Report of the Scientific Committee of the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) on the applicable microbiological criteria for pathogenic species of the genus Vibrio in imported fishery products, as additional control measures at border inspection posts
New article published in Revista del Comité Científico de la AESAN
September 30th, 2010
Rodriguez-Ferri EF., Bosch A., Cepeda A., Dominguez L., Otero A., Zurera G., Carrasco E., Perez F. and Valero A.
The present report aims to determine the currency of the present system for health-related control of frozen fishery products at border inspection posts, with regard to the pathogenic species of the genus Vibrio and more specifically, V. cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus and V. vulnificus.
In view of the current scientific knowledge and risk assessment, the of microbiological criteria at border inspection posts is justified as an additional and complementary control measure. With regard to V. cholerae specifically, it is recommended to apply a zero-tolerance criterion without distinguishing between serotypes. In case of serotypes other than O:1 and O:139, it is recommended to identify the products with the greatest risk for consumers and to adopt effective surveillance measures.
With respect to V. parahaemolyticus, the application of a maximum limit of 102 cfu/g is considered adequate and the microbiological criterion and sampling plan established at border inspection posts for this species are adequate and sufficient. In catches from areas at risk, a special surveillance plan should be established as a preliminary step for the adoption of another criterion.
Similarly, it is recommended to extend the surveillance over fish and shellfish from areas at risk to
V. vulnificus. In addition, it is recommended to keep certain caution with respect to the same areas (at risk) for any other species of Vibrio, particularly those considered here. Furthermore, it should be highlighted that the temperature at which fish and fish products are maintained is of critical importance in the control of potential outbreaks due to these micro-organisms.
In Spain, in light of available data, the risk of suffering illness due to the ingestion of contaminated fishery products can be generally classified as very low
 | Servicio de Zoonosis de Transmisión Alimentaria y Resistencia a Antimicrobianos (ZTA). Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Universidad Complutense (UCM). 111 |
| Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad Complutense (UCM). 111 |
