Salmonellae in health foods

Abstract

Various health food products of different brands were purchased from stores in the metropolitan Atlanta area. These foods were examined for the presence of salmonellae by fluorescent-antibody and cultural methods. Included in the study were tablets of alfalfa, parsley, kelp, wheat bran, enzyme, bone meal, and vitamins. Beef liver powder and tablets and granola cereal were also studied. Salmonella minnesota, Salmonella anatum, and Salmonella derby were isolated from two of three lots of beef liver powder from one manufacturer. All other products were negative.

Bacteriological survey of sixty health foods

“…The FDA became concerned that the supposed absence of preservatives and other chemical additives in organically grown foods would result in foods being marketed with high microbiological counts. Moreover, the detection of Salmonella in edible beef liver powder has been reported recently in another survey of health foods (12). Accordingly, a bacteriological and mycological survey of health foods was undertaken with three objectives in mind: (i) to obtain data on the general microbiological content of health foods; (ii) to determine whether there was a microbiological difference between foods labeled organic and those counterpart foods bearing no such label; and (iii) to determine to what extent, if any, health foods pose a direct microbiological hazard to the consumer.…”