Journal of Consumer Protection and Food Safety最新文献

This study was conducted to determine the antimicrobial resistance profiles of Escherichia coli isolated from food samples received at the National Food Safety Agency in Burkina Faso. A total of 155 isolates from dairy foods (29), fish-based dishes (7), mango juices (4), lettuces (35), RTE salads (21), sandwiches (32), and sesames (27) were included for testing with the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. PCR targeting ampicillin (bla_TEM, bla_SHV, temA, and temB), tetracyclines [tet(A) and tet(B)], sulfamethoxazole (sul1 and sul2), aminoglycosides (StrA and aadA) and quinolones (GyrA) resistance genes were performed to elucidate the genotypic resistance mechanism. Of the 155 isolates, 105 (67.7%) were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent. Resistances to tetracycline (33.5%), ampicillin (32.9%), cefoxitin (18.7%), gentamycin (15.5%), amoxicillin-clavulanate acid (15.5%), nalidixic acid (12.9%), chloramphenicol (11.6%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (11.6%), and ciprofloxacin (8.4%) were observed. Multidrug resistance was recorded in 26.5% of the isolates. Antimicrobial resistance genes including bla_TEM (19/51, 37.3%), bla_SHV (19/51, 37.3%), temB (17/51, 33.3%), tet(A) (24/52, 46.2%), tet(B) (9/52, 17.3%), sul1 (8/18, 44.4%), sul2 (4/18, 22.2%), aadA (11/24, 45.83%) and GyrA (31/36, 86.1%) were detected. All E. coli isolates resistant to at least 2 antibiotics were positive for the class 1 integron gene (intI1). These findings raise concerns about food safety and public health and demonstrate the need for strict government control and continuous monitoring.

Three Closed Transfer Systems (CTS) were evaluated for their reduction of operator exposure to plant protection products during mixing and loading: the inverted extraction systems, easyFlow M and easyconnect, and the probe extraction system, GoatThroat^®. Exposure data were generated for gloves, hands, head, inner and outer body dosimeters generated in 4 European countries for high rate (Sorbitol) and low rate (Xylitol) surrogate products used by 12 operators. Exposure values were compared with predicted data using the Agricultural Operator Exposure Model as a benchmark for open pour loading (used in the EFSA Guidance). The CTS types conformed with the ISO 21191 standard for CTS performance, and their potential to significantly reduce operator exposure was confirmed in this study. There was no statistical difference in potential (naked) or actual (one layer of clothing) operator exposure using both inverted CTS types; allowing these data to be pooled. The inverted CTS types resulted in higher mean protection (> 98% potential exposure and > 95% actual exposure) than GoatThroat^® (> 80% potential exposure and > 95% actual exposure). These data can be used to derive reduction factors that could be used in the AOEM model for calculations involving mitigation e.g., 0.05 for inverted CTS since they reduced exposure by > 95% and 0.3 for probe extraction CTS types. All 3 CTS significantly reduced operator exposure to products during M&L. These and future CTS types which comply with ISO 21191 standards could be considered as mitigation devices. These findings will help to build confidence of farmers to use CTS routinely, resulting in safer pesticide handling.

This study aimed to measure the food safety knowledge, attitude, and practices among food vendors engaged in Nigeria’s ongoing Home-grown School Feeding Program. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in face-to-face interviews with 240 food vendors from 3 states in northeast Nigeria involved in the school feeding program using a structured questionnaire. Multiple linear regression results revealed that increased education and access to information through radio, television, and food inspection institutions increased food safety knowledge. Food safety attitudes score increased with more years of vending experience and accessing food safety information via radio, food inspection institutions, and the Internet. An increase in household size and food safety information from friends and colleagues negatively affected food safety attitude scores. As a result, we emphasize the need for dissemination of improved food safety information via radio, television and food safety inspection institutes. Food vendors in the SFP should be selected after passing a food safety training and gaining food handling experience. Higher education should be a priority criterion in the hiring process.

Microplastics are small polymeric particles formed after the degradation and environmental erosion of plastic waste. They pose a significant threat to the environment, animal, and human health. For humans, food is an important route for the transmission of microplastics. In this study, the presence of microplastics in raw milk is investigated. Samples from various milk-producing animals were collected in Turkey’s Marmara Region, a prominent industrial and agricultural area (n:588). Rigorous quality control measures were applied to prevent contamination during sampling and analysis. Microplastics were identified, classified, and measured through microscopic analysis, and their surface morphology and chemical composition were assessed using advanced techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscope Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Results reveal that microplastics were present in 89% of the milk samples. They exhibited diverse colours, shapes, and sizes, with fibrous particles (52%) being the most common. ATR-FTIR analysis identified 7 types of microplastics, with ethylene propylene being the most prevalent (77%). This study highlights the potential risk of microplastic contamination in raw milk.

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Organic food markets in Brazil, the U.S., and in Europe have distinct consolidation levels and growth potential. This research aims to reveal factors impacting these disparities and identify prospects for efficient exploration of the organic market. Surveys conducted via online questionnaires in these regions revealed health and nutrition as key drivers in Brazil, while the U.S., and Europe prioritize the environment and animal welfare concerns. Supporting local businesses is a common thread and high prices are a shared challenge. In Brazil, limited product availability and difficulties in finding desired products are significant barriers, potentially causing supply-demand imbalances and elevated prices. Notably, while > 70% of the consumers in Europe and the U.S. buy organic goods from supermarkets, only 45% do so in Brazil; 44% prefer direct purchases from farmers due to scarcity or cost considerations. This study underscores untapped potential in Brazil’s organic food market and offers insights for farmers and retailers in all regions. Our results can support stakeholders to tailor strategies to boost organic food consumption and capitalize on latent opportunities in these markets.

Food allergen labelling is an important tool to reduce the risk of exposure to food allergens, especially for highly processed pre-packed snack foods. In order to understand the current status of allergen labelling on pre-packed snack foods in China, this study conducted a stratified random sampling on 9 major categories of pre-packed snack foods in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, China. 1497 pre-packed snack foods from 15 pre-packed food sale points were collected for information analysis of allergen labelling. It was found that the prevalence of the allergen labelling and precautionary allergen labelling for pre-packed snack foods was 66.93% and 18.77%, respectively, while the overall unqualified rate of the allergen labelling was 29.14%, with the unqualified rate of micro enterprises being as high as 36.88%. This inspires us to strengthen the food safety management concept of food enterprises, accelerate the establishment of mandatory food allergen labelling and standardized management systems in China, and ultimately better protect the health and rights of consumers.

The global rise in seafood consumption has increased the incidence of aquatic food-associated bacterial infections, with Salmonella spp. being of great concern. While numerous Salmonella serotypes exist, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis have garnered significant attention as foodborne pathogens. The pathogenicity of Salmonella is attributed to its ability to express a wide array of virulence factors. These factors aid Salmonella's colonization, invasion, and survival in aquatic environments and the human gastrointestinal tracts. In addition, the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella strains isolated from aquatic food is a significant challenge for the seafood industry. Given the increasing evidence of Salmonella's prevalence, virulence, and antimicrobial resistance isolated from various types of aquatic food, it is crucial to address this issue to safeguard public health. Comprehensive surveillance programs, implementation of good aquaculture and hygiene practices, and adherence to strict food safety regulations are essential in preventing and controlling Salmonella contamination in aquatic food. This review emphasized the occurrence, virulence, and antimicrobial resistance observed in Salmonella strains obtained from different varieties of aquatic food products.

Mathematical models based on infrared spectroscopy and machine learning have been successfully used to trace the origin of soybeans. However, as previous research reported, it is necessary to employ spectra data that undergo multiple pre-processing operations in order to achieve optimal accuracy during model training. And these established models are only capable of predicting samples with identical spectra pre-processing. Specifically, baseline correction, which necessitates individual processing of each spectrum, requiring substantial investments of time and human resources with a large dataset. In this study, the spectra augmentation technique was proposed based on the theory of data augmentation, in order to simplify or even eliminate the pre-processing steps for the prediction dataset. The technique utilized a combination of the standard spectra pre-processed data and the “boost data” to train models, specifically, a total of 180 spectra, including 90 pre-processed standard spectra and 90 “boost” spectra. The “boost” data refers to data without the standard spectra pre-processing. On the prediction dataset without the standard spectra pre-processing, the model with the spectra augmentation technique had an accuracy of 0.91 for the recognition of Northeast China soybeans, while the accuracy of the model with the training method frequently reported in previous studies only reached 0.71, demonstrating that the model trained with the proposed technique possessed higher robustness and generalization capabilities. The spectra augmentation technique can maintain high accuracy while simplifying spectra pre-processing steps on prediction data, therefore, providing a more efficient and expedited method for practical food traceability and authentication.

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