Category Archives: Eurofins Laboratories

Canada – Recall Mould Mycotoxin Patulin

CFIACIFA

Reference Number: 7623 Recalling Firm: CIDRERIE MICHEL JODOIN Date of Recall: 12/3/2012 Recall Classification: 3 Distribution : Quebec Extent of the Product Distribution : Retail

Product List

Brand Name Common Name Size Codes(s) on Product UPC Reason for Recall:
VISTA BELLA MICHEL JODOIN SPARKLING APPLE MUST NO ALCOHOL 750 mL LOT 1112 6 09780 01127 7 Chemical – Toxin – Patulin

If you require additional information about an individual recall, please contact us.

Patulin is a mycotoxin produced by a variety of molds, in particular, Aspergillus and Penicillium. It is commonly found in rotting apples, and the amount of patulin in apple products is generally viewed as a measure of the quality of the apples used in production. It is not a particularly potent toxin, but a number of studies have shown that it is genotoxic, which has led to some theories that claim that it may be a carcinogen, though animal studies have remained inconclusive.Patulin is also an antibiotic.Several countries have instituted patulin restrictions in apple products. The World Health Organization recommends a maximum concentration of 50 µg/L in apple juice.

In European Union, the limit is set to 50 micrograms per kilogram (µg/kg) in both apple juice and cider, and to half of that concentration, 25 µg/kg in solid apple products and 10 µg/kg in products for infants and young children. These limits came into force on 1 November 2003.

Canada Updated Recall Hazlenuts – Salmonella

CFIA

The public warning issued on December 2, 2012 has been updated to include additional bulk filberts (hazelnuts).

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Loblaw Companies Ltd. are warning the public not to consume the in-shell filberts (hazelnuts) described below because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The affected product, Ennis variety filberts (hazelnuts), product of USA, was sold from bulk bins up to and including December 4, 2012.

This product was distributed through Loblaw banners as follows:

Ontario – Cash & Carry, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Fortinos, No Frills Quebec – Loblaws, Maxi & Cie, Maxi, Provigo Newfoundland and Labrador – Dominion

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

RASFF/European Alerts – Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes

RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes (presence /25g) in gorgonzola and mascarpone cheese cake from Italy.

Switzerland – Food safety and public warning: Listeria in goat cheese “The Capriglânois”

Greece – The EFET, namely the Regional Directorate of Western Greece Within the framework of implementation of official control programs for food safety and quality control on bottled water and in cooperation with the State General Laboratory, found that there unsafe product – natural mineral water – which detected the bacterium Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

 

Australia- Recall Favor Swallow Bean Sauce – Bacillus cereus

FSANZFSANZ

Delin (Australia) Trading Pty Ltd has recalled Favor Swallow Bean Sauce from some Asian supermarkets in Victoria due to microbial contamination (Bacillus cereus). Food products contaminated with Bacillus cereus  may cause illness if consumed. Consumers should not eat this product and should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Canada – Three Recall Walnuts / Hazelnuts/ Mixed Nuts – Salmonella

CFIA CIFA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Compass Food Sales are warning the public not to consume Compass brand in-shell California Walnuts described below because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The following walnuts, product of USA, are affected by this alert:

Brand Product Size UPC Best Before
Compass California Walnuts (in-shell) 300 g 0 68297 20121 0 07MA2014

This product has been distributed nationally.

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

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause salmonellosis, a foodborne illness. In young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, salmonellosis may cause serious and sometimes deadly infections. In otherwise healthy people, salmonellosis may cause short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

The importer / packer, Compass Food Sales, Aurora, ON is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

CFIA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Loblaws Companies Ltd. are warning the public not to consume the in-shell filberts (hazelnuts) described below because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The affected filberts, product of USA, were sold in 454 g bags bearing UPC 7 75636 10004 1 and in bulk bins.

This product was distributed nationally in Loblaws banners – Real Canadian Super Store, Fortinos, Freshmart, Loblaws, No Frills, Valu-Mart, Your Independent Grocer, Zehrs, Dominion, Red & White, Save Easy, Cash and Carry, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, AXEP, Group Distribution, Intermarché, Maxi & Cie, Maxi, Presto, Club Entrepôt, Provigo, Extra Foods, Shop Easy, Super Valu, Westfair.

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

CFIA

The public warning issued earlier on December 2, 2012has been updated to include additional products containing filberts (hazelnuts).

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Loblaw Companies Ltd. are warning the public not to consume the in-shell Mixed Nuts described below because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The following mixed nuts, products of USA, are affected by this alert:

Product Size UPC
Mixed Nuts 454 g 6 28721 20678 7
Mixed Nuts 1.36 kg 0 33383 70401 2

These products were distributed nationally in Loblaw banners – Real Canadian Super Store, Fortinos, Freshmart, Loblaws, No Frills, Valu-Mart, Your Independent Grocer, Zehrs, Dominion, Red & White, Save Easy, Cash and Carry, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Maxi & Cie, Maxi, Presto, Club Entrepôt, Provigo, Extra Foods, Shop Easy, Super Valu, Westfair, Affiliated Independents, Quick Mart.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

USA – Recall Updates – Butter Chicken / Meatless Burger – Listeria monocytogenes

USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is alerting the public of a recall being conducted by the Canadian Food
Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Canadian Establishment 720, Aliya’s Foods Limited, for approximately 4,865 pounds of frozen butter chicken and rice products imported from Canada that may be contaminated with Listeria
monocytogenes
.

FDA

VEGGIE PATCH® is voluntarily recalling two products –The Ultimate Meatless Burger and Falafel– due to a risk of contamination with Listeria monocytogenesListeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.  Although healthy persons may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths in pregnant women.

The Ultimate Meatless Burger and Falafel, from VEGGIE PATCH, with the specific use-by dates and UPC codes listed below were distributed to a select number of retailers and distributors.

  • 9-ounce trays of refrigerated, fully cooked, VEGGIE PATCH, The Ultimate Meatless Burger with a Use-By date, Jan/12/2013; UPC code 6-10129-00211-5 (which can be found on back of package)
  • 9-ounce trays of refrigerated, fully cooked, VEGGIE PATCH, Falafel with a Use-By date, Jan/15/2013; UPC code 6-10129-06619-3 (which can be found on back of package)

The Ultimate Meatless Burger potentially affected was available for sale as of November 21, 2012, in the following states; NY, CT, PA, FL, IL, MD, IN, WI, VA, NJ and DE.  Falafel potentially affected, was available for sale as of November 21, 2012, nationwide. No illnesses have been reported to date.  VEGGIE PATCH discovered this issue as part of its routine testing of its products.

Consumers who purchased any product with the specific use-by dates and UPC codes listed above are asked to dispose of the product. They should email contactus@veggiepatch.com to arrange for a full refund.  The recall affects only these two items. Products that do not contain the specific use-by dates and UPC codes listed are not affected by the recall.  No other VEGGIE PATCH products or other use-by dates of The Ultimate Meatless Burger or Falafel are affected by this recall.  Frozen Veggie Patch products are not affected by this recall.

Consumers with questions can contact VEGGIE PATCH at 888-807-0765, 8am- 5pm EST, seven days a week, or at contactus@veggiepatch.com

More information is available on the VEGGIE PATCH website at http://www.veggiepatch.com

About VEGGIE PATCH

 

USA Research -CDC – Report on Levels of Yersinia in Pork

Food Safety News

In a new study of raw pork chops and ground pork, Consumer Reports found 69 percent of samples were contaminated with Yersinia enterocolitica, according to a report published by the group today.

A lesser-known foodborne pathogen, Yersinia enterocolitica can cause fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea, lasting one to three weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There is approximately one confirmed infection per 100,000 people reported each year, but since these cases are severely under-reported, CDC estimates there are actually around 100,000 infections in the United States annually.

Research – Factors Affecting Pathogens on Fruit and Vegetable Farms

ASMAEA

Produce related outbreaks have been traced back to the preharvest environment. A longitudinal study was conducted on five farms in New York State to characterize prevalence, persistence, and diversity of foodborne pathogens in fresh produce fields and to determine landscape and meteorological factors that predict their presence. Produce fields were sampled four times per year for two years. A total of 588 samples were analyzed for L. monocytogenes, Salmonella and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). The prevalence measures of L. monocytogenes, Salmonella and STEC were 15.0, 4.6, and 2.7%, respectively. L. monocytogenes and Salmonella were detected more frequently in water samples, while STEC was detected with equal frequency across all sample types (soil, water, feces and drag swabs). L. monocytogenes sigB gene allelic types 57, 58 and 61, and Salmonella Cerro, were repeatedly isolated from water samples. Soil available water storage (AWS), temperature, and proximity to three land cover classes: water, roads and urban development, and pasture/hay grass, influenced the likelihood of detecting L. monocytogenes. Drainage class, AWS, and precipitation were identified as important factors in Salmonella detection. This information was used in a geographic information systems framework to hypothesize locations of environmental reservoirs where the prevalence of foodborne pathogens may be elevated. The map indicated that not all croplands are equally likely to contain environmental reservoirs of L. monocytogenes. These findings advance recommendations to minimize the risk of preharvest contamination by enhancing models of the environmental constraints on the survival and persistence of foodborne pathogens in fields.

Australia – PSP Botany Bay – Sydney

News Com AU

A TOXIC algal bloom which potentially poisons a range of seafood has been detected in Sydney’s Botany Bay.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries said it had detected a species of algae which produces paralytic shellfish poisoning toxins.

It said it found toxins above safe levels for human consumption in shellfish from Botany Bay during routine monitoring on Friday.

The NSW Food Authority has warned people against eating oysters, mussels, cockles, clams or the gut of rock lobster or abalone taken from the bay or the Georges River.

European Alerts – Listeria, Salmonella, Hepatitis A, Bacillus cereus

RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes in Pate from Belgium

RASFF – Salmonella in Chilled Sausage in UK sourced in Italy

Denmark  – Suspected Hepatitis A in Strawberry Yoghurt in Germany

RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes in Raw Milk Cheese in Belgium sourced in France.

Greece – Organic Radish Seeds Bacillus cereus