Understanding and monitoring pathogen behaviour in the food chain

Understanding and monitoring of microbial behaviour of pathogens in the entire food chain is seen as one of the most important prerequisites for a lower prevalence foodborne pathogens. For this purpose, novel methods that have been developed to analyse the interactions of pathogens and food and feed matrices at cellular and molecular levels as well as contact surfaces in the food chain, including the intestinal tract of farm animals. The methods are mainly based upon advanced techniques of microscopy allowing analyses of single cells in time lapse studies and the rapidly growing information available in the field of functional genomics. Further emphasis has been given to development of functional mammalian cell models to study host pathogen interactions and to select novel probiotic cultures. Molecular culture independent methods and microarrays are useful in monitoring microbial behaviour in the food chain and often superior to the classical methods for detection of pathogens. Effective interventions to break the transmission of pathogens along the food chain are addressed, with special attention given to the present gap between food technology, hygienic design and food safety. Finally, the fact that effective food safety management is necessary for safe food is emphasised.