Microbiological Assessment of Dairy Products Produced by Small-Scale Dairy Producers in Serbia.

The microbiological quality of dairy products from small-scale producers in Serbia was analysed. A total of 302 dairy products [raw (n = 111) and pasteurized milk cheeses (n = 79) and kajmak (n = 112)], were collected and tested for the presence of pathogens, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp., and enumerated for Coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS), Escherichia coli, and yeasts and moulds. None of the samples tested positive for Salmonella spp., while L. monocytogenes was recovered from one raw milk cheese and five kajmak samples. Raw milk cheese and kajmak also had higher levels of indicator microorganisms, namely E. coli and yeast and moulds. Molecular serotyping grouped L. monocytogenes isolates into serogroups 1 (1/2a and 3a) and 3 (1/2b, 3b, and 7). When exposed to eight antibiotics, L. monocytogenes isolates were mostly sensitive, with the exception of oxacillin and reduced susceptibility to clindamycin, penicillin G, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, emphasizing the importance of continuous surveillance for antimicrobial resistance. Samples that tested positive for Listeria spp. also had higher loads of indicator microorganisms, namely E. coli and yeast and moulds, suggesting lapses in hygiene practices during production. Collectively, these data emphasize the need for improved food safety and hygiene practices among small-scale dairy producers. This is crucial to reduce the microbial contamination and improve both the quality and safety of dairy products in the Serbian market.

Consumer attitudes and perceptions towards chilled ready-to-eat foods: a multi-national study.

Understanding consumers' behavior and their handling of high-risk foods at home is essential for reducing the number of foodborne illnesses. This study shows the results of a cross-national analysis of consumers' perception from nine countries, and the identification of customers' clusters and its characteristics in order to understand customers' behavior, and to build safe chilled ready-to-eat (RTE) foods prevention strategies. The cluster analysis resulted in two clusters: (1) "Precautious consumers" characterized by the orientation towards pre-packed RTE foods, with consumers mainly coming from Bosnia and Herzegovina, India, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey. Their attitudes and self-reported practices may be categorized as less risky in terms of food-borne illnesses connected with the consumption of RTE foods; (2) "Unconcerned consumers" preferred cutting and slicing RTE foods freshly at the point of purchase, usually sold at the delicatessen department in a supermarket or at open markets. Those consumers mostly came from Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia and their attitudes and self-reported practices were riskier. These results allow a better understating of what characterizes consumers of RTE foods in different countries.

Second order probabilistic assessment of chronic dietary exposure to aflatoxin M1 in Serbia.

Considering the genotoxic and cancerogenic nature of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), its presence in milk and dairy products may pose health risks for consumers. The chronic exposure was calculated using a two-dimensional (second order) Monte Carlo model. Results of 13 722 milk and dairy product samples analysed in the 2015-2022 period were used. Milk and dairy products intake information was collected with a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) validated by a 24-h recall-based method. Risk characterization was done by calculation of the Margin of Exposure (MOE) and by calculation of AFM1 induced number of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases. Mean AFM1 Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) was highest in children at 0.336 (CI: 0.294-0.385) ng kg-1 bw day-1, followed by adolescents with 0.183 (CI: 0.164-0.204), then adult females with 0.161 (CI: 0.146-0.179) and finally adult males with lowest EDI of 0.126 (CI: 0.115-0.139) ng kg-1 bw day-1. MOE values based on mean EDI for all population groups were above risk associated threshold and the number of possible HCC cases was in the range of 0.0002-0.0021 cases per year for 105 individuals. The results suggest low health risks due to AFM1 exposure for the whole population. Still, this risk is not non-existent, especially for children as they have a higher ratio of the population exposed to risk associated AFM1 levels, with MOE values below risk indicating threshold starting at 77.5th percentile.

Body weight homeostat that regulates fat mass independently of leptin in rats and mice.

Subjects spending much time sitting have increased risk of obesity but the mechanism for the antiobesity effect of standing is unknown. We hypothesized that there is a homeostatic regulation of body weight. We demonstrate that increased loading of rodents, achieved using capsules with different weights implanted in the abdomen or s.c. on the back, reversibly decreases the biological body weight via reduced food intake. Importantly, loading relieves diet-induced obesity and improves glucose tolerance. The identified homeostat for body weight regulates body fat mass independently of fat-derived leptin, revealing two independent negative feedback systems for fat mass regulation. It is known that osteocytes can sense changes in bone strain. In this study, the body weight-reducing effect of increased loading was lost in mice depleted of osteocytes. We propose that increased body weight activates a sensor dependent on osteocytes of the weight-bearing bones. This induces an afferent signal, which reduces body weight. These findings demonstrate a leptin-independent body weight homeostat ("gravitostat") that regulates fat mass.