Browsing by Author "Langsrud, Solveig"
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- Bacterial levels and diversity in kitchen sponges and dishwashing brushes used by consumersPublication . Møretrø, Trond; Ferreira, Vânia B.; Moen, Birgitte; Almli, Valérie L.; Teixeira, Paula; Kasbo, Ida M.; Langsrud, SolveigAims: The purpose of the work was to investigate bacterial levels and diversity as well as survival of Salmonella in used dish washing sponges and brushes and identify consumer practices that can potentially explain bacterial status of these items. Methods and Results: Used washing up utensils were collected from consumers. The bacterial numbers (TVC) were very variable with an extremely high median level (10.3 log cfu/item) in Portuguese sponges and lower levels in Norwegian items (7.3 and 7.0 cfu/item for sponges and brushes). No self-reported practices or household composition could explain differences found in TVC levels among the collected sponges. Lower mean TVC levels were found in unworn brushes and brushes regularly cleaned with soap, but the differences were modest (1.5 log or less). A common set of bacteria was found in brushes and sponges, dominated by Acinetobacter, Chryseobacterium, Enhydrobacter, Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas. There was no difference in TVC or bacterial diversity between conventional and antimicrobial sponges containing silver after 4 weeks of use. For used brushes inoculated with Salmonella and allowed to dry overnight, a significant reduction in Salmonella numbers was observed. No reduction was observed for brushes stored in humid conditions (in a plastic bag) or for sponges regardless of storing conditions. Conclusions: Overall, lower bacterial levels were observed in used brushes than in sponges, and Salmonella died more rapidly in brushes. A common set of non-pathogenic bacteria dominated in brushes and sponges. Significance and Impact of Study: The study demonstrates that the use of brushes may be more hygienic than the use of sponges.
- Consumer practices and prevalence of campylobacter, salmonella and norovirus in kitchens from six European countriesPublication . Møretrø, Trond; Nguyen-The, Christophe; Didier, Pierrine; Maître, Isabelle; Izsó, Tekla; Kasza, Gyula; Skuland, Silje E.; Cardoso, Maria João; Ferreira, Vania B.; Teixeira, Paula; Borda, Daniela; Dumitrascu, Loredana; Neagu, Corina; Nicolau, Anca Ioana; Anfruns-Estrada, Eduard; Foden, Mike; Voysey, Phil; Langsrud, SolveigAbout 40% of foodborne infections are acquired in the home. The aim of the present study was to track contamination of pathogens during domestic food preparation and link the contamination to preparation practices. Research participants from 87 households in six European countries were observed and interviewed during shopping and preparation of a chicken and vegetable meal. The presence of Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp. and norovirus on raw chicken, kitchen surfaces, cloths and sponges was determined. The prevalence of Campylobacter on raw chicken varied from 8.3% in Norway (NO) to 80% in France (FR) and Portugal (PT), with a mean prevalence of 57%. Campylobacter was found on half of the products that had been frozen and appeared to be less prevalent on chicken from supermarkets than other sources. Salmonella was found in 8.6% of raw chicken samples, exclusively from Hungary (HU). A relationship between observed practices and spread of pathogens to kitchen surfaces was found only for the use of cutting boards for chicken and/or vegetables. After food preparation, Campylobacter and Salmonella were isolated from 23% (samples derived from HU, RO, UK) and 8.7% (HU), respectively of cutting boards. Research participants in France and Portugal were more likely to buy products that fitted their recipe, with less need for using cutting boards. Using the same board and knife for vegetables after using it for chicken and without washing with detergent was common in Portugal and Romania, but not in the other countries. Contamination with Campylobacter to other kitchen surfaces or washing utensils were found in five households (UK, RO, PT). Rinsing chicken in sinks was common in three countries (PT, HU, RO), and washing vegetables in the same sink was also usual. Prevalence of Norovirus was low, with detection in one out of 451 samples. The participants' awareness of the risk posed by pathogens from raw chicken differed among the six countries, with higher awareness in Norway and the UK than the other countries studied. In conclusion, practices intended to avoid cross-contamination from chicken to kitchen surfaces and washing utensils are not established among consumers in all European countries. Nevertheless, cross-contamination events that disseminate infectious doses of pathogens seems to be rare, probably due to the relatively low levels of pathogens in food combined with food preferences. Food safety interventions must consider the national food culture, preferences, practices and the prevalence and levels of pathogens in food. Emphasis should be on providing and promoting chicken products with lower risk (prevalence of pathogens, ready-to-cook) and safe use of cutting boards.
- Cross-contamination of lettuce with Campylobacter spp. via cooking salt during handling raw poultryPublication . Santos-Ferreira, Nânci; Alves, Ângela; Cardoso, Maria João; Langsrud, Solveig; Malheiro, Ana Rita; Fernandes, Rui; Maia, Rui; Truninger, Mónica; Junqueira, Luís; Nicolau, Anca Ioana; Dumitrascu, Loredana; Skuland, Silje Elisabeth; Kasza, Gyula; Izso, Tekla; Ferreira, Vânia; Teixeira, PaulaCampylobacter spp. are the most common bacterial pathogens associated with human gastroenteritis in industrialized countries. Contaminated chicken is the food vehicle associated with the majority of reported cases of campylobacteriosis, either by the consumption of undercooked meat or via cross- contamination of ready-to-eat (RTE) foods during the handling of contaminated raw chicken parts and carcasses. Our results indicate that cooking salt (used for seasoning) is a potential vehicle for Campylobacter spp. cross-contamination from raw chicken to lettuce, through unwashed hands after handling contaminated chicken. Cross-contamination events were observed even when the chicken skin was contaminated with low levels of Campylobacter spp. (ca. 1.48 Log CFU/g). The pathogen was recovered from seasoned lettuce samples when raw chicken was contaminated with levels ≥ 2.34 Log CFU/g. We also demonstrated that, once introduced into cooking salt, Campylobacter spp. are able to survive in a culturable state up to 4 hours. After six hours, although not detected following an enrichment period in culture medium, intact cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy. These findings reveal a "novel"indirect cross-contamination route of Campylobacter in domestic settings, and a putative contamination source to RTE foods that are seasoned with salt, that might occur if basic food hygiene practices are not adopted by consumers when preparing and cooking poultry dishes.
- Data on European kitchen layouts belonging to vulnerable consumers (elderly people and young families with children or pregnant women) and risk-takers (young single men)Publication . Mihalache, Octavian Augustin; Møretrø, Trond; Borda, Daniela; Dumitraşcu, Loredana; Neagu, Corina; Nguyen-The, Christophe; Maître, Isabelle; Didier, Pierrine; Teixeira, Paula; Junqueira, Luis Orlando Lopes; Truninger, Monica; Izsó, Tekla; Kasza, Gyula; Skuland, Silje Elisabeth; Langsrud, Solveig; Nicolau, Anca IoanaThe data presented here capture the structure of kitchen layouts belonging to consumers vulnerable to foodborne diseases and food risk-takers. Data were collected in the frame of the SafeConsume project by multidisciplinary research teams that visited consumers during preparing a meal and had the possibility to examine their cooking routines. Distances between sink and stove, sink and refrigerator, stove and refrigerator, sink and working place (countertop or table), stove and working place were analyzed to correlate food safety practices applied during cooking with kitchen arrangements. The results arising from analyzing the ergonomics of kitchens versus potential cross-contamination events are presented in Mihalache et al., [1]. These data contribute to a better understanding of real kitchen layouts and can be used as a starting point for future research regarding food safety-oriented arrangements instead of ergonomics-focused designs, for food safety risk assessments, as study cases for explaining specific measures that can be established to improve food handling and hygiene practices in homes and for sociological research pointing consumers’ behavior during cooking.
- Dishwashing sponges and brushes: consumer practices and bacterial growth and survivalPublication . Møretrø, Trond; Moen, Birgitte; Almli, Valérie L.; Teixeira, Paula; Ferreira, Vânia B.; Åsli, Anette Wold; Nilsen, Charlotte; Langsrud, SolveigSponges are frequently used in kitchens and have been shown to harbor large numbers of bacteria, occasionally also pathogens. Less is known about kitchen brushes regarding usage and presence of bacteria. In the present study, the use of sponges and brushes was studied in a survey among 9966 European consumers in ten countries, and growth and survival of bacteria in sponges and brushes were examined in laboratory experiments. Sponges were the preferred hand-cleaning utensils for washing-up in the majority of countries, while brushes were most frequently used in Denmark and Norway. Consumers mostly change their sponges at regular times, but also sensory cues (looks dirty, smelly, slimy) and usage occurrences such as wiping up meat juices may trigger replacement. Besides cleaning the dishes, over a quarter of the dish brush users also use it to clean a chopping board after soilage from chicken meat juices. The water uptake and drying rate varied considerably, both between different sponges and between brushes and sponges, where brushes dried fastest. Campylobacter survived one day in all sponges and Salmonella more than seven days in two of three types of sponges. In the type of sponge that dried slowest, Salmonella grew on the first day and was always found in higher levels than in the other sponges. Non-pathogenic bacteria grew in the sponges and reached levels around 9 log CFU/sponge. In brushes all types of bacteria died over time. Campylobacter and Salmonella were reduced by more than 2.5 log to below the detection limit after one and three days, respectively. Bacteriota studies revealed a tendency for a dominance by Gram-negative bacteria and a shift to high relative prevalence of Pseudomonas over time in sponges. Both enumeration by agar plating and bacteriota analysis confirmed that the pathogens were in a minority compared to the other bacteria. Treatments of sponges and brushes with chlorine, boiling or in the dishwasher were effective to reduce Salmonella. We conclude that brushes are more hygienic than sponges and that their use should be encouraged. Contaminated sponges or brushes should be replaced or cleaned when they may have been in contact with pathogenic microorganisms, e.g. used on raw food spills. Cleaning of sponges and brushes with chlorine, boiling or dishwasher may be a safe alternative to replacing them with new ones.
- Efficacy of removing bacteria and organic dirt from hands: a study based on bioluminescence measurements for evaluation of hand hygiene when cookingPublication . Mihalache, Octavian Augustin; Borda, Daniela; Neagu, Corina; Teixeira, Paula; Langsrud, Solveig; Nicolau, Anca IoanaThe objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of dirt removal (bacteria and organic matter) of several hand-cleaning procedures. The results from the hand hygiene experiment indicated that washing hands with warm water and soap for 20 s is the most effective method investigated when hands are either dirty or greasy. Even if not proper washing, rinsing under running water for 5 s is a cleaning procedure that may significantly reduce the probability of cross-contamination, as it removes 90% of the hands' dirt. Although less effective than water and soap, the usage of antibacterial wipes was significantly more effective than wet wipes, indicating that they are a better choice when water and soap are not available. The results of this study enable us to inform consumers about the effectiveness of hand-cleaning procedures applied in their homes when cooking. Moreover, it can make consumers understand why, during the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities recommended washing hands as a preventive measure of infection and using an anti-bacterial hand gel or wiping hands with an antimicrobial wipe if water and soap are not available.
- Evaluating biosolutions for sustainable food systems: a review of safety, quality, regulatory, and sustainability considerations within the European UnionPublication . Thomsen, Marianne; Leroi, Françoise; Passerini, Delphine; Siemiatkowska, Milena; Sopacua, Tirzania; Andersson, Kristina; Teixeira, Paula; Poças, Fatima; Heir, Even; Langsrud, Solveig; Zuliani, VéroniqueBiosolutions, such as food cultures and fermentates, are emerging alternatives to classical food preservation methods, offering multiple benefits, including food quality and safety enhancement, and waste reduction, with limited sensory and nutritional modification of the product and higher consumer acceptance. This study explores the potential of biosolutions to address critical challenges in sustainable food systems through their application in food production. Evaluation criteria of focus include impacts on food quality and safety, environmental sustainability, and compliance with European regulatory frameworks. The study emphasizes the role of biosolutions in reducing foodborne illnesses, promoting circular economy principles, and building consumer trust. A holistic approach is proposed to support industry stakeholders and policymakers interested in integrating biosolutions into resilient, resource-efficient, and sustainable food systems.
- Hand hygiene practices during meal preparation-a ranking among ten European countriesPublication . Mihalache, Octavian Augustin; Teixeira, Paula; Langsrud, Solveig; Nicolau, Anca IoanaBACKGROUND: The aim of this paper was to map consumers' food hygiene practices from 10 European countries and evaluate which demographic groups are more likely to be exposed to foodborne pathogens and establish a ranking of adherence to food hygiene practices in 10 European countries. METHODS: The research design consisted of a cross-national quantitative consumer survey regarding food safety and hygiene practices during meal preparation (SafeConsume project) and was conducted in ten European countries (France, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain and UK). The survey questions were based on recommended hand hygiene practices and on observed practices from a field study performed in 90 European households from six of the countries covered by the survey (France, Hungary, Norway, Portugal, Romania, and UK). SPSS Statistics 26 (IBM Software Group, Chicago, IL) was used for the descriptive and regression analyses of the data. Regression analyses were used to check the relation between demographic characteristics, country of origin and self-reported hand hygiene practices. RESULTS: According to the regression models, families with elderly members aged over 65 showed a higher tendency to follow proper hand washing practices compared to families without elderly members. Meanwhile, families with children under the age of 6 reported being up to twice as likely to wash their hands at critical moments compared to families without children. Overall, taking into consideration the likelihood of washing hands after touching raw chicken and the percentages scores for proper hand cleaning methods and key moments for hand washing, the rank of the countries regarding proper hand hygiene practices was the following: Denmark, Greece, Norway, Romania, Hungary, Germany, UK, Portugal, France, and Spain. CONCLUSIONS: Information and education should point both at the key moments as suggested by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) and the International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene (IFH) and safe practices. Public health burden generated by improper hand washing may be significantly reduced if education is targeted on consumers' behaviour and practices.
- Is visual motivation for cleaning surfaces in the kitchen consistent with a hygienically clean environment?Publication . Moretro, Trond; Martens, Lydia; Teixeira, Paula; Ferreira, Vânia B.; Maia, Rui; Maugesten, Tove; Langsrud, SolveigCleaning is a method at the disposal of domestic cooks for curtailing the dispersal of foodborne pathogens in the process of preparing food. The observation of visible dirt/soil ‘in the wrong place’ operates as one of the stimuli for action. This paper makes a transdisciplinary contribution to understandings of cleaning as a practice for ensuring safety in the kitchen, and it is mainly focused on the (in)visibility of soil or dirt. The social science research included analysis of a consumer survey in 10 European countries where 9966 respondents were asked about motivations for cleaning in the kitchen. This paper draws also on three microbiological tests. First, Portuguese (n = 7) and Norwegian (6) consumers evaluated the visible cleanliness of 10 surface areas in their kitchens, directly and through the visible residue and total bacterial numbers accumulated on a white cotton swab after swabbing the surface areas. Secondly, 15 Norwegian consumers tested if they could visually detect different types of food soils, as these dried on kitchen surfaces. Finally, the survival of Campylobacter and Salmonella in the same soil types was tested under lab conditions as the soil dried out. Cleaning food preparation surfaces “after food preparation” (73%), “before preparing food” (53.2%) and “when they are dirty” (43%) were the three most common self-reported behaviours. Routine was the most common motivation to clean, but this was age dependent. There was low correlation between visual detection of dirt/soil and bacterial enumeration. Visual detection of soils was dependent on type and concentration of food soils and material of the surface; the soils were more easily detected on laminate surfaces than plastic and wood. Campylobacter died rapidly, while Salmonella survived for at least one week in food soils drying on a countertop laminate surface. Presence of food soils in concentrations that can be detected visually, protected Salmonella against drying. In conclusion, selecting materials where soil/dirt can easily be detected visually in the kitchen surfaces, may motivate consumers to clean and will reduce risk, but establishing a habit to clean surfaces soon after food preparation is also important from a food safety perspective.
- Kitchen layouts and consumers’ food hygiene practices: ergonomics versus safetyPublication . Mihalache, Octavian Augustin; Møretrø, Trond; Borda, Daniela; Dumitraşcu, Loredana; Neagu, Corina; Nguyen-The, Christophe; Maître, Isabelle; Didier, Pierrine; Teixeira, Paula; Junqueira, Luis Orlando Lopes; Truninger, Monica; Izsó, Tekla; Kasza, Gyula; Skuland, Silje Elisabeth; Langsrud, Solveig; Nicolau, Anca IoanaOur paper emphasizes the importance of the kitchen layout in facilitating consumers' food hygiene practices. A significant correlation was found between the sink placement (inside or outside the kitchen) and hygienic practices during food handling based on a survey performed on consumers from ten European countries, indicating that those who had the sink in the kitchen were more likely to perform proper hygiene practices than those who have not. The self-reported practices were supported by observed practices in 64 households from five European countries. The observational study combined with the examination of kitchen layouts revealed that the kitchen work triangle with its apexes represented by the kitchen sink, cooking stove and refrigerator, which is recommended for ergonomic reasons by architects and designers, did not necessarily support food hygiene practices in kitchens. Cross-contamination events were associated with the sink – countertop distances longer than 1 m. Based on this, a new kitchen triangle with its apexes represented by the kitchen sink, working place (usually countertop) and cooking stove, with the distance between the sink and the working place less than 1 m is proposed to be used as norm in kitchen designs for combining ergonomics with safety. This triangle is proposedly named the food safety triangle and is aimed to mitigate the risks of foodborne illnesses by creating an arrangement that facilitates hygiene practices. This study is the first to highlight the importance of implementing the concept of food safety in the kitchen design based on significant correlations between kitchen equipment placement and consumers’ food safety practices.