Category Archives: Eurofins Laboratories

Inhibitory Effect of Carob on Listeria monocytogenes

Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry

In recent years, there has been great development in the search for new natural compounds for food preservation aimed at a partial or total replacement of currently popular antimicrobial chemicals. Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) offers a natural promising alternative for food safety and bioconservation. In this work, the methanolic extract of carob leaves (MECL) was tested for the ability to inhibit the growth of a range of microorganisms. MECL inhibited the growth of Listeria monocytogenes at 28.12 μg/mL by the broth microdilution method. The effect of this bacteriostatic concentration on the growth of this bacterium revealed a pattern of inhibition characterized by (a) a resumed growth phase, which showed a lower rate of growth if compared with controls; and (b) first a lag and then a stationary phase at a lower bacterium concentration. The study of the chemical composition of MECL by high-performance liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry showed the presence of gallic acid, (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, myricitrin, isoquercitin, catechin, chlorogenic acid, and malic acid. L. monocytogenes growth inhibition was recorded for myricitrin and gallic acid at 450 μg/mL and for (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate and isoquercitin, respectively, at 225 and 112.5 μg/mL. Taking into account that proline is a ligand of proline dehydrogenase (PDH), the use of this compound leads us to hypothesize the mode of action of MECL constituents.

Peanut Butter Products Roll On – Animal and Human Foods – Salmonella

FDA

Torn and Glasser, Inc of Los Angeles, CA 90021 is voluntarily recalling Salted in-shell product (packaged after November 9, 2011), and one lot of Organic Peanut Butter (packaged January 13, 2012) because it has the potential to be contaminated withSalmonella.

To date, Torn and Glasser, Inc. has not received any complaints concerning illness on any of these lot numbers. Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products are urged not to eat them and to return products to the place of purchase for a full refund.

FDA

Natural Selection Foods is voluntarily recalling Earthbound Farm Baby Spinach Grab & Go Salad Kits with Peanuts. The product is sold in a 3.5 ounce clamshell with UPC 0-32601-08875-0. All “Use By” dates are affected.

This is the result of the expanded recall of peanut butter, nut butters and peanut products by Sunland because of potential contamination with Salmonella. The peanuts in the packets were chopped by Sunland then supplied to a third party contract packer to Natural Selection Foods as a sealed package of chopped peanuts, sealed again within another package that includes dressing and a fork.

The salad kits were distributed to retail supermarkets and foodservice operators in the following states: California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, British Columbia (Canada) and Ontario (Canada). They are packaged in clear plastic clamshell containers with a blue label.

Salmonella bacteria can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal cramps. Consumers with the above symptoms should consult their physician.

While no illnesses associated with any of these products have been reported to Natural Selection Foods to date, our unwavering commitment to the safety and quality of our products dictates that we voluntarily recall these products as a precaution.

FDA

Trifecta Foods, LLC in Pacoima, CA is voluntarily recalling products containing IN-SHELL ROASTED SALTED AND UNSALTED PEANUTS supplied to Trifecta Foods by SUNLAND, INC. because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.  SUNLAND, INC. advised Trifecta Foods that it was declaring a recall of its peanuts and, although in-shell peanuts is a small part of its business, Trifecta Foods moved immediately to withdraw the products from the public containing peanuts from SUNLAND, INC.

Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products are urged not to eat them and to return products to the place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of them immediately. The “Best By” date or product expiration date is printed on the packaging.

Consumers can contact the Company at 1-888-232-4242 for information regarding this recall. This toll-free number is operational Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (PST).

No FreshPak, Energy Club, or other brands products, other than those listed above, are affected by the recall and the recalled products make up a very small fraction of our total offerings. All products leaving our plant as of October 15, 2012 are NOT affected by the SUNLAND, INC. recall.

FDA

Buck’s Ice Cream of Milford, CT, co-pack manufacturer for Iskream, Inc. of , is voluntarily recalling all lot codes of Iskream Brand Peanut Butter and Jelly No Sugar Added Ice Cream, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The decision was made as the result of the expanded recall of peanut butter, nut butters and peanut products by Sunland because of potential contamination with Salmonella.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

FDA

TBD Brands, LLC, announced today that it is issuing a voluntary recall of Yoghund brand Organic Banana & Peanut Butter flavor, frozen yogurt dog treats. This is a cautionary action, as these products contain organic peanut butter linked to recent recalls of Sunland, Inc.of Portales, NM, for possible Salmonellacontamination.

Although there have been no reported incidents of human or animal illnesses in connection with their product, the company has elected to recall all case product of Lot Code 268 12 and earlier, cup and four pack Best By Date of 9.24.14 or earlier.

Pets with Salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic, have diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected, but otherwise healthy pets, can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Individuals handling the frozen yogurt product can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. People who believe they may have been exposed to Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. According to the Centers for Disease Control, people who are more likely to be affected by Salmonella include infants, children younger than 5 years old, organ transplant patients, people with HIV/AIDS and people receiving treatment for cancer.

Product was distributed through retailers nationwide.

Pet owners who are unsure if the product they purchased is in the recall or have additional questions may call us at 603-775-7772 x1007 between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 Finally still Salmonella but not to do with Peanut Butter another Pet Food Recall

FDA

Kasel Associated Industries of Denver, CO is voluntarily recalling its BOOTS & BARKLEY ROASTED AMERICAN PIG EARS AND BOOTS & BARKLEY AMERICAN VARIETY PACK DOG TREATS product because it may be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can sicken animals that eat these products and humans are at risk for salmonella poisoning from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the pet products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

No illnesses have been reported to date in animals or humans in connection with this product.

Dole Fresh Lettuce Recall – Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria Blog

Dole Fresh Vegetables is voluntarily recalling a limited number of cases of Dole American Blend salad in 12 oz. bags, coded A275208A or B, with Use-by date of October 17 and UPC 7143000933, due to a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes. Dole Fresh Vegetables is coordinating closely with regulatory officials. No illnesses have been reported in association with the recall.

The product code and Use-by date are in the upper right-hand corner of the package; the UPC code is on the back of the package, below the barcode. The salads were distributed in 10 U.S. states (Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Wisconsin).

No illnesses have been reported in association with the recall.

 

Campylobacter Founb in US Raw Milk

Hot Springs Star

PIERRE – The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) is reporting campylobacter bacteria was found in a sampling of raw (unpasteurized) milk from Black Hills Milk in Belle Fourche.

SDDA advises consumers that raw milk recently purchased from this business may contain harmful bacteria that can lead to campylobacter infection. Symptoms of this infection include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and can sometimes progress to more serious illness, such as kidney failure and other complications.

The implicated milk is sold at a retail outlet in Spearfish, Black Hills Farmers Market at Founder’s Park in Rapid City and other locations in the Black Hills. If you have purchased this raw milk, SDDA advises the product be discarded or returned.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), pasteurized milk that is correctly handled in the dairy, bottled, sealed and refrigerated after pasteurization, and that is properly handled by the consumer, is very unlikely to contain illness-causing bacteria.

The SDDA requires producers selling raw milk to be permitted through the state, inspected once or twice a year depending on grade of milk and provide a monthly quality analysis.

 

CFIA and FDA Peanut Butter Products Recalls – Salmonella

This is my 1ooo th Blog and I suppose that at the moment with the number of recalls happening in the USA and Canada that it was bound to be about Peanut Butter and Salmonella. However I do think that the extent of the recalls based on one raw material from one supplier only highlights how interlinked the food industry is both nationally and internationally. This only emphasises the importance of controls on the manufacturing of safe food. I think that many of the companies that have withdrawn their products, even though there have been no illnesses associated with their products, should be praised for their actions. 

CFIA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume PureFit brand Peanut Butter Crunch bars listed below because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

These products may have been distributed nationally.

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

FDA

Torn and Glasser, Inc of Los Angeles, CA 90021 is voluntarily recalling Salted in-shell product (packaged after November 9, 2011), and one lot of Organic Peanut Butter (packaged January 13, 2012) because it has the potential to be contaminated withSalmonella.

This decision to recall was made due to the expanded recall of peanut products by Sunland (to include Salted in-shell, and Organic peanuts) due to the potential of contamination with Salmonella. The Torn and Glasser recalled products contain peanuts supplied by the Sunland Peanut Processing Plant located in Portales, New Mexico.

To date, Torn and Glasser, Inc. has not received any complaints concerning illness on any of these lot numbers. Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products are urged not to eat them and to return products to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Northern Ireland Public Health – E.coli Outbreak Belfast

BBC

E. coli outbreak in Belfast is ‘a major crisis’ says PHA

 The outbreak has been linked to An E. coli outbreak linked to a Belfast restaurant has been described as “major public health crisis” by Northern Ireland’s Public Health Agency (PHA).

The PHA said there are now 20 confirmed cases and 118 suspected cases of food poisoning following an investigation at Flicks restaurant at Cityside Mall.

Six people have been hospitalised since the start of the outbreak, but most have since been discharged.

HPA Salmonella in Mycoprotein Update

HPA –

 The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has seen seven cases of Salmonella Enteritidis PT1 following consumption of a pasteurised liquid egg product which was sold through Myprotein® and Nutri Centre websites and Nutri Centre stores. Testing of a sample of the product also showed a positive result for the same type of salmonella. No other products are known to be affected.

 

The product, a Myprotein own brand ‘Free Range Liquid Egg Whites’, was recalled on October 10 by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the company are no longer selling it. The FSA are working to identify the source of the eggs used in the product.

Salmonella bacteria live in the gut of many animals and can affect meat, eggs, poultry, and milk. Infection with this type of salmonella causes a similar illness to other forms of salmonella infection and symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever.

There has been no national increase in this type of salmonella. In the seven weeks from the end of August to 9 October (weeks 34-40) there were a total of 42 non-travel cases of Salmonella Enteritidis PT 1 reported to the HPA (including the seven cases above). This is compared to 48 and 47 cases in the same weeks in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

The 42 cases seen this year have been reported from most regions and range in age from infants to 78 years of age. There are more females than males (24 vs. 18) with half of the females being under ten years of age. The male cases are spread across most age groups.

Quebec – Recall Products Listeria monocytogenes

Translation English Recall – French

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), in collaboration with the Division of Food Inspection Agency of the City of Montreal and the company engaged under the name Butchery Amsellem., established in 5450, Westminster Avenue, Montreal (Côte-Saint-Luc) is warning the public not to consume the products described in the above link and manufactured by this company because it may contain Listeria monocytogenes.

Four More Peanut/Peanut Butter Products Recalls – Salmonella

FDA

Mondelēz Global LLC announced today a voluntary recall in the United States of the Green & Black’s Organic Peanut & Sea Salt Milk Chocolate Bar. This product contains peanuts supplied by Sunland, Inc., which expanded its nationwide recall on October 12, 2012. The peanuts have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella

There have been no complaints of illness reported to Mondelēz Global to date in connection with this product and the company is issuing this recall as a precaution.

FDA

Hines Nut Company Inc. today announced a voluntary recall of its SALTED JUMBO VIRGINIA IN-SHELL PEANUTS. These peanuts were processed in the Sunland, Inc. Peanut Processing Plant and may be contaminated with Salmonella.

To date, Hines Nut Company, Inc. has not received any complaints concerning illness on any of these lot numbers. Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products are urged not to eat them and to return products to the place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of them immediately. The “Best-If-Used-By” date or product expiration date is printed on the packaging.

FDA

Super Store Industries, Turlock, CA is recalling Lovin’ Scoopful Ice Cream – Super Duper Peanut Butter Cup.  This product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.  Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.  In rare circumstance, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

Product Name Size Package Type UPC Code Code Date
Lovin’ Scoopful Ice Cream –
Super Duper Peanut
Butter Cup Ice Cream
1.75
Quart
Carton 898987001086 All code dates are
being recalled

The “Best By” code date is in the Month/Date/Year format (i.e. OCT 24 12) and can be found on the bottom of the carton.

Lovin’ Scoopful Super Duper Peanut Butter Cup ice cream was distributed at Albertsons retail stores in OR, UT, WA, ID, MT and Walmart stores in WA only..

This recall is in response to an expansion of Sunland, Inc.’s voluntary recall of products manufactured in its peanut butter plant after March 1, 2010 due to possible Salmonella contamination. No illnesses have been reported to date.

FDA

The Meadow Gold Dairy processing facility in Orem, Utah, is taking the precautionary measure to voluntarily recall “Creamery Select (Premium Ice Cream) Peanut Butter Cup” ice cream manufactured for Western Family. This recall was initiated because the affected products contain a peanut butter ingredient supplied by Sunland, Inc. which may be contaminated with Salmonella. The peanut butter manufacturer Sunland recently expanded its nationwide product recall. No Meadow Gold® Brand ice cream products are affected by this recall.

To date, no complaints or reactions have been reported related to this ice cream product, and only one flavor of Western Family ice cream is included in the recall.

XL Beef Products Canada Now on It’s 18th Expanded Recall – E.coli O157

Food Poisoning BulletinE.coli O157:H7

The recall of beef products for E. coli 0157:H7 produced at the XL Foods plant in Canada has grown for the 17th and 18th times. This recall is linked to an E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak that has sickened at least 15 people in Canada.

Janet’s Jerky is recalling 2 pound bags of Old Fashioned Beef Jerky with no UPC numbers and purchase dates from September 17 to October 10, 2012. The products were distributed in New Brunswick. They are also recalling 2 pound bags of Old Fashioned Beef Jerky – Hot & Spicy Cajun with the same purchase dates and distribution. Also recalled is corned beef sold at l’Entrepôt de Viandes from September 11 to October 10, 2012 in Quebec.

On October 12, 2012, the CFIA announced more recalls. Nortown medium ground beef, La Préférence filet mignon and Côte de boeuf are recalled. Longos beef burgers, portobello burgers, and lean ground sirloin are recalled. You can see UPC numbers, code dates, and distribution at the CFIA web site. For questions, call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342.