Food Poisoning Law Blog

According to Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists, Salmonella bacteria can quickly attach to the surfaces of produce, for example cantaloupe, and form biofilms that may improve Salmonella's ability to colonize and survive, even after washing with chlorine. A biofilm is a microbial covering made up of polymers (complex sugars).

According to an article on the Food Safety Network:

[ARS scientists] recently gained new insight into biofilm formation by Salmonella on various surfaces. The ability of Salmonella cells to form biofilm on plastic or stainless-steel surfaces was dependent on the production of fimbriae (hairlike structures) and cellulose that help the cells attach to and colonize surfaces.
Biofilm formation by Salmonella cells starts by attaching to the rind of cantaloupe following contamination. Once attached to the rind, Salmonella cells rapidly develop biofilm by growing and excreting polymers. This new knowledge helps explain how Salmonella survives harsh sanitizing environments.

Scientists around the country are doing significant research in the area of foodborne pathogens. New vaccinations and sterilization techniques promise to make the nation's food supply safer. These advances are based on research like that done by the ARS on biofilm development. At Pritzker | Ruohonen, we appreciate the efforts of researchers in this area.