A new, simple test could help detect pathogens in food and prevent illnesses.
Credit: American Chemical Society
Food poisoning is a stomach-churning, miserable condition that sends thousands of Americans to hospital emergency rooms every year. Now scientists report in ACS’ journal Analytical Chemistry a simple, paper-based test that could help detect pathogens hitchhiking on food before they reach store shelves, restaurants and, most importantly, our stomachs.
According to one estimate by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the foodborne bacteria Salmonella alone led to nearly 20,000 hospitalizations and almost 400 deaths in 2013. Economists estimate that the treatment of all these patients and the related productivity losses cost more than $3 billion annually. And those numbers account for just one of the 15 pathogens responsible for most of the food poisoning cases. Current testing for pathogens in food requires complicated machinery and trained personnel. But these tests don’t provide the simple results needed in large-scale food manufacturing. So Je-Kyun Park and colleagues set out to find a more practical way to detect foodborne pathogens.
The researchers developed a paper-based test that can handle the multistep reactions necessary for this kind of analysis by controlling the pore size of the paper. When dipped into solutions containing the E. coli strain O157:H7,Salmonella typhimurium or both, lines appeared on the dipstick indicating a positive result within 15 minutes.
Because the method requires dipping the device into a solution once and produces an easy-to-read result, it could be performed by workers without special training, the researchers say.
The Latest on: Prevent food poisoning
[google_news title=”” keyword=”prevent food poisoning” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Prevent food poisoning
- How can people avoid foodborne illnesses? A doctor explainson September 21, 2023 at 8:52 am
Following a recall of raw ground beef due to possible E. coli contamination and summer Vibrio vulnificus deaths, a CNN expert shares how you can improve food safety practices.
- Doctor shares advice on how to prevent food poisoningon September 21, 2023 at 8:52 am
Following a recall of raw ground beef due to possible E. coli contamination and summer Vibrio vulnificus deaths, a CNN expert shares how you can improve food safety practices.
- Food poisoning cases in schools on the rise: What can be done?on September 19, 2023 at 7:02 pm
Most cases of food poisoning are mild and resolve on their own within a few days. However, in some cases, food poisoning can be more severe ...
- Study gives insight into food poisoning in Vietnamon September 16, 2023 at 9:00 pm
Researchers have analyzed various food poisoning cases in Vietnam over two years. The study described poisonings from food and drinks in Vietnam from ...
- What are the most common causes of food poisoning in Canada?on September 14, 2023 at 3:49 pm
Norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illnesses and hospitalizations in Canada, according to the PHAC. The virus accounts for an estimated one million illnesses, 1,180 hospitalizations and 21 ...
- Gotcha! New technology speeds up bacterial testing in foodon September 12, 2023 at 9:46 am
Researchers have developed a measurement technique that rapidly measures the number of viable bacteria in food products. They have succeeded in drastically reducing the inspection time from 2 days to ...
- How to treat and prevent food poisoningon September 10, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Avoid eating raw eggs or uncooked foods made ... to warm up in the boot of a car on the way home from the shops. Food poisoning is often resolved without medical attention, but experts advise ...
- NCDHHS working to prevent common foodborne illnesseson September 9, 2023 at 2:49 pm
Germs can survive on many different surfaces, including your hands and kitchen areas. Always wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water before, during and after preparing and ...
- Recovery After Food Poisoning: Expert Lists Foods To Eat And Avoidon September 4, 2023 at 4:08 am
We spoke to Prachi Jain, Chief Clinical Nutritionist (HOD) Nutrition and Dietetics, CK Birla Hospital Gurugram, who listed foods to eat and avoid after food poisoning. Jain added, “Vomiting and ...
- The Simple Tip To Help Avoid Food Poisoning While Travelingon September 4, 2023 at 2:08 am
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 out of every 6 Americans succumb to food poisoning yearly. So, how do travelers avoid food poisoning while away ...
via Bing News
