Journal of Consumer Protection and Food Safety最新文献

The objective of this work was to evaluate the reduction of microbiological contamination (aerobic colony count) and the impact on meat color of pig carcasses before and after the application of a steam bath in the final washing step in a slaughterhouse. Treatments were based on a 2² full factorial design with steam pressures of 3 (294.2 kPa) and 5 kgf/cm² (490.3 kPa) and washing times of 10 and 20 s, supplemented by center points at 4 kgf/cm² (392.2 kPa) and 15 s. A total of 112 carcasses (average weight of 135.7 ± 18.5 kg) were tested (14 per treatment and control). High steam pressure significantly reduced microbial counts on the carcass surface, with reductions ranging from 0.22 to 2.04 log CFU/cm², while the control treatment achieved only 0.18 log CFU/cm². Steam pressure had a stronger influence on microbial reduction than contact time (p < 0.05). The evaluation of loin muscle color showed no negative effects, with all samples remaining within acceptable commercial standards. These results support the use of steam pressure as an effective hygienic-sanitary intervention in pig slaughterhouses, capable of reducing surface contamination without compromising meat quality.

Controlling Salmonella contamination throughout the food supply chain is critical for ensuring food safety and protecting public health. Despite recent advancements, alternative detection methods are still needed to mitigate the impact of Salmonella and improve its monitoring in complex food matrices. In this study, we present a simple and cost-effective approach for the preliminary detection of Salmonella in liquid foods such as milk and carrot juice. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesized and functionalized by physical adsorption of a specific anti-Salmonella aptamer onto their surface. For detection, aptamer-functionalized AuNPs were incubated with serial dilutions of Salmonella in buffer, milk, and carrot juice samples, and colorimetric changes were recorded visually and by Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The results were compared with those obtained by standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and culture methods. Optimal aptamer adsorption was achieved in 0.01 M MES buffer containing 200 mM NaCl at pH 5.8. Transmission electron microscopy characterization demonstrated that the functionalized AuNPs were stable against salt-induced aggregation and maintained good dispersion. The zeta potential increased to − 27 mV, indicating successful aptamer stabilization on the AuNP surface. The aptamer-functionalized AuNPs were evaluated as plasmonic aptasensors for Salmonella detection in both buffer and real food samples. The sensor exhibited a sensitivity of 400 CFU/mL with a linear detection range from 10³ to 10⁷ CFU/mL. High specificity was observed, with a 5-fold greater response to Salmonella compared to other tested bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Citrobacter freundii, and Proteus mirabilis. In field samples, the aptasensor demonstrated promising sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, ranking third after PCR and cell culture methods. Future work should focus on optimizing sensor performance and sample preparation to enhance detection in complex food matrices and enable multiplex pathogen detection.

Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of foodborne illnesses, partly due to its pronounced capacity for biofilm formation. This study aims to evaluate the antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of carvacrol encapsulated within a nanoemulsion against S. aureus. The minimum mitigation concentration, bacterial growth curves, and cell membrane characteristics were the key parameters examined. Carvacrol nanoemulsions demonstrated superior antibacterial activity compared to pure carvacrol, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.125 mg/mL. Remarkable leakage of intracellular components such as nucleic acids, proteins, and alkaline phosphatases was noted following the exposure of S. aureus to carvacrol nanoemulsions, thereby suggesting significant impairment of the integrity of bacterial cell membranes and cell walls. Carvacrol nanoemulsions effectively disrupted the biofilm formation process in 96-well microtiter plates, and successfully eradicated mature biofilms of S. aureus at minimum concentrations of 0.25 mg/mL and 0.5 mg/mL, respectively. A similarly robust antibiofilm effect of carvacrol nanoemulsions was also achieved on stainless steel surfaces in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This was likely due to the suppression of bacterial surface hydrophobicity. This study underscores the potential application of carvacrol nanoemulsions as a means to combat S. aureus in both planktonic and biofilm states, contributing to microbial food safety control.

European Union regulations stipulate that only clean animals can be delivered for slaughter. In Germany, this is specified by a scheme in the national administrative regulation, categorizing delivery batches into “clean” or “not clean”. This study investigated whether the visual cleanliness of pigs upon arrival at the abattoir affects the microbial status [measured by total viable count (TVC) and Salmonella] at two points in the slaughter process line: in the lairage and after singeing/flaming. Additionally, the impact of the husbandry system (conventional/organic) on visual cleanliness and microbial status was examined. During unloading, 20 pig delivery batches were visually assessed. TVC and Salmonella were examined in the lairage and after singeing/flaming. Even pigs with high initial visual and microbial contamination showed TVC levels comparable to cleaner pigs after singeing/flaming. Comparing mean TVCs between husbandry systems, no significant differences were observed. Salmonella was detected only on pig skin sampled in the lairage (3%, 4/120). The study shows that effective process hygiene at the abattoir, particularly up to singeing/flaming, can reduce the bacterial load regardless of pigs’ initial cleanliness.

Clementine exports are a key economic driver in Morocco; however, pesticide-residue compliance differs between the export and domestic supply chains, raising concerns about consumer safety. We aimed to quantify chlorpyrifos-ethyl (CE) and chlorpyrifos-methyl (CM) residues in clementines and compare compliance with Moroccan Maximum Residue Limits (0,3 mg kg⁻¹) between fruit destined for export and local markets. During the 2018–2019 harvest, 12 composite samples (each weighing 1 kg) were collected: six from conditioning stations targeting international markets and six from regional markets serving local consumers in Berkane Province. Residues were extracted following EN 123932 (2013) and analyzed by gas chromatography with nitrogenphosphorus detection (LOD = 0.005 mg kg⁻¹; LOQ = 0.01 mg kg⁻¹). Method validation yielded recoveries of 85–110% and an R² value of 0.999. Data normality was checked (Shapiro–Wilk); group means were compared by Welch’s test (α = 0.05), and effect size was reported with Cohen’s d. CE was detected in 83% (5/6) of localmarket samples, with four of six samples (66%) exceeding the Moroccan maximum residue limit of 0.3 mg kg⁻¹ (mean ± SD = 0.70 ± 0.61 mg kg⁻¹). In contrast, CE occurred in two of 6 (33%) of export samples, all of which were below the MRL (0.05 ± 0.04 mg kg⁻¹). CM was present in 3 samples (25%) yet remained within legal limits. The difference in CE levels between supply chains was significant (t = 3.14, p = 0.010; Cohen’s d = 1.2). Local market clementines exhibit markedly higher CE exceedance than export fruit, implying weaker domestic enforcement of pre-harvest intervals. Strengthened farmer training and regulatory oversight are necessary to align domestic produce with international food safety standards.

Residue studies and dietary risk assessments are essential for evaluating the safe use of pesticides in crops. Residue behaviour and dietary risk assessment of lambda-cyhalothrin and novaluron in Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck was studied using Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe method coupled to Gas Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry. The method was validated to estimate the residues of the insecticides in broccoli according to SANTE. The limit of quantification of the method for lambda-cyhalothrin and novaluron was 0.010 mg/kg and the method was found to be accurate and precise. The dissipation of lambda-cyhalothrin and novaluron residues in broccoli was in accordance with the first-order kinetic model with half-life of 1.525–1.930 days and 1.678–2.170 days, respectively. The residues of both insecticides were not detected in soil samples at harvest. The pre-harvest interval of 8–12 days for lambda-cyhalothrin and 12–17 days for novaluron was suggested. The proposed maximum residue limits (MRLs) of 0.9–1.5 and 3 mg/kg for lambda-cyhalothrin and novaluron were calculated using the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development MRL calculator. The dietary risk assessment showed that the acute and the chronic hazard quotient were less than 1 for lambda-cyhalothrin and novaluron. This suggests that there was no chronic dietary risk to Indian consumers from broccoli.

European Union (EU) legislation requires the monitoring of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as well as food and feed consisting of or produced from GMOs. Control laboratories enforcing this legislation need access to comprehensive information on market-relevant GMOs being developed worldwide. Among existing GMO databases, EUginius (EUropean GMO INItiative for a Unified Database System) stands out by compiling data tailored for this purpose. It supports GMO detection with information on over 960 single and stacked events, mostly in crops, covering EU-authorised and unauthorised GMOs as well as organisms developed using new genomic techniques (NGTs). This unique dataset makes EUginius a valuable resource for GMO enforcement institutions and control laboratories.

Pre-slaughter handling of beef cattle affects carcass quality by altering its appearance and composition. Inhumane pre-slaughter handling of beef cattle is a major global concern and has attracted considerable attention from policymakers and consumers. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of humane pre-slaughter beef cattle handling among key stakeholders in Uganda, including consumers, cattle farmers, animal transporters/handlers, abattoir workers, veterinary officers, butcher operators, law enforcement officers. A survey was conducted in five regions of Uganda, with 276 participants using a questionnaire. Furthermore, field observations were carried out using a standardized checklist. Results indicated significant differences in stakeholders understanding of animal welfare, particularly regarding transport conditions and the concept of Five Freedoms (p = 0.007). Most stakeholders identified meat color and carcass bleeding as key indicators of inhumane pre-slaughter handling. While perceptions of the effect of poor handling on meat quality did not differ significantly among groups, a majority of beef consumers (n = 163) stated willingness to pay more for meat from humanely handled cattle. However, this willingness varied significantly across stakeholder groups. Field observations revealed high stocking densities during cattle transport and excessive vehicle speeds, suggesting substandard transport practices.