Category Archives: Bacteria

RASFF Alerts – Salmonella – Cotton Seeds – Paan Leaves – Chicken – Smoked Mackerel – Lamb Stomach

RASFF -Salmonella (presence /25g) in cotton seeds from Ghana in Italy

RASFF– Salmonella spp. (2 out of 5 samples /25g) in paan leaves (betel/pan) from India in the UK

RASFF-Salmonella anatum (present /25g) in frozen salted chicken pieces from Argentina, via the Netherlands in Denmark

RASFF-Salmonella group D (presence /25g) in smoked mackerel from Poland

RASFF-Salmonella (presence /25g) in cotton seeds from Ghana in Italy

RASFF -Salmonella typhimurium (presence /25g) in lamb stomach – single feed from the Netherlands in Germany

 

USA – Oyster Recall – Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Food Poisoning BulletinVibrio

Wegmans is recalling Cape Neddick Blue Point oysters, sold individually, because they may be contaminated with Vibrio parahaemolyticus. This bacteria can make you sick if the oysters are eaten raw. Only Cape Neddick/Blue Point oysters with these UPC codes are recalled: 2-06146-00000, 2-06152-00000, and 2-06153-00000

Canada – Veal Liver Recall – STEC E.coli

CFIAEcoli Istock

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and White Veal Meat Packers Ltd. (EST 412) are warning the public not to consume Veal Liver described in  the link above because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The affected product, Veal Liver, was sold from the  retail stores in Quebec in the link above from July 31, 2013 to August 9, 2013, inclusive.

Consumers who are unsure if they have purchased the affected product are advised to contact their retailer.

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

White Veal Meat Packers Ltd., (EST 412), Toronto, ON is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace.  The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall

RASFF Alerts – Moulds in Dog Chews – Salmonella in Poultry – E.coli in Mussels – Springbuck- Enterobacteriaceae -Fish Meal

RASFF – Dog chew from Turkey infested with moulds in Germany

RASFF -Salmonella spp. (presence /25g) in frozen poultry meat product (Aves) from Brazil in the Netherlands

RASFF -Too high count of Escherichia coli (2400 MPN/100g) in chilled mussels from the Netherlands in France

RASFF -Shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (presence /25g) in frozen boneless springbuck meat from Namibia in the Netherlands

RASFF -High count of Enterobacteriaceae (5000 CFU/g) in fish meal from Peru in Spain

Canada – Updates Vibrio and Listeria monocytogenes

CFIA Eurofins Food Testing UK

The health hazard alert issued on August 7, 2013 has been updated to include additional distribution information.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the clams described in the link below because they may be contaminated with Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Consumers who are unsure if they have purchased affected clams should contact their retailer.

The Canadian importers are voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace.  The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recalls.

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture announced a recall of oysters and clams from certain harvest areas, reporting that they were implicated in a number of illnesses in the US.  There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these oysters and clams in Canada.

CFIA

The public warning issued on August 2, 2013 has been updated to include additional Best Before date codes of the affected product.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Jan K Overweel Ltd. are warning the public not to consume the Ballarini brand Gorgonzola cheese products described in the above because the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The following Ballarini brand Gorgonzola cheese, product of Italy, is affected by this alert.

Also affected by this alert are the above products which may have been sold in smaller packages, cut and wrapped by some retailers. Consumers are advised to contact the retailer to determine if they have the affected products.

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

The importer, Jan K Overweel Ltd., Woodbridge, ON, is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

USA- Chai Tea Recalled Possible Botulism

Botulism BlogClost

A Washington state company is recalling its chai tea because the beverage was improperly processed and therefore has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum bacteria.

Harmony Chai of Eastsound, WA issued a voluntary recall of its concentrated black spiced and decaffeinated roobius chai teas Friday after testing by the Washington State Department of Agriculture revealed the product had not been processed in a way that prevents Clostridium botulinum contamination.

No illnesses have been linked to consumption of the product to date, according to the company

Canada – Oysters and Clams – Vibrio parahaemolyticus

CFIAVibrio

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the oysters and clams described below because they may be contaminated with Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Consumers who are unsure if they have purchased affected oysters or clams should contact their retailer.

The Canadian importers are voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace.  The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recalls.

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture announced a recall of oysters and clams from certain harvest areas, reporting that they were implicated in a number of illnesses in the US.  There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these oysters and clams in Canada.  More information on the US recall is available at http://www.ct.gov/doag/cwp/view.asp?Q=529440&A=1401.

USA – E.coli Outbreak at an Arizona Restaurant

E.coli BlogEcoli Istock

As of August 6, 2013, at least 33 people who ate at the Federico’s Mexican Restaurant in the West Valley outside of Phoenix, Arizona have fallen ill with E. coli infections. According to news reports, 15 cases were hospitalised.

USA – Campylobacter in Raw Milk – Again!

Food Poisoning BulletinCampylobacter

For the third time in 20 months, a raw milk Campylobacter outbreak has been associated with The Family Cow farm in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Two people who consumed raw milk form the farm have confirmed cases of Campylobacter infection, called campylobacteriosis, according to Pennsylvania health officials. The farm has stopped selling raw milk while the investigation is pending.

USA – FDA Recall – Listeria monocytogenes in Canteloupes Again

FDAcatalopue

Heeren Brothers Produce is recalling approximately 5,400 cantaloupes because of a possible health risk to consumers.

The produce, which was distributed to small, independent grocers in Michigan July 23-26, has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes and should be discarded and not consumed. The cantaloupes are Athena Cantaloupes, but have no stickers or other markings that identify them as such.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, the elderly or others with weak immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain or diarrhea. Listeria can cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.

Heeren Brothers Produce has not received any case of reported illnesses related to this product to date. The recall does not affect any other Heeren Brothers Produce products.

Heeren Brothers Produce became aware of this issue after the Food & Drug Administration conducted a routine sampling and found the cantaloupes contained the bacteria.

After receiving notice from the FDA, Heeren Brothers Produce immediately alerted retailers and requested that they remove the produce from their shelves. Heeren Brothers Produce has also contacted the supplier of the cantaloupes. The source of the potential issue is still under investigation. Heeren Brothers Produce is cooperating fully with the FDA.

Heeren Brothers Produce is committed to consumer safety. We have product handling and safety protocols in place to assure that we provide our retailers and their customers with fresh, safe and healthy products. A recent audit by an independent, third-party laboratory rated our procedures as excellent in the industry.

Consumers who have questions may contact Heeren Brothers Produce at 616.452.2101 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.