Monthly Archives: May 2023

Austria – Balik Pearls – Salmon Caviar 100g – Listeria monocytogenes

AGES

On behalf of the Federal Ministry for Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection (BMSGPK), AGES warns against the product “Balik Pearls – salmon caviar” 100g from the German manufacturer Caviar House & Prunier City GmbH with the best before date December 31, 2023 due to contamination with Listeria. These bacteria can cause serious, often fatal, diseases in immunocompromised people, the elderly and pregnant women. Pregnant women also run the risk of infecting the unborn child with the risk of premature delivery or stillbirth.

  •     Description of the goods: “Balik Pearls – salmon caviar” 100g
  •     Batch number: 113023
  •     Best before date: 12/31/2023
  •     Manufacturer: Caviar House & Prunier City GmbH, Germany
  •     Distributor: REWE International

The product was also available in Austrian grocery stores (Billa / Billa Plus) and has since been recalled. Since it cannot be ruled out that such products are still in stock in Austrian households, urgent warnings are given against consumption.

This warning does not imply that the health hazard of the goods was caused by the producer, manufacturer, importer or distributor. AGES asks consumers not to consume the affected product under any circumstances, but to dispose of it immediately or to complain to the distributor. The official food control authorities of the federal states take further measures if necessary.

Research – Impact of gas ultrafine bubbles on the efficacy of antimicrobials for eliminating fresh and aged Listeria monocytogenes biofilms on dairy processing surfaces

Wiley Online

Abstract

Ultrafine bubbles (UFB) are a novel concept that has the potential to enhance the potency of antimicrobials to eliminate biofilms. This study investigated the impact of incorporating gas (air, CO2, and N2) UFB on the potency of chlorine (Cl2; 50, 100, and 200 ppm) and peracetic acid (PAA; 20, 40, and 80 ppm) antimicrobial (AM) solutions against fresh (3 days) and aged (30 days) Listeria monocytogenes biofilms on polypropylene, silicone, and stainless steel surfaces. Listeria monocytogenes biofilms were statically grown on polypropylene, silicone, and stainless steel coupons (7.62 × 2.54 cm) at 25°C for 3 or 30 days, by immersing in a three-strain cocktail of L. monocytogenes in brain heart infusion (BHI) broth. The coupons were treated by submerging in AM solutions with or without UFB for 1 min, then swabbed into Dey-Engley neutralizing broth and enumerated on BHI agar. Incorporation of air, CO2, and N2 UFB in AM solutions resulted in significantly increased log reductions (0.4–1.5 logs) of fresh and aged L. monocytogenes biofilms on polypropylene and stainless steel surfaces, whereas incorporation of CO2 UFB in AM solutions resulted in ~1 log greater reductions of fresh and aged L. monocytogenes biofilms on silicone surfaces compared with AM solutions without UFB. This study also demonstrated that 200 ppm Cl2 was most effective against fresh and aged L. monocytogenes biofilms on polypropylene, silicone, and stainless steel surfaces compared with 50 ppm Cl2, 20 ppm PAA, and 40 ppm PAA.

USA – Two possibly dead linked to Dave’s Sushi in Bozeman

Food Poison Journal

According to press reports, Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer tells MTN News that Donna Ventura, age 64, died of a possible foodborne illness, after eating at Dave’s Sushi. The cause of Ventura’s death has not been confirmed as officials are waiting on autopsy and toxicology results.

According to earlier press reports, William “Bill” Lewis 74, of Townsend, died after eating at Dave’s Sushi, according to Broadwater County Sheriff Nick Rauser, who is also the county coroner. Sheriff Rauser says the 74-year-old man died at his home in Broadwater County. Sheriff Rauser says the call came in at 6:34 AM on the morning of April 18 and a relative told the responding officer that the man had eaten at Dave’s Sushi the night before, the same night the Gallatin County Health Department reported they received complaints of people becoming ill which led to the investigation and closure of the restaurant.

New Zealand – Barista Bros brand Double Espresso Ice Coffee – Microbial Contamination

MPI

Luxembourg – SPECIAL FOR DOGS MADE OF BEEF, HEAD MEAT, BELLY AND LEAF STOMACH – Salmonella

SAP

The Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration is recalling the following product in Luxembourg:

Name Spezial für den Hund aus Rindfleisch, Kopffleisch, Pansen und Blättermagen
Brand DIBO
Unit 2000g
Date of minimum durability (MDD) 06/09/2024
Batch 060924

Danger  : Possible presence of Salmonella 

Salmonella can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever and headache within 6 to 72 hours after consumption. These symptoms may be aggravated in young children, immunocompromised subjects and the elderly. People who have consumed these products and have these symptoms are invited to consult a doctor and report this consumption to him.

Sale confirmed in Luxembourg by: Fressnapf

A sale by other operators cannot be excluded.

Click to access rckruf.pdf

Germany – Balik Pearls – salmon caviar – Listeria monocytogenes

LMW

Alert type: Groceries
Date of first publication: 05/02/2023
Product name:

Balik Pearls – salmon caviar

Product images:

Balik_Pearls.JPG
Manufacturer (distributor):

Caviar House & Prunier City GmbH

Reason for warning:

Detection of Listeria

Packaging Unit: 100 g
Durability: 12/31/2023
Lot identification: 113023
Additional Information:

Please refer to the attached press release.

USA – Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Flour (April 2023)

FDA

Product 

  • Two-, five- and 10-pound bags of Gold Medal Unbleached and Bleached All Purpose Flour with “Better if Used by” dates of March 27, 2024, and March 28, 2024.
  • Recalled product codes are listed on the firm’s press and below.

FDA’s investigation is ongoing. Updates to this advisory will be provided as they become available.

Stores Affected

  • Distributed Nationwide

Symptoms of Salmonella Infection

Illness usually occurs within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food and usually lasts four to seven days. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Children younger than five, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections.

Status

Ongoing

Recommendation

  • Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled Gold Medal flour. Recalled products should be thrown away.
  • Check your home for recalled flour. If you cannot tell if your flour is part of the recall, do not use it.
  • Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have symptoms of a Salmonella infection after eating recalled flour.

Flour Safety Tips

  • Due to the potential for contamination, never eat any raw flour, dough, or cake mix that is supposed to be cooked or baked.
  • Always wash hands, work surfaces, and utensils thoroughly after contact with flour, raw dough, or batter.
  • Keep raw food or dough separate from other foods while preparing them to prevent any possible contamination from spreading. Be aware that flour or baking mix may spread easily due to its powdery nature.

Current Update

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Infantis infections linked to Gold Medal brand flour produced by General Mills of Minneapolis, MN.

Based on epidemiological data collected by CDC, five of nine cases report exposure to raw Gold Medal brand flour and seven of eight cases report consuming raw dough or batter. FDA’s traceback investigation identified a single production facility of the flour consumed by patients. FDA initiated an inspection at the General Mills Kansas City, MO facility and collected retain product samples. One sample was found to be positive for Salmonella, and subsequent analysis by Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) found that the Salmonella in the positive sample matched the strain of Salmonella making people sick in this outbreak.

On April 28, 2023, General Mills announced a voluntary nationwide recall of two-, five- and 10-pound bags of its Gold Medal Unbleached and Bleached All Purpose Flour with a “better if used by” date of March 27, 2024, and March 28, 2024. This recall affects two date codes of Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose Flour in the five- and ten-pound bags and two date codes of Gold Medal Bleached All Purpose Flour in the two- and five-pound bags.

No other types of Gold Medal Flour are affected by this recall at this time.

The investigation is ongoing to determine the source of contamination and whether additional products are linked to illnesses. FDA will update this advisory should additional consumer safety information become available.

Ireland – Recall of several Cadbury chocolate dessert products due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes

FSAI

Tuesday, 2 May 2023

Summary
Category 1: For Action
Alert Notification: 2023.10
Product: Please see table below.
Batch Code: Please see table below.
Country Of Origin: United Kingdom

Message:

Several batches of Cadbury chocolate desserts are being recalled due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes. The implicated batches were sold in some Lidl stores.

Recall notices will be displayed at point-of-sale

Nature Of Danger:

Symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection can include mild flu-like symptoms, or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.  In rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications. Some people are more vulnerable to Listeria monocytogenes infections, including pregnant women, babies, and people with weakened immune systems, including the elderly.  The incubation period (time between initial infection and first symptoms appearing) is on average 3 weeks but can range between 3 and 70 days.

Action Required:

Manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, caterers & retailers:

Retailers are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale.

Consumers:

Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batches.

Cadbury Products Table
Cadbury products
Cadbury Dairy Milk

Denmark – Salmonella outbreak sickens 16 and kills one in Denmark

Food Safety News

Danish officials are searching for the source of a Salmonella outbreak that has affected 16 people with one recorded death.

During March and April 2023, 16 cases of Salmonella Muenchen have been recorded.

Eight men and eight women are sick. Patients are aged between 10 and 95 with a median of 73 years old. One person has died and seven have been hospitalized.

Ill people live all over the country with eight cases in Hovedstaden, four in Sjælland, three in Midtjylland, and one in Syddanmark.

The Statens Serum Institut (SSI), Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (Fødevarestyrelsen), and DTU Food Institute are investigating the outbreak.

SSI is continuing to whole genome sequence isolates from patients and interview them or their relatives to try and identify a possible source of infection.

Whole genome sequencing of bacteria isolated from patients has found they were very closely related which suggests that there is a common source of infection.

Salmonella Muenchen is a rare type in Denmark with usually only around two to eight cases per year.

USA – Possible Hepatitis A contamination leads to frozen blackberry recall

Food Safety News

Patagonia Food LLC, of San Luis Obispo, CA, is recalling certain frozen blackberries because of possible hepatitis A contamination.

According to the company recall posted by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), the recall was initiated on March 17 and is ongoing. There is concern that consumers may have the frozen fruit in their home freezers.

The recalled blackberries were distributed in California, Oregon, Nebraska, Texas, Washington and Nevada.

Recalled product:

Product Description Recall Number Class Code Info Product Quantity Reason for Recall
Patagonia Foods 3610100 Blackberry IQF Product of Mexico Net Wt. 30 LBS. (13.61 kg) Production/Lot Code 20422 Distributed By: Patagonia Foods, LLC. San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 patagoniafoods.com F-0760-2023 Class I Lot Code: 20422 Possible Hepatitis A in blackberries

Consumers who purchased the recalled products should immediately dispose of them and not consume them.