Monthly Archives: February 2015

RASFF Alerts – Salmonella -Sesame Seeds – Raw Cows Milk Cheese -Betel Leaves

RASFF-Logo

RASFF-Salmonella spp. (presence /25g) in sesame seeds from India in the Netherlands

RASFF-Salmonella spp. (presence /25g) in sesame seeds from India in the Netherlands

RASFF-Salmonella spp. (presence /25g) in sesame seeds from India in the Greece

RASFF-Salmonella (presence /25g) in raw cow’s milk cheese from France in France

RASFF-Salmonella spp. (presence /25g) in betel leaves from India in the UK

RASFF Alerts – Ochratoxin – Raisins – Dried Figs – Aflatoxin – Almond Kernels – Ground Nuts – Basmati Rice – Peanuts – Hazelnuts –

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RASFF-ochratoxin A (61 µg/kg – ppb) in raisins from Afghanistan in Lithuania

RASFF-ochratoxin A (32.0 µg/kg – ppb) in dried figs from Turkey in Germany

RASFF-ochratoxin A (86 µg/kg – ppb) in sun dried figs from Turkey in Germany

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 50.9; Tot. = 57.1 / B1 = 22.2; Tot. = 22.3 µg/kg – ppb) in almond kernels from Turkey in Italy

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 10; Tot. = 12 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 3.11 µg/kg – ppb) in basmati rice from France, via Belgium in Luxembourg

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 3; Tot. = 3.5 µg/kg – ppb) in peanut kernels from India in Bulgaria

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 7.02 µg/kg – ppb) in basmati rice from Belgium, manufactured in France in Luxembourg

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 27; Tot. = 35 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from India in the Netherlands

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 4; Tot. = 15.2 mg/kg – ppm) in roasted chopped hazelnuts from Turkey in Bulgaria

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 57.2; Tot. = 71.5 / B1 = 180.2; Tot. = 220.9 mg/kg – ppm) in peanuts from China, via Greece in Cyprus

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 50.9; Tot. = 57.1 / B1 = 22.2; Tot. = 22.3 µg/kg – ppb) in almond kernels from Turkey in Italy

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 10; Tot. = 12 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF Alerts – Animal Feed – Dog/Cat Food – Milk Thistle Seeds – Dog Chews – Salmonella

RASFF-Logo

RASFF-Salmonella spp. (presence /25g) in dog or cat food from the United States in Spain

RASFF-Salmonella Give (presence /25g) in milk thistle seeds from Germany, via Austria in Austria

RASFF-Salmonella spp. (presence /25g) in dog chew from Brazil  in Germany

Canada – CFIA Recall – Smoked Trout – Smoked Char – Clostridium botulinum

CFIA

Lake Land Meats & Farm Market is recalling smoked trout and smoked arctic char from the marketplace because they may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.

The affected products were sold in variable weight packages at the following retail locations in Ontario during the periods shown below.

Retail Location Address Dates Sold
Lake Land Meats Farm & Market Retail Store 1226 St. Paul St. West
St. Catharines ON
Up to and including February 13, 2015.
Cheese Shoppe on Locke 190 Locke St. South
Hamilton ON
Up to and including February 13, 2015.
Upper Canada Cheese Company 4159 Jordan Rd.
Jordan Station ON
Up to and including February 13, 2015.

Consumers who are unsure if they have purchased the affected product are advised to contact their retailer.

Recalled products

Brand Name Common Name Size Code(s) on Product UPC
None Smoked Trout variable None None
None Smoked Arctic Char variable None None

Azerbaijan – Homemade Pickled Tomato’s – Clostridium botulinum

Azer News cherry-tomato-pristine-variety

We are accustomed to hear about food poisoning in summertime and may neglect winter’s main danger – botulism -which may strike us down.

In the first month of this year, 64 cases of food poisoning were registered in Azerbaijan. The total number of victims of these poisoning cases reaches 92 people, said Imran Abdullayev, Head of Hygiene and Epidemiology Center Department of the Health Ministry.

Moreover, six cases of botulism were registered last month, which harmed nine people leaving one dead. The poisoning was due to homemade pickled tomatoes.

USA – Two Listeria monocytogenes Oubreaks in Sprouts this Year

Food Poisoning Bulletin     File:Bean-sprouts.jpg

Listeria in bean sprouts has prompted two recalls so far this year,  one from Go Hang  brand sprouts, the other from Jack and the Beanstalk brand. Consumers who have purchased either of these brands should not eat them as Listeria can cause serious illness. At the time of the recall, no illnesses had been reported, but Listeria infections can take up to 70 days to appear.

Australia – 4 Million Food Poisoning Cases Per Year – Blood Recall in the Wake of Hepatitis A in Berries

Food Safety News Today

First WA hep A case confirmed, fears for SA 4:11 The first case of hepatitis A has been confirmed in WA, believed to related to contaminated frozen berries. Frozen berries tip of the food poisoning iceberg … There are four million cases a year caused by various bacteria and viruses.

Food Safety News Today

Symptoms of Hepatitis A WA has had its first case of hepatitis A following the frozen berries recall, here’s some advice on what to do if you have concerns. PT1M18S 620 349 The Australian Red Cross has quarantined 300 national blood donations in the wake of the hepatitis A outbreak from contaminated imported berries.

Research – Listeria Control

Food Safety Magazine

Over the last several years, published guidance has been made available to industry professionals regarding recommended procedures for controlling Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) operations. Examples include the 2008 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) document on controlling Listeria in fresh and frozen RTE products,[1] FDA’s Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of Fresh-Cut Fruits and Vegetables,[2] the United Fresh Guidance on Environmental Monitoring and Control of Listeria for the Fresh Produce Industry[3] and fresh-cut workshops available to the industry that address produce safety and quality.[4] Without a doubt, safeguarding our products and our consumers from exposure to Listeria in our fresh-cut RTE products is on the forefront of necessity. While there is no guarantee that these practices will “eliminate” Listeria in the fresh-cut environment, there is evidence that they will help control and greatly reduce its spread.

Australia – Frozen Berries Issues – Microbial Contamination – Hepatitis A

FSANZ Virusds

Patties Foods Ltd has undertaken a precautionary recall of Creative Gourmet Mixed Berries from Coles, Woolworths and IGA stores nationally due to potential microbiological contamination.

Food products with microbiological contamination may cause illness if consumed. Consumers should not eat this product and should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice.

Date notified to FSANZ

15/02/2015

Frozen Berries

Creative Gourmet Mixed Berries

300g and 500g plastic bag

FSANZ

Patties Foods Ltd has recalled two products: Nanna’s Mixed Berries and Nanna’s Raspberries (frozen) from Coles, Woolworths, IGA and other independent supermarkets nationally due to potential Hepatitis A contamination. Food products contaminated with Hepatitis A may cause illness if consumed. Consumers should not eat this product and should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice.

Date notified to FSANZ

14/02/2015

Frozen berries

  • Nanna’s Mixed Berries
  • Nanna’s Raspberries
1kg plastic bag
Best Before
All Batches up to and including Best Before 22/11/16
China
Potential Hepatitis A contamination.
Coles, Woolworths, IGA and other independent supermarkets nationally

Research – CDC – Raw Milk Microbiological Outbreaks Increase

CDC imagesCAZ9J1WP

What is this study about?

  • This study reviewed outbreaks caused raw milk–milk that has not been pasteurized to kill disease-causing germs –in the United States that were reported to CDC from 2007-2012.
  • The study analyzed the number of outbreaks, the legal status of raw milk sales in each state, and the number of illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths associated with these outbreaks.

What did the study show?

The number of outbreaks caused by raw milk has increased.

  • From 2007-2012, 26 states reported 81 outbreaks caused by raw milk to CDC. These outbreaks caused 979 illnesses and 73 hospitalizations.
    • From 2007-2009, 30 outbreaks were linked to raw milk. This increased to 51 outbreaks from 2010-2012.
  • Among outbreaks in which the food causing the outbreak was identified, the percentage caused by raw milk increased from 2% in 2007-2009 to 5% in 2010-2012.
  • Three germs caused most raw milk outbreaks from 2007-2012:
  • The average number of outbreaks caused by raw milk each year was 4 times higher from 2007-2012 than from 1993-2006.