RTD Pillar 3 Seafood safety

Although seafood is, in general, regarded as a wholesome safe and nutritious food it may, on occasion pose consumer risks in particular in the area of human enteric viruses contaminating bivalve molluscs, pathogenic bacteria (Vibrio species), and formation of biogenic amines (histamine poisoning).

 

In the first project the main objective is the development and validation of quantitative and standardised methods for the detection of hepatitis A virus and Norovirus in shellfish into the ISO (International Standard Organisation) standard.  This will improve the insufficient existing controls and consumer protection.

 

The main objective in the second project is to identify the key environmental factors responsible for viral contamination in shellfish harvesting areas using the standardised virus methods and to develop early warning systems for viral contamination using a risk based management strategy based upon HACCP procedures. This would permit the introduction of such improved primary production controls.

 

The third project has as its main objectives the strongly needed development and standardisation of both molecular and classical methods for enumeration and characterisation of Vibrios species in seafood, and perform the much needed harmonisation of these methods across Europe.

 

In the fourth project the main objective is to examine a novel approach for reducing the high incidence of seafood poisoning caused by biogenic amines still observed in Europe and to develop predictive mathematical models for storage conditions reducing histamine food poisoning.

 

Report available for download in the SEAFOODplus Publication Series:

SEAFOODplus report 3.0.0 Bill Doré,  Control of public health
risks associated with sewage-contaminated shellfish - A summary of current control measures and technical developments, 22 pages, 2007. ISBN  978-87-7075-002-8

Download report

 

For information about the Pillar 3 projects in Italian, please go to the NCP page for Italy.

 

Seafood safety projects

Project 3.1 REFHEPA
Development of standard reference methods for hepatitis A virus and Norovirus in bivalve molluscan shellfish
Project 3.2 REDRISK
Reduction of risk in shellfish harvesting areas
Project 3.3 SEABAC
3 Seafood: Enhanced assessment of bacterial associated contamination
Project 3.4 BIOCOM
Biogenic amines in seafoods - assessment and management of consumer exposure