Category Archives: Bacteria

Canada – CFIA Recall Hummous – Listeria monocytogenes

CFIACIFA

Reference Number: 7796 Recalling Firm: GNG FOOD SERVICE INC. Date of Recall: 2/5/2013 Recall Classification: 1 Distribution : Ontario Extent of the Product Distribution : Hotel/Restaurant/Institutional

Product List

Brand Name Common Name Size Codes(s) on Product UPC Reason for Recall:
GNG FOOD SERVICE INC. HUMMOUS 5 kg Production Date: 20 January, 2013   Expiry Date: 04 February, 2013; Production Date: 24 January, 2013  Expiry Date: 08 February, 2013; Production Date: 28 January, 2013  Expiry Date: 12 February, 2013 None / Aucun Microbiological – Listeria
GNG FOOD SERVICE INC. HUMMOUS 11 kg Production Date: 20 January, 2013   Expiry Date: 04 February, 2013; Production Date: 24 January, 2013  Expiry Date: 08 February, 2013; Production Date: 28 January, 2013  Expiry Date: 12 February, 2013 None / Aucun Microbiological – Listeria

USA – Trader Joe’s Recall Organic Pea Shoots – Possible Listeria monocytogenes

Trader Joe’s

We have been alerted by our supplier of Trader Joe’s Organic Pea Shoots SKU 92756 with “Best By” dates through 02/16 sold only in our Oregon and Washington stores that there is a possibility that the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

In accordance with our stringent health and safety standards, and as an extreme precaution, all of the potentially affected product has been removed from sale and destroyed. To date, we have received no reports of illness related to this product.

Customers who have purchased this item are urged to not eat it, and to dispose of it or return it to any Trader Joe’s for a full refund.

Customers with questions may contact Trader Joe’s Customer Relations at (626) 599-3817 [Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time].

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.

European Epdiemiological Report into the Salmonella Stanley Outbreak 2012

ECDCecdclogo

In July 2012, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) initiated a Europe-wide investigation on a Salmonella Stanley outbreak, together with the affected Member States, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Reference Laboratory for Salmonella (EURL Salmonella). Cases were associated with strains showing an indistinguishable PFGE pattern not previously reported in Europe.

Between July and September 2012, ECDC encouraged European Union (EU) and other European Economic Area (EEA) Member States to perform Xbal-PFGE typing on all S. Stanley human isolates. The image profile of the outbreak strain was shared with all EU countries. ECDC collected and analysed molecular typing data on S. Stanley from EU/EEA Member States to explore potential sources of infection within the food production chain in this multi-country outbreak.

Full report at the link above.

USA – FDA Expanded Recall Sprouted Seeds – Listeria monocytogenes

FDAEurofins

Sprouters Northwest is voluntarily recalling all varieties of sprouts products, wheatgrass and pea shoots due to the potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women. There have been no illnesses reported to date.

All varieties of sprouts products including 3-Bean Munchie, Alfalfa, Bean, Broccoli, Brocco Sandwich sprouts, Clover, Deli, Spicy; Wheatgrass and Pea Shoots that were distributed through 1/30/2013 in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, Canada through retail stores and food service distribution chain.

The affected products are sold under the Sprouters Northwest, LifeForce and Brassica brand names and are packaged in plastic clamshell containers, plastic cups, plastic trays in 3 oz., 4 oz., 5 oz., and in plastic 1 lb. 2lb, or 5lb. bags. The Best by Dates are including all and up to 2/17/2013. Trader Joe’s Organic Pea Shoots (SKU 92756), packaged in a 4 oz. clamshell offered only in Oregon and Washington state are also affected. The Best by Dates are through 02/16/13. The Best by Date sticker is located in the top right hand corner, front of the package.

The problem was identified through surveillance finished products samples collected at retail locations and at the firm by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Sprouters Northwest is working with WSDA and the Food & Drug Administration on this recall.

Consumers who have purchased a specific lot of items mentioned above are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of it. Consumers with questions may contact the Sprouters Northwest at 1-253-872-0577 from 7AM to 2PM PST.

RASFF – European Alerts – Listeria monocytogenes – Salmonella – STEC E.coli – Ochratoxin

RASFF – Ochratoxin in Coffee from Belgium

RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes in Chilled Smoked Salmon in Italy via Denmark and Austria

RASFF – STEC E.coli in Chilled Beef in the Netherlands sourced in the USA

RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes in Gorgonzola in Switzerland sourced in Italy

RASFF – Salmonella in Minced in Sweden with raw material sourced in Irleand.

Research – Bacterial Fighting?

mbiosphere

Bacteria and fungi: are they friends of foes? In the case of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans, they’re definitely foes. A study in mBio this week reveals that P. aeruginosa puts the kibosh on C. albicans’ growth by altering the fungus’ respiratory activity.

 

UK – FSA – Bite Magazine – Food Safety and Europe

FSAfood_standards_agency_logo

The UK’s relationship with the European Union continues to hit the headlines, highlighting the debate under way on whether the EU works in the interest of its citizens. As a contribution to the discussion, the latest issue of the FSA’s Bite magazine examines the UK’s interaction with Brussels in the area of food safety.

USA – Walmart Cheese Recall – Salmonella

Food Poisoning Bulletin Salmonella

Walmart is recalling Stallings Head Cheese which has been linked to a cluster of Salmonella Uganda  illnesses in Louisiana.  Stallings, which is based in Houston, issued a recall for 4,700 pounds of the product on January 24 after health officials had discovered the link to the illnesses.

UK – East Midlands Free Listeria Seminar for SME’s

ReadyMealsInfo

East Midlands food businesses that make, distribute and sell chilled, ready-to-eat products are to be given help and advice to help them keep their products safe from Listeria.

According to data from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) serious cases of laboratory-confirmed Listeria infection in the UK almost doubled between 2000 and 2009. In 2010 numbers decreased but were still higher than during the 1990s.
The Food and Drink iNet, which is run by trade organisation The Food and Drink Forum, is funding a six-month collaborative research and development project at The University of Nottingham working with the food hygiene specialists Diversey, to turn the spotlight on the issue.

As part of the project, a seminar is being run to give small and medium-sized businesses in the chilled food sector, guidance and advice about how to manage the risk of Listeria.  The seminar will be held in the Plant Sciences Building at the University’s Sutton Bonington campus between 4 pm and 6.45 pm on Wednesday February 13.

The Food and Drink iNet, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), is managed by a consortium, led by the Food and Drink Forum and including Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and The University of Nottingham. It is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, with advisors covering the East Midlands region to offer a range of support to small and medium-sized enterprises that work in the sector.

To book places at the seminar email iNet advisor Jo Murphy at jo.murphy@foodanddrink-inet.org.uk and for more information visit www.foodanddrink-inet.org.uk

 

 

RASFF Alerts – Histamine – E.coli

RASFF – E.coli in Rope Mussels in France via Irland

RASFF – Histamine in Tuna Chunks in Denmark sourced in Thailand

Denmark – Histamine in Tuna in Denmark