In the news

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Targeted Delivery of Nature-Inspired Antimicrobials Using Nanostructures Achieved 5-log Reductions of E. coli

A new nano-carrier technology, for the targeted and precise the delivery of antimicrobials for sterilization of surfaces in the food industry, was developed using Engineered Water Nanostructures (EWNS). An aqueous suspension of an active ingredient (AI) was used to synthesize iEWNS (the ‘i’ denoting the AI) that are: i) engineered to have a nanoscale size; ii) have excessive electric surface charge, and iii) contain both the reactive oxygen species (ROS) formed due to the ionization of deionized (DI) water, and the AI used in their synthesis. A number of nature-inspired antimicrobials, such as H2O2, lysozyme, citric acid, and their combination, were used to synthesize a variety of iEWNS-based nano-sanitizers. The technology achieved 5-log reductions of E. coli in just minutes of exposure time with hydrogen peroxide, citric acid, and lysozyme. This aerosol-based, yet ‘dry’ intervention approach using iEWNS nano-carrier platform offers advantages over current ‘wet’ techniques that are prevalent commercially, which require grams of the AI to achieve similar inactivation, leading to increased chemical risks and chemical waste byproducts. Such a targeted nano-carrier approach has the potential to revolutionize the delivery of antimicrobials for sterilization in the food industry. @ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956713518304985?dgcid=rss_sd_all

Despite the progress in the area of food safety, foodborne diseases still represent a massive challenge to the public health systems worldwide, mainly…

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Use of X-ray irradiation to radically reduces pathogens in RTE Sliced Ham

The effect of X-ray irradiation on reducing pathogen (Salmonella, E. coli o157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes in post-packaged ready-to-eat (RTE) deli food products was investigated by researchers at Hankyong National University in South Korea. Surfaces of samples were inoculated by a cocktail of the pathogens. Irradiation with 0.8 kGy of X-rays significantly reduced Salmonella Typhimurium, E. coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes in RTE ham slices by 5.7, 7.2, and 6.9 log CFU/g, respectively. The reason that the X-ray was effective is related to intracellular enzyme inactivation and damage to cellular DNA rather than disruption of the cell membrane. X-ray irradiation applied up to 0.8 kGy did not negatively affect product quality attributes such as color and texture of the sliced ham products. The study suggests that X-ray Irradiation can be used in RTE products, post packaging, to reduce pathogens.@ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956713518304870

Light emitting diodes of wavelength 410 nm were used to inactivate Listeria monocytogenes stains on paperboard, an increasingly popular food packaging…

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Ripple Effect: Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods Recalls Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Products due to Listeria Contamination Resulting from Johnston County Hams

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced that Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods, a Richmond, VA recalled 18,296 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry deli-sliced products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The products were produced and packaged from Sept. 14, 2018 through Oct. 3, 2018. These items were shipped to retail locations in Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The problem was discovered on Oct. 4, 2018, when FSIS received notification from the company that they had received and processed products from Johnston County Hams, recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes.There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. @ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/recalls-and-public-health-alerts/recall-case-archive/archive/2018/recall-087-2018-release

Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods, a Richmond, Va. establishment, is recalling approximately 18,296 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry deli-sliced products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.

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Ripple Effect: Ladyfingers Gourmet to Go Recalled Signature Shaved Country Ham Rolls Due to Listeria as a result of the Johnston County Hams recall

The FDA announced that Ladyfingers Caterers recalled its Signature Shaved Country Ham Rolls as a result of the Johnston County Hams recall. The rolls were made with ham produced by Johnston County Hams, which recently recalled its ham products due to Listeria monocytogenes. There has been one reported illness for this recall. On October 3, 2018, Ladyfingers was notified by Johnston County Hams that ham produced from April 3, 2017 through October 3, 2018 may have been contaminated. As a result Ladyfingers Caterers is recalling all Signature Shaved Country Ham Rolls that are currently in the market. The products were distributed between April 3, 2017 through October 3, 2018 to retail stores in California, District of Columbia, Delaware, North Carolina, New York, South Carolina and Virginia. @ https://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm622719.htm

Ladyfingers Caterers is voluntarily recalling its Signature Shaved Country Ham Rolls as a result of the Johnston County Hams recall. The rolls were made with ham produced by Johnston County Hams, which recently initiated a recall of its ham products due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.