Sampling strategies for virus detection in foods, food-processing environments, water and air

Abstract

Currently there are no specific guidelines providing recommendations on how to perform sampling on foods at different phases of their supply chains as well as on environmental matrices when they require testing for virus presence. This chapter considers the significance and the role of sampling during food chain or water monitoring, surveillance and research studies. An overview and discussion of sampling strategies and criteria to be followed during sample selection are presented. Finally, some food- and waterborne outbreaks are described, highlighting the role of efficient sampling strategies in successful virus detection both in the tested samples and the case patients. © 2013 Woodhead Publishing Limited All rights reserved