Prevalence Trends of Foodborne Pathogens , Non-STEC and in Ready-to-Eat Foods Sourced from Restaurants, Cafés, Catering and Takeaway Food Premises.

Foodborne pathogens of (), non-STEC (non-STEC ) and () are currently non-notifiable in Australia unless attributed to a food poisoning outbreak. Due to the lack of data around individual cases and isolations in foods, any changes in prevalence may go undetected. The aim of this study was to determine any changes in the prevalence of , non-STEC and in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods sampled from Western Australian restaurants, cafés, catering facilities and takeaway food premises from July 2009 to June 2022. A total of 21,822 microbiological test results from 7329 food samples analysed over this 13-year period were reviewed and analysed. Linear trend graphs derived from the annual prevalence and binary logistic regression models were used to analyse the sample results, which indicated an increase in prevalence for In contrast, a decrease in prevalence for both and non-STEC was determined. Additionally, there were changes in prevalence for the three bacteria in specific months, seasons, specific RTE foods and food premises types. Further research is needed to gain a better understanding of the potential drivers behind these changes in prevalence, including the potential impacts of climate change, COVID-19, legislation and guidelines targeting specific RTE foods, and the difficulty of differentiating . from using standard testing methods.