Category Archives: Bacteria

USA – Pet Food Recall – Salmonella

FDA

Carolina Prime Pet Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of dog treats, is voluntarily recalling the following product:

Priority Total Pet Care All Natural Bullstrips in a 5-count package
UPC: 0-21130-42080-3
Lot Code: 20082712 S 3195 and Lot Code: 20090312 S3195

The UPC can be located on the back label of each package. The lot Code is located on a sticker on the back of each bag of the 5 count product.

This lot of product has yielded a positive test for Salmonella when tested by the Colorado Dept. of Agriculture. Carolina Prime Pet is not aware of any reported cases of illness related to this product.

Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Research – Inhibition of Clostridium and Detection of Enterotoxigenic Staph.

Wiley Online

Abstract:  Inhibition of Clostridium perfringens spore germination and outgrowth in reduced sodium roast beef by a blend of buffered lemon juice concentrate and vinegar (MoStatin LV1) during abusive exponential cooling was evaluated. Roast beef containing salt (NaCl; 1%, 1.5%, or 2%, w/w), blend of sodium pyro- and poly-phosphates (0.3%), and MoStatin LV1 (0%, 2%, or 2.5%) was inoculated with a 3-strain C. perfringens spore cocktail to achieve final spore population of 2.5 to 3.0 log CFU/g. The inoculated products were heat treated and cooled exponentially from 54.4 to 4.4 °C within 6.5, 9, 12, 15, 18, or 21 h. Cooling of roast beef (2.0% NaCl) within 6.5 and 9 h resulted in <1.0 log CFU/g increase in C. perfringens spore germination and outgrowth, whereas reducing the salt concentration to 1.5% and 1.0% resulted in >1.0 log CFU/g increase for cooling times longer than 9 h (1.1 and 2.2 log CFU/g, respectively). Incorporation of MoStatin LV1 into the roast beef formulation minimized the C. perfringens spore germination and outgrowth to <1.0 log CFU/g, regardless of the salt concentration and the cooling time.

Practical Application:  Cooked, ready-to-eat meat products should be cooled rapidly to reduce the risk of Clostridium perfringens spore germination and outgrowth. Meat processors are reducing the sodium chloride content of the processed meats as a consequence of the dietary recommendations. Sodium chloride reduces the risk of C. perfringens spore germination and outgrowth in meat products. Antimicrobials that contribute minimally to the sodium content of the product should be incorporated into processed meats to assure food safety. Buffered lemon juice and vinegar can be incorporated into meat product formulations to reduce the risk of C. perfringens spore germination and outgrowth during abusive cooling.

Wiley Online

Abstract:  The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus in 122 samples, including 60 raw milk, 32 white cheese, 10 kashar cheese, 10 butter, and 10 ice cream samples obtained from Samsun province, Turkey. In this study, S. aureus was detected in 64 samples, including raw milk (45/60; 75%), white cheese (12/32; 37.5%), kashar cheese (3/10; 30%), butter (3/10; 30%), and ice cream (1/10; 10%) samples. A total of 81 isolates were identified as S. aureus by PCR with the presence of 16S rRNA and nuc genes. The presence of genes encoding the staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) SEA, SEB, SEC, and SED was detected by multiplex PCR. According to the analysis, seven isolates from the raw milk samples (7/51; 13.7%) were enterotoxigenic; five of them produced SEA (5/7; 71.4%), one produced SEB (1/7; 14.2%), and one produced SEA+SEB (1/7; 14.2%). Four isolates from the white cheese samples (4/21; 19%) produced the SEA (1/4; 25%), SEC (1/4; 25%), SED (1/4; 25%), and SEA+SED (1/4; 25%) toxins. Two isolates from the kashar cheese samples (2/4; 50%) were found to be enterotoxigenic; one produced SEA (1/2; 50%) and the other produced SED (1/2; 50%). One isolate from the butter samples (1/4; 25%) showed enterotoxigenic character (SEB, 1/1; 100%). The products were found to be potentially hazardous to public health because of the fact that levels of contamination were higher than 105–106 cfu/g ml in 39% (25/64, 17 raw milk, 7 white cheese, and 1 butter) of the analyzed samples.

Canada and USA – Cherry Tomato Recalls – Salmonella

CIFA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the cherry tomatoes and store-made party trays containing cherry tomatoes described below because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The following products are affected by this alert:

Brand Product Size UPC Dates sold
Krown Cherry tomatoes 551 ml 0 33383 65520 8 November 13 to 21, 2012, inclusive
None – Sold at Safeway stores Various store-made party trays containing cherry tomatoes Various Various November 14 to 21, 2012, inclusive

These products have been distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, North West Territories and Yukon and may have been distributed nationally.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

FDA

Rio Queen Citrus, Inc. of Mission, TX is recalling 840 cartons of 12/1 Dry Pints of Mexican cherry tomatoes in “Karol” brand boxes, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonellacan result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The “Karol” cherry tomatoes were distributed through retail stores in the states of Texas & South Carolina.

The product was originally distributed in a bulk container of 12/1 Dry Pints in boxes labeled “Karol” with the Lot No. “01W45” stamped in the upper, right-hand corner on the face of the box. The box states “Distributed by Interstate Fruit & Vegetable”, which is an affiliated business of Rio Queen Citrus, Inc. These packages were distributed at the retail level between November 10th & November 19th, 2012. At the retail level, the tomatoes may have been packaged in an alternative container depending on the area and retailer.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

European Alerts – Salmonella, E.coli, Aflatoxin, Mould, Histamine

RASFF – E.coli in Mussles in Italy sourced in Spain.

RASFF – Salmonella in Frozen Snails in France sourced in Greece

RASFF – Aflatoxin in Maize in Italy sourced in Spain

RASFF – Mould in Hazlenuts in UK from Turkey

RASFF – Histamine in Tuna in Ireland sourced in Thailand

UK – FSA – Sunland and USA Peanut Butter Outbreak Hits UK

FSA

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is warning consumers not to eat certain peanut butter and peanut-based products which have been imported from the US because of possible contamination with salmonella. Salmonella is a bacterium that causes food poisoning. The Agency has issued a Food Alert for Action.

An outbreak of a strain of salmonella called Salmonella Bredeney in the US has been linked to peanut butter produced by a company called Sunland Inc. As a result, the manufacturer is recalling a wide range of peanut butter and peanut-based products. Other products containing nuts and seeds are also being recalled.

Food Poisoning as a Murder Weapon?

Food Safety News

The full article can be found through the link above and is a interesting read.

Homicide data maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shows only 11 cases involving any kind of poisoning in 2010, a year when 12,996 murders occurred in the U.S. Guns, knives, blunt objects and just plain old force are the murder weapons of choice in America.

Last week, however, charges against a suspect in the grisly murder of 18-year-old University of Florida student Christian Aquilar were amended to include poisoning that some reports say involves food or water as the transmission method.

USA – CDC – Multistate Outbreak of E.coli O157:H7 – Spinach

CDCE.coli O157

A total of 28 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coliO157:H7 (STEC O157:H7) have been reported from five states, with most cases in New York.

42% of ill persons have been hospitalized. Two ill persons have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure, and no deaths have been reported.

The outbreak was initially in New York. More recently, more ill persons in other states have been reported, and the investigation has expanded.

Canada – Pumpkin Butter – Clostridium botulinum

CFIA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Birtch Farms and Estate Winery are warning the public not to consume the Birtch Farms and Estate Winery brand Pumpkin Butter because it may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. Toxins produced by these bacteria may cause botulism, a life-threatening illness.

The affected product, Birtch Farms and Estate Winery brand Pumpkin Butter, was sold in 110 ml and 250 ml jars. All lot codes are affected by this alert.

This product has been distributed in Ontario.

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

Food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with the toxin may cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, headache, double vision, dry throat, respiratory failure and paralysis. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

The manufacturer, Birtch Farms and Estate Winery, Woodstock, ON, is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

Methods – 3M Clean-TraceTM Water – Total ATP – New Advanced

3M’s Food Safety business has announced its current 3MTM Clean-TraceTM Water – Total ATP test device will move to an advanced, innovative formulation allowing for improved temperature stability and test result accuracy.

The test gives an objective indication of cleanliness in water samples in seconds.  By working in real time, food & beverage producers can rinse test waters after each CIP cycle and re-clean immediately if “fail” results are obtained.

For further information on the new and improved 3MTM Clean-TraceTM Water Plus – Total ATP test please call 01509 613859.

European Alerts – Salmonella-Listeria-Pseudomonas and Ciguatera

Denmark – Salmonella in Fresh Turkey Breast

RASFF – Salmonella in Frozen Octopus in Italy sourced in Indonesia

RASFF – Suspicion of ciguatera poisoning caused by fresh red snapper fillets in Czech Republic, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom sourced in India. FDA – Ciguatera

France – Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Hand Gel recall

Switzerland – Listeria in Shoulder Ham