Towards tailored guidelines for microbial air quality in the food industry.

Airborne microorganisms in food processing environments pose a potential risk for food product contamination. Yet, the absence of established standards or guidelines setting quantitative limits on airborne microorganisms underscores a critical gap in current regulatory frameworks. This review seeks to explore the feasibility of establishing quantitative limits for airborne microorganisms in food processing facilities, aiming to provide evidence-based guidance to enhance food safety practices in the industry. The review begins by addressing the complexities of microbial air quality in the food industry through a general literature search covering sources of airborne microorganisms, factors affecting particle deposition, air sampling methods and preventive measures. Subsequently, it employs a structured approach to assess the significance of air quality and its impact on product quality. Utilizing the PRISMA method, relevant scientific literature from May 2002 to May 2022 was examined, resulting in 26 articles meeting inclusion criteria from a pool of 11,737 original research papers. Additionally, the review investigates existing probability models for assessing airborne contamination to enhance air quality risk assessment in food safety management systems. The literature reveals a lack of substantial evidence supporting a direct correlation between airborne microorganisms and food contamination. The absence of standardized air sampling methodologies in previous studies hinders the comparability and reliability of research findings. Additionally, the literature fails to establish a conclusive relationship between influencing factors such as total particle counts, temperature, relative humidity and airborne contamination. Contradictory probability models for quantifying airborne contamination, and the absence of tailored preventive measures, hinder effective control and undermine microbial contamination control in diverse food processing contexts. In conclusion, the development of numeric guidelines for airborne contamination necessitates a tailored approach, considering factors such as product characteristics and production context. By integrating risk assessment models into this process, a more thorough comprehension of contamination risks can be achieved, providing tailored guidance based on the identified risk levels for each product. Ongoing collaborative efforts are essential to develop evidence-based guidelines that effectively mitigate risks without incurring unnecessary costs.

Food safety in vulnerable populations: A perspective on the challenges and solutions.

Vulnerable populations are a particular group that are not capable of fending for themselves due to a number of limitations. Among many things, of particular concern is the food safety challenges faced by these individuals and the high risk of susceptibility to foodborne diseases. In this paper, an attempt is made to point out the various challenges faced by vulnerable populations that make them more susceptible to foodborne illness than other healthy adults. Also, the paper highlights possible improvement pathways through which these people can have access to safe and nutritious food, and the current interventional steps taken to address the food safety risk associated with food handling activities of food meant for vulnerable groups.

Guias de inspeção e instrutivos para autoavaliação e inspeção sanitária no comércio e indústria de alimentos no Estado do Rio de JaneiroO desenvolvimento dos guias é uma proposta inovadora que utiliza o risco sanitário para avaliar os serviços de alimentação, as indústrias e comércio de alimentos e os veículos para o transporte de produtos alimentícios. Responsabiliza e valoriza os empresários que investem em Boas Práticas de Fabricação e Manipulação

O desenvolvimento dos guias é uma proposta inovadora que utiliza o risco sanitário para avaliar os serviços de alimentação, as indústrias e comércio de alimentos e os veículos para o transporte de produtos alimentícios. Responsabiliza e valoriza os empresários que investem em Boas Práticas de Fabricação e Manipulação de Alimentos (BP), visando a melhoria da qualidade sanitária dos alimentos ofertados à população. Poderão ser utilizados por outras vigilâncias sanitárias que tiverem interesse.

Proposta de categorização de serviços de alimentação no Estado do Rio de Janeiro com foco no risco sanitário de doenças transmitidas por alimentos

A Categorização é uma proposta inovadora, utiliza um instrumento de avaliação com pontuação do risco sanitário. Permite resultados mensuráveis da atuação da vigilância sanitária e da qualidade sanitária, auxilia o consumidor na escolha consciente do local onde vai se alimentar, qualifica o proprietário do serviço de alimentação para a autoavaliação e valoriza os serviços de alimentação que investem nas Boas Práticas de Manipulação de Alimentos.

Assessment of hygiene practices and microbial safety of milk supplied by smallholder farmers to processors in selected counties in Kenya.

Smallholder farmers dominate the Kenyan dairy sector producing 95% of the total milk. However, several concerns have been raised on the quality and safety of the milk they produce. This study assessed the hygienic practices and microbial safety of milk supplied by smallholder farmers to processors in Bomet, Nyeri, and Nakuru counties in Kenya. Interviews and direct observations were carried out to assess hygiene and handling practices by farmers and a total of 92 milk samples were collected along four collection channels: direct suppliers, traders, cooperatives with coolers, and cooperatives without coolers. Microbial analysis was done following standard procedures and data analysed using GenStat and SPSS. This study revealed that farmers did not employ good hygienic practices in their routine dairy management. They used plastic containers for milking and milk storage (34.2%); they did not clean sheds (47.9%) and did not set aside cows that suffered from mastitis factors (83.6%), resulting in poor microbial quality of raw milk along the collection channels. The highest mean total viable counts (8.72 log10 cfu/ml) were recorded in Nakuru while Nyeri had the highest mean E. coli counts (4.97 log10 cfu/ml) and Bomet recorded the highest mean counts of 5.13 and 5.78 log10 cfu/ml for Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes respectively. Based on all above-mentioned parameters, the microbial load in most samples from all three counties exceeded the set Kenyan standards. Farmer training, improving road infrastructure, use of instant coolers at cooperatives, and quality-based payment systems are recommended as measures to curb microbial growth.

Listeriosis associated with pre-prepared sandwich consumption in hospital in England, 2017.

A case of listeriosis occurred in a hospitalised patient in England in July 2017. Analysis by whole genome sequencing of the Listeria monocytogenes from the patient's blood culture was identified as clonal complex (CC) 121. This culture was indistinguishable to isolates from sandwiches, salads and the maufacturing environment of Company X which supplied these products widely to the National Health Service. Whilst an inpatient, the case was served sandwiches produced by this company on 12 occasions. No other cases infected by this type were detected in the UK between 2016 and 2020. Between 2016 and 2020, more than 3000 samples of food, food ingredients and environmental swabs from this company were tested. Listeria monocytogenes contamination rates declined after July 2017 from 31% to 0.3% for salads and 3% to 0% for sandwiches. A monophyletic group of 127 L. monocytogenes CC121 isolates was recovered during 2016-2019 and was used to estimate the time of the most recent common ancestor as 2014 (95% CI of between 2012 and 2016). These results represent persistent contamination of equipment, food contact surfaces and foods at a food manufacturer by a single L. monocytogenes strain. Colonisation and persistent contamination of food and production environments are risks for public health.

Effect of Revtech thermal processing on volatile organic compounds and chemical characteristics of split yellow pea (Pisum sativum L.) flour.

Yellow pea (Pisumsativum L.) is an economically rich source of nutrients with health-promoting effects. However, the consumption of pea ingredients is minimal due to their off-flavor characteristics. The present study investigated the effect of Revtech heat treatment on the chemical profile and volatile compounds in split yellow pea flour. Revtech treatment (RT) was applied at 140°C with a residence time of 4 min in dry condition (RT 0%) and in the presence of 10% steam (RT 10%). Both thermal treatments resulted in a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in lipoxygenase activity and the concentration of key beany-related odors such as heptanal, (E)-2-heptenal, 1-octen-3-ol, octanal, and (E)-2-octenal. In addition, RT 10% resulted in a significant reduction in pentanal, 1-penten-3-ol, hexanal, and 1-hexanol compared to untreated flour. The content of known precursors of lipoxygenase such as linoleic and linolenic acids was found in higher concentrations in heat-treated flours, indicating the efficacy of Revtech technology in minimizing the degradation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. No significant changes in the amino acid composition or the 29 selected phenolic compounds in pea flours were observed with Revtech processing except for two compounds, caffeic acid and gallocatechin, which were found at higher concentrations in RT 0%. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Thermal processing of split yellow pea flours at 140°C using Revtech technology successfully decreased the concentrations of volatile compounds responsible for beany off-flavor while improving the nutritional quality of studied yellow pea flours. These results provide valuable information to the food industry for developing novel pulse-based products with enhanced sensory characteristics.

Processing environment monitoring in low moisture food production facilities: Are we looking for the right microorganisms?

Processing environment monitoring is gaining increasing importance in the context of food safety management plans/HACCP programs, since past outbreaks have shown the relevance of the environment as contamination pathway, therefore requiring to ensure the safety of products. However, there are still many open questions and a lack of clarity on how to set up a meaningful program, which would provide early warnings of potential product contamination. Therefore, the current paper aims to summarize and evaluate existing scientific information on outbreaks, relevant pathogens in low moisture foods, and knowledge on indicators, including their contribution to a "clean" environment capable of limiting the spread of pathogens in dry production environments. This paper also outlines the essential elements of a processing environment monitoring program thereby supporting the design and implementation of better programs focusing on the relevant microorganisms. This guidance document is intended to help industry and regulators focus and set up targeted processing environment monitoring programs depending on their purpose, and therefore provide the essential elements needed to improve food safety.

Effects of ethanol, activated carbon, and activated kaolin on perilla seed oil: Volatile organic compounds, physicochemical characteristics, and fatty acid composition.

Perilla seed oil (PSO) has a special aromatic odor, which is unpleasant to the personal preferences of some consumers. To this end, this article evaluated the differences in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), physicochemical characteristics, and fatty acid composition of PSO treated with ethanol (PSO-EA), activated carbon (PSO-AC), and activated kaolin (PSO-AK). The results showed that in the PSO, PSO-EA, PSO-AC, and PSO-AK samples, the content of linolenic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid hardly changed. Among the physicochemical characteristics of the four samples, the color difference between PSO and PSO-EA was greater than the color difference between PSO and PSO-AC, PSO-AK. The three treatment methods had the greatest impact on the PSO peroxide value but had little effect on other indicators. Gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrum results identified 28 known volatiles, of which aldehydes, alkenals, alcohols, ketones, and esters were the main groups. Fingerprint analysis found that PSO had an aromatic odor, which includes 1-hexanol, hexanal, and 2-pentylfuran; the removal effect of ethanol on VOCs in PSO was better than that of activated carbon and activated kaolin. The difference between the four oil samples was found from the strength of the VOCs' signals in a two-dimensional map. From the principal components analysis and the "nearest neighbor" fingerprint analysis, it was found that PSO is generally quite different from PSO-EA, PSO-AC, and PSO-AK, while in the "nearest neighbor" fingerprint analysis, PSO-AC and PSO-AK are similar in general. In short, PSO will have better applications in the food field. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Treatment of PSO with ethanol, activated carbon, and activated kaolin is conducive to the comprehensive utilization of edible resources. In this work, ethanol, activated carbon, and activated kaolin were used to remove VOCs in PSO, and PSO-EA, PSO-AC, and PSO-AK were obtained. The perilla seed oil after these three treatment methods was tested for VOCs, physicochemical characteristics, and fatty acid composition. They can meet the needs of more consumers without affecting the fatty acid composition in the PSO, and have broad development prospects.

Descriptive sensory analysis of instant porridge from stored wholegrain and decorticated pearl millet flour cooked, stabilized and improved by using a low-cost extruder.

Pearl millet flour, particularly wholegrain flour, is highly susceptible to development of rancid aromas and flavors during storage. Grain decortication and extrusion cooking using a friction-heated single-screw extruder were investigated as potential flour stabilization processes. Raw and extruded wholegrain and decorticated grain pearl millet flours were stored at ambient (25°C) and elevated (40°C) temperatures for 6 months. A trained descriptive sensory panel developed a lexicon of 44 attributes to profile the aroma, flavor, and texture of porridges prepared from the flours. Grain decortication alone did not show an effect on the aroma and flavor profile of porridge. Extrusion cooking of both wholegrain and decorticated flours increased cereal-like aromas (branny, canned sweetcorn, sweet, and wheaty) and flavor (starchy), as well as stiffness and cohesiveness of the porridges. The porridges from the extruded pearl millet flours stored for up to 6 months at ambient and elevated temperatures did not show any indications of rancidity. In contrast, rancidity-associated aromas (chemical, painty, and soapy) and flavor (chemical) increased in porridges from the raw flours stored for 4 weeks and longer. These results indicate that grain decortication did not sufficiently reduce fat content to prevent oxidation, while extrusion cooking stabilized the pearl millet flours. In addition, intensified "cereal-like" aromas and flavors were probably due to Maillard reactions occurring during extrusion cooking. Resulting aroma compounds could have been immobilized in the extruded matrix and not released during flour storage. The application of extrusion cooking with a simple friction-heated single-screw extruder is a viable process for both precooking and extending the shelf life of pearl millet flours. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study demonstrates the potential of extrusion cooking to precook wholegrain pearl millet while preventing fat rancidity in wholegrain pearl millet flour, thereby improving the sensory quality and stability of pearl millet food products. The extensive sensory characterization of pearl millet porridge-type foods can serve as a guidance tool for development, improvement, and quality control of pearl millet foods. Furthermore, it establishes the efficacy of simple friction-heated, single-screw extruders for commercial manufacture of ready-to-eat wholegrain pearl millet food products by small and medium scale entrepreneurs.

Effects of preheating and drying methods on pyridoxine, phenolic compounds, ginkgolic acids, and antioxidant capacity of Ginkgo biloba nuts.

Although ginkgo nuts are very nutritious and loaded with numerous bioactive compounds, the nuts contain significant levels of unwanted compounds (ginkolic acids) which are toxic to consumption. To reduce or eliminate these toxic compounds without impacting the nutritional value and the bioactivity of the final product, an appropriate processing technology is needed. Thus, the effect of preheating (90 and 120°C) prior to drying (freeze drying: FD, hot air drying: HAD, and HAD in tandem with FD: HAD-FD) was evaluated on ginkgolic acids, pyridoxine analogues, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant properties of ginkgo nuts. Our results pointed out a significant decrease (below 50%) of ginkgolic acids in ginkgo nuts samples processed at 90°C compared to the control. The major compounds found after treatments were respectively, kaempferol (36.66-354.38 µg/g), quercetin (9.04-183.71 µg/g), and caffeic acid (19.66-106.88 µg/g). Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that preheating at 90°C prior to HAD-FD would be a proper and reasonable approach for preserving the bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity of ginkgo nuts (EC50 ranged from 2.25 to 4.60 mg/mL) while significantly reducing their content in toxic compounds.

Comparison of free, conjugated, and insoluble-bound phenolics and their antioxidant activities in oven-drying and freeze-drying bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) shoot tips.

Bamboo(Phyllostachys edulis) shoot was reported to be rich in phenolics. In the present study, free phenolics, conjugated phenolics, and insoluble-bound phenolics of oven-drying and freeze-drying bamboo shoot tips were extracted and separated, of which total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and their antioxidant activities were determined. Phenolics of different binding forms were qualitatively analyzed using HPLC-ESI-QqQ-MS. A total of 22, 41, and 28 compounds were confirmed or tentatively identified in free, conjugated, and insoluble-bound phenolic extraction, respectively. The majority of the identified compounds were organic acids and phenolic acids. Oven-drying samples exhibited higher TPC (10.53-24.92 mg GAE/100 g DW) and TFC (5.80-33.27 mg CE/100 g DW) values, and stronger antioxidant activities (DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP) than freeze-drying (TPC: 1.67-15.28 mg GAE/100 g DW, TFC: 1.43-29.05 mg CE/100 g DW). Insoluble-bound phenolics were the major contributor to the total antioxidant activity. The present study investigated the phenolics composition and antioxidant activities of different binding forms in bamboo shoot tip comprehensively, and provided available information for their high-value deep-processing.

Widely targeted metabolomics analysis of white peony teas with different storage time and association with sensory attributes.

The sensory features of white peony teas (WPTs) significantly change with storage age; however, their comprehensive associations with composition are still unclear. This study aimed to clarify the sensory quality-related chemical changes in WPTs during storage. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry based on widely targeted metabolomics analysis was performed on WPTs of 1-13 years storage ages. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to correlate metabolites with sensory traits including color difference values and taste attributes. 323 sensory trait-related metabolites were obtained from six key modules via WGCNA, verified by multiple factor analysis. The decline and transformation of abundant flavonoids, tannins and amino acids were related to the reduced astringency, umami and increased browning of tea infusions. In contrast, the total contents of phenolic acids and organic acids increased with storage. This study provides a high-throughput method for the association of chemical compounds with various sensory traits of foods.

Allergens from Edible Insects: Cross-reactivity and Effects of Processing.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The recent introduction of edible insects in Western countries has raised concerns about their safety in terms of allergenic reactions. The characterization of insect allergens, the sensitization and cross-reactivity mechanisms, and the effects of food processing represent crucial information for risk assessment. RECENT FINDINGS: Allergic reactions to different insects and cross-reactivity with crustacean and inhalant allergens have been described, with the identification of new IgE-binding proteins besides well-known pan-allergens. Depending on the route of sensitization, different potential allergens seem to be involved. Food processing may affect the solubility and the immunoreactivity of insect allergens, with results depending on species and type of proteins. Chemical/enzymatic hydrolysis, in some cases, abolishes immunoreactivity. More studies based on subjects with a confirmed insect allergy are necessary to identify major and minor allergens and the role of the route of sensitization. The effects of processing need to be further investigated to assess the risk associated with the ingestion of insect-containing food products.

Bacterial biofilm formation on stainless steel in the food processing environment and its health implications.

Biofilm formation (BF) and production in the food processing industry (FPI) is a continual threat to food safety and quality. Various bacterial pathogens possess the ability to adhere and produce biofilms on stainless steel (SS) in the FPI due to flagella, curli, pili, fimbrial adhesins, extra polymeric substances, and surface proteins. The facilitating environmental conditions (temperature, pressure, variations in climatic conditions), SS properties (surface energy, hydrophobicity, surface roughness, topography), type of raw food materials, pre-processing, and processing conditions play a significant role in the enhancement of bacterial adhesion and favorable condition for BF. Furthermore, biofilm formers can tolerate different sanitizers and cleaning agents due to the constituents, concentration, contact time, bacterial cluster distribution, and composition of bacteria within the biofilm. Also, bacterial biofilms' ability to produce various endotoxins and exotoxins when consumed cause food infections and intoxications with serious health implications. It is thus crucial to understand BF's repercussions and develop effective interventions against these phenomena that make persistent pathogens difficult to remove in the food processing environment.

Determination of optimum ripening time in hard cooked cheeses (Reggianito type) using survival analysis statistics: Modified versus traditional cheese making technology.

In this work, we determined optimum ripening time of hard cooked cheeses made by traditional technology or by an innovative process aimed at accelerating flavor formation. For that purpose, we applied survival analysis statistics. Experimental cheese making (E) included homogenization of milk fat, unpasteurized cheese milk, changes in cooking temperature, and a curd-washing step, while traditional cheese making (T) followed a classic hard-cooked cheese making. Cheeses were ripened for 215 days and samples were analyzed at 76, 112, 128, 152, and 215 days. Consumers (250) were recruited and divided into five groups of 50 consumers for each stage. At each sampling time, consumers assessed whether the sample was "under-ripe," "ok," or "over-ripe." Optimum ripening time could be estimated only for E cheeses, with a high percentage of rejection. For T cheeses, it was not possible to determine the optimum ripening time because the rejection by over-ripening was never reported. We verified consumer segmentation: a small percentage found E cheese under-ripe and a high percentage found it over-ripe. Many consumers qualified E cheeses as too spicy, especially at the end of ripening. Spicy flavor is usually perceived before than the texture and evidenced an acceleration of the flavor formation. We concluded that the innovative intervention in cheese making technology was successful in accelerating cheese ripening. It also had potential to develop a new cheese product targeted at consumers who chose/prefer good spicy flavor. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Survival analysis is a useful methodology to determine the optimum ripening time of foods based on consumer data. In this work, it evidenced that the proposed innovative cheese making was successful in accelerating the formation of cheese flavor, and had the potential to develop a new cheese product targeted at consumers who chose/prefer good spicy flavor.

Effects on childhood infections of promoting safe and hygienic complementary-food handling practices through a community-based programme: A cluster randomised controlled trial in a rural area of The Gambia.

BACKGROUND: The Gambia has high rates of under-5 mortality from diarrhoea and pneumonia, peaking during complementary-feeding age. Community-based interventions may reduce complementary-food contamination and disease rates. METHODS AND FINDINGS: A public health intervention using critical control points and motivational drivers, delivered February-April 2015 in The Gambia, was evaluated in a cluster randomised controlled trial at 6- and 32-month follow-up in September-October 2015 and October-December 2017, respectively. After consent for trial participation and baseline data were collected, 30 villages (clusters) were randomly assigned to intervention or control, stratified by population size and geography. The intervention included a community-wide campaign on days 1, 2, 17, and 25, a reminder visit at 5 months, plus informal community-volunteer home visits. It promoted 5 key complementary-food and 1 key drinking-water safety and hygiene behaviours through performing arts, public meetings, and certifications delivered by a team from local health and village structures to all villagers who attended the activities, to which mothers of 6- to 24-month-old children were specifically invited. Control villages received a 1-day campaign on domestic-garden water use. The background characteristics of mother and clusters (villages) were balanced between the trial arms. Outcomes were measured at 6 and 32 months in a random sample of 21-26 mothers per cluster. There were no intervention or research team visits to villages between 6 and 32 months. The primary outcome was a composite outcome of the number of times key complementary-food behaviours were observed as a proportion of the number of opportunities to perform the behaviours during the observation period at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included the rate of each recommended behaviour; microbiological growth from complementary food and drinking water (6 months only); and reported acute respiratory infections, diarrhoea, and diarrhoea hospitalisation. Analysis was by intention-to-treat analysis adjusted by clustering. (Registration: PACTR201410000859336). We found that 394/571 (69%) of mothers with complementary-feeding children in the intervention villages were actively involved in the campaign. No villages withdrew, and there were no changes in the implementation of the intervention. The intervention improved behaviour adoption significantly. For the primary outcome, the rate was 662/4,351(incidence rate [IR] = 0.15) in control villages versus 2,861/4,378 (IR = 0.65) in intervention villages (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] = 4.44, 95% CI 3.62-5.44, p < 0.001), and at 32 months the aIRR was 1.17 (95% CI 1.07-1.29, p = 0.001). Secondary health outcomes also improved with the intervention: (1) mother-reported diarrhoea at 6 months, with adjusted relative risk (aRR) = 0.39 (95% CI 0.32-0.48, p < 0.001), and at 32 months, with aRR = 0.68 (95% CI 0.48-0.96, p = 0.027); (2) mother-reported diarrhoea hospitalisation at 6 months, with aRR = 0.35 (95% CI 0.19-0.66, p = 0.001), and at 32 months, with aRR = 0.38 (95% CI 0.18-0.80, p = 0.011); and (3) mother-reported acute respiratory tract infections at 6 months, with aRR = 0.67 (95% CI 0.53-0.86, p = 0.001), though at 32 months improvement was not significant (p = 0.200). No adverse events were reported. The main limitations were that only medium to small rural villages were involved. Obtaining laboratory cultures from food at 32 months was not possible, and no stool microorganisms were investigated. CONCLUSIONS: We found that low-cost and culturally embedded behaviour change interventions were acceptable to communities and led to short- and long-term improvements in complementary-food safety and hygiene practices, and reported diarrhoea and acute respiratory tract infections. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered on the 17th October 2014 with the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry in South Africa with number (PACTR201410000859336) and 32-month follow-up as an amendment to the trial.

The impact of key processing stages and flock variables on the prevalence and levels of Campylobacter on broiler carcasses.

This study examined the impact of key processing stages and flock variables on the prevalence of Campylobacter on broiler carcasses. Overall, the prevalence of Campylobacter was 62% in caeca, and 68%, 65% and 62% in neck skin samples collected after evisceration, final wash and carcass chilling, respectively. Campylobacter were found in 32% of caeca, and 52%, 40% and 32% of neck skin samples collected after evisceration, final wash and carcass chilling, respectively from first thin broiler batches. Final thin broiler batches were more frequently contaminated with prevalences of 83% found in caeca, 80% in neck skin samples collected after evisceration and 83% found in neck skin samples collected after both final wash and carcass chilling stages (p < 0.05). Thinning status had a significant effect on Campylobacter counts with significantly higher counts observed in samples from final thin batches (p < 0.05). Highest Campylobacter concentrations in neck skin samples were observed at the evisceration stage in both first and final thin samples, with counts ranging from 2.0 to 3.8 log10 CFU/g and 2.3 to 4.8 log10 CFU/g in first and final thin batches, respectively. All first thin samples had counts below the European Union (EU) Process Hygiene Criterion threshold level of 3 log10 CFU/g after chilling while 52% of final thin batches had counts above this limit.

Microbiological quality and safety of Brazilian artisanal cheeses.

The establishment of norms that regulates the production and trade of Brazilian Artisanal Cheeses (BAC) has been stimulating many small farmers for this activity. The predominance of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) is a typical characteristic of BAC, which confers desirable attributes to artisanal cheeses. However, these products can be contaminated by other microbial groups, including those that indicate hygienic failures during production and may cause spoilage, or even microorganisms that pose risks to consumers' health. A systematic review of the literature published from January 1996 to November 2020 was carried out to identify scientific data about production characteristics and microbiological aspects of BAC, with a major focus on quality and safety status of these traditional products. Studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria indicated that artisanal chesses produced in Brazil still do not satisfactorily meet the microbiological criteria established by the national laws, mainly due to the high counts of coagulase-positive Staphylococcus and coliforms. Despite low prevalence, pathogens such as Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes were isolated in some BAC. This review contributed to better understanding microbiological aspects of BAC, the data compiled by the authors highlight the need to improve hygiene practices along the production chain of these traditional cheeses.