There is an increasing number of alerts and reported outbreaks of foodborne viruses in foods. Viruses mostly associated with viral foodborne illnesses and outbreaks are Norovirus (NoV) and Hepatitis A virus (HAV).
Noroviruses have been recognized in Europe as a leading cause of foodborne gastroenteritis over the last decade. HAV causes very severe inflammation of the liver (hepatitis). However, HAV is prevailing in endemic countries outside Europa. It should be taken into consideration when importing food products originating from these countries. The WHO provides a map with an overview of the estimated Hepatitis A virus prevalence.
Major contamination routes are person-to-person or person-to-food (during picking, preparation of food) and contaminated water (e.g. applied as irrigation water, washing water, to dilute pesticides or cultivation water).
A broad range of foods have been implicated in NoV/HAV foodborne outbreaks:
- shellfish (e.g. oysters, mussels), crustaceans and their products;
- fruits - mainly berries - and vegetables (fresh and frozen);
- unpasteurized fruit and vegetable juices;
- ready-to-eat food such a sandwiches.
Legislation
There is actually no European legislation in place for Norovirus and Hepatitis A virus in fresh produce. However there are scientific opinions made by EFSA.
Analysis methods
Our detection procedure is optimized for a real-time PCR instrument with FAM (detection of norovirus GII, HAV), HEX (detection of norovirus GI), and ROX (detection of Process Control).
Sample matrix
For the samples, we talk mainly about fresh produce and fruits and about processed fruits and vegetables.
Certification
We are the first lab in Bulgaria received the ISO 17025 accreditation for virological analysis (Hepatitis A and Norovirus) in food and feed.
Newsletter highlight
Due to the year end, Primoris Bulgaria is closed on the following days:
- 24, 25, 26 December - Christmas
Flash news
Launch of accredited analyses on 3-MCPD, 2-MCPD and GE in vegetable oils and fats
As from now on, Primoris is also your partner for high quality and accredited analyses on 3-MCPD, 2-MCPD and glycidyl esters (GE) in vegetable oils and fats.
Launch of highly reliable analyses on mineral oil hydrocarbons in food
As from Monday January 29th, we extend our services with highly reliable and accredited analyses of the mineral oil hydrocarbons in food:
- MOSH: mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons
- POSH: polyolefinic oligomeric saturated hydrocarbons (closely related to MOSH. POSH & MOSH are always reported together)
- MOAH: mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons
NEW in our portfolio: tropane alkaloids - August 21st
On August 21st we add the analysis of the tropane alkaloids atropine and scopolamine to our portfolio. These analyses are relevant for customers that work with millet, sorghum, buckwheat, nutritional supplements, (herbal) teas, legume vegetables, pulses, oilseeds and derived products.