@article{Gentili_Di Giacomo_Fichera_Angellotti_Ascani_Ferretti_Riganatou_Loschi_Rea_2014, title={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)}, volume={3}, url={https://www.pagepressjournals.org/ijfs/article/view/ijfs.2014.995}, DOI={10.4081/ijfs.2014.995}, abstractNote={The <em>Area Vasta di Fermo</em> (the competent health authority of the Marche Region), in collaboration with the local producers’ Association conducted a series of studies on the presence of <em>E. coli</em> 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 <em>E. coli</em> 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 <em>E. coli</em> 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 <em>E. coli</em> 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 <em>E. coli</em> 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.}, number={1}, journal={Italian Journal of Food Safety}, author={Gentili, Valentina and Di Giacomo, Loredana and Fichera, Sandro and Angellotti, Antonio and Ascani, Paolo and Ferretti, Ezio and Riganatou, Angeliki and Loschi, Anna Rita and Rea, Stefano}, year={2014}, month={Feb.} }