Italian Journal of Food Safety最新文献

Helicobacter pylori is an important and common bacterial pathogen in humans. The accumulated evidence of the existence of H. pylori in water from different environmental sources suggests a water-borne transmission route. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of H. pylori in different water sources used by human populations in Dhamar Governorate, Yemen. 250 samples were randomly collected from the municipal water supply network, wells, and springs. The samples were processed, plated onto modified campy-blood agar, and incubated under microaerobic conditions for 4-10 days. Bacterial identification was based on morphological properties and biochemical tests. Bacteriological analysis showed that 9.6% and 13.2% of tap and surface water samples were contaminated with H. pylori, respectively. Despite a higher frequency in samples from rural areas, these were not significantly (p=0.068) more contaminated than the samples from urban areas. Regarding the seasonal variations of H. pylori detection, 85.71% of positive samples were detected in the late winter and spring seasons (February to May). To conclude, H. pylori transmission through water is likely to occur in Dhamar Governorate. Further prospective studies are highly recommended to provide further evidence and a clearer picture of H. pylori transmission.

Food safety along the supply chain must be safeguarded to protect the public's health from any foodborne disease. Despite the consumption of fish products, scombroid poisoning is not a wellknown occurrence. This study was formulated to evaluate at which stage of the supply chain the increase in the histamine content of dried anchovies (Stolephorus commersonnii) occurs. The study showed that histamine substances and Staphylococcus aureus were detected at all stages of the supply chain. It was also found that the concentration of histamine generally increased from the fisherman to the processors and retailers. Post-hoc analysis using the Fisher test showed no significant difference in the histamine content of dried anchovies from the processing centers (𝑥̅ =5 4.07 mg/kg) and retailers (𝑥̅ = 67.63 mg/kg), but it was significantly higher than in the raw anchovies (𝑥̅ = 8.29 mg/kg). S. aureus remains low at <10 colony-forming units (CFU/g). The aerobic plate count supports this conclusion with a 90.29% increase from the processing centers to the retailers. However, it is still significant as a source of histamine formation influenced by water activity and salt content. A correlation between salt content and water activity with histamine content was identified with a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.8357. It is recommended to review the processing method to control the salt content and the handling and storage at the retailers, as they showed the highest potential for histamine-forming bacteria growth, leading to an increase in histamine levels in dried anchovies.

Regulation 2017/625 allows and encourages the use of rating schemes as a means to increase transparency in the agri-food chain. Since its implementation, a need for greater fairness, consistency, transparency, and objectivity in official controls has been reported by member states. The present study compares the results of inspection activities concerning food hygiene principles in ethnic and traditional butcheries. The sample consists of 50 food business activities randomly selected from traditional and ethnic butcheries subject to official control in Turin from January to June 2019. Our objectives were to evaluate the degree of awareness and training of food business operators (FBOs) and to compare the written records drawn up by the competent authorities (CAs) during official inspections to evaluate their completeness and uniformity. The presence of old equipment is a common finding in both traditional and ethnic butchers. This could lead to ineffective cleaning operations and inappropriate functioning, which in turn could lead to a dangerous loss of control over products' temperatures. Ethnic butchers showed a higher number of non-compliances for documentary examination, the presence/correctness of self-control plans, and management aspects such as by-product disposal and personnel hygiene. Training is the key point for both CAs and FBOs; inspectors must maintain their professionalism but also adhere to harmonized and intellectually supported criteria, and FBOs must prevent improper behavior. Eventually, we propose strategies to increase the efficacy and homogeneity of records, together with suggestions on how to implement training both for consultants and operators.

Polyphosphates (PPs) constitute a class of food additives widely used due to their ability to exercise different useful activities. The food safety concern about the use of PPs in food is both the possible non-declared addition and some health effects, such as bile duct stones, decrease in oligo-element absorption, and allergic reactions in susceptible people. In this study, an analytical method based on ion chromatography with conductivity detection was applied for the detection and quantification of PPs in 238 samples of animal-derived products such as meat, dairy, and fish products. A contribution to risk assessment was also included. The monitoring confirmed the absence of non-compliant results. All concentrations of PPs were indeed lower than the legal limits set in European Regulation No. 1333/2008. Moreover, no residue of PPs was detected (> limit of quantification: 0.09 g kg^-1) in samples where it was not reported on the product label. No PPs were detected in mollusks, meat-based preparations, semi-ripened, unripened, and spun paste cheese, while they are widely used in surimi, with concentrations in the range of 0.1-0.5 g kg^-1. The highest concentrations were quantified in a würstel sample (4.7±0.3 g kg^-1) and a spreadable cheese sample (8.9±0.7 g kg^-1). Considering that the high exposure scenario together with a very susceptible population group (toddlers) were taken into account for this risk exposure study and that the highest admissible daily intake obtained was equal to 10.4%, the assessment demonstrated that the actual use of PPs in food does not pose a risk for food safety.

Atherina boyeri is the primary source of fishing profit in Lake Trasimeno and a common host for Eustrongylides spp. larvae. The presence of Eustrongylides in fish is a public health concern, and effective risk management procedures are necessary to guarantee that infected products do not reach the market. Currently, in the European Union, there is no official sampling plan for fresh fish that defines sample size, inspection methods, and criteria for accepting or rejecting the product. An approach to Eustrongylides risk management is proposed in this study. A total of 270 batches of A. boyeri, each consisting of 29 specimens, were collected and examined visually in 3 years (2020-2023). The prevalence of the parasite was 20% in 2020, and in the first months of 2021, it grew up to ⁓40%, then dropped to 12.50% in December 2021 and settled at 16% in February 2022. In January and February 2023, the prevalence fell below 1%. The mean abundance was calculated and used to establish a threshold value to determine fish marketability. In 2020 and 2021, several batches were judged not marketable, and in some batches, a freezing treatment was implemented to ensure the inactivation of the parasite. In the last months of 2022 and in January and February of 2023, the presence of parasites in captured fish was negligible, and this allowed the marketability of fish as fresh. The proposed sampling plan was effective in preventing the commercialization of potentially hazardous products.

The association of food safety knowledge and climate with gender, education level, length of employment, food safety training, and professional role was measured using a 15-item food safety climate survey and a 20-item food safety questionnaire on a sample of 263 employees from 19 small and medium-sized university canteens in Croatia, Hungary, and Portugal. The relationship between knowledge and climate and the demographic determinants of both variables were examined. Food safety knowledge was inadequate (45.5% of correct responses), while perceptions of food safety, as measured by the food safety climate survey, were positive (2.69 out of a maximum of 3.00). The perception of resources in canteens was the least favorable across all countries. Leaders did not exhibit better food safety knowledge or perceptions. Food safety climate and knowledge were significantly positively correlated and influenced by training. Perceptions of food safety compared to employee knowledge levels indicated that some employees were overly optimistic about food safety risks. Therefore, food safety knowledge and food safety climate should be assessed in parallel, and both could be improved through ongoing training of employees, especially leaders.