Monthly Archives: March 2021

Singapore – 8 Temasek JC staff hospitalised as 43 ill after eating food from Chilli Api

Posted on March 17, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Straits Times

SINGAPORE – Eight Temasek Junior College (TJC) staff have been hospitalised for gastroenteritis symptoms after eating food prepared by Chilli Api Catering last Friday (March 12).

They are currently in stable condition, said TJC principal Low Ay Nar.

Responding to queries from The Straits Times, Mrs Low said that as of Monday (March 15), a total of 43 staff have reported gastroenteritis symptoms after the school provided all its staff with 216 bento lunch boxes from Chilli Api Catering to thank them for their work in Term 1.

Leave a comment

Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, microbial contamination, Microbiology, outbreak, Poisoning

Research – Raw pet food microbiology safety risks rise with owner cognitive bias

Posted on March 17, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Pet Food Industry

The optimistic belief that Salmonella only infects other people exemplifies a cognitive bias.

Although still a small portion of the overall pet food market, raw pet food sales grew at faster rates than kibble or conventional wet dog and cat foods during the pandemic. With the rising popularity of raw pet foods, people may believe they are following safe practices more than they…

To read more you will need to login to their site.

Leave a comment

Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pet Food, Pet Food Testing, raw pet food, Research, Salmonella, Salmonella Dog Food

Denmark – Food Safety – Lack of heat treatment of raw materials used in smoothie

Posted on March 17, 2021 by | Leave a comment

DVFA

Palæo Foods ApS is recalling a smoothie product because the raw materials are not heat-treated.

Recalled Foods , Published: March 16, 2021

What food:
Smoothie Power Up – Strawberry Blueberry (see photo )
Net content: 330 ml
Expiry date / best before date: 27 / 3-21, 5 / 4-21, 12 / 4-21
EAN barcode no .: 5712889221340
Sold in:
7 Eleven stores nationwide
Calling company:
Palæo Foods ApS, Store Kongensgade 81 C, 1264 Copenhagen
Cause:
Lack of heat treatment of raw materials. 
Risk:
Risk of diarrhea.
Advice for consumers:
The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration advises consumers to deliver the product back to the store where it was purchased or to discard it.

Leave a comment

Posted in DVFA, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology

Canada – The recent supreme court decision on the deadliest foodborne disease outbreak in Canadian history

Posted on March 17, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Barf Blog

Gladys Osien and Ron Doering from Gowling WLG write in the latest Food in Canada that the listeriosis outbreak linked to cold cuts from a Maple Leaf Foods plant in Toronto in 2008 resulted in 57 confirmed cases and 22 deaths. It was the deadliest foodborne disease outbreak in Canadian history. The recall reportedly cost the company $20 million.

A class action lawsuit from affected consumers and their families was settled quickly by Maple Leaf and its insurance company. But that was not the end of the matter. To carry out extensive sanitation, the plant was closed for several weeks with the result that retail customers and distributors did not obtain their usual supply. 424 Mr. Sub franchise operators sued Maple Leaf for lost sales and damage to reputation. In November 2020, the Supreme Court of Canada in a 5-4 majority decision dismissed the case against Maple Leaf with important implications for Canadian food companies.

Leave a comment

Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food death, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, 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 outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiology

Ireland – Recall of Batches of Various SFC Chicken Products due to the Possible Presence of Salmonella

Posted on March 17, 2021 by | Leave a comment

FSAI

Tuesday, 16 March 2021

Summary
Category 1:

For Action
Alert Notification:

2021.27
Product:

SFC Take Home Boneless Bucket; pack size: 650g

SFC Southern Fried Chicken Burgers; pack size: 228g

SFC Chicken Poppets; pack size: 190g

SFC Southern Fried Chicken Strips; pack size: 155g
Batch Code:

All best before dates up to and including 30.06.2022
Country Of Origin:

United Kingdom

Message:

Further to FSAI’s food alerts 2021.20, 2021.20 update 1, and 2021.20 update 2, SFC is recalling the above batches of some of its chicken products due to the possible presence of Salmonella.  Point-of-sale recall notices will be displayed in Lidl stores.

Nature Of Danger:

People infected with Salmonella typically develop symptoms between 12 and 36 hours after infection, but this can range between 6 and 72 hours.  The most common symptom is diarrhoea, which can sometimes be bloody.  Other symptoms may include fever, headache and abdominal cramps.  The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Diarrhoea can occasionally be severe enough to require hospital admission. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

Action Required:

Consumers:

Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batches.

SFC 2
SFC1


Leave a comment

Posted in food contamination, food death, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, 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, FSAI, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Salmonella, Salmonella in Chicken

Canada – Notice not to consume the terrine sold by Les Gibiers Canabec inc. – food safety

Posted on March 17, 2021 by | Leave a comment

MAPAQ

MAPAQ, in collaboration with Gibiers Canabec Inc., located at 115, rue des Grands Lacs, in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures , is warning the population not to consume the product indicated in the table below, because it has not been packaged in such a way as to ensure its safety .

Product name CUP Brand Format Targeted lot
“Terrine of cerc, pork and duck with field berries and Calvados”

77914002495

 In addition to this, you need to know more about it.

CANABEC

90 g

 Units sold bearing the expiration date (“best before”) of 2022MR25

The product that is the subject of this alert was available for sale at several locations across the province . It was placed on a green card and covered with transparent plastic wrap. It was sold refrigerated. The product label includes, in addition to its proper name, the words “CANABEC”.

The operator is voluntarily recalling the product in question. He agreed with MAPAQ to disseminate this notice as a precautionary measure. Also, people who have this product in their possession are advised not to consume it. They must either return the product to the establishment where they purchased it or throw it away. Even if the affected product does not show any signs of spoilage or a suspicious odor, consuming them may represent a health risk. It should be noted that no case of illness associated with the consumption of this food has been reported to MAPAQ so far.

Additional information

Media relations
Communications
Department Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries
and Food
Tel. : 418 380-2100, extension 3512
www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca

Product (s)

Leave a comment

Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing

USA – Colorado: Suspected norovirus increases reported in Mesa County child care centers

Posted on March 17, 2021 by | 1 comment

Outbreak News Today

Food Borne Illness - Norovirus -CDC Photo

The Mesa County Public Health (MCPH) reports seeing an increase in gastrointestinal (GI) illness, suspected norovirus, in child care centers in the county.

Health officials say the reported symptoms are very similar to norovirus, a very common and highly contagious GI illness that lasts anywhere between 24 and 72 hours.

Community members who are not feeling well, and who have been sick with vomiting or diarrhea episodes, should not go to work or school until at least 24 hours since the last episode, 48 hours is preferred if possible.

It’s also very important that children who are being kept out of school due to illness do not attend child care while they are ill.

Norovirus is a common cause of gastrointestinal illness. Symptoms often include diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. People who are ill from a norovirus may also experience headaches, body aches and fever.

1 Comment

Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Virus, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Norovirus, outbreak, Virus

Research – Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of foodborne pathogens in select fresh produce procured from farmers’ markets in Central Virginia

Posted on March 17, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Wiley Online

As farmers’ markets have increased in size, scope, and complexity, so have potential food‐safety challenges and implications. Most products sold at farmers’ markets may receive minimal to no treatment of decontamination which could increase their potential microbial risks. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of foodborne pathogens in select fresh produce procured from farmers’ markets in Central Virginia. A total of 138 samples produced by 15 farms and sold at 9 registered farmers’ markets were obtained between March and November 2017. Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, and Listeria were, respectively, detected in 8.7, 9.4, and 8.0% of the samples. A total of 46 bacterial isolates consisted of Campylobacter, E. coli, and Listeria were tested for their susceptibility to 12 antimicrobials. Ampicillin resistance showed the highest frequency among Campylobacter (100%) and E. coli (47.8%) isolates while nalidixic acid resistance was the highest in Listeria isolates (72.7%). At least 17% of each Campylobacter, E. coli, and Listeria isolates exhibited multidrug resistance (MDR). No isolates had matching pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles demonstrating that the E. coli isolates had a high degree of genomic diversity. This study demonstrated a potential health hazard arising from farmers’ market‐acquired fresh produce and emphasizes the importance of good agricultural and handling practices to prevent foodborne illness and spread of multidrug antibiotic resistance. Continued research is needed to determine and intervene the cause(s) of the observed prevalence and to support the healthy development of food products sold at farmers’ markets.

Leave a comment

Posted in Campylobacter, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Safety, foodborne disease, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Research

Malaysia – Lay Hong shares fall after Singapore’s eggs recall – Salmonella

Posted on March 16, 2021 by | Leave a comment

New Straits Times

KUALA LUMPUR: Lay Hong Bhd’s shares went down as low as 33.5 sen or 6.9 per cent in early trade after Singapore Food Agency (SFA) directed four importers to recall eggs from the company’s Layer Farm Jeram, after it detected presence of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE).

On Friday, Lay Hong’s shares closed at 36 sen.

In a statement on March 12, SFA explained that the eggs were recalled as a precautionary measure because SE might cause foodborne illness if food was consumed raw or undercooked.

“The recall is ongoing. The farm is also suspended and SFA will lift the suspension only when the farm has rectified the SE contamination issue,” SFA said.

Leave a comment

Posted in food contamination, Food Hazard, 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, Salmonella, Salmonella in Eggs

Canada – UPDATE – Notice not to consume products packaged in glass jars, manufactured and sold by the company Pizzeria Sofia – food safety

Posted on March 16, 2021 by | Leave a comment

MAPAQ

The food recall release issued on March 12, 2021 has been updated to include additional product information.

MAPAQ, in collaboration with the company Pizzeria Sofia, located at 9200, boulevard Leduc, bureau 140, in Brossard , is warning the population not to consume the products indicated in the table below, because they have not been prepared. and packaged in such a way as to ensure their safety . The list of recalled products was updated today .

Product name Format Lots targeted
“Rosée – Tomato and cream sauce” 1 liter Units sold until March 10, 2021
Products added as of March 15, 2021
“Minestrone soup” In addition to this, you need to know more about it.

1 litre

 In addition to this, you need to know more about it.

Units sold until March 10, 2021
“Mushroom sauce”
“Alfredo sauce”
“Meat sauce”

The products that are the subject of this advisory have been offered for sale until March 10, 2021 , and only at the establishment designated above. They were packaged in glass jars and sold at room temperature or refrigerated. The product label includes, in addition to its name, the mention “Sofia at home”.

The operator is voluntarily recalling the product in question. He agreed with MAPAQ to disseminate this warning as a precautionary measure. In addition, people who have any of these products in their possession are advised not to consume it. They must return it to the establishment where they bought it or throw it away. Although the affected products do not show any signs of spoilage or a suspicious odor, their consumption may represent a health risk. It should be noted that no case of illness associated with the consumption of these foods has been reported to MAPAQ so far.

Additional information

Media relations
Communications
Department Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries
and Food
Tel. : 418 380-2100, extension 3512
www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca

Example of product (s)

Leave a comment

Posted in Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing