Category Archives: Coliforms

China (worldwide) – Ikea – Cakes Recalled – Coliforms

Posted on March 6, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Courier Mail

SWEDISH furniture giant Ikea has pulled a batch of almond cakes from its restaurants in 23 countries after Chinese authorities said they contained coliform bacteria, normally present in faecal matter.

The Swedish-made cakes had failed tests “for containing an excessive level of coliform bacteria, according to the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine,” the Shanghai Daily website wrote.

Ikea said 1,800 Taarta Chokladkrokant cakes – described on its website as an almond cake with chocolate, butter cream and butterscotch – were destroyed in December after being intercepted by Chinese customs.

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Posted in Coliforms, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen

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USA – Drinking Water Draft Revised Coliforms Regulations

Posted on January 23, 2013 by | Leave a comment

USA EPA FactsheetWater

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revised the 1989 Total Coliform Rule (TCR), a national primary drinking water regulation (NPDWR). The purpose of the 1989 TCR is to protect public health by ensuring the integrity of the drinking water distribution system and monitoring for the presence of microbial contamination. EPA anticipates greater public health protection under the revised requirements, which are based on recommendations by a federal advisory committee and the agency’s consideration of public comments. The final Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR):

• Requires public water systems that are vulnerable to microbial contamination to identify and fix problems; and

• Establishes criteria for public water systems to qualify for and stay on reduced monitoring, which could reduce water system burden and provide incentives for better system operation.

The 1989 TCR remains effective until March 31, 2016. PWSs and primacy agencies must comply with the requirements of the RTCR beginning April 1, 2016.

Scientific American Article

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Posted in Bacteria, Coliforms, Research, Water

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European and RASSF Alerts – Salmonella – Listeria – Coliforms – Histamine

Posted on January 21, 2013 by | Leave a comment

RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes in Smoked Salmon in the Netherlands sourced in Poland via Germany

RASFF – Histamine in Tuna in Italy sourced in Spain

RASFF – Salmonella in Animal Feed in Sweden sourced in Germany

RASFF – Salmonella spp. in dried organic Chlorella algae in Sweden from China

RASFF – Coliforms in Carbonated Water in Greece sourced in Romania

 

 

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Posted in Allergic Reaction, Bacteria, Coliforms, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Histamine, Hygiene, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, RASFF, Recall, Salmonella

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Research – Mobile Phones and Bugs

Posted on November 15, 2012 by | 1 comment

HACCPEUROPA

Our generation uses mobile phones and smartphones for work, college, making phone calls, reminders, sending messages, emails, music, photographs, games and the internet. Over 80% of the world citizens are in a possession of mobile phones.

With how attached people have become to their mobile phones or smartphones, it’s not a surprise that what we touch ends up on the screen. It’s what exactly ends up there that’s the real shocker.

Researchers from UW-Milwaukee’s Microbiology department tested heavily used mobile phones.

The tests found traces of E. coli and other coliforms. Coliforms are a bacteria indicating fecal contamination. They found between about 2,700 and 4,200 units of coliform bacteria on 8 phones.

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Posted in Bacteria, Coliforms, E.coli, Hygiene, Research

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