Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Testing for V. parahaemolyticus is relevant to seafoods only. High levels of
V. parahaemolyticus (>102 per gram) in cooked seafoods indicates that the food has been
inadequately cooked or cross-contaminated after cooking with subsequent time/temperature
abuse and should result in an investigation of the food handling controls used by the food
business. Higher levels (up to 102 per gram) of V. parahaemolyticus in raw seafoods may be
expected because of natural contamination from the aquatic environment, however levels
from 103 to 104 per gram in raw seafoods would indicate inadequate temperature controls
since harvesting and should be considered as unsatisfactory. The potentially hazardous level
of V. parahaemolyticus relates to Kanagawa-positive strains. Levels of V. parahaemolyticus
of ≥104 cfu pergram are considered potentially hazardous as consumption of the food may
result in food borne illness (relates to Kanagawa-positive strains).