Pub Date : 2025-10-09DOI: 10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100633
Muriel Lepesteur, Carina Dexter, Yujing Zhang, Aleksandra Kusljic
Well−managed composting is generally a safe method for processing organic wastes and generating a product that has beneficial uses. However, there is uncertainty regarding the safety of composts produced from high-risk organic wastes. High-risk organic wastes are wastes that may contain contaminants (biological, physical, or chemical) that render the waste difficult to process and are likely to pose unacceptable residual risks after suboptimal processing. In this article, we examine the environmental stressors present during the composting process and how they impact the fate of spore-forming bacteria. For example, promoting the sporulation of spore-forming bacteria early in the composting process by maintaining a steady but slow rise in temperature may increase their removal.
As a result, the composting process could be optimized to maximize the removal of pathogenic spore-forming bacteria otherwise likely to survive the composting process. A hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) is proposed that utilizes the timing of pathogen inactivation, as well as a multibarrier approach to ensure that inactivation during composting does not rely on a single operational parameter. This is a systematic and flexible approach which could offer composters a practicable and efficient system to reduce spore-forming bacteria as more high-risk organic wastes are diverted from landfills to be composted.
{"title":"Sporulation and implications for composting food waste","authors":"Muriel Lepesteur, Carina Dexter, Yujing Zhang, Aleksandra Kusljic","doi":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100633","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100633","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Well−managed composting is generally a safe method for processing organic wastes and generating a product that has beneficial uses. However, there is uncertainty regarding the safety of composts produced from high-risk organic wastes. High-risk organic wastes are wastes that may contain contaminants (biological, physical, or chemical) that render the waste difficult to process and are likely to pose unacceptable residual risks after suboptimal processing. In this article, we examine the environmental stressors present during the composting process and how they impact the fate of spore-forming bacteria. For example, promoting the sporulation of spore-forming bacteria early in the composting process by maintaining a steady but slow rise in temperature may increase their removal.</div><div>As a result, the composting process could be optimized to maximize the removal of pathogenic spore-forming bacteria otherwise likely to survive the composting process. A hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) is proposed that utilizes the timing of pathogen inactivation, as well as a multibarrier approach to ensure that inactivation during composting does not rely on a single operational parameter. This is a systematic and flexible approach which could offer composters a practicable and efficient system to reduce spore-forming bacteria as more high-risk organic wastes are diverted from landfills to be composted.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of food protection","volume":"88 12","pages":"Article 100633"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145258467","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100623
Eleonora Di Salvo , Christopher Zeidler , Tim Bastian Schille , Patrick Mikuni-Mester , Thomas Alter , Stephan Huehn-Lindenbein , Susanne Fleischmann
Vibrio (V.) species, such as V. parahaemolyticus and V. cholerae, are commonly associated with foodborne infections and are frequently detected in seafood worldwide. Unfavorable environmental conditions and process-related factors can induce a shift from culturable Vibrio cells into viable but nonculturable (VBNC) cells.
Conventional culture-based detection methods (ISO 21872-1:2023-06) cannot detect bacteria in the VBNC state, even though these cells remain metabolically active and pathogenic due to the expression of toxin−encoding genes. This study aimed to develop a detection method using viable quantitative PCR (vqPCR) to identify viable cells, including those in VBNC state. In parallel, a relatively rapid protocol for inducing the VBNC state to generate VBNC cell controls was established.
The established vqPCR assays included a preliminary step to inhibit dead bacterial cells using a proprietary DNA intercalating dye (Reagent D) in combination with the detection of long gene fragments of groEL (510 bp) for V. parahaemolyticus and ompW (588 bp) for V. cholerae using previously published primers. These assays demonstrated a high sensitivity, detecting as low as 20 fg DNA = 3.5 V. parahaemolyticus cells and 30 fg DNA = 6.9 V. cholerae cells. An induction of Vibrio VBNC cells of ≈ 6.5 Log10 cells/ml was successfully achieved within one hour from an initial 7.3 Log10 viable Vibrio cells/ml by treating the cells with a solution containing 0.5 or 1.0% Lutensol A03 and 0.2 M ammonium carbonate.
The results showed that the established vqPCR methods were able to detect V. parahaemolyticus and V. cholerae in up to 50% (2.6 to 4.2 Log10 cells/g) and 56% (2.8 to 5.2 Log10 cells/g) of retail samples, respectively, that were initially false-negative in culture-based tests.
The use of vqPCR assays along with culture-based tests can significantly enhance the seafood safety assessment by enabling the detection of VBNC cells of the most important foodborne Vibrio pathogens. In addition, the induction assay can be used for a rapid production of VBNC cells to standardize and validate such detection methods.
{"title":"Rapid Detection and Fast Induction of Viable but Nonculturable Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio cholerae","authors":"Eleonora Di Salvo , Christopher Zeidler , Tim Bastian Schille , Patrick Mikuni-Mester , Thomas Alter , Stephan Huehn-Lindenbein , Susanne Fleischmann","doi":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100623","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100623","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Vibrio</em> (<em>V</em>.) species, such as <em>V. parahaemolyticus</em> and <em>V. cholerae</em>, are commonly associated with foodborne infections and are frequently detected in seafood worldwide. Unfavorable environmental conditions and process-related factors can induce a shift from culturable <em>Vibrio</em> cells into viable but nonculturable (VBNC) cells.</div><div>Conventional culture-based detection methods (ISO 21872-1:2023-06) cannot detect bacteria in the VBNC state, even though these cells remain metabolically active and pathogenic due to the expression of toxin−encoding genes. This study aimed to develop a detection method using viable quantitative PCR (vqPCR) to identify viable cells, including those in VBNC state. In parallel, a relatively rapid protocol for inducing the VBNC state to generate VBNC cell controls was established.</div><div>The established vqPCR assays included a preliminary step to inhibit dead bacterial cells using a proprietary DNA intercalating dye (Reagent D) in combination with the detection of long gene fragments of <em>gro</em>EL (510 bp) for <em>V. parahaemolyticus</em> and <em>omp</em>W (588 bp) for <em>V. cholerae</em> using previously published primers. These assays demonstrated a high sensitivity, detecting as low as 20 fg DNA = 3.5 <em>V. parahaemolyticus</em> cells and 30 fg DNA = 6.9 <em>V. cholerae</em> cells. An induction of <em>Vibrio</em> VBNC cells of ≈ 6.5 Log10 cells/ml was successfully achieved within one hour from an initial 7.3 Log10 viable <em>Vibrio</em> cells/ml by treating the cells with a solution containing 0.5 or 1.0% Lutensol A03 and 0.2 M ammonium carbonate.</div><div>The results showed that the established vqPCR methods were able to detect <em>V. parahaemolyticus</em> and <em>V. cholerae</em> in up to 50% (2.6 to 4.2 Log10 cells/g) and 56% (2.8 to 5.2 Log10 cells/g) of retail samples, respectively, that were initially false-negative in culture-based tests.</div><div>The use of vqPCR assays along with culture-based tests can significantly enhance the seafood safety assessment by enabling the detection of VBNC cells of the most important foodborne <em>Vibrio</em> pathogens. In addition, the induction assay can be used for a rapid production of VBNC cells to standardize and validate such detection methods.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of food protection","volume":"88 11","pages":"Article 100623"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145102842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100640
Jiyon Chu , Jeong-Ih Shin , Mi Ru Lee , Yeun-Jun Chung , Kun Taek Park , Seung-Hyun Jung
Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is a major foodborne pathogen that can persist in food-processing environments and is responsible for listeriosis outbreaks. In this study, a total of 445 samples were collected from the beef supply chain, including 205 samples from cattle farms and 240 from retail markets across South Korea. Notably, 22 Lm isolates were exclusively recovered from retail beef samples, suggesting that contamination likely occurred during postfarm processing. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the isolates belonged to lineage I (36.4%) and lineage II (63.6%), with CC9 being the most frequently identified clonal complex. Lineage I included hypervirulent clones such as CC3, CC87, and CC224, which harbored LIPI-3 or LIPI-4 and a full-length inlA gene, consistent with high virulence potential. Notably, the CC224 strains shared several molecular features with the Korean outbreak strain (sublineage, resistance gene, and a premature stop codon [PMSC] mutation in the llsX gene), although they were not closely genetically related. In contrast, all CC9 isolates harbored inlA PMSC mutations, which are associated with attenuated virulence. Virulence and stress-related genetic elements exhibited lineage-specific patterns, with SSI-2, internalin genes (inlG and inlL), and virulence factors (ami and comK) predominantly found in lineage II. All isolates remained susceptible to most antibiotics; however, tetracycline resistance was observed in a subset (n = 4, 18.2%). Our findings demonstrate the coexistence of hypervirulent and stress-adapted subtypes in beef products and underscore the need for continuous genomic surveillance and enhanced hygiene measures during meat processing and distribution to mitigate public health risks.
{"title":"Prevalence and Genomic Characterization of Listeria monocytogenes in Retail Beef and Farm Samples in Korea","authors":"Jiyon Chu , Jeong-Ih Shin , Mi Ru Lee , Yeun-Jun Chung , Kun Taek Park , Seung-Hyun Jung","doi":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100640","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100640","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Listeria monocytogenes</em> (<em>Lm</em>) is a major foodborne pathogen that can persist in food-processing environments and is responsible for listeriosis outbreaks. In this study, a total of 445 samples were collected from the beef supply chain, including 205 samples from cattle farms and 240 from retail markets across South Korea. Notably, 22 <em>Lm</em> isolates were exclusively recovered from retail beef samples, suggesting that contamination likely occurred during postfarm processing. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the isolates belonged to lineage I (36.4%) and lineage II (63.6%), with CC9 being the most frequently identified clonal complex. Lineage I included hypervirulent clones such as CC3, CC87, and CC224, which harbored LIPI-3 or LIPI-4 and a full-length <em>inlA</em> gene, consistent with high virulence potential. Notably, the CC224 strains shared several molecular features with the Korean outbreak strain (sublineage, resistance gene, and a premature stop codon [PMSC] mutation in the <em>llsX</em> gene), although they were not closely genetically related. In contrast, all CC9 isolates harbored <em>inlA</em> PMSC mutations, which are associated with attenuated virulence. Virulence and stress-related genetic elements exhibited lineage-specific patterns, with SSI-2, internalin genes (<em>inlG</em> and <em>inlL</em>), and virulence factors (<em>ami</em> and <em>comK</em>) predominantly found in lineage II. All isolates remained susceptible to most antibiotics; however, tetracycline resistance was observed in a subset (<em>n</em> = 4, 18.2%). Our findings demonstrate the coexistence of hypervirulent and stress-adapted subtypes in beef products and underscore the need for continuous genomic surveillance and enhanced hygiene measures during meat processing and distribution to mitigate public health risks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of food protection","volume":"88 11","pages":"Article 100640"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145280403","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100637
Getachew Sime
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of bio-slurry (BS) and chemical fertilizer (CF) application on the physico-chemical properties of the soil and food safety of maize (Zea mays L.) grain. A field experiment was conducted at Hawassa University Research Farm, in Sidama Region, Ethiopia, under rain-fed conditions. The experiment consisted of three treatments, arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were 100% BS (5 ton BS ha−1), 100% CF (90 kg N ha−1 + 30 kg P ha−1 + 13 kg S ha−1), and control. Soil samples were taken for the physico-chemical analysis. Maize grain samples were also collected at harvest for the analysis of heavy metal concentration. The application of BS and CF slightly improved the soil physico-chemical properties. The mean concentration of heavy metals in preexperiment soil was below the permissible limit for arable land except for Cd. Though the application of BS reduced the mean concentration of most of the heavy metals studied (Mn, Pb, As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Co), it increased the concentration of essential metals (Cu, Fe, and Zn) in soil. Likewise, the application of CF increased the concentration of Cu and Fe. The application of BS and CF increased the concentration of Ni and Co, respectively, in maize grain that exceeded the FAO/WHO 2001 standards. Attributing to heavy metal concentration, this result signifies a potential health concern of applying BS and CF in maize cultivation for human consumption in the study sites. Therefore, pretreatment of BS and CF for Ni and Co is important for avoiding heavy metal contamination of maize grain for human consumption.
本研究旨在评价生物浆（BS）和化肥（CF）施用对玉米（Zea mays L.）籽粒土壤理化性质和食品安全的影响。在埃塞俄比亚Sidama地区的Hawassa大学研究农场，在雨养条件下进行了田间试验。试验包括3个处理，采用随机完全区组设计，3个重复。处理为100% BS （5 t BS hm -1）、100% CF （90 kg N hm -1+ 30 kg P hm -1+ 13 kg S hm -1）和对照。取土样进行理化分析。收获时采集玉米籽粒样品进行重金属浓度分析。施用BS和CF对土壤理化性质有轻微改善。除Cd外，预试土壤中重金属的平均浓度均低于耕地允许浓度。施用BS虽然降低了所研究的大多数重金属（Mn、Pb、As、Cd、Cr、Ni和Co）的平均浓度，但增加了土壤中必需金属（Cu、Fe和Zn）的浓度。同样，CF的应用增加了Cu和Fe的浓度。BS和CF的使用使玉米籽粒中Ni和Co的浓度分别超过了FAO/WHO 2001年标准。由于重金属浓度的原因，这一结果表明，在研究地点的玉米种植中使用BS和CF供人类食用可能存在健康问题。因此，BS和CF预处理Ni和Co对于避免人类食用玉米籽粒重金属污染具有重要意义。
{"title":"Preliminary Study of Chemical Fertilizer and Cattle Manure-Based Bio-Slurry Application on Soil Properties and Heavy Metal Concentration in Maize (Zea mays L.) Grain","authors":"Getachew Sime","doi":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100637","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100637","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of bio-slurry (BS) and chemical fertilizer (CF) application on the physico-chemical properties of the soil and food safety of maize (Zea mays L.) grain. A field experiment was conducted at Hawassa University Research Farm, in Sidama Region, Ethiopia, under rain-fed conditions. The experiment consisted of three treatments, arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The treatments were 100% BS (5 ton BS ha<sup>−1</sup>), 100% CF (90 kg N ha<sup>−1</sup> + 30 kg P ha<sup>−1</sup> + 13 kg S ha<sup>−1</sup>), and control. Soil samples were taken for the physico-chemical analysis. Maize grain samples were also collected at harvest for the analysis of heavy metal concentration. The application of BS and CF slightly improved the soil physico-chemical properties. The mean concentration of heavy metals in preexperiment soil was below the permissible limit for arable land except for Cd. Though the application of BS reduced the mean concentration of most of the heavy metals studied (Mn, Pb, As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and Co), it increased the concentration of essential metals (Cu, Fe, and Zn) in soil. Likewise, the application of CF increased the concentration of Cu and Fe. The application of BS and CF increased the concentration of Ni and Co, respectively, in maize grain that exceeded the FAO/WHO 2001 standards. Attributing to heavy metal concentration, this result signifies a potential health concern of applying BS and CF in maize cultivation for human consumption in the study sites. Therefore, pretreatment of BS and CF for Ni and Co is important for avoiding heavy metal contamination of maize grain for human consumption.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of food protection","volume":"88 11","pages":"Article 100637"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145258398","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Since 2014, Campylobacter has been the leading bacterial cause of foodborne illness in the United States, resulting in millions in economic losses each year and strains on public health. Chicken, the most consumed meat in the US, is the primary source of Campylobacter infection in humans, accounting for 50 – 90% of all cases. To survive food processing stressors like oxidative and cold stress, Campylobacter enters a viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state, where cells remain intact (viable) but cannot grow in conventional culture media within the prescribed time (nonculturable). This presents a food safety challenge since growth in selective media, which only determines the culturable cells, is required for the detection of Campylobacter using standard microbiological methods. Culture-independent detection methods like viability quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) have been developed to overcome this challenge and detect both culturable and nonculturable viable cells. Here, we applied both culture-based methods and viability qPCR to assess the occurrence and levels of Campylobacter on 209 retail skinless boneless chicken breasts processed in at least eight U.S. states. Culture-based enrichment yielded isolates for 15 samples, with whole genome sequencing identifying isolates from four samples as C. jejuni, eight samples as Acinetobacter spp., one as Micrococcus luteus, and one as Escherichia coli, resulting in a 1.9% prevalence of Campylobacter on retail skinless boneless chicken breast. Spread plating on selective media and viability qPCR did not detect Campylobacter in any of the tested samples, suggesting that concentrations were below the limit of detection of these methods.
{"title":"Low Prevalence and Concentrations of Campylobacter Detected on Retail Chicken Breasts","authors":"Amelia Navarre , Katherine Rupert , Tyler Chandross-Cohen , Jasna Kovac","doi":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100635","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100635","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Since 2014, <em>Campylobacter</em> has been the leading bacterial cause of foodborne illness in the United States, resulting in millions in economic losses each year and strains on public health. Chicken, the most consumed meat in the US, is the primary source of <em>Campylobacter</em> infection in humans, accounting for 50 – 90% of all cases. To survive food processing stressors like oxidative and cold stress, <em>Campylobacter</em> enters a viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state, where cells remain intact (viable) but cannot grow in conventional culture media within the prescribed time (nonculturable). This presents a food safety challenge since growth in selective media, which only determines the culturable cells, is required for the detection of <em>Campylobacter</em> using standard microbiological methods. Culture-independent detection methods like viability quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) have been developed to overcome this challenge and detect both culturable and nonculturable viable cells. Here, we applied both culture-based methods and viability qPCR to assess the occurrence and levels of <em>Campylobacter</em> on 209 retail skinless boneless chicken breasts processed in at least eight U.S. states. Culture-based enrichment yielded isolates for 15 samples, with whole genome sequencing identifying isolates from four samples as <em>C. jejuni</em>, eight samples as <em>Acinetobacter</em> spp., one as <em>Micrococcus luteus</em>, and one as <em>Escherichia coli</em>, resulting in a 1.9% prevalence of <em>Campylobacter</em> on retail skinless boneless chicken breast. Spread plating on selective media and viability qPCR did not detect <em>Campylobacter</em> in any of the tested samples, suggesting that concentrations were below the limit of detection of these methods.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of food protection","volume":"88 11","pages":"Article 100635"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145258464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100636
Syed Riad , M. Abbas Alam , Foyez Jalal Uddin , M. Tawhid Al Jomar , A.M. Sarwaruddin Chowdhury , Tanzina Iveen Chowdhury , L.N. Lutfa , M. Safiur Rahman , Tasrina Rabia Choudhury
The Karnaphuli River, Patenga sea beach area, and Sandwip Island are parts of the Southeastern region of Bangladesh characterized by a high density of industrial establishments, extensive agricultural activities, and poor management, along with intensive and unregulated tourism, which significantly pose a possible danger of pollution in the aquatic environment from heavy metals. Accordingly, eight fish samples were obtained from four distinct sites within these regions to assess the concentration of heavy metals and evaluate the probable health risks of swallowing them. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) was employed to determine the concentration of lead, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, mercury, and copper in the edible muscle tissues of the most commonly consumed species, and the average concentration levels followed the descending order: Cr > Pb > As > Cu > Cd. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Pearson correlation analysis identified possible pollutants (natural and anthropogenic) and significant positive and negative connections between harmful metal concentrations in fish species. The metal pollution index (MPI) was lower than 1, and the estimated daily intake (EDI) was more than the tolerable daily intake in some species for children for Pb species for health risk assessment. Target hazard quotient (THQ) > 1 for children in every fish species for As and in most species for Cr also while total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) > 1 in every sample for children, and showed children have approximately 4.5 times more health risk. Children’s cancer risk (CR) for Cr and As metal was level VII, while adults’ cancer risk was medium to high, advising against consuming such fish species.
{"title":"Toxic metal Accumulation in Edible Fishes and Associated Human Health Risks: Evidence from Southeastern Coastal Region of Bangladesh","authors":"Syed Riad , M. Abbas Alam , Foyez Jalal Uddin , M. Tawhid Al Jomar , A.M. Sarwaruddin Chowdhury , Tanzina Iveen Chowdhury , L.N. Lutfa , M. Safiur Rahman , Tasrina Rabia Choudhury","doi":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100636","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100636","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Karnaphuli River, Patenga sea beach area, and Sandwip Island are parts of the Southeastern region of Bangladesh characterized by a high density of industrial establishments, extensive agricultural activities, and poor management, along with intensive and unregulated tourism, which significantly pose a possible danger of pollution in the aquatic environment from heavy metals. Accordingly, eight fish samples were obtained from four distinct sites within these regions to assess the concentration of heavy metals and evaluate the probable health risks of swallowing them. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) was employed to determine the concentration of lead, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, mercury, and copper in the edible muscle tissues of the most commonly consumed species, and the average concentration levels followed the descending order: Cr > Pb > As > Cu > Cd. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Pearson correlation analysis identified possible pollutants (natural and anthropogenic) and significant positive and negative connections between harmful metal concentrations in fish species. The metal pollution index (MPI) was lower than 1, and the estimated daily intake (EDI) was more than the tolerable daily intake in some species for children for Pb species for health risk assessment. Target hazard quotient (THQ) > 1 for children in every fish species for As and in most species for Cr also while total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) > 1 in every sample for children, and showed children have approximately 4.5 times more health risk. Children’s cancer risk (CR) for Cr and As metal was level VII, while adults’ cancer risk was medium to high, advising against consuming such fish species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of food protection","volume":"88 11","pages":"Article 100636"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145258425","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100634
Caleb J. Swing, Sara V. Gonzalez, Michael J. Hernandez-Sintharakao, Mahesh N. Nair, Ifigenia Geornaras
The continued occurrence of foodborne illness outbreaks linked to cantaloupes highlights the need for additional efforts to mitigate the risk of pathogen contamination on these products before they reach consumers. This study evaluated the efficacy of a sanitizer blend consisting of peroxyacetic acid (PAA) and a proprietary sulfuric acid-surfactant (SS) (PAA-SS) in reducing inoculated L. monocytogenes populations on whole cantaloupe melons. Cantaloupes (n = 6) were surface-inoculated (ca. 8 log CFU/cantaloupe) with a five-strain mixture of L. monocytogenes and then immersed in water, 40 ppm free chlorine (CL), SS at pH 1.8, PAA (40, 80, and 250 ppm; denoted as PAA40, PAA80, and PAA250, respectively), or PAA-SS (pH 1.8; denoted as PAA40-SS, PAA80-SS, PAA250-SS) for 0.5, 1, or 5 min. Regardless of exposure time, L. monocytogenes reductions obtained with CL and all the PAA and PAA-SS treatments were greater (P < 0.05) than those obtained with the water treatment. Overall, irrespective of treatment time, reductions ranged from 2.1 to 3.3 log CFU/cantaloupe for CL, 0.9 to 1.8 log CFU/cantaloupe for SS, 3.0 to >4.6 log CFU/cantaloupe across the three PAA concentrations, and 3.2 to >4.9 log CFU/cantaloupe across the three PAA-SS blends. In general, the efficacy of PAA40-SS, PAA80-SS, PAA250-SS, and PAA250 was greater (P < 0.05) than that of the CL treatment. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the PAA-SS blends was largely comparable (P ≥ 0.05) to that of PAA (without SS) applied at the same concentration and exposure time. However, the absence of surviving populations (<2.7 log CFU/cantaloupe detection limit) in some samples treated with PAA250-SS suggested that combining PAA with the sulfuric acid-surfactant may enhance the antimicrobial effects of PAA. The results of this study offer alternatives to chlorine for reducing L. monocytogenes contamination on the surface of cantaloupes and highlight the potential application of PAA-SS blends in produce sanitizer systems.
{"title":"Efficacy of Peroxyacetic Acid and Sulfuric Acid-Surfactant Blends for Reducing Listeria monocytogenes Contamination on the Surface of Whole Cantaloupes","authors":"Caleb J. Swing, Sara V. Gonzalez, Michael J. Hernandez-Sintharakao, Mahesh N. Nair, Ifigenia Geornaras","doi":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100634","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100634","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The continued occurrence of foodborne illness outbreaks linked to cantaloupes highlights the need for additional efforts to mitigate the risk of pathogen contamination on these products before they reach consumers. This study evaluated the efficacy of a sanitizer blend consisting of peroxyacetic acid (PAA) and a proprietary sulfuric acid-surfactant (SS) (PAA-SS) in reducing inoculated <em>L. monocytogenes</em> populations on whole cantaloupe melons. Cantaloupes (<em>n</em> = 6) were surface-inoculated (ca. 8 log CFU/cantaloupe) with a five-strain mixture of <em>L. monocytogenes</em> and then immersed in water, 40 ppm free chlorine (CL), SS at pH 1.8, PAA (40, 80, and 250 ppm; denoted as PAA40, PAA80, and PAA250, respectively), or PAA-SS (pH 1.8; denoted as PAA40-SS, PAA80-SS, PAA250-SS) for 0.5, 1, or 5 min. Regardless of exposure time, <em>L. monocytogenes</em> reductions obtained with CL and all the PAA and PAA-SS treatments were greater (<em>P</em> < 0.05) than those obtained with the water treatment. Overall, irrespective of treatment time, reductions ranged from 2.1 to 3.3 log CFU/cantaloupe for CL, 0.9 to 1.8 log CFU/cantaloupe for SS, 3.0 to >4.6 log CFU/cantaloupe across the three PAA concentrations, and 3.2 to >4.9 log CFU/cantaloupe across the three PAA-SS blends. In general, the efficacy of PAA40-SS, PAA80-SS, PAA250-SS, and PAA250 was greater (<em>P</em> < 0.05) than that of the CL treatment. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the PAA-SS blends was largely comparable (<em>P</em> ≥ 0.05) to that of PAA (without SS) applied at the same concentration and exposure time. However, the absence of surviving populations (<2.7 log CFU/cantaloupe detection limit) in some samples treated with PAA250-SS suggested that combining PAA with the sulfuric acid-surfactant may enhance the antimicrobial effects of PAA. The results of this study offer alternatives to chlorine for reducing <em>L. monocytogenes</em> contamination on the surface of cantaloupes and highlight the potential application of PAA-SS blends in produce sanitizer systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of food protection","volume":"88 11","pages":"Article 100634"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145251386","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100629
Linda J. Harris, Vanessa M. Lieberman, Sheryl Long, Anne-laure Moyne
The prevalence and levels of pathogens in foods are critical inputs for quantitative microbial risk assessment. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, levels, and distribution of Escherichia coli O157:H7, non-O157 Shiga toxin–producing E. coli (STEC), and Salmonella on raw almond kernels from the 2021 California harvest, and to compare the results with data from 2001 to 2013. During the 2021 harvest, 1–2 kg samples were collected at processing facilities from 601 incoming single-variety almond lots representing 15 varieties. Each lot was tested for the presence of E. coli O157:H7 and STEC using 375-g subsamples and for Salmonella using 100-g subsamples. Aerobic plate count (APC) and levels of coliforms, Enterobacteriaceae, yeasts, and molds were determined for a subset of positive and negative lots. Salmonella levels in positive lots were estimated using a modified three-tube most-probable-number (MPN) method with additional 25- and 50-g subsamples processed through sample depletion. A subset of Salmonella-negative lots was also retested using multiple 100-g subsample enrichments. None of the 601 lots was positive for either E. coli O157:H7 or STEC. Salmonella was isolated from 18 lots (3.0% [95% CI, 1.8–4.7%]), a higher prevalence than the 9-year average from earlier surveys (0.98% [95% CI, 0.83–1.2%]). Estimated Salmonella levels in 2021 ranged from 0.0016 to 0.011 MPN/g (mean 0.0034 ± 0.0023 MPN/g), consistent with 2001–2013 levels (mean 0.012 ± 0.017 MPN/g; range, 0.00020–0.15 MPN/g). Whole-genome sequencing of 2021 isolates identified Salmonella enterica subspecies arizonae, diarizonae, and enterica, including nine Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovars. No significant differences (P > 0.05) in APC or levels of yeasts, molds, coliforms, or Enterobacteriaceae were observed between Salmonella-positive and -negative lots in 2021, consistent with findings from earlier surveys. Salmonella detection was not associated with almond variety.
{"title":"Prevalence and Levels of Shiga Toxin–producing Escherichia coli and Salmonella in California Raw Almond Kernels From the 2021 Harvest Compared With Data From Harvests Between 2001 and 2013","authors":"Linda J. Harris, Vanessa M. Lieberman, Sheryl Long, Anne-laure Moyne","doi":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100629","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100629","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The prevalence and levels of pathogens in foods are critical inputs for quantitative microbial risk assessment. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, levels, and distribution of <em>Escherichia coli</em> O157:H7, non-O157 Shiga toxin–producing <em>E. coli</em> (STEC), and <em>Salmonella</em> on raw almond kernels from the 2021 California harvest, and to compare the results with data from 2001 to 2013. During the 2021 harvest, 1–2 kg samples were collected at processing facilities from 601 incoming single-variety almond lots representing 15 varieties. Each lot was tested for the presence of <em>E. coli</em> O157:H7 and STEC using 375-g subsamples and for <em>Salmonella</em> using 100-g subsamples. Aerobic plate count (APC) and levels of coliforms, Enterobacteriaceae, yeasts, and molds were determined for a subset of positive and negative lots. <em>Salmonella</em> levels in positive lots were estimated using a modified three-tube most-probable-number (MPN) method with additional 25- and 50-g subsamples processed through sample depletion. A subset of <em>Salmonella</em>-negative lots was also retested using multiple 100-g subsample enrichments. None of the 601 lots was positive for either <em>E. coli</em> O157:H7 or STEC. <em>Salmonella</em> was isolated from 18 lots (3.0% [95% CI, 1.8–4.7%]), a higher prevalence than the 9-year average from earlier surveys (0.98% [95% CI, 0.83–1.2%]). Estimated <em>Salmonella</em> levels in 2021 ranged from 0.0016 to 0.011 MPN/g (mean 0.0034 ± 0.0023 MPN/g), consistent with 2001–2013 levels (mean 0.012 ± 0.017 MPN/g; range, 0.00020–0.15 MPN/g). Whole-genome sequencing of 2021 isolates identified <em>Salmonella enterica</em> subspecies <em>arizonae</em>, <em>diarizonae,</em> and <em>enterica,</em> including nine <em>Salmonella enterica</em> subspecies <em>enterica</em> serovars. No significant differences (<em>P</em> > 0.05) in APC or levels of yeasts, molds, coliforms, or Enterobacteriaceae were observed between <em>Salmonella-</em>positive and -negative lots in 2021, consistent with findings from earlier surveys. <em>Salmonella</em> detection was not associated with almond variety.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of food protection","volume":"88 11","pages":"Article 100629"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145186080","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100630
Jesica Temple , Jessica M. Blythe , Tim P. Boltz , Arron J. Giorgi , Christopher M. Ashwell , Cangliang Shen
This study utilizes a novel classification framework to address voluntary food safety practices among small-scale produce growers who sell primarily at West Virginia farmers’ markets. Limited data exist on how these exempt growers voluntarily adopt postharvest food safety practices. This pilot study assessed postharvest food safety behaviors and introduced a behavioral classification framework—Willing, Ready, and Able (WRA)—to stratify engagement among FSMA-exempt small-scale produce growers. A cross-sectional survey was administered in 2025 to 40 growers at the West Virginia Small Farms Conference. FSMA exemption was confirmed by self-report or eligibility criteria; five FSMA-covered respondents were excluded, yielding a final sample of 35. Growers were categorized as FSMA-Willing (no training, confident in current practices), FSMA-Ready (training plus adoption of one to three Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)-aligned practices), or FSMA-Able (training plus adoption of four or more GAP-aligned practices). Among FSMA-exempt respondents (n = 35), 62.8% reported training, 53.1% sanitized surfaces, and 52.5% used refrigeration. WRA classification revealed that 34.3% were Willing, 34.3% Ready, and 28.5% Able. The WRA framework introduces a novel behavioral classification system to differentiate FSMA-exempt growers by readiness, training history, and current safety practices. These findings suggest that many exempt growers voluntarily implement risk-reducing behaviors, and WRA can guide targeted outreach to improve food safety in decentralized systems.
{"title":"Development and Validation of a Novel Classification Framework for Voluntary Food Safety Adoption Among Small-Scale Produce Growers: A Pilot Study","authors":"Jesica Temple , Jessica M. Blythe , Tim P. Boltz , Arron J. Giorgi , Christopher M. Ashwell , Cangliang Shen","doi":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100630","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100630","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study utilizes a novel classification framework to address voluntary food safety practices among small-scale produce growers who sell primarily at West Virginia farmers’ markets. Limited data exist on how these exempt growers voluntarily adopt postharvest food safety practices. This pilot study assessed postharvest food safety behaviors and introduced a behavioral classification framework—Willing, Ready, and Able (<strong>WRA</strong>)—to stratify engagement among FSMA-exempt small-scale produce growers. A cross-sectional survey was administered in 2025 to 40 growers at the West Virginia Small Farms Conference. FSMA exemption was confirmed by self-report or eligibility criteria; five FSMA-covered respondents were excluded, yielding a final sample of 35. Growers were categorized as FSMA-Willing (no training, confident in current practices), FSMA-Ready (training plus adoption of one to three Good Agricultural Practices (<strong>GAP</strong>)-aligned practices), or FSMA-Able (training plus adoption of four or more GAP-aligned practices). Among FSMA-exempt respondents (<em>n</em> = 35), 62.8% reported training, 53.1% sanitized surfaces, and 52.5% used refrigeration. WRA classification revealed that 34.3% were Willing, 34.3% Ready, and 28.5% Able. The WRA framework introduces a novel behavioral classification system to differentiate FSMA-exempt growers by readiness, training history, and current safety practices. These findings suggest that many exempt growers voluntarily implement risk-reducing behaviors, and WRA can guide targeted outreach to improve food safety in decentralized systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of food protection","volume":"88 11","pages":"Article 100630"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145186089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-10-01DOI: 10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100621
Diwakar Singh
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reforming the food industry, particularly in food safety and quality control, by enhancing detection, predicting shelf life, and optimizing production processes. This review explores the innovative role of AI, focusing on the integration of machine learning (ML), computer vision, and natural language processing (NLP) in food safety systems. AI is transforming food safety by enabling real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, rapid contaminant detection, and automation throughout the food supply chain. These technologies reduce human error and allow quicker responses to safety threats, ultimately preventing foodborne illnesses and improving product quality. AI also helps to predict and manage climate-induced risks, such as chemical and microbiological hazards linked to extreme weather and temperature shifts. The review outlines the integration of digital tools such as biosensors and Internet of Things (IoT) devices and examines AI’s convergence with blockchain and process analytical technologies to enhance traceability and strengthen food safety management systems. Despite its potential, the widespread adoption of AI is hindered by challenges such as data privacy concerns, workforce adaptation, and regulatory barriers, while critical gaps in digital infrastructure, data standardization, and policy support also need to be addressed to enable effective implementation. The review highlights the importance of ethical frameworks and interdisciplinary collaboration to guide responsible AI deployment. Emerging tools like neural networks and behavior-based safety assessments can boost food system resilience. The review concludes by calling for enhanced regulatory cooperation and technological investment to realize AI’s full potential in creating safer, more sustainable, and efficient food systems.
{"title":"Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Safeguard Food Quality and Safety","authors":"Diwakar Singh","doi":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100621","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100621","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reforming the food industry, particularly in food safety and quality control, by enhancing detection, predicting shelf life, and optimizing production processes. This review explores the innovative role of AI, focusing on the integration of machine learning (ML), computer vision, and natural language processing (NLP) in food safety systems. AI is transforming food safety by enabling real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, rapid contaminant detection, and automation throughout the food supply chain. These technologies reduce human error and allow quicker responses to safety threats, ultimately preventing foodborne illnesses and improving product quality. AI also helps to predict and manage climate-induced risks, such as chemical and microbiological hazards linked to extreme weather and temperature shifts. The review outlines the integration of digital tools such as biosensors and Internet of Things (IoT) devices and examines AI’s convergence with blockchain and process analytical technologies to enhance traceability and strengthen food safety management systems. Despite its potential, the widespread adoption of AI is hindered by challenges such as data privacy concerns, workforce adaptation, and regulatory barriers, while critical gaps in digital infrastructure, data standardization, and policy support also need to be addressed to enable effective implementation. The review highlights the importance of ethical frameworks and interdisciplinary collaboration to guide responsible AI deployment. Emerging tools like neural networks and behavior-based safety assessments can boost food system resilience. The review concludes by calling for enhanced regulatory cooperation and technological investment to realize AI’s full potential in creating safer, more sustainable, and efficient food systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of food protection","volume":"88 11","pages":"Article 100621"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145086335","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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