Editorial

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Biofilms on food contact materials represent public health issues because they are resistant to cleaning and disinfection. This study aims to assess the <italic>Bacillus cereus</italic> biofilm formation capacity on silicone, polyethylene terephthalate, Teflon, and aluminium food contact materials. The biofilm biomass was analysed with the crystal violet assay method. We used the standard strain <italic>B. cereus</italic> CCM 2010, wild strain <italic>B. cereus</italic> 100 and spores of those two strains. The results show that both the vegetative form the bacteria and it spores form large amounts of biofilm on silicone, followed by polyethylene terephthalate, Teflon, and aluminium. More detailed analysis has shown that spores form more biomass on all materials in comparison to the vegetative form and that the standard strains form low levels of biofilm in contrast to the wild strains. Selecting proper material with the lowest biofilm formation potential can prevent or reduce food contamination and consequently increase food safety.</abstract>

Biofilm formation capacity of <italic>Bacillus cereus</italic> on silicone, polyethylene terephthalate, Teflon, and aluminium food contact materials

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">It is clear that there is an increasing proportion of the United Kingdom (UK) population who are suffering with food allergies and this combined with an increase in the frequency of eating away from home (where there is less control over the content of food) poses a significant risk. In December 2014, the European Union (EU) introduced legislation which aimed to ensure that customers with food allergens could make informed choices and safely consume food, without the risk of a potentially life-threatening reaction. The research used semi-structured interviews with staff from a BCB, located in the North West of the UK, as the aim of the research was to explore food handlers’ knowledge, attitudes and understanding of food allergens. The findings of the semi-structured interviews identified five themes: E-learning training programmes: the staff felt that these were ineffective and did not take into account individual learning styles. Responsibility: there is a lack of clarity as to who is responsible, with staff believing the key responsibility lies with the customer. Communication: similarly, communication, both within the kitchen and within the company was not clear and likely to give rise to confusion. Need to make a profit: the staff felt that the drive for profit meant that customer safety was being compromised, especially when staff numbers were reduced. Staff awareness: the staff felt confident in their own ability to prepare a safe meal but indicated that staff may be dismissive towards claims of allergen sufferers. In conclusion, these themes illustrate that a significant risk exists for allergen suffers, who rely upon the knowledge, attitudes and understanding of BCB staff to ensure their meals are safely prepared.</abstract>

Public Health Institute, Faculty of Health, Education and Community

“How can you be allergic to peas?” – A qualitative study to explore food handler’s knowledge, attitudes and understanding of food allergens

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Teaching microbiological food safety and food safety in general at the primary school level is crucial, because behaviour is more easily influenced at that stage. The purpose of this review was to identify challenges in the education of primary school children related to microbiological food safety and to review the type of activities published and evaluated in the scientific literature targeting primary school children. The most frequently applied approach in the reviewed studies is target population-tailored workshops. The knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) model is most widely used for evaluation purposes, based mostly on the self-report and recall levels. Studies that compared theoretical and practical educational approaches unanimously demonstrated that theoretical awareness is not effective for changing and maintaining appropriate behaviour, whereas experiences had a significant impact. The review highlighted the differences and deficiencies in home economic teachers regarding formal education. The development of proper teaching methodologies and educators seems to be the key to the achievement of aware, confident, and skilled students (on the consumer level) during primary education.</abstract>

Challenges and strategies in the education of primary school children related to microbiological food safety – a review

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Rotavirus is the important cause of acute gastroenteritis in pediatric patients. The aim of the present research was to determine the incidence of rotavirus infections in infants and children up to seven years of age in the town of Niš. Seasonal prevalence of rotavirus-associated acute gastroenteritis was also evaluated. An enzyme immunoassay (RIDASCREEN® Rotavirus; R-Biopharm AG, Darmstadt, Germany) was used to detect rotavirus in the stool specimens of 1,156 patients (newborns up to 7 years of age) presenting with gastroenteritis. Identification of bacteria and yeasts was performed by classical methods. The overall incidence of rotavirus in examined children was 5.97%. Among 144 hospitalized children, rotavirus infection was diagnosed in 28 (19.44%). In 1,012 children treated in outpatient setting for diarrheal diseases, rotaviruses were found in 41 (4.05%). The highest incidence of rotavirus infection was among the patients of one year of age. Among 1,156 pediatric children tested, bacterial pathogens were found in 6.31% and the most frequently isolated pathogens were <italic>Campylobacter</italic> spp. and <italic>Salmonella</italic> e<italic>nteritidis.</italic> The highest prevalence of GE was recorded in the colder season, peaking in April (15.94%). Rotaviruses are an important factor in the etiology of the acute diarrheal diseases, especially in children hospitalized during the winter/spring season.</abstract>

Center for Microbiology, Public Health Institute Niš

The incidence of rotavirus infection compared to bacterial infections in different age groups of pediatric patients with gastroenteritis

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Volume 13 (2019): Issue 1 (December 2019)

Sanitarno inženirstvo International Journal of Sanitary Engineering Research

 Sanitarno inženirstvo / International Journal of Sanitary Engineering Research (IJSER) publishes the latest scientific achievements and results of applied research and professional achievements of scientists and experts in the field of sanitary engineering, public health, medicine, environmental health, ecology, occupational safety, the hazardous chemicals, and other related topics.  IJSER is interested in:   consequences of human exposure to the biological, chemical, and physical environment,  risk assessment and risk management,  applied epidemiology,  occupational hygiene,  hygiene in facilities and working processes,  control of communicable diseases,  quality and safety of drinking water,  management of food quality and food safety,  sanitation,  environmental control and safety,  fate and transport of contaminants on watersheds, in surface waters, in groundwater, in the soil, and in the atmosphere,  environmental biology, microbiology, chemistry,  fluid mechanics, and physical processes that control natural concentrations and dispersion of waste in the air, water, and soil,  non-point source pollution on watersheds, in streams, in groundwater, in lakes, and in estuaries and coastal areas,  management of solid waste,  treatment, management, and control of hazardous wastes,  wastewater collection and treatment,  pest control.   This is not an exhaustive list, and the editors will consider articles on any issue relating to public health, environmental health, or engineering in the context of the previous two fields.  The interdisciplinary scope of the publication also extends to the fields of research that are theoretically and methodologically natural sciences but are also significant for wider society, which means that the range of the research also integrates social science. Topics of research in the fields such as food irradiation, the genotoxicity of natural chemicals, the handling of organic waste and oils from kitchens, eco-remediation – ecosystem environmental technologies must be supplemented with research in the social field. For example, only by studying habits related to the improper handling of waste can certain answers be found for the quality of the environment and human health.  In the journal, in addition to the latest research and the transfer of skills into practice, we also publish information about scientific and professional meetings both in Slovenia and throughout the world. The domestic scientists and experts are familiar with the latest research in Slovenia through the journal, including the successful transfer of skills into practice.  In addition, we want to encourage the participation of experts from the areas EU and beyond. With the participation and with the publishing of technical and scientific articles, we will encourage joint projects, research and contribute to the greater visibility of the sciences as well as the promotion of experts.  Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process.

Sanitarno inženirstvo International Journal of Sanitary Engineering Research

Volume 13 (2019): Issue 1 (December 2019)

Editorial

Biofilm formation capacity of Bacillus cereus on silicone, polyethylene terephthalate, Teflon, and aluminium food contact materials

“How can you be allergic to peas?” – A qualitative study to explore food handler’s knowledge, attitudes and understanding of food allergens

Challenges and strategies in the education of primary school children related to microbiological food safety – a review

The incidence of rotavirus infection compared to bacterial infections in different age groups of pediatric patients with gastroenteritis

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