New phage offers rapid E. coli detection in meat, says
BioMerieux
By Jane Byrne
Source of Article: http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/news/ng.asp?n=86782-e-coli-recall-phage
29-Jul-2008 - A new detection system for E. coli 0157:
H7 is faster and more precise than molecular methods, claim the French licence holders.
BioMérieux, a supplier of
diagnostic systems, said that its new Vidas UP phage recombinant protein is developed by
German group Profos AG to be highly sensitive towards
Escherichia coli (E. coli) 0157: H7.
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacteria that can cause bloody
diarrhoea, dehydration, and in the most severe cases,
kidney failure. It has been found to cause serious harm, especially to
children, senior citizens and those with weak immune systems.
The bacteriophage is suitable for testing meat
samples and is the latest addition to the Vidas line,
which is an automated system for food-borne pathogen detection within food
service laboratories, said a company spokesperson.
Fast detection
Increasing regulatory emphasis on food safety in plants and the cost of
recalls has spurred food companies to seek faster ways of detecting pathogens.
"Vidas UP offers faster and more precise
detection of E. coli 0157: H7 than molecular methods, delivering test results
within seven hours, and is capable of analysing
sample sizes up to 375 grams," added the spokesperson.
Bacteriophages are viruses that target bacteria,
rather than human, plant or animal cells. They use adhesion structures to bind
to their bacterial hosts.
Ground beef is one of the leading sources of E. coli contamination in
the
However, this month saw Omaha-based Nebraska Beef Ltd recall 5.3m pounds of meat it produced for
ground beef between May 16 and June 26, as the US Department of Agriculture's
Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) linked the products to an outbreak of
E. coli illnesses affecting 41 people.
FSIS labelled the recall as Class 1, which means the
product involved carries a high health risk.
The federal investigators have also concluded that the production practices
employed by Nebraska Beef are insufficient to effectively control E. coli
O157:H7 in their beef products that are intended for grinding.
The FSIS also issued a public health alert in May for beef products from Tyson
Fresh Meats due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination, while in
January, Minnesota-based Rochester Meat Co issued a major recall of 188,000
pounds of ground beef and other products because of similar concerns.
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