Monthly Archives: February 2017

FDA

Ruth’s Salads Charlotte, NC is expanding the recall of Ruth’s Salads Pimento Cheese Spreads packed in Chester, SC. The products involved include: Ruth’s Original Pimento Spread 7oz; Ruth’s Original Pimento Spread 12 oz.; Ruth’s Original Pimento Spread 24 oz.; Ruth’s Old Fashion Pimento Spread 16 oz.; Ruth’s Jalapeno Pimento Spread 12 oz.; Ruth’s Lite Pimento Spread 12 oz.; and Ruth’s Cream Cheese with Pineapple-Pecans 12 oz. All lot numbers are included in this recall.  The products are packed in plastic containers and labeled as “Packed by B&H Foods, Inc., Chester, SC”.  The products have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria Monocytogenes.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The recalled products were distributed in grocery stores in NC, SC, GA, TN, AL, KY, and parts of Virginia and Tennessee.

The contamination was discovered during random testing by the NC Department of Agriculture.  Consumers with questions may contact the company at 800-532-0409 between the hours of 7AM and 3 PM Monday-Friday.  After hours, consumers may leave a message and your call will be returned as soon as possible.

RASFF -Salmonella (presence /25g) in ovine meal from New Zealand in the Netherlands

RASFF-Salmonella Senftenberg (in 2 out of 10 samples /25g) in rapeseed meal from Denmark in Sweden

RASFF-Salmonella Tennessee (in 1 out of 10 samples /25g) in rapeseed meal from Germany in Sweden

RASFF-Salmonella Senftenberg (presence /25g) in organic toasted soybean meal from Italy in Sweden

RASFF-Salmonella Tennessee (presence /25g) in rapeseed meal from Russia in Finland

RASFF-Salmonella Liverpool (presence /25g) in rapeseed meal from Germany in Finland

FSA

Food Safety News 

Pride & Joy Dairy is recalling its organic, unpasteurized, raw milk after state inspectors investigating E. coli illnesses found toxin-producing E. coli bacteria in the dairy’s milk, which has best-by dates of Feb. 10 through 24.

Neither a statement from the company owners, Allen and Cheryl Voortman, nor a notice on the Washington State Department of Agriculture website mentioned the illnesses.

Poultry Med 

Salmonella outbreaks in five locations across the state has prompted a warning to Queenslanders to stop playing Russian roulette with uncooked eggs and meat.
Health Minister Cameron Dick said more than 70 people were infected by the five outbreaks of the food-borne bacteria, which can lead to death in those with weakened immune systems. “While eggs are a great source of protein and are important for a healthy diet, if you eat them raw or undercooked, you really are playing Russian roulette with your health,” Mr Dick said.
The Minister said three of the current outbreaks across the State have been linked to more than 30 confirmed cases from raw or undercooked egg in Brisbane, while a further 37 people were infected after consuming undercooked pork in Mount Isa. Around 5000 cases of Salmonella are reported in Queensland each year. Chief Health Officer Dr Jeanette Young said the rate of Salmonella infection in Queensland is concerning.
Statistics surrounding Queensland cases of Salmonella:
•Total Salmonella notifications for 2015 = 5418 cases
•Total Salmonella notifications for 2016 = 4823 cases
•5 year average (2012 – 2016) = 4217 cases
• Hospitalisations in 2015 = 878
• Hospitalisations in 2016 (Jan-Nov) = 676

Wiley Online Library

Wiley Online Library

CFIA

Ottawa, February 8, 2017 – The food recall warning issued on February 3, 2017 has been updated to include additional products. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation.

Loblaw Companies Limited is recalling PC Organics brand baby food pouches from the marketplace because they may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum. A manufacturing error resulted in excess water in the product, which under certain circumstances could support the growth of Clostridium Botulinum and pose a health risk to consumers. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.

The products were sold at the following locations up to and including February 8, 2017.

Ontario: Fortinos, Loblaws, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, valu-mart, Your Independent Grocer, Zehrs, Shoppers Drug Mart, and affiliated independent stores

Atlantic: Atlantic Superstore, Dominion, Cash&Carry, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Your Independent Grocer, Shoppers Drug Mart, and affiliated independent stores

Québec: Club entrepôt, Maxi, Maxi & Cie, Presto, Provigo, Provigo le Marché, AXEP, Pharmaprix, and Intermarché

West: Extra Foods, Loblaws City Market, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Your Independent Grocer, Shoppers Drug Mart, and affiliated independent stores

The Peninsula

Qatar has the lowest incidence of food poisoning in the region with only 50 cases reported last year. And majority of food poisoning cases in Qatar are reported due to lack of standards in food storage and wrong approach by the restaurants and food handlers, a senior official of the Ministry of Public Health said yesterday.

Fresh Plaza

Friendly bacteria could soon be introduced to bagged salad mixes to try to prevent salmonella or listeria outbreaks.

University of Queensland researchers have begun a two-year, $800,000 study in conjunction with Horticulture Innovation Australia, into adding the bacteria ProbiSafe.

It comes after 300 people in Queensland, Victoria and South Australia fell ill in February last year after an outbreak of salmonella in bagged salads and sprouts.

Associate Professor Mark Turner said they would do taste-testing and investigate the cost of adding ProbiSafe, to make it safer and healthier to eat.

They want to commercialise the “friendly” lactic acid bacteria, which inhibits the growth of salmonella and listeria and is naturally occurring in fruit and vegetables.

The lettuce would be washed in a solution containing the bacteria and would stick to it in the packaging during its shelf-life.

“We consume them every day without any negative effects,” Dr Turner said.

“We want to increase the level of this bacteria by about 1,000 fold or 10,000 fold.”

The researchers would also consider whether they could add other probiotics, already commercially available.

“Instead of putting them in yoghurt or a capsule, we can put it in a bagged salad, and you can have your dose of probiotics that way,” Dr Turner said.