Risk analysis of biological hazards in food industry in terms of Public Health

Abstract   Numerous pathogens are transmitted via food and according to recent surveys, there are millions of incidents recorded in Europe in the last decade. More specific, foodborne pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses can be detected in different stages of production or distribution of a food product. Examples of predominant symptoms caused by these foodborne pathogens are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, fever, headache, cough etc. Therefore, it is essential need to detect, manage, and prevent of foodborne pathogens “from farm to fork” regarding consumers health risks. Europe has established and suggested management systems in food industry that control hazards in food products. However, outbreak incidents by foodborne pathogens existing until now. By using PRISMA guideline, we searched for the most recent publications referring microbiological risk assessments from online databases Scopus, PubMed and Science Direct. From 505 articles initially captured, data was extracted from 84 studies regarding microbiological risk factors in terms of food quality and safety, that are evidenced in European studies. Moreover, information about country of origin, food type, production phase and technology used for detection of pathogens, are also presented. Our results indicated that quality systems should be further developed to control all possible routes of contamination in the supply chain. This work provided information to managers in food industry and scientists for further research regarding microbiological risk assessments. Implementation of effective risk management systems in food industry could contribute to identify and eliminate potential risks and thus, consumer’s health and food quality could be reassured. Therefore, our findings could provide managers in food industry either to build up more effective management systems or even help scientists to better understand ecology of pathogens regarding food matrix and environmental conditions. Key messages • Risk analysis of biological hazards in food industry could prevent foodborne diseases. • Risk analysis of foodborne pathogens is important for public health.


Background:
In the last decades, a wide spread of dietary supplements (DSs) has been observed worldwide.However, DS use is not always motivated by real nutritional needs.In this context, commercial strategies and peers' suggestions seem to play an important role in determining this habit, with harmful effects on consumers' health.This cross-sectional study was aimed to evaluate the DS consumption patterns among a sample of undergraduate students attending 14 Italian universities.Methods: An anonymous web questionnaire was used to collect information about DS use and consumption habits, related motivations and possible adverse effects.The survey is still ongoing and its conclusion is expected to be on May 2022.

Results:
On a total of 2019 participants enrolled so far (69.7%female, mean age 22.8AE4.7),72.6% reported the use of at least a DS in the last six months.Multivitamin and multimineral products were the most used, being reported by 35.8% of the participants, while caffeinated energy supplements were the less reported (2.0%).The main reason for DS use was to deal with a specific deficiency following a physician or nutritionist indication (47.8%).The 3.4% of participants reported the occurrence of negative outcomes, mainly gastrointestinal disorders (74%).

Conclusions:
These preliminary results evidenced a wide use of DSs in the studied population.Although the main motivation was a nutritional need with a medical recommendation, a notable proportion of the sample assumed DSs without any specific prescription.Thus, it is essential to increase the knowledge about DSs and related threats deriving from their inappropriate use in the population, especially among youths.Further analysis will allow to identify possible correlations with sociodemographic and behavioural variables.
Numerous pathogens are transmitted via food and according to recent surveys, there are millions of incidents recorded in Europe in the last decade.More specific, foodborne pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses can be detected in different stages of production or distribution of a food product.Examples of predominant symptoms caused by these foodborne pathogens are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, fever, headache, cough etc.Therefore, it is essential need to detect, manage, and prevent of foodborne pathogens ''from farm to fork'' regarding consumers health risks.Europe has established and suggested management systems in food industry that control hazards in food products.However, outbreak incidents by foodborne pathogens existing until now.By using PRISMA guideline, we searched for the most recent publications referring microbiological risk assessments from online databases Scopus, PubMed and Science Direct.From 505 articles initially captured, data was extracted from 84 studies regarding microbiological risk factors in terms of food quality and safety, that are evidenced in European studies.Moreover, information about country of origin, food type, production phase and technology used for detection of pathogens, are also presented.Our results indicated that quality systems should be further developed to control all possible routes of contamination in the supply chain.This work provided information to managers in food industry and 15th European Public Health Conference 2022 scientists for further research regarding microbiological risk assessments.Implementation of effective risk management systems in food industry could contribute to identify and eliminate potential risks and thus, consumer's health and food quality could be reassured.Therefore, our findings could provide managers in food industry either to build up more effective management systems or even help scientists to better understand ecology of pathogens regarding food matrix and environmental conditions.

Background:
Excessive caffeine intake combined with increasing numbers and availability of caffeine-containing products in modern societies are causes for concern.University students may be at increased risk of excessive caffeine consumption due to seeking caffeinated products with well-known wakefulness effects and cognitive benefits.This study aimed to highlight the characteristics of caffeine consumption among Croatian university students.

Methods:
This cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted from May 2020 to April 2021 period.A validated, anonymous questionnaire that contained questions regarding demographic data, data about caffeine consumption habits, and its sources was self-administered via an online link to a cross-faculty representative student sample of the University of Osijek in Eastern Croatia.

Results:
The study sample included 1197 subjects with, median age of 22 years (interquartile range 21-24), 24.1% males, and 75.9% females.The median caffeine intake was 512.0 mg/day (interquartile range 228.0-972.0).The higher caffeine intake was observed in part-time students (p = 0.026), students who were preparing for exams during the participation in this study (p = 0.010), and students who smoked cigarettes (p < 0.001).There was a poor positive correlation between the amount of caffeine intake and academic success connected with caffeine consumption (rs = 0.225; p < 0.001).There were fair positive correlations between the amount of caffeine intake and caffeine consumption because of the avoidance of the withdrawal symptoms (rs = 0.490; p < 0.001) and between the amount of caffeine intake and knowledge of the impact of caffeine consumption on the occurrence of social conflicts (rs = 0.349; p < 0.001).

Conclusions:
The study revealed high caffeine intake among Croatian university students.The implementation of specific preventive measures directed toward the protection of students' health from adverse health effects related to caffeine is needed.

Key messages:
Croatian university students have displayed high caffeine intake in their everyday life.
There is a need for the implementation of specific preventive measures directed toward the protection of students' health from adverse health effects related to caffeine consumption.