Author Archives: KSW

Scientists investigate sources of UK Salmonella infections

Food Safety News

An investigation into related Salmonella infections in the United Kingdom has revealed multiple vehicles and pathways of infection.

Following an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium in Wales in 2021, which was associated with sheep meat and lamb liver being consumed raw, other genetically related cases were found across the UK. The first outbreak with 22 sick people was detected in Cardiff in July 2021 at an Eid al-Adha barbecue celebration. Isolates part of the same cluster were first detected in Wales in April 2018.

Overall, 170 cases were reported in the cluster from April 2018 to December 2022. From August 2021 to December 2022, 142 patients were identified in the UK. Eleven were part of an outbreak linked to raw drinking milk in England between September and December 2022.

What is Liverwurst and why is it prone to Listeria?

Food Poison Journal

Liverwurst is a type of sausage made from liver and other meats, along with spices. It’s popular in various cuisines, particularly in German-speaking countries. Liverwurst can be spreadable or sliceable, depending on its formulation.

Liverwurst, along with other ready-to-eat deli meats and pâtés, is prone to contamination by Listeria monocytogenes, the bacterium that causes listeriosis, for several reasons: Read more at the link above.

USA – DPH confirms two human cases of Campylobacter; DoAg issues recall of raw milk from Nature View Dairy

CT.GOV

HARTFORD, Conn. – The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) has issued a stop sale and recall of bottled raw milk from Nature View Dairy in Bridgewater, CT. This action follows confirmation by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) of two human cases of Campylobacter illness which were related to the consumption of bottled raw milk. CT DoAg and DPH immediately began investigating the source of illness.

“Consumers should be cautious when ingesting raw milk products, especially those in high-risk categories,” said Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. “Our agency is dedicated to ensuring that all farm products are safe for consumption through routine sampling and testing on the farm as well as working in tandem with our sister agency on investigations to protect public health.”

Additional samples of bottled raw milk were collected and tested resulting in a positive test result for campylobacter.  This bacterium is the number one cause of human foodborne illness. Campylobacter can frequently be found in raw milk or undercooked meats. The most common signs of human illness are diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps that may be accompanied by vomiting and nausea. Symptoms usually start two to five days after the person ingests campylobacter bacteria and last about one week. The illness is usually self-limiting and does not require antibiotics.

Nature View Dairy is complying with a voluntary recall of all raw milk products from retail distribution locations in Connecticut, including farm stores, natural food, and grocers. CT DoAg is working with DPH and Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) on this investigation.

USA – FDA – Federal Court Enters Consent Decree Against Rizo Lopez Foods Inc. Following Multistate Outbreak of Listeriosis Linked to Queso Fresco and Cotija Cheese Products – Listeria monocytogenes

FDA

Today, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California entered a consent decree of permanent injunction against Rizo Lopez Foods Inc. (“Rizo Lopez Foods”), a California-based food manufacturer, and the company’s co-owners, Edwin Rizo and Tomas Rizo. Among other requirements, the consent decree prohibits Rizo Lopez Foods from manufacturing and selling certain food products until the company complies with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), federal regulations and other requirements.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in collaboration with state and local partners, investigated a multi-year, multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) infections linked to queso fresco and cotija cheeses manufactured by Rizo Lopez Foods of Modesto, California.

Research – Efficacy of an Edible Coating with Carvacrol and Citral in Frozen Strawberries and Blueberries to Control Foodborne Pathogens

MDPI

Adding essential oils in an edible coating could be an alternative for the food industry to control foodborne pathogens. In 2014, EFSA published a report highlighting the risk associated with Salmonella spp. and Norovirus in fresh and frozen berries. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an edible coating (RP-7) with carvacrol and citral on reducing the population of Salmonella entericaEscherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and murine Norovirus (MNV-1) in frozen strawberries and blueberries. Before evaluating the efficacy, the best method for applying the coating on fruit was studied. The immersion method was selected, with an optimal drying time of 45 min. After this, the berries were frozen and stored for one, two, three, four, and eight weeks at −18 °C. In strawberries, all bacteria were reduced to below 0.7 log cfu/strawberry in the eighth week, and the MNV-1 infectivity showed a reduction of nearly 2 logarithmic units. In blueberries, S. enterica and E. coli O157:H7 were reduced to 0.8 log cfu/blueberries within a week, and MNV-1 achieved a reduction of 0.8 logarithmic units at the end of the assay. The application of RP-7 affected the studied microorganisms in frozen strawberries and blueberries.

USA – FDA – Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

FDA

What’s New

  • A new outbreak of Salmonella Liverpool (ref #1265) linked to a not yet identified product has been added to the table.
  • For the outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 (ref #1249) linked to a not yet identified product, FDA has initiated sample collection.
  • For the outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis illnesses (ref #1245) linked to a not yet identified product, the case count has increased from 60 to 61.

Belgium -“Fruity of Cap Gris-Nez” cheese from the producer La Fromagerie Sainte Godeleine – Listeria monocytogenes

AFSCA

Fruity from Cap Gris-Nez

Okay recalls Fruité du Cap Gris-Nez cheese 30 g

The supplier La Fromagerie Sainte Godeleine has reported the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the product Fruité du Cap Gris-Nez bearing the use-by dates of 8/10, 12/10 and 19/10/2024.

In consultation with the AFSCA, Okay has therefore decided to withdraw the product concerned from sale.

Customers who have purchased this product are advised not to consume it and to return it to the store for a refund. In the meantime, all stores have removed the affected products from their shelves.

Possible symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes poisoning

Listeria monocytogenes infection can be dangerous for young children, pregnant women (risk of miscarriage), people with compromised immune systems, and the elderly. Possible symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes poisoning include nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea or constipation, headache, and persistent fever (flu-like feeling). These symptoms usually appear 2 to 30 days after ingesting Listeria monocytogenes.

People who have consumed this product and who present these types of symptoms are invited to consult their doctor and report this consumption.

Product Description:

Fruity from Cap Gris-Nez 230 g
Use-by date (BBD): 8/10, 12/10 and 19/10/2024
Sales period: from 8/29/2024 to 10/9/2024 inclusive
Item number: 8079
Lot number: 30524, 31424 and 32324
Barcode: 03770001691206
Producer: Sainte Godeleine Cheese Factory

This product has been offered for sale in the following stores: Okay.

For more information , customers can contact Colruyt Group Customer Service on 0800 99 124.

France – WHITE TUNA – Histamine

Gov France

Product Category
Food
Sous-catégorie de produit
Produits de la pêche et d’aquaculture
Product brand name
POISSON
Model names or references
WHITE TUNA
Product identification
Batch
261260
Start/End of marketing date
From 09/19/2024 to 09/25/2024
Storage temperature
Produit à conserver au réfrigérateur
Geographic area of ​​sale
super u arc sur tille 58 rue des chèzeaux 21560
Distributeurs
SUPER U

AFSCA – Different cheeses from the brand Fromagerie de la côte d’Opale – Listeria monocytogenes

AFSCA

Kazen Cora cheeses

Product Description:

Picture
Cora Cheeses

These products were sold in Cora supermarkets in La Louvière (7100), Chatelineau (6200), Hornu (7301), Rocourt (4000), Messancy (6780) Woluwe-Saint-Lambert (1200) and Anderlecht (1070).

In consultation with the AFSCA (Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain), we have decided to withdraw this product from sale.

Customers who have purchased this product are asked not to consume it and to return it to the point of sale, where they will be refunded.
In the meantime, the products have been removed from the shelves and a “Customer Recall” sign is displayed in the points of sale.
We sincerely apologize to our customers for this inconvenience and assure them that the most effective measures are being taken to avoid this type of incident.

Any customer wishing to obtain additional information can contact our Quality Department by calling 071.69.95.24 or by email at the following address: ALERTES-RETRAITS@CORA.BE.

France – THE HOT BOX OF HAUTS DE FRANCE Cheese – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov France

Product Category
Alimentation
Sous-catégorie de produit
Milk and dairy products
Product brand name
BERNARD BROTHERS
Model names or references
THE HOT BOX OF HAUTS DE FRANCE
Product identification
Lot
see list of products in attachment
Liste des produits
boite_chaude_retrait_.pdfAttachment
Packaging
Stretch film, food grade + wooden box
Date début/Fin de commercialisation
From 08/26/2024 to 10/08/2024
Storage temperature
Produit à conserver au réfrigérateur
Health mark
FR-62-889-001-CE
Geographic area of ​​sale
France entière
Distributeurs
GMS, retailer, Cheese shop, Wholesalers