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S295: Enhancing Food Safety Through Control of Food-Borne Disease Agents

Annual/Termination Reports (SAES-422): [05/09/2003] [08/26/2004] [09/01/2005] [01/06/2006]

Date of Annual Report: 05/09/2003

Report Information:
  • Annual Meeting Dates: 11/21/02 to 11/22/02
  • Period the Report Covers: 10/2001 to 09/2002

    • Participants:
    Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:


    URL: Copy of minutes

    Accomplishments:
    Direct-feeding of microbial to cattle reduced Escherichia coli O157:H7.

    Sampling of fecal pats to determine prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 is not an accurate measurement due to the fact that the pathogen is not evenly distributed in the fecal pat.

    Time and temperature combinations for pork fabrication and production of ground pork were determined based on growth rates of Salmonella at various temperatures.

    Adding specific cultures of lactic acid bacteria resulted in up to 3 log reductions of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in raw ground beef.

    A novel mixture of colicinogenic strains has been developed that could be used to treat cattle to reduce fecal shedding. This unique probiotic mixture is based on the ability of anti-O157 colicins, the identification of specific colicins, their lack of virulence factors, the combination of a diverse type of colicins, and their ability to inhibit other E. coli strains.

    A combination of sodium carbonate and urea could be used as a treatment to reduce populations of Gram-negative food-borne pathogens in animal manure.

    Microbial contamination of animal carcasses is a result of the necessary procedures required to process live animals into retail meat. The contamination can be minimized by good manufacturing processes, but the total elimination of foodborne pathogenic microorganisms is difficult, if not impossible. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the survival of Listeria under conditions comparable to processing environments, and to determine the effect of irradiation on Listeria in packaged ready to eat foods. Results of this research demonstrated that under dry, cool conditions, Listeria was able to survive and contaminate ready to eat meat products. Irradiation was demonstrated to be an excellent intervention on pre-packaged ready to eat meats. Under experimental conditions designed to allow survival of some Listeria after irradiation, the surviving Listeria cells grew in a manner consistent with Listeria growth in non-irradiated meats. That is, irradiation did not result in an environment free of competitors, which would then allow more rapid growth of Listeria.

    Pathogen reduction in a calf model of E. coli O157:H7 Shedding - RpoS and GadC resulted in reduction in days of shedding of E. coli O157 in calf model.

    Antibiotic Administration to Reduce E. coli O157:H7 in cattle:
    o Administration of thjerapeutically used antibiotic tilmicosin to calves caused a transient increase in shedding. (1 log difference). However, ceftiofur-decreases shedding of O157 and normal levels return after drug clears from system.
    o Spectinomycin treatments resulted in significant reduction in shedding of E. coli O157:H7
    o Oxytetracycline and monensin -No difference in shedding at therapeutic dose.

    Trans-2-nonenal inhibited E. coli O157:H7 on alfalfa sprouts. 24 h exposure eliminates O157 on seeds.

    In country hams L. monocytogenes could be recovered up to 6 mim and staph enterotoxin was detected at 6 min. Salmonella was destroyed during normal processing.

    A UV treatment resulted in a 5-log reduction of E. coli O157:H7 in apple cider while dimethyl dicarbonate - sulfur dioxide resulted in 6-log reductions. Treated Red delicious apples exhibited less reduction than other varieties due to pH.

    Thermal processing adequacy was determined to improve the safety of meat products. The validation of lethality standards was done through challenge studies using a pathogen surrogate, a compound that relates to log reduction in pathogens (relates to a specific z value) was discovered. Phycoerythrin fluoresces in visible range and mimics the heat resistance of Salmonella. Agreement good with experimental results and model.

    Internalization of apples - E. coli is incorporated inside apples during growth as demonstrated using a surrogate which was infiltrated into apples in field studies.

    Pathogens on raw produce are reduced by UV Light
    o Apples 2.2 log reduction 24 mW/cm2 - EC
    o Lettuce - 2.7 log red Salmonella, 2.8 log red EC
    o Tomatos - 2.2 log red - Salmonella

    15 h of chilling of ground beef meets the USDA performance standard.

    Treatment with nisin resulted in 2-log reduction of Listeria in frankfurters.

    Salmonella survived after CPC treatment on produce. Shigella at 0.05% levels resulted in a good kill.

    Fluoroquinolone-resistant campylobacters were found in raw chicken carcass rinses in commercial environments.

    Treatment of calves for 5 days with ceftiofur increased the number of animals shedding antibiotic resistant bacteria from 10% to almost 100%.

    A quantitative method to detect L. monocytogenes was developed. Kimwipes are more effective than sponges to collect samples.

    3% sodium chlorate solution administered to 3 day old chicks inoculated with Salmonella decreased shedding for 4-7 days after treatment stopped.

    Impact Statements:
    1. After HACCP implementation the numbers of washer systems, plant personnel and overall water use increased to meet the zero tolerance requirement on fecal contamination; however, the food safety benefit gained from these increases has been questioned. These results suggest that existing commercial washing systems are not effective in the removal of Campylobacter from chicken carcasses.
    2. More than 3 million cattle per day are fed the direct-fed microbial studied in this trial.
    Last Modified: unknown

    Date of Annual Report: 08/26/2004

    Report Information:
  • Annual Meeting Dates: 11/12/03 to 11/13/03
  • Period the Report Covers: 10/2003 to 09/2004

    • Participants:
    Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:
    Auburn (Ab AES): Developing E. coli O157:H7-specific bacteriophage as a therapeutic for pathogen reduction holds promise, because (1) phage occur naturally in the environment and therefore will not harm cattle or people; (2) phage can be delivered to cattle cheaply via water or food; (3) E. coli O157:H7-specific phage will not have adverse effects on other members of the bovine normal flora; and (4) phage can move from host to host via environmental fecal contamination, thus possibly protecting untreated cattle from E. coli O157:H7 colonization. Findings regarding antibiotic treatment and its effects on O157 shedding indicate that (1) different families of antibiotics enhance, inhibit, or have no effect on O157 shedding from experimentally infected calves; (2) studies need to be performed that show that similar results in response to antibiotic treatment occur in naturally colonized cattle, and that (3) producers treating cattle with tilmicosin should consider separating them from untreated animals.

    LSU (La AES): Acidified sodium chlorite (ASC) is effective in inhibiting the growth of L. monocytogenes when this pathogen was grown on the surface of cooked roast beef at refrigerator temperatures. Furthermore, ASC had no effect on the sensory properties of the cooked roast beef products. Recurring recalls of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products due to contamination by L. monocytogenes point to a clear need to develop additional methods to prevent economic loss and possible deaths that can occur from foodborne listeriosis infections. The method reported here should prove helpful in this quest.

    U. Delaware (De AES): Investigators are using in situ hybridization methods designed to reveal the location of specific phylogenetic groups with the cecae. Knowing which bacteria are localized at the cecal wall will aid in the selection of bacteria for competitive exclusion products.

    U. Idaho (Id AES): Undercooked meat has been identified as a frequent cause of E. coli 0157:H7 infection for over 20 years. Requirements for the processing of meat and poultry products, in Title 9 Code of Federal Regulations, include a lethality performance standard based on destruction of Salmonella (USDA-FSIS, 2002). Performance standards allow processors the flexibility to select their own processing schedules to maximize product quality, if they can prove their process meets the lethality performance standard. Successful completion of this study will yield a computer model that can be used to compare the effect of different nonisothermal temperature histories on microbial destruction. Processors could use these models to determine the efficacy of a new/modified thermal process. A better understanding of microbial lethality and better process control will ultimately lead to a safer food supply, fewer illnesses and deaths, and reduce economic losses to the food industry.

    U. Nebraska (Ne AES): Models predicting temperature profiles in retail meat cuts during fabrication and cooked meat products during cooling have been developed based on heat transfer and mass transfer in the products. Actual temperature profiles for cooked meat products during cooling in air in various industry locations have been collected. Comparison of models predicting temperature profile to actual profiles is underway.

    Texas Tech (Tx AES): Overall, results indicate that in-line treatment of chill brines with ultraviolet light (UVC) shows promise in inactivating L. monocytogenes and lactic acid bacteria. Due to the low capital involved in initiating a continuous in-line UV system, the use of ultraviolet energy may prove to be beneficial for effectively controlling pathogens in recycled chill brines without interrupting the chilling operation.

    VPI&SU (Va AES): Damage to apples can slightly increase the rate of internalization of E. coli O157:H7. Washing of apples, unblemished or damaged, in water containing the pathogen, could promote the internalization of E. coli O157:H7 in fresh juices produced from apples. Internalization of E. coli in apples does not occur while the fruit is on the tree if apples are sprayed two weeks before harvest or during early growth stages, and post harvest internalization should be the focus of concern. The survival of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in osmotically dehydrated fruit is influenced by the osmotic processing method used and the level of additive (i.e., CaCl2) utilized. Parameters associated with decreased survival of pathogens, and therefore, improve product safety, include increasing temperature and time of processing and increasing concentration of CaCl2. However, E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in artificially contaminated apple slices, survived osmotic dehydration processing and subsequent storage under processing and storage parameters of this study.

    Clemson (SC AES): In-package pasteurization parameters will be useful for meat processors in developing rapid thermal treatments to reduce pathogens in RTE meats. Antimicrobial film development for RTE meat products can also be furthered by these results. Food Safety can be enhanced by presenting information on the transmission of bacteria from surfaces to food consumers as safe food handling is supported by applied research results. These results from our study will be useful in assessing the contribution of ceftiofur treatment of food animals to the acquisition and dissemination of ceftriaxone-resistant Salmonella, and the impact of antibiotic use on the microbiological safety of food.

    Cornell (NY AES): Treatment with organic acids and ASC significantly reduced E. coli O157;H7 and Salmonella on beef trim prior to grinding and the results were sustained during refrigerated and frozen storage. Higher concentrations of organic acids did not have additional reduction of the pathogens and therefore the lower concentrations should be used based on economics and sensory properties. While the triangle tests indicate that there are no adverse effects on flavor and texture during the short-term, further testing is needed to determine if the acid may result in persistent pink color of the cooked patties.

    MSU (MI AES): The incidence of Listeria transfer to and from implements will be used to fill some important data gaps in several USDA risk assessments for Listeria in delicatessen products. These risk assessments will ultimately be used to refine current regulations regarding the presence of Listeria in cooked/RTE foods that may, in turn, impact the current 'zero tolerance' policy regarding Listeria in such foods. An additional outcome would include the development of better recommendations for certain high-risk individuals (pregnant women, immunocompromised adults, elderly) who regularly consume delicatessen products and additional recommendations concerning the potential of expanded recalls due to cross-contamination when Listeria-contaminated delicatessen products such as sliced luncheon meats are being sold at retail.

    Accomplishments:

    Impact Statements:
    Last Modified: unknown

    Date of Annual Report: 09/01/2005

    Report Information:
  • Annual Meeting Dates: 11/11/04 to 11/12/04
  • Period the Report Covers: 01/2004 to 12/2004

    • Participants:
    Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:

    URL: Copy of minutes
    Accomplishments:
    See minutes

    Impact Statements:
    1. See minutes
    Last Modified: unknown

    Date of Annual Report: 01/06/2006

    Report Information:
  • Annual Meeting Dates: 11/16/05 to 11/17/05
  • Period the Report Covers: 01/2005 to 12/2005

    • Participants:
    Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:
    I. Self Introductions

    II. Administrative Advisor Comments - Susan Barefoot Emphasized the importance of completing annual report. Emphasized the importance of completing our updated plan/proposal. Overview of the success of the "Food Safety from the Surface Up" Conference

    II. USDA CSREES Representative comments - Ram Rao " Suggests Nomination for Secretarys Honors Award " Handout on RFAs  Current " Epi grants are both pre and post harvest " Special emphasis area is retail to consumer in NIFSI- letter of intent for special emphasis grants only

    III. Group Presentations were given by each of the participants. An overview is listed below and detailed reports are at the end of the minutes.

    Jim Dickson  Iowa State HACCP validation studies Developed gram negative indicator organisms for O157 Must confirm that they are not pathogenic Antibiotic Resistance in Antibiotic free swine Rob Williams - Virginia Tech UV light and chemical preservatives  apple cider High pressure processing in combination with chemical preservatives for reduction of E. coli and Salmonella in apple juice and orange juice Quantitative recovery of LM and Salmonella from environmental sampling media Prediction of surface area from weight measurement Optimization of recovery and detection for cryptosporidium in foods Dairy and Juice tanker sanitation UV irradiation on reduction of pathogens and chemical indicators of mild

    Mindy Brashears-Texas Tech University Pre-Harvest Methods Developed Pre-harvest Interventions Post-Harvest Interventions Antibiotic Resistance Studies

    JM Subbiah  University of Nebraska Modeling temperature changes/loss/cooling. Creating a Web interface

    Marlene Janes  Louisiana State University Acidified sodium chloride effects on LM in Hams and cheese Copper and brass reductions of LM both inhibited at various temperatures Drain replacement  total counts. 1-3 log reduction on copper surfaces in processing plants

    Randy Worobo  Cornell Antimicrobial proteins Glocose oxidase system and gluconic acid as a side product Honey microflora  Manuka honey Range of isolates

    Doug Marshall  Mississippi State Pre and post interventions Aquaculture Growth of Vibrio over season  10 h hold Phage for human therapy Streptococcus iniae  Antibiotic use in aquaculture Stress adaptation of microbiology Salmonella survival in the gut of a shrimp

    Stewart Price-Auburn BVDV virus and E. coli O157 4 calves  inoculated and mid-week O157 shed at more

    Jeff Lejune- Ohio State University STEC E. coli Q alleles  human isolates vs bovine isolates Q933 and Q21 isolates less susceptible to processing treatments Toxin negative isolated from humans  still cause illness STEC negative O157  phages can carry toxins to negative and cause them to be pathogenic Use of antibiotics in humans can cause more toxin production. No difference in toxin production after exposure to antibiotics in vitro. Phages that infect O157 are different from O26 and O11 in the US.

    Melissa Newman- Kentucky Use of decanol as an antimicrobial Use of yeast cell extract as a curing agent for antimicrobial drug resistance

    Lawrence Goodridge-University of Wyoming Use of bacteriophage in reducing E. coli O157 in cattle HPP in almonds E. coli group present in bovine, but not pathogenic

    Xiuping Jiang  Clemson (South Carolina) Manure Composting

    IV. Sections of the Renewal Document were completed to be put together by executive group. Final version will be distributed by January 30, 2006

    V. Location of 2006 Meeting Possibilities  Orlando, Nashville, New York

    See attachment for complete minutes.


    URL: Copy of minutes

    Accomplishments:
    Objective #1. Pre-harvest reduction of food-borne pathogens in animals and the environment.

    (Texas Tech) Developed methods to quantify E. coli O157 in cattle feces and hides Validated use of rapid methods for detection of E. coli O157 Mapped the prevalence patterns of E. coli and Salmonella on hides of cattle Determined optimum direct-fed microbial doses for effective inhibition of E. coli O157 in cattle Determined antibiotic resistance patterns in cattle Determined the impact of transportation on cross-contamination Determined the impact of dust on cross-contamination (Auburn) BVDV-infected calves showed anticipated signs of immune suppression, including a marked leucopenia and neutropenia, compared to sham-infected calves. BVDV-infected calves showed higher shedding of O157 compared to sham-infected calves. Most dramatic difference occurred on days 13-15, when BVDV-infected calves were severely leukopenic and neutropenic. (Wyoming) Bacteriophage cocktail can eliminate E. coli O157:H7 in fecal material and may be effective in eliminating E. coli O157:H7 in the live animal. (Louisiana State University) Every summer the oyster industry is threatened by closure of water ways and recall of oysters due to V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus contamination. Our results indicate that bacteriophages active against the virulent Vibrio vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus are naturally found in oysters and could possibly be used as a processing aid to control these pathogens in live oysters. Bacteriophage treatments alone or in combination with UV-light exposure were effective in reducing V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus population in raw oysters.

    Objective #2. Chemical and physical decontamination in food processing plant environments.

    (Texas Tech) Investigated various interventions on beef trim Determined the impact of various interventions on poultry Validated various methods for rapid detection of pathogens in trim, on carcasses and ground beef (Wyoming) Phast Swab is feasible for detection of E. coli O157:H7 on beef carcasses. If a different sampling device is employed, liquid samples can be tested for the presence of E. coli O157:H7 using the Phast Swab. High pressure processing technique is rapid, very effective at reducing Salmonella on the surface of raw almonds, and is amenable to industry use as a method to process raw almonds to reduce microbial load immediately before packaging. (Louisiana State University) Acidified sodium chlorite can be effective as a processing aid for inhibiting the growth of L. monocytogenes counts on ready-to-eat meat products.

    Impact Statements:
    1. Approximately $3.7 million in funded projects. List follows:
    2. Impact of Primary Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus Infection on the Duration and Level of Shedding of Escherichia coli O157:H7. Animal Health and Disease Research Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University. PI: Paul H. Walz; Co-investigators: Stuart B. Price, Julie G. Waldrop, James C. Wright, and M. Daniel Givens. 10/1/04 - 9/30/06. $40,000.
    3. Novel Approaches for Reducing Shedding of Salmonella from Chickens. Animal Health and Disease Research Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University. PI: Stuart B. Price; Co-investigator, Haroldo Toro. 10/1/05-9/30/07. $36,319.
    4. Pathogen Reduction in Calves Colonized with Salmonella Species. Animal Health and Disease Research Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University. PI: James C. Wright. Co-Investigators, Stuart B. Price, Paul H. Walz. 10/1/05-9/30/06. $19,992
    5. Identification and Characterization of Novel Virulence Determinants from Brucella abortus Using In Vivo Induced Antigen Technology (IVIAT). University of Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station Grants Program. $60,000. January, 2005 to January, 2008. PI. G Andrews, L. D. Goodridge (Co-PI), W. Edwards (Co-PI)
    6. Evaluation of a Bacteriophage Cocktail to Reduce Escherichia coli O157:H7 Shedding in Beef Cattle. National Cattlemens Beef Association, $75,000. February 2005, to May, 2006. PI: L. D. Goodridge, J. Scanga, J. LeJuene
    7. Development of a Luminescent Biosensor for Rapid Detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7.Wyoming National Aeronautics and Space Agency EPSCoR Program, $41,745. March 2005 to March, 2006. L. D. Goodridge
    8. Development of a One-Tube Colorimetric Assay for Detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Food Animals. United States Department of Agriculture National Research Initiative Program. $100,000. September, 2005 to August, 2008. PI: L. D. Goodridge
    9. Development of a Lateral Flow Device for Rapid Chute Side Detection of Brucella abortus infection in Elk. United States Department of Agriculture Special Grants Program. $80,000. September, 2005 to August, 2007. (PI) L. D. Goodridge, G. Andrews (Co-PI), W. Edwards (Co-PI)
    10. Ecology and control of pathogenic strains of Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio arahaemolyticus in U.S. Gulf Coast oysters. Lee-Ann Jaykus, Andy De Paola, Marlene Janes, Jon Bell, John Supan; Oct. 2004/ Sept. 2007, $1.4 million (LSU Ag Center portion $415,504), Funded.
    11. Control of Listeria monocytogenes in crawfish and shrimp processing facilities using copper, copper-based alloys or coatings containing copper ions. PI as M. E. Janes, Co- PI J. Bell, USDA Aquaculture Special Grants Program; 09/05 to 09/06, $24,000.
    12. Detection of Vibrio vulnificus by direct colony immunoblot PI as M. E. Janes, Co-PI J. Simonson and J. Bell. National Louisiana Sea Grant College Program 06/05 to 07/07, $94,537
    13. Increasing the survival and shelf-life of Gulf Coast Oyster by controlling air exposure: Potential role of stress proteins. Gulf Oyster Industry PI as J La Peyer and Co-PI M. E. Janes National Louisiana Sea Grant College Program 06/05 to 07/07 $192,126
    14. Efficacy of Post-Processing Interventions for the Reduction of Listeria monocytogenes on Frankfurters. Robert C. Williams, David A. Golden (University of Tennessee), Susan S. Sumner, Svetlana Zivanovic (UT), P. Michael Davidson (UT). USDA- IREE-CGP-NIFSI. $599,895
    15. Norwalk Virus Inactivation by High Hydrostatic Pressure Processing: A Comprehensive and Integrated Program for Research and Outreach. George Flick, Daniel Holliman, Angela Correa. USDA- IREE-CGP-NIFSI. $600,000.
    16. Food Safety from the Surface Up: A Conference. PI: Susan F. Barefoot, Co-I: P.L. Dawson, E.H. Hoyle. USDA CSREES NIFSI. October 2004- September 2006. $31,500
    Last Modified: unknown
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