Application and improvement of swift quantitative microbiological risk assessment 2 tool in risk ranking of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in different categories of seafood

Abstract

Objective This research was to conduct quantitative microbial risk ranking of Vibrio parahaemolyticus (VP) in different categories of seafood using swift quantitative microbiological risk assessment 2 (sQMRA2) and to evaluate the impact of predictive model on the risk ranking result. Methods Based on the monitoring data of pathogenic microorganisms in seafood, the dietary consumption data, and parameters for storage, cross-contamination and cooking habits obtained from expert consultation in Dalian City in 2017, a deterministic quantitative risk ranking was conducted for different seafood-pathogenic VP combinations using sQMRA2 tool. Besides, the tool was improved by applying specific predictive models for different combinations to evaluate its influence on the final result. Results Shrimp-pathogenic VP combination had the highest per serving risk (1.2×10-5) and lead to the highest number of cases (5 000) among all the combinations. Predictive model had influence on the risk ranking result of the sQMRA2 tool. Conclusion Shrimp was the high-risk seafood leading to the incidence of VP in Dalian City from June to September in 2017. Avoiding cross contamination was the key to reduce the risk of VP in seafood. It was necessary to pay attention to the impact of predictive model on the result of risk ranking tool.

Keywords

• risk ranking
• quantitative
• seafood
• vibrio parahaemolyticus
• foodborne pathogenic bacteria
• risk assessment