Food Microbiology Conference

Conference notes from CCFRA (2008)

Keep up to speed with the latest information regarding food pathogens and related issues.

Following on from the success of previous events, the 7th conference in the Microbiology series provided information on a range of currently topical food microbiology issues. It covered aspects relating to pathogens such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, and Listeria, as well as more general issues, such as the impact of plant microflora and animal diseases on the food industry, and the microbiological concerns arising from salt reduction strategies and the demands for minimally processed foods. There were also presentations on microbial identification techniques and the particular microbiological considerations that need to be taken with drinks vending machines. The conference concluded with a presentation on microbiological criteria - what they are and what they mean.

These notes take the form of the visual aids used by the speakers at the event, along with brief summaries of the presentations.

Contents

• Salmonella - recent outbreaks
• A risk assessment for Salmonella in pigs
• Food safety begins as vegetables grow
• E.coli O157 and other pathogenic E.coli
• Salt reduction in foods: microbiological issues
• The microbiology of minimally processed foods
• Listeria - recent epidemiology
• Listeria in butter
• PCR identification of Listeria
• Molecular identification and characterisation techniques
• Campylobacter - recent epidemiology
• Animal diseases that impact on the food industry
• Drinks vending machines
• Microbiological criteria