Monthly Archives: May 2019

Research – Microbe Profile: Listeria monocytogenes: a paradigm among intracellular bacterial pathogens

Microbiology Research

Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne bacterial pathogen that is responsible for listeriosis, a disease characterized by occasional febrile gastroenteritis in immunocompetent individuals, abortions in pregnant women, meningitis in the newborn and fatal bacteraemia in immunocompromised individuals or the elderly. The ability of L. monocytogenes to produce disease is intimately associated with its potential to traverse several human barriers (including the intestinal, placental and blood/brain barriers), to promote its internalization within diverse populations of epithelial cells and to proliferate in the intra-ic environment while escaping host immune responses. L. monocytogenes is often regarded as a paradigm for intracellular parasitism.

USA – Cargill Expands Previously Announced Voluntary Recall of Select Southern States® Feed Due to High/Excessive/or Elevated Aflatoxin Levels

FDA

Company Announcement

Cargill’s animal nutrition business is expanding its voluntary recall of select Southern States® feed due to aflatoxin levels that exceed FDA’s action levels. This is an expansion of the recall initiated May 6, 2019 and is the result of Cargill’s internal investigation that identified additional products containing an ingredient provided from the same supplier referenced in the May 6, 2019 recall announcement. The expansion includes products manufactured between October 31, 2018 and March 1, 2019.

Livestock, horses, and poultry exposed to elevated levels of aflatoxin are at risk of exposure to several health effects. Aflatoxicosis has the same acute and chronic adverse effects and health consequences across all species and age classes (immature and mature). Immature animals are more sensitive to aflatoxins. Acute aflatoxicosis may result in generalized hemorrhage, bloody diarrhea and death in 1-3 days. In addition, aflatoxin toxicity can cause reduced feed intake, reduced weight gain, liver damage, jaundice, and eventually death.

Cargill has received a small number of adverse event reports. These reports are currently being investigated to determine if they are related to the recalled feed. Cargill is voluntarily expanding the scope of this recall.

The following affected products were manufactured at Cargill’s Cleveland, North Carolina, facility and are being recalled from retail outlets and distributors in the Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia markets.

Consumers with animals who have consumed products referenced in the table and are exhibiting these symptoms, should contact their veterinarian. Consumers and other end users who have any of the affected lots in their possession should return remaining product to their local dealer or retailer for a replacement or full refund. For more information, call the Customer Service line at 833-224-2003, which is available 24×7.

USA – ADM Milling Expands Recall of Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour 5lb Bags Packaged for ALDI in Select States -E.coli

FDA

Company Announcement

ADM Milling Co. is recalling all five-pound bags of Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour packaged for ALDI in select markets because of the potential presence of E.coli, which was discovered during testing of a five-pound bag of Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour by the Rhode Island Department of Health.

This E.colistrain found in the bag has been linked to 17 illness in eight states. The food source of the E.coli strain for all cases remains under investigation, but out of an abundance of caution, ADM is expanding its previous recall notice of only two specific lots to include all Baker’s Corner All Purpose
Flour five-pound bags currently in distribution that were manufactured for ALDI at ADM’s flour mill in
Buffalo, New York. The recall includes products distributed in select stores in 11 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia.

ADM Milling is working directly with ALDI, which has already recalled all potentially impacted products from store shelves in the region. ADM Milling is conducting an in-depth investigation to determine the cause of the contamination and is working closely with regulators throughout this process.

ADM reminds customers and consumers that flour is not ready-to-eat and must be thoroughly cooked before eating to prevent illness from possible bacteria in the flour. Do not eat or play with raw dough, and wash hands, utensils and surfaces after handling. Any consumers concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

If customers have product affected by this voluntary recall, they should discard it immediately or return it to their local ALDI store for a full refund. Please direct any customer inquiries for ADM Milling to 800-422-1688 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Central Time Monday through Friday.

South Africa – Pupils rushed to hospital after suspected food poisoning

IOL

DURBAN – At least 49 girls from a KwaZulu-Natal high school boarding establishment were rushed to hospital on Sunday with suspected food poisoning.

The girls, who live at the Albini Girls’ High School boarding establishment near Hammarsdale, were taken to St Mary’s Hospital for treatment. The pupils live at the boarding establishment, which is on the school’s property.

“We can’t say for sure what the cause was and will wait to hear from our sister department on their investigation,” he said.

Nigeria – Family of four dies of alleged food poisoning

The Nation

The Police in Ebonyi state on Monday confirmed the death of a family of four from alleged food poisoning.

They include a 100-year-old woman and three other family members.

Spokesperson of the Police in the state, Loveth Odah, confirmed the incident in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi state.

According to her, the corpses of the victims have been deposited in Matter Hospital located at Afikpo North local government area of the state.

“The death of the said persons was as a result of food poisoning. A family of four at Amachara village at Afikpo North LGA was discovered dead on their bed inside their room.

Sweden and Denmark – Yersinia outbreak update in Sweden and Denmark

Outbreak News Today

kswfoodworld.com

Image CDC

In a follow-up on the Yersinia enterocolitica outbreak ongoing in Sweden and Denmark, health officials from both countries in this cross-border outbreak to a cumulative total of 57. 
In Sweden the outbreak tally has reached 37, as of May 3. Health officials say that previous suspicions of a link to Latvian carrots has proven to have no connection.

Sweden has begun a case-control study to search for foods that the disease cases have eaten and which differ from what controls have eaten.

While in Denmark, a total of 20 people are part of the outbreak. The investigation shows that the source of infection was probably fresh spinach.

USA – ALDI Bakers Corner Flour E. coli O26 Outbreak Sickens 17

Food Poisoning Bulletin

The ALDI Bakers Corner Flour E. coli O26 outbreak has sickened 17 people in 8 states, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Three of those patients have been hospitalized because they are so sick. The notice did not state whether or not any patients have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure that is a complication of this type of infection.

ALDI Bakers Corner Flour E. coli O26 Outbreak Sickens 17

Canada – Compliments brand Chicken Strips recalled due to Salmonella

CFIA

Recall details

Ottawa, May 24, 2019 – Sofina Foods Inc. is recalling Compliments brand Chicken Strips from the marketplace to avoid possible Salmonella illnesses. The Public Health Agency of Canada is investigating an outbreak of human illness and has identified this product as a source of illness. The outbreak investigation is ongoing and may identify other sources. Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below.

The following product was sold nationally until May 1, 2019 but some consumers may still have it in their freezer.

Recalled products

Brand Name Common Name Size Code(s) on Product UPC
Compliments Chicken Strips – Breaded Chicken Cutlettes – Uncooked 907 g Outer package: 2019 NO 24
Inner package: 3288M
0 57742 33687 0

Compliments - Chicken Strips - Breaded Chicken Cutlettes - Uncooked - Outer package

USA – The Village Company Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of La Bella Extreme Sport Styling Gel Due to Bacterial Contamination

FDA

On May 24, 2019, The Village Company initiated a voluntary nationwide recall of the 22-ounce La Bella Extreme Sport Styling Gel. Four lots failed micro testing due to bacterial contamination, resulting in potential contamination of 2,377 cases (or 9,508 units). The bacteria found is Burkholderia cepacia and a group of related strains.

Burkholderia cepacia and group of related strains rarely cause infections in healthy people, but pose serious risk to individuals with cystic fibrosis, weakened immune systems, and chronic lung disease. If you are feeling ill after having used the product, consult with your doctor. Washing your hands, hair brush, combs and other hair items, counter tops and other surfaces with warm soapy water are good practices to help prevent the spread of bacteria.

The Village Company has not received any reports from consumers related to this recall. Consumers who have a product from any of the affected lots should stop using it immediately.

The recalled La Bella Extreme Sport Styling Gel was manufactured by Kapra Cosmetics, Inc. (Kapra) and distributed to retail starting March 5, 2019.

The following lot numbers have been recalled:
La Bella Extreme Sport Styling Gel
Lot Numbers: 19057B, 19072C, 19072E, 19072G
22-ounce bottle

USA – Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Carrau Linked to Pre-cut Melons

FDA

 

May 24, 2019

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local partners, have been investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Carrau illnesses linked to pre-cut melon products.

The FDA continues its investigation at the Caito Foods, LLC processing facility that cut and packed melons linked to this outbreak. The FDA investigated distribution and supplier information for these melons; a single source or potential point of contamination was not identified for this outbreak.

Today, the CDC announced that the outbreak appears to be over.

Recommendation

On April 12, 2019, FDA warned consumers not to eat the recalled pre-cut melon products.  It is not likely that any of these melon products are on the market or still in people’s homes.  Consumers need not avoid any type of melon currently on the market.