Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T12:41:01.911Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Contamination of hands and work surfaces with Salmonella enteritidis PT4 during the preparation of egg dishes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 October 2009

T. J. Humphrey
Affiliation:
Food Unit, Public Health Laboratory, Church Lane, Heavitree, Exeter EX2 5AD
K. W. Martin
Affiliation:
Food Unit, Public Health Laboratory, Church Lane, Heavitree, Exeter EX2 5AD
A. Whitehead
Affiliation:
Food Unit, Public Health Laboratory, Church Lane, Heavitree, Exeter EX2 5AD
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Salmonella enteritidis PT4 was recovered from fingers following the breaking of intact shell eggs artificially contaminated in the contents with the bacterium. Kitchen utensils used to mix egg dishes were salmonella-positive, sometimes after washing. Following the preparation of batter or the mixing of eggs, S. enteritidis was recovered from work surfaces over 40 cm from the mixing bowl. The bacterium survived well in thin, dry films of either batter or egg and, from an initial level of one cell per cm2, could be recovered from formica work surfaces 24 h after contamination.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1994

References

1.Roberts, D. Factors contributing to outbreaks of foodborno infection and intoxication in England and Wales 1970–1982. In: 2nd World Congress Foodborno Infections and Intoxication, Berlin 1980, vol. 1: 157–9.Google Scholar
2.Brown, P, Kidd, D, Riordan, T, Ra, BarrellAn outbreak of foodborno Campyhbaeter jejuni infection and the possible role of cross-contamination. J Infect 1988; 17: 171–6.Google ScholarPubMed
3.Kav, Cartwright, Bg, Evans. Salmon as a food poisoning vehicle – two successive salmonella outbreaks. Epidemiol Infect 1988; 101: 249–57.Google Scholar
4.WR, Sanborn. The relation of surface contamination to the transmission of disease. Am J PubHlth 1903; 53: 1278–83.Google Scholar
5.De Boer, E, Hnhne, M. Cross-contamination with Campylohacter jejuni and Salmonella spp. from raw chicken products during food preparation. J Food Protect 1990; 53: 1067–8.Google ScholarPubMed
6.Hc, Dawkins, Fj, Bolton, Dn, Hutchinson. A study of the spread of Campylobacter jejuni in four large kitchens. J Hyg 1984; 92: 357–64.Google Scholar
7.Jc, De Wit, Broekhuizen, G, Eh, Kampelmacher. Cross-contamination during the preparation of frozen chickens in the kitchen. J Hyg 1979; 83: 2732.Google Scholar
8.Tj, HumphreyWhitehead, AAhl, Gawler, Henley, A, Howe, B. Numbers of Salmonella enlerUUlis in the contents of naturally contaminated hens' eggs. Epidemiol Infect 1991; 106: 489–96.Google Scholar
9.Salvat, G, Protais, J, Lahellec, C, Colin, P. Excretion rate of Salmonella enteritidis in laying hens following a production of S.enteritidis-contaminated eggs responsible for foodborne disease. In: Rwaw, Mulder, Aw, de Vries, eds. Quality of poultry products. III. Safety and marketing aspects. Spelderholt Centre for Poultry Research and Information Services, Beekbergen, The Netherlands 1991: 3542.Google Scholar
10.Tj, HumphreyGreenwood, MRj, GilbertPa, Chapman, Rowe, B. The survival of salmonellas in shell eggs under simulated domestic conditions. Epidemiol Infect 1989; 103: 3542.Google Scholar
11.Anonymous. Raw shell eggs. EL/88/P13G. London: Department of Health. 1988.Google Scholar
12.Anonymous. Eggs and salmonella – the facts. British Egg Industry Council, London, UK. 1994.Google Scholar
13.Sl, Mawer, Ge, Spain, Rowe, B. Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 and hens' eggs. Lancet 1989; i: 280–1.Google Scholar
14.Tj, Humphrey, Jg, Cruickshank, Rowe, B. Salmonella enteritidis phage type 4 and hens' eggs. Lancet 1989; i: 281.Google Scholar
15.Tj, Humphrey, Whitehead, A. Egg age and the growth of Salmonella enteritidis PT4 in egg contents. Epidemiol Infect 1993; 111: 209–19.Google Scholar
16.Scott, E, Sf, Bloomfield. The survival and transfer of microbial contamination via cloths, hands and utensils. J Appl Bacteriol 1990; 68: 271–8.Google ScholarPubMed
17.Jvs, Pether, Rj, Gilbert. The survival of salmonellas on finger-tips and transfer of the organisms to food. J Hyg 1971; 69: 673–81.Google Scholar
18.Tj, Humphrey, Pa, Chapman, Rowe, B, Rj, Gilbert. A comparative study of the heat resistance of salmonellas in homogenized whole egg, egg yolk or albumen. Epidemiol Infect 1990; 104: 237–41.Google Scholar