Monthly Archives: May 2019

USA – Raw Beef Recalled over E. coli worries

Food Poison Journal

Aurora Packing Company, Inc., a North Aurora, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 62,112 pounds of raw beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The raw beef products were packaged on April 19, 2019. This spreadsheet contains a list of the products subject to recall.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 788” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped nationwide for further distribution and processing.

The problem was discovered during traceback activities in response to random sample testing by FSIS. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

USA – FDA Investigates Shigella Illnesses Linked to Imported Raw Oysters

FDA

 

The FDA is investigating a subset of a larger outbreak investigation being conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Between the harvesting dates of February 12, 2019 and April 9, 2019, five ill patients reported eating raw oysters shortly before becoming ill with Shigella flexneri. One of the five patients was hospitalized; there have been no deaths. The last illness onset was April 17, 2019. Laboratory analyses were used to confirm that reported clinical illnesses matched pathogens found in product samples and traceback information indicated the implicated shellfish were harvested from Estero El Cardon, in Baja California Sur, Mexico.

The FDA confirmed that oysters harvested in Estero El Cardon, Baja California Sur, Mexico, were distributed to California, Nevada, New York, and Arizona with illnesses reported in California, Nevada and New Hampshire. The New Hampshire case reported eating at a restaurant in California shortly before becoming ill. It is possible that additional states received these potentially contaminated oysters either directly from Mexico or through further distribution within the U.S.

On May 7, 2019, the Mexican Shellfish Sanitation Program authorities voluntarily closed the growing area of Estero El Cardon and halted oyster harvesting in response to the reported illnesses. The shelf-life of fresh, raw oysters is limited. All raw oysters from this growing area are no longer expected to be available to consumers. For more information please see www.issc.org/noticesExternal Link Disclaimer.

USA – Flour E. coli Risk

Food Poison Journal

In cooperation with ADM Milling Co., ALDI has recalled Bakers Corner All Purpose Flour sold at retail locations in the Northeastern United States due to a potential presence of E. coli.

This product was sourced from an ADM Milling Co. production facility in Buffalo, N.Y. and was distributed to select ALDI stores in 11 states.

ALDI takes the safety and integrity of the products it sells seriously. If customers have product affected by this voluntary recall, they should discard it immediately or return it to their local store for a full refund.

USA – Fill Your Picnic Basket with Food Safety to Avoid Getting Sick this Memorial Day

FSIS – USDA

Memorial Day kicks off the official start of summer. The U.S. Department of Agriculture wants to remind you to prevent foodborne illness before you light up that grill and pack up the cooler. Hot and humid weather combined with outdoor activities, provide the perfect environment for harmful bacteria to multiply on food and make people sick.

Fill your picnic basket with these items that will help keep your summer fun while handling food at your Memorial Day gathering:

  • If running water is not available, bring soap, paper towels, hand sanitizer or moist towelettes. This will help keep your hands clean throughout the day especially after handling any raw meat or poultry.
  • Avoid cross contamination by using clean plates and utensils. Don’t place cooked food on a plate that once held raw meat or poultry.
  • Bring a couple of portable coolers – one for perishable foods and one for beverages– filled with ice. Perishable items like raw chicken, burgers or appetizers like fresh salsa, guacamole or bean salads should be kept at 40⁰F or below.
  • Don’t forget the food thermometer! Cook meat and poultry to the safe internal temperatures. Checking the temperature is the only way to know if your food is safe to consume. USDA recommended safe minimum internal temperatures are:
    • Beef, pork, lamb and veal (steaks, roasts and chops): 145°F with a three-minute rest time
    • Fish: 145°F
    • Ground meats (beef, veal, lamb, pork): 160°F
    • Whole poultry, poultry breasts and ground poultry: 165°F
  • Bring the right amount of food that you will consume at your picnic, but if you still have some leftovers, don’t leave them outdoors for more than 2 hours.

Foodborne illnesses can be prevented by properly handling food at home or outdoors. Make sure to follow our four steps – Clean, Separate, Cook and Chill – to food safety all year and during special occasions like this Memorial Day holiday.

USA – Outbreak of Salmonella Infections Linked to Frozen Raw Tuna – has ended

CDC

Salmonellaa

Image CDC

This outbreak appears to be over, but recalled frozen tuna may still be in freezers. People could get sick if restaurants and retailers who are unaware of the recall continue to serve and sell sushi made with recalled frozen tuna. Check the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website for the list of recalled productsexternal icon.

Restaurants and retailers should not sell or serve recalled frozen, ground tuna from Jensen Tuna.

  • On April 15, 2019, Jensen Tuna in Houma, La., voluntarily recalledexternal icon frozen ground tuna imported from JK Fish of Vietnam.
    • The recalled tuna was individually packaged in one-pound bags and sold in 20-pound boxes under lot numbers z266, z271, and z272.
    • Jensen Tuna distributed product to distributors in Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, and Washington. Recalled product might have been redistributed to additional states.
    • Restaurants and retailers should contact the distributor if they don’t know whether their frozen ground tuna is recalled. If in doubt, they should not sell or serve it.
  • Consumers who order sushi made with raw tuna, including “spicy tuna,” should ask the restaurant or grocery store if the tuna is from Jensen Tuna. If you are not sure if the tuna has been recalled, do not eat it.
  • Contact your health care provider if you think you may have become ill from eating raw tuna sushi.
  • In general, people who are at higher risk for serious foodborne illness should not eat any raw fish or raw shellfishexternal icon. People at higher risk include children younger than 5 years, pregnant women, adults 65 years and older, and people with weakened immune systems.

FDA

May 22, 2019

The United States Food and Drug Administration, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local partners, investigated a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Newport illnesses linked to frozen ground tuna imported from JK Fish of Vietnam.

On May 20, 2019, the CDC announced that this outbreak appears to be over.

Recommendation

Restaurants and retailers should check with their suppliers and not sell or serve the recalled ground tuna from Jensen Tuna. They should also be sure to wash and sanitize locations where the recalled ground tuna was stored or prepared.

It is unlikely that the recalled ground tuna was sold directly to consumers in grocery stores; rather, it was likely used in food dishes sold by restaurants or retailers. Consumers with concerns should ask their restaurants and retailers whether the tuna dish they are purchasing contains the recalled ground tuna.

 

Ireland – Recall of Smoked Pork Sausage Produced by Rimantas Meats, due to the Presence of Listeria monocytogenes

FSAI

Summary
Category 1: For Action
Alert Notification: 2019.20
Product: Smoked Pork Sausage produced by Rimantas Meats, Belturbet,
Co. Cavan, approval number: IE 2826 EC
Batch Code: All batch codes, all expiry dates.
Country Of Origin: Ireland

Message:

Listeria monocytogenes was detected in a batch of ready-to-eat smoked pork sausage (use by date: 07/06/2019) which was produced by Rimantas Meats, Belturbet, Co. Cavan.  As a precautionary measure, all batches of Rimantas Meats smoked pork sausage are being recalled.  These products were mainly sold at food markets in the North East region.

Nature Of Danger:

Symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness.  In rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis. Some people are more vulnerable to Listeria monocytogenes infections, including pregnant women, babies, and people with weakened immune systems, including the elderly.  The incubation period (time between initial infection and first symptoms appearing) is on average 3 weeks but can range between 3 and 70 days.

Action Required:

Manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, caterers & retailers:

Food businesses which were supplied with the implicated products are requested to remove them from sale and clearly display a point-of-sale notice informing consumers not to eat the products.

Consumers:

Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated smoked pork sausage.

Large sausage
Small sausage.

Australia – Recall: Roza’s Gourmet Dip – Listeria monocytogenes

Food Authority NSW

The NSW Food Authority advises:

Roza’s Gourmet is conducting a recall of Roza’s Gourmet Miso and Edamame Dip. The product has been for sale at independent stores (including IGA and Harris Farm) in NSW, QLD, ACT, VIC, and TAS.

Product details:

  • Roza’s Gourmet Miso and Edamame Dip, 160g plastic tub
  • Best Before: Up to and including 23 JUN 19

Problem: Potential microbial (Listeria monocytogenes) contamination

Food safety hazard: Listeria monocytogenes may cause illness in pregnant women
and their unborn babies, the elderly and people with low immune systems.

Country of origin: Australia

What to do: This product should not be consumed and should be returned to the
place of purchase for a full refund. Any consumers concerned about their health
should seek medical advice.

For further information please contact Roza’s Gourmet Pty Ltd on 1800 259 769.

Canada – Food Recall Warning – Pousses et Cie brand Mix Spicy Microgreens recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

CFIA

Recall details

Ottawa, May 22, 2019 – Les Serres René Fontaine Inc. is recalling Pousses et Cie brand Mix Spicy Microgreens from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below.

Recalled products

Pousses et Cie - Mix Spicy Microgreens - 75 gram

Brand Name Common Name Size Code(s) on Product UPC
Pousses et Cie Mix Spicy Microgreens 75 g Best Before 19MA20
061FE05
6 74001 03531 8

USA – FDA Investigates Shigella Illnesses Linked to Imported Raw Oysters

FDA 

May 21, 2019

Audience

  • Consumers who recently experienced symptoms of foodborne illness after eating raw oysters
  • Restaurants that sell raw oysters in California, Nevada, New York, and Arizona

Product

  • Oysters harvested from Estero El Cardon, Baja California Sur, Mexico
  • Oysters were distributed primarily to California, Nevada, New York, and Arizona
  • Oysters were sold to wholesale distributors with direct sales to restaurants and not to grocery retail outlets.

Purpose

Consumers should not purchase oysters marketed as being harvested from Estero El Cardon, in Baja California Sur, Mexico from restaurants. Consumers who have recently experienced symptoms of foodborne illness should contact their healthcare provider and report their symptoms and receive care.

Restaurants and retailers should not serve oysters from the Estero El Cardon harvest area in Baja California Sur, Mexico. Restaurants and retailers should dispose of any products with harvest tags that indicate a growing area of Estero El Cardon by throwing them away.

Symptoms of Shigella Illness (Shigellosis)

Shigella is a bacterium that spreads from contaminated feces. It often spreads through unclean water that an infected person has been in. Food can become contaminated when handled by an infected person who did not use proper hand hygiene after going to the bathroom, or if contaminated water is used in the process of growing or preparing the food.

Symptoms of shigellosis generally develop within 8 hours or up to about 2 days. Although shigellosis is often mild and goes away by itself in a week or less, it can become very serious in some cases. Severe cases can be treated with certain antibiotics. Symptoms of shigellosis may include watery stool that may have blood, pus, or mucus in it, vomiting, cramping, and fever. Young children, the elderly, and people with a weak immune system are more likely than others to develop severe illness.

If you suspect you have symptoms of shigellosis, contact a health professional.

Ireland – Recall of a Batch of Holland and Barrett Lucky Liquorice Roots Due to Ochratoxin A

FSAI

Summary
Category 2: For Information
Alert Notification: 2019.19
Product: Holland & Barrett good stuff lucky liquorice root, pack size: 100g
Batch Code: 130567, ‘best-before’ end: January 2020
Country Of Origin: Azerbaijan

Message:

A high level of ochratoxin A was detected in the above batch of liquorice roots. Ochratoxin A is a toxin which is produced by fungi growing on the plant material. Consumers who have the implicated batch should dispose of it or return it to Holland & Barrett.

Lucky_liquorice