Category Archives: Eurofins Laboratories

US Fish Recall – Listeria monocytogenes

Food Poisoning Bulletin

3fish of North Carolina is recalling all of their seafood cakes and stuffed fish products that contain Gills onions because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The onion recall started on July 19, 2012 and expanded several times over the summer.

The recalled items were sold along the east coast and repackaged by individual stores. The products were sold to Harris Teeter, Ingles, MDI (Merchants Distributors Inc), and US Foodservice. Only products with use-by dates between 9/10/2012 and 9/15/2012 are included in the recall.

US – Multi State Listeria Outbreak in Cheese

Listeria Blog.

Forever Cheese inc. is recalling all Ricotta Salata Frescolina brand, Forever Cheese lot # T9425 and/or production code 441202, from one specific production date due to possible Listeria Monocytogenes contamination, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The cheese was sold to distributors for retailers and restaurants in CA, CO, D.C., FL, GA, IL, IN, MA, MD, ME, MT, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OR, PA, VA, WA between June 20 and August 9, 2012. Products were sold to supermarkets, restaurants and wholesale distributors.

UK – Watermelons Salmonella Linked Death

LabSaints

An outbreak of salmonella linked to watermelons has claimed the life of one person and infected over 30 others in the UK.

The East of England has seen more cases of the food poisoning than other areas of the country, and seventy per cent of those affected are women. The person who died, who has not been named, had “serious underlying health complications”

Of the cases confirmed so far, 26 have been in England, three have been in Wales, one has been in Northern Ireland and four have been in Scotland. Five cases have also been confirmed in the Republic of Ireland and 15 have been confirmed in Germany.

The ages of people affected in England, Wales and Northern Ireland range from six months to 85 years.

The strain of salmonella found is called ‘salmonella Newport’. Symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever.

US – Salmonella Heidelberg in Eggs

Food Poisoning Bulletin

In 2010, Wright County Egg and Hillandale Farms in north central Iowa were the center of a huge egg recall after eggs produced at those facilities were linked to a nationwide outbreak that sickened at least 2,000 Americans. On August 14, 2012, the FDA sent the company that acquired those facilities a warning letter about the presence of Salmonella Heidelberg (SH) bacteria in two of its six poultry houses.

Cruise Ship Norovirus Outbreak

Food Poisoining Bulletin

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) has issued an investigation update on the Norovirus outbreak on the Dawn Princess cruise ship. The ship of part of the Princess Cruises cruise line.

Voyage dates were August 21 to September 13, 2012. The number of passengers on the ship is 1,778, and crew members is 851. The passengers who reported being ill numbered 114, or 6.41%, and the number of crew who reported being ill numbered 11, or 1.29%. The symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea are consistent with Norovirus infection

RASFF Alerts – Histamine, Listeria monocytogenes

RASFF – Histamine in Tuna Loin in France sourced in Spain

RASFF –  Listeria monocyotgenes in Chilled Pork in France

FDA Recall Involving Dole Fresh – Listeria monocytogenes

FDA

Dole Fresh Vegetables is voluntarily recalling 1,039 cases of bagged salad. The product being recalled is 10 oz. Dole Italian Blend coded 0049N2202008, with a Use-By date of August 20 and UPC 7143000819 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.

For those of you who read this Blog regularly on both sides of the Atlantic it would be interesting to get your views on the US policy of zero tolerance on Listeria monocytogenes and the Europe numerical limit. The US zero tolerance causes far more recalls as we can, see but does it make food safer?

Canadian Recalls – Listeria, E.coli O157:H7, Salmonella

CFIA

The public warning issued on August 20, 2012has been expanded to include additional product.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Champ’s Mushrooms are warning the public not to consume the Sliced White Mushrooms described below because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The affected product, Champ’s Mushrooms brand Sliced White Mushrooms, Product of Canada, is sold in 227 g (8 oz.) packages. The package bears the UPC 0 33383 67600 5 and the “packed on” date written as, “PO 10AUG2012″ or PO 11AUG2012.

This product is known to be distributed in British Columbia and Alberta, but may have been distributed in other provinces.

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

CFIA

Reference Number: 7391
Recalling Firm: ALPHA MEAT PACKERS LTD.
Date of Recall: 8/1/2012
Recall Classification: 1
Distribution : Quebec
Extent of the Product Distribution : Hotel/Restaurant/Institutional

Product List

Brand Name Common Name Size Codes(s) on Product UPC Reason for Recall:
ALPHA MEAT PACKERS LTD. VEAL CUTLETS TENDERIZED Various kg 177363 None / Aucun Microbiological – E. coli O157:H7
ALPHA MEAT PACKERS LTD. VEAL FOR SCALOPINI Various kg 177425 None / Aucun Microbiological – E. coli O157:H7

CFIA

Reference Number: 7351
Recalling Firm: SAKELLIS FOODS
Date of Recall: 8/8/2012
Recall Classification: 2
Distribution : Ontario
Extent of the Product Distribution : Hotel/Restaurant/Institutional

Product List

Brand Name Common Name Size Codes(s) on Product UPC Reason for Recall:
SAKELLIS FOODS BASIL LEAVES 2 lb Product sold on or after July 25, 2012 None / Aucun Microbiological – Salmonella

FDA Recall – Tinned Smoked Salmon – Listeria monocytogenes

FDA

Spence & Co Ltd, Brockton MA, a smoked salmon company is recalling Wellsley Farms brand 16oz Nova Lot: 6704701 and Spence & Co brand 8oz Smoked Trim Lot: 6704701 due to an abundance of caution because of possible contamination by Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant woman.

No illnesses have been reported. The bacterium was discovered during routine sampling.

RASFF Alerts – Aflatoxin, Salmonella

RASFF – Aflatoxin in Peanut Butter in Belgium sourced in Senegal

RASFF – Salmonella in Dried Organic Sage in Denamrk sourced from Turkey via the Netherlands.