Author Archives: KSW

USA – FDA – Core Outbreak Table – Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

Posted on January 25, 2024 | Leave a comment

FDA

What’s New

  • An outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #1214) in a not yet identified food has been added to the table. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Newport (ref #1201) in an unidentified food, the outbreak has ended and FDA’s investigation has closed.
  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Sundsvall and Oranienburg (ref #1203) linked to cantaloupe, the advisory was updated on January 19, 2024. The outbreak has ended, and FDA’s investigation is closed.
  • For the investigation of elevated lead levels in Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches (ref # 1198) the complaints/adverse event reports in the advisory were updated. Refer to the advisory for additional information.
Date
Posted		 Ref Pathogen
or
Cause of
Illness		 Product(s)
Linked to
Illnesses
(if any)		 Total
Case
Count
Status
1/24/

2024

 1214 Listeria
monocytogenes		 Not
Yet
Identified		 26 Active
12/6/

2023

 1205 Listeria
monocytogenes		 Not
Yet
Identified		 3 Active
11/15/

2023

 989 Listeria
monocytogenes		 Peaches,
Plums,
and
Nectarines		 See
Advisory		 Active
11/8/

2023

 1198 Elevated
Lead
Levels		 Apple
Cinnamon
Puree		 See
Advisory		 Active

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Posted in CORE Investigation Table, FDA, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, Listeria

Research – Food-borne pathogen Listeria may hide from sanitizers in biofilms

Posted on January 25, 2024 | Leave a comment

Phys Org

An estimated 1,600 people in the U.S. contract a serious infection from Listeria bacteria in food each year, and of those individuals, about 260 people die, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Penn State researchers may now better understand how the bacteria, called Listeria monocytogenes, survive and persist in fruit-packing plants by evading and surviving sanitizers.

According to their study, which is now available online and will be published in the June issue of the journal Biofilm, biofilms—containing otherwise harmless microorganisms that attach to each other and the food surface—result in a kind of shield that surrounds and protects the Listeria. The findings may result in changes to sanitation protocols in food-processing facilities that promise to diminish contamination of food with Listeria, the researchers said.

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Posted in Biofilm, Food Microbiology Research, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Research

Czech Republic – CHEESE THREADS 35% TSV – Visible Mold/Moulds

Posted on January 25, 2024 | Leave a comment

Potravinynapranyri

Illustrative photo #5

Place of inspection:
Orlová ( FS Tůmy 1331/0, 73514 Orlová )
ID: 00685976
Food group: Milk and milk products / Cheese

CHEESE THREADS 35% TSV
Category: Dangerous foods
Invalid parameter:

fungi visible to the eye

Mold colonies were present on the surface of the food in all the inspected packages. Food is not considered safe if it shows signs of spoilage.

Unsuitable storage temperatures for this food were not detected during the inspection. 

Batch: L23 326-11
Expiration date: 21/12/2023 and 22/12/2023
Packaging: foam polystyrene tray and food foil
Quantity of the product in the package: 0.296 kg
Date of sample collection: 20/12/2023
Reference number: 24-000033-SZPI-CZ
The sample was detected by the official control of the State Agricultural and Food Inspection.

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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 Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Spoilage, Food Testing, Mold/ MouldAscospores, Mould/Mold, Moulds, Visible Mould/Mold

USA – Haleon Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Robitussin Honey CF Max Day Adult and Robitussin Honey CF Max Night time Adult Products Due to Microbial Contamination

Posted on January 25, 2024 | Leave a comment

FDA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 24, 2024 – Warren, NJ, Haleon is voluntarily recalling eight lots of Robitussin Honey CF Max Day Adult and Robitussin Honey CF Max Night time Adult to the consumer level. The product is being recalled due to microbial contamination.

In immunocompromised individuals, the use of the affected product could potentially result in severe or life-threatening adverse events such as fungemia or disseminated fungal infection. In non-immunocompromised consumers, the population most likely to use the product, life-threatening infections are not likely to occur. However, the occurrence of an infection that may necessitate medical intervention cannot be completely ruled out.

To date, Haleon has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall.

Robitussin Honey CF Max Day and Nighttime are cough syrups indicated for the temporary relief of symptoms occurring with cold or flu, hay fever, or other respiratory allergies. This recall covers only the following lots:

Product Lot Number Expiry Date
ROBITUSSIN HONEY CF MAX
DAY ADULT 4OZ		 T10810 31OCT2025
ROBITUSSIN HONEY CF MAX
DAY ADULT 8OZ		 T08730
T08731
T08732
T08733
T10808		 31MAY2025
31MAY2025
31MAY2025
31MAY2025
30SEP2025
ROBITUSSIN HONEY CF MAX
NT ADULT 8OZ		 T08740 T08742 30JUN2026
30JUN2026

Haleon is notifying its distributors and customers directly and has provided them with instructions for the return of all recalled products. Consumers that have purchased the product listed should stop consumption immediately. Please call our Consumer Relations team at +1-800-245-1040 (Monday through Friday 8 AM to 6 PM Eastern Time) or reach out via email to mystory.us@haleon.com.

Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this product.

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Posted in FDA, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, fungi, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbial Spoilage, Mold/ MouldAscospores, Mould Toxin, Mould/Mold, Moulds, product recall, Recall

UK- Research – How pathogen genomics could help us detect new health threats and improve vaccines.

Posted on January 25, 2024 | Leave a comment

UKSHA

Pathogen genomics is an important tool in our mission to prepare for and respond to infectious disease threats as well as food safety.

Our new 5-year Pathogen Genomics Strategy will establish a unified programme to enhance and expand our excellence in this field. Using pathogen genomics, we will increase our understanding of infectious disease risks, and enable effective evaluation of interventions to mitigate them.

In this blog post at the above link, we will explore the role of pathogen genomics in UK biosecurity and how we are developing our genomic systems to better protect public health in the UK.

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Posted in Food Microbiology Research, Food Safety, Food Safety Management, food safety training, Genomics, Pathogen, pathogenic, Research, Whole Genomic Sequencing

Research – Relationship between Desiccation Tolerance and Biofilm Formation in Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli

Posted on January 24, 2024 | Leave a comment

MDPI

Abstract

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a major concern in the food industry and requires effective control measures to prevent foodborne illnesses. Previous studies have demonstrated increased difficulty in the control of biofilm-forming STEC. Desiccation, achieved through osmotic stress and water removal, has emerged as a potential antimicrobial hurdle. This study focused on 254 genetically diverse E. coli strains collected from cattle, carcass hides, hide-off carcasses, and processing equipment. Of these, 141 (55.51%) were STEC and 113 (44.48%) were generic E. coli. The biofilm-forming capabilities of these isolates were assessed, and their desiccation tolerance was investigated to understand the relationships between growth temperature, relative humidity (RH), and bacterial survival. Only 28% of the STEC isolates had the ability to form biofilms, compared to 60% of the generic E. coli. Stainless steel surfaces were exposed to different combinations of temperature (0 °C or 35 °C) and relative humidity (75% or 100%), and the bacterial attachment and survival rates were measured over 72 h and compared to controls. The results revealed that all the strains exposed to 75% relative humidity (RH) at any temperature had reduced growth (p < 0.001). In contrast, 35 °C and 100% RH supported bacterial proliferation, except for isolates forming the strongest biofilms. The ability of E. coli to form a biofilm did not impact growth reduction at 75% RH. Therefore, desiccation treatment at 75% RH at temperatures of 0 °C or 35 °C holds promise as a novel antimicrobial hurdle for the removal of biofilm-forming E. coli from challenging-to-clean surfaces and equipment within food processing facilities.

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Posted in Biofilm, Food Microbiology Research, Research, STEC, STEC E.coli

Research – Yersinia enterocolitica biovar 1A: An underappreciated potential pathogen in the food chain.

Posted on January 24, 2024 | Leave a comment

Science Direct

Highlights
Y. enterocolitica was isolated from chicken (74%), pork (80%), salmon (80%) and leafy green (10%) samples

Up to five Y. enterocolitica sequence types (STs) were isolated from the same food sample

Isolates from the same sample and ST differed by 0-74 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)

Almost all (99%) food Y. enterocolitica isolates were biotype 1A

Around half (51%) of food samples contained an ST previously isolated from UK human sources.

Abstract

Yersinia enterocolitica is an underreported cause of foodborne gastroenteritis. Little is known of the diversity of Y. enterocolitica isolated from food and which food commodities contribute to human disease. In this study, Y. enterocolitica was isolated from 37/50 raw chicken, 8/10 pork, 8/10 salmon and 1/10 leafy green samples collected at retail in the UK. Up to 10 presumptive Y. enterocolitica isolates per positive sample underwent whole genome sequencing (WGS) and were compared with publicly available genomes. In total, 207 Y. enterocolitica isolates were analyzed and belonged to 38 sequence types (STs). Up to five STs of Y. enterocolitica were isolated from individual food samples and isolates belonging to the same sample and ST differed by 0–74 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Biotype was predicted for 205 (99 %) genomes that all belonged to biotype 1A, previously described as non-pathogenic. However, around half (51 %) of food samples contained isolates belonging to the same ST as previously isolated from UK human cases. The closest human-derived isolates shared between 17 and 7978 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the food isolates. Extensive food surveillance is required to determine what food sources are responsible for Y. enterocolitica infections and to re-examine the role of biotype 1A as a human pathogen.

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Posted in Emerging Pathogen, Food Pathogen, Pathogen, pathogenic, WGS, Whole Genomic Sequencing, Yersinia, yersinia enterocolitica, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

Belgium – pâtés “De Beauvoorderpaté (0.1KG/SC)” & “Paté van de chef (0.15KG/SC)” from the Buurtslagers/Bon’Ap brand – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on January 24, 2024 | Leave a comment

afsca

Meat & More recall
Product: pâtés “De Beauvoorderpaté (0.1KG/SC)” & “Paté van de chef (0.15KG/SC)” from the Buurtslagers/Bon’Ap brand
Problem: possible presence of Listeria Monocytogenes
In agreement with the AFSCA, Meat & More is withdrawing from sale the pâtés “De Beauvoorderpaté (0.1KG/SC)” & “Paté van de chef (0.15KG/SC)” from the Buurtslagers/Bon’Ap brand and is recalling them from consumers due to the possible presence of Listeria Monocytogenes.

Meat & More asks its customers not to consume these products and to return them to the point of sale for a refund.

Description of products:

– Product Name: De Beauvoorderpaté (0.1KG/SC)
– Brand: Buurtslagers/Bon’Ap
– Best before date (Best before date): 02/14/2024
– Batch number: 033
– Sales period: from 01/17/2024 to 01.23.2024
– Type of packaging: isomo tray with transparent film
– Weight: 100g

– Name of the Product: Paté van de chef (0.15KG/SC)
– Brand: Buurtslagers/Bon’Ap
– Use-by date (Best before date): 14.02.2024
– Batch number: 033
– Sales period: from 17.01. 2024 to 01/23/2024
– Type of packaging: isomo tray with transparent film
– Weight: 150g

The products were distributed through different points of sale.

For more information please contact the Meat & More quality department: Groendreef 10, 9880 Aalter – tel. 09 216 73 10.

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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 Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes

Research – Most major pathogens see an increase in Ireland

Posted on January 24, 2024 | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

The number of E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Listeria infections has gone up in Ireland, according to 2022 data from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting rates for giardiasis, listeriosis, norovirus, rotavirus, salmonellosis, shigellosis, and toxoplasmosis in Ireland decreased compared to pre-pandemic levels. Still, rates for campylobacteriosis, cryptosporidiosis, E. coli, and yersiniosis increased or remained unchanged. In 2022, most of these diseases returned to or remained at pre-pandemic levels.

A 2021 cyber-attack at the Health Service Executive (HSE) also affected data validation and collection, reporting of enhanced data variables, and outbreak notification.

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Posted in Campylobacter, Cryptosporidiosis, Cryptosporidium, E.coli, Food Pathogen, Giardia, Listeria, Norovirus, Pathogen, pathogenic, Rotavirus, Yersinia, yersinia enterocolitica, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

Denmark – Listeria in cured sausages and seasoning fat

Posted on January 24, 2024 | Leave a comment

Foedevarestyrelsen

Butcher Norlyk ApS is recalling Norlyk garlic sausage, Norlyk beef sausage and Norlyk spiced fat, as Listeria monocytogenes has been found in the products.

If you have purchased the products, you should discard them or return them to the store where they were purchased.

Image of the products

Which foods are recalled

Norlyk Garlic sausage, vacuum packed
Best before dates: From 04/07/2024 to 04/21/2024
EAN code: 2060300036985

Norlyk Beef sausage, vacuum packed
Best before dates: From 04/06/2024 to 04/21/2024
EAN code: 2060380036981

Norlyk Seasoning t, in cup
Last use-by dates: From 15.03 .2024 to 22.03.2024
EAN code: 2060340017982

Where are the products sold?

The products are sold in ABC Discount stores.

Why are the products being recalled?

The bacterium Listeria monocytogenes has been detected in the products. Infection with Listeria bacteria can cause flu-like symptoms, fever and headache and, in rare cases, gastrointestinal problems.

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Posted in Foedevarestyrelsen, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Listeria monocytogenes