Influence of rainfall on E. coli concentrations in clams: results of collaboration between competent health authority and producers’ association in the province of Fermo (Italy)


Submitted: 30 January 2013
Accepted: 1 September 2013
Published: 4 February 2014
Abstract Views: 1462
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Authors

  • Valentina Gentili Scuola di Specializzazione in Sanità Animale, Allevamento e Produzioni Zootecniche, Università degli Studi di Camerino, Matelica, Italy.
  • Loredana Di Giacomo Servizio Veterinario Igiene degli Alimenti di Origine Animale ASUR MARCHE, Area Vasta n. 4 di Fermo, Italy.
  • Sandro Fichera Servizio Veterinario Igiene degli Alimenti di Origine Animale ASUR MARCHE, Area Vasta n. 4 di Fermo, Italy.
  • Antonio Angellotti Servizio Veterinario Igiene degli Alimenti di Origine Animale ASUR MARCHE, Area Vasta n. 4 di Fermo, Italy.
  • Paolo Ascani Servizio Veterinario Igiene degli Alimenti di Origine Animale ASUR MARCHE, Area Vasta n. 4 di Fermo, Italy.
  • Ezio Ferretti Servizio Veterinario Igiene degli Alimenti di Origine Animale ASUR MARCHE, Area Vasta n. 4 di Fermo, Italy.
  • Angeliki Riganatou Servizio Veterinario Igiene degli Alimenti di Origine Animale ASUR MARCHE, Area Vasta n. 4 di Fermo, Italy.
  • Anna Rita Loschi Scuola di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Camerino, Matelica, Italy.
  • Stefano Rea Scuola di Scienze Mediche Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Camerino, Matelica, Italy.
The Area Vasta di Fermo (the competent health authority of the Marche Region), in collaboration with the local producers’ Association conducted a series of studies on the presence of E. coli as an indicator of faecal contamination in the environment, in shellfish and in fishery waters, and on the factors that can affect their presence. These studies, carried out from 2008 to 2011, included an assessment of the currents along the coast, of the precipitations, and data from the monitoring of E. coli on shellfish harvested in the collection areas were examined. The results showed that in most cases, small concentrations of microorganisms in shellfish corresponded to little or no precipitations, while an increase in the levels of E. coli was preceded by more or less abundant rainfalls. The conclusions suggest that it is advisable to carry out a more detailed risk analysis which should take into account the above-mentioned factors. Furthermore, monitoring alone based on the determination of indicator organisms, especially when carried out as a single analysis or with a small number of E. coli determinations, does not provide a satisfactory indication of safety. The regional surveillance plans should be applied timely and rigorously, together with onsite investigations aimed at identifying changes that can affect the presence of E. coli in shellfish. Food business operators themselves could implement good manufacturing practices to verify whether the microbiological parameters are within the prescribed limits after rainfalls, especially if heavy.

1.
Gentili V, Di Giacomo L, Fichera S, Angellotti A, Ascani P, Ferretti E, Riganatou A, Loschi AR, Rea S. Influence of rainfall on E. coli concentrations in clams: results of collaboration between competent health authority and producers’ association in the province of Fermo (Italy). Ital J Food Safety [Internet]. 2014 Feb. 4 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];3(1). Available from: https://www.pagepressjournals.org/ijfs/article/view/ijfs.2014.995

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