Understanding the challenges of non-food industrial product contamination.

Edward Cunningham-Oakes,Tom Pointon,Rebecca Weiser,Eshwar Mahenthiralingam

doi:10.1093/femsle/fnaa010

Edward Cunningham-Oakes, Tom Pointon + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1093/femsle/fnaa010

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Abstract

ABSTRACTPreventing microbial contamination of non-food products is a major area of industrial microbiology where preservatives are used to stop microbial growth. However, microorganisms occasionally overcome product preservation, causing recalls and the implementation of multiple procedures to prevent further contamination. Correct reporting of microbial contamination in non-food industrial products is vital, especially if spoilage organisms are antimicrobial resistant and pose a health threat. Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas, Burkholderia and Enterobacteriaceae are frequently reported as non-food product contaminants, including species that overlap current antimicrobial resistance priorities. Historical analysis of recall databases highlighted that for greater than 15% of contamination incidents, the causative microbial agents are reported as unidentified. Here we review the current antimicrobial resistant bacterial species associated with non-food product contamination and evaluate recall reporting in Europe from 2005 to 2018. Our review shows that 49% of microbial contaminants are reported as unidentified despite frequent detection of antimicrobial resistant pathogens; in contrast, 98% of food-related microbial contaminants are classified. Recommendations to fill this microbial identification gap in non-food product recalls are made. Overall, reporting standards for microbial contamination in non-food products must be improved to enable surveillance and for understanding the risks associated with antimicrobial resistant microorganisms

Highlights

Preventing microbial spoilage is a key issue for several industrial sectors including the manufacture and sale of non-food products such as home care products, personal care products and toys
We review bacterial groups most commonly associated with non-food product contamination, focussing on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia cepacia complex and members of Enterobacteriaceae
Multiple Gram-negative bacteria have intrinsic resistance and the potential to acquire AMR elements (Pendleton, Gorman and Gilmore 2013), but what is their role in non-sterile product contamination and do they constitute potential public health risks? The identification and tracking of antimicrobial resistant contaminants in non-food consumer products is far less stringent than in clinical settings and the food product industry, making a thorough risk assessment difficult

Summary

Introduction

Preventing microbial spoilage is a key issue for several industrial sectors including the manufacture and sale of non-food products such as home care products (cleaning products), personal care products (cosmetics and toiletries) and toys. Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas, Burkholderia and Enterobacteriaceae are frequently reported as non-food product contaminants, including species that overlap current antimicrobial resistance priorities. Overall, reporting standards for microbial contamination in non-food products must be improved to enable surveillance and for understanding the risks associated with antimicrobial resistant microorganisms

Results

Conclusion