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Campylobacteriosis contributes strongly to the disease burden of food-borne pathogens. Case-control studies are limited in attributing human infections to the different reservoirs because they can only trace back to the points of exposure, which may not point to the original reservoirs because of cross-contamination. Human Campylobacter infections can be attributed to specific reservoirs by estimating the extent of subtype sharing between strains from humans and reservoirs using multilocus sequence typing (MLST). We investigated risk factors for human campylobacteriosis caused by Campylobacter strains attributed to different reservoirs. Sequence types (STs) were determined for 696 C. jejuni and 41 C. coli strains from endemic human cases included in a case-control study. The asymmetric island model, a population genetics approach for modeling Campylobacter evolution and transmission, attributed these cases to four putative animal reservoirs (chicken, cattle, sheep, pig) and to the environment (water, sand, wild birds) considered as a proxy for other unidentified reservoirs. Most cases were attributed to chicken (66%) and cattle (21%), identified as the main reservoirs in The Netherlands. Consuming chicken was a risk factor for campylobacteriosis caused by chicken-associated STs, whereas consuming beef and pork were protective. Risk factors for campylobacteriosis caused by ruminant-associated STs were contact with animals, barbecuing in non-urban areas, consumption of tripe, and never/seldom chicken consumption. Consuming game and swimming in a domestic swimming pool during springtime were risk factors for campylobacteriosis caused by environment-associated STs. Infections with chicken- and ruminant-associated STs were only partially explained by food-borne transmission; direct contact and environmental pathways were also important. This is the first case-control study in which risk factors for campylobacteriosis are investigated in relation to the attributed reservoirs based on MLST profiles. Combining epidemiological and source attribution data improved campylobacteriosis risk factor identification and characterization, generated hypotheses, and showed that genotype-based source attribution is epidemiologically sensible.

Background Antimicrobial treatment protocols for foals with sepsis that do not improve clinically often are adjusted based on bacteriological and antimicrobial susceptibility testing results from samples collected at hospital admission. Objectives To evaluate whether hospitalization for ≥48 hours affects bacteriological and antimicrobial susceptibility testing results. Animals Two‐hundred sixty‐seven foals <30 days of age admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit and diagnosed with sepsis. Methods Medical records were reviewed retrospectively to identify foals with sepsis and positive bacteriological cultures. Results from samples collected at hospital admission were compared to those collected ≥48 hours after admission. Logistic regression for clustered data and exact logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Results Three‐hundred fifty‐three unique bacterial isolates were obtained from 231 foals at hospital admission and 92 unique bacterial isolates were obtained from 57 foals after ≥48 hours of hospitalization. Relative isolation frequency after ≥48 hours of hospitalization increased for Acinetobacter spp., 0.6% versus 3.3% (odds ratio [OR], 7.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28‐45.45); Enterococcus spp., 4.8% versus 19.6% (OR, 5.37; 95% CI, 2.64‐10.90); Klebsiella spp., 5.1% versus 10.9% (OR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.05‐4.89); Pseudomonas spp., 3.0% versus 7.6% (OR, 3.49; 95% CI, 3.49‐240.50); and Serratia spp., 3.0% versus 5.4% (OR, 20.23; 95% CI, 2.20‐186.14). Bacteria isolated after ≥48 hours of hospitalization were less susceptible to all tested antimicrobial drugs, except for imipenem. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Decreased antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria isolated after ≥48 hours of hospitalization provides a rationale for repeated bacteriological culture and susceptibility testing in hospitalized foals with sepsis.

The qualified presumption of safety (QPS) process was developed to provide a safety assessment approach for microorganisms intended for use in food or feed chains. In the period covered by this Statement, no new information was found that would change the status of previously recommended QPS taxonomic units (TUs). The TUs in the QPS list were updated based on a verification, against their respective authoritative databases, of the correctness of the names and completeness of synonyms. Of 54 microorganisms notified to EFSA between April and September 2024 (33 as feed additives, 17 as food enzymes or additives, 4 as novel foods), 50 were not evaluated because: 12 were filamentous fungi, 1 was Enterococcus faecium and 8 were Escherichia coli (all excluded from the QPS evaluation), and 29 were TUs that already have a QPS status. One notification (Ensifer adhaerens) was already evaluated in a previous Panel Statement. Another notification (Enterococcus lactis) was already evaluated in the previous 3‐year QPS cycle and was reassessed within this document. Two TUs were notified for the first time and were assessed for a possible QPS status: Serratia plymuthica and Lacticaseibacillus huelsenbergensis. Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus nakamurai have been assessed for a possible QPS status in response to internal requests. The following was concluded on the five assessed TUs. L. huelsenbergensis can be granted the QPS status based on its close relatedness to several other QPS Lacticaseibacillus species. E. lactis is not recommended for the QPS status due to insufficient information on safety. S. plymuthica and B. thuringiensis are not recommended for the QPS status due to safety concerns. B. nakamurai cannot be recommended for the QPS list due to a lack of body of knowledge for its use in the food and feed chain.

The qualified presumption of safety (QPS) process was developed to assess the safety of microorganisms used in food and feed chains. During the period covered by this Statement, no new information warranted changes to the status of previously recommended QPS taxonomic units. The QPS list was updated to verify the correctness of the names and the completeness of synonyms. Of the 47 microorganisms notified to EFSA between October 2024 and March 2025 (25 as feed additives, 7 as food enzymes or additives, 6 as novel foods, 8 as plant protection products and 1 as food contact materials), 41 were not evaluated. These latter included 11 filamentous fungi, 4 Escherichia coli and 1 Streptomyces spp. (all excluded from the QPS evaluation), and 25 already on the QPS list. Two of the other six notifications, Bacillus thuringiensis and Ensifer adhaerens, had been previously assessed. The remaining four were assessed for a possible QPS status. Bacillus sonorensis is recommended for the QPS list with the qualifications: ‘absence of bacitracin production ability’ and ‘absence of toxigenic activity’. Vibrio natriegens is also recommended but for ‘production purposes only’. Corynebacterium stationis is not recommended due to a limited body of knowledge on its occurrence in the food and feed chain and possible safety concerns in relation to human and animal health. Papilotrema terrestris is not recommended due to a limited body of knowledge. Furthermore, Lactobacillus paragasseri (formerly included in Lactobacillus gasseri) is recommended for the QPS list. The QPS approach can also be followed if the qualifications for QPS are met due to the removal of a gene(s) of concern, by means of genetic modification. For QPS yeasts, used as active agents (viable cells), the qualification ‘for production purposes only’ was added for when they are used as production strains or as biomass (non‐viable cells).

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)- and plasmid mediated AmpC-type cephalosporinase (pAmpC)-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL/pAmpC E. coli) in food-producing animals is a major public health concern. This study aimed at quantifying ESBL/pAmpC-E. coli occurrence and transfer in Italy's broiler production pyramid. Three production chains of an integrated broiler company were investigated. Cloacal swabs were taken from parent stock chickens and offspring broiler flocks in four fattening farms per chain. Carcasses from sampled broiler flocks were collected at slaughterhouse. Samples were processed on selective media, and E. coli colonies were screened for ESBL/pAmpC production. ESBL/pAmpC genes and E. coli phylogroups were determined by PCR and sequencing. Average pairwise overlap of ESBL/pAmpC E. coli gene and phylogroup occurrences between subsequent production stages was estimated using the proportional similarity index, modelling uncertainty in a Monte Carlo simulation setting. In total, 820 samples were processed, from which 513 ESBL/pAmpC E. coli isolates were obtained. We found a high prevalence (92.5%, 95%CI 72.1-98.3%) in day-old parent stock chicks, in which blaCMY-2 predominated; prevalence then dropped to 20% (12.9-29.6%) at laying phase. In fattening broilers, prevalence was 69.2% (53.6-81.3%) at the start of production, 54.2% (38.9-68.6%) at slaughter time, and 61.3% (48.1-72.9%) in carcasses. Significantly decreasing and increasing trends for respectively blaCMY-2 and blaCTX-M-1 gene occurrences were found across subsequent production stages. ESBL/pAmpC E. coli genetic background appeared complex and bla-gene/phylogroup associations indicated clonal and horizontal transmission. Modelling revealed that the average transfer of ESBL/pAmpC E. coli genes between subsequent production stages was 47.7% (42.3-53.4%). We concluded that ESBL/pAmpC E. coli in the broiler production pyramid is prevalent, with substantial transfer between subsequent production levels.

The objective of this opinion was to determine if any wild caught fish species, originating from specific fishing grounds and consumed in the EU/EFTA could be considered free of zoonotic parasites. In this Opinion the term ‘fishery products’ only refers to fresh finfish. As there are multiple fish species and numerous potential parasites, Anisakis sp. was used as an indicator of zoonotic parasites in marine areas. This parasite species is particularly suited as it is common in marine environments, capable of infecting multiple fish species and is the subject of the majority of published studies. On the rare occasion where Anisakis sp. data were not available, or all tests were negative, other parasites such as Contracaecum osculatum (s.l.) and/or Phocanema spp. were considered. In freshwater systems, all zoonotic parasites were investigated. Consumption, import and landing data were used to determine the most relevant fish species and, where possible, the source fishing areas were identified. The most commonly consumed wild caught fish species in the EU/EFTA include tuna, cod, Alaskan pollock, hake, herring, sardines, mackerel, trout and saithe. Although the majority of these fish are caught in the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea (37) as well as several areas in the Indian Ocean, imported fish may originate from any global fishing areas, with the exception of Antarctica. Based on the data, at least one zoonotic parasite has been reported in at least one fish species in each of the FAO marine fishing areas. Thus, due to relative low fish host specificity of the zoonotic parasites, the panel concluded that all wild caught fish species may be exposed to and infected with zoonotic parasites. The same applies to freshwater fishing areas, with many areas having multiple studies reporting the presence of zoonotic parasites in the wild caught fish species.

Water used in post‐harvest handling and processing operations is an important risk factor for microbiological cross‐contamination of fruits, vegetables and herbs (FVH). Industrial data indicated that the frozen FVH sector is characterised by operational cycles between 8 and 120 h, variable product volumes and no control of the temperature of process water. Intervention strategies were limited to the use of water disinfection treatments such as peroxyacetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Chlorine‐based disinfectants were not used, and water replenishment was not observed within studied industries. The industrial data, which included 13 scenarios, were used to develop a guidance for a water management plan (WMP) for the frozen FVH sector. A WMP aims to maintain the fit‐for‐purpose microbiological quality of the process water and consists of: (a) identification of microbial hazards and hazardous events linked to process water; (b) establishment of the relationship between microbiological and physico‐chemical parameters; (c) description of preventive measures; (d) description of intervention measures, including their validation, operational monitoring and verification; and (e) record keeping and trend analysis. A predictive model was used to simulate water management outcomes, highlighting the need for water disinfection treatments to maintain the microbiological quality of the process water and the added value of water replenishment. Relying solely on water replenishment (at realistic feasible rates) does not avoid microbial accumulation in the water. Operational monitoring of the physico‐chemical parameters ensures that the disinfection systems are operating effectively. Verification includes microbiological analysis of the process water linked to the operational monitoring outcomes of physico‐chemical parameters. Food business operators should set up and validate a tailored WMP to identify physico‐chemical parameters, as well as microbial indicators and their threshold levels as performance standards for maintaining the fit‐for‐purpose microbiological quality of the process water during post‐harvest handling and processing operations. This publication is linked to the following EFSA Journal articles: https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2023.8332; https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9170; https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9171; https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9173. This publication is linked to the following EFSA Supporting Publications article: https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.2903/sp.efsa.2025.EN-8924.

Water used in post‐harvest handling and processing operations is an important risk factor for microbiological cross‐contamination of fruits, vegetables and herbs (FVH). Industrial data indicated that the fresh‐cut FVH sector is characterised by process water at cooled temperature, operational cycles between 1 and 15 h, and product volumes between 700 and 3000 kg. Intervention strategies were based on water disinfection treatments mostly using chlorine‐based disinfectants. Water replenishment was not observed within studied industries. The industrial data, which included 19 scenarios were used to develop a guidance for a water management plan (WMP) for the fresh‐cut FVH sector. A WMP aims to maintain the fit‐for‐purpose microbiological quality of the process water and consists of: (a) identification of microbial hazards and hazardous events linked to process water; (b) establishment of the relationship between microbiological and physico‐chemical parameters; (c) description of preventive measures; (d) description of intervention measures, including their validation, operational monitoring and verification; and (e) record keeping and trend analysis. A predictive model was used to simulate water management outcomes, highlighting the need for water disinfection treatments to maintain the microbiological quality of the process water and the added value of water replenishment. Relying solely on water replenishment (at realistic feasible rates) does not avoid microbial accumulation in the water. Operational monitoring of the physico‐chemical parameters ensures that the disinfection systems are operating effectively. Verification includes microbiological analysis of the process water linked to the operational monitoring outcomes of physico‐chemical parameters. Although Escherichia coli and Listeria spp. could be indicators for assessing water quality, food business operators should set up and validate a tailored WMP to identify physico‐chemical parameters, as well as microbial indicators and their threshold levels, as performance standards for maintaining the fit‐for‐purpose microbiological quality of the process water during post‐harvest handling and processing operations. This publication is linked to the following EFSA Journal articles: https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2023.8332; https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9170; https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9172; https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9173. This publication is linked to the following EFSA Supporting Publications article: https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.2903/sp.efsa.2025.EN-8924.

An alternative processing method for the production of renewable fuels from rendered animal fats, pretreated using standard processing methods 1–5 or method 7 and used cooking oils, derived from Category 3 animal by‐products, was assessed. The alternative method is based on a fluidised catalytic cracking co‐processing treatment with a preheat stage by at least 145°C and a pressure of at least 1.4 barg for at least 13 s, followed by a reactor stage by at least 500°C for 2 s. The applicant selected the use of spores of pathogenic bacteria as primary indicators without carrying out a full hazard identification, which is acceptable as per previous EFSA evaluations. The EFSA BIOHAZ Panel considers that the application and supporting literature contain sufficient evidence to support that the alternative method can achieve a reduction of at least 12 log10 of C. botulinum spores and 5 log10 of the spores of other pathogenic bacteria. The Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point plan contained some inadequacies: the reception of raw materials should be considered a prerequisite (with acceptance criteria) rather than a critical control point and quantitative limits for temperature and holding time at the reactor should be defined. The information provided by the applicant suggests that appropriate corrective actions are in place for dealing with risks associated with interdependent processes and with the intended end use of the products. The applicant also considers as part of the alternative processing method the operation under an unplanned shutdown. EFSA only assesses the alternative processing methods under normal operating conditions. Thus, the procedures under an unplanned shutdown were not assessed as part of the alternative processing method. Overall, the alternative method under evaluation is considered equivalent to the processing methods currently approved in the Commission Regulation (EU) No 142/2011.

Carbapenemase‐producing Enterobacterales (CPE) have been reported in the food chain in 14 out of 30 EU/EFTA countries. Commonly reported genes are blaVIM‐1, blaOXA‐48 and blaOXA‐181, followed by blaNDM‐5 and blaIMI‐1. Escherichia coli, target of most of the studies, Enterobacter cloacae complex, Klebsiella pneumoniae complex and Salmonella Infantis are the most frequent CPE. E. coli isolates show a high clonal diversity. IncHI2 (blaVIM‐1 and blaOXA‐162), IncC (blaVIM‐1 and blaNDM‐1), IncX3 (blaNDM‐5 and blaOXA‐181), IncI and IncL (blaOXA‐48) plasmids are frequently reported. Most reports are from terrestrial food‐producing animals and their environments – mainly pigs, followed by bovines and poultry and with occasional reports of meat thereof (targets of the EU monitoring and follow up trace back investigations). Few studies have investigated foods of aquatic animal origin and of non‐animal origin, finding a great CPE diversity. A notable increase in the number of CPE detections has been observed, predominantly from pigs, with a surge in certain countries in 2021 (blaOXA‐181, Italy) and 2023 (blaOXA‐48, Spain; blaOXA‐181, blaOXA‐48, blaOXA‐244 and blaNDM‐5, Portugal). Very few data points to circumstantial evidence of CPE transmission, clonal and/or horizontal gene spread within the food chain and from/to humans. Various methods are used in the EU/EFTA countries to detect and characterise CPE in the food chain. Improvement of their sensitivity should be investigated. Ten out of 30 EU/EFTA countries have specific contingency plans for CPE control, being epidemiological investigations (e.g. trace‐back) a common action included in those plans. Overall, data remain scarce for the bacterial species and sources beyond those systematically monitored. Recommendations to fill data gaps on other bacterial species and sources, dissemination pathways and optimisation of detection methods are given. A One Health approach to address the drivers of CPE spread in the food chain is needed.