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.

Publisher

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Resources

1

Catalogue metadata updated

2026-04-08