Infectious microorganisms in fresh, imported vegetables

Kari DommarsnesKari DommarsnesSeniorinspektørSeniorinspektørMattilsynet Mattilsynet (The Norwegian Food Safety Authority)

Background

• Large proportion of fruit / vegetables consumed in Norway must be imported

• Increase in imports = increase in challenges regarding infectious agents

• Control programs for importing vegetables from “third countries” are less strict than for animal products

• RASFF annual report 2011• Audit project – 2007: leafy vegetables and herbs from

Southeast Asia• Mattilsynet’s audit area for plants, plant products and

vegetable foodstuffs• Recommendations in the 2013 national budget that

Mattilsynet prioritize the assessment of imported vegetable foodstuffs

Main objectives How achieved, examples

1. Strengthen "Mattilsynet's" and industry's knowledge related to infectious agents in fresh, imported, vegetables

- Obtain data by conducting audits and sampling- Guidance in connection with inspection

2. Contribute to a more risk-based and unified inspection of fruit and vegetable importers

- Project based on risk-based assessments - Training seminar / Kick-off for the inspectors- Project Supervisor- Standardized checklists and sample setup in "MATS"

3. Educate importers about their responsibility to ensure products they supply are safe

- Highlighting regulatory requirements in connection with audits by reviewing procedures and sampling- Final report and final meeting with industry

4. Inform consumers about risks associated with consumption of certain vegetables

- Detection of positive samples are immediately reported on "Matportalen"- Evaluate development of consumer-oriented information- Publish final report on "Mattilsynet's" website

Salmonella, Campylobacter and E. coli detection

14 of 154 shipments (9 %) were considered unfit for human consumption:

•Salmonella detected in 4 shipments:

- Basil from Laos

- Spinach from Sri Lanka

- Two different herbs from Thailand (Rice Paddy Herb and Horse Radish Three Shoot)

•Campylobacter detected in 1 shipment from Italy

•E. coli detected in 37 shipments

• 23 shipments > 100 cfu/g

• 9 shipments classified as a health hazard

•These 14 shipments were withdrawn from the market and reported to RASFF.

 

Summary • Pathogenic bacteria detected more frequently in products imported from

third countries than in products from the EU• Importers have generally satisfactory systems for product traceability and

withdrawal, although products are not often labeled with lot numbers or dates.

• Many discrepancies regarding procedures for evaluation of new products and new suppliers, hazard analysis and internal control samples:

• 50 % of importers have inadequate procedures for evaluation of new products and new suppliers

• 67 % of the importers had not carried out a satisfactory risk analysis with regard to infectious agents in imported products

• 70 % of importers do not test for infectious agents nor request such documentation from their suppliers

• 24 of the businesses received unsatisfactory marks in one or more of the checkpoints regarding compliance with internal control regulations

- The requirement for internal control systems has existed since 1993•  

Conclusion

• Significant risk of infectious agents in leafy green vegetables and herbs imported from outside the EU, but there is also a risk related to the import of such products from warmer countries within the EU.

• 70 % of the audited firms do not meet the minimum internal control standards to ensure compliance with regulations.• A large proportion of the importers have not prioritized or not seen

the benefits of introducing internal controls.• Regulatory compliance lacking with 87% of the importers

• The severity of the non-compliances varies but findings show the majority have inadequate control over the risk of occurrence of pathogenic microbes (bacteria, viruses and parasites) in the products they import

• The lack of compliance may allow importation and marketing of contaminated products leading to consumer illness.

 

What do we expect from the industry?

• Increased expertise and understanding of the importance of a well-functioning and pro-active internal control system• Conduct risk analysis• Functioning procedures for evaluation of suppliers and

products• Verifiable internal control systems

Project group’s recommendations for follow-up:

• Prioritize follow-up audit of importers and active use of escalating measures

• Develop guidance materials for businesses• Improve internal procedures within Mattilsynet

• Sampling module in our computer system and sampling instructions

Project report

http://www.mattilsynet.no/mat_og_vann/import_av_mat/kommersiell_import_av_mat/helsefarlige_gronnsaker_kan_havne_paa_middagsbordet.12873