Category Archives: Bacteria

USA – Cooked Deli Beef – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on April 11, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletinlisteria-hp

Manda Packing Company, a Baker, La., establishment, is recalling approximately 20,166 pounds of cooked roast beef deli meat due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Various weights of the following products are subject to recall:

  • Manda Supreme Roast Beef
  • Four Star Cajun Roast Beef
  • Four Star Roast Beef
  • Cajun Prize Roast Beef
  • Manda Supreme Natural Roast Beef
  • Manda Natural Roast Beef
  • Manda New Orleans Style Roast Beef
  • Manda Whole Wet Pack Roast Beef

Each package has a “Sell by” date of May 13, 2013, and bears the establishment number “EST. 8746A” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These products may have been sliced at retail delis, and if so will not bear this packaging information. The products were packed on February 27, 2013, and shipped for further distribution and to retail deli stores in Louisiana, Texas, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Illinois, and Tennessee.

FSIS was alerted to the problem by the Tennessee Department of Health, who took an intact sample of cooked roast beef at a retail establishment on April 5, 2013, which later confirmed positive for Listeria monocytogenes. FSIS and the company have received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products.

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, FSIS, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

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Canada – Extended Recalls – Eggplants Clostridium botulinum and Nut Mix Salmonella

Posted on April 11, 2013 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Osmat Imports are warning the public not to consume the Osmat Imports brand Stuffed Eggplants product described below because it may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. Toxins produced by these bacteria may cause botulism, a life-threatening illness. The affected product, Osmat Imports brand Stuffed Eggplants, was sold in 2 kg jars (4.4 lbs) bearing UPC 8 37770 00009 7 and Best Before: Lot 6 EXP JA 14. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product. The importer, Osmat Imports, North Vancouver, BC is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

CFIA

The public warning issued on April 4, 2013 has been updated to include an additional product because this product may be contaminated with Salmonella. Previously identified products included in this recall can be found on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Trophy Foods Inc. are warning the public not to consume Trophy brand Nut Mix In Shell because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. This product has been distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and may have been distributed to other provinces. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product. The manufacturer, Trophy Foods Inc., Calgary, Alberta is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

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Posted in Bacteria, CFIA, Clostridium botulinum, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, Toxin

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Research – Antimicrobial resistance and co-selection phenomenon in Listeria spp

Posted on April 10, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Microbiology /Science Direct

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), co-selection phenomenon, and the relationship between reduced susceptibility (RSC) to ciprofloxacin (CIP) and resistance to other antimicrobials in Listeria spp. (n = 103) recovered from food processing environments (FPE) and food were investigated. Resistance of Listeria monocytogenes and other listeriae, respectively, to cefoxitin (FOX; 98% vs. 88%), CIP (7% vs. 4%), clindamycin (CLI; 33% vs. 59%) and tetracycline (6% vs. 8%) was observed, as was RSC to CIP (67% vs. 57%) and CLI (65% vs. 41%). L. monocytogenes also possessed RSC to linezolid (LZD; 6%), rifampicin (2%) and streptomycin (6%), with other listeriae displaying RSC to chloramphenicol (4%). L. monocytogenes serotype 1/2a (90%) isolates were more frequently resistant or possessed RSC to CIP compared to serotype 4b (55%) (p = 0.015). When eight strains were experimentally adapted to high concentrations of CIP, co-selection occurred as MICs to benzalkonium chloride (BAC) increased (n = 5), gentamicin MICs remained the same (n = 6) or increased 2-fold (n = 2), and led to RSC to LZD (n = 1) and resistance to CLI (n = 8). Overall, levels of resistance/RSC to CIP in food chain isolates, particularly 1/2a, are concerning. Further, reduced sensitivity to disparate antimicrobials following CIP exposure highlights the need for increased knowledge of co-selection phenomenon linked with antimicrobial agents.

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Posted in Antibiotic Resistance, Bacteria, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Technology, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Methods, Microbiology, Research

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China – 292 Children Sick in China – Contaminated Food

Posted on April 10, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Zee News

Beijing: Nearly 300 children Were Admitted to hospital eating contaminated food Effective In Their school canteen in China’s southwestern Sichuan Province.
Local authorities of Ziyang City in the province said that the students from Yingjie Township Central Elementary School started to show symptoms of diarrhoea, such as fever and vomiting on Saturday. Local authorities of Ziyang City in the province Said que le Yingjie Township students from Central Elementary School started to show symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting and fever Such as on Saturday.
300 Chinese kids fell sick eating contaminated food Effective

Following health check-ups 143 students out of a total of 292 have been discharged from hospital as of today. Following health check-ups 143 students out of a total of 292 Have Been Discharged from hospital as of today. None of the remaining children still admitted in hospital are critically ill. None of the children still Admitted Remaining are critically ill in hospital.
The school canteen has been disinfected, and local authorities have vowed to find out who is responsible for the contamination, state-run news agency Xinhua reported. The school canteen has-been disinfected, and Local Authorities Have vowed to find out who is responsible for the contamination, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Microbiology

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Research – Natural Antimicrobials on Poultry – Whey Protein Isolate Edible Films with Essential Oils

Posted on April 9, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Wiley Online imagesCAYZ5I84

Abstract

Background

Whey protein isolate edible films with oregano or clove essential oils (EOs) incorporated as natural antimicrobials have been developed aimed to enhance the microbial quality of poultry. The effectiveness of the films was determined both against the whole and selected microbiota developed during different periods of cold storage on the surface of skinless chicken breast. Tests were conducted by using both turbidimetric and agar disk diffusion methods.

Results

The antimicrobial edible films developed showed high effectiveness against the main spoilers developed on the surface of skinless chicken breasts cold-stored along 8 days. The films based on oregano EO showed higher effectiveness than those based on clove EO. Still, clove EO could be part of an effective antimicrobial edible film. Enterobacteriaceae was the most susceptible to the effect of the films when the lower concentrations of EO were incorporated. The largest inhibition surfaces obtained were provoked by films with the highest concentration of oregano EO incorporated against Lactic Acid Bacteria.

Conclusion

The antimicrobial edible films developed in this study inhibited the growth of the microbial populations that developed through the chicken breast storage and caused its spoilage. The results of this research have direct application in the food industry to enhance the control of the development of spoilers such as Pseudomona spp. or lactic acid bacteria.

 

 

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Posted in Antimicrobials, Bacteria, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Technology, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research

Research – EFSA – ECDC – The European Union Summary Report on Trends and Sources of Zoonoses, Zoonotic Agents

Posted on April 9, 2013 by | Leave a comment

EFSA

The European Food Safety Authority and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control analysed the information submitted by 27 European Union Member States on the occurrence of zoonoses and food-borne outbreaks in 2011. Campylobacteriosis was the most commonly reported zoonosis with 220,209 confirmed human cases. The occurrence of Campylobacter continued to be high in broiler meat at EU level.

The decreasing trend in confirmed salmonellosis cases in humans continued with a total of 95,548 cases in 2011. Most Member States met their Salmonella reduction targets for poultry, and Salmonella is declining in these populations. In foodstuffs, Salmonella was most often detected in meat and products thereof.

The number of confirmed human listeriosis cases decreased to 1,476. Listeria was seldom detected above the legal safety limit from ready-to-eat foods.

A total of 9,485 confirmed verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) infections were reported. This represents an increase of 159.4 % compared with 2010 as a result of the large STEC/VTEC outbreak that occurred in 2011 in the EU, primarily in Germany. VTEC was also reported from food and animals.

The number of human yersiniosis cases increased to 7,017 cases. Yersinia enterocolitica was isolated also from pig meat and pigs; 132 cases of Mycobacterium bovis and 330 cases of brucellosis in humans were also reported. The prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in cattle increased, and the prevalence of brucellosis decreased in cattle and sheep and goat populations.

Trichinellosis and echinococcosis caused 268 and 781 human cases, respectively and these parasites were mainly detected in wildlife. The numbers of alveolar and of cystic echinococcosis respectively increased and decreased in the last five years. One imported human case of rabies was reported. The number of rabies cases in animals continued to decrease.

Most of the 5,648 reported food-borne outbreaks were caused by Salmonella, bacterial toxins, Campylobacter and viruses, and the main food sources were eggs, mixed foods and fish and fishery products.

 

© European Food Safety Authority, 2013

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Posted in Bacteria, Campylobacter, E.coli, E.coli O104, E.coli O157, ECDC, EFSA, EHEC, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Technology, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, Poisoning, Research

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RASFF Alerts – Aflatoxin – Pistachios and Groundnuts

Posted on April 8, 2013 by | Leave a comment

RASFF – Aflatoxins (Tot. = 49.4 µg/kg – ppb) in roasted pistachios from Turkey in the UK

RASFF – Aflatoxins (B1 = 4.9 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from South Africa in the Netherlands

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Posted in Aflatoxin, Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Moulds, Mycotoxin, Pathogen, RASFF, Recall, Toxin

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Research – Prevalenc of Samonella on Raw Shelled Peanuts

Posted on April 7, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Ingenta ConnectAflatoxin

Recalls and/or outbreaks associated with Salmonella contamination in peanut-containing products were reported over the past several years. There are very limited data available on the prevalence and concentration of Salmonella on raw shelled peanuts in the United States. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of Salmonella on raw shelled peanuts in the United States and to estimate that concentration of Salmonella. Samples of Runner- and Virginia-type raw shelled peanuts from the 2008, 2009, and 2010 crop years were proportionately sampled from each growing region, based on 2007 production volume. Of 944 raw shelled peanut samples (375 g each), 22 (2.33%) were positive for Salmonella by the VIDAS Salmonella assay. Salmonella serovars identified in this study included Agona, Anatum, Braenderup, Dessau, Hartford, Meleagridis, Muenchen, Rodepoort, Tennessee, and Tornow. The concentration levels of Salmonella in positive samples, as determined by a most-probable-number assay, were <0.03 to 2.4 MPN/g. These data will be useful when designing and validating processes for the reduction or elimination of Salmonella in peanuts and/or peanut-containing products.

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Technology, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research, Salmonella

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USA – Recall – Smoked Pork and Pepper Sticks – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on April 7, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety Newslisteria-hp

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is telling consumers to avoid smoked pork and beef pepper sticks made by Belgrade Meat Center in Belgrade, Minnesota. Routine product sampling discovered Listeria monocytogenes bacteria in the food. There are no reports of illness to date. You can see pictures of product labels at the MDA web site.

The pepper sticks have the lot number 318130 on the back of the package and Minnesota State Establishment Number 1157. About 20 pounds of the pork and beef pepper sticks were sold at its retail store. Consumers are asked to return the packages to the store.

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

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USA -Smoked Pickled Herring Recall – Clostridium botulinum

Posted on April 7, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Journal

Little Mermaid Smoke House is recalling Smoked Herring and Pickled Herring fish because the products were found to be uneviscerated, and have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

The following products are recalled: Little Mermaid Smoked Herring fish Sold prior to 04/04/2013 and Little Mermaid Pickled Herring fish Sold prior to 04/04/2013

The recalled products are manufactured by Little Mermaid Smoke House and distributed in the state of California. These products are sold as whole fish, packaged in vacuum sealed packaging, and labeled “Little Mermaid Smoke House” which varies in weight and size. There are no codes listed on the products. The recall includes products sold prior to 04/03/2013.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

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Posted in Bacteria, Clostridium botulinum, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

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