Food safety behavior and handling practices during purchase, preparation, storage and consumption of chicken meat and eggs.

The aim of this study was to assess the risk of occurrence of a foodborne outbreak and point practices determinant to achieve high Good Hygienic Practice level during handling practice from purchase to consumption of chicken meat and eggs. The risk behavior of respondents and the risk of the occurrence of a foodborne outbreak were measured using Weighted Harmonic Outbreak Prevention Index (WHOPI). WHOPI were not correlated to socioeconomic data and perception of risks. Different profiles of handling practices were identified inside each WHOPI level. Chicken meat defrost, time and temperature of egg cooking and the point of yolk were identified as the most important procedures responsible for the WHOPI level upgrades. The consumption of chicken meat and eggs were characterized as discrete distributions. The average consumption of chicken meat was 113.48 g/per day and eggs daily intake distribution was 0.92 units/day. Our results can be applied for future microbiological food safety risk assessments related to the consumption of chicken meat and eggs.

Distribuição de probabilidade da temperatura na cadeia de carne de frango brasileira: fonte para avaliação de risco / Probability distribution of temperatures in the Brazilian chicken meat chain: source of risk assessment

O presente estudo tem como objetivo descrever a distribuição de probabilidades da temperatura de cada etapa da cadeia produtiva de carne de frango resfriada produzida sob inspeção federal no Brasil. Os resultados gerados geram subsídio para realização de uma Análise de Risco de salmonelose pelo consumo de carne de frango no país. Foram compilados registros de temperatura e os dados foram ajustados às distribuições de probabilidade utilizando o software @Risk. Nas etapas de abatedouro-frigorífico, centro de distribuição, serviço de alimentação e supermercado a média de temperatura foi inferior a 5,5 ºC, demostrando sucesso na manutenção da cadeia de frio. A distribuição de probabilidade Logistic demonstrou melhor ajuste para descrever as etapas de processamento. Os dados de distribuição de probabilidade gerados poderão ser utilizados em modelos matemáticos e de distribuição para predizer o crescimento microbiano em alimentos expostos a diferentes temperaturas.

Avaliação do comportamento de risco de manipuladores de alimentos e hábito de consumo de carne de frango no Brasil / Evaluation of risk behavior of food manipulators and consumption habit of chicken meat in Brazil

O manipulador de alimentos possui grande impacto na ocorrência de doenças transmitidas por alimentos devido às más práticas de higiene e manipulação de alimentos. Assim, com o objetivo de avaliar os hábitos de consumo e caracterizar a manipulação de carne de frango no Brasil foi desenvolvido e aplicado um questionário. Foram obtidas e analisadas 1217 respostas. A maior parte dos entrevistados foi classificada com nível médio de boas práticas, independentemente de sua condição socioeconômica (Tukey-Test, p> 0,005). Em relação ao nível de conformidade dos parâmetros avaliados, observou-se que os respondentes cumpriam primeiramente conformidade em questões relacionadas a temperatura, seguido de binômio tempo-temperatura, tempo e, por fim, boas práticas. Os resultados desse estudo servem como suporte no emprego de ações de saúde coletiva, além de poderem ser aplicadas em ferramentas robustas de gestão da segurança de alimentos, como a Análise de Risco.

Encapsulação de antimicrobianos naturais em nanolipossomas para inibição de bactérias causadoras de surtos alimentares / Encapsulation of natural antimicrobials in nanoliposomas for the inhibition of bacterials causing foodborne disease

Avaliou-se ação bactericida e caracterização físico-química de duas diferentes formulações de nanolipossomas preparados utilizando técnica de hidratação do filme lipídico. Nanolipossomas contendo carvacrol apresentaram diâmetro médio de 270,83 nm, PDI de 0,20 e potencial zeta de + 8,64 mV. Nanolipossomas contendo carvacrol e nisina apresentaram diâmetro médio de 205,25 nm, PDI de 0,31 e potencial zeta de - 22,48 mV. Para ambas formulações a concentração bactericida mínima foi de 3,53 mg/mL para Salmonella e 5,3 mg/mL para Escherichia coli e Staphylococcus aureus. Não ocorreu efeito sinérgico entre carvacrol e nisina, porém os nanolipossomas contendo carvacrol apresentaram ação bactericida contra os microrganismos testados, demonstrando potencial para sua utilização no desenvolvimento de um sanitizante para uso em indústrias de alimentos.

Prevalence of Salmonella spp. in poultry carcasses samples collected in slaughterhouses of Southern Brazil from 2006 to 2015.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Salmonella on poultry carcasses produced in slaughterhouses of Southern Brazil participating of the Official Pathogen Reduction Program conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply. METHODOLOGY: From 2006 to 2015, 77,165 poultry carcasses were analyzed for presence/absence of Salmonella spp. and the results were statistically evaluated. RESULTS: Prevalence varied from 2.92% to 5.24%, with a mean percentage of 4.04%. The difference in prevalence numbers was not significant during all the period analyzed. Higher Salmonella prevalence has been reported worldwide, indicating the efficacy of Brazilian control measures implemented in the productive chain and the low risk associated to Brazilian poultry meat consumption. However, additional information about the acceptable and safe prevalence of Salmonella on poultry should be defined by risk analysis studies, considering the reality of Brazilian companies and scientific data. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study can be the first step for a national Risk Assessment and may contribute to improvements in self-controlling programs and with the current Brazilian poultry regulation.

First Report of Human Gastroenteritis Caused by Escherichia coli O157:NM in Brazil.

In September 2005, the Sanitary Surveillance Service of Rio de Janeiro (SSS/RJ), Brazil, investigated a case of gastroenteritis involving a 13-year-old teenager hospitalized because of bloody diarrhea and severe abdominal pain. Owing to the severity of the symptoms, an epidemiological investigation was conducted in two states of Brazil. Escherichia coli O157:NM was isolated from stools and from a tomato and cheese salad prepared at the school canteen where the teenager attended. This is the first report of a human case of gastroenteritis related to E. coli O157:NM infection in Brazil.

Microbial quality of irrigation water used in leafy green production in Southern Brazil and its relationship with produce safety.

Irrigation water has been recognized as an important microbial risk factor for fruits and vegetables in many production areas, but there is still a lack of information about how the microbiological quality of different irrigation water sources and climatic conditions influence the safety of vegetables produced in Brazil. This study evaluated the distribution of generic E. coli and the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in two different water sources (ponds and streams bordering farmlands and urban areas) used for irrigation and on commercially produced lettuces in Southern Brazil. We also evaluated the effect of agricultural factors and meteorological conditions in the potential contamination of water and produce samples. A longitudinal study was conducted on four farms during a year (July 2014 to August 2015). The results showed generic E. coli prevalence of 84.8% and 38.3% in irrigation water samples and on lettuces, respectively, indicating irrigation water as an important source of contamination of lettuces. No significant differences were detected in the counts of E. coli between the two different surface water sources. The climatic conditions, particularly rainfall and environmental temperature, have influenced the high concentration of E. coli. The highest loads of E. coli in irrigation water and on lettuces were found during the warmest time of the year. E. coli O157:H7 was detected by qualitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in 13 water samples but only 4 were confirmed by isolation in culture media.

Inactivation of Salmonella Enteritidis on lettuces used by minimally processed vegetable industries.

INTRODUCTION: Washing and disinfection methods used by minimally processed vegetable industries of Southern Brazil were reproduced in laboratory in order to verify their effectiveness to reduce Salmonella Enteritidis SE86 (SE86) on lettuce. METHODOLOGY: Among the five industries investigated, four carried out washing with potable water followed by disinfection with 200 ppm sodium hypochlorite during different immersion times. RESULTS: The washing procedure alone decreased approximately 1 log CFU/g of SE86 population and immersion times of 1, 2, 5, and 15 minutes in disinfectant solution demonstrated reduction rates ranging from 2.06±0.10 log CFU/g to 3.01±0.21 log CFU/g. Rinsing alone was able to reduce counts from 0.12±0.63 log CFU/g to 1.90±1.07 log CFU/g. The most effective method was washing followed by disinfection with 200 ppm sodium hypochlorite for 15 minutes and final rinse with potable water, reaching 5.83 log CFU/g of reduction. However, no statistical differences were observed on the reduction rates after different immersion times. CONCLUSION: A time interval of 1 to 2 minutes may be an advantage to the minimally vegetable processed industries in order to optimize the process without putting at risk food safety.

Inativação de salmonella enteritidis em alfaces submetidas a procedimentos utilizados em indústrias de vegetais minimamente processados / Inactivation of slmonella enteritidis in lettuces submitted to procedures used in minimally processed vegetable industries

Avaliação dos métodos de lavagem e desinfecção utilizados pelas indústrias de vegetais minimamente processados do Sul do Brasil que foram reproduzidos em laboratório para verificar sua eficiência para reduzir a S. enteritidis SE86 (SE86) em alface. (AU)

Microbial safety and sanitary quality of strawberry primary production in Belgium: risk factors for Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli contamination.

Strawberries are an important fruit in Belgium in both production and consumption, but little information is available about the presence of Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in these berries, the risk factors in agricultural production, and possible specific mitigation options. In 2012, a survey was undertaken of three soil and three soilless cultivation systems in Belgium. No Salmonella spp. were isolated. No STEC was detected in the strawberry samples (0 of 72), but STEC was detected by PCR in 11 of 78 irrigation water and 2 of 24 substrate samples. Culture isolates were obtained for 2 of 11 PCR-positive irrigation water samples and 2 of 2 substrate samples. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed elevated generic E. coli numbers (the odds ratio [OR] for a 1 log increase being 4.6) as the most important risk factor for STEC, together with the berry-picking season (elevated risk in summer). The presence of generic E. coli in the irrigation water (≥1 CFU per 100 ml) was mainly influenced by the type of irrigation water (collected rainfall water stored in ponds was more often contaminated than groundwater pumped from boreholes [OR = 5.8]) and the lack of prior treatment (untreated water versus water subjected to sand filtration prior to use [OR = 19.2]). The follow-up study in 2013 at one of the producer locations indicated cattle to be the most likely source of STEC contamination of the irrigation water.

Microbiological quality and safety assessment of lettuce production in Brazil.

The microbiological quality and safety of lettuce during primary production in Brazil were determined by enumeration of hygiene indicators Escherichia coli, coliforms and enterococci and detection of enteric pathogens Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 in organic fertilizers, soil, irrigation water, lettuce crops, harvest boxes and worker's hands taken from six different lettuce farms throughout the crop growth cycle. Generic E. coli was a suitable indicator for the presence of Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7, while coliforms and enterococci were not. Few pathogens were detected: 5 salmonellae and 2 E. coli O157:H7 from 260 samples, of which only one was lettuce and the others were manure, soil and water. Most (5/7) pathogens were isolated from the same farm and all were from organic production. Statistical analysis revealed the following environmental and agro-technical risk factors for increased microbial load and pathogen prevalence in lettuce production: high temperature, flooding of lettuce fields, application of contaminated organic fertilizer, irrigation with water of inferior quality and large distances between the field and toilets. Control of the composting process of organic fertilizers and the irrigation water quality appear most crucial to improve and/or maintain the microbiological quality and safety during the primary production of lettuce.