Food Safety Research Research Articles

Ultrawide-bandwidth on-chip spectrometer design using band-pass filters

Here, we present the design and simulation of an ultrawide-bandwidth on-chip spectrometer that can be used in various applications, e.g. spectral tissue sensing. It covers 1200 nm wavelength range (400 nm-1600 nm) with 2 nm spectral resolution. The overall design size is only 3 × 3 cm2. The ultra-wide spectral range is made possible by using novel on-chip band-pass filters for the coarse wavelength division. The fine resolution is provided by the arrayed waveguide gratings. The band-pass filter is formed by using bend waveguides and adiabatic full-couplers. The additional loss caused by the band-pass filter is relatively small. The proposed spectrometer covers entire 400 nm-1600 nm range continuously with low crosstalk values. We envision that this design can be used in several different applications including food safety, agriculture, industrial inspection, optical imaging, and biomedical research.

Food safety research of the agricultural research service, USDA

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the in-house research institute of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). One of the key missions of ARS is to provide, through scientific research, the means to ensure that the food supply is safe and secure for consumers and that food and feed meet foreign and domestic regulatory requirements. Food safety research seeks ways to assess, control or eliminate potentially harmful food contaminants, including both introduced and naturally occurring pathogenic bacteria, viruses and parasites, toxins and non-biological-based chemical contaminants, mycotoxins and plant toxins. Food safety is a global issue; thus, the research program involves both national and international collaborations through formal and informal partnerships. To meet those responsibilities, ARS has engaged more than 180 Ph.D. research scientists in 25 laboratories to work on 62 research projects. Using the involvement in post-harvest food safety research of an Eastern Regional Research Center laboratory in the North Atlantic Area of ARS as an example, I will describe the processes and procedures for project development, research accountability, and technology transfer to stakeholders. In addition, specific examples on significant research accomplishments in pathogen detection involving collaboration with domestic and international entities will also be described.

A review of postharvest approaches to reduce fungal and mycotoxin contamination of foods.

Contamination of agricultural and food products by some fungi species that produce mycotoxins can result in unsafe food and feed. Mycotoxins have been demonstrated to have disease-causing activities, including carcinogenicity, immune toxicity, teratogenicity, neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity. Most of mycotoxins are heat stable and cannot be easily destroyed by conventional thermal food processing or domestic cooking methods. Postharvest approaches to prevent growth of mycotoxin-producing fungi and detoxify mycotoxins from contaminated food are important topics in food safety research. Physical, chemical, and biological methods have been applied to prevent fungal growth or mycotoxin production, or to reduce mycotoxin content in the postharvest period and contribute toward mitigating against the effects of mycotoxins on human health. This literature review aims to evaluate postharvest approaches that have been applied to control both fungi growth and mycotoxin content in food and discuss their potential for upscaling to industrial scale.

FADB-China: A molecular-level food adulteration database in China based on molecular fingerprints and similarity algorithms prediction expansion

Food adulteration is a growing concern worldwide. The collation and analysis of food adulteration cases is of immense significance for food safety regulation and research. We collected 961 cases of food adulteration between 1998 and 2019 from the literature reports and announcements released by the Chinese government. Critical molecules were manually annotated in food adulteration substances as determined by food chemists, to build the first food adulteration database in China (http://www.rxnfinder.org/FADB-China/). This database is also the first molecular-level food adulteration database worldwide. Additionally, we herein propose an in silico method for predicting potentially illegal food additives on the basis of molecular fingerprints and similarity algorithms. Using this algorithm, we predict 1919 chemicals that may be illegally added to food; these predictions can effectively assist in the discovery and prevention of emerging food adulteration.

Hasty responses to foodborne illness outbreaks impact California growers

Four major foodborne illness outbreaks in 3 years have led to stricter requirements for leafy greens growers that may satisfy corporate buyers and reassure the public, but also highlight a serious need for more food safety research.

Research on Traceability of Cold Chain Logistics Based on RFID and EPC

In recent years, people placed great emphasis on food quality and safety. About half million people die of food hygiene problems every year in the world. How to effectively trace the source of various kinds of food with various origins has become the core issue of food safety research. Based on EPC, RFID and Baidu Map API, this paper designs a tracking and traceability platform and establishes a food life cycle model to ensure food safety and improve service level. The main research contents include: developing EPC coding system of the research object; solving the life cycle of the research object.

A novel high-resolution melting analysis-based method for Salmonella genotyping

To establish a simple and rapid high-resolution melting curve (HRM) method, 5 different strains of Salmonella were identified by adding DNA denaturants at different concentrations into the HRM system to change the characteristics of DNA melting and to obtain different Tm (dissolving temperature) values of DNA from different target bacteria. When the concentration of n-butanol was 7% (v/v), the Tm value of the melting curve of the 5 strains changed from 89 °C to 80.5 °C, 81.5 °C, 79.5 °C, 81.0 °C and 82.5 °C, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the proposed method were both over 90% in the detection of 270 spiked milk powder samples. In summary, the proposed method in this study has potential for application to food safety and epidemiological research on Salmonella infection.

High-throughput sequencing and food microbiology.

Massive parallel sequencing (High-Throughput Sequencing, HTS) permits reading of sequenced millions to billions short DNAs in parallel (reads) and is revolutionizing microbiology and food safety research from the laboratory methods to computational analysis, with the inevitable use of Bioinformatics. The time and cost reduction of microbiota, microbiome and metagenome studies allows the rapid progress in diagnosis, taxonomy, epidemiology, comparative genomics, virulence, discovery of genes or variants of interest and the association of microorganisms with food spoilage and foodborne infections.

Symposium review: Recent advances in dairy food safety research: An overview of the National Dairy Council Listeria Consortium, industry identification, and funding of research gaps

Consumers should have confidence that dairy foods are safe to eat. The Food Safety Committee of the Innovation Center for US Dairy (IC), created in 2010 to help processors collectively improve practices and reduce risks in dairy foods, is an industry-wide food safety collaboration that aims to protect the public through its mission to "Strengthen manufacturing practices in all dairy processing facilities and advance science-based tools to diminish food safety risks that could compromise the reputation of the U.S. dairy industry." The IC Listeria Research Consortium, a subset of the IC Food Safety Committee, funds research directed at creating new tools and practices to control Listeria in finished products and in manufacturing plants. This synopsis summarizes a presentation on the work conducted by the IC Food Safety Committee and research funded by the IC Listeria Research Consortium that was part of a symposium highlighting recent scientific findings and potential practical approaches to better control Listeria using science-based tools.

Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:− and Salmonella Infantis Infections Linked to Whole Roasted Pigs from a Single Slaughter and Processing Facility

We describe two outbreaks of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:- infection, occurring in 2015 to 2016, linked to pork products, including whole roaster pigs sold raw from a single Washington slaughter and processing facility (establishment A). Food histories from 80 ill persons were compared with food histories reported in the FoodNet 2006 to 2007 survey of healthy persons from all 10 U.S. FoodNet sites who reported these exposures in the week before interview. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole genome sequencing were conducted on selected clinical, food, and environmental isolates. During 2015, a total of 192 ill persons were identified from five states; among ill persons with available information, 30 (17%) of 180 were hospitalized, and none died. More ill persons than healthy survey respondents consumed pork (74 versus 43%, P < 0.001). Seventeen (23%) of 73 ill persons for which a response was available reported attending an event where whole roaster pig was served in the 7 days before illness onset. All 25 clinical isolates tested from the 2015 outbreak and a subsequent 2016 smaller outbreak (n = 15) linked to establishment A demonstrated MDR. Whole genome sequencing of clinical, environmental, and food isolates (n = 69) collected in both investigations revealed one clade of highly related isolates, supporting epidemiologic and traceback data that establishment A as the source of both outbreaks. These investigations highlight that whole roaster pigs, an uncommon food vehicle for MDR Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:- outbreaks, will need further attention from food safety researchers and educators for developing science-based consumer guidelines, specifically with a focus on the preparation process.

Food Safety Challenges in the Tourism Processes

Abstract The modern food industry is among the key partners of today’s global tourism. As part of the tourism processes, tourists buy and consume local food in the local catering facilities. Furthermore, tourists are usually willing to try out gastronomy specialties during their travels. Food safety is important for tourists although it is not always part of their conscious behavior in the destination. Food safety standards are regulated by international contracts based on the analysis of more half a century’s experiences. Within processes related to the changes in the external environment, there are emerging issues – although in different intensity - like chemical and microbiological contamination or food terrorism. Due to the immense number of participants in tourism, it is of key importance to raise awareness of threats like food decay, infections and other negative impacts, because food safety if a basic need in all tourism destinations. The amount of waste food is increasing dramatically at a global scale. The study will introduce the findings of a food safety research in Hungary, providing useful knowledge to all stakeholders of the tourism industry.

Advanced Use of High Resolution Mass Spectrometer in Food Safety Research

Advanced Use of High Resolution Mass Spectrometer in Food Safety Research

Investigating the Virulence Potential of E. coli Isolates Obtained from Cocoa Beans, Using Whole Genome Sequence Analyses

Foodborne illness is of major concern in the United States. The CDC estimates that 48 million people get sick due to foodborne pathogens and 128,000 people are hospitalized every year. Thus, as a preventive measure, the Food Drug and Administration enacted a new law – Food Safety Modernization Act that aims to improve safety of foods, including microbiological safety. In food systems, a common indirect way to test for microbiological safety of food is by using coliforms as indicator organisms. Presence of coliforms suggests that the food has been produced in unhygienic conditions that increase chances of introducing foodborne pathogens. Escherichia coli is one of such commonly used indicator microorganisms. In this research, we whole genome sequenced four E. coli isolates obtained from cocoa beans imported from Bolivia that had &gt; 1,100 MPN/g of E. coli. We analyzed the sequences to characterize their pathogenic potential and antimicrobial resistance. Based on whole genome sequences, we identified these isolates' MLST sequence types, serotypes, virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance genes using tools available on Center for Genomic Epidemiology server, and BTyper. The STs identified for the four analyzed isolates, ST 2074, ST 118 and ST 8369 had been previously found in food and clinical samples. We identified four virulence genes in three isolates and two in one isolate. Some of these virulence genes had been associated with enteropathogenic E. coli (lpfA) extraintestinal E. coli (iss), and enteroaggregative E. coli (air, eilA). Furthermore, we identified antimicrobial resistance genes: ampH, ampC1, ampC2 and penicillin binding protein‐encoding gene. We also tested isolates for antibiotic resistance using disk diffusion, which showed that all four isolates were sensitive to ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, cephalothin and tetracycline, but were resistant to vancomycin, according to CLSI M100 (2018) guideline. The findings of this study indicate that the beans may contain pathogenic microorganisms since the E. coli STs and virulence genes identified have been associated with pathogenic strains in the past.Support or Funding InformationH. N. was supported by the USDA‐funded Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates (REEU) project “Bugs in my Food: Research and Professional Development in Food Safety for Undergraduates from Non‐Land Grant Institutions” (USDA‐NIFA 2017‐67032‐26022). J. K. and E. G. D. were supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch Appropriations under projects #PEN04646 and #PEN04522 and accessions #1015787 and #0233376, respectively. L. X. and sequencing was supported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration grant number 1U18FD006222‐01 to E. G. D. for support of the GenomeTrakr in Pennsylvania.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Older Adult Consumers' Attitudes and Perceptions of Risk, Control, and Responsibility for Food Safety in the Domestic Kitchen

Although vast amounts of consumer food safety knowledge and self-reported data exist, attitudinal data detailing perceptions of risk, control, and responsibility are lacking. Such data relating to vulnerable groups, including older adults, are particularly scarce. Perception determination is essential in consumer food safety research to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the cognitive factors that may impact behavior. Previous research has indicated a relationship between food safety perceptions and behavior. Perceptual data can inform the development of targeted food safety educational interventions. This study was conducted to ascertain older adult consumers' cognitive perceptions regarding food safety. Older adults (≥60 years, n = 100) participated in a computer-assisted personal interview to determine perceived risk, control, and responsibility associated with food safety. Although the potential severity of foodborne illness may be understood, the association between foodborne illness and domestic food preparation may be underestimated. Significant differences were found between perceived personal risk, control, and responsibility and the risks, control, and responsibilities of others ( P > 0.001). Older adults perceived themselves to have lower levels of risk than other individuals have, suggesting perceptions of optimistic bias and personal invulnerability. Perceived greater levels of personal control and responsibility, compared with those of others, suggest perceptions associated with the illusion of control. Correlations were evaluated between personal perceptions of risk, control, and responsibility ( P < 0.05). Low levels of risk were correlated with high levels of control. Those respondents ≥80 years of age perceived higher levels of risk and lower levels of control and responsibility. Cumulatively, older adult consumers expressed perceptions of invulnerability, optimistic bias, and the illusion of control regarding food safety. Such perceptions may undermine attempts to provide education regarding food safety. Food safety messages for this audience must be tailored to overcome such perceptions.

Phycocyanin fluorescent probe from Arthrospira platensis: preparation and application in LED-CCD fluorescence density strip qualitative detection system

Phycocyanin (PC) is a natural fluorescent protein which is widely used in medical diagnosis, biology, biotechnology, foods, and medicine. However, the disadvantages in traditional purification methods, such as complicated preparation process, low yield, inadequate quantity, and high price, limit its range of application. In this study, we established a rapid purification method suitable for large-scale production to prepare PC from Arthrospira platensis. The membrane separation and two-stage ammonium sulfate precipitation yielded PC with a purity ratio (A620nm/A280nm) of 3.65. This purification method of PC proved to be efficient and cost-effective compared with previously reported methods. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis showed that the molecular weight of α and β subunits of PC was 16.6 and 21.2 kDa. The main molecular weight of intact PC determined through high-performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) was around 91 kDa, indicating that the PC from A. platensis existed mainly in the form of (αβ)3 at pH 7.0. The purified PC fluorescent probe was compatible for light-emitting diode (LED)—charge-coupled device (CCD) fluorescence density strip qualitative detection system. A relatively sensitive novel fluorescent test method was developed for the quantitative detection of PC showing a linear response to PC within the range of 0.07–3.64 μM, and with a limit of detection of 0.034 μM. This method could provide expedient quantitative information and showed great potential for rapid detection in environmental and food safety research.

Waters opens food safety research center

Waters Corp. has opened a center in Singapore to foster research among industry, government, and academia on food and water safety. Outfitted with the latest analytical instrumentation from Waters,...

An LC–ESI–MS/MS method for residues of fluoroquinolones, sulfonamides, tetracyclines and trimethoprim in feedingstuffs: validation and surveillance

ABSTRACTAn increasing concern about food safety has been observed over the years. The presence of drugs residues in food is one of the major subjects of research in food safety. Feedingstuffs can be responsible for carryover into the food chain of residues of several drugs. This paper describes the development, validation and application of a fast and simple method for analysis of 24 antibiotic residues in feedingstuffs for cattle, pigs and poultry. Analytes include compounds from different antimicrobials classes, such as sulfonamides (sulfadiazine, sulfamethazine, sulfamethoxazole, sulfaquinoxaline, sulfachlorpyridazine, sulfadoxine, sulfadimethoxine, sulfizoxazole, sulfamerazine and sulfathiazole), fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, norfloxacin, danofloxacin, difloxacin, sarafloxacin, flumequine, nalidixic acid and oxolinic acid), tetracyclines (tetracycline, doxycycline, oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline) and trimethoprim. Samples were extracted with methanol:water (70:30) 0.1% formic acid, followed by clean-up steps using centrifugation, low-temperature purification (LTP) and ultracentrifugation. Instrumental analysis was performed using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a C18 column and a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile and water, both with 0.1% formic acid. Validation parameters such as limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, decision limit (CCα) and detection capability (CCβ) were determined and meet the adopted criteria. LOD and LOQ were set to 30 and 75 µg kg−1, respectively. Inter-day precision were in the range from 4.0 to 11.1%, and linearity provides values of r2 above 0.95 for all analytes. The optimised method was applied to the analysis of more than 1500 real samples within the period 2012–2017. Non-compliant results were discussed and classified in terms of analytes, feed types and target species. Multivariate analysis of the data was performed using principal component analysis.

Draft Genomic Sequences of Nine Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli Isolates from Retail Chicken Skin.

Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli strains were isolated from retail chicken skin. Here, we report the draft genomic sequences for these nine E. coli isolates, which are currently being used in agricultural and food safety research.

Draft Genomic Sequencing of Six Potential Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli Isolates from Retail Chicken Meat.

ABSTRACTPotential extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli strains DP254, WH333, WH398, F356, FEX675, and FEX725 were isolated from retail chicken meat products. Here, we report the draft genome sequences for these six E. coli isolates, which are currently being used in food safety research.

Overview of the activities of the European Food Safety Authority on mycotoxins in food and feed

Mycotoxins are widely occurring in foods and feeds and dietary exposure to them can induce various types of adverse health effects in humans and animals. Since its establishment in 2002, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has assessed risks of dietary exposure to mycotoxins for public health and for the health of farm and companion animals on the request of the European Commission and has assessed safety and efficacy of feed additives for the reduction of contamination of feed by mycotoxins within the European Union authorisation process for feed additives. Over 40 scientific opinions on risks of mycotoxins for human and animal health and other reports on mycotoxins have been issued by the authority for the use of the European risk managers. Mycotoxins belong to one of the important areas of the EFSA work. Occurrence data on mycotoxins submitted to EFSA by the European national food safety bodies and research institutions have been collected in the EFSA databases and have informed its scientific opinions and reports on mycotoxins. Similarly, many EFSA-funded projects conducted by the European research organisations, not only to generate data on occurrence, but also data on toxicity of mycotoxins, have provided valuable information for the risk assessments of EFSA. Aflatoxin and deoxynivalenol are the mycotoxins, for which EFSA has delivered most of its scientific mycotoxin opinions. Very recently also modified forms of mycotoxins have been included in the EFSA risk assessments. In this review paper an overview of many different EFSA activities on mycotoxins is given. It also includes a brief description how EFSA develops its scientific opinions and works.