Monthly Archives: May 2023

USA- FDA -Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks Update

FDA

What’s New

  • For the outbreak linked to morel mushrooms (ref #1152), the case count has increased from 30 cases to 41 cases.
  • For the outbreak of hepatitis A virus (ref #1143), cases have increased from 8 to 9. This change has been made on the advisory for this outbreak.
Date
Posted
Ref Pathogen
or
Cause of
Illness
Product(s)
Linked to
Illnesses

(if any)
Total
Case
Count

Status
4/26/2023 1152 Not Yet Identified Morel Mushroom
(suspect)
41 Active
3/29/2023 1141 Salmonella Infantis Raw Flour See
Outbreak
Advisory
Active
3/1/2023 1143 Hepatitis A Virus Frozen Organic
Strawberries
See
Outbreak
Advisory
Active
2/15/2023 1123 Listeria
monocytogenes
Not Yet
Identified
See
CDC
Investigation
Notice
Active

Dutch farm owner, manager up on charges of selling contaminated eggs; one man died – Salmonella

Food Safety News

Two people in the Netherlands have been accused of knowingly selling eggs contaminated with Salmonella.

The case at Zwolle District Court covers events in 2017 and involves the duo, who were owner and manager of a farm at the time.

The Public Prosecution Service (OM) believes Salmonella findings were hidden for financial reasons. The defendants deny knowing about the contamination.

USA – Chang Farm Expands Recalls Mung and Soy Bean Sprouts Because of Possible Health Risk – Listeria monocytogenes

FDA

Company Announcement

Chang Farm, 301 River Road, Whatley, MA is expanding their recall to include ALL Mung Bean Sprouts and Soy Bean Sprouts within expiry because of the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes (L. Monocytogenes). Listeria monocytogenes is 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 headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The affected product is packaged in

  • Beans Sprouts 10lb bag and bag in box
  • Nature’s Wonder Premium Beans Sprouts 12oz bag (UPC: 815098001330)
  • Nature’s Wonder Premium Soybean Sprouts 12oz bag (UPC: 815098001347)

The product has been distributed to retail stores and wholesalers throughout MA, CT, NY, RI and NJ.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

We are expanding today’s recall in response to a notification by the Massachusetts Food Protection Agency that a Mung Beans Sprouts sample collected on May 4th, 2023, at Chang Farm by the agency tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Chang Farm is working closely with governing authorities as we conduct the root cause investigation to this contamination.

All retail stores and wholesalers who have this lot in MA, CT, NY, NJ, and RI should remove this product from their shelves. Consumers should not consume the products and should discard this product or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers should contact their healthcare provider with any illness concerns. Consumers with questions about the warning may contact Chang Farm at 413-522-0234 or 413-222-5519 which will be monitored Monday-Sunday 24 hours.

Initial Press Release


Company Contact Information

Consumers:
Chang Farm
 413-522-0234 or 413-222-5519

Product Photos

Czech Republic – Mozzarella cheese, slices – Mould/Mold

Potravinynapranyri

Illustrative photo #1

Place of inspection:
Havířov ( U Stadionu 1655/8a, 736 01 Havířov )
ID: 26178541
Food group: Milk and milk products Cheese

Mozzarella cheese, slices
Category: Dangerous foods
Invalid parameter:

fungi visible to the eye

Colonies of white mold were present on the surface of the food under the intact packaging. Food is not considered safe if it shows signs of spoilage.

The food did not have an expiration date. Unsuitable storage temperatures of this product were not detected during the inspection.

Batch: LOT: 053
Best before date: 12/04/23
Packaging: PET and LDPE welded packaging
Quantity of the product in the package: 140 g
Country of origin:  Italy
Date of sample collection: 3/31/2023
Reference number: 23-000211-SZPI-CZ
The sample was detected by the official control of the State Agricultural and Food Inspection.

Czech Republic – Mozzarella cheese, slices – Mold/Mould

Potravinynapranyri

Illustrative photo #1

Illustrative photo #2

Place of inspection:
Havířov ( U Stadionu 1655/8a, 736 01 Havířov )
ID: 26178541
Food group: Milk and milk products Cheese

Mozzarella cheese, slices
Category: Dangerous foods
Invalid parameter:

fungi visible to the eye

Colonies of mold were present on the surface of the food under the intact packaging. Food is not considered safe if it shows signs of spoilage.

The food did not have an expiration date. Unsuitable storage temperatures of this product were not detected during the inspection.

Batch: LOT: 084
Best before date: 03/05/23
Packaging: PET and LDPE welded packaging
Quantity of the product in the package: 140 g
Country of origin:  Italy
Date of sample collection: 3/31/2023
Reference number: 23-000212-SZPI-CZ
The sample was detected by the official control of the State Agricultural and Food Inspection.

Sweden – Siljans Chark recalls ground beef – may contain Salmonella

Livsmedelsverket

Siljans Chark is recalling ground beef because it may contain salmonella.

Germany -Happy Cheeze GmbH President-Herwig-Str. 6-8 27472 Cuxhaven – Listeria monocytogenes

LMW

Alert type: Groceries
Date of first publication: 05/09/2023
Product name:

dr Mannah’s Happy White; dr Mannah’s Happy White with Green Pepper

Product images:

HappyWhite_.jpg

Happy Cheeze GmbH

HappyWhite-green-pepper_.jpg

Happy Cheeze GmbH

Manufacturer (distributor):

Happy Cheeze GmbH President-Herwig-Str. 6-8 27472 Cuxhaven

Reason for warning: Listeria
Packaging Unit: 120g
Durability: Happy White 06/08/2023; Happy White with Green Pepper 06/10/2023
Production date:

15th week 2023

Lot identification: 152311- both products
Additional Information:

Listeria disease usually manifests itself within 14 days after infection with diarrhea and fever. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with a weakened immune system in particular can develop more severe illnesses with blood poisoning and meningitis. In pregnant women, even without symptoms, the unborn child can be harmed. Anyone who has eaten this food and develops severe or persistent symptoms should seek medical attention and report possible Listeria infection. Pregnant women who have eaten this food should seek medical treatment and advice even if they have no symptoms. For other people without symptoms, this is not useful.

New Zealand – Shellfish biotoxin alert – North Island

MPI

North Island warning

Reason for alert Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP)

Date warning issued 10 May 2023

Media release

Affected area Western side of the Firth of Thames.
Shellfish affected Mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles, scallops, catseyes, kina (sea urchin) and all other bivalve shellfish.

Note, cooking shellfish does not remove the toxin.

Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.

Symptoms Symptoms typically appear between 10 minutes and 3 hours after ingestion and may include:

  • numbness and a tingling (prickly feeling) around the mouth, face, and extremities (hands and feet)
  • difficulty swallowing or breathing
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhoea
  • paralysis and respiratory failure and in severe cases, death.
Other information Paralytic shellfish toxins have been detected in shellfish from the Kaipara Harbour at levels over the safe limit of 0.8mg/kg set by MPI. Ongoing testing will continue and any changes will be communicated accordingly.

Map of the affected area

Map of affected area from the western half of the Firth of Thames.

Public warnings about toxic shellfish

We test shellfish and seawater for toxic algae every week from popular shellfish gathering areas around New Zealand. If the shellfish are not safe to eat, we issue public health warnings and put up signs at affected beaches.

France – Smoked garlic sausage 300 g – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Feed
  • Product subcategory Meats
  • Product brand name U-system
  • Model names or references Smoked garlic sausage 300 g
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Batch Date
    3256229807013 L:7043661 16:07 Use-by date 05/27/2023
  • Marketing start/end date From 08/04/2023 to 13/04/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark EN 44.180.004 CE
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Whole France
  • Distributors U-system
  • List of points of sale2023_05_SYSTEM_U_-_ZS473F001_lot_7043661.pdf

Practical information regarding the recall

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

France – Label Rouge mackerel fillets with Dijon mustard – Food Safety

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Feed
  • Product subcategory Fishery and aquaculture products
  • Product brand name Constable
  • Model names or references 169g
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Batch Date
    3263670297812 T30170516 Date of minimum durability 01/17/2026
  • Marketing start/end date Since 03/10/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored at room temperature
  • Health mark EN 29.046.532 EC
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Whole France
  • Distributors E.LECLERC signs

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall Production incident that may affect the preservation of the product
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Other biological contaminants