Monthly Archives: September 2020

New Zealand – Shellfish biotoxin alert – PSP

Posted on September 2, 2020 by | Leave a comment

MPI

North Island warnings

West coast, South Head to Tirua Point (south of Kawhia)

Reason for alert Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP)
Date warning issued Extended on 2 September 2020

Media release

First issue: 12 August 2020

Media release
Affected area West Coast North Island – from South Head (Manukau Harbour entrance) to Tirua Point (south of Kawhia)
Shellfish affected Mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles, scallops, catseyes, kina (sea urchin) and all other bivalve shellfish.

Note, cooking shellfish does not remove the toxin.

Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.
Symptoms Symptoms typically appear between 10 minutes and 3 hours after ingestion and may include:

  • numbness and a tingling (prickly feeling) around the mouth, face, and extremities (hands and feet)
  • difficulty swallowing or breathing
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhoea
  • paralysis and respiratory failure and in severe cases, death.
Other information Paralytic shellfish toxins have been detected in shellfish at levels over the safe limit of 0.8mg/kg set by MPI. Ongoing testing will continue and any changes will be communicated accordingly.

Map of affected area

Map showing the affected area

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Posted in Algal Blooms, Algal Toxin, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, microbial contamination, Microbiology, MPI, paralytic shellfish poisoning, PSP, Shellfish, shellfish toxin

New Zealand – Shellfish biotoxin alert extended for North Island west coast, including Raglan

Posted on September 2, 2020 by | Leave a comment

MPI

The Ministry for Primary Industries today extended the current public health warning against collecting shellfish from the west coast of the North Island. The warning now extends from South Head (Manukau Harbour entrance) to Tirua Point (south of Kawhia Harbour).

Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxins have been detected in shellfish from the Kawhia Harbour above the safe limit set by MPI.

The other public health warning for Hawke’s Bay remains in place.

Mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles, scallops, catseyes, kina (sea urchin) and all other bivalve shellfish should not be eaten.

Note, cooking shellfish does not remove the toxin.

Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.

Symptoms typically appear between 10 minutes and 3 hours after ingestion and may include:

  • numbness and a tingling (prickly feeling) around the mouth, face, and extremities (hands and feet)
  • difficulty swallowing or breathing
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhoea
  • paralysis and respiratory failure and in severe cases, death.

If anyone becomes ill after eating shellfish from an area where a public health warning has been issued, phone Healthline for advice on 0800 61 11 16, or seek medical attention immediately. You are also advised to contact your nearest public health unit and keep any leftover shellfish in case it can be tested.

Monitoring of toxin levels will continue and any changes will be communicated accordingly. Commercially harvested shellfish – sold in shops and supermarkets, or exported – is subject to strict water and flesh monitoring programmes by MPI to ensure they are safe to eat.

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Posted in Algal Blooms, Algal Toxin, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Technology, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Marine Biotoxin, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Shellfish, shellfish toxin

France – Salade & Compagnie Antibes Recipe SODEBO brand – Salmonella

Posted on September 2, 2020 by | Leave a comment

ENCOUNTERED PROBLEM

Presence of salmonella

PROPOSED SOLUTION

People who hold this product are asked not to consume it and to return it to the point of sale where it was purchased for reimbursement.

https://www.oulah.fr/rappel-produit-salade-compagnie-recette-antibes-de-marque-sodebo/

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pathogen, pathogenic, Salmonella

France – Cavet brand organic white goat cheese – Salmonella

Posted on September 2, 2020 by | Leave a comment

ENCOUNTERED PROBLEM

Presence of salmonella

PROPOSED SOLUTION

People who hold this product are asked not to consume it and to return it to the point of sale where it was purchased for reimbursement.

Foodborne illness caused by Salmonella results in gastrointestinal disturbances, diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain, often accompanied by fever; these symptoms may be more severe in young children, immunocompromised individuals and the elderly. The incubation period can range from 6 to 72 hours.
People who have consumed the products mentioned below and who have these symptoms are invited to consult their doctor, notifying him of this consumption.

https://www.oulah.fr/rappel-produit-chevre-blanc-bio-x2-de-marque-cavet/

 

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pathogen, pathogenic, Salmonella

USA – Salmonella outbreak linked to onions tops 1,000 cases

Posted on September 2, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News today

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an additional 143 Salmonella Newport cases linked to red onions today, bringing the multistate outbreak total to 1,012 in 47 states.

Half the cases are reported from 5 western states–California (122), Washington (117), Utah (110), Oregon (101) and Montana (63).

136 hospitalizations have been reported. No deaths have been reported.

Epidemiologic and traceback information showed that red onions are a likely source of this outbreak. Due to the way onions are grown and harvested, other onion types, such as white, yellow, or sweet yellow, are also likely to be contaminated.

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Ukraine – Ukraine reports 16 salmonella outbreaks so far this year

Posted on September 1, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News today

Ukraine health officials reported recently that during the first eight months of 2020, the country has seen 16 salmonella outbreaks, including four in Zaporizhia oblast, two in Ivano-Frankivsk oblast and one each in Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk, Zakarpattia, Kirovohrad, Odesa, Poltava, Rivne, Sumy, Cherkasy oblasts and Kyiv.

In total, 2402 salmonella cases have been reported, Officials say the incidence rate per 100,000 population is 5.7, which is 41% lower than in the same period last year.

 

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne disease, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Salmonella

Australia – MILKLAB and Blue Diamond almond milk – Pseudomonas spp

Posted on September 1, 2020 by | Leave a comment

FSANZ

Freedom Foods is recalling their MILKLAB Almond Milk and Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Chocolate Almond Milk due to a potential microbial contamination.

This recall includes an earlier recall by RIO Coffee of MILKLAB Almond Milk with a Best Before date of 6 AUG 2021 in SA – this recall has been removed from the website.

MILKLAB Almond Milk has been available for sale nationally in various coffee shops and food service outlets.

Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Chocolate Almond Milk has been available for sale in NSW (Coles and Woolworths), QLD (Coles and Woolworths), SA (Coles), TAS (Coles), VIC (Coles and Woolworths) and WA (Coles and Woolworths).

Date markings:

MILKLAB
Almond Milk 1L
Best Before dates: 18/06/21, 01/07/21, 20/07/21, 29/07/21, 06/08/21

Blue Diamond
Almond Breeze
Chocolate Almond Milk 1L
Best Before date: 27/04/21

UHT almond milk brand milk lab and blue diamond almond breeze

Problem

The recall is due to potential microbial contamination (bacteria pseudomonas).

Food safety hazard

Food products with microbial contamination may cause illness if consumed.

Country of origin

Australia

What to do​

Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice and should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund.

For further information please contact:

Freedom Foods
1800 646 231
www.freedomfoods.com.au

​​

Related links:

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pseudomonas

Luxembourg – SEVERAL STE FROMAGERE DE LA BRIE BRAND CHEESES RECALLED DUE TO THE SUSPECTED PRESENCE OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES

Posted on September 1, 2020 by | Leave a comment

SAP

Delhaize supermarkets have just informed the Luxembourg food authorities of the recall of several STE FROMAGERE DE LA BRIE brand cheeses due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

Foodborne illnesses caused by Listeria monocytogenes result in fever, isolated or accompanied by headaches following the consumption of contaminated products. Pregnant women, immunocompromised people and the elderly should pay special attention to these symptoms. They can, in fact, cause listeriosis, a disease which can be serious and the incubation period of which can be up to eight weeks.

The products were withdrawn from the commercialization, but a part was marketed to the final consumer.

This is why the Luxembourg authorities recommend that you no longer consume the products in the link above.

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes

Ghana – JHS students in Ho’s food poisoning incident treated and discharged

Posted on September 1, 2020 by | Leave a comment

https://www.myjoyonline.com/news/regional/jhs-students-in-hos-food-poisoning-incident-treated-and-discharged/

Volta Regional Coordinator of Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP), Madam Rejoice Afi Agyagbo, says the Junior High School (JHS) students reported to have suffered from a food poisoning incident in the region have been treated and discharged.

Some 21 students from four JHSs in Ho were rushed to the Ho Municipal hospital on Thursday, after complaining of stomach pains and upset, dizziness and weakness.

It was suspected that the previous day’s meal of plain rice, beans stew and egg, had caused the food poisoning.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing

USA – As of today 457 in Canada and 869 in United States with Salmonella Newport linked to United States Onions

Posted on September 1, 2020 by | Leave a comment

As of today 457 in Canada and 869 in United States with Salmonella Newport linked to United States Onions

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Salmonella