Category Archives: Bacteria

USA – Small Turtles On-Going Salmonella Risk

Posted on December 9, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin 800px-Florida_Box_Turtle_Digon3_re-edited

Six ongoing Salmonella outbreaks that have sickened a total of 248 people in 34 states have been linked to illegal pet turtles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Almost 70 percent of those who became ill were children under the age of 10.

It is precisely because of Salmonella risk , especially to young children, that the Food and Drug Administration banned the sale and distribution of small  turtles as pets in 1975. Turtles with shells shorter four inches should not be purchased as pets or given as gifts.

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Posted in Bacteria, CDC, Eurofins Laboratories, FDA, Hygiene, Illness, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research, Salmonella

RASFF/European Alerts – E.coli – Salmonella – Aflatoxins

Posted on December 8, 2012 by | Leave a comment

RASFF – E.coli in Mozzerella in France sourced in Italy.

RASFF – Salmonella in Spring Onions in Denmark sourced in Thailand

RASFF – Salmonella in Lemon Grass in Denamrk sourced in Thailand

RASFF – Aflatoxins in Pistachio’s in Italy sourced in Iran

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Posted in Aflatoxin, Bacteria, E.coli, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Hygiene, Microbiology, Pathogen, RASFF, Recall, Salmonella

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Research – New study sheds light on how Salmonella spreads in the body

Posted on December 8, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Eureka Alert

Findings of Cambridge scientists, published today in the journal PLoS Pathogens, show a new mechanism used by bacteria to spread in the body with the potential to identify targets to prevent the dissemination of the infection process.

Salmonella enterica is a major threat to public health, causing systemic diseases (typhoid and paratyphoid fever), gastroenteritis and non-typhoidal septicaemia (NTS) in humans and in many animal species worldwide. In the natural infection, salmonellae are typically acquired from the environment by oral ingestion of contaminated water or food or by contact with a carrier.  Current vaccines and treatments for S. enterica infections are not sufficiently effective, and there is a need to develop new therapeutic strategies.

Dr Andrew Grant, lead author of the study from the University of Cambridge, said: “A key unanswered question in infectious diseases is how pathogens such as Salmonella grow at the single-cell level and spread in the body.  This gap in our knowledge is hampering our ability to target therapy and vaccines with accuracy.”

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Posted in Bacteria, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research

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Australia – Recall Mixed Spice Rack – Salmonella

Posted on December 8, 2012 by | Leave a comment

FSANZFSANZ

Ontrack Pty Ltd and Big W have recalled Truly Gifted Spice Rack 12 Bottle Spice Set 375g from Big W stores in ACT, NSW, TAS and VIC only, due to microbial contamination (Salmonella) in the peppercorn portion of the product. Consumers should not eat this product and should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Date notified to FSANZ

7/12/2012

Food type

Spices

Product name

Truly Gifted Spice Rack

Package description and size

12 Bottle Spice Set 375g – 2 tier

Date marking

Best Before 30/11/2013

Country of origin

China (raw ingredient from India)

Reason for recall

Microbial contamination (Salmonella) in the peppercorn portion of the product

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, FSANZ, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, Salmonella

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Denmark – Recall Salmonella Dublin in Beef

Posted on December 6, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Denmark

Salmonella Dublin in beef

Dansk Origin: Danish Pakkedato: 22/11-2012 Package Date: 22/11-2012
Best before date: 22/12/2012  Reference Number: 22112012

Party of beef supplied is cut on 22/11-2012 and sold as bovklump, chuck and minced.

Sold wholesale to: Denmark Caterers and butcher shops in Denmark

Activities that call back: MB Food A / S Korskildeeng 3 2670 Greve

Cause:There are detected Salmonella Dublin in samples from bovklump.

Risk: If meat is not thoroughly cooked or if mishandled cross-contaminate other foods can be contaminated with salmonella. Symptoms of salmonella infection include diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and fever.

Advice to buyers: Boxes products or live them back to the supplier.

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, Salmonella

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Canada Updated Recall Hazlenuts – Salmonella

Posted on December 6, 2012 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

The public warning issued on December 2, 2012 has been updated to include additional bulk filberts (hazelnuts).

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Loblaw Companies Ltd. are warning the public not to consume the in-shell filberts (hazelnuts) described below because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The affected product, Ennis variety filberts (hazelnuts), product of USA, was sold from bulk bins up to and including December 4, 2012.

This product was distributed through Loblaw banners as follows:

Ontario – Cash & Carry, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Fortinos, No Frills Quebec – Loblaws, Maxi & Cie, Maxi, Provigo Newfoundland and Labrador – Dominion

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

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Posted in Bacteria, CFIA, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, Uncategorized

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USA – Recall Beef and Cheese Pie Products – Listeria

Posted on December 5, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Journal

Cantina Foods, a Buffalo, N.Y. establishment, is recalling approximately 2,375 pounds of ready-to-eat beef and cheese pie products because they were produced without the benefit of federal inspection, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The following products are subject to recall:

  • Cartons containing four clear plastic bags with six 4-oz. “Beef and Cheese Pastellios” in each bag.

There are no labels or marks of inspection on the bags or cartons. The products were produced and sold from Oct. 3, 2012 through Nov. 20, 2012 and distributed to retail establishments in the Buffalo, N.Y. region. The individual pies may have been available for sale from heat trays at convenience stores.

The company had requested to voluntarily suspend its operations in September, 2012 after a food safety assessment by FSIS identified problems with the firm’s Listeria monocytogenes control program. Through their investigation, FSIS enforcement personnel identified the products in commerce and determined that the company had produced them without the benefit of inspection.

FSIS has received no reports of illness due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.

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

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USA – Recall Salsa Dill Beans – Clostridium botulinum?

Posted on December 5, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Botulinum Blog

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is warning consumers not to eat Harry’s Berries Salsa (mild or hot flavors) or Harry’s Berries Dilled Beans, packed by Gean Farms, Inc., because they may have been improperly produced, making them susceptible to contamination with Clostridium botulinum. No illnesses have been linked to any of the affected products at this time.

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

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RASFF/European Alerts – Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on December 4, 2012 by | Leave a comment

RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes (presence /25g) in gorgonzola and mascarpone cheese cake from Italy.

Switzerland – Food safety and public warning: Listeria in goat cheese “The Capriglânois”

Greece – The EFET, namely the Regional Directorate of Western Greece Within the framework of implementation of official control programs for food safety and quality control on bottled water and in cooperation with the State General Laboratory, found that there unsafe product – natural mineral water – which detected the bacterium Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

 

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Pseudomonas, RASFF, Recall, Water

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Australia- Recall Favor Swallow Bean Sauce – Bacillus cereus

Posted on December 4, 2012 by | Leave a comment

FSANZFSANZ

Delin (Australia) Trading Pty Ltd has recalled Favor Swallow Bean Sauce from some Asian supermarkets in Victoria due to microbial contamination (Bacillus cereus). Food products contaminated with Bacillus cereus  may cause illness if consumed. Consumers should not eat this product and should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

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Posted in Bacillus cereus, Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, FSANZ, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

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