Category Archives: E.coli O26

USA -King Arthur Flour Updates Three Lot Codes of Voluntarily Recalled Unbleached All-Purpose Flour (5 lb.)

Posted on November 4, 2019 by | Leave a comment

FDA

King Arthur Flour, Inc. was notified by ADM Milling Co. that three additional product lot codes of Unbleached All-Purpose Flour 5 lb. were omitted from the original data they provided for the press release on October 3, 2019. The additional lot codes and their corresponding “Best Used By” dates are listed below:

Best Used by Date 12/09/19: Lot codes L18A09A & L18A09C

Best Used by Date 01/08/20: Lot code A19A08A

This new information only applies to “Best Used By” dates already disclosed in the prior release. No additional Best Used By dates are introduced as a result of these three updated lot codes.

As stated in the prior release, we have undertaken this voluntary recall because of the potential presence of E. coli 026.

King Arthur Flour has not received any confirmed reports of illnesses to date related to this product.

Consumers who have any of these affected products should throw them away and may submit a claim for a refund or replacement at kingarthurflour.com/voluntaryrecallExternal Link Disclaimer, or by calling our King Arthur Flour Consumer Hotline at 866-797-9178.

Consumer safety is our top priority. Consumers are reminded to wash their hands, work surfaces, and utensils thoroughly after contact with raw dough products or flour, and to never eat raw dough or batter. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) warns consumers to not consume raw products made with flour. E. coli O26 is killed by heat through baking, frying, sautéing, or boiling products made with flour. For more information, refer to the following: https://www.cdc.gov/features/no-raw-dough/index.html.

Bakers have trusted King Arthur Flour products in their kitchens for over 225 years. We remain committed to providing our consumers safe and superior products.

This information can be found online at kingarthurflour.com/voluntaryrecall.External Link Disclaimer Consumers with any questions regarding this recall or King Arthur Flour products are encouraged to call the King Arthur Flour Consumer Hotline at 866-797-9178.

Original Press Release

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O26, FDA, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, STEC, STEC E.coli, Uncategorized

Research – Survey of Intact and Nonintact Raw Pork Collected at Retail Stores in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States for the Seven Regulated Serogroups of Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli

Posted on November 3, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Journal of Food Protection

ABSTRACT

A total of 514 raw pork samples (395 ground or nonintact and 119 intact samples) were purchased at retail stores in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey between July and December 2017. All raw pork samples were screened for serogroup O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145, or O157:H7 cells of Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC-7) using standard microbiological and molecular methods. In short, 21 (5.3%) of the 395 ground or nonintact pork samples and 3 (3.4%) of the 119 intact pork samples tested positive via the BAX system real-time PCR assay for the stx and eae virulence genes and for the somatic O antigens for at least one of the STEC-7 serogroups. However, none of these 24 presumptive-positive pork samples subsequently yielded a viable isolate of STEC displaying a STEC-7 serogroup-specific surface antigen in combination with the stx and eae genes. These data suggest that cells of STEC serogroups O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145, or O157:H7 are not common in retail raw pork samples in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • None of the 514 retail raw pork samples were positive for STEC-7.

  • Four of 514 raw pork samples harbored E. coli of unknown serogroup containing stx and eae.

  • STEC-7 are uncommon in retail raw pork samples in the U.S. mid-Atlantic region.

 

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli 045, E.coli O103, E.coli O111, E.coli O121, E.coli O145, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, E.coli O26, eae, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Research, STEC, STEC E.coli, STX 1, STX 2, Uncategorized

Research – Antibiofilm Efficacy of Peptide 1018 against Listeria monocytogenes and Shiga Toxigenic Escherichia coli on Equipment Surfaces

Posted on October 31, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Journal of Food Protection

ABSTRACT

Listeria monocytogenes and Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) are important foodborne bacterial pathogens that can form biofilms on equipment surfaces at food processing facilities. Pathogens in biofilms are resistant to conventional antimicrobials and require higher antimicrobial concentrations to be inactivated. In this study, the efficacy of a synthetic innate defense regulator peptide 1018 (peptide 1018) for inactivating L. monocytogenes and STEC (O26, O111, O145, O157) biofilms on stainless steel and polycarbonate surfaces was investigated. Stainless steel and polycarbonate coupons (12 mm in diameter) were used in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention biofilm reactor containing 400 mL of 10% tryptic soy broth (TSB) that had been inoculated with an individual strain of L. monocytogenes or STEC to obtain 6 log CFU/mL populations. The reactor was set with a constant flow rate at 50 mL/h of 10% TSB for 48 h. After 48 h, coupons were treated with peptide 1018 at 0, 10, 20, or 50 μg/mL in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) for 24 h. Surviving bacterial populations were determined by scraping off the coupons and spiral plating on selective media. Significantly higher levels of pathogens in biofilms formed by certain bacterial strains, including L. monocytogenes F6854, E. coli O157:H7 RM4407 and NADC5713, and non-O157 E. coli NADC3629, were recovered on polycarbonate surfaces than on stainless steel. Antibiofilm efficacy of peptide 1018 against pathogens was concentration-dependent and varied with the type of pathogen and material surfaces. Peptide 1018 at 50 μg/mL significantly inactivated all tested bacterial biofilms on both surfaces compared with the PBS control (P < 0.05). L. monocytogenes was the bacterium most sensitive to peptide 1018; on stainless steel surfaces treated with 50 μg/mL peptide 1018, there was a 3.7- to 4.6-log CFU/cm2 reduction in Listeria populations compared with a 1.0- to 3.5-log CFU/cm2 reduction of STEC. Results suggest that peptide 1018 may be used to inactivate L. monocytogenes and STEC biofilms on equipment surfaces.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Bacteria attach at higher levels on polycarbonate surfaces than on stainless steel.

  • L. monocytogenes is more sensitive than STEC to peptide 1018.

  • Peptide 1018 can be used to inactivate biofilms on equipment surfaces.

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Posted in Biofilm, E.coli, E.coli O111, E.coli O145, E.coli O157:H7, E.coli O26, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Technology, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Research, STEC, STEC E.coli, Technology, Uncategorized

USA -The J. M. Smucker Company Issues Voluntary Recall of Specific Lots of Robin Hood® All Purpose Flour Distributed and Sold in the U.S. Only

Posted on October 8, 2019 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Company Announcement

Out of an abundance of caution, The J. M. Smucker Company today announced a voluntary recall of specific lots of Robin Hood® All Purpose Flour distributed and sold in the U.S. due to possible E. coli contamination. This recall does not impact any Robin Hood® items sold in Canada.

No other items manufactured by The J. M. Smucker Company, including other Robin Hood® products distributed and sold in the U.S. or Canada, are impacted by this issue. No illnesses related to this issue have been reported to date.

The impacted products are as follows:

Product Name

UPC Code – Case

UPC Code – Item

Lot Codes

Best if Used By Dates
Robin Hood® All Purpose Flour (5 lb) 0 51500 18010 2 0 51500 18010 5 8350 513
8351 513
8354 513
8355 513		 6/16/2020
6/17/2020
6/20/2020
6/21/2020

These products were distributed by The J. M. Smucker Company to a variety of retailers in the U.S.

Consumers who have impacted product should stop using the products and should dispose of them. If consumers have questions or have products covered by this recall, they should email the Company by completing this formExternal Link Disclaimer or calling 888-569-6728, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O26, FDA, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Uncategorized

Europe -E. coli and Listeria concerns prompt cheese recall in five countries

Posted on October 8, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Raw cow’s milk cheese distributed to at least five European countries has been recalled due to possible E. coli and Listeria contamination.

A warning was issued by German authorities about E. coli O26:H11 and Listeria monocytogenes in the raw cow’s milk Bethmale cheese from France. There have been no illnesses linked to the recall.

Affected cheese has also been distributed to Austria, Belgium, Spain and Switzerland, according to the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF).

Recalled Moulis cremier cheese

The French company Le Moulis SAS recalled products with the names “Moulis vache, Moulis vache prestige” and “Bethmale de marterat” due to Listeria. The items have lot numbers 19163112, 19170119, 19177126, 19184103, 19191110, 19199118 and 19205124 plus best before dates Nov. 29, Dec. 1, 5, 8, 13, 20 and 22, 2019. They have the product code FR 09.214.001.CE.

The firm, based in Luzenac, Moulis in France, also recalled “Moulis vache and Moulis vache prestige” with batch number 19228116 and dates Dec. 20 and 27, 2019 due to Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) concerns. The items can be identified by the number FR 09.214.001 CE on the pack.

Spanish authority’s warning

The Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) issued an alert on certain batches of the raw cow’s milk cheese.

Recalled Le Moulis cheese

Distribution in Spain includes “Moulis cremier” with lot number 19163112 and expiry date Dec. 1, 2019; “Moulis Vache” with lot number 19199118 and expiry date Dec 5, 2019 and “Bethmale de Marterat Vache” with lot number 19199118 and expiry date Dec. 20, 2019.

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Posted in E.coli O26, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Uncategorized

Singapore – King Arthur Flour Unbleached All-Purpose Flour due to the potential presence of E. coli O26

Posted on October 7, 2019 by | Leave a comment

SFA

Recall of King Arthur Flour Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
The United States of America Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has
published an alert on the recall of King Arthur Flour Unbleached All-Purpose Flour due
to the potential presence of E. coli O26.
2 As there is import of the implicated product into Singapore, the Singapore Food
Agency (SFA) has directed the sole importer, Cold Storage, to recall the product. The
recall is completed.
3 Consumers who have purchased the affected product should not consume it.
They may contact Cold Storage at 1800 8918 100 for enquiries or exchange of the
product.

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O26, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Uncategorized

USA – In Association with ADM Milling Co, King Arthur Flour, Inc. Expands Recall of Unbleached All-Purpose Flour (5 Lb & 25 Lb) – E.coli O26

Posted on October 4, 2019 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Company Announcement

In association with ADM Milling Company, King Arthur Flour, Inc., announced today a voluntary national recall of specific lots of its Unbleached All-Purpose Flour (5 lb. & 25 lb.)

We are taking this voluntary precautionary step because of the potential presence of E. coli 026 which was discovered through sampling. King Arthur Flour has not received any confirmed reports of illnesses related to this product.

This flour was milled at an ADM Milling facility in Buffalo, NY, and was distributed by King Arthur Flour through retailers and distributors nationwide, and sold through our website, catalogue, and store in Norwich, VT.

The only product affected by this voluntary recall is our Unbleached All-Purpose Flour (5 lb. & 25 lb.) from the Best Used by Dates and Lot Codes listed in the link above.

Labeling, front, King Arthur Flour

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O26, FDA, food contamination, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Uncategorized

Hong Kong – Not to consume prepackaged flour batch with possible E. coli O26 contamination

Posted on September 23, 2019 by | Leave a comment

CFS

Issue Date 20.9.2019
Source of Information Food Incident Surveillance System
Food Product A batch of prepackaged flour imported from the United States (US)
Product Name and Description Product name: Unbleached All Purpose Flour

Brand: Gold Medal

Place of origin: US

Net weight: Five pounds per pack

Best-before Date: September 6, 2020
Reason For Issuing Alert
  • The Centre for Food Safety (CFS), through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted a notice by the US Food and Drug Administration that the above-mentioned batch of the product was under recall by the manufacturer as the product concerned might have been contaminated with E. coli O26.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety
  • Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted local major importers and retailers for follow-up.
  • Preliminary investigation found that a local importer, the Dairy Farm Company, Limited, had imported about 220 packs of the affected batch of the product. All had been sold out at its outlets. The importer concerned has initiated a recall according to CFS instructions.
  •  The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, continue to follow up and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.
Advice to the Trade
  • Stop using or selling the affected batch of the product concerned immediately if they possess it.
Advice to Consumers
  • Not to consume the affected batch of the product if they have bought it.
Further Information The CFS press release 

Members of the public may call the company’s hotline at 2299 1133 for enquiries during office hours about the recall.

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O26, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, STEC E.coli, Uncategorized

USA -General Mills Recalls Five Pound Bags of Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose Flour – E.coli O26

Posted on September 20, 2019 by | Leave a comment

FDA

General Mills announced today a voluntary national recall of five-pound bags of its Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose Flour with a better if used by date of September 6, 2020. The recall is being issued for the potential presence of E. coli O26 which was discovered during sampling of the five-pound bag product. This recall is being issued out of an abundance of care as General Mills has not received any direct consumer reports of confirmed illnesses related to this product.

This recall only affects this one date code of Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose Flour five-pound bags. All other types of Gold Medal Flour are not affected by this recall.

Consumers are asked to check their pantries and dispose of the product affected by this recall. Consumers who have had to discard products covered by this recall may contact General Mills Consumer Relations at 1-800-230-8103 or visit www.generalmills.com/flourExternal Link Disclaimer.

Guidance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to warn that consumers should refrain from consuming any raw products made with flour. E. coli O26 is killed by heat through baking, frying, sautéing or boiling products made with flour. All surfaces, hands and utensils should be properly cleaned after contact with flour or dough.

This voluntary recall includes the following code date currently in stores or consumers’ pantries:

Gold Medal Unbleached All Purpose 5LB Flour
Package UPC 016000 196100
Recalled Better if Used by Date 06SEP2020KC

Although most strains of E. coli are harmless, others can make you sick. E. coli O26 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea and dehydration. Seniors, the very young, and persons with compromised immune systems are the most susceptible to foodborne illness.

Any consumers concerned about an illness should contact a physician. Anyone diagnosed by a physician as having an illness related to E. coli O26 is also urged to contact state and local public health authorities.

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O26, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Uncategorized

Summary of the last two weeks RASFF Alerts – STEC E.coli – Frozen Minced Meat – Chilled Beef

Posted on August 20, 2019 by | Leave a comment

RASFF-Logo

RASFF – shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (O157:H7, O26:H11) in frozen beef minced meat with raw material from Spain in France

RASFF – shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (stx2+) in chilled beef from Argentina in Italy

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, E.coli O26, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, RASFF, STEC, STX 1, STX 2, Uncategorized