Food Microbiology - Targeted Surveys - Scientific Publication - Microbiological Survey of Wheat Flour Sold at Retail in Canada, 2018 to 2019

​Following two O121 STEC outbreaks linked to wheat flour, this study was conducted to gain baseline information on the occurrence of bacterial pathogens and levels of indicator organisms in wheat flour in Canada. A total of 347 pre-packaged wheat flour samples were analysed for Salmonella, STEC, Listeria monocytogenes, Aerobic Colony Count, total coliforms and generic E. coli.  Salmonella and STEC O157 were not detected in any of the samples.  Listeria monocytogenes was identified in two samples (0.6%) and non-O157 STEC was isolated from 6 (1.7%) samples.  Aerobic Colony Counts, total coliforms and generic E.coli were detected (≥0.48 log CFU/g) in 98.8%, 72.6% and 0.6% of the flour samples respectively.

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Last Updated April 17, 2026, 20:05 (UTC)
Created April 17, 2026, 20:05 (UTC)
contact_email cfia.opendatapublishing-publicationdedonneesouvertes.acia@inspection.gc.ca
contact_person {}
criticality_level []
data_dictionary []
geographic_scope []
open_canada_collection primary
open_canada_date_published 2021-02-26 00:00:00
open_canada_keywords {"en": ["Canada", "Canadian Food Inspection Agency", "Surveillance", "Food Safety", "Food Microbiology", "Targeted Survey", "Retail", "Prevalence", "Bacteria", "Pathogen", "Indicator", "Outbreak", "E. coli O157", "STEC O157", "non-O157 STEC", "Salmonella", "Listeria monocytogenes", "Total coliforms", "Aerobic Colony Count", "Generic E. coli", "Wheat Flour"], "fr": ["Canada", "Agence canadienne d'inspection des aliments", "Surveillance", "Salubrité des aliments", "Microbiologie des aliments", "Étude ciblée", "Détail", "Prévalence", "Bactérie", "Pathogène", "Indicateur", "Éclosion", "E. coli O157", "STEC O157", "STEC non-O157", "Salmonella", "Listeria monocytogenes", "Coliformes totaux", "Numération des colonies aérobies", "E. coli générique", "Farine de blé"]}
open_canada_subject ["science_and_technology"]
sensitivity_level unrestricted
title_fr Microbiologie des aliments - Études ciblées - Publication scientifique - Enquête microbiologique sur la farine de blé vendue au détail au Canada, 2018 à 2019
update_frequency not_planned