Felix Reich

• Dr. med. vet.
• Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung

Irradiation with UV-C is a non-thermal decontamination treatment for food surfaces. It can be of particular interest for foods which are not usually heat treated, such as fermented, dried or cured meat products. An example of a food is dry-cured and smoked raw ham, which was short-term treated with UV-C for 5 to 60 s. Objective of this study was to...

Two physical treatments (heat via water bath and cold air) with various temperatures (20/70/75/80°C and − 80/−90°C) and exposure times (20, 30, 40 s) were carried out to identify a decontaminating effect on zoonotic pathogens on broiler carcasses. Subsequently, carcasses were analyzed for thermotolerant Campylobacter (C.), Salmonella, Escherichia (...

Foodborne pathogens pose a persistent threat in broiler chicken production, particularly during the slaughter process, where contamination with zoonotic pathogens remains a concern. This study focuses on the potential of organic acids, such as formic and lactic acid, and the oxidizing agent peracetic acid, to decontaminate scalding water and enhanc...

Sub-Saharan Africa has a high prevalence of food insecurity. Small pelagic fish such as Silver cyprinid ( Rastrineobola argentea ) which is indigenous to Lake Victoria, can be a nutritious animal sourced food that contributes to a more nutrient dense diet. Potential sustainable catch of Silver cyprinid is estimated at 2 million tonnes yearly, which...

Reduction of the microbial load of soiled carcasses is essential in the production of game meat. Rinsing with water is a common practice in handling game carcasses to remove any visible contamination. In this study, microbiological investigations were performed on carcasses of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), inoculated with a mixture of gastrointes...

Environmental, hunting and handling factors affect the microbial load of hunted game and the resulting meat products. The aim of this study was to systematically investigate the influence of several factors on the initial microbial load (IML) of game carcasses during the early hunting chain. Eviscerated roe deer body cavities (n = 24) were investig...

Active packaging films based on gelatin with silver-kaolinite (Ag-Kln) were developed and their effects on the quality and microbial growth of beef meat stored in different packaging systems (cling film, vacuum and modified atmosphere packaging) at 4 °C for 13 days were evaluated. The analysis revealed that Ag-Kln packaging films had no adverse eff...

Poultry on the European market is offered primarily as fresh meat and is usually sold at the retail level packed under either a modified atmosphere (MAP) or vacuum. Packaging is meant to retain product quality during retail offering and influences microbiological changes during storage. The focus of this study was to determine the influence of rout...

The importance of thermotolerant Campylobacter spp. as a food-borne pathogen continues to increase and there is a great need for rapid quantitative results in routine diagnostics. However, currently, only the culture-based ISO method is authorized for use in the context of official food control. The present study therefore aimed to assess the suita...

The year 2021 represented a benchmark for the insect feed and food sector: while new species were authorized for the first time for human consumption, for other insects the authorization as feed for aquaculture was extended to poultry and swine. While these statutory provisions represent a huge incentive for the sector, consumers’ safety needs to b...

Ensuring good game meat hygiene is a challenge in the hunting supply chain. Game carcasses can be soiled with intestinal contents or other substances from the environment due to hunting and handling practices. This soiling can increase the microbial load (ML) of the carcass and the resulting game meat. The aim of this study was to investigate wheth...

The main condemnation reason in the slaughter of German conventional broiler fIocks is cellulitis. This disease is primarily caused by the bacterial pathogen Escherichia coli. Biosecurity is the most important aspect to avoid spreading of diseases, but, increasing farm sizes and a close proximity of broiler houses complicate compliance with appropr...

Knowing the Campylobacter spp. load at each stage of production can be helpful in selecting appropriate control methods. The aim of the present study was therefore to evaluate the quantitative contamination of broilers with Campylobacter spp. at different levels of production (pre-harvest, harvest, and post-harvest) by using the culture method, and...

Ready-to-eat (RTE) sliced emulsion type sausages are sensitive to recontamination with Listeria (L.) monocytogenes during processing and packaging steps. Since Listeria spp. are able to grow on those products under cold storage conditions, taking steps to reduce the recontamination risk and implementing antibacterial hurdles contribute to consumer...

Numerous studies point out that at present, a complete elimination of Campylobacter species in the poultry food chain is not feasible. Thus, the current aim should be to establish control measures and intervention strategies to minimize the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in livestock (esp. poultry flocks) and to reduce the quantitative Campylobac...

Cefotaxime (CTX)-resistant Enterobacteriaceae are still an ongoing challenge in human and veterinary health. High prevalence of these resistant bacteria is detected in broiler chickens and the prevention of their dissemination along the production pyramid is of major concern. The impact of certain on-farm interventions on the external bacterial con...

The genus Pseudomonas represents a broad diversity of opportunistic and pathogenic species that are able to colonize a wide range of ecological niches. Here, we report on draft genome sequences of 35 Pseudomonas sp. isolates that were recovered from small processed Ghanaian fishes offered at food markets in 2018.

The triple burden of malnutrition is an incessant issue in low- and middle-income countries, and fish has the potential to mitigate this burden. In Ghana fish is a central part of the diet, but data on nutrients and contaminants in processed indigenous fish species, that are often eaten whole, are missing. Samples of smoked, dried or salted Engraul...

Contaminated poultry meat is considered to be the main source of human infection with Campylobacter spp., a pathogen that asymptomatically colonizes broiler chickens during fattening and contaminates carcasses during slaughter. To prevent or reduce the colonization of broiler flocks with Campylobacter spp., applying different organic acids, especia...

One of the main reasons for condemning fattening broiler chickens during meat inspection is cellulitis, which demonstrates the great economic issue concerning this topic. The aim of this epidemiological study was therefore to identify risk factors in order to draw conclusions on how to prevent the occurrence of cellulitis in broilers by implementin...

With regards to the frequently reported findings of spoilage bacteria and pathogens in various foods there is a need to explore new ways to control hazards in food production and to improve consumer safety. Fermented sausages from traditional and industrial production in Germany were screened for lactic acid bacteria with antibacterial effects towa...

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is an important causative agent of contagious intermammary infections in dairy cattle. S. aureus is also considered as an important foodborne pathogen and cause of food poisoning cases and outbreaks worldwide. In order to understand the molecular ecology of S. aureus, the present study compared phenotypic and genot...

Background Malonate utilization, an important differential trait, well recognized as being possessed by six of the seven Cronobacter species is thought to be largely absent in Cronobacter sakazakii (Csak). The current study provides experimental evidence that confirms the presence of a malonate utilization operon in 24 strains of sequence type (ST)...

Campylobacter is considered an important foodborne pathogen, having a high impact on public health burden. Source allocation studies identified broiler meat as the most important food transmission vehicle of Campylobacter. In this regard, microbiological limits are under development in the EU and characterisation of microbial contamination seems to...

ESBL or AmpC β-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae is an increasing concern in human medicine. A distribution via the food chain is discussed, but less is known about these bacteria on fresh pork meat. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of ESBL/AmpC Enterobacteriaceae bacteria in fresh pork meat at processing level in German...

The increasing number of antimicrobial resistant Enterobacteriaceae both in veterinary and human medicine, the dissemination of these bacteria in several environments and their possible repercussions on human health is causing concern. Game meat is usually seen as free of antimicrobial resistant bacteria. The objective of this study was to evaluate...

A total of 174 extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli isolates collected from humans (n=140) and healthy broiler chickens (n = 34) was included in the study. The MIC values of alkyl diaminoethyl glycin hydrochloride, benzethonium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, chlorhexidine, acriflavine, copper sulfate, silver nitrate and...

Campylobacteriosis is a disease of importance due to the costs resulting from treatment, as well as from the loss of human resources. Campylobacteriosis in humans is under surveillance in various countries. There are differences in the type of data collection on cases, and in the way of reporting. Various microbiological criteria for Campylobacter...

We introduce draft genome sequences of strains CDC1121-73 (human bronchial wash isolate) and GK1025 (powdered infant formula manufacturing facility isolate), which are both malonate-positive Cronobacter sakazakii serogroup O:2, sequence type 64. Assemblies for these strains have sizes of 4,442,307 and 4,599,266 bp and % G+C contents of 56.9 and 56....

Extended spectrum beta lactamase forming Escherichia coli is considered a threat in severe clinical cases. Food producing animals and poultry in particular are considered a possible reservoir for distribution of resistant bacteria to humans via meat consumption. Data on the concentration of ESBL-E. coli as a prerequisite for estimating consumer exp...

ESBL and MRSA-producing bacteria in food-producing animals may contribute to increased incidences of infection in humans. This study was carried out on 38 samples obtained from 32 chickens and 6 turkey products purchased at retail outlets of Hannover (Germany) and imported from Italy. The samples included the thigh, breast fillet, gizzard, sausage,...

Fibrinopurulent polyserositis is of utmost importance in commercial broiler production worldwide. This multifactorial endemic disease is marked by severe clinical alterations post-mortem, yet its effects on food safety and processing hygiene criteria remain unclear. Current considerations presume that bacteraemia lead to meat being unfit for consum...

In contrast to other foodborne zoonotic agents an elimination of Campylobacter spp. from animal production, especially poultry production, seems not to be feasible. Therefore mitigation strategies focus on reduction of the Campylobacter spp. concentration in primary production and further minimalisation during processing. In primary production bios...

In contrast to other foodborne zoonotic agents an elimination of Campylobacter spp. from animal production, especially poultry production, seems not to be feasible. Therefore mitigation strategies focus on reduction of the Campylobacter spp. concentration in primary production and further minimalisation during processing. In primary production bios...

Das Ziel dieser Studie war, Mortadella deutscher Art mit Zusatz ätherischer Öle von Rosmarin und Thymian auf ihre haltbarkeitsverlängernde Wirkung zu bewerten und mittels physiko-chemischer, mikrobiologischer und sensorischer Untersuchungen im Hinblick auf Qualitätsveränderungen mit einer Standardrezeptur zu vergleichen. In dieser Studie gab es kei...

Ziel des Projektes war es, die Auswirkungen eines Zusatzes von Zitrusfaser mittels physiko-chemischer, mikrobiologischer und sensorischer Untersuchungen im Hinblick auf Veränderungen der Haltbarkeit gegenüber der Standardrezeptur unter handelsüblichen Verpackungsarten zu bewerten. Die Ergebnisse dieser Studie im Hinblick auf eine mögliche haltbarke...

In der Gemeinschaftsverpflegung werden Speisen zur direkten Abgabe im warmen oder kalten Zustand angeboten. Meist handelt es sich um zusammengesetzte Lebensmittel aus tierischen und pflanzlichen Zutaten unterschiedlicher Verarbeitungszustände. Im Rahmen der Überprüfung der Lebensmittelqualität und Produktsicherheit müssen regelmäßig mikrobiologisch...

Campylobacter spp. are the most important food-borne pathogens in broilers. Exposure of the consumer can be influenced by the reduction of contaminated broiler meat at various steps along the production line. This study was performed at a poultry slaughterhouse in Germany. Steps within the slaughter process were defined by the slaughterhouse qualit...

AimsEvaluating the effect of a commercially available organic acid water additive in conventional broiler production on Campylobacter spp. Methods and resultsThe organic acid water additive was added to the drinking water from chick housing to catching in three consecutive rearing cycles. The broiler performance data were evaluated and the load of...

During 2010, we evaluated the presence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase- and AmpC-producing enterobacteria in broiler chickens at slaughter. Samples (70 carcasses and 51 ceca) from 4 flocks were analyzed by direct plating and after enrichment. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase producers were found in 88.6% and 72.5% of carcasses and ceca, respectively;...

A study was made to assess the microbiological status of 156 packaged cuts of roe deer, red deer and wild boar in the period between October 2011 and December 2012. analysing microbiological parameters of hygiene and food-borne pathogens. Furthermore, the susceptibility of selected isolates of Escherichia coli und Salmonella spp. to 27 antimicrobia...

From November 2005 to August 2006, microbiological analyses were performed in a processing plant for powdered infant formula (PIF) to estimate the occurrence and dissemination of Cronobacter spp. and the contamination levels of Enterobacteriaceae in the processing environment. In total 867 samples were collected from the dry processing environment...

In a unit for fattening turkeys, the microbial quality of water from different sources (ground water, tap water and drinking water as well as deposit from drinking bowls) was analysed. In particular, the investigation was focused on changes in these parameters as effects of the water treatment with a modified peracetic acid and of different cleanin...

Arcobacter is part of the family Campylobacteraceae. As with the genus Campylobacter, Arcobacter is found responsible for human gastrointestinal infection, and it is assumed to originate from poultry meat sources. Samples from poultry slaughtering originating from a broiler slaughterhouse and a turkey slaughterhouse were analyzed for Arcobacter. Fi...

For the presence and number of Campylobacter, 18 broiler flocks were sampled over a period of 18 months. A total of 70% of the flocks were positive for Campylobacter, with higher prevalence found in summer and autumn, compared to winter and spring. Positive flocks showed contamination rates above 90%, in negative flocks this was lower, mostly below...

In a unit for fattening turkeys, microbial quality of water from different sources (ground water, tap water as well as drinking water and deposits out of drinking bowls) were analysed. In particular, changes in these parameters according to water treatment with chlorine dioxide as well as different cleaning intervals of the bowls were of interest....

The broiler chickens, especially if intensively reared, can be considered as an important reservoir of Salmonella infections in humans. Many consumers assume that broiler chickens, grown under conventional commercial conditions, have higher infection levels of Salmonella than free-range organic chickens. The subject of this study was firstly to ass...

Sushi is a traditional Japanese food, mostly consisting of rice and raw fish. Fish is considered a healthy food, but as with other animal products, consumption of raw muscle incurs potential health risks such as ingestion of pathogenic bacteria or parasites. In this study, 250 sushi samples were analyzed for their microbiological status and the pre...

In the framework of a project on the hygiene status of freshly shot game 289 samples were microbiologically analysed: 127 samples from wild boars, 95 from roe deer and 67 from red deer. The microbiological parameters evaluated were the mesophilic aerobic count (APC), which showed mean log10-counts of 2.6cfu/cm(2) for roe deer, 2.9cfu/cm(2) for red...

Campylobacter spp. is a common cause of gastrointestinal illness. Since animal products, especially poultry meat, are an important source of human outbreaks of campylobacteriosis, tracing back to processing and initial production is of great interest. Samples were collected at a German poultry slaughterhouse for the estimation of the prevalence of...

One hundred and forty-four samples of chilled turkey meat from six flocks, taken directly from the slaughterhouse, and 100 samples of turkey meat retail products were examined. Over one-quarter (29.2%) of the tested samples from the slaughterhouse were Campylobacter positive, showing high variability in the flocks. The lowest percentage of Campylob...

Campylobacter spp. is of great importance as a pathogen in humans, especially poultry is of interest as it is regularly contaminated with high levels of this pathogenic germ. In the framework of an EU Project "POULTRYFLORGUT" 197 samples from a poultry slaughterhouse were collected over a period of one year. Following samples were collected: Scaldi...