Monthly Archives: May 2017

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A study by students of the Federal University of Paraná evaluated the efficacy of peracetic acid in the removal of biofilms formed on polypropylene surfaces by three strains of Salmonella sp. With different biofilm formation capacities: strongly, moderately and weakly formed.Salmonella is considered one of the most important pathogens involved in chicken-based food contamination.

 In fridges, polypropylene surfaces are usually boxes, drums, cabinets, tanks, connections, plates or tables.  After forming, the biofilm on these surfaces can become a constant form of contamination for food and utensils that make any kind of contact with it.

FDA

Nica Products, Inc. of Miami, FL is recalling six thousand pounds of cheese, because it has 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 Queso Duro Blando / Hard White Cheese (Morolique) was distributed only in the state of California through supermarkets and other retail stores.

The cheese being recalled comes in one pound opaque plastic bags (16 oz.) with the name:

Quesos De La Costa
Queso Duro Blando
Hard Soft Cheese

The name is surrounded by an orange border and there is a small cow on the label. It is a white cheese. The cheese has an expiration date of August 31, 2017 and a UPC code of 8 52304 74023 2. The lot number of this cheese is 254.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

Food Safety News

Listeria monocytogenes growing on equipment and other surfaces in a Tacoma, WA, fish processing plant and filthy conditions with evidence of insect infestations in a St. Paul, MN, bakery earned business owners warning letters from the Food and Drug Administration recently.

In the most recent batch of warning letters made public by the FDA, federal officials gave the owners of the fish plant and bakery the standard 15 business days to respond with descriptions of corrective actions.

“Please include the timeframe in which the corrections will be completed and provide documentation that will effectively assist us in evaluating whether the corrections have been made and their adequacy,” according to the warning letters. “If you are unable to complete the corrective actions within 15 working days, identify the reason for the delay and the time within which you will complete the corrections.”

Outbreak News Today

Image CDC

In a follow-up on the gastrointestinal illness (GI) outbreak in Yolo County, California schools, The Yolo County Health & Human Services Agency now reports over 952 students, teachers and staff are sick with stomach cramps, vomiting and/or diarrhea in schools throughout the county.

The number of sick people is increasing every day at a very alarming rate. The outbreak has been identified and confirmed by specimen testing to be the Norovirus which is highly contagious.

Norovirus is the leading cause of outbreaks of diarrhea and vomiting in the U.S., and it spreads quickly. Norovirus spreads by contact with an infected person, by touching a contaminated surface, eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water. Norovirus particles can even float through the air and then settle on surfaces, spreading contamination. Norovirus particles are extremely small and billions of them are in the stool and vomit of infected people. Any vomit or diarrhea may contain Norovirus and should be treated as though it does. People can transfer Norovirus to others for at least three days after being sick

Food Safety News

The family-owned Horton Fruit Company, based in Louisville, is recalling a trio of fresh spinach products for possible Listeria contamination.

Recalled products include its 10 and 2.5 oz. bags of Fresh Curly Leaf PEAK brand spinach and a 10 oz Harris Teeter Farmer’s Market ready to eat leaf brand spinach.

Horton distributed the recalled bags of spinach in West Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky and Illinois.

The contamination was discovered through assistance from a partner-supplier and Horton’s own investigation.  No information was available on the exact number of recalled bags. No illnesses have yet been associated with the recall.

FSA

Smallbatch Pets Inc. of Portland, Oregon is voluntarily recalling two lots of frozen 2lbs. chicken blend for dogs and cats, brand name Smallbatch, due to the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

FSIS USDA

of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The ready-to-eat meat and poultry frozen burrito items were produced and packaged on various dates between March 8, 2017 and May 10, 2017. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF Only)]

• 8-oz paper wrap packages containing “am pm & Green Chile FOOD COMPANY, EGG & BACON BURRITO with Cheddar Cheese, Potato, Green Chile, Salsa & Jalapeños” with case code of 833425000900.
• 8-oz paper wrap packages containing “am pm & Green Chile FOOD COMPANY, POBLANO CHICKEN BURRITO with Monterrey Jack Cheese, Salsa, Rice, Onion, Green Chile and Green & Red Bell Peppers” with case code of 833425000931.
• 8-oz paper wrap packages containing “am pm & Green Chile FOOD COMPANY, BEEF & POTATO BURRITO with Cheddar Cheese, Green Chile & Salsa” with case code of 833425000887.
• 7-oz paper wrap packages containing “Green Chile FOOD COMPANY, Chipotle Chicken Burrito with Salsa & Monterey Jack” with case code of 833425001426.
• 7-oz paper wrap packages containing “Green Chile FOOD COMPANY, CARNITAS Burrito with Salsa, Monterey Jack & Cilantro Lime Rice” with case code of 833425001488.
• 7-oz paper wrap packages containing “Green Chile FOOD COMPANY, EGG & SAUSAGE Breakfast Burrito with HASHBROWNS, Salsa, & Cheddar” with case code of 833425000382.
• 7-oz paper wrap packages containing “Green Chile FOOD COMPANY, EGG & BACON Breakfast Burrito with HASHBROWNS, Salsa, Green Chile & Cheddar” with case code of 833425000368.
• 7-oz paper wrap packages containing “Green Chile FOOD COMPANY, BEEF Burrito with POTATO, GREEN CHILE, Salsa & Cheddar” with case code of 833425000320.
• 7-oz paper wrap packages containing “Green Chile FOOD COMPANY, CHICKEN FAJITA Burrito with Salsa & Cheddar” with case code of 833425000429.
• 7-oz paper wrap packages containing “Green Chile FOOD COMPANY, SHREDDED STEAK Burrito with Salsa, Monterey Jack, Green Chile, Onion, Rice & Jalapeño Peppers” with case code of 10833425008941.
• 7-oz paper wrap packages containing “Green Chile FOOD COMPANY, BEEF & BEAN Burrito with Green Chile, Salsa & Cheddar” with case code of 833425000344.
• 7-oz paper wrap packages containing “Green Chile FOOD COMPANY, FIESTA Breakfast Burrito with Beef, Egg, HASHBROWNS, GREEN CHILE, Cheddar & Sausage” with case code of 833425000405.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “M-21740 or P-21740” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to institutions, retail stores and distribution centers in California, Illinois, Oregon, and South Dakota.

The problem was initially discovered by FSIS Inspection Program Personnel (IPP) during a routine Listeria monocytogenes product sample of beef and potato burrito.

There have been no confirmed reports of illness due to consumption of these products.

FSIS USDA

WASHINGTON, May 12, 2017– Valley Innovative Services, a Pearl, Miss. establishment, is recalling approximately 130,071 pounds of meat and poultry frozen entrée products which included a non-meat ingredient (waffles) that was recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The heat-treated, not fully cooked, not shelf stable chicken and waffle, turkey ham & waffle, and oatmeal with waffle and sausage patty frozen entrée items were produced and packaged from May 2016 through May 2017. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF Only)]

• 11.40-oz three compartment tray packages containing “Traditions Creamy Chicken Patty & Waffle with Four Seasons Vegetables and Cabbage” with the following production dates: 6/6/2016, 7/13/2016, 8/15/2016, 10/12/2016, 12/21/2016 and 4/11/2017; and the following sell-by dates: 6/6/2017, 7/13/2017, 8/15/2017, 10/12/2017, 12/21/2017 and 4/11/2018.
• 11.35-oz three compartment tray packages containing “Traditions Creamy Chicken Patty & Waffle with Rib Meat with Cinnamon Flavored Sweet Potatoes and Seasoned Green Beans” with the following production dates: 10/12/2016, 11/18/2016, 12/21/2016, 1/26/2017, 1/30/2017 and 3/1/2017; and the following sell-by dates: 10/12/2017, 11/18/2017, 12/21/2017, 1/26/2018, 1/30/2018 and 3/1/2018.
• 12-oz three compartment tray packages containing “Traditions Creamy Chicken Patty & Waffle with Cinnamon Flavored Sweet Potatoes and Four Seasons Vegetables” with the following production dates: 12/9/2016, 12/21/2016, 1/26/2017 and 1/30/2017; and the following sell-by dates: 12/9/2017, 12/21/2017, 1/26/2018 and 1/30/2018.
• 9.20-oz three compartment tray packages containing “Traditions Turkey Ham & Waffle Cured Turkey Thigh meat Chunked and Formed with Fruit Cocktail and Hash Brown” with the following production dates: 12/12/2016, 1/21/2017, 1/30/2017, 3/16/2017, 3/21/2017, 4/3/2017, 4/5/2017, 4/18/2017, 4/26/2017; and the following sell-by dates: 12/12/2017, 1/21/2018, 1/30/2018, 3/16/2018, 3/21/2018, 4/3/2018, 4/5/2018, 4/18/2018, 4/26/2018.
• 7.40-oz three compartment tray packages containing “Traditions Oatmeal with Waffle and Sausage Patty” with a production date of 10/14/2016 and a sell-by date of 10/14/2017.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 18350” on the packaging label. These items were shipped to institutions nationwide.

The problem was discovered when Valley Innovative Services was notified by their waffle supplier that the waffle product used in the frozen entrée products was recalled due to potential Lm contamination.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

CFIA

Ottawa, May 12, 2017 – DOM International Limited is recalling Kelly Oysters brand Gigas Oysters from the marketplace due to marine biotoxin which causes amnesic shellfish poisoning. Consumers should not consume and retailers, hotels, restaurants and institutions should not sell, serve or use the recalled product described below.

The affected product may have been sold at retail at the following locations in Ontario and Quebec during the period shown below. Consumers who are unsure if they have purchased affected product should check with their retailer. Retailers, hotels, restaurants and institutions are advised to check the tags or labels on oyster packages or with their supplier to determine if they have the affected product.

CFIA

Ottawa, May 11, 2017 – The food recall warning issued on May 10, 2017 has been updated to include additional product information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation.

Industry is recalling certain ground and tenderized meat products from the marketplace due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.

The following products were sold from specific locations in Ontario. Consumers who are unsure if they have purchased affected products should check with their retailer.