Advancing Microbial Safety in Dairy Products: Emerging Risks, Detection Methods, and Control Strategies

Microbial contamination in dairy products remains a persistent global public health concern, influencing both consumer safety and the economic reliability of the dairy industry. Despite significant advances in hygiene practices, processing technologies, and quality control, contamination by pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms continues to occur at multiple stages from production to distribution. Common pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella species have been repeatedly implicated in dairy-related outbreaks, highlighting persistent vulnerabilities throughout the dairy supply chain. Recent studies have explored the influence of microbial ecology, biofilm formation, and antimicrobial resistance within dairy environments; however, questions remain about the interconnected effects of production practices, microbial adaptation, and environmental drivers. The growing complexity of dairy systems, coupled with shifting consumer preferences toward minimally processed products, calls for renewed research and innovation in microbial risk assessment and management strategies.This Research Topic aims to explore comprehensive, multidisciplinary approaches to ensure microbiological safety throughout dairy production and consumption. By bridging insights from microbiology, food safety engineering, molecular diagnostics, and quality assurance, this collection seeks to advance current understanding of contamination pathways and detection technologies. Central objectives include improving early detection of microbial hazards, evaluating novel biocontrol and sanitation techniques, and assessing the effectiveness of rapid monitoring tools. Key questions include how emerging technologies such as genomics, biosensors, and artificial intelligence can revolutionize surveillance, and how regulatory frameworks can adapt to ensure both innovation and public protection within the dairy sector.To gather further insights into microbial safety across the dairy value chain, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:o Identification of microbial sources and transmission routes in dairy production systemso Advances in molecular, culture-independent, and rapid detection methods for pathogens and spoilage microorganismso Innovative control measures, antimicrobial interventions, and hygiene management practices for improving dairy safetyo Risk assessment models, predictive microbiology, and decision-support tools for microbial safety across dairy supply chainso The role of processing, packaging, and storage technologies in preventing microbial contaminationo Regulatory perspectives, standardization, and policy implications for food microbiological safetyo The impact of emerging consumer trends, sustainability initiatives, and climate-related challenges on microbial risk management in dairy production Topic editors: Anastasia Kapetanakou, Anthoula A. Argyri, Myrsini Kakagianni Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/84189/advancing-microbial-safety-in-dairy-products-emerging-risks-detection-methods-and-control-strategies