Monthly Archives: February 2017

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 8.1; Tot. = 9.6 µg/kg – ppb) in hazelnuts shelled from Azerbaijan in Bulgaria

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 153.3; Tot. = 183.9 µg/kg – ppb) in roasted pistachios from the United States in Germany

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 245.2; Tot. = 271.4 µg/kg – ppb) in shelled groundnuts from China in Greece

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 7.2; Tot. = 16.1 µg/kg – ppb) in hazelnuts from Turkey in the Netherlands

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 143.1; Tot. = 159.8 µg/kg – ppb) in pistachios from the United States in Belgium

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 96.6; Tot. = 128 µg/kg – ppb) in roasted and salted pistachios from Turkey in Belgium

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 15.5; Tot. = 16.69 µg/kg – ppb) in pistachio nuts from the United States in Italy

RASFF-aflatoxins (Tot. = 17.4 µg/kg – ppb) in hazelnuts from Turkey in Italy

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 14.18; Tot. = 42.55 µg/kg – ppb) in hazelnut waffles from Turkey in Germany

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 49.82; Tot. = 53.54 µg/kg – ppb) in roasted pistachios from Turkey in Germany

RASFF-aflatoxins (Tot. = 12.3 µg/kg – ppb) in shelled pistachios from Iran, via Turkey in Germany

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 89.7; Tot. = 99.3 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts in shell from Egypt in Italy

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 13.5; Tot. = 14.5 µg/kg – ppb) in roasted pistachios in shell from Turkey in Germany

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 48.5; Tot. = 51.6 µg/kg – ppb) in dried figs from Spain in Portugal

RASFF – Salmonella Newport (presence /25g) in dog chews from India

RASFF-Salmonella infantis and Salmonella Ohio and too high count of Enterobacteriaceae (250; 280 CFU/g) in meat meal from Spain

INEXPO

LIVE WEBINAR – 22/02/2017

How can you stay ISO certified in the current environment of an ever-increasing, but necessary regulation? The ISO food microbiology standards are changing for ISO 11290, ISO 21528, and ISO 22964. All food products and ingredients intended for human consumption and the feeding of animals are implicated, along with environmental samples in food production and handling areas. Our food microbiology expert, member of the German ISO delegation, will guide you through the most recent changes for handling the testing of Listeria (ISO 11290), Enterobacteriaceae (ISO 21528), and Cronobacter (ISO 22964) to help you remain compliant.”

Food Poisoning Bulletin

A school in Pennsylvania has been closed and the students relocated after E. coli was found in the facility’s water. Summit Elementary in Butler County was closed yesterday after an emergency school board meeting. Classes will be relocated to Broad Street Elementary School next week.

FDA

Fromi USA. of New York, NY, is recalling its 7 cases of Soureliette cheese and 2 cases of Tomme Brebis Fedou 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 Tomme Brebis Fedou cheese and Soureliette were distributed to CA, NY and MA through retail stores.

The product Soureliette comes in a 3lb box marked with an expiration date of 02/22/2017; 01/25/2017 and 08/02/2017 stamped on the top.

The product Tomme Brebis Fedou comes in a 3lb box marked with an expiration date of 02/22/2017stamped on the top.

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

The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the foreign supplier revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in 3lb packages of Tomme Brebis Fedou cheese and Soureliette.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at

1-718-412-0498, Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm, ET.

CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued a report about the 2015 E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to a dough mix that was made into pizzas at “restaurant A.” That outbreak sickened at least 13 people in nine states.

FDA

Barberi International Inc., based in Miami, Florida, is recalling its Sunmba Frozen Ajiaco (vegetable mix) product across Florida due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is 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 monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The Sunmba Frozen Ajiaco (vegetable mix) product being recalled was sold in 2 lb. plastic bags with the UPC number 85641400172 and with a “use by” date of Nov. 5, 2017, or earlier. This product was distributed in Florida and sold to the below stores between December 24, 2016 thru January 22, 2017. Out of an abundance of caution, Barberi International Inc. is recalling this product from these stores.

Listeria monocytogenes was discovered in the Sunmba Frozen Ajiaco after Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services product testing. No other Barberi International food items are impacted by this recall.

To date, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this product.

Customers who purchased this product should discard it or return it to their local store for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact Barberi International at (786) 845 0037 Monday thru Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm EST.

Food Poisoning Bulletin 

A new study focusing on contact surface transfer of pathogens is halfway through its two year timeline. The research is being conducted at Virginia Tech. Dr. Laura Strawn, a produce safety Extension Specialist at that University is leading the project, along with Dr. Ben Chapman at NCSU and Dr. Michelle Danyluk at the University of Florida in Lake Alfred. The project is being funded by the Center for Produce Safety.

Their research is looking at potential pathogen contamination of cantaloupe in the food chain. The study is focusing on Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes transfer.

Food Safety News

Hong Kong’s Center  for Food Safety (CFS), a unit of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department has released the findings of its food safety report for December 2016 and surveillance information for 2016.

Only 13 of 9,800 food samples tested during December were found to be unsatisfactory, meaning the overall satisfactory rate for the month was 99.9 percent.

A spokesman for CFS reported about 1,100 food samples were collected for microbiological tests. Some 1,000 samples were taken for chemical tests and 7,700 — including about 7,300 taken from food imported from Japan — were collected to test radiation levels.

The microbiological tests covered pathogens and hygienic indicators, while the chemical tests were aimed at detecting pesticides, preservatives, metallic contaminants, coloring matters, veterinary drug residues and other contaminants.

Outbreak News Today

On 1/9/17, Public Health was notified of 4 cases of norovirus-like illness from the same meal party who had consumed raw oysters at Taylor Shellfish (located at 124 Republican St in Seattle) on 1/4/17. Two females and two males became ill 20-29 hours after consuming raw oysters with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headache, and body aches.