Foodborne illness in the United States continues to be a complex and recurring issue despite our increased understanding of the pathogenic microorganisms responsible. Foodborne illness outbreaks and product recalls linked to pathogenic bacteria have been more frequent in the produce industry (e.g. fruits and vegetables) in the last ten years....
Bloomy rind cheeses, including Camembert and Brie type cheeses, are highly susceptible to contamination by environmental pathogens during their manufacture and ripening. These cheeses undergo many physiochemical changes during ripening that provides these pathogens with a suitable environment to grow. One example of this change is an increase of pH...
This study aimed to determine the efficacy of baking to reduce bacterial populations (an unknown contaminant or Salmonella) in cookie dough. Baking conditions (time and temperature parameters) were selected based on conditions commonly used in industry. The first study (Chapter 2), “Baking as Validation for Control of Coliform Counts in...
Vibrio parahaemolyticus infections in the United Stated have been linked to consumption of raw shellfish, particularly oysters, with symptoms of headache, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting. Depuration, as a post-harvest process, has a long history of being applied in shellfish industry to reduce sewage bacteria. In order to reduce the...
The dairy industry has indicated that milk hauling sporadically compromises milk quality, but often the reason is unknown. Milk hauling practices are an underexplored area of research, and are in need of attention because during hauling milk is most exposed to the external environment in comparison with any other step...
Non-starter lactic acid bacteria (NSLAB) are found at low levels in fresh raw milk and are important to the dairy industry because of their potential impact on the flavor and texture of yogurt, sour cream, and cheese. The purpose of this study was to evaluate three methods for the identification...
United States Department of Agriculture-Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) guidelines for beef jerky processing support producers' ability to satisfy the performance standard requirements for achieving a 5-log reduction in Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7. The first compliance guide for jerky processors was created in response to several Salmonella outbreaks...
Salmonella is a bacterium responsible for several illnesses, including typhoid fever,
paratyphoid fever, and salmonellosis. It is commonly found in animal products, including
poultry. Determination of potential reservoirs of Salmonella contamination is important
to mitigate the risk of transmission and possible outbreaks. Outbreaks can negatively
impact the livelihood of local...
The acquired ability of Salmonella to express varying morphotypes when placed in nutrient-limited conditions is hypothesized to predict increased resistance to food processing interventions. Two of the morphotypes expressed by Salmonella are Red, Dry and Rough (RDAR) and Smooth and White (SAW). Increased resistance is predicted for the RDAR morphotype...
Foodborne outbreaks involving fresh produce have been on the rise since the late 1990's. Pathogens such as Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli are prevalent in agricultural environments and commonly travel between farms via irrigation water. The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) has placed an increased emphasis on microbiological standards of...