National prevalence of Salmonella spp. In pork slaughterhouses under federal inspection in Brazil, 2014/2015

Meat consumption is frequently associated with foodborne diseases. The onset of such occurrences may be due to failures on animal health surveillance or during meat processing. Many efforts are made in the industry to minimize any kind of meat contamination which can affect human health. Salmonella has an important role in the public health and economy, once it is recognized as one of the most important zoonosis (Valero et al., 2014). In Brazil, 90% of reported cases involving foodborne pathogens, in which the pathogens were identified, from 2007 to 2016, were caused by Salmonella spp. (Brazil, 2016)

An overview of Listeria monocytogenes contamination in ready to eat meat, dairy and fishery foods

ABSTRACT: Listeria monocytogenes is a relevant foodborne pathogen in public health, responsible for outbreaks of listeriosis often associated to the consumption of ready to eat meat, dairy and fishery products. Listeriosis is a serious disease that can lead to death and mainly affect children, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. In pregnant women causes abortion or neonatal listeriosis. In Brazil, ready to eat food are appreciated and increasingly consumed by the population. Furthermore, products such as sausages, bologna, hams and cheeses have characteristics such as pH, Aw and sodium chloride content that favor the development of L. monocytogenes during their shelf life. The purpose of this paper was to present an overview of L. monocytogenes contamination in different meat, dairy and fishery products that are ready for consumption and thereby support the adoption of strategies to mitigate this risk, contributing to achieve the appropriate level protection for the consumers and thus strengthen Brazil's food safety system

Listeria monocytogenes contamination in industrial sausages

Listeria monocytogenes is the pathogen responsible for listeriosis foodborne outbreaks, which is a serious disease for animals and humans, mainly elderly, children and pregnant women. Listeriosis can progress to encephalitis, meningitis and septicemia, and cause miscarriage, foetal death or neonatal infection.  The aim of the current study was to estimate the occurrence of L. monocytogenes in sausages produced by Brazilian companies registered at the Federal Inspection Service (SIF) and discuss issues related to possible contamination. Samples were collected by the official service from companies throughout Brazil. Analyses were performed in official laboratories of the National Agricultural Laboratories Network (LANAGRO),  accredited by ISO 17025. During the study period, 98 samples of sausages were analyzed and L. monocytogenes was detected in 8.16% of the samples (8/98). Six sausage companies were found positive for L. monocytogenes, where cross-contamination occurred after heat treatment and prior to product packaging,  favouring the presence of this pathogen. Given that sausage is a cooked meat product that may or may not be heated prior to consumption, and is appreciated mainly by children, this, therefore, poses a risk to consumers. This result highlights that it is essential to intensify compliance with good manufacturing practices and to adopt risk mitigation measures to avoid this pathogen