Journal of food protection最新文献

{"title":"Reduction of Vibrio alginolyticus Contamination in Raw Seafood by a Novel Phage vB_Va_ZWPVA056","authors":"Jiayin Xu ,&nbsp;Luqi Tang ,&nbsp;Junshan Hong ,&nbsp;Xihui Zhu ,&nbsp;Qi Jia ,&nbsp;Yanyan Li ,&nbsp;Wei Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100672","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100672","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Vibrio alginolyticus</em> is a foodborne pathogen commonly found in seawater and seafood products, including shellfish, fish, and shrimp. Consumers who eat contaminated sashimi or undercooked seafood may develop gastroenteritis, and in severe cases, wound infections or sepsis. Traditional antimicrobial methods, such as antibiotics and chemical disinfectants, can easily induce drug resistance and may compromise the quality of seafood.</div><div>This study isolated a bacteriophage (phage) of <em>Vibrio alginolyticus</em>, named vB_Va_ZWPVA056, from an aquaculture tank during a disease outbreak affecting sea cucumbers. A one-step growth curve revealed a 5-min latency period and a lytic titer of 153 PFU/cell. The phage exhibited remarkable stability, maintaining activity over a temperature range of 4–50 ℃ and a broad pH range of 3–10. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a double-stranded DNA genome of 76,085 bp, encoding 102 putative proteins. Crucially, bioinformatics analysis confirmed the absence of virulence, lysogeny, or antibiotic resistance genes, underscoring its safety for biocontrol applications. The phage’s practical efficacy was evaluated by simulating <em>Vibrio alginolyticus</em> contamination on high-value seafood, including prawns, abalone, grouper, squid, and salmon. Phage treatment at MOIs of 1 and 0.1 significantly suppressed bacterial growth, achieving a maximum reduction of 1.84 log CFU/mL on Prawns after 12 h at 4 °C. After 24 h, the phage effectively reduced viable bacterial counts across all five tested seafood types at both 4 °C and 28 °C. These findings advocate for vB_Va_ZWPVA056 as a targeted biocontrol agent to suppress <em>Vibrio alginolyticus</em> populations in raw and ready-to-eat seafood throughout the supply chain, offering a sustainable strategy to mitigate microbial risks and improve product safety without compromising quality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of food protection","volume":"89 1","pages":"Article 100672"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145582205","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influence of Takeout Packaging Systems and Storage Conditions on Microbiological, Chemical, and Sensory Properties of Turkey Meat","authors":"Anahita Arki ,&nbsp;Karl Rohn ,&nbsp;Barbara Lemke ,&nbsp;Darleen Röpper ,&nbsp;Madeleine Plötz ,&nbsp;Nadja Jessberger ,&nbsp;Lisa Siekmann","doi":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100682","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100682","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in food delivery services due to the heightened demand for ready-to-eat meals. This study investigated the effects of different packaging systems and storage conditions on the microbiological, chemical, and sensory properties of turkey meat. Three packaging systems (open, semi-open, and sealed) were evaluated, and the samples were stored at three temperatures (6 °C, 20 °C, and 30 °C) for various durations (30 min, 2 h, and 24 h). In addition to the investigation of noninoculated samples, separate experiments were conducted in which either the turkey meat or the inner surface of the packaging was inoculated to assess microbial behavior and the potential for cross-contamination. Noninoculated samples remained below the detection limit across all conditions, demonstrating the effectiveness of thermal processing at 75 °C. Inoculation experiments with <em>Escherichia</em> (<em>E.</em>) <em>coli</em>, <em>Brochothrix</em> (<em>B.</em>) <em>thermosphacta,</em> and <em>Campylobacter</em> (<em>C.</em>) <em>jejuni</em> revealed that packaging systems with minimal or no air exchange (semi-open, sealed packaging) promoted bacterial growth at higher temperatures (20 °C, 30 °C). After 24 h at 30 °C, <em>E. coli</em> and <em>B. thermosphacta</em> reached 6.0 – 8.5 log CFU/cm² in sealed packaging, while <em>C. jejuni</em> showed minimal growth (≤2.8 log CFU/cm²) due to its microaerophilic requirements. Open packaging limited bacterial growth, particularly at lower temperatures (6 °C). Sensory evaluation also showed significant differences regarding storage conditions. The study demonstrates that a short storage time in combination with low temperatures and packaging that allows for air exchange reduces the risk of foodborne illness most effectively. In contrast, packaging that allows minimal or no air exchange with the environment appears to be more favorable in terms of sensory attributes. These results highlighted the need to balance microbiological safety and sensory quality when selecting packaging systems for takeout meat products.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of food protection","volume":"89 1","pages":"Article 100682"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145762241","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Concentration of Total Arsenic, Cadmium, and Lead in Imported Rice (Oryza sativa): Probabilistic Health Risk Assessment of Iranian Population","authors":"Masoud Memar ,&nbsp;Mehrdad Ahmadi ,&nbsp;Ali Reza Darvishi Divanmorad ,&nbsp;Zahra Esfandiari ,&nbsp;Omid Rahmanian ,&nbsp;Farshid Soleimani ,&nbsp;Yadolah Fakhri","doi":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100674","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100674","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Toxic elements, such as total arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb), can accumulate in rice (<em>Oryza sativa</em>), posing significant health risks to consumers. This study aimed to quantify the concentrations of As, Cd, and Pb in imported rice from India and Pakistan available in Iran and to evaluate the corresponding noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks via the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) model. Two hundred rice samples (150 from India and 50 from Pakistan) were collected from Bandar Abbas, Iran, during 2023–2024. Samples were prepared, digested, and analyzed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) to quantify the concentrations of heavy metals. Noncarcinogenic risks were estimated using the target hazard quotient (THQ) and total target hazard quotient (TTHQ). In contrast, the MCS model assessed carcinogenic risks using the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) and total incremental lifetime cancer risk (TILCR). The mean concentrations of As, Cd, and Pb in Pakistani rice were 0.112 ± 0.035 mg/Kg, 0.041 ± 0.010 mg/Kg, and 0.062 ± 0.034 mg/Kg, respectively. In comparison, Indian rice exhibited lower levels at 0.077 ± 0.042 mg/Kg, 0.019 ± 0.012 mg/Kg, and 0.052 ± 0.038 mg/Kg, respectively. Both types of rice had As and Cd levels below the Iranian standard limits but posed significant health risks. Noncarcinogenic risk assessments revealed TTHQ values exceeding the safety threshold (TTHQ &gt; 1) for both adults and children, with higher risks observed in children. Carcinogenic risk assessments indicated ILCR values above the acceptable limit (1.00E-04) for As and Cd, highlighting potential long-term cancer risks, particularly for children. The findings highlight significant noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks, particularly for children, underscoring the need for stricter regulatory oversight of imported rice. Public health interventions, including dietary diversification and awareness campaigns, are recommended to mitigate exposure and protect vulnerable populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of food protection","volume":"89 1","pages":"Article 100674"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145595979","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Isolation and Characterization of Bacillus cereus Group Species in Powdered Infant Formula and Infant Cereal Using a Newly Developed Detection System","authors":"Paul Tuan Nguyen ,&nbsp;Tyler Chandross-Cohen ,&nbsp;Jasna Kovac ,&nbsp;Lawrence Restaino","doi":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100677","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100677","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Bacillus cereus</em> group species are frequently detected at low levels in infant foods, including powdered infant formula and infant cereals. Although the infectious dose in neonates and infants has not been established, evidence suggests it may be approximately 1,000 CFU/g. When infant foods are exposed to temperature abuse, <em>B. cereus</em> group species could grow beyond acceptable limits, resulting in microbiologically unsafe products. Therefore, a detection scheme using an enrichment broth may be necessary to assess their potential risk in these critical foods. In this study, the R &amp; F® B<em>acillus cereus</em> Group Enrichment Broth was developed, and a detection scheme was evaluated for its efficacy in recovering low-level <em>B. cereus</em> group species from powdered infant formula and infant cereals. Additionally, we used whole genome sequencing to gain deeper insights into the genomic characteristics of the recovered isolates and performed in vitro cytotoxicity assays to assess their virulence potential. The detection scheme recovered <em>B. cereus</em> group species in 52% (26/50) of samples that had initially screened below 100 CFU/g, resulting in a predictive positive value (PPV) of 97.6% as confirmed by whole-genome sequencing of the recovered isolates. Cytotoxicity testing of selected isolates revealed varying levels of toxicity toward Caco-2 cells. The results demonstrate that the enrichment method effectively recovered potentially virulent <em>B. cereus</em> group strains, highlighting the need for regular monitoring of these species in infant foods, especially for vulnerable populations such as premature neonates and infants.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of food protection","volume":"89 1","pages":"Article 100677"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145668759","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Added Value of Brilliance GBS Agar for Screening Bulk Tank Milk for Streptococcus agalactiae","authors":"Annet E. Heuvelink ,&nbsp;Alessandro Bellato ,&nbsp;Manon Holstege ,&nbsp;Theo J.G.M. Lam","doi":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100685","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100685","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to evaluate the added value of chromogenic <em>Brilliance</em>^TM GBS Agar to the generally used modified Edwards medium for the isolation of <em>S. agalactiae</em> from bovine bulk tank milk (BTM) samples in programs to monitor udder health and hygiene in dairy farms. During 10 BTM sampling rounds in a one-year study period, BTM samples were examined for the presence of <em>S. agalactiae</em> using both, modified Edwards medium and <em>Brilliance</em>^TM GBS Agar. The prevalence of <em>S. agalactiae</em> per sampling round based on modified Edwards medium alone varied from 0.7% to 2.1%, and based on the combination of modified Edwards medium and <em>Brilliance</em>^TM GBS Agar from 2.3% to 2.8% of samples. Of 1,352 herds with culture results available for all 10 sampling rounds, 59 (4.4%) tested positive for <em>S. agalactiae</em> at least once; 79.7% of these 59 herds were identified on modified Edwards medium and 93.2% on <em>Brilliance</em>^TM GBS Agar. Using both agars, the percentage of herds with at least one negative culture result between positive results decreased from 68.1% to 53.2% of positive herds, thus leading to a more consistent herd-level <em>S. agalactiae</em> diagnosis. However, for 10.6% of the herds, an irregular <em>S. agalactiae</em> culture result was introduced by using both agars. The use of <em>Brilliance</em>^TM GBS Agar makes the work of technicians easier and quicker in comparison with modified Edwards medium. For optimal sensitivity of <em>S. agalactiae</em> and of other streptococci(−like) bacteria, the combination of the two agars is needed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of food protection","volume":"89 1","pages":"Article 100685"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145800575","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Administering a Bioprotective Strain to Live Fish in Aquaculture Prevents the Growth of Listeria and Spoilage Bacteria on the Processed Fillets","authors":"Stephen Knobloch ,&nbsp;Sabrina Mace ,&nbsp;Sigurlaug Skirnisdóttir ,&nbsp;Jules Lagirarde ,&nbsp;Alexandra María Klonowski ,&nbsp;Laetitia Kolypczuk ,&nbsp;Delphine Passerini ,&nbsp;Viggó Þ. Marteinsson ,&nbsp;Françoise Leroi","doi":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100679","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100679","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Seafood is prone to rapid spoilage and transmission of foodborne diseases. Here, we investigate the effect of the bioprotective strain <em>Carnobacterium divergens</em> V41 on the health of on-growing Atlantic salmon (<em>Salmo salar</em>) and spoilage of its fillets throughout storage. The strain was administered throughout a three-month growth period and applied to the water in the fish tanks prior to harvest to assess its impact on animal health, shelf-life properties of the processed fillets, and growth inhibition of <em>Listeria</em>. Administering the strain through feed for three months had no adverse effect on the farmed fish, and no significant differences were detected in growth or mortality between the treatment and control groups. However, adding <em>C. divergens</em> V41 to the tank water prior to harvesting markedly changed the fillet microbiome, suppressing the growth of spoilage organisms and thereby possibly extending the shelf-life period. A <em>Listeria</em> challenge test demonstrated that exposure of the fish to <em>C. divergens</em> V41 prior to harvesting and processing resulted in over 99.9 % inhibition of <em>Listeria</em> growth on the fillets over a 21-day period, compared with the control group. This is the first study to show that administering a bioprotective strain to live farmed fish can have a bioprotective effect on fish fillets after processing. This is a simple method to modify the food microbiome of a rapidly perishable product without specialized equipment, thereby increasing food safety and reducing food waste.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of food protection","volume":"89 1","pages":"Article 100679"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145774907","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficacy of a Natural Antimicrobial System as a Protective Hurdle Against Listeria monocytogenes and Lactic Acid Bacteria in Sliced Fully Cooked Coarse-Ground Cured Brazilian Calabrese Pork Sausage","authors":"Maria Stella de Azevedo Gonçalves,&nbsp;Ana Lúcia da Silva Correa Lemos,&nbsp;Marcia Mayumi Harada Haguiwara,&nbsp;Beatriz Thie Iamanaka,&nbsp;Renata Bromberg","doi":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100657","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100657","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Meat products, such as sliced Calabrese sausage, are widely consumed due to their convenience and affordability. In response to the increasing demand for healthier foods, the meat industry has sought to replace synthetic additives, particularly nitrites, with natural, clean-label alternatives, especially in cured products. Vegetables such as celery, beetroot, and Swiss chard, naturally rich in endogenous nitrates, have shown promising potential in this context. This study evaluated the effect of different antimicrobial compounds on the growth of <em>Listeria monocytogenes</em> in cooked, sliced Calabrese sausage stored at 4 °C for 75 days. Two inoculum levels (2.0 and 4.0 log CFU/g) were used to assess pathogen behavior. The alternative treatment, comprising preconverted celery juice extract, acerola powder, and cultured sugar and vinegar blend, consistently inhibited <em>L. monocytogenes</em> growth at both inoculation levels. Additionally, this treatment suppressed the growth of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which were monitored as spoilage indicators. The results suggest that the use of alternative antimicrobial additives, combined with intrinsic product characteristics such as a pH of 5.78 and water activity (a_w) below 0.948, constitutes an effective strategy for controlling <em>L. monocytogenes</em> in sliced cooked pork sausage. Consequently, this approach may enhance food safety and extend product shelf life during refrigerated storage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of food protection","volume":"88 12","pages":"Article 100657"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145426868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Long-Term Survival of Cronobacter sakazakii, Salmonella enterica, Listeria monocytogenes, and Enterobacter spp. in Powdered Infant Formula Based on Relative Humidity","authors":"Megan L. Fay ,&nbsp;Bashayer A. Khouja ,&nbsp;Robert Newkirk ,&nbsp;Emily Smith ,&nbsp;Jodie Ulaszek ,&nbsp;Diana S. Stewart ,&nbsp;Joelle K. Salazar","doi":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100670","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100670","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Powdered infant formula (PIF) has previously been shown to support the survival of bacterial foodborne pathogens including <em>Cronobacter sakazakii</em>, <em>Listeria monocytogenes</em>, and <em>Salmonella enterica</em> at various storage temperatures. However, the effect of long-term storage on bacterial survival under different relative humidity (RH) conditions is not well understood. In this study, milk-based powdered infant formula (water activity (a_w) = 0.27) was inoculated individually with cocktails of <em>Salmonella enterica</em>, <em>Enterobacter</em> spp., <em>Cronobacter sakazakii,</em> or <em>Listeria monocytogenes</em> and stored at 25 °C under controlled relative humidity (RH) levels of 23, 33, 43, 53, or 75%. Bacterial populations and PIF a_w were measured at intervals up to 360 days. The highest a_w of 0.39 was recorded for PIF stored under 75% RH after 90 d or at 53% RH after 360 d; however, these levels also resulted in significant bacterial population reductions of &gt;1 log CFU/g after 60–120 d and 60–180 d, respectively, with <em>L. monocytogenes</em> being the least desiccation-resistant of those tested. RH levels between 23 and 43% did not result in a significant change in a_w over 360 d; however, bacterial populations did decrease, but to a lesser extent than for the higher RH levels. Population reductions for all bacteria were ≤3.50 log CFU/g after 360 d. All four bacteria examined in this study persisted in PIF for ≥90 d without a significant decrease in population regardless of RH storage conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of food protection","volume":"88 12","pages":"Article 100670"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145564092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Corrigendum to “Antibacterial Mechanism of Garviecin LG34 Against S. Aureus and L. Monocytogenes and its Application in Milk Preservation” [J. Food Prot. 87 (2024) 100345]","authors":"Yurong Gao,&nbsp;Dapeng Li","doi":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100669","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100669","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":15903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of food protection","volume":"88 12","pages":"Article 100669"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145564152","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of a Coinoculation Method for Salmonella enterica and Enterococcus faecium NRRL B-2354 on Whole and Broken Almonds Exposed to Dry Heat","authors":"Yucen Xie ,&nbsp;Christopher Theofel ,&nbsp;Vanessa Lieberman ,&nbsp;Linda J. Harris","doi":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100644","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100644","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Traditional laboratory-based pathogen-surrogate comparison studies often involve inoculating each organism onto separate samples, which can subsequently introduce variability due to differences in food microenvironments and processing conditions. Coinoculating pathogens and surrogates onto the same sample minimizes this variability by subjecting both microorganisms to identical conditions. This study evaluated a coinoculation method for comparing the thermal resistance of <em>Salmonella enterica</em> and <em>Enterococcus faecium</em> on whole and broken almonds exposed to 168 °C for up to 12 min. Selective media were validated for accurate differentiation and enumeration of coinoculated wild-type or rifampin-resistant <em>Salmonella</em> and <em>E. faecium</em> on almonds. The media reliably distinguished and quantified each organism, with no cross-recovery observed. Reductions in <em>Salmonella</em> were not significantly different between wild-type and rifampin-resistant strains, nor between CHROMagar Salmonella and tryptic soy agar supplemented with rifampin at 50 μg/mL (<em>P</em> &gt; 0.05). <em>E. faecium</em> demonstrated similar or greater thermal resistance compared to coinoculated <em>Salmonella</em>, supporting its use as a surrogate during dry heat treatment of almonds. While no significant difference in <em>Salmonella</em> reduction was observed between whole and broken almonds, greater reductions of <em>E. faecium</em> were observed on broken almonds, suggesting that almond structure may influence microbial thermal responses in a species-dependent manner. The findings support the utility of coinoculation for laboratory-based pathogen-surrogate comparison studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":15903,"journal":{"name":"Journal of food protection","volume":"88 12","pages":"Article 100644"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2025-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145318352","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}