John S. Gecan

Fresh and Frozen Shrimp: A Profile of Filth, Microbiologica! Contamination, and Decomposition

A 2-year nationwide survey was conducted by the Food and Drug Administration to provide current information about filth, decomposition, and microbiological contamination of domestic and imported fresh and frozen shrimp. Whole or equivalent filth insects, mostly ants, were found in 14.4% of the samples. Of countries contributing at least 10 samples for filth analysis, India had the highest percentage positive for filth insects (45.5%); the United States had the lowest (6.3%). Filth insect fragments were present in 5.4% of the samples. Incidental insects were present in 6.3% of the samples, with flies the most commonly found. Of countries contributing at least 10 samples for filth analysis, India had the highest percentage positive for incidental insects (27.3%); Ecuador had the lowest (2.3%). Unidentified insect fragments were found in 33.3% of the samples; cockroach excreta pellets were present in 2.1%, rat or mouse hairs in 5.7%, and other striated animal hairs in 15.3%. Of countries contributing at least 10 samples for filth analysis, the Philippines had the highest percentages positive (30.0 and 50.0%) for rat or mouse hairs and other striated hairs, respectively; Malaysia was close behind with 23.1 and 46.2%. Samples from the United States had the lowest percentage positive for rat or mouse hairs (0.9%) and other striated hairs (7.2%). Listeria spp. were found in 6.8% of the samples; Salmonella spp. were found in 8.1%. Some level of decomposition was observed in 15.4% of the samples tested organoleptically.

Microanalytical quality of canned crabmeat, sardines, and tuna

A 1-year national retail market survey was made to determine the sanitary quality of canned crabmeat, sardines and tuna. The official methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists were used to count light filth such as whole or equivalent flies, insect fragments, rodent hair fragments, whole feathers or feather fragments and feather barbules. Over 4000 samples of 200 g (crabmeat) or 225 g (sardines and tuna) were analyzed; filth levels were generally low. Maximum counts for each defect were 8 whole or equivalent flies for canned sardines, 18 insect fragments for canned crabmeat, 3 rodent hair fragments for canned crabmeat and tuna, 2 whole feathers or feather fragments for canned crabmeat and 5 feather barbules for canned crabmeat. Percent of samples containing each defect ranged as follows: whole or equivalent flies, 0.2% for canned sardines and tuna to 1.8% for canned crabmeat; insect fragments, 0.5% for canned sardines to 11.1% for canned crabmeat; rodent hair fragments, 0.3% for canned sardines to 4.7% for canned crabmeat; whole feathers or feather fragments, 0.0% for canned tuna to 0.2% for canned crabmeat; and feather barbules, 0.4% for canned crabmeat to 1.4% for canned tuna.

Microanalytical Quality of Ground and Unground Marjoram, Sage and Thyme, Ground Allspice, Black Pepper and Paprika

A 3-year national retail market survey was made to determine the sanitary quality of ground and unground marjoram, sage and thyme, and ground allspice, black pepper and paprika. The official methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists were used to count light filth such as insect fragments, rodent hair fragments, feather barbules, mites, thrips and aphids. Insect fragments were the most frequently encountered defect, with count means ranging from 7.8 for 10 g of ground allspice to 287.7 for 10 g of ground thyme. The percent of samples containing insect fragments ranged from 70.8 to 99.6 for ground allspice and ground thyme, respectively. Other counts ranged as follows: rodent hair fragments, 0 to 200 (for 10 g of ground sage); feather barbules, 0 to 60 (for 10 g of ground sage); mites, 0 to 999 (for 25 g of unground thyme); thrips, 0 to 99 (for 25 g of unground thyme); aphids, 0 to 116 (for 10 g of ground sage). Howard mold counts of paprika ranged from 0 to 99%, with a mean of 2.8%.

Rodent excreta contamination and insect damage of wheat.

A survey was made to determine the levels of insect damage and rodent excreta pellets in wheat. The analytical data obtained represented the various grade designations of wheat normally encountered during wheat grade certification in the 34 Agricultural Marketing Service, Grain Division, field offices. The mean and range of weights of insect-damaged kernels per 100 g and rodent excreta pellets and pellet fragments per kilogram were 71.5 mg (0-3809 mg) and 0.9 mg (0-100 mg), respectively. The mean and range of numbers of insect-damaged kernels and rodent excreta pellets were 3.3 (0-169) and 0.1 (0-11), respectively. The percentages of samples containing insect-damaged kernels and rodent excreta were approximately 35 and 7%, respectively.

Toxic mushroom contamination of wild mushrooms in commercial distribution

Poisonings caused by ingestion of toxic, wild-picked morel mushrooms have been reported to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Problems occur when collectors of wild mushrooms inadvertently include toxic look-alike species with the edible wild species offered for sale. A 2-year survey conducted by the FDA showed 21% of the morel and 15% of the wild mixed mushrooms were contaminated with toxic look-alike species. These contaminants contain toxins that produce symptoms ranging from dizziness and gastrointestinal distress to liver and heart damage. Present regulatory controls include FDA Import Alerts for morels contaminated with Gyromitra esculenta and Verpa bohemica , a Michigan state regulation requiring licensing of harvesters of wild mushrooms, and an Illinois state regulation prohibiting the sale of wild-picked mushrooms through retail outlets. American consumers, unable to distinguish between edible and toxic look-alike wild mushrooms, may face illness and possibly death from products purchased on the normally well-regulated U.S. consumer market.

Analytical Techniques for Glass Contamination of Food: A Guide for Administrators and Analysts

An analytical scheme is presented to provide an overview of techniques applicable to glass contamination in a variety of consumer products. Procedures are referenced or presented in detail, with emphasis on quality assurance. References on forensic and analytical methods for the examination of glass are provided.

Microanalytical Quality of Canned Collard, Creecy, Kale, Mustard, and Turnip Greens

A 1-year national retail market survey was made to determine the sanitary quality of canned collard, creecy (land cress), kale, mustard, and turnip greens. The official methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists were used to count light filth such as aphids, thrips, mites, moth larvae, and beetle larvae. Analysis of 997 samples of canned greens weighing 100 g showed filth levels lowest for kale and highest for mustard greens. Maximum counts for defects in each canned green were 71 aphids, thrips, and mites and 7 moth and beetle larvae for canned collard greens; 309 aphids, thrips, and mites and 10 moth and beetle larvae for canned creecy greens; 31 aphids, thrips, and mites and 0 moth and beetle larvae for canned kale greens; 547 aphids, thrips, and mites and 12 moth and beetle larvae for canned mustard greens; and 530 aphids, thrips, and mites and 8 moth and beetle larvae for canned turnip greens. Percent of samples containing each defect ranged as follows: aphids, thrips and mites, 25.0% for canned kale greens to 77.9% for canned mustard greens; moth and beetle larvae, 0% for canned kale greens to 38.5% for canned creecy greens.

Effects of Processing Equipment on Howard Mold and Rot Fragment Counts of Tomato Catsup

Two studies were done to determine the effects of processing equipment on Howard mold and rot fragment counts of tomato catsup. In a pilot plant study in 1980, batches of catsup with known cut-out rot levels were produced and processed through various types of comminution equipment. Urschel and Fitzpatrick mills and homogenizers at 500 to 700 and 1500 to 2000 psi increased mold counts more than twofold over the range of data obtained. Contrary to previous reports, Urschel mills increased rot counts significantly. A nationwide survey was conducted in 1983 to determine if similar effects would be found with well-characterized commercial products. Data were obtained on inline and finished products from 164 lots of catsup produced at 16 plants located across the country. Urschel and Fitzpatrick mills tended to increase mold counts over twofold and caused a slight increase in rot counts. High pressure homogenizers (≥2000 psi) tended to decrease mold counts; low pressure homogenizers (<2000 psi) increased them. Homogenization at any pressure reduced rot counts dramatically. Although mold counts were highest for catsup produced in the eastern United States and lowest for catsup produced in the West, milling and low pressure homogenization were also most prevalent in the East and least prevalent in the West. When the effects of these types of comminution were removed, the difference between regions diminished. Compared with the norm, rainfall levels for the growing regions involved in this survey were fairly typical.

Microanalytical Quality of Macaroni and Noodles

A survey was conducted to determine the sanitary quality of macaroni and noodle products. The official method of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists was used to recover light filth such as insect fragments, whole or equivalent insects and rodent hair fragments from 225-g samples of macaroni and noodles (764 units of macaroni and 725 units of egg noodles). Insect fragments, the most frequently encountered defect, were found in 66% of the macaroni product samples and 83% of the egg noodle samples. Insect fragment counts ranged from 0 to 317 with a mean of 4.3 for macaroni products and 0 to 343 with a mean of 6.8 for egg noodles. Ranges of other defect counts in macaroni products were 0 to 5 for rodent hair fragments and 0 to 9 for whole or equivalent insects. Ranges of other defects in egg noodles were 0 to 12 for rodent hair fragments and 0 to 17 for whole or equivalent insects.

Microanalytical Quality of Ground and Unground Oregano, Ground Cinnamon and Ground Nutmeg

A 3-year national retail market survey was made to determine the sanitary quality of ground and unground oregano, ground nutmeg and ground cinnamon. The official methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists were used to count light filth such as insect fragments, rodent hair fragments, feather barbules, mites, aphids and thrips. Insect fragments were the most frequently encountered defect, with count means ranging from 27.9 to 265.7. The percent of samples containing insect fragments ranged from 92.0 to 97.5 for unground and ground oregano, respectively. Other counts ranged as follows: rodent hair fragments, 0 to 703; feather barbules, 0 to 99; mites, 0 to 52; thrips, 0 to 95; aphids, 0 to 209.