Category Archives: Clostridium botulinum

RASFF Alert – Foodborne Outbreak suspected Clostridium botulinum to be caused by fennel and almonds pesto

Posted on July 13, 2018 by | Leave a comment

kswfoodworld food safety poisoning

RASFF-foodborne outbreak suspected (botulism) to be caused by fennel and almonds pesto from Italy in Italy

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Posted in Clostridium botulinum, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, RASFF, Uncategorized

Research – Staphylococcal food poisoning and botulism

Posted on July 8, 2018 by | Leave a comment

BMJ Staph

Staphylococcal food poisoning and botulism are caused by the ingestion of food containing exotoxins. Outbreaks of both are still a problem in many countries. This paper attempts to summarize information relating to these illnesses, together with advice on how their incidence may be reduced, or better still prevented

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Posted in Clostridium botulinum, Staphylococcus aureus, Uncategorized

Denmark – Homemade food responsible for botulism outbreak in Denmark

Posted on July 5, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News 

 

An outbreak of foodborne botulism in Denmark, with six confirmed cases, has been linked to a homemade dish served at a private party in June.

Fødevarestyrelsen (Danish Veterinary and Food Administration) said a sample from the homemade dish was positive with botulinum toxin type A. The same type was identified in the patients.

All six confirmed infections and one possible case attended a private party in Danish town Sønderborg in June and were later hospitalized. DVFA said investigations are ongoing to find out how the toxin developed in the dish.

Statens Serum Institut (SSI), an agency under the Danish Ministry of Health, confirmed the diagnosis in patients. A statement from DVFA reported the agency took samples for analysis from leftovers at the private households involved.

“Since it was a homemade dish served at a private party, it is outside of our jurisdiction to take action. With homemade dishes, it is very hard to fully investigate, since we don’t have the same data as with in a professional kitchen,” the agency told Food Safety News.

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Posted in Clostridium botulinum, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Uncategorized

Ukraine – Ukraine reports 53 botulism cases this year, 4 deaths

Posted on July 3, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today 

 

The Ministry of Health of Ukraine reported today (computer translated) on an additional botulism case in the Kherson region from late June. The patient was treated with Botulism Antitoxin and is currently stable.
This brings the total botulism cases since the beginning of the year to 53, including four fatalities.

 

As of July 1, 2018, antitoxin (serum against botulism) is available in a specialized warehouse of the State Enterprise “Ukrvaktsina Ministry of Health of Ukraine”. These are high-quality Canadian medicines procured by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and transferred to Ukraine as humanitarian aid. This year the Ministry of Health of Ukraine first included antitoxins against botulism in the list of medicines procured by the state and will conduct a centralized procurement through international organizations.

Food borne botulism is a severe intoxication caused by eating the preformed toxin present in contaminated food.

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Posted in Clostridium botulinum, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Uncategorized

Canada – Updated Food Recall Warning – Certain smoked fish products sold from Four Seasons Marketplace recalled due to potential presence of dangerous bacteria – Clostridium botulinum

Posted on May 18, 2018 by | Leave a comment

CFIA 

 

Recall details

Ottawa, May 17, 2018 – The food safety warning issued on May 13, 2018 has been updated to include additional product information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation.

Four Seasons Marketplace Inc. is recalling certain smoked fish products because they may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.

The following products have been sold from Four Seasons Marketplace, 4099 Erin Mills Parkway, Mississauga, Ontario.

Recalled products

Brand Name Common Name Size Code(s) on Product UPC
Nanuk Smoked Pacific Salmon – Coho Salmon 140g All codes sold refrigerated from this retail location 0 57841 00515 2
BOS Mackerel Fillets – Naturally Smoked Variable All codes sold refrigerated from this retail location Starts with 0204004
BOS Atlantic Salmon – Naturally Smoked 170g All codes sold refrigerated from this retail location 8 33417 00040 6
BOS Roasted Atlantic Salmon – Naturally Smoked 170g All codes sold refrigerated from this retail location 8 33417 00040 6
Food Fest Smoked Steelhead Salmon 70g All codes sold refrigerated from this retail location 0 71217 10323 5
Food Fest Danish Style Gravlox – Smoked Steelhead Salmon 70g All codes sold refrigerated from this retail location 0 71217 10324 2
Food Fest Red Sockeye Salmon 70g All codes sold refrigerated from this retail location 0 71217 10325 9

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Posted in CFIA, Clostridium botulinum, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Uncategorized

Canada -Food Safety Warning – Certain Four Seasons Marketplace brand refrigerated packaged smoked salmon products may be unsafe due to potential presence of dangerous bacteria – Clostridium botulinum

Posted on May 14, 2018 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

Advisory details

Ottawa, May 13, 2018 – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the products described below because they may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum.

The following products have been sold from Four Seasons Marketplace Inc., 4099 Erin Mills Parkway, Mississauga, Ontario.

Products

Brand Name Common Name Size Code(s) on Product UPC
Four Seasons Marketplace Apple Cider Smoked Salmon Variable Best Before:
2018MA23
2018MA29		 Starts with
0204051
Four Seasons Marketplace Vodka Smoked Salmon Variable Best Before:
2018MA23		 Starts with
0204028

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Posted in CFIA, Clostridium botulinum, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Uncategorized

USA – Seabear Company Issues a Voluntary Recall of Cold Smoked Wild Coho Salmon Lox Because of Possible Health Risk – Clostridium botulinum

Posted on May 4, 2018 by | Leave a comment

FDA 

 

Seabear Company of Anacortes, Washington is voluntarily recalling 1,225/ 3 oz. units of Cold Smoked Wild Coho Salmon Lox, Gerard & Dominique Seafoods brand, affected lot # CSCO-17339, Pack Date 17-340, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

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Posted in Clostridium botulinum, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Uncategorized

USA – Recalled: OC Raw Dog Chicken, Fish & Produce and Freeze Dried Sardines – Clostridium botulinum

Posted on April 23, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Petful

Maker: OC Raw Dog, LLC
Causes: Potential for listeria; potential for Clostridium botulinum
Announcement: FDA announcements (1) and (2), dated April 20, 2018
What was recalled: The following products:

  • OC Raw Dog Chicken, Fish & Produce Meaty Rox, 3lb., UPC #022099069171, Lot #3652, Best by Oct. 11, 2018
  • OC Raw Dog Chicken, Fish & Produce Doggie Sliders, 4lb., UPC #095225852640, Best by Oct. 11, 2018
  • OC Raw Dog Chicken, Fish & Produce Doggie Dozen Patty Bag, 6.5 lb., UPC #022099069225, Best by Oct. 11, 2018
  • OC Raw Dog Chicken, Fish & Produce Meaty Rox, 7 lb., UPC #095225852756, Best by Oct. 11, 2018
  • OC Raw Dog Freeze Dried Sardines, 3.2 oz bag, UPC #095225853043

OC Raw Dog announced this as 2 separate voluntary recalls. The Chicken, Fish & Produce Raw Frozen Canine Formulation has the potential for listeria contamination — a state agriculture department has reported a positive test for listeria in a sample of the food, although there have been no reports to date of illnesses in pets or people.

The second OC Raw Dog recall, for the Freeze Dried Sardines, stems from the fact that the fish are larger than the FDA compliance guideline of 5 inches. The federal safety agency says larger fish like this carry a higher risk of botulism poisoning.

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Posted in Animal Feed, Clostridium botulinum, Pet Food, Recall, Uncategorized

UK – Scotland – Ru An Fhoder Smokehouse recalls two products because of inadequate procedures to control Clostridium botulinum

Posted on April 20, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Food Standards Scotland 

 

 

Ru An Fhoder Smokehouse recalls two products as a precautionary measure, because of concerns over the company’s procedures in place to control Clostridium botulinum.

Product details: 

Brand Product Name Sizes ‘Use by’ Date
Ru An Fhoder Smokehouse (Vacuum packed) Scottish Farmed Hot Smoked Salmon Individual salmon fillet portions and salmon sides Up to and including
6 May 2018
(Packs which have additional oval EC approval number within date period not affected)
Ru An Fhoder Smokehouse (Vacuum packed) Scottish Farmed Smoked Salmon
(cold smoked)		 Individual salmon portions, trimmings and salmon sides Up to and including
6 May 2018
(Packs which have additional oval EC approval number within date period not affected)

No other Ru An Fhoder Smokehouse products are known to be affected

Risk: Manufacturing controls that could potentially affect the safety of the products could not be demonstrated satisfactorily by the manufacturer.
The issue relates to controlling factors to prevent the growth and toxin production of Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin may cause a serious form of food poisoning called botulism and can be fatal. A recall from customers is being carried out as a precautionary measure.

Our advice to consumers:
If you have bought any of the above products do not eat it. Instead, return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund.
Action taken by the company:
Ru An Fhoder Smokehouse is recalling the above products. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling these products. These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product. Please see the attached notice.

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Posted in Clostridium botulinum, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Recall, Uncategorized

Canada- Food Recall Warning – Masstown Market brand Smoked Kippers and Cold Smoked Salmon recalled due to potential presence of dangerous bacteria – Clostridium botulinum

Posted on April 3, 2018 by | Leave a comment

CFIA 

 

Recall details

Ottawa, March 29, 2018 – Masstown Market is recalling Masstown Market brand Smoked Kippers and Cold Smoked Salmon from the marketplace because they may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.

Recalled products

Brand Name Common Name Size Code(s) on Product UPC
Masstown Market Smoked Kippers Variable weight 18.MR.30 Starts with
0 208172
Masstown Market Cold Smoked Salmon Variable weight 18.MR.27
18.AL.07
18.AL.11		 Starts with
0 208035

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Posted in CFIA, Clostridium botulinum, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Recall, Uncategorized