Emphasising the need for further identification of Salmonella beyond biochemical assays

Accurate identification of Salmonella is essential for food safety, yet reliance on traditional biochemical assays can lead to significant misidentification. This study investigates the limitations of ISO 6579-1:2017 culture-based protocols by analysing 82 presumptive Salmonella isolates from poultry processing chains in the UK. Genomic characterisation revealed that nearly 30% of the isolates were not Salmonella enterica, but closely related species such as Proteus mirabilis and Citrobacter spp., due to overlapping phenotypic traits.

These findings underscore the risks of depending solely on biochemical assays, which can lead to flawed epidemiological data, compromised outbreak responses, and regulatory missteps. The study highlights the importance of adopting molecular diagnostics, specifically, cost-effective gene amplification targeting Salmonella-specific genes, to enhance the accuracy of pathogen detection in food systems.

This work calls attention to the gap between current diagnostic practice and the precision required for effective public health protection, and offers a strong case for integrating molecular confirmation into routine Salmonella surveillance protocols.