Antibiotic and Bacteriocin Sensitivity of <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i>Strains Isolated from Different Foods

This study aimed to determine the antibiotic and bacteriocin sensitivity of Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from animal derived foods. With disc diffusion assay, all fourteen L. monocytogenes strains were suscepti-ble to the antibiotics, including penicillin G, vancomycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, rifampicin, erythromycin, gentamicin and trime- thoprim. However, the percentages of fosfomycin and streptomycin resistances were 92.9% and 7.1%, respectively. Multiple resistances were not observed among the tested strains. The results of well diffusion assays showed that all strains were inhibited by the cell-free supernatant of a bacteriocin-producing strain, Pediococcus acidilactici 13, with the inhibition zones ranging from 16.00 to 24.50 mm. These results provide useful information on antibiotic resistance of L. monocytogenes strains isolated from foods, and can potentially be used to develop bacteriocin-based interventions to guard against the hazards associated with L. monocytogenes in ready-to-eat meat and poultry products.

Food Safety Strategies:The One Health Approach to Global Challenges and China’s Actions

WORLD FOOD SAFETY DAY World Food Safety Day(WFSD)(1)celebrated on 7 June 2021 aims to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent,detect and manage foodborne risks,contributing to food security,human health,economic prosperity,agriculture,market access,tourism and sustainable development.The theme of 2021,“Safe food today for a healthy tomorrow”,stresses that production and consumption of safe food has immediate and long-term benefits for people,the planet and the economy.Recognizing the systemic connections between the health of people,animals,plants,the environment and the economy will help us meet the needs of the future.

Angiotensin I converting enzyme(ACE)inhibitory activity and antihypertensive effects of rice peptides

In this paper,the antihypertension effect of rice peptide(RP)was studied.With spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR)and Wistar Kyoto(WKY)as the research objects,RP disposable gastric and long-term gastric irrigation experiments were carried out and systolic blood pressure(SBP)was measured.At the end of the long-term gastric irrigation experiment,the content of nitric oxide(NO),angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE),angiotensin II(Ang II)and renin in the plasma and the activity of ACE were determined.The results showed that RP could reduce systolic pressure of SHR and had time-dose dependence while high-dose RP signifi cantly reduced systolic pressure by 24.6 and 17.2 mm Hg,respectively after a single and long-term gastric irrigation test.RP also could inhibit the activity of ACE and increase the release of NO.These results suggested that the decompression mechanism of RP is likely to be related to the regulation of the renin-angiotensin system(RAS)and NO.

Upgrading from One-way Informing to Two-way Audienceoriented Health Communication:CFSA Initiations for World Food Safety Day

Food safety is vital to the development of human society.On December 20,2018,the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 73/250 proclaiming a World Food Safety Day.As of 2019,every June 7 is a time to increase social awareness of food safety and to encourage actions for good health promotion.The Third World Food Safety Day on June 7,2021 aims to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent,detect,and manage foodborne risks,contributing to food security,human health,economic prosperity,agriculture,market access,tourism,and sustainable development(1).Food safety risk communication shifts from the traditional approach of one-way sender-oriented to a two-way audience-oriented communication approach.

Effect of absorbed dose and storage length on electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal strength in irradiated alfalfa seeds

A kind of alfalfa seeds was irradiated by 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 kGy at a dose rate of 6.288 kGy·h-1 in a self-shielded irradiator of 137Cs gamma rays. The EPR spectra, which were measured subsequently between 0.3401 and 0.3501 T, showed that there was a direct proportional relationship between the EPR signal strength of free radi- cals produced by gamma irradiation in the alfalfa seeds and absorbed dose. The first derivative EPR spectra of the al- falfa seeds were very clear and easy to identify. However, the EPR signal strength of the peak-to-peak amplitude de- creased rapidly and most of them decayed beyond 50% within 3 days after the seeds were irradiated. It tended to sta- bilize after half a month since the seeds were irradiated. The differences of the EPR signal strength between the irra- diated and unirradiated alfalfa seeds still remained. All seeds were stored at ambient temperature for more than 3 months. Therefore, using EPR spectrometry technique to measure free radicals in alfalfa seeds as a means to deter- mine whether the seeds have been irradiated or not is feasible, relatively fast and simple.

Global Food Safety Strategies:Need to Develop Roadmap of Implementation in China

The Updated Global Strategy for Food Safety(GSFS)The Seventy-Fifth Session of World Health Assembly(75th WHA)has adopted the updated Global Strategy for Food Safety(2022-2030):towards stronger food safety system and global cooperation with the recommendations from the 150th Executive Board meeting(1-2).This response to the WHA 73.5 resolution on“Strengthening efforts on food safety”and Member States are requested to update GSFS to respond to current and emerging challenges.Developed by the World Health Organization(WHO)Secretariat with the advice of the Technical Advisory Group(TAG)on Food Safety:Safer Food for Better Health(Figure 1),the vision of the updated strategy is to ensure that all people,everywhere,consume safe and healthy food to reduce the burden of foodborne diseases.The updated strategy aims to guide and support Member States in their efforts to prioritize.

Epidemiological Evaluation of Bacillus cereus-Induced Foodborne Outbreaks — China, 2010–2020

Introduction:Bacillus cereus(B.cereus)is a common gram-positive bacterium that contaminates starch-rich food and can cause outbreaks of foodborne diseases.This study describes characteristics of outbreaks caused by B.cereus in China during 2010–2020 and explore the possible reasons for changes in the number of outbreaks over time.Results of this analysis can efficiently help guide and allocate public resources to prevent B.cereus caused foodborne diseases.Methods:Descriptive statistical methods were used to analysis the data on B.cereus outbreaks in China during this period.The data were identified,reported at all levels in China through National Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System.Results:From 2010 to 2020,a total of 419 foodborne outbreaks prompted by B.cereus were reported in China,leading to 7,892 cases,2,786 hospital admissions,and 5 fatalities.The bulk of the outbreaks were recorded in the summer,primarily between May and September.The most recurrent food vehicle was linked with rice or flour-based products,notably those made with rice or fried rice.School canteens bore the brunt of the B.cereus outbreaks.In multifactor outbreaks,food contamination was identified as the most common culprit;while in instances where only one factor contributed,improper storage was most frequently implicated.Conclusion:The prevalence of B.cereus outbreaks remained relatively consistent throughout the studied period.Understanding the types of foods,causative factors,and contributing elements leading to B.cereus outbreaks can help inform prevention strategies for foodborne illnesses.The majority of outbreaks were associated with rice-or flour-based foods in school canteens,suggesting contamination and improper storage during food preparation.Consequently,it is essential to prioritize continuous education for canteen staff on food safety,efficacious management,and proper practices.The implementation of comprehensive guidelines,encompassing multiple critical aspects,can potentially reduce the occurrence of B.cereus outbreaks.

Controlling COVID-19 Transmission due to Contaminated Imported Frozen Food and Food Packaging

BACKGROUND The emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has been sharply increasing with more than eighty million confirmed cases worldwide(1).It has been contained in China through stringent nonpharmaceutical interventions(2).A combination of strict border control and quarantine measures have effectively prevented the spread of the virus from infected travelers,but the risk of resurgence caused by other routes of transmission(fomite transmission)has been identified in a number of localized outbreaks(3-7).

Prevalence of Salmonella and Antimicrobial Resistance in Isolates from Food Animals—Six PLADs,China,2019

Summary What is already known about this topic?Salmonella causes acute and chronic diseases in food animals,and infected food animals are one of the most important source of human infection.What does this report contribute?The prevalence of Salmonella was 10.5%in chicken samples,24.4%in pig,23.3%in duck,and 29.4%in milk.Salmonella isolates were highly resistant to ampicillin(59.60%).What are the implications for public health practices?Data on Salmonella infections among food animals in China could help identify sources and factors related to the spread of Salmonella in food animals and food production chains.

Mushroom Poisoning Outbreaks—China,2010–2020

ABSTRACT Introduction:Mushroom poisoning was the leading cause of foodborne disease outbreaks and outbreak-associated deaths in China.Mushroom poisoning outbreak surveillance can provide insight into the epidemiological characteristics of mushroom poisonings and guide policymaking and health education to reduce illnesses and deaths.Methods:Foodborne Disease Outbreak Surveillance System was upgraded in 2011 to collect foodborne disease outbreaks in China.Mushroom poisoning outbreaks during 2010–2020 were selected to analyze geographical distribution,seasonal distribution,and setting of food preparation.Results:A total of 10,036 outbreaks,which resulted in 38,676 illnesses and 788 deaths,were reported in this period.Mushroom poisonings occurred all over the country,but with highest incidence in the southwest and central China.

Fungal diversity notes 1–110:taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions to fungal species

This paper is a compilation of notes on 110 fungal taxa,including one new family,10 new genera,and 76 new species,representing a wide taxonomic and geographic range.The new family,Paradictyoarthriniaceae is introduced based on its distinct lineage in Dothideomycetes and its unique morphology.The family is sister to Biatriosporaceae and Roussoellaceae.The new genera are Allophaeosphaeria(Phaeosphaeriaceae),Amphibambusa(Amphisphaeriaceae),Brunneomycosphaerella(Capnodiales genera incertae cedis),Chaetocapnodium(Capnodiaceae),Flammeascoma(Anteagloniaceae),Multiseptospora(Pleosporales genera incertae cedis),Neogaeumannomyces(Magnaporthaceae),Palmiascoma(Bambusicolaceae),Paralecia(Squamarinaceae)and Sarimanas(Melanommataceae).The newly described species are the Ascomycota Aliquandostipite manochii,Allophaeosphaeria dactylidis,A.muriformia,Alternaria cesenica,Amphibambusa bambusicola,Amphisphaeria sorbi,Annulohypoxylon thailandicum,Atrotorquata spartii,Brunneomycosphaerella laburni,Byssosphaeria musae,Camarosporium aborescentis,C.aureum,C.frutexensis,Chaetocapnodium siamensis,Chaetothyrium agathis,Colletotrichum sedi,Conicomyces pseudotransvaalensis,Cytospora berberidis,C.sibiraeae,Diaporthe thunbergiicola,Diatrype palmicola,Dictyosporium aquaticum,D.meiosporum,D.thailandicum,Didymella cirsii,Dinemasporium nelloi,Flammeascoma bambusae,Kalmusia italica,K.spartii,Keissleriella sparticola,Lauriomyces synnematicus,Leptosphaeria ebuli,Lophiostoma pseudodictyosporium,L.ravennicum,Lophiotrema eburnoides,Montagnula graminicola,Multiseptospora thailandica,Myrothecium macrosporum,Natantispora unipolaris,Neogaeumannomyces bambusicola,Neosetophoma clematidis,N.italica,Oxydothis atypica,Palmiascoma gregariascomum,Paraconiothyrium nelloi,P.thysanolaenae,Paradictyoarthrinium tectonicola,Paralecia pratorum,Paraphaeosphaeria spartii,Pestalotiopsis digitalis,P.dracontomelon,P.italiana,Phaeoisaria pseudoclematidis,Phragmocapnias philippinensis,Pseudocamarosporium cotinae,Pseudocercospora tamarindi,Pseudotrichia rubriostiolata,P.thailandica,Psiloglonium multiseptatum,Saagaromyces mangrovei,Sarimanas pseudofluviatile,S.shirakamiense,Tothia spartii,Trichomerium siamensis,Wojnowicia dactylidicola,W.dactylidis and W.lonicerae.The Basidiomycota Agaricus flavicentrus,A.hanthanaensis,A.parvibicolor,A.sodalis,Cantharellus luteostipitatus,Lactarius atrobrunneus,L.politus,Phylloporia dependens and Russula cortinarioides are also introduced.Epitypifications or reference specimens are designated for Hapalocystis berkeleyi,Meliola tamarindi,Pallidocercospora acaciigena,Phaeosphaeria musae,Plenodomus agnitus,Psiloglonium colihuae,P.sasicola and Zasmidium musae while notes and/or new sequence data are provided for Annulohypoxylon leptascum,A.nitens,A.stygium,Biscogniauxia marginata,Fasciatispora nypae,Hypoxylon fendleri,H.monticulosum,Leptosphaeria doliolum,Microsphaeropsis olivacea,Neomicrothyrium,Paraleptosphaeria nitschkei,Phoma medicaginis and Saccotheciaceae.A full description of each species is provided with light micrographs(or drawings).Molecular data is provided for 90 taxa and used to generate phylogenetic trees to establish a natural classification for species.

Determination of perchlorate and its distribution in unhusked rice in China

Perchlorate concentrations in 387 unhusked rice samples from 15 main producing provinces/municipality in China were investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography-tanden mass spectrometry.The results indicated that perchlorate displays a mean level of 17.17μg/kg in un-husked rice samples.Intriguingly,we also found that perchlorate is mainly observed in rice husk among these collected unhusked rice samples,while less observed in rice bran and milled rice.Specifically,the perchlorate levels in rice were found in the husks(73.61%),bran(10.09%),and milled rice(19.52%),respectively.Our results indicated that there is no significantly perchlorate exposure risk in edible milled rice.

Dietary Exposure to Fumonisins and Health Risk Assessment in the Sixth China Total Diet Study——China,2015-2020

Introduction:Fumonisins are a group of widespread mycotoxins mainly existing in staple foods.Their toxicological effects on humans cause worldwide public health threat.During 2015–2020,the 6th China Total Diet Study(TDS)was conducted to study the dietary exposure to fumonisins in the Chinese adult population.Methods:Fumonisins were analyzed by LCMS/MS in 288 composite dietary samples collected from 24 provincial-level administrative divisions.After combining the national consumption data with analytical results,estimated daily intakes(EDIs)were assessed and compared with health-based guide values(HBGV).Results:In the 6th China TDS,the highest fumonisin B(FBs)levels were found in staple foods/cereals among the 12 food categories.EDI of FBs was 104.9 ng/kg of body weight(bw)/day at the upper bound accounting 5.25% of the provisional maximum tolerable daily intake set by Joint Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives.Among the 12 food categories,cereals and cereal products were the greatest contributor to FB exposure at 95%.Conclusion:Although the estimated exposure to FBs in the 6th China TDS were well below the HBGV for FBs in general,it was 2 times higher than the exposure in the 5th China TDS.Furthermore,the exposure to FB3 has increased remarkable and is worth further attention in China.