A South African Perspective on the Microbiological and Chemical Quality of Meat: Plausible Public Health Implications.

Meat comprises proteins, fats, vitamins, and trace elements, essential nutrients for the growth and development of the body. The increased demand for meat necessitates the use of antibiotics in intensive farming to sustain and raise productivity. However, the high water activity, the neutral pH, and the high protein content of meat create a favourable milieu for the growth and the persistence of bacteria.

Occurrence and Multidrug Resistance in Strains of Recovered from the Anaerobic Co-Digestion Sludge Contained in a Single Stage Steel Biodigester: Implications for Antimicrobial Stewardship.

is a zoonotic foodborne pathogen with inherent adaptability to tolerate environmental and physiological stresses, thereby causing severe disease outbreaks. Antibiotic resistant foodborne pathogens are a challenge to the food industry. A total of 18 samples were pooled from a bio-digester co-digesting swine manure/pinewood sawdust, and evaluated for the occurrence of bacterium plus total viable counts using the spread plate method.

Prevalence of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria (Enteropathogens) Recovered from a Blend of Pig Manure and Pinewood Saw Dust during Anaerobic Co-Digestion in a Steel Biodigester.

South Africa adopts intensive livestock farming, embracing the employment of huge quantities of antibiotics to meet the increased demand for meat. Therefore, bacteria occurring in the animal products and manure might develop antibiotic resistance, a scenario which threatens public health. The study investigated the occurrence of Gram-negative bacteria from eighteen pooled samples withdrawn from a single-stage steel biodigester co-digesting pig manure (75%) and pine wood saw dust (25%).

SARS-CoV-2 and Risk to Food Safety.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a consideration of our understanding of transmission of the causal agent, SARS-CoV-2 to humans and its potential effect on food safety and food security. The main routes of transmission are reported to be person-to-person, by respiratory droplets and to a lesser degree, by fomites. Concerns have been raised on the possibility of transmission via food and food packaging and whether the virus poses a risk to food safety.

The knowledge, attitude, and practices of food handlers in central South African hospices.

The escalating number of foodborne diseases and food poisoning outbreaks demand a better call for improved food-handling practices. Hospices are typically described as nongovernmental organizations that offer palliative care to terminally ill patients. The majority of hospice food handlers are not trained in food safety aspects, and services are offered on a voluntary basis.

Identification of airborne microbiota in selected areas in a health-care setting in South Africa.

Background: The role of bio-aerosols in the spread of disease and spoilage of food has been described in numerous studies; nevertheless this information at South African hospitals is limited. Attributable to their size, bio-aerosols may be suspended in the air for long periods placing patients at risk of infection and possibly settling on surfaces resulting in food contamination. The aim of the study is to assess the microbial composition of the air in the kitchen and selected wards at a typical district hospital in South Africa.

Exploring policy compliance of the South African informal milk-producing segment.

Our study assessed whether municipal health services were informed about and exerted adequate control over the informal milk-producing sector in South Africa. The results indicated that municipal health services had limited control. Only one municipality was authorised to allow the sale of raw milk in its area.