Author Archives: KSW

Catalonia – Possible presence of salmonella in pasteurized liquid whole egg

ACSA

whole liquid alert egg

The possible presence of salmonella in liquid pasteurized whole eggs of the OVOPACK brand from Spain with an expiry date of 10/28/2024 is reported.

The data of the product involved are:

  • Product name:  Huevo entero líquido pasteurized
  • Brand:  OVOPACK
  • Product appearance: Bric
  • Lot number:  L11142
  • Expiry date: 28/10/2024
  • Unit weight:  1 Kg
  • Temperature:  Refrigerated

According to the information available, the products have been distributed in the autonomous communities of  Catalonia , Andalusia and Extremadura, although it cannot be ruled out that there may be redistribution to other autonomous communities.

In relation to the information received by the health authorities of Andalusia , the Spanish Food Safety and Nutrition Agency has communicated this information to the competent authorities of the autonomous communities, through the  European Food Alert Network .

The withdrawal of the affected product from the marketing channels is being monitored by the competent authorities.

As a precautionary measure,  people who may have the above-mentioned product in their homes are advised to refrain from consuming it.

If you have consumed any of the products from the affected batch and have symptoms compatible with salmonella, it is recommended to go to a health center. 

USA – Dozens taken to hospitals for apparent food poisoning

Food Safety News

Nearly 50 people in Jessup, MD, have been taken to hospitals because they are exhibiting signs of food poisoning.

The Howard County Fire & Rescue department is reporting the 46 patients are described as non-critical, according spokeswoman Samantha Stanton.

Stanton said fire officials were called to the 700 block of Chesapeake Bay Court in Jessup at about 3:45 p.m. on Oct. 21.

Research – Boiling Water Noticed in the Face of E. coli Contamination

Food Poisoning News

The Importance of Following Boil Water Notices

When a “boil water notice” is issued, it is not just a precautionary measure; it’s an essential public health advisory meant to protect you from potentially serious illnesses. These notices, typically released by local authorities, warn residents that their drinking water may be contaminated and that boiling it is necessary to ensure its safety. Failing to follow a boil water notice can result in serious health risks, including bacterial infections and other waterborne diseases. Here’s why it’s critical to understand and follow these warnings.

Read more in the link above

Research – Best Practices for Handling Raw Flour: Raw Flour has been Linked to Salmonella and E. coli Outbreaks

Food Poisoning News

A common ingredient found in most kitchens, raw flour is a key ingredient in many delicious recipes. However, that uncooked flour can harbor harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella, posing significant health risks to consumers.

Contrary to popular belief, most flour is typically a raw agricultural product that has not undergone treatment to eliminate pathogens. The milling process, including grinding and bleaching, does not kill these harmful microorganisms, which can taint grain in the field or during flour production.

Multiple outbreaks linked to raw flour or cake mix have made national news in recent years, including incidents in 2016, 2019, 2021, and 2023. Some of these investigations resulted in product recalls, such as the 2019 recall over E. coli-contaminated raw flour from Pillsbury, King Arthur, and Aldi, highlighting the ongoing potential danger of consuming this food.

According to one food safety expert, “Consumers should be aware that flour has a long shelf life, and products purchased even years ago could still pose a risk. We recommend checking for any recalled flour or baking mixes and discarding them immediately.”

Read more at the link above.

Austria – YES! NATURALLY ORGANIC CREAMED SPINACH 450G – Salmonella

Ages

GES informs about a recall by REWE International AG. The company initiated a recall of the product JA! NATÜRLICH BIO-CREMESPINAT 450G on October 23, 2024:
reason for recall
Salmonella
Placed on the market by
REWE International AG
Manufacturer
Ardo Austria Frost GmbH
expiration date
11.2025
batch number
91L4150, 91L4151, 91L4152

For reasons of consistent consumer protection, the supplier Ardo Austria Frost GmbH has initiated a precautionary recall of the product with MHD 11.2025/batches 91L4150, 91L4151 and 91L4152.

During regular testing, a possible contamination with salmonella was identified. If the product is not cooked through according to the preparation instructions, a potential health risk cannot be ruled out if consumed. Therefore, consumption of this product with the stated best-before dates and batches is not recommended.

The inventory of the affected product has been withdrawn from sale. 

  • Affected products that have already been purchased can now be returned without a receipt
  • If you have any questions, please contact Ardo Austria Frost GmbH by email at  SM-AT-GF-Sales@ardo.com

The supplier Ardo Austria Frost GmbH regrets the incident and apologizes to all customers for the inconvenience caused. 

The warning does not mean that the health risk was caused by the producer, manufacturer, importer or distributor.

original recall

Canada – Update – Various brands of frozen waffles and pancakes recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

Gov Canada

Product
Waffles and Pancakes
Issue
Food – Microbial contamination – Listeria
What to do

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

Distribution
National

Issue

The food recall warning issued on 2024-10-21 has been updated to include additional product information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s food safety investigation.

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

What you should do

  • If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, contact your healthcare provider
  • Check to see if you have recalled products
  • Do not consume, serve, use, sell, or distribute recalled products
  • Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, the infection can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

USA – Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7: McDonald’s Quarter Pounders (October 2024)

FDA

Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7: McDonald’s Quarter Pounders (October 2024)

Product

A specific ingredient has not yet been confirmed as the source of the outbreak, but most sick people report eating McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burgers. Investigators are working to determine if the slivered onions or beef patties on Quarter Pounder burgers are the likely source of contamination. McDonald’s has temporarily stopped using Quarter Pounder slivered onions and beef patties in affected states. Diced onions and other types of beef patties used at McDonald’s have not been implicated in this outbreak.

Symptoms of E. coli

Symptoms begin anywhere from a few days after consuming contaminated food or up to nine days later. Symptoms include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting. Some infections can cause severe bloody diarrhea and lead to life-threatening conditions, such as a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), or the development of high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, and neurologic problems.

Stores Affected

McDonald’s stores in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Wyoming, and portions of Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma have temporarily stopped using Quarter Pounder slivered onions and beef patties.

Status

Ongoing; updates will be provided as they become available.

Recommendation

  • Consumers who have already eaten at McDonald’s and have symptoms of E. coli infection should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care immediately.
  • McDonald’s stores in affected states have temporarily stopped using Quarter Pounder slivered onions and beef patties. Diced onions and other types of beef patties used at McDonald’s have not been implicated in this outbreak.

Current Update

October 22, 2024

The FDA, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections. A specific ingredient has not yet been confirmed as the source of the outbreak, but most sick people report eating McDonald’s Quarter Pounder burger varieties.

Investigators are working to determine if the slivered onions or beef patties on Quarter Pounder burgers are the likely source of this outbreak.

Preliminary traceback and distribution information reviewed by FDA shows that slivered onions served on Quarter Pounders are a likely source of contamination. FDA is working quickly to confirm that these onions are a source of this outbreak and to determine if these onions were served or sold at other businesses. McDonald’s has temporarily stopped using this type of onion in these states. Diced onions used at McDonald’s are not implicated in this outbreak.

FSIS is conducting traceback on hamburger patties served at McDonald’s in affected states to determine if ground beef is a source of illness. McDonald’s has also temporarily stopped selling Quarter Pounder beef patties in affected states, while the investigation is ongoing to determine the source of the outbreak.

This advisory will be updated as additional information becomes available.

France – SMOKED PROVENCAL MACKEREL FILLETS – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov France

Product Category
Food
Product subcategory
Fishery and aquaculture products
Product brand name
LECLERC LAGORD
Model names or references
SMOKED PROVENCAL MACKEREL FILLETS
Product identification
GTIN Batch Date
0209401073143 All lots Expiry date 10/29/2024
Packaging
The product is vacuum-packed in a case (see attached photo).
Start/End of marketing date
From 08/10/2024 to 21/10/2024
Storage temperature
Product to be kept in the refrigerator
Additional information
The product is smoked in our catering workshops and packaged on site.
Geographic area of ​​sale
Departments: CHARENTE-MARITIME (17)
Distributors
The E.LECLERC of LAGORD

India – Assam: 200 people fall sick after consuming snacks at obituary function

Hindustan Times

More than 200 people fell sick due to food poisoning after eating snack at a memorial ceremony in Assam’s Golaghat district, PTI reported.

Officials said that during the event the guests were served with traditional ‘jalpan’ – snacks with puffed rice and cream. After a while, people who consumed the snacks started complaining of stomach aches, headaches, vomiting and loose motions.

Denmark – Salmonella in ground beef

Foedevarestyrelsen

Danish Crown is recalling several varieties of minced beef with a production date of 15 October 2024 following the discovery of salmonella.
If you have the product, you should discard it or return it to the store where it was purchased.

Which foods are recalled

Sold in Bilka: 
The butcher, minced beef, 8-12% fat, 2 kg.
Production date: 15-10-2024
Best before: 22-10-2024

Sold in Føtex:
Butcher, minced beef, 8-12% fat, 1.0 kg.
Production date: 15-10-2024
Best before: 22-10-2024

Sold in Bilka and Føtex: 
Butcher, minced beef, 14-18% fat, 0.7 kg.
Production date: 15-10-2024
Best before: 22-10-2024

The butcher, minced beef, 4-7% fat, 1000 grams
Production date: 15-10-2024
Best before: 22-10-2024

Sold in Meny, Spar, Min Købmand, Let-Køb and Løvbjerg:
Gestus, minced beef, 4-7% fat, 700 grams
Package date: 15-10-2024
Best before: 22-10-2024

Gestus, minced beef, 7-10% fat 800 grams
Package date: 15-10-2024
Best before: 22-10-2024

Sold on Nemlig.com: 
Danish Crown, minced beef, 8-12% fat, 1000 grams
Package date: 15-10-2024
Best before: 22-10-2024

Sold in Rema 1000:
Rema 1000, Danish beef, minced beef, 8-12% fat, 800 grams
Package date: 15-10-24
Best-by date 22-10-24

Why are the products being recalled?

There is a risk of infection with Salmonella.
The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration advises consumers to return the product to the store where it was purchased or to discard it. 
The symptoms of infection with Salmonella are diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, headache and possibly nausea and vomiting. The illness can last from a few days to several weeks.

Read more about Salmonella in food

Who recalls the product

Danish Crown
Danish Crown Vej 1
8940 Randers