Search

Sushi and sashimi are seafood products that are widely consumed worldwide, including China. Currently, they are also sold through alternative channels such as e-commerce. In this study, 60 Japanese Seafood Products (JSPs) suitable for sushi and sashimi preparations (fish meat or roe) were purchased on Chinese e-commerce and analyzed. Initially, the trade name accuracy and the labeling compliance with the Chinese standard for pre-packaged food were evaluated. Then, the species composition of the JSPs was assessed by the molecular analysis of two genetic targets (COI and cytb). Finally, the results of the molecular analysis were compared with the trade name reported on the label, and the mismatching rate (MR) was calculated. None of the JSPs labels reported the scientific name of the species. Sixteen different trade names were found, of which only 37.5% could be assigned to a taxonomic level (species or genus). In the other cases, umbrella terms were used. Overall, 66.7% of the JSPs were fully compliant with the Chinese standard. Eighty-seven percent of the JSPs were molecularly authenticated to the species level. Overall, an MR of 11.7% was observed. The mismatched JSPs were labelled as "Snapper", "Herring roe" and "Bigeye tuna". The use of umbrella trade names can facilitate the placing on the market of species involved in traceability, economic and sustainability issues. Indeed, some of the recovered species were listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. DNA analysis was once again proved as an efficient tool to unmask and fight seafood frauds. • The label of 60 Japanese Seafood Products purchased on e-commerce was analyzed. • The species composition of the JSPs was assessed by a DNA analysis. • An overall mismatching rate of 11.7% was observed. • Some of the recovered species were listed in the IUCN Red List. • Umbrella trade name and its implications on traceability and sustainability were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen leading to food poisoning as well as human infections. The present study examined the prevalence and characterization of antimicrobial-resistant S. aureus in sushi from 42 outlets and in pork products from eight outlets in Beijing, China. The total bacterial counts were between 3.0 and 8.9 log CFU/g (mean 5.5 ± 1.5 log CFU/g) in sushi products and 4.8 to 7.4 log CFU/g (mean 5.6 ± 0.8 log CFU/g) in pork products. The mean counts of coliforms were 2.7 and 2.9 log CFU/g in sushi and pork, respectively. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from seven sushi outlets (13 isolates) and two pork outlets (2 isolates) with average counts below 2 log CFU/g in all cases. A total of 15 S. aureus isolates were further characterized. Six lineages of S. aureus were present, including ST398 (n = 5), ST25 (n = 4), ST15 (n = 2), ST59 (n = 2), ST8 (n = 1) and ST2631 (n = 1). Thirteen isolates contained the scn virulence marker, whereas four and eight isolates contained the virulence marker edinB and enterotoxin genes, respectively. Characterization of antimicrobial resistance profiles documented resistances to ampicillin (n = 15), penicillin (n = 14), ceftazidime (n = 6), erythromycin (n = 4), tetracycline (n = 3), clindamycin (n = 3), and gentamicin (n = 1). Three MRSA isolates were obtained, one from pork (ST398) and two from one sushi outlet (ST59). They were all resistant to at least three classes of antimicrobials and two of them contained the scn gene and enterotoxin genes. Twelve sushi isolates and one of the pork isolates contained the scn gene, indicating that they were of human origin. This emphasizes the potential importance of transmission through foods of antimicrobial-resistant S. aureus including MRSA. We also showed that S. aureus exhibited geographical variation with regards to ST profiles, antimicrobial-resistance and virulence genes when comparing isolates from sushi products sold in Beijing and Copenhagen, Denmark. Whereas food safety is not compromised by the presence of low amounts of S. aureus in sushi, this study shows that with regards to public health such foods may serve as vehicles for transmission of multidrug-resistant S. aureus and MRSA lineages., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)