CA18105 - Risk-based meat inspection and integrated meat safety assurance (RIBMINS)

The European Food Safety Authority has recently proposed a generic framework for a modern, flexible and dynamic risk-based meat safety assurance system. Implementation of such a system is expected to be a slow and careful process that would involve its thorough development, fine-tuning and testing its practical feasibility and general impacts. There are many research groups in Europe that currently perform studies, mostly at national level, to fill the knowledge gaps related to such a new system. The main aim of the RIBMINS network is to combine and strengthen European-wide research efforts on modern meat safety control systems. The network will allow exchange of ideas, experience and results of country-level research studies. Furthermore, the aim is to create a platform for training of relevant participants in the new meat safety system and thus help its operability, as well as to inform relevant stakeholders about the requirements, benefits and consequences of the new system. The RIBMINS network will consist of five Working Groups: 1. on scope and targets of meat safety assurance, 2. on farm-level controls and risk categorisation of farms, 3. on abattoir-level controls and risk categorisation of abattoirs, 4. on meat safety assurance system impact with changes, addition and alternatives to meat inspection, and 5. on meat safety assurance system training, communication and monitoring. Overall, the network shall help the full development and implementation of the general principles of meat safety assurance system across Europe for the benefit of consumers, industry and protection of animal health and welfare. Action keywords meat safety assurance - meat inspection - process hygiene - risk analysis - food chai

Meta-analysis of the efficacy of cattle hide interventions to reduce microbiological contamination in beef

Interventions at abattoir level are considered necessary to control microbiological hazards and therefore, constitute an essential and integral part of meat safety assurance systems. Cattle hide interventions can be seen as a ‘proactive’ approach in dealing with the sources of beef carcass contamination. A systematic review and meta-analysis of literature investigating the efficacy of processing interventions to control microbiological contamination in beef was performed. A total of 266 relevant studies were identified, with 113 (42.5%) judged to be at ‘low’ risk of bias, including four on hide cleanliness assessment and seven on hide interventions where extractable data were available for meta-analysis. The summary effects from a random-effect meta-analysis model show a consistent reduction for all indicator microorganisms (aerobic colony counts (ACC), Enterobacteriaceae counts (EBC) and generic E. coli) on hides and resulting carcasses, when clean cattle are compared with dirty cattle. Least-squares mean reductions (log CFU/cm2) on carcass surfaces were 0.9 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.54-1.26) for ACC, 0.71 (0.36-1.05) for EBC and 0.75 (0.65-0.85, only one study) for E. coli. There was an insufficient number of hide intervention studies on hide clipping, bacteriophage treatment and some chemical washes to draw firm conclusions on their efficacy. The meta-regression effect revealed that hide water wash may have some limited protective effect in reducing STEC prevalence on hides, although the high heterogeneity found in the summary effects indicates that the intervention results differ substantially (relative risk (RR) 0.85; 95% CI: 0.66-1.09). The mean reduction effect in reducing levels of aerobic bacteria on hides was also low, 0.6 log CFU/100 cm2, questioning the usefulness of hide water wash as a stand-alone intervention. Studies investigating microbial immobilisation treatment of cattle hides (shellac spray coating) showed the mean reduction effect (log CFU/cm2) on resulting beef carcasses (reduction-in-transfer) was 1.07 (95% CI: 0.29-2.43) for ACC and 0.59 (1.05-2.22) for EBC. When six controlled trials (conducted under commercial abattoir conditions), investigating shellac spray hide coating and chemical spray washes with cetylpyridinium chloride, sanitiser and sodium hydroxide, were plotted together, they showed the reduction effect on beef carcasses (log CFU/cm2) of 1.09 (95% CI: 0.65-1.53) for ACC and 0.81 (0.28-1.35) for EBC. The results indicate that cattle hide interventions are efficacious in controlling microbial contamination on beef carcasses. However, the high heterogeneity found in the summary effects indicates that the intervention results differ substantially and more research is needed

Aerozagađenje polenom Ambrosia Artemisiifolia L. Na teritoriji grada Novog Sada

As important weed on agricultural areas, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. represents a great problem. This weed species is also recognized as significant allergenic species, representing thus significant medical and economic problem. One gram of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. pollen contains 30-35 million of pollen grains, and during the year, one plant can produce more than 45 grams (<1350 million) of pollen grains. During 2014 pollination season, the amount of ragweed was measured at Faculty of Agriculture. Measured pollen peaks showed that in m3 of the air there were 447 pollen grains.Izuzetan problem za poljoprivrednu proizvodnju predstavlja Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., kao korov na poljoprivrednim površinama, ova korovska vrsta prepoznata je i kao značajan alergen, a samim tim predstavlja medicinski i ekonomski problem. Jedan gram polena Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. sadrži 30-35 miliona polenovih zrna, a jedna biljka tokom godine može proizvesti više od 45 grama (<1350 miliona polenovih zrna) polena. U sezoni polinacije, na Poljoprivrednom fakultetu je merena količina polena ambrozije, tokom 2014. godine. Pik je izmereni krajem avgusta meseca kada je taj broj bio 447 polenovih zrna u m3 vazduha

A comparison of European surveillance programs for Campylobacter in broilers

Campylobacter is an important foodborne pathogen as it is associated with significant disease burden across Europe. Among various sources, Campylobacter infections in humans are often related to the consumption of undercooked poultry meat or improper handling of poultry meat. Many European countries have implemented measures to reduce human exposure to Campylobacter from broiler meat. In this paper, surveillance programs implemented in some European countries is summarized. Our findings reveal that many European countries test neck skin samples for Campylobacter as per the Process Hygiene Criterion (PHC) set by the European Regulation. Variations to the legal plan are seen in some countries, as in Norway and Iceland, where weekly sampling is performed during infection peak periods only, or in Iceland, where the Campylobacter limit is set at 500 CFU/g instead of 1000 CFU/g. Furthermore, northern European countries have implemented national Campylobacter surveillance plans. Denmark tests cloaca and leg skin samples at the slaughterhouses and meat samples at the retail, while Finland, Norway, and Sweden test caeca at slaughterhouses. In contrast, Iceland tests feces on farms. Iceland and Norway test flocks close to the slaughter date and when a farm tests positive, competent authority implement measures such as logistic slaughter, heat treatment or freeze the meat from these flocks. In Iceland, frozen meat is further processed prior to being put on the market. While the incidence of campylobacteriosis has declined in all European countries except France since the introduction of PHC in 2018, it is uncertain whether this decrease is due to prevalence reduction or underreporting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future investigations with more comprehensive data, devoid of potential confounding factors, are necessary to validate this potential trend. However, it is evident that the implementation of national action plans can be successful in reducing the incidence of human campylobacteriosis, as demonstrated by Iceland

A European survey on post-mortem inspection of finishing pigs: Total condemnation criteria to declare meat unfit for human consumption

Meat inspection (MI) is essential to verify compliance with legal requirements related to human and animal health and animal welfare protections. Judgement criteria applied during MI, resulting in condemnation data of importance, among other things, for livestock producers and for benchmarking reasons. However, although the Meat Inspection Regulation sets out judgement criteria, most are generic, favouring flexibility, but also subjectivity. To address the degree of variation on total condemnation (TC) criteria applied during post-mortem inspection (PMI) of finishing pigs, an online survey was prepared aiming to collect this information from several European countries. The focus was on TC criteria regarding the following PMI findings: abscesses, arthritis, cachexia, erysipelas, icterus, Mycobacterium-like lesions, osteomyelitis, peritonitis, pleuritis and pneumonia. From September to November 2020, a total of 44 completed questionnaires were obtained from 26 European countries. The results showed a substantial variation in the TC criteria in place in the participating countries. One of the main reasons for the variability seen in the respondents' reported answers was related to the indicators used to define a generalised condition related to the 10 PMI findings addressed, making harmonisation a challenge and avoiding to draw conclusions when comparing condemnation causes between abattoirs. This implies that it would make sense to look into how a generalised condition can be identified/described and how it should be judged. The results should be used as inspiration towards possible harmonisation, improving decision-making, and permitting comparative analysis between different reports to allow trend analyses and benchmarking

Salmonella enterica prevalence, serotype diversity, antimicrobial resistance and control in the European pork production chain

Background: A risk assessment conducted by EFSA identified Salmonella enterica (Salmonella) as a high-risk hazard at the EU level in the context of meat inspection of swine. Despite pork being considered an important source of S. Typhimurium and its monophasic variant, Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 does not set criteria for specific Salmonella serotypes. Enforcing specific criteria for Salmonella target serotypes could result in a reduction in the prevalence of Salmonella in the pork production chain, as has happened in broiler flocks. Scope and approach: This study gives an overview of Salmonella enterica in the European pork chain, discussing prevalence, serotype diversity, antimicrobial resistance and epidemiological importance during the last 20 years. Additionally, future trends and recommendations regarding control of Salmonella in the European pork production chain are introduced. Key findings and conclusions: The highest proportions of Salmonella-positive samples were observed at the fattening pig farm level, whereas the prevalence of Salmonella on pig carcasses was much lower. Among epidemiologically important serotypes, isolates of S. Typhimurium, and its monophasic variant were found to be resistant to ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole, streptomycin and tetracycline. Future Salmonella control in the pork production chain can preferably be conducted through a risk-based meat safety assurance system. In conclusion, a fit-for-purpose strategy applied to the pork production chain and adapted to the national epidemiological situation can deliver acceptable consumer safety

Drivers, opportunities, and challenges of the European risk-based meat safety assurance system

The traditional meat safety system has significantly contributed to public health protection throughout the last century. However, it has been recognised that this system suffers many flaws ? the main being its limited ability to control the currently most important meat-borne hazards. The European Food Safety Authority evaluated meat inspection in the public health context, prioritised meat-borne hazards and proposed a generic framework for a new, risk-based meat safety assurance system. The proposed system aims to combine a range of preventive and control measures, applied at farms and abattoirs and integrated longitudinally, where official meat inspection is incorporated with producers? food safety management systems into a coherent whole. The modernisation process has recently started as a direct result of changes to relevant legislation in the European Union. Many challenges have been experienced while many opportunities are foreseen. More focus on targeted and risk-based inspection along the supply chain as well as use of new technologies may be a cost-effective and feasible way forward. Practical implementation of the system is expected to be a slow and careful process followed by thorough development, fine-tuning, and testing of practical feasibility and general impacts. Further progress that will lead to the full implementation is dependent on intensive research to fill knowledge gaps, enhance education and training and foster close collaboration of all the new system?s stakeholders

A European survey on post-mortem inspection of finishing pigs: Total condemnation criteria to declare meat unfit for human consumption

Meat inspection (MI) is essential to verify compliance with legal requirements related to human and animal health and animal welfare protections. Judgement criteria applied during MI, resulting in condemnation data of importance, among other things, for livestock producers and for benchmarking reasons. However, although the Meat Inspection Regulation sets out judgement criteria, most are generic, favouring flexibility, but also subjectivity. To address the degree of variation on total condemnation (TC) criteria applied during post-mortem inspection (PMI) of finishing pigs, an online survey was prepared aiming to collect this information from several European countries. The focus was on TC criteria regarding the following PMI findings: abscesses, arthritis, cachexia, erysipelas, icterus, Mycobacterium-like lesions, osteomyelitis, peritonitis, pleuritis and pneumonia. From September to November 2020, a total of 44 completed questionnaires were obtained from 26 European countries. The results showed a substantial variation in the TC criteria in place in the participating countries. One of the main reasons for the variability seen in the respondents' reported answers was related to the indicators used to define a generalised condition related to the 10 PMI findings addressed, making harmonisation a chal-lenge and avoiding to draw conclusions when comparing condemnation causes between abattoirs. This implies that it would make sense to look into how a generalised condition can be identified/described and how it should be judged. The results should be used as inspiration towards possible harmonisation, improving decision-making, and permitting comparative analysis between different reports to allow trend analyses and benchmarking.Peer reviewe