The role of hands in cross-contamination of kitchen surfaces during meal preparation.

Background: Foodborne pathogen transmission during food preparation is a common occurrence, and cross-contamination can be a contributing factor. Behaviors that lead to cross-contamination during meal preparation have not been well characterized. The study objective was to determine how hands and food handling behaviors (with a focus on handwashing and touch-based events) affect the risk of cross-contamination of kitchen surfaces and foods during meal preparation.

Combined Infection Control Interventions Protect Essential Food Workers from Occupational Exposures to SARS-CoV-2 in the Agricultural Environment.

Essential food workers experience elevated risks of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection due to prolonged occupational exposures in food production and processing areas, shared transportation (car or bus), and employer-provided shared housing. Our goal was to quantify the daily cumulative risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection for healthy susceptible produce workers and to evaluate the relative reduction in risk attributable to food industry interventions and vaccination. We simulated daily SARS-CoV-2 exposures of indoor and outdoor produce workers through six linked quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) model scenarios.

Cross-Contamination to Surfaces in Consumer Kitchens with MS2 as a Tracer Organism in Ground Turkey Patties.

Abstract: It is estimated that one in five cases of foodborne illnesses is acquired in the home. However, how pathogens move throughout a kitchen environment when consumers are preparing food is not well characterized. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and degree of cross-contamination across a variety of kitchen surfaces during a consumer meal preparation event.

The Efficacy of Commercial Surface Sanitizers against Norovirus on Formica Surfaces with and without Inclusion of a Wiping Step.

Commonly used surface sanitizers often lack activity against human noroviruses (hNoVs). The impact of inactivation versus removal when these products are applied via wiping is poorly characterized. The purpose of this work was to assess the anti-hNoV efficacy of various surface sanitizer chemistries, as applied to a laminate material commonly used for restaurant tabletops, using standard surface assays (ASTM E1053-11) and a newly developed wiping protocol.

Comparative Assessment of the Efficacy of Commercial Hand Sanitizers Against Human Norovirus Evaluated by an Fingerpad Method.

Human noroviruses (hNoV) are the leading cause of acute non-bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide and contaminated hands play a significant role in the spread of disease. Some hand sanitizers claim to interrupt hNoV transmission, but their antiviral efficacy on human hands is poorly characterized. The purpose of this work was to characterize the efficacy of representative commercial hand sanitizers against hNoV using an fingerpad method (ASTM E1838-17).

Survey evaluation of dog owners' feeding practices and dog bowls' hygiene assessment in domestic settings.

In-home pet food handling and food dish hygiene practices can have adverse health impacts for both humans and pets. Safe food and dish handling guidelines are not easily evidenced for pet owners. The study was designed to investigate dog owners' feeding habits and evaluate the impact of the Food and Drug Association (FDA) hygiene protocols on dog food dish contamination.

Efficacy and Mechanisms of Copper Ion-Catalyzed Inactivation of Human Norovirus.

The antinoroviral effect of copper ions is well known, yet most of this work has previously been conducted in copper and copper alloy surfaces, not copper ions in solution. In this work, we characterized the effects that Cu ions have on human norovirus capsids' and surrogates' integrity to explain empirical data, indicating virus inactivation by copper alloy surfaces, and as means of developing novel metal ion-based virucides. Comparatively high concentrations of Cu(II) ions (>10 mM) had little effect on the infectivity of human norovirus surrogates, so we used sodium ascorbate as a reducing agent to generate unstable Cu(I) ions from solutions of copper bromide.

Efficacy of an alcohol-based surface disinfectant formulation against human norovirus.

Aim: To evaluate the anti-noroviral efficacy of PURELL® surface sanitizer and disinfectant spray (PSS, an alcohol-based formulation) using human norovirus GII.4 Sydney [hNoV, by RT-qPCR and human intestinal enteroid (HIE) infectivity assay] and its cultivable surrogate, Tulane virus (TuV, infectivity assay), compared to sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solutions.

Methods And Results: PSS efficacy was evaluated in suspension and on surfaces [stainless steel (SS)] using ASTM methods.

Decontamination of SARS-CoV-2 from cold-chain food packaging provides no marginal benefit in risk reduction to food workers.

Countries continue to debate the need for decontamination of cold-chain food packaging to reduce possible severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) fomite transmission among frontline workers. While laboratory-based studies demonstrate persistence of SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces, the likelihood of fomite-mediated transmission under real-life conditions is uncertain. Using a quantitative microbial risk assessment model of a frozen food packaging facility, we simulated 1) SARS-CoV-2 fomite-mediated infection risks following worker exposure to contaminated plastic packaging; and 2) reductions in these risks from masking, handwashing, and vaccination.

Observational Study of the Impact of a Food Safety Intervention on Consumer Poultry Washing.

Abstract: This study was conducted to test the effectiveness of a consumer poultry washing educational intervention that included video observation of meal preparation with participants who self-reported washing poultry. Treatment group participants received three e-mail messages containing information that the U.S.

Controlling risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in essential workers of enclosed food manufacturing facilities.

The SARS-CoV-2 global pandemic poses significant health risks to workers who are essential to maintaining the food supply chain. Using a quantitative risk assessment model, this study characterized the impact of risk reduction strategies for controlling SARS-CoV-2 transmission (droplet, aerosol, fomite-mediated) among front-line workers in a representative indoor fresh fruit and vegetable manufacturing facility. We simulated: 1) individual and cumulative SARS-CoV-2 infection risks from close contact (droplet and aerosols at 1-3 m), aerosol, and fomite-mediated exposures to a susceptible worker following exposure to an infected worker during an 8 h-shift; and 2) the relative reduction in SARS-CoV-2 infection risk attributed to infection control interventions (physical distancing, mask use, ventilation, surface disinfection, hand hygiene, vaccination).

Generation of Nucleic Acid Aptamer Candidates against a Novel Calicivirus Protein Target.

Human norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illness globally. One of the challenges in detecting noroviruses is the identification of a completely broadly reactive ligand; however, all detection ligands generated to date target the viral capsid, the outermost of which is the most variable region of the genome. The VPg is a protein covalently linked to the viral genome that is necessary for replication but hitherto remains underexplored as a target for detection or therapeutics.

Norovirus transmission mitigation strategies during simulated produce harvest and packing.

In the agricultural setting, core global food safety elements, such as hand hygiene and worker furlough, should reduce the risk of norovirus contamination on fresh produce. However, the effect of these practices has not been characterized. Using a quantitative microbial risk model, we evaluated the individual and combined effect of farm-based hand hygiene and worker furlough practices on the maximum risk of norovirus infection from three produce commodities (open leaf lettuce, vine tomatoes, and raspberries).

Low risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via fomite, even in cold-chain.

Background: Countries continue to debate the need for decontamination of cold-chain food packaging to reduce possible SARS-CoV-2 fomite transmission among workers. While laboratory-based studies demonstrate persistence of SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces, the likelihood of fomite-mediated transmission under real-life conditions is uncertain.

Methods: Using a quantitative risk assessment model, we simulated in a frozen food packaging facility 1) SARS-CoV-2 fomite-mediated infection risks following worker exposure to contaminated plastic packaging; and 2) reductions in these risks attributed to masking, handwashing, and vaccination.

Controlling risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in essential workers of enclosed food manufacturing facilities.

Unlabelled: The SARS-CoV-2 global pandemic poses significant health risks to workers who are essential to maintaining the food supply chain. Using a quantitative risk assessment model, this study characterized the impact of risk reduction strategies for controlling SARS-CoV-2 transmission (droplet, aerosol, fomite-mediated) among front-line workers in a representative enclosed food manufacturing facility. We simulated: 1) individual and cumulative SARS-CoV-2 infection risks from close contact (droplet and aerosols at 1-3m), aerosol, and fomite-mediated exposures to a susceptible worker following exposure to an infected worker during an 8h-shift; and 2) the relative reduction in SARS-CoV-2 infection risk attributed to infection control interventions (physical distancing, mask use, ventilation, surface disinfection, hand hygiene).

The Cantaloupe Farm Environment Has a Diverse Genetic Pool of Antibiotic-Resistance and Virulence Genes.

Cantaloupes contaminated with pathogens have led to many high-profile outbreaks and illnesses. Since bacterial virulence genes (VGs) can act in tandem with antibiotic-resistance and mobile genetic elements, there is a need to evaluate these gene reservoirs in fresh produce, such as cantaloupes. The goal of this study was to assess the distribution of antibiotic-resistance, virulence, and mobile genetic elements genes (MGEGs) in cantaloupe farm environments.

Comparison of a one-step real-time RT-PCR and a nested real-time RT-PCR for a genogroup II norovirus reveals differences in sensitivity depending upon assay design and visualization.

Human norovirus (NoV) is the leading cause of acute viral gastroenteritis and a major source of foodborne illness. Detection of NoV in food and environmental samples is typically performed using molecular techniques, including real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and less frequently, nested real-time PCR. In this study, we conducted a controlled comparison of two published NoV detection assays: a broadly reactive one-step real-time RT-PCR and a two-step nested real-time PCR assay.

Potassium chloride-based replacers: modeling effects on sodium and potassium intakes of the US population with cross-sectional data from NHANES 2015-2016 and 2009-2010.

Background: Sodium intake in the USA exceeds recommendations. The replacement of added sodium chloride (NaCl) with potassium chloride (KCl) provides a potential strategy to reduce sodium intake.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to quantitatively estimate changes in intakes of sodium and potassium by the US population assuming use of potassium-based NaCl replacers in top dietary sodium sources.

Analysis of Bacterial Communities by 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing in a Melon-Producing Agro-environment.

Cantaloupe melons, which have been responsible of an increasing number of foodborne disease outbreaks, may become contaminated with microbial pathogens during production. However, little information is available on the microbial populations in the cantaloupe farm environment. The purpose of this work was to characterize the bacterial communities present on cantaloupe farms.

Cross-Contamination on Atypical Surfaces and Venues in Food Service Environments.

Abstract: Cross-contamination of raw food to other surfaces, hands, and foods is a serious issue in food service. With individuals eating more meals away from home, contracting a foodborne illness from a food service establishment is an increasing concern. However, most studies have concentrated on hands or food contact surfaces and neglected atypical and unusual surfaces (surfaces that are not typically identified as a source of cross-contamination) and venues.

Salmonella enterica colonization and fitness in pre-harvest cantaloupe production.

Cantaloupes have emerged as significant vehicles of widespread foodborne illness outbreaks caused by bacterial pathogens, including Salmonella. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficiency of Salmonella colonization and internalization in cantaloupes by relevant routes of contamination. Cantaloupe plants (Cucumis melo 'reticulatus') from two cultivars 'Athena' (Eastern) and 'Primo' (Western) were grown from commercial seed.

The impact of COVID-19 on food systems, safety, and security-a symposium report.

Our food systems depend on complex interactions between farmers and food producers, local and federal governments, and consumers. Underlying these interactions are economic, environmental, and societal factors that can impact the types of food available, access to food, affordability, and food safety. The recent SARS-CoV-2 global pandemic has affected multiple aspects of our food systems, from federal governments' decisions to limit food exports, to the ability of government agencies to inspect food and facilities to the ability of consumers to dine at restaurants.

Both Handwashing and an Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer Intervention Reduce Soil and Microbial Contamination on Farmworker Hands during Harvest, but Produce Type Matters.

Hand hygiene interventions are critical for reducing farmworker hand contamination and preventing the spread of produce-associated illness. Hand hygiene effectiveness may be produce-commodity specific, which could influence implementation strategies. This study's goal was to determine if produce commodity influences the ability of handwashing with soap and water or two-step alcohol-based hand sanitizer (ABHS) interventions to reduce soil and bacteria on farmworker hands.

Colonization and Internalization of and Its Prevalence in Cucumber Plants.

Consumption of cucumbers ( var. ) has been linked to several foodborne outbreaks involving . The purpose of this work was to investigate the efficiency of colonization and internalization of into cucumber plants by various routes of contamination.