Italian Journal of Food Safety最新文献

This comprehensive study aimed to estimate the prevalence of antimicrobial residues in beef, mutton, chicken, fish, and milk. Twenty fresh samples of chicken, mutton, beef, fish, and bovine milk were collected aseptically from retail shops in Southern Punjab, Pakistan. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique was used to screen the samples for various antimicrobial residues. The ELISA screening of fish samples revealed residue contamination with tetracycline, as well as the metabolites 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ) and 5-methyl-morpholino-3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AMOZ), with concentration ranges of 2.00-108 parts per billion (ppb), 0.09-0.47 ppb, and 0.01-1.08 ppb, respectively. Chicken samples showed residues of tetracycline, quinolone, AOZ, and AMOZ, with detected residual concentrations ranging from 5.60 to 126 ppb for tetracycline, 18 to 230 ppb for quinolone, 0.20 to 1.96 ppb for AOZ, and 0.01 to 1.02 ppb for AMOZ. In livestock, milk samples exhibited 100% contamination for penicillin and 10% for chloramphenicol residues, with concentrations of 0.2-4.1 ppb and 0.01-0.19 ppb, respectively. Beef samples tested positive for residues of penicillin (20%), tetracycline (40%), and chloramphenicol (45%), with residual ranges of 1.36-88 ppb for penicillin, 3.7-148 ppb for tetracycline, and 0.04-0.37 ppb for chloramphenicol. Mutton samples were contaminated with 10% tetracycline and 25% quinolones, showing residual ranges of 1.28-108 ppb for tetracycline and 34-520 ppb for quinolones. Out of 100 samples, 23 showed residues exceeding the maximum residue limit. Specifically, 30.4% of chicken samples, 17.3% of mutton samples, 30.4% of beef samples, 17.3% of milk samples, and 4.3% of fish samples were affected. This study conclusively demonstrated the presence of various antibiotic residues in food-producing animal samples.

Iodine deficiency disorders are widespread among vulnerable populations in Pakistan. To combat this menace, the Universal Salt Iodization program needs regular monitoring throughout the salt supply chain. Traditional titration methods are limited by accessibility, cost, and time, making rapid test tools a more practical alternative for household surveys. In this context, the current study was designed to develop a rapid test kit for on-the-spot analysis of salt samples and validate it against standard reference methods by applying single- and multiple-observer study designs. Results indicated that the regression plot analysis of the developed kit produced an excellent average R2 value of 0.9949. Percent yield/recovery of the titration method and the rapid test kit was achieved at 97.66% and 88.7-102.4%, along with a maximum value of coefficient of variance of 2.84 and 3.45, respectively. Moreover, the limit of detection/sensitivity was higher for multiple-observer designs (97.08%) as compared to the single-observer design (82.09%). The limit of quantification/specificity declined sharply for the multiple-observer design (40.4%) against the single-observer design (69.7%). This study revealed that despite yielding low specificity for multiple observers and occasional overestimations, the developed kit demonstrated strong potential as a sustainable and efficient alternative tool for iodine testing, thereby supporting and enhancing the overall impact of the salt iodization program in the country.

This work aims to assess the risk of heavy metal contamination of volcanic origin in the agri-food chain, describing the potential danger to human health. Volcanic phenomena lead to the environmental presence of contaminants, including heavy metals, which influence our ecosystems, food, and health. Opinions have been expressed regarding the presence of heavy metals in our diet and the potential risk of food contamination following volcanic eruptions. Regulation (EU) 915/2023 does not reference the sanctions that would be applied if food products with analytical values exceeding the established tolerance limits for heavy metals were marketed. Legislative Decree No. 18 of February 23, 2023, while providing a sanctions framework, is not specific to the exceedance of maximum limits for heavy metals in water intended for human consumption; it is plausible to apply the Penal Code (Articles 444 and 452) and Law No. 283 of April 30, 1962. The effect of volcanic eruptions seems to play a residual role in heavy metal contamination in food supply chains, considering that their presence is quantified in trace amounts. Given that a limited number of active volcanoes have been monitored for heavy metal emissions and that data regarding the contribution of volcanic activity is lacking, there are still too many missing pieces to conduct a realistic risk assessment of the impact volcanic activity has on the food chain. In conclusion, the 2022 Environmental Data Yearbook from the Higher Institute for Environmental Protection and Research indicates that Italy has achieved the goals set internationally by the Aarhus Convention.

The MeatCulture project aimed to improve the quality and safety of bovine fifth quarter viscera (tripe, intestine, lung, and trachea), which are traditional dish ingredients in many communities. Stabilization studies were conducted on tripe and intestine samples, and preservability studies were conducted on lungs and trachea. Tripe samples (24 across two batches) underwent washing and bleaching treatments with different temperature-time combinations, then they were vacuum-packed, stored at 2±2°C, and analyzed at various timepoints. The pH was determined, and the Enterobacteriaceae count and the presence of Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Yersinia enterocolitica were investigated. Results indicated that applying a washing step at a temperature range between 55°C and 65°C for 2 minutes, followed by bleaching at a temperature range between 58°C and 70°C for 2 minutes, preserved stable pH (T10: 7.24±0.06) and controlled Enterobacteriaceae counts, which decreased at T7 (2.78±0.48 CFU/g) before slightly increasing at T10 (3.24±1.55). Pathogens were never detected. Part of the small intestine (jejunum) and colon samples were vacuum-packed (30 samples overall), subjected to four types of heat treatments, stored at 2±2°C, and analyzed at various timepoints. pH and microbial profile were evaluated as previously described. The treatment with water at 70°C for 15' showed the best results with Enterobacteriaceae counts below the detection limits in most samples at T10. The lungs (153 samples) and trachea (81 samples) samples were packaged with CO2 and N (ratios of 50/50 and 70/30) modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). The samples were stored at two different temperatures (2±2°C and 8±2°C) and analyzed at various timepoints. On each sample, pH, aerobic colony count, Enterobacteriaceae count, mesophilic lactic acid bacteria count, and Pseudomonas spp. count were evaluated. The microbial profile of the samples stored at 2±2°C and with the 50/50 MAP showed lower average values.

Consumption of seafood, which includes both wild and aquaculture products, has increased several-fold during the last 50 years. Species substitution, in which low-value fish are replaced with high-value fish, is one of the prominent phenomena happening in the international seafood trade and the leading cause of fraud in the fishery sector, leading to both economic and health concerns. In this study, DNA barcoding was employed to identify 78 fishery product samples collected from markets and supermarkets located in the Apulia region (Southern Italy) at the genus or species level. Non-compliance between the species detected and the species declared in the label was detected in 5 (6.41%) samples. This study highlights the need for further investigations regarding the traceability and assessment of food product authentication. Indeed, accurate taxonomic assignment and a robust traceability system are essential tools for tackling food adulteration problems, providing transparency, and protecting food safety.

Colchicine poisoning in livestock presents a significant challenge for dairy farming, particularly in regions where Colchicum autumnale (autumn crocus) is prevalent in pastures. This case report describes an incident on an organic dairy farm in Eastern Switzerland where Brown Swiss cattle showed clinical signs after consuming freshly mown meadow forage containing autumn crocus leaves. The ingestion of this highly toxic plant led to severe effects such as apathy, hypothermia, and reduced milk production, which required immediate veterinary intervention. As colchicine was expected to be secreted in the milk, the milk supplier imposed a delivery stop based on European Commission Regulation (EU) No 37/2010, excluding the use of colchicine as a pharmacologically active substance in food-producing animals. Using liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, it was shown that a bulk milk sample taken 2 weeks after the poisoning event tested positive, while a further bulk tank milk sample collected 5 weeks after the incident tested negative. Milk deliveries were then resumed. This paper further reviews the current understanding of colchicine as a chemical hazard in milk and presents a toxicological assessment, which is crucial for setting a detection limit for methods aimed at detecting colchicine in milk, given the absence of maximum limits and withdrawal periods following exposure. This study contributes to raising awareness of colchicine as a milk safety concern and to improving the monitoring of toxic plant exposure in livestock management (from feed to food concept).

Neoplastic disease in dogs and humans has many similarities, including similar clinical manifestations, metastatic potential, and genomic instability. However, tumor latency is shorter in dogs, which may serve as a sentinel for the identification of carcinogenic environmental exposures. This study aims to describe the data collected in the Animal Tumor Registry (RTA) of the Campania Region in the period 2018-2022, with particular attention to the incidence rates of malignant tumors in dogs, divided by province. RTA tumor cases received by the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Mezzogiorno were analyzed; out of a total of 885 tumors, 70% were malignant, with a higher frequency in female dogs. The crude and standardized incidence rate of malignant tumors in dogs was calculated on a provincial basis. Caserta showed the highest incidence rate for both malignant tumors [incidence rate: 135.07 per 100,000; 95% confidence interval (CI): 135.01-135.13] and mammary tumors (incidence rate: 52.75 per 100,000; 95% CI: 52.69-52.80). The results highlight the importance of tumor monitoring in dogs as an indicator of potential environmental risk factors and underline the value of the RTA for the collection of data useful for the prevention and study of neoplastic diseases, as well as in humans.

It is known that the consumption of edible lamellibranch mollusks (ELMs), undercooked or raw, is a vehicle for the oral transmission of viral and bacterial pathogens. The ELMs most frequently fished/cultivated and consumed in Italy are Mytilus galloprovincialis and Chamelea gallina. The aim of this project was to standardize the cooking conditions of M. galloprovincialis and C. gallina, reproducible in a domestic environment, to obtain food in which the microbiological risk was eliminated but, at the same time, preserved the original organoleptic characteristics. The results showed that for C. gallina and M. galloprovincialis, cooking for 2 minutes after opening all shells, according to a method suitable for home application, is sufficient to eliminate the microbiological risk.

The export of agri-food products represents a pillar of the Italian economy. However, food businesses (FBs) must comply with a series of requirements, including those imposed by importing countries. This study conducted in-depth interviews with three Italian FBs producing food of animal origin to explore their perception about procedures, documentation, and the role of the central competent authority (CA) related to export. Interviews with food quality managers (FQMs) (February-April 2024) revealed similar challenges across different sectors, particularly regarding the availability and clarity of information. FQMs suggested the implementation of a centralized online platform to enhance access to necessary information. Additionally, the study revealed a lack of full awareness among FQMs about the central CA's role in the export process. A coordinated approach involving central, regional, and local CAs, trade associations, and the productive sector could be crucial to ensure the success of FBs in the international market.

Insects offer an alternative protein supply for both animal and human consumption. Recently, companies in Europe have begun insect production for use in food and animal feed. Following Regulation (EU) No. 2015/2283, edible insects are classified under the novel food category and can be marketed and consumed within the European Union. As a result, methods of authentication are necessary to verify the compliance of these insect-based products. In this study, two end-point polymerase chain reaction assays for the detection of the 16S rRNA gene of Acheta domesticus and Tenebrio molitor were fine-tuned and validated. The primer specificity was tested on insect samples, other animals, and plants, and the gene was amplified only in target samples. The limit of detection was evaluated using different food matrices contaminated with decreasing concentrations of insect powder and was below 0.05% (w/w).