Category Archives: Bacteria

RASFF Alerts – Salmonella – Soya Bean Meal – Fish Meal – Chicken – Turkey

RASFF – Salmonella spp. (presence /25g) in soybean meal from Argentina in Italy

RASFF – Salmonella spp. (in 1out 5 samples) in fish meal from Morocco in Latvia

RASFF – Salmonella Heidelberg (presence /25g) in salted chicken from Brazil in the Netherlands

RASFF – Salmonella Agona (presence /25g) in frozen turkey meat preparation from Brazil in the Netherlands

RASFF – Salmonella enterica (presence /25g) in frozen turkey meat from Brazil in the Netherlands

RASFF – Salmonella enterica (S. enterica subsp. enterica serotype Heidelberg) in frozen salted chicken breast fillets from Brazil in the Netherlands

RASFF – Salmonella Heidelberg (presence /25g) in frozen chicken legs from Brazil in Spain

 

Research – Practical Considerations for the Interpretation of Microbial Testing Results Based on Small Numbers of Samples

Liebert Online

While adequate, statistically designed sampling plans should be used whenever feasible, inference about the presence of pathogens in food occasionally has to be made based on smaller numbers of samples. To help the interpretation of such results, we reviewed the impact of small sample sizes on pathogen detection and prevalence estimation. In particular, we evaluated four situations commonly encountered in practice. The first two examples evaluate the combined impact of sample size and pathogen prevalence (i.e., fraction of contaminated food items in a given lot) on pathogen detection and prevalence estimation. The latter two examples extend the previous example to consider the impact of pathogen concentration and imperfect test sensitivity. The provided examples highlight the difficulties of making inference based on small numbers of samples, and emphasize the importance of using appropriate statistical sampling designs whenever possible.

Italy – Recall Pesto – Botulism Poisoning

Italia and Mondo

Twenty people have been hospitalized in the emergency room of three hospitals int the Genoese area are under observation for suspected botulism poisoning.

They ate pesto of the company that has withdrawn a batch of jars and showed symptoms consistent with a possible poisoning. Two patients have already been discharged.

 

USA – Legionella Outbreak

Food Posioning BulletinLegionella_Plate_01

Legionnaire’s outbreaks in Wisconsin and Ohio have sickened dozens of people, health authorities say. At least 20 people in Milwaukee County have  been diagnosed with the disease since June 1, 2013. Of those, 14 are from  the city of Milwaukee. Four people remain hospitalized. Wisconsin health authorities are looking for the source or sources of the outbreak

In Franklin County, Ohio, 22 illnesses have been associated with the Wesley Ridge Retirement Community in Reynoldsburg. Those sickened include visitors, residents and employees. Two of them have died. Franklin County Public Health,  the Ohio Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are working together to determine the source of the outbreak

UK – FSA – FSA Seeks Information on Cost of Proposed Stricter Criteria for Listeria

FSAfood_standards_agency_logo

The Food Standards Agency is asking businesses to provide information and data on the impact of proposed new guidance. The Agency wants to know the costs and benefits of guidance for stricter criteria for Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) food supplied to hospitals, nursing homes and similar healthcare settings. Responses to the questionnaire should be received by Friday 23 August 2013.

USA – FDA Recall – More Hummus Products – Listeria monocytogenes

FDAFDA

Hagee Foods Inc. dba Penny’s Salsa Inc., is recalling hummus products listed in the attached table because they have the potential to be contaminated 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.

The retail hummus products come in 8 oz. and 12 oz. clear plastic packages and were distributed to retail stores and food service accounts in Oregon and Washington with the Penny’s Salsa, Tacoma Boys and Harbor Greens labels. The USE BY dates 7/13/2013-8/25/2013 are printed on the side of the top lid.

Vegetable trays 8 oz and Snack packs 8 oz, which include 1.5 oz plastic containers of creamy hummus labeled Made in the Pacific North West, are packaged in black plastic trays with clear plastic lids. These products were distributed in Oregon and Washington. The USE BY dates 7/13/2013-7/24/2013 are on the underside of these trays.

Hummus for foodservice is packaged in 25 lb. bulk boxes. USE BY dates 7/13/2013-8/25/2013 are printed on the master shipper labels. This product was distributed in Washington.

The above hummus products were shipped from 5/27/13 to 7/14/13. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with these products

Canada – Tahina Recall – Possible Salmonella

CFIAEurofins Food Testing UK

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the Clic brand Tahina (Paste made from Sesame Seeds) described in the link above because it may be contaminated with Salmonella.

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

The CFIA is working with the importer to remove the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

RASFF Alerts – Aflatoxins – Groundnuts – Listeria monocytogenes – Smoked Salmon – Salmonella – Frozen Chicken

RASFF – Aflatoxins (B1 = 49; Tot. = 60 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Brazil in the Netherlands

RASFF – Aflatoxins (B1 = 18; Tot. = 21 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Brazil in the Netherlands

RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes (<10; 110; <10; 91; 131 CFU/g) in chilled smoked salmon from France in Italy

RASFF – Salmonella spp. (presence /25g) in frozen chicken meat from Brazil in Spain

RASFF – Salmonella enteritidis (present in 5 out of 5 samples /25g) in chilled chicken quarters from Slovakia, with raw material from Poland in Slovakia

 

USA – FDA – Recall Pet Food – Possible Salmonella

FDA

Natura Pet Products is voluntarily recalling specific lots of dry pet food because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

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.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

These products were packaged in a single production facility. During routine FDA testing, a single lot tested positive for the presence of Salmonella. There have been no reports of pet or human illness associated with this product. In an abundance of caution, Natura is voluntarily recalling all products with expiration dates prior to June 10, 2014.

The affected products are sold in bags through veterinary clinics, select pet specialty retailers, and online in the United States and Canada. No canned wet food is affected by this announcement.

Canada – Recall Gorgonzola Cheese – Listeria monocytogenes

CFIA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Agropur are warning the public not to consume the Il Villaggio brand Gorgonzola Dolce Cheese described in the link above because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

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

The importer, Agropur, St-Hubert, Quebec, is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace.  The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.