Importance of detecting Salmonella and recent recalls

Introduction

Salmonella is a group of bacteria that can cause food poisoning. It can be found in a variety of foods, including:

• Raw or undercooked meat, poultry, and seafood
• Raw eggs and unpasteurized egg products
• Unpasteurized milk and dairy products
• Fruits and vegetables that have been contaminated with manure or sewage
• Contaminated processed foods

If you consume food contaminated with Salmonella, you may experience symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal cramps. Most people recover from Salmonella infection within a few days, but some people may develop more severe illness.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12088-023-01176-4#citeas

 Causes of Salmonella Contamination in Foods

Importance of detecting Salmonella

Detecting Salmonella in foods is crucial for several reasons:

• Protects Public Health: Salmonella is a major cause of foodborne illness, leading to unpleasant symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and cramps. Early detection prevents contaminated food from reaching consumers, safeguarding public health.
• Prevents Foodborne Outbreaks: Identifying Salmonella contamination in a single batch can prevent a widespread outbreak affecting a large population. This minimizes illnesses and potential hospitalizations.
• Ensures Food Safety: Regular testing for Salmonella assures food manufacturers and retailers that their products are safe for consumption. This builds consumer trust and maintains a positive reputation.
• Improves Food Quality: By detecting Salmonella early, food spoilage can be prevented. This reduces waste and ensures consumers get high-quality products.
• Allows for Quicker Recalls: Rapid detection methods enable quicker identification and removal of contaminated food from the market. This limits the reach of contaminated products and minimizes potential harm.

Case studies

Between 2007 and 2016, Salmonella was accountable for 13 outbreaks in the EU, leading to 636 illnesses requiring hospitalization. Of these outbreaks, nine were linked to the consumption of contaminated foods. In 2013, chicken was implicated in two outbreaks, while red meat was responsible for another in 2014, and pork for one in 2012. Additionally, unspecified poultry meat caused an outbreak in 2007, and mixed foods and bakery products were associated with outbreaks in 2017.

Here's the corresponding table illustrating various Salmonella strains and the food products involved in outbreaks in Europe and the United States:

In 2017, Salmonella enterocolitis contributed to a significant disease burden, resulting in 95.1 million reported cases, 3.1 million disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and 50,771 fatalities, as indicated by The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD). Additionally, the Foodborne Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference Group (FERG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) reported in 2010 that Salmonella was accountable for a total of 180 million illnesses and 298,496 deaths.

 Recent recalls

Testing methods for detecting salmonella in foods

Various testing methods are employed for detecting Salmonella in foods, ranging from traditional to advanced molecular techniques. These methods include:

Traditional Methods:

• Culturing samples on selective agar media like Xylose-Lysine-Desoxycholate (XLD) agar and incubating them at 37°C for 18-24 hours
• Inoculating stool samples into selective enrichment broths like selenite cystine broth before plating onto selective agars

Molecular Methods:

• Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assays for rapid detection and screening, notably DNA hybridization and PCR assays for identification of Salmonella enterica
• Real-time PCR assays like the SureTect™ Salmonella species PCR Assay, validated on various matrices from food manufacturing environments
• Loop-mediated isothermal amplification assays targeting specific genes for Salmonella detection in foods

Immunological Methods:

• Rapid immunological identification tests based on latex agglutination, enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
• Lateral flow test strips using immunochromatographic technology for quick and simple detection

Phage-Based Methods:

• Phage-based methods like the PhageDx method, which utilizes bacteriophages for broad detection of Salmonella independent of serovar in food matrices

Eurofins role in detecting detecting salmonella in foods

Eurofins plays a significant role in detecting Salmonella in foods through advanced testing services. Here's a breakdown of their contribution:

Testing Methods: Eurofins utilizes various methods to identify Salmonella in food products, including both traditional and modern techniques:

Classical methods: These established techniques involve culturing bacteria to confirm the presence of Salmonella.

Modern methods: Eurofins leverages Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology, particularly real-time PCR, for faster and more accurate detection of Salmonella DNA. This method offers advantages like:

Increased Speed: Results are obtained quicker compared to classical methods.

Enhanced Specificity: PCR targets specific DNA sequences unique to Salmonella, minimizing false positives.

Dead Cell Differentiation: A specific PCR variation eliminates detection of dead Salmonella DNA, leading to more reliable results.

Expertise and Experience: Eurofins has a team of dedicated scientists with expertise in Salmonella identification techniques. They maintain a stock of antisera to identify a wide range of Salmonella strains.

Comprehensive Services: Eurofins offers a complete package beyond just testing. They can advise on the most suitable testing methods based on the food sample and applicable regulations. Additionally, they provide services like:

• Sample collection
• Hygiene checks
• Training on food safety protocols (HACCP)

By employing these methods and services, Eurofins helps the food industry ensure consumer safety by detecting Salmonella contamination in food products and minimizing the risk of outbreaks.

References

1. https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/09/health/salmonella-dry-dog-food/index.html
2. https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/27267/FDA-Salmonella-outbreak-linked-to-dry-pet-food?autologincheck=redirected
3. https://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2023/11/articles/animals/dogs/salmonella-outbreak-linked-to-dry-pet-foods-usa/
4. https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/kiambu-11-23/index.html
5. Ehuwa, O., Jaiswal, A. K., & Jaiswal, S. (2021). Salmonella, Food Safety and Food Handling Practices. Foods, 10(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10050907

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