Scientists on the ISS (International Space Station) have been frequently checking eight locations of the spaceship over the last six years for the presence of microorganisms’ growth. Hundreds of bacteria samples have been collected and studied, with a thousand more waiting to return to Earth for analysis. A study describes the discovery of four new unique bacteria, on the ISS. The bacteria belonging to the family of Methylobacteriaceae were isolated from different locations of the International Space Station (ISS) in two consecutive flights. One of the 4 organisms was previously known and was identified as Methylorubrum rhodesianum. Three of the...
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A 2019 report on the European Union on foodborne outbreaks, illnesses, and death
A recent report by the EFSA and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, presented the results of zoonoses monitoring activities conducted in 2019 in 36 European countries. The most-reported zoonosis in humans was campylobacteriosis, representing 50% of the cases, followed by salmonellosis. The number of cases of these two diseases was stable during 20`5-2019. The third most reported zoonosis in humans was Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection, which increased from 2015 to 2019. Yersiniosis was the fourth most reported in 2019, with a stable trend in 2015–2019. Listeriosis cases followed and remained stable in 2015–2019 after a...
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Summary of multistate foodborne outbreaks in 2020
Like every year, the CDC reported about the major multistate outbreaks due to foodborne illnesses that occurred in 2020. For 2020 the CDC has recorded on its website ten foodborne outbreaks. This number is one of the lowest outbreak numbers, perhaps due to the focus on covid-19 this year. The first outbreak concluded on April 22, 2020, and was due to E. coli O103 in Clover Sprouts, it was traced to raw sprouts on sandwiches sold by Jimmy John’s restaurants. The second outbreak was due to Enoki Mushrooms from Korea and sold by H&C Food Inc., Guan’s Mushroom Co., and...
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Year in review and Holiday Season wishes
This year was unlike any other, most of us and the food industry may be able to breathe a sigh of relief after enduring one of the most challenging years. The year saw massive disruption in the food supply chain. Most of the food sectors and their workforce have been designated as essential. The demand for foods has grown dramatically in retail stores while the use of food products destined for foodservice declined sharply. The coronavirus pandemic caused broken supply chains, lack of inventory, and financial losses for some industry sectors. The FDA had announced the coming of a new...