News
16.11.2017 - Microbiology
Detection and evaluation of pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica in food
The bacterium Yersinia enterocolitica has been the third most common zoonotic pathogen in Germany as well as the EU for many years. In Germany alone, over 2,700 cases of yersiniosis have been reported. These are classic gastrointestinal infections, but they can also have serious consequences, especially for immunocompromised individuals. These diseases are usually triggered by the consumption of products with raw pork, such as minced meat rolls.
For this reason, food monitoring in regions where products such as minced meat rolls are a popular specialty increasingly takes these samples for testing for Yersinia enterocolitica. Due to the high prevalence of the pathogen in pig populations, pork is relatively frequently contaminated with this bacterium. Consequently, the question arises about the assessment of pathogenic Yersinia findings in ready-to-eat foods.
There are indeed different opinions internationally as well as among experts, but in 2017, ALTS reaffirmed a previous ALTS decision that ready-to-eat foods with qualitative detection of pathogenic Yersinia (Y. enterocolitica and Y. pseudotuberculosis) are considered unacceptably contaminated and unsuitable for human consumption pursuant to Art. 14(2)(b) in conjunction with Art. 14(5) of Regulation (EC) No. 178/2002. Thus, the detection of pathogenic Yersinia in ready-to-eat food can have significant consequences for the responsible company, such as complaints, recalls, etc.
From the perspective of the BAV Institute and other expert circles, a scientifically based risk assessment for pathogenic Yersinia by EFSA would be necessary, as it is unclear whether low levels of bacteria already cause diseases. A graded assessment with a quantitative limit, as for Listeria monocytogenes, could also be a more reasonable solution for pathogenic Yersinia. It remains to be seen how this issue will develop in the future. We will certainly keep you informed about this.
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