8
I. Karunasagar
The 42nd Session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene recommended
FAO/WHO to continue work in a stepwise manner as follows:
• Step 1: Provide recommendations on a range of test methods for quantifying
V. parahaemolyticus (total and pathogenic (e.g. tdhC, trhC)) and V. vulnificus
in seawater and bivalves and facilitate performance evaluation of the proposed
methodologies;
• Step 2: Develop data collection strategies (that would facilitate the collection
of data) by countries to support the modification/development of models with a
broader scope than those which currently exist;
• Step 3: Encourage the collection of data in different regions, in different bivalve
species and for geographically diverse strains of pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus
and V. vulnificus according to the data collection strategy and using recommended test methods; and
• Step 4: To modify/develop risk assessment models that could be used to address
a range of risk management questions in a number of different regions and
products, when adequate data become available.
In order to recommend test methods, a Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation
held in Ottawa during October 2011 identified the following major end uses of
Vibrio methodology: (a) harvest area monitoring (b) end product monitoring (c)
postharvest process verification (d) outbreak investigation (e) performing growth
studies in bivalve molluscs. The performance characteristics considered were: (a)
whether the methods yielded qualitative or quantitative results (b) ability to detect
pathogenic and stressed cells (c) possibility of strain characterization (d) volume of
test sample required (e) availability of supplies their and cost (f) skill level required
to perform the tests. The recommendations of this expert meeting are being used by
FAO/WHO to develop a guidance document for use by Vibrio testing laboratories in
member countries.
Salmonella Criterion in Bivalve Mollusc Standard
The 29th Session of CCFFP, while adopting the Standard for Live and Raw bivalve
molluscs with a microbiological criterion for Salmonella (n D 5; c D 0; m D 0/25 g)
asked FAO/WHO to address the following question: “in the context of harvesting
area monitoring for faecal contamination and lot contamination, estimate the risk
mitigation for Salmonella in bivalve molluscs when different sampling plans and
microbiological criteria are applied”. Based on a review of the available scientific
information, FAO prepared a discussion paper that was presented to the 30th Session
of CCFFP highlighting the following points:
• Estimation of risk mitigation requires data from risk assessments. Currently,
neither national nor international risk assessments for Salmonella in bivalve
molluscs or other fish and fishery products are available.
I. Karunasagar
The 42nd Session of the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene recommended
FAO/WHO to continue work in a stepwise manner as follows:
• Step 1: Provide recommendations on a range of test methods for quantifying
V. parahaemolyticus (total and pathogenic (e.g. tdhC, trhC)) and V. vulnificus
in seawater and bivalves and facilitate performance evaluation of the proposed
methodologies;
• Step 2: Develop data collection strategies (that would facilitate the collection
of data) by countries to support the modification/development of models with a
broader scope than those which currently exist;
• Step 3: Encourage the collection of data in different regions, in different bivalve
species and for geographically diverse strains of pathogenic V. parahaemolyticus
and V. vulnificus according to the data collection strategy and using recommended test methods; and
• Step 4: To modify/develop risk assessment models that could be used to address
a range of risk management questions in a number of different regions and
products, when adequate data become available.
In order to recommend test methods, a Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation
held in Ottawa during October 2011 identified the following major end uses of
Vibrio methodology: (a) harvest area monitoring (b) end product monitoring (c)
postharvest process verification (d) outbreak investigation (e) performing growth
studies in bivalve molluscs. The performance characteristics considered were: (a)
whether the methods yielded qualitative or quantitative results (b) ability to detect
pathogenic and stressed cells (c) possibility of strain characterization (d) volume of
test sample required (e) availability of supplies their and cost (f) skill level required
to perform the tests. The recommendations of this expert meeting are being used by
FAO/WHO to develop a guidance document for use by Vibrio testing laboratories in
member countries.
Salmonella Criterion in Bivalve Mollusc Standard
The 29th Session of CCFFP, while adopting the Standard for Live and Raw bivalve
molluscs with a microbiological criterion for Salmonella (n D 5; c D 0; m D 0/25 g)
asked FAO/WHO to address the following question: “in the context of harvesting
area monitoring for faecal contamination and lot contamination, estimate the risk
mitigation for Salmonella in bivalve molluscs when different sampling plans and
microbiological criteria are applied”. Based on a review of the available scientific
information, FAO prepared a discussion paper that was presented to the 30th Session
of CCFFP highlighting the following points:
• Estimation of risk mitigation requires data from risk assessments. Currently,
neither national nor international risk assessments for Salmonella in bivalve
molluscs or other fish and fishery products are available.