Monthly Archives: April 2012

Canada Recalls – Cryptosporidium Fresh Parsley – Salmonella Sunflower Seeds

CIFA – Cryptosporidium

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume Boskovich brand fresh Parsley described below. The affected product may contain Cryptosporidium.

The affected product was sold only on March 19, 2012 from one store, Canada Safeway, 124 Primrose Dr., Lawson Heights Mall, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The product was sold in bunches enclosed with a band indicating the Boskovich brand and Product of USA.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

CIFA – Salmonella

The public warning issued on March 30, 2012has been expanded to include additional product information.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Mumm’s Sprouting Seeds Ltd. are warning the public not to consume the Mumm’s brand Sprouting Seeds described below because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The following Mumm’s brand products are affected by this expanded recall:

Product Size UPC Lot #
Sprouting Seeds
Display Pack
Contains one 75g sunflower pack 7 73295 11293 1 4DPSM13
Sprouting Seeds
Best Sellers
Contains two 75g sunflower packs 7 73295 11290 0 1BSSM21

These products are known to have been distributed in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick and may have been distributed nationally.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

Not Food but HPA Update on Petting Farm Hand Washing

HPA 

Ahead of the petting farm season, the HPA is reminding people, especially those with responsibility for young children, to enjoy their farm visits safely by ensuring good hand hygiene after touching farm animals or their surroundings.

Outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness associated with contact with farm animals peak in the spring and summer as this coincides with schools holidays when visits to petting farms tend to be more popular, although outbreaks can occur at other times.

The route of transmission in these illnesses, which include the infections E. coli O157 and Cryptosporidium, is direct contact with animals in petting and feeding areas as well as contact with the droppings of animals on contaminated surfaces around farms.

HPA Hand Wash Poster

US – Salmonella Bareilly Outbreak – Spicy Tuna Sushi

MarlerClark

Sushi is the likely source of a Salmonella outbreak, with spicy tuna roll sushi closely associated with Salmonella illnesses.

A Salmonella serotype Bareilly outbreak has caused at least 90 cases of Salmonella in residents of 19 states and the District of Columbia.  At least 7 people have been hospitalised.

Australia – Northern Territories – Increase in Cryptosporidium

AFN 

A notable rise in the number of cases of the stomach bug Cryptosporidium in the Northern Territory has prompted the Government of the Northern Territory to urge Territorians to practice good hygiene and food safety practices.

“Cryptosporidiosis, or “crypto”, is a disease caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium parvum. It can be spread by ingesting food or water that has been contaminated by people infected by the parasite.

According to the Northern Territory Government, 114 cases have been reported so far this year.

Canada – Cheese Recall – Possible Listeria Contamination

BCCDC

The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) is warning the public not to consume Tomme d’Or cheese manufactured by Moonstruck Organic Cheese located on Saltspring Island. Other types of cheeses produced by Moonstruck Organic Cheese are not affected by this advisory.

 This health alert is the result of a routine sampling program by the BCCDC and further investigation by the manufacturer which revealed that samples of the finished products contained the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. Affected products include all lot numbers of Tomme d’Or cheese. In order to ensure the health and safety of consumers, a photo of the product is provided below so the public can easily identify the product. The manufacturer is fully cooperating and assisting with the investigation.

UK – Baby Contracts Salmonella pomona -Pet Snake

Local Guardian 

Not exactly food, but a warning for both the general public and people working in laboratories of exotic sources of Salmonella from reptiles.

A five-month-old baby was rushed to hospital after contracting a potentially fatal-infection from an exotic family pet.

A warning has now been issued to all reptile owners after tests on the baby, that was suffering from severe diarrhoea, revealed he was suffering from the effects of Salmonella pomona, a rare type of bacteria linked to reptiles.

US – Another Raw Milk Recall – Salmonella

Pennsylvania Fox News 

The state departments of Agriculture and Health Monday advised consumers and retailers who purchased raw milk and raw milk cheese from Norman Z. and Edith B. Sauder in Kutztown, Berks County, to discard or return the products immediately. Raw milk and raw milk cheese are products that have not been pasteurized.  

On April 1, an independent lab confirmed the products tested positive for Salmonella. It was found in raw milk sold in a plastic bottle and raw milk cheese with a date code of March 25, 2012

NZ – Legionnaires Outbreak in Auckland

Stuff.CO.NZ 

About 300 Auckland buildings may be affected by a major outbreak of the potentially fatal Legionnaires’ disease. The outbreak has prompted urgent calls for building owners, mostly within the CBD, to overhaul mechanical ventilation systems that include cooling towers. In the last six weeks, nine cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been recorded in the region. A typical six-week period would see one or two cases notified.

The disease is a form of pneumonia that can be life-threatening for some. The condition of the nine people with the disease is not known

UK – Vets – E.coli Superbug – Caution

Meat Info UK 

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has questioned the Soil Association’s (SA) assertion that there is “overwhelming evidence” that the use of antibiotics in UK livestock farms is contributing to an “epidemic” of E.coli infections in humans.

It said that leading scientitic opinion suggests there is no evidence to draw this conclusion and that the claims risked a “kneejerk reaction” of blanket restrictions on the use of these medicines by veterinary surgeons.

US – FSIS Food Safety Video

Food Poisoning Bulletin

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has released a new video today to demonstrate safe food handling for spring celebrations.

The three problematic foods for Easter and Passover are eggs, brisket, and ham.