Factors Contributing to Unsafe Food Processing and Preservation among Food Handlers in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Background: Unsafe food processing and preservation among food handlers has been one of the common causes of food and waterborne diseases. This study aimed to identify factors contributing tounsafe food processing and preservation practices among food handlers in Obio-Akpor LGA of Rivers state. Materials and Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study whichassessed 365 food handlers in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant data. Quantitative datawas presented as frequencies and percentages. All statistical tests were set at a significance level of p< 0.05. Results: Findings show that out of the 365 food handlers who participated in the study, only 43.0% had a set of standard practice guidelines. 47.4% of the food handlers practiced unsafe food processing and preservation methods.Duration of practice for more than 5 years (63.6% vs. 36.4%; p=0.04) and scale of business (large/small) (turnover>NGN50, 000.00) ((58.4%, vs. 10.4%, p=0.05) were significantly associated with unsafe food processing and preservation practicesas handlers who have been in the food business longer and those with larger scale food outlets tended to have better standards. Conclusion: Unsafe food processing practices exist among food handlers with nearly half of the food handlers studied having poor practices. Inadequate working experience and the presence of more small and medium scale businesses was found to be the factors affecting unsafe food processing and preservation practices in our locality.

Surveillance of food-borne diseases in Jinshan District from 2014 to 2020 / 预防医学

Objective @#To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of food-borne diseases in Jinshan District, Shanghai from 2014 to 2020, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the public health strategy for food-borne diseases control. @*Methods @#The medical records of patients with food-borne diseases were collected from 16 monitoring hospitals in Jinshan District from 2014 to 2020, and the basic information, clinical symptoms, history of suspicious dietary exposure and disease diagnosis were extracted. The crowd distribution, temporal distribution, spatial distribution, history of suspected dietary exposure and etiological characteristics of patients with food-borne diseases were descriptively analyzed.@*Results @#A total of 1 060 cases with food-borne diseases were reported in Jinshan District from 2014 to 2020, including 1 057 cases with infectious diseases ( 99.72% ) and 3 poisoning cases ( 0.28% ). The male/female ratio of the cases was 0.94∶1, and 47.55% ( 504 cases ) were at ages of 15 to 44 years. Working ( 402 cases, 37.92% ) and farming ( 218 cases, 20.57% ) were predominant occupations, and the detection of food-borne diseases was concentrated between May and October, with two peaks seen in August and May. The suspicious food exposure was predominantly meat and meat products (215 cases, 20.28%), and the suspicious food exposure place was predominantly at home ( 363 cases, 34.25% ). In addition, the positive rate of food-borne infection was 23.03% in 712 samples, including 123 samples with Vibrio parahaemolyticus infections ( 17.83% positive rate ), and 26 samples with Salmonella infections ( 3.65% positive rate ).@*Conclusion @#Food-borne diseases were highly prevalent in summer in Jinshan District from 2014 to 2020, and infectious cases were predominant. Young people, workers and farmers are at high risk of food-borne diseases, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Salmonella were predominant pathogens.

Surveillance for enterotoxigenic & enteropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates from animal source foods in Northwest Iran

Background & objectives: Diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli strains are common agents of diarrhoea particularly in developing countries. Food products of animal origin are considered as common carriers of E. coli. This study was undertaken to identify enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) pathotypes in animal-source foods (ASF). Methods: A total of 222 ASF samples were investigated. Based on the culture and biochemical tests, 109 E. coli isolates were identified. Duplex-polymerase chain reaction assay was used to detect ETEC and EPEC. The target genes selected for each category were the lt and st for the ETEC, and eae and bfp for the EPEC isolates. Results: The occurrence of E. coli in dairy and meat products was 45 and 52.5 per cent, respectively. Among the E. coli isolates, two ETEC, one typical EPEC and three atypical EPEC were detected in meat samples, whereas only one typical EPEC and one atypical EPEC were detected in dairy samples. Interpretation & conclusions: Our results showed presence of ETEC and EPEC strains in ASFs. The milk without pasteurization and traditional dairy products produced in unhygienic conditions are most likely the main sources of E. coli pathotypes and other zoonotic pathogens and thus can be considered a potential hazard to the health of the community.

O perigo que se esconde atrás da comercialização informal de alimentos e sua prevenção / The danger behind the informal trading of food and its prevention / El peligro que se oculta detrás de la comercialización informal de alimentos y su prevención

A comercialização de alimentos prontos para o consumo é algo que vem crescendo com o passar dos anos, devido à inserção da mulher no mercado de trabalho e o dispendioso tempo de preparo de alimentos em domicílio, favorecendo assim a procura pelos alimentos prontos pela população trabalhadora. Entretanto, esses alimentos se tornam fontes de disseminação de alguns patógenos prejudiciais à saúde humana, que geram doenças e prejuízos. As Doenças Transmitidas por Alimento (DTA) são causadas por micro-organismos presentes nos alimentos que na maioria das vezes passam por grande processo de manipulação e são preparados no próprio estabelecimento comercial sem controle higiênico sanitário. Alguns desses micro-organismos são os coliformes totais, que são utilizados como principal indicador das condições higiênico-sanitárias de locais de processamento de alimentos e também da água; os coliformes termotolerantes, indicadores de más condições higiênico-sanitárias dos alimentos, dos locais de preparação e ou armazenamento sendo problemas frequentes na manipulação de alimentos preparados; e os Staphylococcos spp. micro-organismos causadores de várias infecções, que são encontrados comumente na pele dos seres humanos. Neste trabalho objetivou-se mostrar alguns resultados de pesquisas da qualidade microbiológica de alimentos comercializados na cidade de Umuarama ­ PR. Uma análise do tratamento térmico de coxinhas fritas frente aos micro-organismos citados anteriormente mostrou que os coliformes totais e termotolerantes presentes nas amostras eram resistentes a temperatura de 60ºC a 65ºC, temperatura esta do interior do salgado após fritura, sendo que a contagem de coliformes totais em amostras cruas foi de 1,4x105 UFC/g e após a fritura reduziu para 2,1x104, sendo que a legislação recomenda ausência nas amostras. As amostras cruas apresentaram coliformes termotolerantes 1,3x104UFC/g e após cocção 4,1x103UFC/g, demonstrando estar fora dos padrões permitidos de 2x10UFC/g, conforme a RDC nº 12 de 2001 da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária. Outra pesquisa realizada no comércio de Umuarama ­ PR, também mostrou que a coxinha de carne apresentava contaminação excedente para coliformes termotolerantes 5,7x10² NMP/g. Neste contexto, as DTA firmam-se como de grande importância social e econômica, pois geram anualmente custos à saúde pública relacionada aos surtos em determinadas localidades, principalmente àquelas sem medidas como Boas Práticas de Fabricação. Dessa forma, como medida de controle, devem-se criar cursos de capacitação em Boas Práticas de Fabricação de Alimentos, com esclarecimento de dúvidas e promoção de soluções para problemas encontrados em cada local, ou seja, análise criteriosa das necessidades do estabelecimento. Essas medidas fazem com que vendedores e manipuladores de alimentos se tornem capazes de entender a importância do assunto, e assim implantar essas práticas para o fornecimento de alimentos seguros para seus consumidores.(AU)

The trade of ready-to-eat food has been growing during the years due to the insertion of women in the labor market and the time spent to prepare food at home, thus favoring the demand for ready-made food from the working population. However, such food can become sources of dissemination of some pathogens that are harmful to human health, generating diseases and losses. Food-borne diseases are caused by microorganisms present in food that most often undergo extensive handling process and are prepared in the establishments without due sanitary hygienic control. Among such microorganisms, total coliforms are used as the main indicator of hygienic-sanitary conditions for food processing sites and also for water; thermotolerant coliforms are used as indicators of poor hygienic-sanitary conditions of food, preparation and storage sites, and are frequently considered as a sign of problems in the handling of prepared foods; and Staphylococcus spp. micro-organisms that can cause various infections, which are commonly found in the human skin. This paper aimed at showing some of the research results regarding the microbiological quality of foods traded in the city of Umuarama, in the state of PR. An analysis of the heat treatment of fried "coxinhas" against the aforementioned microorganisms showed that total and thermotolerant coliforms present in the samples were resistant to temperature of 60 ºC to 65 ºC, the core temperature of the dish after frying. Total coliform count on raw samples was 1.4x105 CFU/g and after frying, it reduced to 2.1x104. Nevertheless, the current legislation recommends the samples to be absent from those microorganisms. Raw samples presented thermotolerant coliforms at 1.3x104 CFU/g and 4.1x103 CFU/g after frying, demonstrating that they were non-compliant with the permitted standards of 2x10 UFC/g, according to RDC No. 12 from 2001 issued by the Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency. Another study carried out in Umuarama - PR also revealed that the "coxinha" made with beef also presented excessive contamination by thermotolerant coliforms - 5.7x10² NMP/g. In this context, food-borne diseases present great social and economic importance, since they generate yearly public health expenditure related to outbreaks in certain locations, especially those without measures such as Good Manufacturing Practices. Thus, training courses on Good Manufacturing Practices should be implemented as a control measure.(AU)

La comercialización de alimentos listos para el consumo es algo que viene creciendo con el paso de los años, debido a la inserción de la mujer en el mercado de trabajo y el costoso tiempo de preparación de alimentos en domicilio, favoreciendo así la demanda por alimentos listos por la población trabajadora. Sin embargo, esos alimentos se convierten en fuentes de diseminación de algunos patógenos perjudiciales para la salud humana, que generan enfermedades y pérdidas. Las Enfermedades Transmitidas por Alimento (ETA) son causadas por microorganismos presentes en los alimentos que en la mayoría de las veces pasan por gran proceso de manipulación y son preparados en el propio establecimiento comercial sin control higiénico sanitario. Algunos de estos microorganismos son los coliformes totales, que se utilizan como principal indicador de las condiciones higiénico-sanitarias de locales de procesamiento de alimentos y también del agua; los coliformes termotolerantes, indicadores de malas condiciones higiénico-sanitarias de alimentos de los locales de preparación y/o almacenamiento, siendo problemas frecuentes en la manipulación de alimentos preparados; y los Staphylococcos spp., microorganismos causantes de varias infecciones, que se encuentran comúnmente en la piel de los seres humanos. En esta investigación se objetivó mostrar algunos resultados de investigaciones de la calidad microbiológica de alimentos comercializados en la ciudad de Umuarama - PR. Un análisis del tratamiento térmico de "coxinhas" (empanadas) fritas frente a los microorganismos citados anteriormente, mostró que los coliformes totales y termotolerantes presentes en las muestras eran resistentes a temperatura de 60ºC a 65ºC, temperatura esta del interior del salado tras la fritura, siendo que el conteo de coliformes totales en muestras crudas fue de 1,4x105 UFC/g y después de la fritura redujo a 2,1x104, siendo que la legislación recomienda ausencia en las muestras. Las muestras crudas presentaron coliformes termotolerantes 1,3x104 UFC/g y después de cocción 4,1x103 UFC/g, demostrando estar fuera de los estándares permitidos de 2 x10 UFC/g, conforme la RDC nº 12 de 2001 de la Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitaria. Otra investigación realizada en el comercio de Umuarama - PR, también mostró que la "coxinha" empanada de carne presentaba contaminación excedente para coliformes termotolerantes 5,7x10² NMP/g. En este contexto, las ETA se firman como de gran importancia social y económica, pues generan anualmente costos a la salud pública relacionada a los brotes en determinadas localidades, principalmente a aquellas sin medidas como Buenas Prácticas de Fabricación. De esa forma, como medida de control, se deben crear cursos de capacitación en Buenas Prácticas de Fabricación de Alimentos, con aclaración de dudas y promoción de soluciones para problemas encontrados en cada local, o sea, análisis riguroso de las necesidades del establecimiento. Esas medidas hacen con que los vendedores y manipuladores de alimentos sean capaces de entender la importancia del asunto, y así implantar esas prácticas para el suministro de alimentos seguros para sus consumidores.(AU)

Prevalence and serotype distribution of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from foods in Montevideo-Uruguay

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to study the prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in foods obtained in retail shops and food industries located in Montevideo-Uruguay, and to identify the serogroups of the obtained isolates. Three-thousand one-hundred and seventy-five food samples (frozen, deli meats, ready-to-eat and cheese) were analyzed. The obtained isolates were serogrouped by multiplex PCR and serotyped by conventional procedure. Genetic comparisons were performed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis on a sub-set of isolates belonging to the same serotype successively recovered from the same establishment. L. monocytogenes was isolated from 11.2% of samples. The highest prevalence was observed in frozen foods (38%), followed by cheese (10%). 1/2b and 4b were the most frequently identified serotypes. In six of 236 analyzed establishments we successively recovered L. monocytogenes isolates belonging to the same serotype. Most of them corresponded to serotype 1/2b. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis profiles suggest that at least 33% of L. monocytogenes 1/2b isolates are genetically related and that may remain viable for prolonged periods. The observed prevalence of L. monocytogenes was lower than reported in neighboring countries. Our findings highlight the role that frozen foods may play in the spread of this pathogen, and the relevance of serotypes 1/2b and 4b.

A Case of Endoscopically Treated Laryngopharyngitis Resulting from Clinostomum complanatum Infection / 대한소화기학회지

A 46-year-old woman visited our hospital presenting throat pain and globus sensation. The symptoms occurred seven days after eating raw perch and mullet. An endoscopy under sedation showed a fluke―with an approximate length of 4.8 mm and width of 1.5 mm―on the left aryepiglottic fold, with active motility on the mucosa. It was extracted from the larynx using biopsy forceps and was identified as Clinostomum complanatum. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second reported case of human infection with Clinostomum complanatum diagnosed and treated by an endoscopy in Korea. Endoscopy is a useful tool in the diagnosis and treatment of patients at risk for parasitic infections complaining of throat pain.

Avaliação das boas práticas de manipulação no fluxograma operacional de preparações cárneas servidas em uma unidade de alimentação e nutrição / Evaluation of good manufacturing practices in an operational flow chart of meat preparations served in a food and nutrition unit

O mercado da alimentação coletiva cresceu nas últimas décadas, influenciado pelas diversas mudanças ocorridas na sociedade. Ao mesmo tempo em que houve o crescimento da utilização dos serviços de alimentação coletiva, verificou-se aumento na ocorrência de doenças de origem alimentar, influenciado por práticas inadequadas de manipulação. Deste modo, o objetivo deste estudo foide avaliar as boas práticas de manipulação relacionadas ao fluxograma operacional de preparações cárneas servidas em uma Unidade de Alimentação e Nutrição. Como instrumento de avaliação foi utilizada uma lista de verificação (check-list), baseada na legislação vigente. Além disso, foram aferidas as temperaturas durante a distribuição de 12 preparações cárneas servidas como prato principal. A média de adequações evidenciadas por meio da aplicação da lista de verificação foi igual a 46 %, sendo a maior parte das inadequações encontradas nas instalações da unidade. Em relação à distribuição, verificou-se que o balcão térmico da unidade não era capaz de manter os alimentos em temperatura segura para o consumo. Entretanto, as preparações não foram expostas por tempo prolongado. Percebe-se a necessidade da implantação de ações corretivas a fim de minimizar os possíveis riscos encontrados na unidade avaliada.

The collective food market has grown in recent decades, influenced by the various changes occurred in the society. While the use of collective food service has been expanded, an increase in the occurrence of food-borne diseases has noticed, derived from the inappropriate handling practices. The present study aimed at evaluating the good handling practices, in particular on the hygienic sanitary conditions of the operational flow chart for preparing meat served in a food and nutrition unit. For evaluating the hygienic sanitary conditions in this unit, a check-list based on the current legislation was applied for six times. Also, the temperatures were measured during the distribution of 12 meat preparations which were served as main course. By applying the check-list, the adequacy of this unit was 46 %, and the majority of the inadequacies were found in the restaurant facilities. Regarding the distribution process, the thermal counter of the unit showed inability in keeping the foods at a safe temperature to be consumed; nevertheless these foods were not exposed for a long time. It is important to point out that the corrective actions should be implemented to minimize the potential hazards found in the evaluated unit.

Comércio ambulante: qualidade microbiológica de carne assada e conhecimento sobre as boas práticas de manipulação / Street food vendors: microbiological quality of barbecued meat and knowledge of good food

O comércio de alimentos praticado por ambulantes tem aumentado nos últimos anos no Brasil, porém questiona-se a segurança alimentar desses produtos. Considerando-se o elevado consumo de carne assada nas ruas de várias cidades do País, objetivou-se, nesta pesquisa, analisar a qualidade microbiológica da carne assada (bovina) e das mãos dos manipuladores deste produto no comércio ambulante na cidade de Anápolis-GO. Pretendeu-se, também, verificar o conhecimento sobre Boas Práticas pelos comerciantes. Foram avaliados 11 pontos de venda ambulante, coletando-se uma amostra de carne bovina crua e outra de carne assada. Em cada ponto, coletou-se também uma amostra das mãos do manipulador da carne assada por meio do enxague das mãos em solução salina contida em saco plástico esterilizado. Além disso, foram aplicados questionários para verificar o conhecimento desses comerciantes sobre as normas de manipulação de alimentos. Nas amostras de carne crua, realizou-se a contagem de Escherichia coli e a pesquisa de Salmonella sp.; nas amostras de carne assada, a contagem de Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli e clostrídios sulfito-redutores e a pesquisa de Salmonella sp. Nas amostras das mãos, realizou-se a contagem de Staphylococcus aureus e Escherichia coli. A qualidade microbiológica mostrou-se satisfatória em 90,9 por cento (10/11) das amostras de carne assada. Nenhum dos manipuladores apresentou S. aureus ou E. coli nas mãos. Em relação ao conhecimento das normas de manipulação, as principais falhas identificadas referiam-se ao preparo e transporte de alimentos.

The food trade by street vendors in Brazil has increased in recent years, but there are questionsabout the food safety of these products. In view of the high consumption at street barbecues incities across the country, this study aimed to analyze the microbiological quality of barbecuedmeat sold by street vendors, while testing the adoption of good food preparation practices by thefood handlers in the city of Anápolis, Goiás. Eleven points of sale were evaluated and at each pointsamples of raw and cooked meat were collected. The cleanliness of sellers’ hands was also evaluatedthrough the collection of samples by the rinsing of their hands in saline contained in a sterile plasticbag. Questionnaires were applied to check the knowledge of vendors about food safety practices.Samples of raw meat were checked for Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp., while the samples ofcooked beef were checked for Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, sulphite reducing Clostridium andSalmonella spp., as required by the legislation. The microbiological analysis revealed that one stallhad cooked meat of an unsatisfactory quality. None of the handlers had S. aureus or E. coli on theirhands. Regarding the knowledge of good practices, failures were noted, mainly in the preparationand transport of food.

Factores epidemiológicos de interés en brotes de enfermedades transmitidas por alimentos en La Habana / Epidemiological factors of interest in outbreaks of food-borne diseases in Havana

Objetivo: determinar los factores de interés epidemiológicos relacionados con la ocurrencia de brotes de enfermedades transmitidas por alimentos en La Habana en el período 2006-2010. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de 130 brotes de enfermedades trasmitidas por alimentos, analizados en el Instituto de Nutrición e Higiene de los Alimentos en el período de enero del 2006 a diciembre del 2010. Los datos fueron obtenidos de los registros del laboratorio de Microbiología de los Alimentos de dicha institución y de las encuestas epidemiológicas del Programa Nacional de Vigilancia de estas enfermedades, del Ministerio de Salud Pública. Resultados: los lugares de ocurrencia de brotes más reportados fueron los comedores obreros (43,4 por ciento), ocasionados con mayor frecuencia por Clostridium perfringens, y los brotes familiares (32,8 por ciento) fueron producidos por Staphylococcus coagulasa positiva y Salmonella. Las carnes y productos cárnicos fueron los alimentos más implicados (52,0 por ciento), en la mayoría procedentes de comedores obreros y de escuelas. Los brotes familiares se relacionaron principalmente con el consumo de productos de repostería. El 89,2 por ciento y el 71,0 por ciento de los alimentos no fueron aceptables, según los indicadores de calidad sanitaria coliformes totales y coliformes fecales, respectivamente. El insuficiente tiempo, la temperatura durante la cocción y el calentamiento o recalentamiento del alimento, la inadecuada conservación en frío o caliente y la contaminación cruzada fueron los factores contribuyentes que más incidieron en la ocurrencia de brotes. Conclusiones: la calidad microbiológica inaceptable de los alimentos estudiados denota el incumplimiento de las buenas prácticas en la elaboración y conservación de los alimentos, lo que propicia la contaminación y la multiplicación de bacterias patógena

Objective: determine the epidemiological factors of interest related to the occurrence of outbreaks of food-borne diseases in Havana from 2006 to 2010. Methods: a retrospective descriptive study was conducted of 130 outbreaks of food-borne diseases analyzed at the Institute of Nutrition and Food Hygiene from January 2006 to December 2010. The data were obtained from records kept at the Food Microbiology laboratory of the institution and from epidemiological surveys contained in the National Surveillance Program of the Ministry of Public Health. Results: the places where most outbreaks were reported were staff cafeterias at workplaces (43.4 percent ), mostly caused by Clostridiumperfringens, and households (32.8 percent), caused by coagulase positive Staphylococcus and Salmonella. The foods most commonly reported were meat and meat products (52.0 percent), mostly from cafeterias at workplaces and schools. Household outbreaks were mainly related to the intake of sweets. 89.2 percent and 71.0 percent of the foods were not acceptable according to health indicators for total and fecal coliforms, respectively. Insufficient cooking time, cooking temperature, heating or reheating, inadequate cold or hot preservation and cross-contamination were the main contributing factors leading to the occurrence of outbreaks. Conclusions: the unacceptable microbiological quality of the foods studied reveals non-compliance with best practices in food preparation and preservation, paving the way for contamination and multiplication of pathogenic bacteria

Agentes bacterianos asociados a brotes de enfermedades transmitidas por alimentos en La Habana, 2006-2010 / Bacterial agents associated with outbreaks of food-borne diseases in Havana, 2006-2010

La detección e investigación de los brotes de enfermedades transmitidas por alimentos constituye uno de los principales retos para el Sistema de Salud Pública. Con el objetivo de determinar las bacterias implicadas en los brotes de esta enfermedad en La Habana en el período del 2006 al 2010, se efectuó un estudio descriptivo sobre el aislamiento de bacterias en la investigación de 130 brotes, analizados en el laboratorio de Microbiología de los Alimentos del Instituto de Nutrición e Higiene de los Alimentos. Los aislamientos bacterianos se realizaron teniendo en cuenta las normas vigentes para el análisis de alimentos. Los mayores porcentajes de aislamiento correspondieron a Escherichia coli (25 por ciento), Staphylococcus coagulasa positiva (19,7 por ciento) y Clostridium perfringens (18,4 por ciento). En el 17 por ciento de los brotes estudiados se determinó la presencia de dos microorganismos. Las bacterias patógenas más frecuentes causantes de brote fueron Staphylococcus coagulasa positiva, aisladas en la mayoría de los casos de productos de repostería elaborados con cremas, y C. perfringens, que es causa de brotes por el consumo de carne y productos cárnicos en salsas. En un brote se aisló Salmonella y Staphylococcus con recuentos mayores de 10(5) UFC/g, elementos que demuestran la importancia de los ensayos de laboratorio para definir el agente causal en el estudio de un brote

Detection and study of outbreaks of food-borne diseases (FBD) is one of the main challenges faced by the Public Health System. With the purpose of determining the bacteria involved in FBD outbreaks occurring in Havana from 2006 to 2010, a descriptive study was conducted about bacterial isolation in the research of 130 outbreaks analyzed at the Food Microbiology Laboratory of the Institute of Nutrition and Food Hygiene. Bacterial isolation complied with current food analysis standards. The highest isolation percentages corresponded to Escherichia coli (25 percent), coagulase-positive Staphylococcus (19.7 percent) and Clostridium perfringens (18.4 percent). Two microorganisms were present in 17 prcent of the outbreaks studied. Among the pathogenic bacteria causing outbreaks, the most common were coagulase-positive Staphylococcus, mostly isolated from cream pastry, and C. perfringens, isolated from meat and sauced meat products. In one outbreak, Salmonella and Staphylococcus were isolated with counts above 10(5) UFC/g. Hence the importance of laboratory tests to identify the causal agent of outbreaks

Paper Review Of Factors, Surveillance And Burden Of Food Borne Disease Outbreak In Malaysia

Food borne diseases like cholera, typhoid fever, hepatitis A, dysentery and food poisoning occur as the results of ingestion of foodstuffs contaminated with microorganisms or chemical. The true incidence of food borne disease in Malaysia is unknown, however the incidence is low ranging from 1.56 to 0.14 cases per 100,000 population and the food poisoning cases is on the rise as the evident by the incident rate of 62.47 cases per 100,000 population in 2008 and 36.17 in 2009. The rapid population growth and demographic shift toward ageing population, changing eating habit such as consumption of raw or lightly cooked food, long storage of such food, lack of education on basic rules of hygienic food preparation and food trading without appropriate microbiological safety procedure become contributing factors for food borne diseases. Food borne disease in Malaysia is in the rise and the direct and indirect cost management of FBD will become one of the most common issues to face by the government. The world is spending millions and millions in cost of treatment due to food borne diseases. The information on this paper was collected via findings of previous journals, data and statistics from the MOH of Malaysia and WHO websites. As a result, authors found that the prevention and management of the food borne disease outbreak needs to be addressed seriously.

Perception of Foreign Students on Food Safety and Hygiene Practices among Food Handlers in Malaysian Restaurants: Public Health Perspective

Influx of foreign students in Malaysia calls for a study on safety of food in Malaysia restaurants as perceived by them. This study aims to investigate perception of foreign students regarding food safety and personal hygiene practice of food handlers in Malaysia restaurants. A six sections Likert scale questionnaire was used. A total of 350 questionnaires were distributed during this study between March 2011 and March 2012 to the international students from 26 countries of the world in various public and private institutions of higher learning in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Among the distributed questionnaires, only 155 were correctly filled, retrieved and analyzed. Ninety-one respondents (59%) were male while 63 (41%) were females. A total of 107 (69%) were undergraduates and 29 (19%) were postgraduate students. One hundred and thirty-nine (90%) respondents were local or foreign restaurants. Eleven respondents (7%) did not patronize any of the restaurants. Among factors influencing choice of restaurants are closeness to residence, price of food and quality of food were the most important factors 62 (38%). Twenty-seven (28%) eat in restaurants because of the similarity of the food to that of their home country. Of the most preferred food, Nasi ayam, 89 (57%) top the list, next was Nasi goreng ayam, 14 (14%) and African food, 23 (15%). Nasi lemak was the least food preferred 3 (2%). A total of 104 (67%) respondents were of the opinion that handlers kept short nails, 91 (59%) do not pick nose, 108 (55%) stated that food handlers cough or sneeze while handling food. Ninety-eight respondents (64%) also stated that serving of food with unprotected hands were observed. The result of this study showed that although food handlers are aware of the need for personal hygiene, more awareness needs to be created.

Perfil dos consumidores de alimentos de rua / Profile of consumers of street foods / Perfil de los consumidores de alimentos de la calle

O consumidor de alimentos de rua é aquele que adquire o alimento comercializado pelo vendedor ambulante de mercadorias em vias públicas. O objetivo deste artigo é caracterizar o perfil dos consumidores de comida de rua de Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia. Realizou-se estudoexploratório e descritivo, com 200 sujeitos entrevistados mediante aplicação de questionário semiestruturado em três praças públicas, no período de junho de 2010 a março de 2011. Os resultados indicam que a maioria dos participantes eram mulheres (58%), na faixa etária de 16 a25 anos (55%), escolaridade prevalente segundo grau completo (39%) e renda de até dois salários mínimos (50%). Apenas 5% utilizam a falta de dinheiro como critério para a compra dos alimentos e 92,5% creem que os produtos constituem risco à saúde, tendo 60% evitado a ingestão de algum tipo de alimento desse tipo. Sintomas de doenças transmitidas por alimentos foram revelados por 44% dos entrevistados e o refrigerante e o acarajé os alimentos mais consumidos. Dos entrevistados, 96% ingerem os produtos nos pontos de venda e 50,5% apresentam um consumode ao menos uma vez por semana. Constatou-se baixa ingestão de produtos naturais e regionais. Os resultados podem subsidiar a elaboração de políticas públicas na área de alimentação e nutrição, devido à importância socioeconômica, cultural, sanitária e nutricional dos produtoscomercializados por vendedores ambulantes. Concluiu-se que, para a melhoria da qualidade dos alimentos de rua, é necessária a educação sanitária dos consumidores.

The consumer of street foods is someone who purchases food commercialized by street vendors in public places. The aim of this article is to characterize the profile of consumers of street foods in Santo Antonio de Jesus, Bahia, Brazil. An exploratory and descriptive study was conducted based on the interviews of 200 subjects, through the application of semi-structured questionnaire in three public places in the period of June 2010 to March 2011. Among the respondents, the majority were female (58%) and were aged between16 to 25 years (55%), completed high school (39%) and 50% had income less than two minimum wages. No more than 5% of the respondents used lack of money as answer to the purchase of street foods. Most of the respondents (92.5%) believe that the products are a health hazard and 60% have avoided the ingestion of this kind of food. Symptoms of diseases transmitted by food were revealed by 44% of the people interviewed, and soft drinks (soda) and acarajé were the most consumed foods in this study. The largest part (96%) consumes street food at the place where they were bought it and 50.5% of respondents consume the food on the streets at least once a week. The consumption of regional and natural foods were barely mentioned. The results may support the development of public policies in the area of food and nutrition, due to socio-economic, cultural, health and nutritional of the products sold by street vendors. It can be concluded that in order to improve the quality of street foods, health education is needed for consumers.

El consumidor de alimentos de la calle es aquel que adquiere el alimento vendido en vías públicas. El objetivo de este estudio es caracterizar el perfil de los consumidores de alimentos en la calle, en Santo Antonio de Jesús, Bahia, Brasil. Estudio exploratorio y descriptivo, con 200 personas entrevistadas a través de un cuestionario semiestructurado, en tres plazas públicas, en el período de junio de 2010 a marzo de 2011. Los resultados indican que la mayoría de los encuestados eran mujeres (58%), con edades entre 16 y 25 años (55%), con enseñanza secundaria completa (39%), y el (50%) con renta de hasta dos sueldos base. Apenas un 5% utilizan como criterio la falta de dinero para consumiralimentos en la calle y, el 92,5% cree que los productos constituyen un riesgo a la salud, siendo que el 60% evitan la ingestión de ese tipo de alimento. El 44% de los entrevista refirió síntomas de enfermedades transmitidas por alimentos y, la gaseosa y el acarajé, fueron losalimentos más consumidos. De los entrevistados, 96% ingieren los productos en la calle y el 50,5% los consumen, por lo menos, una vez por semana. Se constató una baja ingestión de productos naturales y regionales. Los resultados pueden servir de subsidio para el desarrollode políticas públicas en el área de la alimentación y la nutrición, debido a la importancia socioeconómica, cultural, de salud y nutricional de los productos vendidos en la calle. Se concluye que para mejorar la calidad de estos alimentos, es necesario una educación sanitaria de los consumidores.

Intervención educativa sobre enfermedades transmitidas por alimentos en estudiantes de Tecnología de la Salud / Educational intervention on the subject of food-borne diseases with health technology students

Introducción: las enfermedades trasmitidas por los alimentos (ETA) constituyen el problema de salud pública más extendido en el mundo, por lo que es necesario mantener una vigilancia epidemiológica de estas para aplicar medidas oportunas que permitan su control y prevención. Objetivo: elevar el nivel de conocimiento sobre las enfermedades transmitidas por alimentos, en estudiantes de la Facultad de Tecnología de la Salud en la provincia de Camagüey. Métodos: se realizó un estudio experimental de intervención educativa en la Facultad de Tecnología de la Salud en la Provincia de Camagüey desde el 31 de diciembre de 2008 al 30 de abril de 2009. Para la ejecución del estudio en una primera etapa se estableció la comunicación con los estudiantes, lo que quedá validado a través del consentimiento informado. El universo fue de 421 jóvenes de los cuales se seleccionó una muestra (n = 110 estudiantes), a través de un muestreo aleatorio simple, a los que se les aplicó un cuestionario. Toda la información se conservó bajo los principios de máxima confiabilidad. Se empleó la técnica de McNemar para la validación estadística de las tablas sobre el nivel de conocimiento, con el fin de mostrar los cambios ocurridos antes y después, con un nivel de significación de p < 0,05. Resultados: el grupo de edad que predominó fue el de 17 a 21 años del sexo femenino para el 53,5 porciento. Antes de la intervención los estudiantes tenían conocimientos escasos sobre qué son las enfermedades transmitidas por alimentos Conclusiones: la intervención educativa aplicada demuestra ser eficaz; por tanto, creemos necesario extender las intervenciones educativas a las instituciones escolares de salud en las cuales las enfermedades de transmisión por alimentos constituyen un riesgo para la salud de los propios estudiantes y trabajadores

Introduction: Food-borne diseases (FBD) are the most widely spread public health problem worldwide. Therefore, it is necessary to keep them under epidemiological surveillance in order to apply timely measures allowing their control and prevention. Objective: Expand the knowledge of food-borne diseases among students from the School of Health Technology in the province of Camagüey. Methods: An educational intervention experimental study was conducted at the School of Health Technology in the province of Camagüey from 31 December 2008 to 30 April 2009. In the first stage of the study, communication was established with the students, who gave their informed consent. The study universe was composed of 421 young adults, from whom a sample was selected (n = 110 students) by simple random sampling. A questionnaire was applied to all subjects in the sample. The information collected was kept under strict confidentiality. McNemar's analysis was used for the statistical validation of knowledge tables, with the purpose of showing the changes occurred before and after, with a statistical significance of p < 0,05. Results: There was a predominance of female sex and the 17-21 age range (53,5 percent). Before the intervention, students had scant information about FBDs (47,2 percent), their causal agents, and the measures to reduce or eradicate them. Conclusions: The educational intervention performed proved effective. Therefore, we recommend to extend the experience to health schools where food-borne diseases constitute a health risk for students and workers

Provável surto de toxinfecção alimentar em funcionários de uma empresa no litoral da região sudeste do Brasil / Presumptive outbreak of food-borne disease among employees working for a company in the southeastern coastal region of Brazil

Foi descrito um provável surto de toxinfecção alimentar em 10 funcionários de uma empresa do município do Guarujá, Estado de São Paulo, em setembro de 2009. A empresa produtora das refeições encaminhou ao Setor de Microbiologia Alimentar do Instituto Adolfo Lutz (IAL) - Laboratório Regional de Santos as amostras dos alimentos, suco e água servidas no almoço dos empregados de uma empresa cliente. As amostras foram analisadas seguindo-se a metodologia descrita no Compendium of Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Foods (2001) e Standard Methods (2005); os resultados foram comparados de acordo com os padrões microbiológicos estabelecidos pela Resolução RDC nº 12/2001 da ANVISA e pela Portaria nº518/2004 do Ministério da Saúde. Os coliformes totais foram detectados na amostra de água e os coliformes termotolerantes foram identificados na amostra de salada de alface com queijo servida no restaurante(N.M.P. 1,1x103/g). Não foram isolados Staphylococcus coagulase positiva, Bacillus cereus, Salmonellaspp. e tampouco clostrídios sulfito-redutores. Os resultados das análises microbiológicas associados aos sintomas de gastroenterites em funcionários sugerem a ocorrência de surto de toxinfecção alimentar. O presente relato mostra a importância do trabalho do Laboratório de Saúde Pública na elucidação de doenças transmitidas por alimentos.

Foi descrito um provável surto de toxinfecção alimentar em 10 funcionários de uma empresa do município do Guarujá, Estado de São Paulo, em setembro de 2009. A empresa produtora das refeições encaminhou ao Setor de Microbiologia Alimentar do Instituto Adolfo Lutz (IAL) - Laboratório Regional de Santos as amostras dos alimentos, suco e água servidas no almoço dos empregados de uma empresa cliente. As amostras foram analisadas seguindo-se a metodologia descrita no Compendium of Methods for the Microbiological Examination of Foods (2001) e Standard Methods (2005); os resultados foram comparados de acordo com os padrões microbiológicos estabelecidos pela Resolução RDC nº 12/2001 da ANVISA e pela Portaria nº 518/2004 do Ministério da Saúde. Os coliformes totais foram detectados na amostra de água e os coliformes termotolerantes foram identificados na amostra de salada de alface com queijo servida no restaurante (N.M.P. 1,1x103/g). Não foram isolados Staphylococcus coagulase positiva, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella spp. e tampouco clostrídios sulfito-redutores. Os resultados das análises microbiológicas associados aossintomas de gastroenterites em funcionários sugerem a ocorrência de surto de toxinfecção alimentar. Opresente relato mostra a importância do trabalho do Laboratório de Saúde Pública na elucidação de doençastransmitidas por alimentos.

The impact of food manufacturing practices on food borne diseases

Food-borne illness is a major international problem and an important cause of reduced economic growth. The contamination of the food supply with the pathogens and its persistence, growth, multiplication and/or toxin production has emerged as an important public health concern. Most of these problems could be controlled with the efforts on the part of the food handlers, whether in a processing plant, a restaurant, and others. In contrast with most chemical hazardous compounds, the concentration of food pathogens changes during the processing, storage, and meal preparation, making it difficult to estimate the number of the microorganisms or the concentration of their toxins at the time of ingestion by the consumer. This review shows main microorganisms related to the manipulation practices such as Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. and describes the factors regarding the food-borne illness highlighting the impact of good manipulation practices on the food safety and food quality.

Doenças veiculadas por alimentos são um dos maiores problemas de Saúde Pública no mundo, sendo responsáveis por reduções no crescimento econômico global. A contaminação de alimentos com patógenos e sua persistência, crescimento, multiplicação e/ou produção de toxinas é de interesse da Saúde Pública. Estes problemas podem ser controlados com esforços e treinamento constante de manipuladores de alimentos. Em contraste com perigos químicos e físicos, a concentração de patógenos em alimentos é modificada durante etapas de processamento, acondicionamento e preparação, tornando difícil estimar e quantificar o número de microrganismos ou a concentração de suas toxinas no momento da ingestão do alimento. Esta revisão comenta sobre os principais microrganismos bacterianos relacionados à práticas de manipulação como Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli e Salmonella spp. ressaltando o consumo de alimentos em ruas, o desenvolvimento de doenças veiculadas por alimentos e enfatizando o impacto de boas práticas de manipulação na segurança e qualidade de alimentos.

Avaliação microbiológica de alimentos isentos de registrono Ministério da Saúde / Microbiological analysis of foods exempt of legal registration procedures

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o padrão higiênico-sanitário de alimentos comercializados na Regiãode Londrina cadastrados no Ministério da Saúde, porém, dispensados de registro, conforme a RDC nº.23 da Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA). Os alimentos foram escolhidos de acordo comas sugestões da Vigilância Sanitária de Londrina, PR, que levou em consideração o risco epidemiológico.Os padrões microbiológicos foram avaliados conforme a RDC nº. 12 da ANVISA. Contagens de E. colie S. aureus acima do permitido foram observadas respectivamente em 11 (18,3%) e 13 (21,6%) dos 60alimentos analisados. Os demais resultados microbiológicos estavam dentro do estabelecido pela RDCnº. 12. Ficou clara a necessidade de maior fiscalização do processamento e armazenagem de váriosalimentos analisados, em especial, sorvetes, massas recheadas, pães de queijo, lasanha, doces comcreme e salgados recheados. Esses resultados serão encaminhados às Vigilâncias Regional e Municipalalertando sobre a real potencialidade desses alimentos veicularem doenças e na intenção de abrir umadiscussão sobre a liberação ou não de registro desses alimentos junto ao Ministério da Saúde. Alémdisso, os resultados obtidos confirmam que a análise microbiológica do produto final é um instrumentoessencial de validação e verificação das Boas Práticas de Fabricação (BPF) e da Análise de Perigos ePontos Críticos de Controle (APPCC).

The aim of this study was to analyze the sanitary quality of foods commercialized in Londrina, Paraná that are exempt of Brazilian Health Ministry registration procedures, according to Resolution n°. 23 from the National Sanitary Administration Agency (ANVISA). The food categories analyzed were chosenaccording to ANVISA, Londrina, PR which took the epidemiological risk in account. Microbiologicalstandards were evaluated according to ANVISA Resolution n°. 12. Escherichia coli and coagulase positive Staphylococcus counts were above standards in 11 (18.3%) and 13 (21.6%) of food samples analyzed, respectively. The others microbiological results were in conformity to ANVISA Resolution n°.12. These results indicate inadequate sanitary conditions during food processing especially for ice-cream, stuffed pasta, "pães de queijo", lasanha, cream felled pastries, and "salgado recheado". The results could help the State and Local Sanitary Administration Agencies to evaluate the potentiality of these foods cause food-borne diseases and the adequacy of their liberation from Brazilian Health Ministry registration procedures. The results also show that microbiological analysis of the final product is a valuable validation and verification procedure for the GMP and HACCP system.

Food-borne Parasitic Diseases

This article briefly reviews parasites transmitted by food materials and their diseases in Korea. They are taxonomically classified into 31 species of helminths, which include nematodes(6 species), trematodes(20), cestodes(6), and 1 species of protozoan. The food materials serving as the source of human infections are fishes, snails, crustacea, amphibia, reptiles, and mammals. These parasites include those that have been veiled by the previously common and well-known parasites such as Ascaris and Trichuris, and those that have been newly identified as human-infecting parasites. For prevention of these infections, avoidance of raw or improperly cooked foods is the most important strategy.