COST ACTION 920

Inventory of QMRA Studies in Europe


Data sheet

Pathogen

 E. coli O157:H7

Country or region

 The Netherlands

Transmission route

 From

 Farm animals

To

 Consumption (Fork)

Specific product(s)

Raw fermented meat products 

End-point(s)

Risk of infection/illness 


Reports or publications

Bibliographic reference

Hoornstra, E.; Notermans, S.; 2001; Quantitative microbiological risk assesment; Int. journal of food microbiology; 66; p. 21-29

Hoornstra, E.; Stekelenburg, F.; Notermans, S.; Hofstra, H.; 1999; Quantitative risk assessment of E. coli O157:H7 in raw fermented meat products; Proceedings of Concerted Action Verocytotoxigenic E. coli in Europe part 2; p. 104-107

Abstract

The objective of this risk assessment is to see if a criterion should be set for the reduction of E. coli O157:H7 during the production of raw fermented sausages. Quantitative risk assessment integrating data from the literature, challenge tests, other microbiological information and assumptions, combined with the use of applied statistics, was used to complete a risk assessment for two different types of sausages.

This process began with identification of the risk contributing factors in the food chain, followed by quantification of the impact of every single risk factor using probability distribution functions. Statistical calculations are made including the distribution of the pathogen on the beef meat, the amount of beef meat in the raw material mix, and the distribution of the pathogen during portioning into sausages. Challenge tested sausages were fermented and stored, during which time a reduction was observed. Finally, the probability density of E. coli O157:H7 in the product at the time of consumption is calculated. This probability of occurrence is multiplied with the amount of consumption to assess the likely exposure of the final consumer.

Status

 Finished and published

Availability

 See bibliography


Project group

Institute

TNO Nutrition and Food Research

Contact person

 Hoornstra@voeding.tno.nl

Partners