Category Archives: E.coli

US – Raw Milk E.coli O157

Posted on June 13, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Ecoli Blog

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine today warned consumers in and around Chautauqua County to not consume “unpasteurised” raw farm milk from Castle Farms due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination.

Castle Farms, located at 1051 Route 249 in Irving, New York, holds a Department permit to legally sell raw milk at the farm. Samples of the milk are routinely tested by the New York State Food Laboratory to determine if the raw milk is free of pathogenic bacteria.

It is important to note that raw milk does not provide the protection of pasteurization, which eliminates all pathogenic bacteria, including E. coli O157:H7. Producers who sell raw milk to consumers must have a permit to do so from the Department, must sell directly to consumers on the farm where the milk is produced and must post a notice at the point of sale indicating that raw milk does not provide the protection of pasteurization. Farms with permits to sell raw milk are inspected by the Department monthly.

To date, no illnesses are known by the Department to be associated with product from Castle Farms.

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Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, E.coli O157, EHEC, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Pathogen

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US E.coli O145 Outbreak Now Hits Six States

Posted on June 9, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News 

Today the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the E. coli O145 outbreak that killed a young girl in Louisiana has sickened at least 14 people in six states:

Georgia (5 illnesses), Louisiana (4), Alabama (2), California (1), Florida (1) and Tennessee (1).
 
Three people have been hospitalised. 
 
The source of the contamination remains unknown.
 
“The investigation is looking at both food and non-food exposures as part of the ongoing investigation,” a CDC statement read. “State public health officials are interviewing ill persons to obtain information regarding foods they might have eaten and other exposures in the week before illness.”
 
Illness onset dates range from April 15 to May 12. Infections that began after May 12 may not have been reported yet. The most recent case was reported on June 4.
 
A 21-month-old girl in Louisiana died from her infection on May 31 after falling ill several weeks earlier. This outbreak has no connection to the May 26 death of a 6-year-old Massachusetts boy suffering from an E. coli O157:H7 infection.

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Posted in Bacteria, CDC, E.coli, E.coli O145, EHEC, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen

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Australia – Salmonella in Raw Eggs and E.coli on Greek Salad

Posted on June 7, 2012 by | 1 comment

The Poultry Site 

AUSTRALIA – Currently the NSW Food Authority is investigating 49 cases of Salmonella poisoning, suspected to be from consuming foods containing raw egg.

06.jun.12
FSANZ
Jmark Pty Ltd (trading as Gourmet Selections) has recalled Gourmet Selections Greek Salad from Woolworths, IGA and other independent supermarkets in WA due to E.coli contamination. Consumers should not eat this product and should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice.
Date notified to FSANZ
6 June 2012
Food type
Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs
Product name
Gourmet Selections Greek Salad
Package description & size
150g and 300g plastic tub
Date marking
All Use By dates from 6 JUN 12 to 14 JUN 12 inclusive
Country of origin
Australia
Reason for recall
Microbial Contamination (E.coli)
Distribution
The product has been available for sale from Woolworths, IGA and other independent supermarkets in Western Australia.
Consumer advice
Consumers should not eat this product and should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice.
Contact
Jmark Pty Ltd
08 9303 0600

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Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, FSANZ, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, Salmonella

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US Multi State E.coli O145 Outbreak

Posted on June 7, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Florida is part of an E coli outbreak that includes Georgia and Louisiana, according to the Florida Department of Health. A spokesperson for the Florida DOH told Food Poisoning Bulletin that a case has been confirmed and that they are “using routine processes and working closely with the CDC in the investigation of a potential commonality.”

News of this multi-state outbreak began this week with the death of a toddler in New Orleans. Our investigation has found that Georgia and Florida also have patients ill with the same strain of E. coli 0145. No particular source has been pinpointed as the cause of this outbreak.

The CDC has not released any information about the outbreak. The case count is as follows:

  • Florida (1)
  • Georgia (5)
  • Louisiana (3) (1 death)

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Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, E.coli O145, EHEC, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, HUS, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, STEC

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CIFA – Ground Beef Recall – E.coli O157

Posted on June 6, 2012 by | Leave a comment

CIFA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the ground beef described below because the products may be contaminated with E. coliO157:H7.

The affected products, Ground Beef Reg. and Ground Beef Lean, were sold in plastic bags of varying weight on May 31, 2012 from the Kabul Farms store located at 255 Dundas Street West, Mississauga, ON. The packages bear a sticker with the product name, the store’s name and the price.

Consumers are advised to contact the retailer if you are unsure as to whether you have the affected beef products stored in your home freezer.

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

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Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, E.coli O157, EHEC, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

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US – Six Year Old Dies – E.coli Infection with HUS

Posted on June 2, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

On May 26, 2012, a six year old boy in Massachusetts died from an E. coli infection, according to the Massachusetts Department of Health and the Worcester Department of Public Health. A press release by the City of Worcester, obtained by Food Poisoning Bulletin, confirms that he died from complications of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

The source of exposure has not yet been determined at this time. Officials are treating this as an isolated case, consistent with a food borne illness.”

It only takes 100 E. coli 0157 bacteria to make a healthy person sick. One bacterium is about 0.002 centimeters long, so a small amount of food can be easily contaminated with that amount. Children are more susceptible to complications from this type of infection because their immune systems are still developing.

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Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, EHEC, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, HUS, Microbiology, Pathogen

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RASFF Alerts – Salmonella, Listeria, E.coli

Posted on June 1, 2012 by | Leave a comment

RASFF – Salmonella Caracas in Ground Cumin from Turkey ans Syria

RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes in raw milk sheep cheese coated with herbs from France

RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes in Manouri Sheeps cheese from Greece.

RASFF – Salmonella Isangui in rapeseed meal from Kazakhstan.

RASFF – Salmonella in minced meat products from Sweden.

RASFF – Salmonella in poultry cutlets from Germany.

RASFF – Shigatoxin E.coli in rump steak from Argentina.

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Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, EHEC, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, RASFF, Recall, Salmonella

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US – E.coli STEC Strains Testing to Start Monday?

Posted on May 31, 2012 by | 1 comment

Vitals MSNBC

Barring any last-minute delays, U.S. food safety inspectors will begin testing Monday for six new strains of potentially deadly E. coli bacteria to be banned from certain cuts of raw beef.

The move implements long-delayed federal regulations aimed at a group of E. coli bacteria collectively known as “the Big Six,” bugs capable of causing severe infection and death.

Under the new rules, the six additional strains of E. coli will be classified as adulterants on par with the better-known E. coli O157:H7, which is often linked to serious illnesses tied to hamburger. The new strains include E. coli O26, O111, O103, O121, O45 and O145.

Meat producers such as Cargill Inc., who have long opposed expanded testing, said they are ready to begin.

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Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O26, EHEC, FDA, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Pathogen

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Scotland E.coli O157 Extends to 9 Cases

Posted on May 28, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Scottish Sun

Three tots confirmed to have the bug were yesterday treated in hospital, with one released.

Infection experts are trying to track down the source of the sickness and diarrhoea viral outbreak which hit the under-twos section at Rose Lodge Nursery in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire.

NHS Grampian said health protection teams found “reasonable” food hygiene and infection control at the unit.

A spokeswoman added: “Control measures are in place. An inspection has been carried out and an incident team convened.” The nursery, which has 40 pupils, first reported the virus on Sunday.

Experts say E.coli poses the biggest risk to under-fives.

Owner Julie Grant said: “We have taken the advice to close our Baby Room until further notice.

“The nursery remains open to unaffected families of children over two years old.

“We have a high standard of hygiene and rigorous infection control procedures. Our thoughts are with the children and families affected.”

Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/4339264/Nine-tots-hit-by-ecoli-outbreak-at-nursery.html#ixzz1w9Eekiw4

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Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, E.coli O157, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Pathogen

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Scotland – Three Children Hospitalised E.coli O157

Posted on May 25, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Scotsman

THREE infants were being treated in hospital last night following a suspected E coli 0157 outbreak linked to the baby unit at a nursery school.

NHS Grampian confirmed that infection control specialists at the health authority are investigating two confirmed cases and four suspected cases of potentially deadly E coli O157 infection in children who attend Rose Lodge Nursery School in Aboyne, Royal Deeside.

The baby unit at the nursery school has been closed while investigations continue to identify the source of the bug. The garden in the grounds of the nursery in the heart of the village has also been declared out of bounds to the children but the nursery remains open.

The three children who have been admitted to hospital were all being cared for in the baby unit. There are a total of 40 children at the nursery, which takes children from six weeks up to the age of five.

NHS Grampian stressed yesterday the investigation to pinpoint a possible source for the bug was not focused solely on the nursery and that other potential sources of infection in the predominantly rural area were also being looked at.

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Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, E.coli O157, EHEC, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen