All Posts Tagged: Microbiology

Antimicrobial resistant microbes in food

Posted on August 4, 2011 by Richard Mallett

The European Food Safety Authority has just published an assessment on the potential contribution of food and food-producing animals to the public health risks posed by bacteria that produce enzymes that makes them resistant to treatments with certain broad spectrum antibiotics. In particular, E. coli and Salmonella species produce the enzymes which confers on them antimicrobial resistance. The BIOHAZ expert panel of the EFSA concluded that decreasing the overall use of antibiotics in food-producing animals should be of high priority in the EU as these bacterial strains are often resistant to many other commonly used veterinary drugs. It was also concluded that an additional risk factor is the extensive trade of animals in EU Member States. See the full story here - http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/110802a.htm?WT.mc_id=RSS&emt=1

Listeria monocytogenes contamination of floors

Posted on August 3, 2011 by Richard Mallett

An interesting Spanish research study has revealed a high incidence of Listeria monocytogenes at a cake plant, even after sanitising! The bacterium was found to be present on floors and floor contact equipment but not food contact surfaces. The findings point to the need not only for exemplary sanitation procedures but also, importantly, infrastructure improvements. This fits in very well indeed with the revised audit focus of BRC Global Standard for Food Safety Issue 6, which requires a greater element of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) audit and no doubt will lead to auditors examining sanitation procedure and floor infrastructure. Good quality flooring will help too. Look to find “HACCP International” certification when choosing floors as physical structure and cleanability of the floor are just two of the things that are assessed leading up to certification. You’ll find a link on the front page.

And a link to the report issues in Food Quality News here - http://www.foodqualitynews.com/Public-Concerns/Reducing-water-build-up-on-floors-key-to-Listeria-control-in-cake-factories-study?utm_source=RSS_text_news&utm_medium=RSS%2Bfeed&utm_campaign=RSS%2BText%2BNews

New industry body for sprouted seeds proposed

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Richard Mallett

The Grocer magazine reports that Freshfel, the European fresh produce association, has sent a letter to sprouted seed suppliers across Europe, proposing the creation of a formal European Sprout Association and a quality label. The aim, Freshfel said, was to “guarantee a minimum level of food safety towards the authorities and the market”. This has come in the aftermath of the European E. coli 0104:H4 outbreak. Freshfel added that a European association would work with EFSA, which will be compiling a risk assessment for sprouts over the coming weeks, and could respond specifically to the challenges faced by European suppliers, Freshfel said. The full article can be found here: - http://www.thegrocer.co.uk//Articles.aspx?page=articles&ID=219955

Launch Of New Website

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Richard Mallett

Welcome to the launch of our new website! This site has been extensively revamped and reflects something of a relaunch for MQM Ltd. We continue to offer a range of quality management, food safety, microbiology and health & safety services, from training through to implementation of procedures, manuals and HACCP Plans. Our service helping you gain certification to the BRC Standards has expanded significantly over the last couple of years, with active support for clients looking to be certified to the Food Safety, the Storage & Distribution and the Packaging BRC Global Standards. All of these services are within the scope of our ISO 9001:2008 certificate. We look forward to you exploring the site and would love to hear back from you about it – just leave a reply to this blog!

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