Monthly Archives: January 2023

Research – Smartphone-Based Quantitative Detection of Ochratoxin A in Wheat via a Lateral Flow Assay

Posted on January 21, 2023 by KSW | Leave a comment

Abstract

Ochratoxin A (OTA) poses a severe health risk to livestock along the food chain. Moreover, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, it is also categorized as being possibly carcinogenic to humans. The lack of intelligent point-of-care test (POCT) methods restricts its early detection and prevention. This work establishes a smartphone-enabled point-of-care test for OTA detection via a fluorescent lateral flow assay within 6 min. By using a smartphone and portable reader, the assay allows for the recording and sharing of the detection results in a cloud database. This intelligent POCT provided (iPOCT) a linearity range of 0.1–3.0 ng/mL and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.02 ng/mL (0.32 µg/kg in wheat). By spiking OTA in blank wheat samples, the recoveries were 89.1–120.4%, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) between 3.9–9.1%. The repeatability and reproducibility were 94.2–101.7% and 94.6–103.4%, respectively. This work provides a promising intelligent POCT method for food safety.

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Research – Study reveals Botulism impact in Italy

Posted on January 21, 2023 by KSW | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

kswfoodworld

Italian researchers have looked at botulism trends over two decades including a large outbreak in 2020.

Italy has one of the highest botulism rates in Europe with one factor being a strong home canning tradition in the country. From 1986 to September 2022, 406 botulism incidents involving 599 people were laboratory confirmed.

The study described the surveillance system as well as information on botulism cases reported by local health services and those from hospital discharge forms from 2001 to 2020.

Botulism is a rare but life-threatening condition caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. In foodborne botulism, symptoms generally begin 18 to 36 hours after eating a contaminated food. However, they can start as soon as six hours after or as long as 10 days later.

Symptoms can include general weakness, dizziness, double-vision, and trouble speaking or swallowing. It paralyzes respiratory muscles so most patients must be placed on life support. Difficulty breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distention and constipation may also occur. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

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Posted in botulism, Clostridium, Clostridium botulinum, Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, Food Poisoning Death, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Poisoning

Singapore introduces industry standard to guide sales of food products on online platforms to ensure food safety

Posted on January 21, 2023 by KSW | Leave a comment

SFA

gapore Standard (SS) 687: 2022 (Guidelines for food e-commerce) was launched at the Singapore Manufacturing Federation’s Singapore Innovation and Productivity Institute (SIPI) Food Tech 2023 event today to provide guidance to e-commerce players on their roles and responsibilities related to food safety and providing information to consumers. Announced by Ms. Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, the standard covers key stages, best practices, and activities critical for the food e-commerce industry to ensure the safety of food products sold via online platforms.

SS 687 on Guidelines for food e-commerce can be purchased from the Singapore Standards eShop at http://www.singaporestandardseshop.sg

Standard 687

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk

Canada – Surface-ripened soft and semi-soft cheeses recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on January 20, 2023 by KSW | Leave a comment

CFIA

Summary

Product

Soft surface ripened cheese, Semi-soft surface-ripened cheese

Issue

Food – Microbial Contamination – Listeria

What to do

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

Affected products

Brand	Product	Size	UPC	Codes
La Vache à Maillotte	Mélo-Dieux – Surface-ripened soft cheese	Approx. 275 g	None	R594 R602 R613
Le Fromage au Village	Angelus – Soft surface ripened cheese	Approx. 200 g	6 73536 02012 7	R603 R604 R607 R611 R614 R617 R619 R622
Le Fromage au Village	Le Casimir – Soft surface ripened cheese	Approx. 200 g	None	R608
Le Fromage au Village	Le Cendré de Notre-Dame – Semi-soft surface-ripened cheese	Approx. 150 g	None	R605 R606 R610 R612 R618 R621 R623

Issue

The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Listeria contamination.

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

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Posted in CFIA, 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 Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes

Quebec – Notice not to consume shepherd’s pie prepared and sold by the Première Moisson bakery in Plateau-Mont-Royal – Salmonella

Posted on January 20, 2023 by KSW | Leave a comment

Quebec

QUEBEC CITY , Jan. 19, 2023 /CNW Telbec/ – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), in collaboration with the Food Inspection Division of the City of Montreal and Première Bakery Moisson du Plateau -Mont-Royal , located at 860, avenue du Mont-Royal Est, in Montreal, is warning the public not to consume the product listed in the table below because this food may contain Salmonella bacteria .

Product name	Format	Affected lot
” Chinese dough “	300g	Units sold from January 11 to 16, 2023 inclusively

The product that is the subject of this warning was offered for sale from January 11 to January 16, 2023 inclusively, and only at the establishment designated above. The product was packaged in a black plastic tray covered with a transparent plastic lid. The product was sold refrigerated, at the service counter, with or without a label.

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. They must return it to the establishment where they bought it or throw it away.

Even if the affected product does not show signs of tampering or a suspicious odor, it may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria.

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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 Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Salmonella

USA – Utopia Foods Expands Recall on “Enoki Mushrooms” Because of Possible Health Risk – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on January 20, 2023 by KSW | Leave a comment

FDA

Summary

Company Announcement Date:: January 13, 2023
FDA Publish Date:: January 13, 2023
Product Type:: Food & Beverages
Produce
Foodborne Illness
Reason for Announcement:: Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:: Utopia Foods Inc.
Brand Name:: Utopia Foods Inc
Product Description:: Enoki Mushrooms

Company Announcement

Utopia Foods Inc of Glendale, NY, is expanding the recall of its 200g packages of “Enoki Mushrooms”, imported from China, with clear and blue plastic packages with clear markings of “Best before 03/02/2023” or “Best before 03.09.23” distributed between January 6th to January 13th, 2023 because they have 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 product comes in a 200g, clear and blue plastic package with brand name “UTOPIA” and bar code 8928918610017 marked on the packaging.

The recalled “Enoki Mushrooms” were distributed in NY, NJ and CT to produce wholesale companies.

The distribution of the product has been suspended while FDA and the company continue to investigate the source of the problem.

All vendors who have distributed the 200g packages of “Enoki Mushrooms” should immediately cease the distribution and notify their customers of the recall and recall instructions. If their customers have further distributed the product notify them to instruct their customers.

Consumers who have purchased the item are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 718.389.8898.

Link to Initial Recall

Company Contact Information

Consumers:: Utopia Foods Inc; 718.389.8898

Media:: Jack; 718.389.8898

Product Photos

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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 Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak

USA – Fullei Fresh Issues Correction on Alfalfa Sprout Recall Because of Possible Health Risk – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on January 20, 2023 by KSW | Leave a comment

FDA

Summary

Company Announcement Date:: January 19, 2023
FDA Publish Date:: January 19, 2023
Product Type:: Food & Beverages
Spices, Flavors & Salts
Foodborne Illness
Reason for Announcement:: Contamination with shiga toxin-producing E. coli
Company Name:: Fullei Fresh
Brand Name:: Fullei Fresh
Product Description:: Alfalfa Sprouts

Company Announcement

MIAMI, FL – Fullei Fresh is voluntarily recalling Alfalfa Sprouts due to the detection of Shiga toxin producing E.coli (STEC.) Shiga toxin producing E.coli is an organism that can cause foodborne illness in a person who eats a food item contaminated with it. Symptoms of infection may include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. The illness primarily impacts elderly individuals, children, and people with weakened immune systems. Most healthy adults and children rarely become seriously ill.

STEC is a bacterial strain that is not part of our routine microbial testing conducted in compliance with the FDA’s Produce Safety Rule Subpart M on every lot we produce. It was detected upon sampling of finished product by the FDA.

There have been no known illnesses reported to date in connection with this product.

The affected Fullei Fresh brand alfalfa sprout lot number is 336. They were shipped to distributors and retailers in Florida between December 9-23, 2022. No other lots or products are affected.

The lot numbers are printed on the 4 ounce retail packs and on 5 lb. bulk cardboard boxes in the barcode (the last 3 digits being 336.) Pictures are below.

Should you be in possession of these products, please discard.

This recall is being made with the knowledge of the Food and Drug Administration and the Florida Department of Agriculture.

If you require further information, please contact sales@fulleifresh.com or (305) 758-3880 Monday through Friday between 8:00 AM and 4:00PM EST.

Company Contact Information

Consumers:: 305-758-3880; sales@fulleifresh.com

Product Photos

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Posted in FDA, 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 Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, outbreak

New Zealand – Pams brand Carrot Batons – E.coli

Posted on January 20, 2023 by KSW | Leave a comment

MPI

Pams brand Carrot Batons (300g)

20 January 2023: Foodstuffs Own Brands Ltd is recalling a specific batch of its Pams brand Carrot Batons due to the possible presence of E.coli.

Product type	Carrots
Name of product (size)	Pams brand Carrot Batons (300g)
Date marking	Use By Date 20/01/23
Package size and description	The product is sold in a 300g plastic package.
Distribution	The product is sold at Pak’n Save, New World and Four Square stores throughout New Zealand. The product has not been exported.
Notes	This recall does not affect any other Pams brand products.

Point of sale notice for retailers

If you are a retailer of the product in this recall notice, you need to download a copy of the below Point of sale notice and display it in your store for one month.

Point of sale notice – Pams brand Carrot Batons [PDF, 47 KB]

Consumer advice

Customers are asked to check the date mark on the back of the packaging.

Affected product should not be consumed. There have been no reports of associated illness, however if you have consumed any of this product and have any concerns about your health, seek medical advice.

Customers should return the product to their retailer for a full refund.