Monthly Archives: October 2015

Food Safety Magazine 

The most commonly reported marine toxin disease in the world is Ciguatera, associated with consumption of contaminated reef fish such as barracuda, grouper, and snapper. Under-diagnosis and under-reporting (especially in endemic areas such as the Caribbean) make it difficult to know the true worldwide incidence of the Marine Toxin Diseases. At least 50,000 people per year who live in or visit tropical and subtropical areas suffer from Ciguatera worldwide. For example, CDC and others estimate that only 2-10% of Ciguatera cases are actually reported in the United States. In the US Virgin Islands, there are an estimated 300 cases per 10,000 or 3% of the population per year; a similar rate is found in the French West Indies. In St. Thomas, a household survey estimated that 4.4% of all households suffered from Ciguatera annually (at least 2640 persons per year or an annual incidence of 600 cases per year); in Puerto Rico, 7% of the residents have experienced at least one episode of Ciguatera in their lifetime.

Ciguatera, especially in the Caribbean, suffer for weeks to months with debilitating neurologic symptoms, including profound weakness, temperature sensation changes, pain, and numbness in the extremities. The dinoflagellate Gambierdiscus toxicus produces ciguatoxin throughout tropical regions of the world.

CFIA 

Saigon Soul Food Inc. is recalling Saigon Soul Food brand Saigon Peanut Sauce from the marketplace because it may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum. Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below.

FDA

This is an update by Northwest Wild Products of Astoria, Oregon of a prior press release issued 10/19/15, relating to the recall of canned seafood products.  The purpose of this updated press release is to include three additional recalled products.  Consumers should disregard the previous press release.

Northwest Wild Products of Astoria, Oregon is voluntarily recalling ALL canned black cod, salmon, sardines, steelhead, sturgeon, tuna, and Razor clams with any codes starting with “OC” because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death.  Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms:  general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing.  Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms.  People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

All products were sold to consumers in Oregon from our retail store and through mail order.The last date of distribution of recalled products was September 2015.  Affected production codes include any codes starting with “OC”.  The code can be found on either the bottom or on top of the can.  Recalled products are packaged in metal cans with net weight 6.5 oz.

FDA

Dungeness Seaworks of Sequim, Washington is voluntarily recalling ONLY canned albacore tuna with any code starting with “OC” because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium that can cause life-threatening illness or death.  Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms:  general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing.  Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms.  People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

There have been no reported cases of illness to date.

Products were distributed to Nash’s Farm Store, Sunny Farms, and Nourish Sequim in Sequim,
WA; Agnew Grocery and Feed in Agnew, WA; Abundantly Green in Poulsbo, WA; and sold at Farmer’s Markets in Poulsbo, WA and in Port Angeles, WA. The last date of distribution of recalled products is September 2015.

Affected production codes include any codes starting with “OC”.  The code can be found on either the bottom or on top of the can. Products are packaged in metal cans with 6 ounce net weight cans.

CFIA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume and retailers, restaurants and institutions not to sell or use the products described below due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Only RAU RĂM (finger mint) and NGÒ GAI (culantro) imported by Canada Herb and sold from October 14, 2015 to October 20, 2015 are affected by this warning. These products may have been sold in clear plastic bags bearing the name Canada Herb or may have been repackaged or sold in bulk without a label or coding. Consumers who are unsure if they have purchased the affected products are advised to contact their retailer.

FSA

Barton Farm Dairy has been advised to recall a batch of Kentisbury Down soft cheese because of the presence of salmonella. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause food poisoning.

RiskPresence of salmonella in Kentisbury Down soft cheese. Product details

Product name: Barton Farm Dairy Kentisbury Down soft cheese‘Best before’ date: 26 November 2015Pack size: various sizes.

Action taken by the companyBarton Farm Dairy has been advised to recall the above product. The affected batch has been sold direct from the farm premises and also at farmers markets.

Advice to consumersIf you have bought any of the above product, do not consume it. Instead, contact the Barton Farm Dairy (tel: 01271 882283, email: info@bartonfarmdairy.co.uk) for further advice.

About product recalls and withdrawalsIf there is a problem with a food product that means it should not be sold, then it might be ‘withdrawn’ (taken off the shelves) or ‘recalled’ (when customers are asked to return the product).

The FSA issues Product Withdrawal Information Notices and Product Recall Information Notices to let consumers and local authorities know about problems associated with food. In some cases, a ‘Food Alert for Action’ is issued. This provides local authorities with details of specific action to be taken on behalf of consumers.

Shigella Blog 

According to a Public Health Warning, on Saturday afternoon, October 17, 2015, the Santa Clara County Public Health Department was notified by a local hospital of 5 patients with fever and diarrhea who had all eaten at the same restaurant. Subsequent case finding has revealed a total of over two dozen individuals with fever and diarrhea who ate at Mariscos San Juan restaurant (205 N. 4 Street) in downtown San Jose on Friday October 16 or Saturday October 17. The restaurant was closed on Sunday morning and remains closed.

Millipore

In early 2016, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) plans to publish the EN ISO 6579-1 standard, which specifies a horizontal method for the detection of Salmonella spp. in the food production chain. Like the preceding version, EN ISO 6579:2002/Amd 1:2007, it will cover products intended for human consumption, animal feeding and environmental samples in food production and handling as well as milk and milk products (previously described in ISO 6785 I IDF 93) and samples from the primary food production stage. It will give greater flexibility for testing labs e.g. for the choice of some culture media and for the range of incubation temperature.

Company Summary:
As part of the global Life Science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt Germany, EMD Millipore offers a broad range of innovative products, services and business relationships that enable our customers’ success in research, development and production of biotech and pharmaceutical drug therapies.

ejinsight

Hong Kong animal owners are being warned against frozen or raw pet food after salmonella was found in some test samples.

The salmonella bacteria can cause food poisoning in pets and humans and can be fatal in serious cases.

The Consumer Council said it found salmonella in three of 17 samples during random tests on pet food.

These came from two Australian brands  – Big Dog and Doctor B’s.

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Another secondary recall of canned seafood for possible botulism contamination has been issued. Bornstein Seafoods Inc. of Oregon is recalling only canned salmon, sardines, sturgeon, and tuna with any code starting with “OC.” No reports of illness have been received to date.

The products were distributed to retail and internet customers nationwide from the company’s website. The last date of distribution of these recalled products was September 2015. The code dates for recall start with “OC.” The code can be found on the bottom or top of the can. The cans have net weights from 5.5 to 6 ounces. You can see pictures of product labels at the FDA web site.

The recalled products are Krooke’s Shanghaied Salmon with no UPC number, and Logger’s Choice Fancy Pink Salmon with UPC number 6 14133 30506 4. The remaining recalled items all are Bornstein Seafood brands.

FDA

Nijay International, Inc. of Anaheim, CA is recalling 8 cases of Down to Earth Organic Coriander Powder, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.

Down to Earth Organic Coriander Powder, batch # 1404D25 with a best before date of 05/24/2015 was distributed to retail stores in Dallas, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio, TX. The product is packaged in 7 oz. transparent, green plastic bags.

To date, Nijay International, Inc. has not received any reports of illness related to this recalled product.

The recall was a result of routine sampling by an FDA contract lab, which revealed the presence of Salmonella.

Consumers who have purchased Down to Earth Organic Coriander Powder are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1 (714) 602-6123 Mondays through Fridays, between 9.00am to 5.00pm PST.

The UPC for this product is 40074 13813. This code is located above the ingredient list.