Foodborne pathogens and the rapid spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the poultry supply chain represent a critical public health threat in Nepal. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, AMR profiles, and hygiene-related risk factors for Escherichia coli and Salmonella species in retail broiler chicken liver. A cross-sectional study was conducted across 140 retail meat shops in Bharatpur Metropolitan City. Broiler chicken liver samples were analyzed to isolate and identify both pathogens using standard culture and phenotypic biochemical methods. Concurrently, a structured observational survey was conducted to evaluate retail shop hygiene practices. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed using the modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method against 11 antibiotics across seven classes. Prevalence was 24.3% for E. coli and 16.4% for citrate-positive Salmonella. Both pathogens showed high resistance to Ampicillin (>79%). The multidrug resistance (MDR) burden was alarming: 94.1% of E. coli and 73.9% of Salmonella isolates identified as MDR. Statistically, difficult-to-clean chopping boards were linked to E. coli contamination (p=0.0076), while the absence of handwashing basins correlated with Salmonella (p=0.0324). Retail meat shops may facilitate the persistence and dissemination of multidrug-resistant foodborne pathogens. Enforcing basic municipal hygiene standards, specifically mandating washable cutting boards and handwashing sinks, could mitigate the risk of bacterial cross-contamination in retail environments.

The reliability of scientific information and the appropriateness of its communication across stakeholders are essential for effective food control systems. Reliable science supports risk assessment, informs evidence-based decision-making and policy development, and provides the basis for implementing effective controls across the global food supply chain. However, scientific data may contain limitations or uncertainties that must be carefully assessed and addressed when used as the basis for food safety management and regulatory decisions. This paper emphasizes the need for robust science and for its clear, reliable communication across all stakeholders to support and advance food safety. It is structured around four objectives: first, it describes the role of science in ensuring safe food and clarifies some relevant concepts. Second, it encourages scientists seeking new research directions to consider generating data aligned with regulatory needs, illustrated by one case study. Third, it addresses the shared responsibility of stakeholders in the early stages of the scientific process to guarantee the generation of high-quality data and the accurate and unambiguous communication of scientific findings. Finally, it briefly discusses scientific and communication challenges in food safety. The article targets scientists, policymakers, and professionals interested in food safety, in strengthening science-based approaches and effective risk communication across the food system.

Antimicrobial blue light (aBL) at 405 nm reduces the viability of foodborne pathogens, including Salmonella. Visible light, including blue light, can kill bacteria by a mechanism that involves reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated after excitation of endogenous photosensitizers. However, the molecular response of Salmonella to aBL is largely unknown. This study was undertaken to characterize differential gene expression in Salmonella Typhimurium strain 14028s following sublethal exposure to 405 nm aBL and to evaluate the phenotypic relevance of selected upregulated genes. Cell suspensions were exposed to aBL (252 J/cm[2]) at 21°C, and RNA was extracted from aBL-treated and untreated bacterial suspensions. Libraries were constructed, and RNA-seq was performed on an Illumina NextSeq 2000 with paired-end sequencing. Differential gene expression analysis was performed using DESeq2, with fold changes (|log2FC| > 1, FDR < 0.05) considered differentially expressed. RNA-seq analysis revealed significant changes in gene expression patterns following sub-lethal aBL exposure. Overall, 238 genes were upregulated, and 1,077 genes were significantly downregulated (|log2FC| >1, FDR<0.05). Functional annotation analysis indicated that 24 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were primarily involved in catalytic activity. Notably, katG, which encodes a catalase enzyme involved in hydrogen peroxide hydrolysis and overall oxidative stress defense, was markedly upregulated (log2FC =4.5). The expression of four genes in the L-ascorbate dissimilation operon (ulaBEGR) and two genes involved in oxidative stress response (ahpF, ahpC) was significantly increased. Mutants lacking katG, ulaB, ulaE, ulaG, or ulaR were more sensitive to aBL treatment than the wild-type control strains (P<0.05). This RNA-seq analysis generated valuable findings about the molecular mechanisms underlying Salmonella's response to aBL exposure. Understanding the aBL antimicrobial mechanisms may contribute to the development of more effective strategies for enhancing food safety by identifying factors or hurdle treatments that could help overcome bacterial responses to aBL.

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has proven to be a valuable tool within foodborne disease surveillance and outbreak investigations by providing superior resolution compared to traditional molecular typing methods. However, using this technology requires initial and continued financial investment. In this study, we conducted a break-even study followed by a cost-benefit analysis to estimate the return on investment (ROI) for foodborne pathogen surveillance using WGS in domestic laboratories participating in the U.S. GenomeTrakr program. All laboratories that submitted cost estimates showed a positive ROI, indicating that the value of averted healthcare costs exceed the cost of building genomics capacity within their regions. We also describe a newly developed software tool designed to assist domestic partners in quantifying the economic value of their WGS activities. This publicly available web application calculates the annual costs (total and per sample costs), as well as benefit-to-cost ratios for three pathogens: Salmonella, Listeria, and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli. The application guides users through the required data-entry steps so they can independently estimate ROI, with results summarized and available for download. This tool allows users to quantify the benefits of their WGS activities based on user-entered data, including the annual number of isolates sequenced and the costs associated with WGS. By demonstrating the tangible value of genomic surveillance, this work builds a compelling case for the sustained investment necessary to enhance food safety and public health response. The dissemination and application of these economic impact tools will greatly aid in generating the quantitative evidence needed to secure ongoing support for these systems. We encourage further development and dissemination of such to support both regional and global estimates aimed at improving food safety and public health.

Heavy metal pollution in wetland ecosystems poses serious threats to aquatic biodiversity and human health, particularly in agricultural regions with limited environmental monitoring. This study assesses the distribution, sources, and health risks of eight trace metals: lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), mercury (Hg), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in the Khaliajury haor, a critical wetland in Netrokona, Bangladesh. From June to December 2024, samples of surface water, sediment, and ten commonly consumed fish species were collected across five sampling stations following standard QA/QC procedures. Metal concentrations were compared with national and international guidelines, and source identification was performed along with pollution indices (Igeo, PLI, PER) and health risks (THQ, HI, CR). In surface water, Mn and Cu exceeded permissible limits at all stations. Cr and Hg in sediment surpassed the toxicity reference value (TRV) at every site, while Cd, Ni, and Cu were elevated at multiple locations. However, negative Igeo values and PLI scores below 1 indicated uncontaminated sediment status with low potential ecological risk (PER). In fish tissues, Mn exceeded maximum allowable concentrations (MAC) in seven of ten species, followed by Pb in five species, and Cr and Cd each in two species. Although THQ and HI values remained below 1, suggesting negligible non-carcinogenic risk, cancer risk (CR) values for Pb, Cd, Cr, and Ni exceeded the USEPA upper acceptable threshold of 10[-][4] across all species, implying potential lifetime carcinogenic risk to consumers. Multivariate analysis (correlation matrix and PCA) displayed that bioaccumulation of heavy metals sourced from agricultural runoffs, anthropogenic activities, wastewaters and environmental processes, that travel through different trophic levels in the wetland system. These findings underscore the need for systematic biomonitoring, source identification, and risk communication for communities dependent on haor fisheries.

Biofilm formation in Vibrio parahaemolyticus is modulated by environmental factors; however, the influence of ionic composition on extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) production and biofilm architecture remains insufficiently characterized. This study examined the individual and combined effects of monovalent (K[+]) and divalent (Ca[2][+], Mg[2][+]) cations on environmental (strain 5) and clinical (strains 8 and 10) biofilms under air-liquid wall (ALW) and submerged (SM) conditions. Viable cell counts (log10CFU/cm[2]), normalized protein concentration per viable cell (nProt), and normalized polysaccharide concentration per viable cell (nPol) were measured. ALW biofilms exhibited higher cell densities (4.40-6.49 log10CFU/cm[2]) than SM biofilms (4.13-6.01 log10CFU/cm[2]), reflecting enhanced oxygen-driven proliferation. Conversely, SM conditions yielded significantly higher nProt and nPol (p < 0.05), indicating that low oxygen promotes investment in the EPS matrix. The ion responses were strain specific. The oyster isolate Strain P5 maximized nPol/nProt with K[+] + Ca[2] + Mg[2] under seawater-mimicking conditions. Clinical Strain P8 peaked under K + Ca[2][+], whereas pandemic Strain P10 favored K[+] alone. Microscopy and three-dimensional surface plot analyses revealed relatively uniform biofilm layers at the ALW interface. In contrast, SM biofilms formed heterogeneous, tower-like structures, highlighting structural differences attributable to both ionic composition and strain. These findings demonstrate that cation composition and the interface regulate the balance between growth and matrix production in V. parahaemolyticus. Divalent cations enhance structural cohesion, whereas monovalent ions primarily support metabolic activity. This study provides a mechanistic framework linking ionic environments to biofilm architecture and emphasizes the importance of strain-specific responses in marine and food-associated environments.

Integrated farming systems (IFS) combining crop and livestock production are globally promoted for enhancing resource recycling and food security. However, the interconnectedness of these food production systems may create pathways for transmission of bacterial pathogens and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) between animals, crops, and the surrounding environment, potentially compromising food safety. This study determined the level of microbial contamination using indicator microorganisms (total coliforms and Escherichia coli). In addition, the presence and prevalence of foodborne pathogens (Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes) and antibiotic-resistant Enterobacterales (extended-spectrum and AmpC-type β-lactamase-producing) were evaluated across three representative small-scale and three commercial crop and pig production systems in South Africa. Replicate samples (n=5) of soil, irrigation water, animal feed, drinking water, animal waste (fertilizer), and spinach or maize crops were randomly collected at each site. The water samples and solid farm materials analyzed from both farming scales contained ≤3 log MPN/100 mL and 2 - 7 log CFU/g total coliforms. Escherichia coli counts were higher in animal feed and fresh produce from small-scale farms, and in soil and irrigation water of commercial farms. In total, 95 isolates of generic E. coli, 70 presumptive STEC isolates, three PCR-confirmed STEC, 74 presumptive extended spectrum [ESBL] and/or AmpC-type β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales, 11 confirmed ESBL and/ or AmpC-type β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales, and four Salmonella spp., were recovered across all farms. The frequency of indicator bacteria occurrence differed between sampling sites and sample types. Thus, farm management practices, resources, and production scale collectively influence microbial food safety within the evaluated IFS, with implications for informing effective strategies to mitigate food safety risks in sustainable agricultural systems.

Rendered fats are highly susceptible to species mislabeling because processing removes visual markers, threatening Halal/Kosher compliance and food safety management. We developed a precalibrated droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) screening method using operational quantification coefficients K, eliminating routine dependence on scarce matrix-matched certified reference materials for fresh or once-frozen-thawed fats. Species-specific biological coefficients ti were established from pure fats (n = 23), and interspecies signal conversion factors CF from aqueous-phase recovery experiments. Validated across five laboratories and four ddPCR platforms, the method achieved interlaboratory RSDR of 2.88-8.58% at 5-50% (w/w) mass fractions and mean recoveries of 99.45-101.71% at validated levels (H2-H5). Near the limit of quantification (LOQ), porcine at 5% and equine at 10% showed systematic positive bias (recoveries 140.64% and 121.22%), requiring semi-quantitative reporting; ovine at 10% showed negative bias (85.02%) and requires confirmatory testing in interlaboratory application. In-house LOQs were 5% (porcine) and 10% (bovine, equine, ovine); interlaboratory reporting limits were 5% (porcine), 10% (equine), and 20% (bovine, ovine). Analysis takes 2.5 h per sample. In blind testing of six samples, species were correctly detected and quantified in all five commercial fats; a plant-based control yielded no signal, falling outside the validated scope. This screening-level approach supports HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points)-based monitoring at critical control points (CCPs) in rendering facilities and customs inspection stations.

This study investigated the thermal inactivation kinetics of three pathogens, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and a surrogate microorganism Enterococcus faecium during oil frying of potato pellets at varying moisture contents of 5.4, 10.0, and 14.4%. Thermal treatments were conducted across temperatures ranging from 80 to 108 °C to establish comparative heat resistance profiles. Experimental results demonstrated that Salmonella exhibited superior thermal resistance compared to both E. coli and L. monocytogenes. At 14.4% moisture content, Salmonella D-values were determined to be 1.93, 0.85, and 0.45 min at 88 ,92 , and 96 °C, respectively. When moisture content was reduced to 5.4%, Salmonella displayed increased thermal resistance, with D-values of 2.38, 1.2, and 0.72 min at 89, 92, and 98 °C. Notably, E. faecium emerged as the most heat-resistant microorganism among all tested species, exhibiting D-values of 1.06, 0.65, and 0.31 min at 98, 103, and 108 °C in 5.4% moisture samples. Comparative analysis revealed that E. faecium demonstrated 1.6-fold greater heat resistance than Salmonella at 5.4% moisture, and 2.8- to 5.4-fold greater resistance at 14.4% moisture across 90-110 °C. Verification testing at 129 °C with 10.6% moisture content resulted in population reductions of 4.73 and 5.6 log CFU/g for E. faecium and Salmonella, respectively, after 6 seconds of treatment. These findings provide a scientific foundation for validation protocols in similar fried, low-moisture food products and substantiate the potential application of E. faecium as a suitable surrogate organism for in-plant validation studies of fried, low-moisture products such as potato pellets.

Reused liquid batter systems in retail food establishments represent a potential yet poorly studied source of seafood allergen cross-contact. This study quantified the accumulation of shrimp and cod proteins in a liquid batter across 20 sequential preparation batches, each representing a single portion (20-25 g), and evaluated their transfer to subsequently prepared chicken, mushroom, and zucchini, both before and after deep frying at 180 °C. Allergen concentrations were measured using four commercial ELISA kits (two kits per species). Shrimp protein concentrations increased about sevenfold between batches 5 and 20, while cod protein concentrations increased approximately threefold over the same interval. Overall, cod residues accumulated in the batter at substantially higher levels than shrimp across all batches. Shrimp and cod proteins were detected in all three nonseafood items following preparation in the reused batter. Frying reduced detectable allergen levels by 1-67% for shrimp and 74-88% for cod. Consumer exposure estimates for shrimp did not exceed the 200 mg reference dose in any food type before or after frying, whereas cod exposure exceeded the 5 mg fish-protein reference dose even at the 25[th] percentile of consumption across all food types. These findings demonstrate that seafood allergens accumulate and transfer readily in reused liquid batter, posing a potential allergic risk in cross-contacted products even after frying.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are recognized as candidates for biopreservation because of their antagonistic activities. For industrial applications, however, the performance of individual LAB strains in specific food matrices must be carefully evaluated. This study investigated the biopreservative potential of four LAB strains (Carnobacterium maltaromaticum 35, C. maltaromaticum 55, C. divergens 468, and Leuconostoc gelidum 406) in vacuum-packed fresh ready-to-eat salmon portions stored at 4 ℃ for 22 days. Strain performance was assessed based on their growth properties, effects on the microbial community, inhibition of an inoculated Listeria innocua strain (CCUG 15531), and impacts on chemical (ATP‑degradation products, biogenic amines) and physicochemical (pH, color, water holding properties) quality of the salmon portions. LAB counts increased in the LAB-inoculated groups from 4.2 to 4.6 log CFU/g to 7.2-8.6 log CFU/g, and inoculated samples were associated with a lower relative abundance of Photobacterium spp., which dominated the microbial community in control samples. None of the strains adversely affected chemical or physicochemical quality. In the absence of inoculated LAB, L. innocua increased significantly from 3.4 ± 0.1 to 5.0 ± 0.3 log CFU/g, whereas in the presence of C. maltaromaticum 35, no significant proliferation was observed (p = 0.19). These findings indicate that C. maltaromaticum 35 is a promising candidate for improving the safety and microbial stability of ready-to-eat vacuum-packed salmon portions.

The development and application of novel rapid detection technologies are critical for advancing food safety regulation. In recent years, immunology-based methods have played a pivotal role in food safety supervision due to their speed, operational simplicity, and cost-effectiveness. However, conventional colloidal gold techniques exhibit limited sensitivity for trace analytes (e.g., early-stage microbial contamination) and are primarily qualitative, thus failing to meet the quantitative detection requirements for pesticides, veterinary drugs, and food additives, which restricts their practical applicability. Additionally, the difficulty and high cost of obtaining high-quality monoclonal antibodies increase the technical barriers and commercialization costs of immunochromatographic assays. Consequently, modern immunological techniques and novel alternative biotechnologies have emerged as focal points in rapid detection research. This review examines the principles and technical characteristics of advanced immunological methods, including immunofluorescence quantitative chromatography (IF-QCT) and flow cytometry-based immunophenotyping (FCI), as well as emerging antibody-alternative technologies such as aptamers, CRISPR/Cas systems, and phage-based technologies. This review further summarizes the latest research advances of the above-mentioned technologies in the rapid detection of food safety risk factors, including pathogenic microorganisms, biotoxins, residues of pesticides and veterinary drugs, heavy metals, and other chemical contaminants. It critically analyzes their technical advantages and practical limitations, and discusses potential future directions. This review aims to provide insights and a theoretical basis for developing and applying technologies to rapidly detect food safety hazards.

Dietary exposure to potentially toxic metals remains a significant public health concern. This total diet study quantified chromium (Cr) and barium (Ba) in foods commonly consumed in Shiraz, Iran, and evaluated the associated health risks. A total of 108 food items representing 20 food groups yielded 545 samples (540 food and 5 drinking water samples), which were analyzed by ICP-OES. Dietary intake was estimated using local consumption data, and health risks were assessed using hazard quotient (HQ), hazard index (HI), and total cancer risk (TCR) through Monte Carlo simulation (10,000 iterations). Mean Cr and Ba concentrations were 4.07 ± 3.70 and 0.998 ± 1.717 mg/kg, respectively. Chromium concentrations ranged from 0.68 to 10.61 mg/kg, with the highest levels in fish and fruits, while Ba concentrations ranged from 0.006 to 2.93 mg/kg and were highest in legumes and cereals. Fruits contributed the largest share of dietary Cr and Ba intake. Estimated daily intakes for a 72-kg adult were 0.12 and 0.022 mg/kg body weight/day for Cr and Ba, respectively, corresponding to 41.7% and 11.5% of the tolerable daily intakes established by EFSA and WHO. All HQ and HI values were below 1, indicating negligible non-carcinogenic risk, and screening TCR values for total Cr were within the acceptable range (10[-6]-10[-][4]). Although Cr concentrations in some foods exceeded typical background levels, overall dietary exposure remained below health-based guidance values. These findings provide baseline data for dietary exposure assessment and support continued surveillance of metal contamination in the food supply.

Microbial foodborne pathogens, such as Salmonella, have the characteristic that only some subgroups of these bacteria are highly pathogenic to humans. For the Salmonella species enterica, there are more than 2,600 serotypes. These serotypes can be host-adapted so that for any animal reservoir, such as a particular food animal species, fewer than 10 serotypes make up more than fifty percent of isolates found in the reservoir. The highly concentrated nature of serotypes within a reservoir is key to the findings of many studies and the cornerstone of some food safety programs. Nevertheless, a key limitation is that the dominant serotypes for a reservoir are likely to change over time. This is problematic because the risk of illness associated with a reservoir can increase dramatically if a more pathogenic serotype replaces one or more less pathogenic serotypes, and vice versa. In the United States, meat and poultry have been sampled continuously by the United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) for nearly 30 years. For this study, these data are used to describe how the occurrence of the most common serotypes for each sampled commodity has changed over time. Insight into how often and how rapidly the most common serotypes change is important for designing effective mitigation strategies. To aid the development of such a mitigation strategy, we developed a classification system to categorize serotypes based on the direction and magnitude of change in each serotype over time. This information is combined with a ranking system that describes the relative virulence of each serotype using genomic and epidemiological virulence patterns. We then developed a heuristic system to support risk management decisions regarding the potential risks and benefits of applying serotype-specific interventions.

Electrolyzed water (EW) has emerged as an effective, eco-friendly alternative to traditional chemical disinfectants in the food industry, offering low toxicity, adaptability across commodities, and strong antimicrobial properties while preserving food quality. This review explores various types of EW, including slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) and alkaline electrolyzed water (ALEW), and their application in food safety, particularly for fresh produce, meat, poultry, and seafood. SAEW's ability to reduce microbial contamination, delay food spoilage, and preserve sensory qualities like texture and color is highlighted, along with its synergistic effects when combined with non-thermal technologies such as ultrasound. Its compatibility with hurdle technologies enhances efficiency. The review also delves into the mechanisms behind EW's antimicrobial activity, focusing on its ability to disrupt cell membranes and effectively eradicate biofilms of foodborne pathogens like E. coli, Listeria, and Vibrio, offering sustainable solutions for microbial control in food processing. EW effectively removes residues and reduces microbial contamination on surfaces and in dairy products, achieving significant reductions in pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms while supporting low-chemical sanitation practices. Challenges such as organic matter interference, optimal treatment conditions, and scalability are discussed. This review highlighted intelligent CIP systems integrating EW with AI-driven digital technologies for adaptive, efficient sanitation. It also examined EW applications in biofilm control, pathogen inactivation, and shelf-life extension. The paper concludes by outlining future research directions, particularly for large-scale industrial implementation and improving the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of EW technologies across the food industry. Overall, EW represents a promising strategy for improving food safety and sustainability in food production systems.