Monthly Archives: May 2021

Kenya – Government to destroy 1, 200 bags of poisonous maize at Isebania border – Aflatoxin

Standard Media

The Government is set to destroy over 1,200 bags of maize which is believed to have been imported from neighbouring Tanzania.

Authorities say the maize is contaminated with aflatoxin, a naturally occurring carcinogenic chemical.

According to Migori County Commissioner Boaz Cherutich, the maize is currently at Kehancha National Cereals and Produce Board depot under tight police security.

He said they will seek a court order to allow them to destroy the contaminated maize which was sampled at the Government laboratory.

“We will seek court orders to destroy the maize which was confirmed to be contaminated with high levels of aflatoxin,” Cherutich said.

USA – State investigates Chipotle near Denver for likely Norovirus outbreak

Food Safety News

Food Borne Illness - Norovirus -CDC Photo

State and local health authorities in Colorado are acknowledging they are investigating an apparent foodborne illness outbreak involving a Chipotle Mexican Grill near Denver.

Two agencies, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the local Tri-County Health Department, are involved, and CDPHE issued the following statement.

“CDPHE is partnering with the Tri-County Health Department on a suspected foodborne outbreak at the Chipotle located at 6710 S Cornerstar Way. The investigation is ongoing, and at this time, the cause of the illness has not been identified.

“Symptoms appear to be consistent with viral gastroenteritis, which is often caused by norovirus. So far, CDPHE has identified a total of 8 ill patrons and employees. Public health officials are working closely with the restaurant, which has implemented disease control measures.”

USA – Additional patients identified in outbreak tied to organic yogurt; one in Arizona – E.coli O157

Food Safety News

More patients are being identified by investigators working on an E. coli O157 outbreak that has been limited to Washington State. However, today Arizona officials confirmed there is a child in that state with an infection from the same strain of the pathogen.

There are 11 confirmed patients in Washington in the outbreak linked to locally produced organic yogurt sold by Pure Eire Dairy. Another three probable patients are from the Moses Lake area in Grant County, WA. Teresa McCallion of the Washington Department of Health said it is not unusual for counties and local health departments to know of probable cases before they are added to the state’s tally.

“We only report confirmed cases,” McCallion told Food Safety News on Wednesday evening. The Washington Health Department is working on a special outbreak information web page, which McCallion said should be available soon.

Spain – Alert for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in marinated smoked salmon from Spain

ACSA

The Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition has become aware through the Coordinated System of Rapid Exchange of Information (SCIRI), of an alert notification transferred by the health authorities of the Autonomous Community of Andalusia regarding the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, in smoked salmon marinated with dill made in Spain.

The presence of Listeria monocytogenes above the established limits has been detected as a result of an official control carried out by the health authorities of the Autonomous Community of Andalusia.

The manufacturing company has contacted its customers and is managing the withdrawal of product from market.

The data of the product involved are:

  • Product name on the label: Smoked salmon marinated with dill
  • Brand: Royal
  • Lot: 1098B1-098
  • Expiry date: 23/05/2021
  • Barcode: EAN841248-051128-0
  • Unit weight: 80 g
  • Temperature: Cooling

The product has been distributed to all the autonomous communities.

This information has been transferred to the competent authorities of the Autonomous Communities through the SCIRI, in order to verify the withdrawal of the affected products from the marketing channels.

With the information available, no case associated with this alert has been confirmed in Spain.

As a precautionary measure, it  is recommended that people who have lots of the products listed above at home, refrain from consuming them and return them to points of sale.

In the case of having consumed these products from the affected batches and presenting any symptoms compatible with Listeriosis (vomiting, diarrhoea and fever), it is recommended to go to a health center.

For more information on this disease, you can call CatSalut 24 hours a day (061).

In the event that new information on this withdrawal is available, ASPCAT will update this statement.

Healthy, Safe, Sustainable: Driving Scotland’s Food Future Food Standards Scotland Strategy for 2021–2026

Click to access FSS_Strategy_2021-2026.pdf

Norway – Norwegian surveillance finds low levels of Salmonella

Food Safety News

Norwegian cattle, swine and poultry are only rarely infected with Salmonella, according to the results of surveillance programs in 2020.

Occurrence of Salmonella in Norwegian production animals and animal products is very low compared to most other countries. Salmonellosis has increased in recent decades but the majority of infections are acquired abroad.

Surveillance covers live animals such as pigs, poultry and cattle, eggs and fresh meat from pigs and cattle. Any Salmonella isolated in the programs is notifiable to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet). The Norwegian Veterinary Institute coordinates the surveillance programs, examines fecal samples and reports the results. Private laboratories analyze samples collected at slaughterhouses and cutting plants.

Programs are approved by the EU Commission which allows Norway to require additional guarantees on Salmonella when importing live animals and food products of animal origin from the European Union.

Korea – Food poisoning bacteria found in 15 kimchi products from China

Korean Times

Yersinia p

Food poisoning bacteria were detected in 15 out of 289 kimchi products imported from China, according to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Tuesday.

Two out of four Chinese salt-cured cabbage products were also found to have used preservatives that are not permitted in Korea.


It examined the 289 products from 55 Chinese companies imported here, and detected Yersinia enterocolitica, a type of food poisoning bacteria, in 15 of them.

USA – USDA – Outbreak Investigations

FSIS USDA

The table below lists outbreak investigations in which FSIS responded by posting a recall of FSIS-regulated product linked to illness, a public health alert, and/or an after-action review report. The table does not include outbreak investigations that did not result in one or more of these outcomes.

Outbreak Year Pathogen Product Outcomes & References Active
2021 Salmonella Hadar Turkey, ground FSIS Public Notification: FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Raw Ground Turkey Products Linked to Salmonella Hadar Illness

CDC Notice: Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Ground Turkey

Yes
2021 Salmonella Enteritidis Chicken, raw, breaded, stuffed (suspect) Yes
2021 Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli) Beef, ground (suspect) No
2021 Escherichia coli O145 (E. coli) Beef, ground (suspect) No
2021 Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli) Unknown

CDC Notice: View CDC Investigation Notice

No
2021 Listeria monocytogenes Unknown No

France – Product recall: Unbranded mackerel fillet – Histamine

Oulah

Product recall: Unbranded mackerel fillet

ENCOUNTERED PROBLEM

Presence of histamine

PROPOSED SOLUTION

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

Histamine poisoning is manifested by allergic-type reactions triggered when histamine is absorbed in high amounts. The symptoms most often encountered are: facial-cervical redness, rash, itching, tingling of the skin. They are generally followed by neurological disorders: headache, heart palpitations, dizziness. Secondary symptoms, of a gastrointestinal nature, may appear: nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea. Symptoms appear immediately or several hours after ingestion of food. They normally disappear within a few hours, but can exceptionally last for several days. In rare cases (high doses of histamine and sensitivity of the subject), the allergic reaction can then go up to histamine shock.

If you think you are having symptoms of histamine poisoning, seek medical advice immediately.

FURTHER INFORMATION

▸ Names of models or references
Fresh mackerel fillet packaged self-service mackerel fillet in the traditional department


▸ Barcode
203756029718


▸ Lot
1118411229


▸ DLC – DDM
05/05/2021


▸ Packaging
packed in trays in transparent film


▸ Start date / End of marketing
From 04/30/2021 to 05/05/2021



YFFINIAC geographic sales area



HYPER U YFFINIAC distributors (22120) shopping center in the bay


▸ Consumer service contact
0296633633


▸ Source
YFFINIAC DISTRIBUTION COMPANY SAS SDY HYPER U

France – Product recall: MAISON CHEVALLIER canned cooked meals – DSP

Oulah

Product recall: MAISON CHEVALLIER canned cooked meals

ENCOUNTERED PROBLEM

Health risk, linked to the lack of stability test. (microbiological)
Marine biotoxins DSP (diarrheal toxins)
Manufacturing defect, sealing defect (ex: micro leaks, defective heat sealing) or packaging anomalies

PROPOSED SOLUTION

Do not consume and return to the point of sale for reimbursement

FURTHER INFORMATION

▸ Names of the models or references
• Country
pâté • Country pâté
• Rabbit terrine with prunes
• Rabbit terrine with duck foie gras • Pork terrine with duck
foie gras
• Lamb semolina
• Duck
parmentier • Diots crozets
• Quinoa salmon
• Sauerkraut
• Beef bourguignon
• Savoyard stew
• Blanquette of veal
• Chicken curry


▸ Packaging
Canned in glass


▸ Start date / End of marketing
From 12/01/2020 to 05/06/2021


▸ Health mark
FR 74 006 007 CE


▸ Geographical sales area
AIN (01), LOIRET (45), MARNE (51), SAVOIE (73), HAUTE-SAVOIE (74)



MAISON CHEVALLIER – TRES ALPAIN distributors


▸ List of points of sale
Click here


▸ Consumer service contact
0450695241


▸ Source
SARL CHEVALLIER