Bacterial Contamination and Antimicrobial Resistance in Two-Spotted (Gryllus bimaculatus) and House (Acheta domesticus) Cricket Rearing and Harvesting Processes.

Food safety for cricket production is a crucial factor in producing edible crickets with safety for consumers and sustainability for two-spotted (Gryllus bimaculatus) as well as house (Acheta domesticus) cricket production. This study was conducted by simultaneously rearing two cricket species, comprising two-spotted crickets (G. bimaculatus) and house crickets (A. domesticus). A total of 16 rearing crates were used for the present study, which were allocated into 8 rearing crates for each studied cricket species, including paper egg cartons. Cricket eggs were incubated in the rearing crates. Once the crickets hatched, tap water and powdered feed were provided ad libitum throughout the experiment. At the end of this study (35 and 42 days for the two-spotted and house crickets, respectively), all crickets were harvested, rinsed in tap water, and boiled in water for 5 min. During the rearing and harvesting processes, samples were collected from various potential contamination points for bacteria, including E. coli and Salmonella spp. There were samples of the initial input (feed, drinking water, and staff hands), rearing environment (water pipe, crate wall, living cartons, frass, and cricket surface), and harvesting crickets (harvested, washed, and boiled crickets), with a 2-week sampling interval, except for the last round of sampling for the two-spotted crickets. Subsequently, all samples were submitted to isolate and identify contaminated bacteria. The samples from the last round of sampling for both kinds of crickets were submitted to quantify the level of contamination for E. coli and Salmonella spp., including antimicrobial resistance by the disk diffusion method for the positive isolate. The results showed that bacterial contamination was found in the rearing of both cricket species, primarily involving Klebsiella spp. and Enterobacter spp., mainly found in prepared drinking water and the water pipes of drinking water supply equipment, which are potential sources of contamination with cricket frass. E. coli was found in 4.8% and 4.3% of the two-spotted and house crickets, respectively, while no presence of Salmonella spp. was detected in any submitted samples. The quantification of E. coli and Salmonella spp. indicated E. coli contamination near the water pipe and the frass of two-spotted crickets, but Salmonella spp. was undetectable in both two-spotted and house crickets. The antimicrobial resistance of isolated E. coli mainly involved penicillin G, amoxicillin, ampicillin, erythromycin, lincomycin, and tiamulin. Thus, good farm management with proper sanitation practices (such as cleaning and keeping the environment dry), as well as boiling crickets during the harvesting process, may help ensure the safety of edible cricket production.

Impact of the Addition of Tenebrio molitor and Hermetia illucens on the Physicochemical and Sensory Quality of Cooked Meat Products.

The use of proteins from insects, plants, microalgae, fungi or bacteria as an alternative to proteins of animal origin such as meat, fish, eggs or milk can meet the worldwide protein demand in the future. As the consumption of whole insects might be problematic or unacceptable for many consumers, especially in European countries, the use of homogenized insects or protein extracts from insects for the production of products might be a possibility to overcome general acceptability problems. However, the quality criteria of these products have to be comparable with consumers' expectations with regard to known products. Therefore, in the present study, we produced a meat product, replaced 10% and 20% of the pork with homogenized larvae of Tenebrio molitor and Hermetia illucens, and determined different physicochemical and sensory parameters at production and during modified atmosphere storage for 21 days. Additionally, the alteration of different bacteria species during this storage was analyzed in challenge tests. After production, the addition of insects resulted in higher cooking losses and pH values in the products with 20% insects, higher pH and yellowness, lower lightness, protein and hardness results in the Hermetia products, as well as higher yellowness and lower protein and hardness values in the cooked meat products with Tenebrio molitor. During modified atmosphere storage, the color differences principally remained, whereas the concentrations of inoculated Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli were not influenced by the addition of insects to the cooked meat products. The sensory results of the insect products, especially at higher concentrations and with Hermetia illucens, worsened during modified atmosphere storage. The addition of homogenized insect larvae, especially at higher concentrations and particularly of Hermetia illucens, influences different physicochemical and sensory parameters of the cooked meat products.

Production Performance and Nutrient Conversion Efficiency of Field Cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus) in Mass-Rearing Conditions.

Currently, there is an increased interest in mass producing edible insects, e.g., field crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus), due to their market value and sustainable development. The current study aimed to measure the production performance of field crickets and to quantify the major nutrient deposition rate using a new approach for a nutrient conversion efficiency calculation for the field crickets under mass-rearing conditions. The field crickets were reared under mass-rearing conditions in the rearing crates and fed with a commercial cricket feed. Measurements for daily feed offered, final body weight, and dead cricket quantity were carried out during the feeding trial period. There were three production rounds with the same procedure for farmed cricket management. The samples of diet, adult crickets, and dead crickets were collected and then analyzed for chemical analysis of macronutrients. The production performance and nutrient conversion efficiency were calculated and then compared with applicable earlier reports for both field and house (Acheta domesticus) crickets. The production performance for the studied field crickets under mass-rearing conditions had final a body weight, an average daily gain (ADG), a feed conversion ratio (FCR), and a survival rate of 0.95 g, 23.20 mg/day, 2.94 and 88.51%, respectively. The field crickets had nutrient conversion efficiency for dry matter (DM), ash, crude protein (CP), crude fat (EE), crude fiber (CF), and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) of 13.26, 8.03, 28.95, 88.94, 34.87, and 1.85, respectively, with an adjusted nutrient conversion efficiency of 14.85, 8.99, 32.37, 99.17, 38.95, and 2.10, respectively. Thus, the production of field crickets could be performed under mass-rearing conditions, and the nutrient conversion efficiency for both adjusted and non-adjusted values could be measured.

Characterization of Escherichia coli from Edible Insect Species: Detection of Shiga Toxin-Producing Isolate.

Insects as novel foods are gaining popularity in Europe. Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 laid the framework for the application process to market food insects in member states, but potential hazards are still being evaluated. The aim of this study was to investigate samples of edible insect species for the presence of antimicrobial-resistant and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Twenty-one E. coli isolates, recovered from samples of five different edible insect species, were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing, PCR-based phylotyping, and macrorestriction analysis. The presence of genes associated with antimicrobial resistance or virulence, including stx1, stx2, and eae, was investigated by PCR. All isolates were subjected to genome sequencing, multilocus sequence typing, and serotype prediction. The isolates belonged either to phylogenetic group A, comprising mostly commensal E. coli, or group B1. One O178:H7 isolate, recovered from a Zophobas atratus sample, was identified as a STEC. A single isolate was resistant to tetracyclines and carried the tet(B) gene. Overall, this study shows that STEC can be present in edible insects, representing a potential health hazard. In contrast, the low resistance rate among the isolates indicates a low risk for the transmission of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli to consumers.

Edible Insects in Africa in Terms of Food, Wildlife Resource, and Pest Management Legislation.

: Entomophagy is an ancient and actually African tradition that has been receiving renewed attention since edible insects have been identified as one of the solutions to improve global nutrition. As any other foodstuff, insects should be regulated by the government to ensure product quality and consumer safety. The goal of the present paper was to assess the current legal status of edible insects in Africa. For that, corresponding authorities were contacted along with an extensive online search, relying mostly on the FAOLEX database. Except for Botswana, insects are not mentioned in national regulations, although the definitions for "foodstuff" allow their inclusion, i.e., general food law can also apply to insects. Contacted authorities tolerated entomophagy, even though no legal base existed. However, insects typically appear in laws pertaining the use of natural resources, making a permit necessary (in most cases). Pest management regulation can also refer to edible species, e.g., locusts or weevils. Farming is an option that should be assessed carefully. All this creates a complex, nation-specific situation regarding which insect may be used legally to what purpose. Recommendations for elements in future insect-related regulations from the food hygiene point of view are provided.

Foodborne diseases do not respect borders: Zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial resistant bacteria in food products of animal origin illegally imported into the European Union.

Globalisation, international trade and the ever-growing flow of goods and people enable animal diseases and zoonotic pathogens to travel worldwide. The risk of reintroducing previously eradicated animal diseases into the European Union is omnipresent as considerable amounts of food products of animal origin (POAO) from endemic countries are continuously imported legally and illegally into the EU. Additionally, these products may be potential vectors for emerging foodborne zoonoses, which are of public health concern due to their significant morbidity and mortality rates. This review summarises the legal background of veterinary public health measures and provides a critical overview on recent epidemiological studies, which analysed 1577 illegally imported POAO for major foodborne zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in indicator bacteria. The samples rarely exceeded microbiological contamination levels of domestic products for Salmonella, Verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli and thermophilic Campylobacter spp. However, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus were the most frequently detected pathogens in illegally imported meat and meat products (5% and 4.3%, respectively) and S. aureus in milk and milk products (7.4%). The most likely source of those zoonotic pathogens in illegally imported POAO are cross contamination and improper hygiene measures while handling, processing and storage. Moreover, uncommon and genetically distant variants including antimicrobial resistant foodborne pathogens such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus or extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae were discovered. The introduction of POAO poses a largely underestimated threat, both to animal and public health.

Characterization of Salmonella enterica serovars recovered from meat products legally and illegally imported into the EU reveals the presence of multiresistant and AmpC-producing isolates.

BACKGROUND: Food products of animal origin brought into the EU from third countries, both legally and illegally, can harbor foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella enterica. In this study, we examined five S. enterica isolates recovered either from legally imported chicken meat (n = 3) or from meat products confiscated from air travel passengers arriving in Germany (n = 2). The isolates were serotyped and further characterized by antimicrobial susceptibility testing, PCR-detection and sequencing of genes associated with antimicrobial resistances, and macrorestriction analysis. Transferability of resistance to third-generation cephalosporins was assessed by conjugation experiments and the plasmids tested for their incompatibility groups. RESULTS: The three isolates from legal imports were identified as S. Heidelberg or as non-flagellated. All three isolates were identified as AmpC producers carrying bla CMY-2 and as non-susceptible to ciprofloxacin. They were additionally resistant to tetracycline and sulfamethoxazole. The bla CMY-2-carrying plasmids were transferable by conjugation and belonged to incompatibility groups IncI1 or IncA/C. The two isolates from illegally imported meat belonged to the serovars Infantis or Weltevreden. The former was phenotypically resistant to five classes of antimicrobial agents while the S. Weltevreden isolate was fully susceptible to all agents tested. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that meat products imported from third countries, both legally and illegally, can harbor multiresistant Salmonella enterica. Consequently, these imports could constitute a source for the dissemination of antimicrobial resistant isolates, including those resistant to third-generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones.

ESBL- and AmpC-producing Escherichia coli from legally and illegally imported meat: Characterization of isolates brought into the EU from third countries.

Multiresistant Enterobacteriaceae producing extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBL) constitute a serious healthcare concern. Contaminated meat and meat products have been suggested as a major transmission route for these strains in the population. In this study, 36 ESBL-/AmpC-producing Escherichia (E.) coli isolates recovered from meat products imported into the EU from third countries (non-EU countries), both legally and illegally, were examined with regard to their antibiotic resistance profiles, virulence-associated genes and their genetic relatedness. The isolates were characterized by antibiotic susceptibility testing, multilocus sequence typing, macrorestriction analysis, microarray analyses and additional PCR assays. The most prevalent ESBL gene among the isolates was blaCTX-M-2 (n = 15), followed by the AmpC ß-lactamase gene blaCMY-2 (n = 8). The remaining isolates carried genes belonging to CTX-M groups 8, 1 or 9, or blaSHV-12. This distribution differs from the genotypes typically detected in meat-associated isolates of European origin. Most isolates showed additional phenotypic resistances and genes conferring resistance to further antimicrobial agents were detected through microarray analysis. Most commonly observed were resistances to tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, and gentamicin. A genotype conferring multidrug resistance to 3 or more classes of antimicrobials could be observed in 33 isolates (91.7%). Most isolates carried at least one gene associated with virulence and one isolate could be identified as an enteropathogenic E. coli, indicating a potential risk to consumers' health. Molecular typing results revealed a genetic variety among the isolates. The most common multilocus sequence types were ST101 and ST117, represented by three isolates each. One isolate belonged to ST131 and three novel sequence types could be identified among three isolates (ST7509, ST7602, ST7845). Group D was the most prevalent phylogenetic group, which was represented by 18 isolates. Overall, the results of this study show that imported meat products can constitute a source for locally uncommon lineages of multidrug resistant and virulent ESBL-producing E. coli and can thereby facilitate their dissemination in Europe.

The safety and quality of pork and poultry meat imports for the common European market received at border inspection post Hamburg Harbour between 2014 and 2015.

Though imports of products of animal origin into the European Union (EU) have to comply with legal requirements and quality standards of the community, food consignment rejections at external EU borders have been increasing in recent years. This study explored microbiological metrics according to national target and critical values valid for samples at consumer level of 498 fresh poultry meat and 136 fresh pork filets from consignments subjected to physical checks during clearing at the border inspection post Hamburg harbour between January 2014 and December 2015 with ISO standard methods. Quantitative results indicated that critical thresholds for aerobic counts, Enterobacteriaceae, and E. coli were never surpassed. Merely for staphylococci, one poultry sample (0.2%) and 10 pork samples (9.3%) exceeded the critical limit (3.7 log cfu/g). However, qualitative analyses revealed that, Staphylococcus aureus was present in 16% and 10% of all poultry and pork samples, respectively, though no methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus could be confirmed. Moreover, E. coli was present in 50% and 67% of all pork and poultry samples, respectively, and thereof 33 isolates were confirmed as extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing E. coli. Only 1.2% of the poultry samples were unacceptable due to the presence of Salmonella spp., whereas they were not detected in any pork sample. Campylobacter spp. were not detected in any sample. Though imported pork and poultry meat complies mostly with national market requirements, it might pose a potential risk to public health, especially for a direct or indirect foodborne transmission of imported, uncommon strains of zoonotic bacteria.

Efficacy of a commercial glutaraldehyde footbath product for the control of bovine digital dermatitis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relative efficacy of a novel, commercially available disinfecting agent containing ≥ 15 to < 20 % glutaraldehyde in a hydro-colloid matrix ("EIMÜ Klauen Sprint®"; Eimermacher, Nordwalde, Germany, Biozid-Desinfektionsmittel, BAuA Nr. N-57213) as a walkthrough footbath in order to treat digital dermatitis of dairy cattle. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted in a dairy farm located in northern Germany from June 1st, 2015 to September 5th, 2015. Eighty-eight cows were enrolled in this study. In both trials of the study, a walkthrough footbath was applied on five consecutive milking times per week. Trial 1 was a blinded, randomised and controlled intervention study. The therapy group (n = 40) received the novel glutaraldehyde product in a 2 % solution while the control group (n = 40) was led through a footbath containing pure water. Trial 2 was a longitudinal study to investigate the development of claw health over a longer time period regarding the use of the new footbath solution. In trial 2 the disinfecting footbath was applied to all trial cows (therapy and control group) of trial 1. The development of claw health and lameness was systematically monitored in the two groups on days 0, 9, 17, 29, 35 (trial 1) and days 42, 68, 94 (trial 2), respectively. The adjusted odds of digital dermatitis lesions (DDL) throughout the study were analysed by mixed logistic regression models. RESULTS: The odds of DDL were 0.15 for the glutaraldehyde foot-bath group compared to the control group. Hence, the disinfecting footbath significantly reduced the DDL prevalence and increased the cure rate of DDL. However, no preventive effect on new digital dermatitis (DD) cases could be identified. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of the novel glutaraldehyde footbath was evaluated and it was concluded that "EIMÜ Klauen Sprint®" was well tolerated over a longer period of time and might therefore be an effective tool to control DD. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In future, "EIMÜ Klauen Sprint®" could be used within a Mortellaro sanitation concept and thereby might help to solve a major problem of dairy cattle farms.

Microbiology of processed edible insect products - Results of a preliminary survey.

Little is known of the microbiology of processed insect products. The present survey analysed a total of n=38 samples of deep-fried and spiced (Acheta domesticus, Locusta migratoria, and Omphisa fuscidentalis), cooked in soy sauce ("tsukudani"; Oxya yezoensis, Vespula flaviceps, and Bombyx mori), dried (A. domesticus, L. migatoria, Alphitobius diaperinus, Tenebrio molitor, B. mori, Hermetia illucens, and Musca domestica), powdered (H. illucens, T. molitor) and other (incl. deep-frozen B. mori and honeybee pollen) insect products microbiologically (total bacterial count [TBC], Enterobacteriaceae, staphylococci, bacilli, and yeasts and moulds counts, salmonellae, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli). Although each product type revealed a microbiological profile of its own, dried and powdered insects ("class I") displayed markedly higher counts than the deep-fried and cooked ones ("class II"). Thresholds between class I and II products were estimated at 4.0 (TBC), 1.0 (Enterobacteriaceae, yeasts and moulds), 2.5 (staphylococci), and 3.0lgcfu/g (bacilli). All samples were negative for salmonellae, L. monocytogenes, E. coli and Stapyhlococcus aureus, but dried and powdered insects, as well as pollen, contained B. cereus, coliforms, Serratia liquefaciens, Listeria ivanovii, Mucor spp., Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., and Cryptococcus neoformans. Comparing the results with the hygiene criteria for edible insects proposed by Belgium and the Netherlands, class I products failed to comply with many bacterial count limits despite the absence of classical food pathogens. Therefore, class I products should always be consumed after another heating step as indicated by the manufacturer, until drying techniques are able to ensure lower bacterial counts.

Microbiology of cooked and dried edible Mediterranean field crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus) and superworms (Zophobas atratus) submitted to four different heating treatments.

To increase the shelf life of edible insects, modern techniques (e.g. freeze-drying) add to the traditional methods (degutting, boiling, sun-drying or roasting). However, microorganisms become inactivated rather than being killed, and when rehydrated, many return to vegetative stadia. Crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus) and superworms (Zophobas atratus) were submitted to four different drying techniques (T1 = 10' cooking, 24 h drying at 60℃; T2 = 10' cooking, 24 h drying at 80℃; T3 = 30' cooking, 12 h drying at 80℃, and 12 h drying at 100℃; T4 = boiling T3-treated insects after five days) and analysed for total bacteria counts, Enterobacteriaceae, staphylococci, bacilli, yeasts and moulds counts, E. coli, salmonellae, and Listeria monocytogenes (the latter three being negative throughout). The microbial counts varied strongly displaying species- and treatment-specific patterns. T3 was the most effective of the drying treatments tested to decrease all counts but bacilli, for which T2 was more efficient. Still, total bacteria counts remained high (G. bimaculatus > Z. atratus). Other opportunistically pathogenic microorganisms (Bacillus thuringiensis, B. licheniformis, B. pumilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Cryptococcus neoformans) were also encountered. The tyndallisation-like T4 reduced all counts to below detection limit, but nutrients leakage should be considered regarding food quality. In conclusion, species-specific drying procedures should be devised to ensure food safety.

Evaluation of a Commercial Real-Time PCR Kit for the Detection of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis in Milk.

There are several commercial test kits for Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) detection, each with different advantages, disadvantages, and applications. In the present study, a real-time PCR kit targeting the unique transposon sequence ISMAP02 was evaluated. The analytical sensitivity was determined using the type strain ATCC 19698, and the specificity was validated by testing fifteen MAP isolates, thirteen non-MAP Mycobacterium isolates, and eight non-Mycobacterium isolates. Six spiking experiments were performed using raw milk and reconstituted infant milk artificially contaminated with dilutions containing 10(0)-10(5) MAP cells mL(-1). Sensitivity and specificity were at 100 %. The detection probabilities in raw milk and reconstituted infant milk for the samples (containing 1.4 × 10(1) and 1.7 × 10(1) MAP cell 50 mL(-1)) were 16.6 and 91.6 %, respectively. Thus, the tested kit yielded satisfying results to detect MAP in milk.

Potential role of real-time PCR for detecting Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in chronically diseased milking cows: a case control study.

Paratuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is economically important to dairy operations. In the present study, a real-time PCR kit (certified for use in Germany) was used to detect MAP in bovine fecal and milk samples within a case control study examining different factors for their association with chronic disease in Northern Germany.The aim of this study was to describe the suitability of the MAP real-time PCR kit to detect MAP in feces and milk of chronically diseased dairy cows. For MAP detection a total of 928 fecal, 922 composite foremilk, and 92 bulk milk samples obtained from 58 cases and 35 control dairy herds were investigated. The real-time PCR showed MAP positive results for 11 (18.96%) and 6 (17.14%) of the case and control herds, respectively. All bulk milk samples were MAP negative. The results of fecal and milk samples were moderately correlated (kappa = 0.27). These data indicate that real-time PCR results have diagnostic value for diagnosing MAP positive animals, and that fecal samples are more suitable than milk samples for assessing the reasons for chronic disease on dairy farms.

The Quantity and Quality of Illegally Imported Products of Animal Origin in Personal Consignments into the European Union Seized at Two German Airports between 2010 And 2014.

The import of products of animal origin (POAO) in travellers' personal consignments presents a considerable risk of introducing animal diseases and emerging zoonoses into the European Union. The current regulation (EU) 206/2009 implements strict measures for illegally imported POAO, whereupon non-complying products have to be seized and destroyed regardless. Especially airports serve as global bottlenecks for illegally imported POAO where passenger controls of non-European flights are performed by customs and veterinary services in collaboration. Results of these control measures have to be submitted in the form of annual reports to the European Commission. However, few data on qualities and quantities of seizures have been published so far. In this study, POAO seized at two German airports between 2010 and 2014 were analysed in terms of quantities, qualitative categories and region of origin. In most years considered, more than 20 tonnes POAO were seized at each airport. However, reported amounts of seizures seem to be only the tip of the iceberg as an all-passenger control is not feasible and therefore travellers are only spot-checked. The analysis suggests that the organisational structures of both customs and official veterinary services and their different risk perceptions interfere in completing an effective ban on the illegal import of POAO.

Development of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for rapid and sensitive identification of ostrich meat.

Animal species identification is one of the primary duties of official food control. Since ostrich meat is difficult to be differentiated macroscopically from beef, therefore new analytical methods are needed. To enforce labeling regulations for the authentication of ostrich meat, it might be of importance to develop and evaluate a rapid and reliable assay. In the present study, a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay based on the cytochrome b gene of the mitochondrial DNA of the species Struthio camelus was developed. The LAMP assay was used in combination with a real-time fluorometer. The developed system allowed the detection of 0.01% ostrich meat products. In parallel, a direct swab method without nucleic acid extraction using the HYPLEX LPTV buffer was also evaluated. This rapid processing method allowed detection of ostrich meat without major incubation steps. In summary, the LAMP assay had excellent sensitivity and specificity for detecting ostrich meat and could provide a sampling-to-result identification-time of 15 to 20 minutes.

New infection rate of bovine mammary glands after application of an internal teat seal at dry-off.

The internal teat sealant OrbeSeal® (Zoetis, Berlin, Germany) is intended to prevent new intramammary infection (IMI) throughout the dry period. The aim of this field study was to determine new infection rates in udder quarters applied exclusively with the sealant at dry-off and untreated ones (control group). For that, the new infection rate of udder quarters treated with the sealant was evaluated in a split-udder design (front right and rear left udder quarters treated, the other ones untreated) in 128 cows from nine dairy farms in North Germany that were healthy in all four udder quarters (i.e. <100 000 cells/ml, bacteriologically negative). After calving, duplicate quarter milk samples were collected twice at DIM (days in milk) 5-12 and 7 d later for culture. The new infection rates for treated and untreated groups were 3·4 and 10·5%, respectively. The results showed that applying a standardised study design with very few confounders under field conditions, using internal teat sealants reduced the new infection rate on quarter level to a third of that of the control group. Thus, internal teat sealants represent a viable option for dry-off treatment of udder-healthy cows.

European and German food legislation facing uncommon foodstuffs.

In Europe, uncommon foodstuff (UFS, i.e., traditional foods from specific European regions and uncommon ethnic foods from non-EU countries) have been contributing to a diversification of the food supply. E-commerce and specialized retail shops are the main sources for UFS. This article discusses the legal bases for UFS introduction and evaluation. By means of 35 representative UFS, this article analyses the possibilities of trade and veterinary inspection of these products in Germany, comparing European Union and national food legislation with the many idiosyncrasies the UFS presents. Conservatory legislation bans the trade with endangered species (primates, cetaceans, songbirds), but for many other species, this is a complex matter that may ban only subpopulations from trade. Although introduction of legal UFS is regulated (yet complicated), the lack of appropriate definitions, intra-European trade harmonization, and of sufficient scientific knowledge hampers a satisfactory evaluation of many UFSs, for example, reptile meat or terrestrial insects. In these cases, official inspection would only be very basic.

Risk factors for intramammary infections and subclinical mastitis in post-partum dairy heifers.

The prevalence of intramammary infections (IMI) and subclinical mastitis (SCM) in 436 German Holstein heifers was put in relation with clinical findings of the udder and data regarding individual rearing and housing conditions of the animals. The clinical examination took place on the day of the livestock auction (at approximately 41 d in milk, DIM). On that day, 31% of the heifers had IMI in at least one quarter, and 18% of all quarters were infected. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most prevalent bacteria isolated, accounting for 68% of the positive samples. Data were analysed by logistic regression. Criteria such as 'juvenile intersucking', 'teats shorter than 35 mm', 'teats with a diameter <18 mm' and 'udder oedema at the day of the auction' were associated with IMI in heifers during the first 41 DIM. Loose-housing systems during pregnancy (as opposed to tie-stalls), juvenile intersucking, clinical mastitis during the first week after calving, teat diameters <18 mm, and employing organic bedding material in the stables before calving were associated with subclinical mastitis.