Assessing Risks and Innovating Traceability in Campania's Illegal Mussel Sale: A One Health Perspective.

Abstract

The illegal sale of mussels is a persistent problem for food safety and public health in the Campania region, where bivalve molluscs are often sold without traceability, evading regulatory controls. In this study, ten batches of mussels seized from unauthorized vendors were analyzed to evaluate their microbiological safety and trace their geographical origin. High loads of <i>Escherichia coli</i>, exceeding European regulatory limits (Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005), were detected in all samples. In addition, <i>Salmonella</i> Infantis strains resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and azithromycin were isolated, raising further concerns about antimicrobial resistance. Of the 93 <i>Vibrio</i> isolates, identified as <i>V. alginolyticus</i> and <i>V. parahaemolyticus</i>, 37.63% showed multidrug resistance. Approximately 68.57% of the isolates were resistant to tetracyclines and cephalosporins. The presence of resistance to last-resort antibiotics such as carbapenems (11.43%) is particularly alarming. Near-infrared spectroscopy, combined with chemometric models, was used to obtain traceability information, attributing a presumed origin to the seized mussel samples. Of the ten samples, seven were attributed to the Phlegraean area. These findings have provided valuable insights, reinforcing the need for continuous and rigorous surveillance and the integration of innovative tools to ensure seafood safety and support One Health approaches.