FDA Bolsters Wastewater Surveillance for Foodborne Pathogens with New Grant

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Past Success Fuels Expansion (Image Credits: Foodsafetynews.com)

Pennsylvania – Researchers from Penn State University and the Pennsylvania Department of Health received fresh funding from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to intensify monitoring of sewage for foodborne threats.[1][2]

Past Success Fuels Expansion

Scientists previously demonstrated the power of wastewater analysis by linking rare Salmonella strains in sewage to active outbreaks. In June 2022, teams isolated Salmonella Baildon from samples at two central Pennsylvania treatment plants, matching isolates from a contemporaneous salmonellosis outbreak.[3] Nearly 20 percent of 43 recovered Salmonella isolates belonged to this uncommon serovar, which represents less than 1 percent of national cases.[3]

Similar efforts detected Salmonella Senftenberg in wastewater, tying it to a multistate outbreak linked to contaminated peanut butter across 17 states. No initial human cases appeared in Pennsylvania records, yet genomic matches confirmed local circulation and highlighted underreporting risks.[4] These findings built on techniques proven during the COVID-19 pandemic, where sewage tracking provided early outbreak signals.

Targeting Salmonella and Listeria

The new initiative zeros in on Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes, common culprits in foodborne illnesses. Teams plan to sample household sewage from dozens of municipal plants statewide.[1] Regular collection aims to capture pathogens during outbreaks, even from asymptomatic individuals.

Edward Dudley, professor of food science at Penn State and director of the E. coli Reference Center, leads the effort. “Our hypothesis is that regular sampling, combined with epidemiologic data from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, will demonstrate that foodborne pathogens can routinely be isolated from community wastewaters during outbreaks,” Dudley stated.[2] His team includes Nkuchia M’ikanatha, lead epidemiologist at the health department, along with doctoral candidates Jie Feng and Erika Biernbaum.

Whole Genome Sequencing Powers Detection

Laboratory work centers on whole genome sequencing of isolates in Penn State’s food science facilities. Researchers enrich samples, confirm pathogens via PCR, and sequence using advanced kits before uploading data to FDA platforms like GalaxyTrakr and the NCBI Pathogen Detection site.[4][1]

Comparisons with national databases enable precise matching to clinical cases. Collaborators then review past outbreaks for connections, potentially tracing contaminated food distribution. This approach offers a population-wide view, surpassing targeted food tests or clinic reports.[2]

• Twice-weekly raw sewage grabs from treatment plants serving thousands.
• Centrifugation and enrichment in selective broths for pathogen recovery.
• Plating on diagnostic agars followed by genetic confirmation.
• Bioinformatics analysis for outbreak clustering.
• Integration with state epidemiology for validation.

Transforming Public Health Strategies

The grant exceeds $500,000 over five years, extending FDA support that began in 2016. Results promise sharper surveillance and faster responses, aiding agencies in curbing illnesses like salmonellosis, which claims hundreds of lives annually nationwide.[3]

Wastewater methods trace back to 1929 polio monitoring but gained renewed focus post-COVID via the CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System. Dudley envisions widespread adoption: “I foresee a future where many, if not most, domestic wastewater treatment plants contribute untreated sewage samples for monitoring evidence of various illnesses.”[3]

As sewage surveillance matures, it stands to redefine outbreak hunting, blending community data with cutting-edge genomics for proactive protection. What do you think about this approach to food safety? Tell us in the comments.