Molecular Technologies for Salmonella Detection"

Salmonella has been associated with some of the most devastating foodborne outbreaks in recent history. Salmonella outbreaks have been linked to a variety of foods including produce [Alfalfa Sprouts2009, 2010, 2011; pistachios-2009; cantaloupes-2008, 2011 etc.], processed foods [peanuts – 2009], and prepared foods [turkey burgers2011, Banquet Pot Pies – 2007]. The contamination of commercial shell eggs with Salmonella Enteriditis in 2010 led to the recall of over a half a billion eggs, and the contamination of peanut-containing products with Salmonella Typhimurium in 2008-2009 led to one of the largest recalls in U.S. history with over 3,900 products being recalled. The Peanut Corporation of America, responsible for the Salmonella outbreak in peanuts, was forced into bankruptcy. Multiple lawsuits were filed against Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms responsible for the Salmonella outbreak in eggs. Despite their own internal testing which showed Salmonella contamination, these facilities still shipped product. The 2008 outbreak of Salmonella in jalapeno peppers resulted in 1442 persons infected with Salmonella Saintpaul across 43 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada. Unfortunately, the tomato industry was implicated early in the investigation, which resulted in economic losses to the tomato industry in hundreds of millions of dollars. Because Salmonella is widespread in the environment (in such places as chicken houses), vegetable plants and animals (as well as meat samples, eggs etc.), rapid, reliable, and validated pathogen detection methods are needed for use in production facilities, public health labs, as well as in the regulatory and monitoring agencies. To provide comprehensive rapid food testing solutions, all components of a pathogen detection system should be addressed: sample preparation, detection and data analysis.