weak correlation between the poor biosecurity score of poultry farms and the basic and practical knowledge of poultry farmers on Salmonella spp. infections (rₛ = 0.17) and mycotoxins (rₛ = 0.25). In conclusion, the study found that poultry farmers in Jimma had poor basic and practical knowledge scores on Salmonella, mycotoxins, and biosecurity measures. Thus, awareness creation is paramount to improve these gaps to reduce the impact of mycotoxin contamination and poultry diseases and consequently to improve food security and food safety. Full article

Canada is a leading producer of wild lowbush blueberries, most of which are mechanically harvested, washed, individually quick frozen (IQF), and bulk packaged. Still, some berries are harvested by more gentle methods and sold as fresh-packed products. These berries do not undergo a wash step, nor are subjected to antimicrobial treatments. The purpose of this study was to conduct a microbiological survey of berries harvested in the province of Nova Scotia to assess their potential for harborage of bacterial foodborne pathogens. A combination of standardized plate count methods and 3M-Petrifilm protocols were used to enumerate total aerobic mesophilic bacteria (APC), yeasts and molds (YMC), coliforms, and generic E. coli, the latter being an indicator of fecal contamination. Overall, APC and YMC levels were 1.2 and 0.5 log greater, respectively, for berries collected early in the harvest season versus those acquired late season and varied significantly (p < 0.05) between farm (location) and harvest practices used. Berries harvested by our team using sanitized hand rakes (SH) had consistently lower APC and YMC levels than those harvested by farm crews. Yet, when gentle harvesting (GH) methods (hand-raking, walk-behind or modified mechanical harvesters) were employed on farms, lower numbers were generally observed compared to berries harvested by traditional tractor-mounted mechanized harvesters (MH). The presence of coliforms (and their levels) was also impacted by the harvest method, with detection rates of ~29%, 73%, and 92% in SH, GH, and MH samples, respectively. Mean counts were < 2.5 log₁₀ CFU/g for both SH and GH berries, but significantly higher (p < 0.05) on MH berries (3.6 log₁₀ CFU/g). Although ~56% of all berry samples collected (n = 350) contained coliforms, only 12 were positive for E. coli, 9 of which were MH samples. Only the latter had numbers > 2 log₁₀ CFU/g, but none tested positive for Shiga toxin-producing serotype O157 (STEC O157) or Salmonella spp. when using internationally recognized selective enrichment and plating methods. ATP luminescence was used to assess the general hygiene of processing lines, whereby “hot spots” for microbial activity were identified, even after cleaning., Standard selective enrichment and plating methods were used for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes on 61 swab samples taken from berry totes or conveyor belts at different times during processing; 4 swabs tested positive for L. monocytogenes. However, the pathogen could not be detected by direct plating on selective agar without prior enrichment; this indicated its numbers were low. The results from this work demonstrated that alternative gentle harvest methods can reduce microbial numbers on wild blueberries. Although the frequency of fecal contamination in berry samples appeared to be low and targeted human pathogens were not detected; this represents a single study conducted over one harvest season. Therefore, it would be prudent for processors to seek effective antimicrobial technologies prior to packaging, while consumers should use caution and thoroughly wash produce before consumption. Where sporadic detection of L. monocytogenes was observed on environmental samples from the processing line, processors must ensure that effective sanitation programs are implemented to avoid potential food safety risks. Full article