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Imported edible leaves collected at retail sale in England during 2017 with an emphasis on betel and curry leaves: microbiological quality with respect to Salmonella , Shiga‐toxin‐producing E. coli ( STEC ) and levels of Escherichia coli
Author(s) -
McLauchlin J.,
Aird H.,
Charlett A.,
Chattaway M.,
Elviss N.,
Hartman H.,
Jenkins C.,
Jørgensen F.,
Larkin L.,
SadlerReeves L.,
Willis C.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/jam.13931
Subject(s) - salmonella , biology , curry , contamination , food contaminant , escherichia coli , food science , bacteria , ecology , biochemistry , genetics , gene
Aims To investigate the microbiological quality of imported fresh leaves on retail sale during 2017 with respect to Salmonella , Shiga‐toxin‐producing Escherichia coli ( STEC ) and levels of E. coli . Methods and Results Two hundred and seventy‐nine samples of imported edible leaves (69 banana, 77 betel, 118 curry and 15 other types) were tested. Salmonella spp. were confirmed by whole‐genome sequencing and isolated from 44 samples, 26% from curry leaves, 14% from betel and 2·4% from all other leaf types: 80% of all samples contained ≥10 2 , 44% ≥10 3 and 22% ≥10 4 CFU of E. coli CFU per g. All samples where Salmonella were detected also yielded ≥20 CFU of E. coli /g. 54 samples were tested for STEC which was detected in six samples and isolated from three: one was identified as STEC O157:H7. Conclusions This report further highlights an ongoing problem of Salmonella contamination of imported fresh edible leaves. Significance and Impact of the Study Among all food tested by Public Health England (approximately 11 000 per annum), curry leaves were the herb most commonly contaminated with Salmonella , and betel leaves were the most commonly contaminated ready‐to‐eat food. The high proportion with unsatisfactory E. coli levels and the detection of STEC suggests risks of contamination by multiple enteric pathogens.