Monthly Archives: March 2022

USA – Salmonella accounted for nearly 80 percent of pathogen violations in U.S. food imports from 2002 to 2019

Posted on March 21, 2022 by | Leave a comment

USDA

<i>Salmonella</i> accounted for nearly 80 percent of pathogen violations in U.S. food imports from 2002 to 2019

As the quantity of food imported into the United States continues to rise, it is increasingly important to minimize foodborne illness risks for U.S. consumers. Foods contaminated with pathogens or toxins can result in foodborne illnesses. A recent USDA, Economic Research Service (ERS) study examined the number of U.S. import refusals caused by pathogen/toxin contamination and which pathogens accounted for those safety violations. From 2002 to 2019, 22,460 pathogen/toxin violations were discovered among imported shipments. Salmonella was the most frequently identified agent among imported foods during the period with 80 percent, or 17,922 of total pathogen/toxin violations. Listeria recorded the second largest number of violations at 2,463, accounting for 11 percent of the total. It was followed by histamine with 804 violations (3.6 percent), aflatoxin with 663 violations (3 percent), and bacteria other than Salmonella or Listeria with 455 violations (2 percent). Those five most frequently detected pathogens and toxins accounted for 99.3 percent of the total pathogen/toxin violations from imported foods over the period. This chart was drawn from the ERS report Examining Pathogen-Based Import Refusals: Trends and Analysis From 2002 to 2019, published December 2021.

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Posted in Aflatoxin, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Histamine, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Mold Toxin, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, Research, Salmonella, USDA

Quebec – Incorrect information necessary for the safe consumption of homemade salmon gravlax sold by Épicerie Le Butterblume

Posted on March 21, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Quebec

QUEBEC CITY, March 17, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), in collaboration with the Food Inspection Division of the City of Montreal and the company Épicerie Le Butterblume, located at 5830, boulevard Saint-Laurent , in Montreal, advises the public not to consume the product indicated in the table below beyond 14 days following the date of packaging.

Product name

Format

Affected lot

“HOUSE-MADE SALMON GRAVLAX”

Variable

Units sold until
March 16, 2022

The product that is the subject of this warning was offered for sale until March 16, 2022, and only at the establishment mentioned above. The product was packaged in a transparent plastic bag and was offered refrigerated. The product label included the words “Butterblume”.

The operator is voluntarily recalling the product in question. It has agreed with MAPAQ and the Food Inspection Division of the City of Montreal to distribute this warning as a precautionary measure. In addition, people who have this product in their possession are advised not to consume it if its packaging date (PACKED ON:) is older than 14 days. They must return it to the establishment where they bought it or throw it away. Even if the affected product shows no signs of tampering or suspicious odors, its consumption 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 to date.

Additional information

The Ministry publishes various information documents concerning food safety. Interested persons can consult them in the “Food Consumption” section of the MAPAQ website: www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca/consommation . They also have the possibility of registering online, by visiting www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca/rappelsfoods , to receive, by e-mail, the food recall press releases published by the Ministry. Finally, it is possible to follow “MAPAQfoods” on Twitter at the following address: www.twitter.com/MAPAQfoods .

Salmon gravlax (CNW Group/Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) 

Hazard Classification:  Class 1

Reference Number:  4516

Source:
Media relations
Direction des communications
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Tel. : 418 380-2100, extension 3512
www.mapaq.gouv.qc.ca

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Posted in Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations

France – BERTIZ / KAMIKU – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on March 21, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Milk and dairy products
  • Product brand name BERTIZ/ KAMIKU
  • Model names or references BERTIZ / KAMIKU CHEESE
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Lot Dated
    8437011856616 210922077 Date of minimum durability 11/12/2022
  • Packaging CARDS
  • Marketing start/end date From 03/10/2022 to 03/11/2022
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark ES 15.06292/ NA CE
  • Further information TOMME OF SHEEP BERTIZ/KAMIKU
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Regions: Ile-de-France
  • Distributors distance selling by LA CAVE DES PETITS PLAISIRS and sale in Parisian grocers/cheese shops

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall Risk of biological contaminants
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Listeria monocytogenes (causative agent of listeriosis)

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, 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, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes

USA – Even more Enoki Mushroom recalled due to Listeria

Posted on March 21, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

Jan Fruits Inc. of VERNON, CA is recalling all its cases of its 200g/7.05oz packages of ENOKI MUSHROOM (Product of Taiwan) because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever,severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The recalled Enoki Mushroom product was distributed in CA to produce distributors or wholesalers for further distribution to retail stores.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, 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, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes

France – 4 spring rolls of prawns, hake, crab – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on March 21, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Prepared meals and snacks
  • Product brand name Auchan
  • Model names or references4 spring rolls of prawns, hake, crab
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Lot Dated
    3596710303656 H22.066 Use-by date 04/04/2022
  • Marketing start/end date From 11/03/2022 to 18/03/2022
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark FR 44 072 002 CE
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Whole France
  • Distributors AUCHAN, SCHIEVER

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall Suspicion of the presence of Listeria
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Listeria monocytogenes (causative agent of listeriosis)

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, 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, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes

France- Pizza Fresh’Up – E.coli O26

Posted on March 21, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Others
  • Product brand name Buitoni
  • Model names or references All references from the FRaich’ Up range purchased before the end of March
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Lot Dated
    3033210822992 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613033950124 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613034199867 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613034223524 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613034223852 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613034225795 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613034405302 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613034405333 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613034405463 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613034437952 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613034909091 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613035489509 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613035768154 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613035768185 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613035768215 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613036218184 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613036453813 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613036759960 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613036761888 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613036761918 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613037095944 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613038919379 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613038919829 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613287255679 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613287255822 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
    7613287520197 All lots Date of minimum durability between 06/01/2021 and 03/31/2023
  • Packaging Cardboard box
  • Marketing start/end date From 01/06/2021 to 31/03/2022
  • Storage temperature Product to keep in the freezer
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Whole France
  • Distributors Auchan – Casino – Carrefour – Cora – Francap – Franprix – Intermarché – Leclerc – Lidl – Match – Monoprix – System U

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall Presence of E-coli bacteria in the dough of a frozen pizza from the Fraîch’Up range
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Escherichia coli

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Posted in E.coli O26, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Poisoning Death, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, STEC, STEC E.coli

Argentina – Two botulism cases reported in Buenos Aires – Clostridium botulinum

Posted on March 21, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today

Two women have been hospitalized for botulism, including one in serious condition, according to a La Voz report.

The patients ate matambre (Argentian flank steak) and Russian salad delivered from a  traditional restaurant in the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Boedo.

“The salad is prepared with boiled potatoes and carrots and dried peas soaked in a can, with salt and mayonnaise added. Orders are shipped in disposable plastic containers with lids, and they include four slices of homemade matambre along with a portion of Russian salad”, according to the restaurant.

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Posted in Clostridium, Clostridium botulinum, food contamination, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Poisoning

Canada – Norovirus: Dozens affected in British Columbia, linked to raw oysters

Posted on March 21, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today

french oysters

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is warning consumers to take steps to protect their health following an increase in cases of norovirus associated with consumption of raw B.C. oysters.

Since Monday, March 14, more than 50 people have been affected with acute gastrointestinal illness, such as stomach pain, diarrhea or vomiting, after eating raw oysters. Lab testing has confirmed the presence of norovirus in some of the cases and it is suspected in others.

The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) has issued a notice to restaurants and retailers in B.C. to advise them of the risk.

Based on an investigation by the BCCDC, local and federal agencies, and the shellfish industry, affected harvest areas are being closed and will reopen when contamination is cleared.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, 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 Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, Norovirus, outbreak

France – Withdrawal – preventive recall of batches of Buitoni brand Fraîch’Up frozen pizzas due to possible contamination by the bacterium Escherichia coli O26

Posted on March 21, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

As part of the investigations carried out by the authorities on the cases of serious haemolytic and uraemic syndromes reported since January 1, 2022 on national territory, the analyzes (epidemiological, microbiological and traceability) carried out suggest, at this stage, a possible link with the consumption of frozen pizzas from the Fraîch’Up range of the Buitoni brand.

Investigations are continuing to determine the origin of the contamination, including for other products, as well as epidemiological investigations in order to establish potential links with all the cases detected on the territory since the beginning of January 2022.

Consequently, as a precautionary measure, and pending additional analyses, the company is proceeding today with the withdrawal-recall of all the pizzas in the Fraîch’Up range, of the Buitoni brand, marketed on this day.

Press release

Serious cases of hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) in children withdrawal – preventive recall of batches of Buitoni brand Fraîch’Up frozen pizzas – PDF, 212 Ko

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Posted in E.coli O26, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, 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, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Poisoning, STEC, STEC E.coli

Canada – Certain Stellar Bay Shellfish brand Oysters recalled due to Norovirus

Posted on March 21, 2022 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

Summary

Product
Certain oysters
Issue
Food – Microbial Contamination – Norovirus
What to do

Do not consume, use, sell, serve, or distribute the recalled products

Issue

Stellar Bay Shellfish is recalling certain oysters from the marketplace due to possible norovirus contamination.

The recalled products have been sold in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec and Ontario and may have been distributed in other provinces and territories.

What you should do

  • If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, call your doctor
  • Check to see if you have the recalled products in your home or establishment
  • Do not consume the recalled products
  • Do not serve, use, sell, or distribute the recalled products
  • Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the place of purchase
  • Consumers who are unsure if they have purchased the affected products are advised to contact their retailer

People with norovirus illness usually develop symptoms of gastroenteritis within 24 to 48 hours, but symptoms can start as early as 12 hours after exposure. The illness often begins suddenly. Even after having the illness, you can still become re-infected by norovirus. The main symptoms of norovirus illness are diarrhea, vomiting (children usually experience more vomiting than adults), nausea and stomach cramps. Other symptoms may include low-grade fever, headache, chills, muscle aches and fatigue (a general sense of tiredness). Most people feel better within one or two days, with symptoms resolving on their own, and experience no long-term health effects. As with any illness causing diarrhea or vomiting, people who are ill should drink plenty of liquids to replace lost body fluids and prevent dehydration. In severe cases, patients may need to be hospitalized and given fluids intravenously.

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Posted in CFIA, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, 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 Virus, Norovirus, Virus