Research

The study developed methodology to allow the Rti-PCR reaction to detect low numbers (5 cells/g) of Salmonella in ground beef of 7, 15, and 27% fat.

Due to the concern for recovery of injured L. monocytogenes on natural and organic processed meats where many conventional antimicrobials cannot be used, a series of compounds with antimicrobial potential for use in these products combined with different post-lethality treatments were evaluated for the most effective combinations. The studies demonstrated that selected natural antimicrobial ingredients and post-lethality interventions currently available to manufacturers of natural and organic ready-to-eat processed meats are effective at addressing the potential presence of Lm on such products. Moreover, the work further substantiated the effectiveness of a multiple hurdle approach for the control of Lm in RTE processed meat products.

This white paper provides information on epidemiology of foodborne listeriosis and interventions for controlling this pathogen. Reports of human illness and outbreaks and on levels of contamination of meat and other foods were gathered to demonstrate trends in recent years and identify foods and environments where contamination problems persist.

This white paper defined multi-drug resistance as related to different bacterial pathogens; discusses sources of multi-drug resistance and how resistance genes are transmitted among different strains and different species of bacteria; identifies multi-drug resistant bacteria associated with different foods and food production animals; evaluates efficacy of interventions to prevent development of multidrug resistance and to prevent contamination of foods with multidrug resistant pathogens; and recommends risk mitigation strategies in a preventive food safety process management system.

Research determined the relationship between Salmonella contamination levels in bone marrow, neck skin, and spleen of turkey carcasses to that in ground product.

This white paper summarized data on Campylobacter as a cause of human and animal infections; discussed sources associated with illnesses; detailed surveillance studies of prevalence on meat, foods and in animals; evaluated worldwide understanding of Campylobacter infections and their sources; assessed effectiveness of existing interventions and detection methods; and defined knowledge gaps.

This project evaluated high voltage atmospheric cold plasma technology on treatment ready-to-eat deli-style, chicken breast meat for reduction of Listeria monocytogenes and its impact on product quality.

This study will investigate the impact of compositional, physical, and intrinsic factors on pathogen lethality and the relationship between relative humidity and wet bulb control to determine if wet bulb could be utilized as a more effective and suitable lethality tool. This project builds on previous AMIF-funded research.

A study conducted in 12 beef slaughtering plants validated the feasibility of testing carcasses as an alternative to testing ground beef in production and distribution channels. The incidence of E. coli O157:H7 on carcasses was reduced by the slaughter process and application of microbial intervention steps.