Norovirus (NoV) contamination in food is an emerging concern for the food processing industry. This highly contagious virus is responsible for causing outbreaks of foodborne illness all around the world. It can easily spread through contaminated food, surfaces, and even from person to person. As a result, food processing companies must take steps to prevent norovirus in food.
In this blog post, we will discuss the potential risks of norovirus contamination in food and provide tips on how to keep your processing safe from this harmful virus.
Understanding the Threat: What is Norovirus and Why is it Dangerous?
Norovirus (NoV) is an enteric non-enveloped virus belonging to the Caliciviridae family and Norovirus genus. t is estimated to be 27–35 nm in diameter, and its virion is highly stable under extremely hostile conditions. This includes a range of pHs (pH 3 to 7) and temperatures as high as 60 °C. Therefore indicates the difficulty of eradicating and controlling its spread using routine food safety measures.
NoV is a group of single-stranded RNA viruses that primarily cause acute gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and/or intestines). Transmission happens from person to person, however, food acts as a carrier.
Noroviruses were previously called Norwalk or Norwalk-like viruses. They were named after the original Norwalk strain, which caused an outbreak of gastroenteritis in a school in Norwalk, Ohio in 1968.Shellfish was the first most affected earlier…….
How Norovirus Affects the Food Processing Industry
Norovirus has a significant impact on the food processing industry. Poses a serious threat to the safety of food products and the well-being of consumers. Norovirus transmission through food is a major concern, as infected food handlers can easily contaminate the products they handle. It happens during improper hygiene after using toilets. Therefore contaminate the surfaces and food they come in contact with.
Another major concern with NoV is fresh produce is prone to risk during contaminated irrigation. The presence of norovirus in fresh produce is particularly worrisome. It can be challenging to eradicate the virus because growth happens during freezing too.
This can lead to foodborne norovirus outbreaks. It causes severe gastrointestinal symptoms and potential harm to the public. To combat this threat, strict adherence to food safety regulations is crucial. The food processing industry must remain vigilant in implementing effective strategies to prevent norovirus contamination and protect both their products and their customers.
Effective Strategies for Preventing Norovirus Contamination
Preventing norovirus contamination in food requires implementing effective strategies to ensure the safety of products and protect consumers. Some crucial steps are:
- Prevent norovirus transmission through food.
- This can be achieved by thoroughly training and educating food handlers about the risks and proper hygiene practices.
- Additionally, regularly sanitising food surfaces, utensils, and equipment is essential in eliminating norovirus and preventing its spread.
- Another key consideration is addressing norovirus in fresh produce. This involves implementing strict protocols for sourcing, handling, and processing produce.
- Infected Food Handlers must stay away from food processing for 48 hours.
By following these strategies, the food processing industry can significantly reduce the occurrence of foodborne norovirus outbreaks and safeguard public health.
Technology as a Tool: Innovation in Food Safety
With the advancement of technology, the food processing industry has the opportunity to embrace innovation in food safety measures to combat norovirus contamination. One key area where technology can be utilised is in sanitising food surfaces.
Automated cleaning systems and disinfecting agents can help ensure thorough and consistent sanitation, reducing the risk of norovirus transmission. Additionally, digital monitoring systems can be implemented to track and record food safety practices, allowing for easier identification of potential risks.
By embracing technology as a tool, food processing companies can enhance their ability to prevent norovirus contamination and safeguard the health of consumers.
Author: Meera Jacob
A Food Safety Officer and Food Technologist in nature. Auditing and observing food safety systems is a prior interest. Writing and describing my experience is another passion. The food Industry is a diverse area with food safety as its prime focus to flourish. And that makes me more enthusiastic to work on various Non-Conformances and Risk Analysis. Happy Food Safetying to all Food Safety Professionals !!!
