Monthly Archives: August 2016

Than Nien News

Longview News Journal 

Staphylococcus aureus is a long word and one that some do not care to read about, but please do not stop reading.

The U.S. National Library for Medicine states staph (short for Staphylococcus) is a type of bacteria. There are more than 30 types, but Staphylococcus aureus causes most staph infections, including skin infections, pneumonia, food poisoning, toxic shock syndrome and blood poisoning (bacteremia).

Food Poisoning Bulletin

After being linked to a 2015 Listeria outbreak that sickened at least 10 people, killing three of them, Blue Bell Creameries has been fined $850,000 by the the Texas Department of State Health Services for allowing adulterated product to enter the market and causing illness.

Outbreak News Today 

UK health officials are seeing an increase in the parasitic infection, cyclosporiasis, in travellers returning from Mexico, according to Travel Health Pro report.

The cluster has been seen since June and many of the travellers stayed in Riviera Maya, the same place where some 80 travellers contracted Cyclospora last summer.

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Hampton Creek baking mixes are being recalled for Salmonella. At the time of the recall, no illnesses had been reported, however consumers who have purchased these products should not eat them as Salmonella can cause serious illness.

mBiosphere 

Recently, one of the Journal of Bacteriology Classic Spotlight series highlighted the numerous studies on bacterial spores that have been published in the journal throughout the years. Bacterial endospores, the resilient and relatively quiescent bacterial structures first identified in the 1800s, have had their genetic regulation, immunological properties, and biochemical makeup investigated for decades. The structures are incredibly resistant and produced by select members of the Gram-positive Firmicutes phylum. Despite many rigorous studies investigating these biological structures, new research published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology shows that there’s always something new to learn in microbiology, including aspects that appear as straightforward as morphology.

FDA 

CHICAGO — ConAgra Foods is voluntarily recalling additional package codes of Watts Brothers Farms Organic Mixed Vegetables, Organic Super Sweet Corn (Yellow/Gold), and Organic Peas due to the potential for these products to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

CFIA

Ottawa, August 1, 2016 – Sea Delight Canada SLU is recalling Sea Delight brand Blue Marlin Loins from the marketplace due to elevated levels of histamine. Consumers should not consume and distributors, retailers and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals and nursing homes should not sell or use the recalled products described in the link above.

Please note that the individual 3-5 lb blue marlin loins may also have been sold unlabelled or without the original packaging at retail. Consumers who are unsure if they have purchased the affected blue marlin loins are advised to contact their retailer.

FDA

SM Fish Corp. of Far Rockaway, NY, is voluntarily recalling OSSIE’S brand ready-to-eat Herring Salads because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The recalled products were sold at the firm’s eight retail outlets located in New York and New Jersey.

The recalled products were packed in plastic deli containers with a UPC Code and “Best By” date codes of 7/21/16 through 08/20/16 (located on the bottom of the tub):

• OSSIE’S PICKLED LOX DAIRY, NET WT. 8 OZ., UPC 739885114136;
• OSSIE’S HERRING IN SOURCREAM, NET WT. 8 OZ., UPC 739885114174;
• OSSIE’S TAAM SHABBOS HERRING, NET WT. 7 OZ., UPC 739885109057;
• OSSIES’S STIGLITZ HERRING, NET WT. 7 OZ., UPC 739885109064;
• OSSIE’S WASABI HERRING, NET WT. 7 OZ., UPC 739885109088;
• OSSIE’S SWEDISH MATJES HERRING, NET WT. 7 OZ., UPC 739885109101;
• OSSIE’S DUBLIN HERRING, NET WT. 7 OZ., UPC 739885109002;
• OSSIE’S HONEY MUSTARD HERRING; NET WT. 7 OZ. 739885109019;
• OSSIE’S PICKLED LOX & CREAM, NET WT. 8 OZ., UPC 739885104113;
• OSSIE’S SHMALTZ HERRING, NET WT. 8 OZ., UPC 739885104182;
• OSSIE’S ROMAN SHMALTZ HERRING, NET WT. 7 OZ., UPC 739885109026;
• OSSIE’S PICKLED HERRING, NET WT. 8 OZ., UPC 739885104175;
• OSSIE’S PICKLED HERRING CLEAR, NET WT. 8 OZ., UPC 739885104205;
• OSSIE’S PICKLED LOX, NET WT. 8 OZ., UPC 739885104137.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was the result of sampling and inspectional findings by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA found listeria in multiple locations throughout the facility. SM Fish Corp. has ceased production and distribution of products following discussion with FDA on July 27. The company and the FDA continue their investigation as to the cause of the problem.

Consumers who have purchased any of the above listed products are urged not to consume them and promptly return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at (718) 945-9838, Monday – Friday, 9 am – 4 pm EDT, or via email at: recallssmf@gmail.com.