Monthly Archives: April 2022

Romania – Shellfish meat – Listeria monocytogenes

ANSVSA

Shellfish Meat (Lots 1318 & 1321; Best before 06.12.2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Belgium – Fine rye flour (2.5kg) of the brand ‘t Korenveld – Ergot Alkaloids

AFSCA

Recall by Maalderij Roosens NV
Product: Fine rye flour (2.5kg) of the brand ‘t Korenveld.
Problem: Presence of ergot alkaloids.


In agreement with the FASFC, Maalderij Roosens withdraws the product “fine rye flour” (2.5kg) of the brand ‘t Korenveld from sale and recalls it from consumers due to the presence of ergot alkaloids rye. Ergot alkaloids (EA) are mycotoxins produced by several species of fungi of the genus “claviceps”.

Maalderij Roosens asks its customers not to consume this product and to return it to the point of sale where it was purchased, where it can be exchanged for a new one.

Product description

– Product name: Rye flour
– Brand: ‘t Korenveld
– Best before dates (BDD) (“Best before (or end)”): 21-08-2022, 04-09-2022 , 15-09-2022 & 16-09-2022
– Batch numbers: see DDM
– Sales period: from 21/02/2022 to 28/03/2022
– Type of packaging: Brown paper bag with inscription ‘ t Korenveld and blue and white label.
– Weight: 2.5kg

The product was distributed by:

Aerts-Hellings Sint Oederodeseweg 51 NL-5681 PJ Best
De Ridder Goossens Schoolstraat 33 2520 Ranst
Geukens Willy Wilders 87 2440 Geel
Haesen-Mertens Velveken 3 2440 Geel
Habbyvoeders Donckers Mortelstraat 13 2960 Brecht
Horta Brasschaat Miksebaan 195 2
Leyen Karel Venlosesteenweg 136 3680 Maaseik
Horta Bornem Klein Mechelen 35 2880 Bornem

For further information , contact:

Mr. Vincent Gysels tel. 03 658 58 88 – vincent@maalderijroosens.be
Maalderij Roosens, Metropoolstraat 3-4, 2900 Schoten

Belgium – Maalderij De Weerdt brand rye flour – Ergot Alkaloids

AFSCA

In agreement with the FASFC, Maalderij De Weerdt bv withdraws the rye flour “Roggemeel” of the Maalderij De Weerdt brand from sale and recalls it from consumers due to the presence of ergot alkaloids in rye.
Maalderij De Weerdt bv asks its customers not to consume this product and to return it to the point of sale where it was purchased. The purchase price will be refunded to you.

Product description :
– Product name: “Roggemeel” rye flour
– Brand: Maalderij De Weerdt
– Date of minimum durability (BDD) (“Best before (or end)”): all BDDs
– Product number lot(s): all lots
– Sale period: from 03/17/2022 to 04/15/2022
– Type of packaging: paper bag
– Weight: 5 kg

The product was distributed by:
Maalderij De Weerdt bv
  – Meester Van der Borghtstraat 53, 2580 Putte.

For further information , contact:
Bart Willems
0474/986/111
de_Maalder@telenet.be

USA – E. coli infections from unknown source under investigation in Alabama

Food Safety News

The Alabama Department of Public Health is investigating four cases of E. coli O157:H7 and two cases of Rotavirus in younger children in Northeastern Alabama. 

As of today the department had not reported what the possible sources of the pathogens might be. It is unknown if the sources involve foods or beverages, although food is the usual source of E. Coli infections.

The department regularly investigates clusters and outbreaks of communicable diseases as required by Notifiable Disease Rules in Alabama.

In 2021, ADPH investigated 113 cases of E. coli, shiga toxin-producing illness including O157:H7.

Kinder International Recall -Salmonella

EFOOD ALERT

International recall of Ferrero’s Kinder chocolate products

Ferrero has expanded its international recall of Kinder Surprise chocolate novelty products, linked to a multi-country outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium illnesses. Click on the country link to navigate to the most recent recall notice for that jurisdiction.

Hong Kong – Not to consume two types of imported chocolate products with possible contamination with Salmonella

CFS

Issue Date 14.4.2022
Source of Information Notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed of the European Commission
Food Product Chocolate products
Product Name and Description Product name: Kinder Überraschung Maxi Rosa 100g XMAS

Brand: Kinder

Place of origin: Belgium

Net weight: 100 grams per pack

Best-before date: April 20, 2022

Product name: Kinder Überraschung Maxi Classic 100g XMAS

Brand: Kinder

Place of origin: Belgium

Net weight: 100 grams per pack

Best-before date: April 20, 2022

Reason For Issuing Alert The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed of the European Commission that two of the chocolate products that are possibly contaminated with Salmonella have been imported into Hong Kong.

Salmonella infection may cause fever and gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. The effects on infants, young children, the elderly and persons with a weak immune system could be more severe and may even lead to death.

Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety The CFS has immediately contacted local importers for follow-up. An importer, CIAO International Limited, had imported the affected batches of products. As a precautionary measure, the importer has already stopped sales and removed from shelves the affected products on April 7, and will initiate a recall according to the CFS’s instructions.

The CFS has stepped up testing of related products as well as alerting the trade to the incident, and will continue to follow up, closely liaise with overseas authorities and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.

Advice to the Trade The trade should stop using or selling the affected products immediately if they possess them.
Advice to Consumers Do not consume the affected products.
Further Information The CFS press release

The latest information of affected products can be found at the CFS’s Food Incident Post webpage (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/rc/subject/fi_list.html).

Members of the public may call the hotline of the importer, CIAO International Limited, at 2755 7777 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

France – International outbreak of salmonellosis in young children linked to the consumption of Kinder brand products. Update on April 12, 2022.

Sante Publique

Following the investigations carried out by the Belgian health authorities, together with their English, European and in particular French counterparts, the company Ferrero proceeded on April 5, 2022 to the recall of several Kinder range products manufactured in a factory in Belgium due to suspected contamination by Salmonella Typhimurium . On April 8, 2022, the recall finally affected all Kinder products from this factory, regardless of their expiry date. 

Case of salmonellosis in France: update on April 12, 2022

In total, as of 04/12/2022: 33 cases have been identified by the National Reference Center (CNR) for salmonella at the Institut Pasteur in France. 

The cases are spread over 11 regions: Ile-de-France (6 cases), Grand-Est (5 cases), Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (4 cases), Hauts-de-France (4 cases), Nouvelle -Aquitaine (3 cases), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (3 cases), Normandy (2 cases), Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (2 cases), Brittany (2 cases), Corsica (1 case), and Occitanie (1 case ), with a median age of 4 years, and 17 boys and 16 girls.

Twenty-two cases were able to be questioned by Public Health France. All the cases report, before the onset of their symptoms, the consumption of chocolates of the brand mentioned here. Nine people were hospitalized for their salmonellosis, all since discharged. No deaths were reported.

Public Health France is continuing its investigations with families who have not yet been able to be reached. 

The withdrawal and recall on 05/04 of the concerned products of the Kinder brand, extended on 08/04 to all production by the Belgian factory with closure of the latter by the Belgian authorities, should limit the occurrence in France new cases of salmonellosis in the coming days/weeks. 

To find out the list of products concerned by the withdrawal-recall: https://rappel.conso.gouv.fr/

People who have consumed the products mentioned above and who present symptoms (gastrointestinal disorders, fever within 72 hours of consumption), are invited to consult their doctor without delay, notifying him of this consumption. 

In order to limit person-to-person transmission (especially in households with young children), it is recommended to wash your hands well with soap and water after using the toilet, after changing your child, and before to cook.

France – Investigation of grouped cases of haemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) and shiga-toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections linked to the consumption of Buitoni® brand Fraîch’Up pizzas. 

Sante Publique

Public Health France and the National Reference Center (CNR) E. coli and its associated laboratory (Institut Pasteur, Paris, and Microbiology Laboratory of the Robert Debré Hospital, Paris), in conjunction with the Directorate General for Food, the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention, and in coordination with the Directorate General for Health, have been investigating since 02/10/2022 an increase in the number of cases of haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) pediatric infections and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections.

The epidemiological, microbiological and traceability investigations carried out since that date have confirmed a link between the occurrence of these grouped cases and the consumption of frozen pizzas from the Buitoni brand Fraîch’Up range contaminated with STEC bacteria. On 03/18/2022, the company proceeded with the withdrawal-recall of all the pizzas in the Fraîch’Up range, marketed since June 2021 and the authorities asked the people who hold these pizzas not to consume them and to destroy them.

The total number of HUS cases linked to the consumption of these pizzas seems to have stabilized since the withdrawal-recall.

Case of SHU in France: update on 04/13/22

As of 04/13/2022, 53 confirmed cases have been identified, of which 51 are linked to STEC O26 strains, and 2 to STEC O103 strains. For 26 other cases of HUS and STEC infections notified to Public Health France, investigations are ongoing.

These 53 cases occurred in 52 children and 1 adult, who presented symptoms between 18/01/2022 (week 3) and 16/03/2022 (week 11) (Figure 1). The epidemic peak is in week 7 (14/02 to 20/02) and week 9 (28/02 to 06/03), with 10 cases each of these weeks. These 53 cases occurred in 12 regions of metropolitan France: Hauts-de-France (11 cases), Ile-de-France (9 cases), New Aquitaine (8 cases), Pays de la Loire (7 cases), Brittany ( 6 cases), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (2 cases) [-1 case since the situation update of 06/04/2022 after additional result], Grand Est (2 cases), Occitanie (2 cases), Provence-Alpes- Côte d’Azur (2 cases) and Center Val-de-Loire (2 cases), Bourgogne Franche-Comté (1 case) [-1 case since the situation update of 04/06/2022 after additional result], Normandy ( 1 case) (Figure 2).

The 52 sick children are aged from 1 to 17 years with a median age of 7 years; 23 (44%) are female; 46 (88%) presented with HUS, 6 (12%) with STEC gastroenteritis. Two children died. The adult did not present with HUS [an adult previously reported in the situation update of 06/04/2022 was finally invalidated after additional results].

Figure 1: Epidemic curve: number of confirmed cases of HUS and STEC infections (N=51), by week of onset of symptoms – metropolitan France, weeks 3 to 11, 2022
Figure 1: Epidemic curve: number of confirmed cases of HUS and STEC infections (N=51), by week of onset of symptoms - metropolitan France, weeks 3 to 11, 2022
Figure 2: Geographical distribution of confirmed cases of HUS and STEC infections (N=53) linked to the consumption of Buitoni® brand Fraîch’Up pizzas, by region of residence in metropolitan France, weeks 3 to 11, 2022
Figure 2: Geographical distribution of confirmed cases of HUS and STEC infections (N=53) linked to the consumption of Buitoni® brand Fraîch'Up pizzas, by region of residence in metropolitan France, weeks 3 to 11, 2022

France – PIEDMONTESE SALAD – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Meats
  • Product brand name SOLEANE (SOLEANE MY GARDEN)
  • Model names or references Traditional Piedmontese in: 230g-400g-800g-1.5kg-2.5kg
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Batch Date
    3760054098022 089 Use-by date 04/24/2022
    3760054098718 089 Use-by date 04/24/2022
    3760054090293 089 Use-by date 04/24/2022
    3760054095625 089 Use-by date 04/24/2022
    3760054090071 089 Use-by date 04/24/2022
    3760054096028 089 Use-by date 04/24/2022
    3760054092600 089 Use-by date 04/24/2022
  • Packaging Tray sealed under modified atmosphere. 230g, 400g, 800g, 1.500kg, 2.500kg
  • Marketing start/end date From 31/03/2022 to 25/04/2022
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Whole France
  • Distributors GMS

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall Presence of Listeria (<10ufc/g)
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Listeria monocytogenes (causative agent of listeriosis)

France – Strasbourg salad sold at the stand with service – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Prepared meals and snacks
  • Product brand name unbranded (sold at the stand department with service)
  • Model names or references Strasbourg salad (cooked potato salad and slices of frankfurter sausage seasoned with vinaigrette sauce)
  • Identification of products
    Batch
    product sold from 04/04/2022 to 08/04/2022
  • Marketing start/end date From 04/04/2022 to 08/04/2022
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark/
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Store cora Vesoul (70)
  • Distributors Cora Vesoul

Practical information regarding the recall

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