Category Archives: Eurofins Laboratories

UK – Two sets of E.coli Cases

Posted on August 21, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Gazette

AN OUTBREAK of the dangerous stomach bug E.Coli has sparked a health alert and prompted a children’s nursery in Basingstoke to temporarily close its doors.

Kiddi Caru, in Broadmere Road, Beggarwood, suspended its child care last Thursday night.

The Health Protection Agency said two children have contracted the illness and a third is suspected of having it, but all three children are recovering. None of them is in hospital.

Fife Today

Two people have contracted a potentially deadly strain of E.coli and are being treated in hospital.

 Five cases of the infection are being investigated but only two people have the O157 strain, said NHS Orkney.

The cases are not linked, according to the health board.

Leave a comment

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

US – Gourmet Spreads Recall Possible Clostridium botulinum Risk

Posted on August 20, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Botulism Blog

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) warned consumers not to eat certain 7th Heaven Gourmet spreads on Saturday because they were processed in a manner that makes them susceptible to contamination with Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that causes botulism poisoning.

7th Heaven Gourmet of Hesperia, California recalled its Pate Mediterraneo and Eggplant & Shitake Tapenade spreads packaged in 8 ounce glass jars with screw-on metal lids, which were available for purchase between September 2011 and July 2012 and sold at farmers markets in Victorville and Rancho Cucamonga, California.

Leave a comment

Posted in Bacteria, Clostridium botulinum, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen

Tagged , ,

FDA Recall – Fruit, Vegetable, Sandwich Products Containing Apple – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on August 20, 2012 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Missa Bay, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ready Pac Foods, Inc., of Swedesboro, New Jersey is voluntarily recalling a total of 293,488 cases and 296,224 individually distributed units of fruit, vegetable, and sandwich products containing apples, as listed below, with the Use‐by dates of July
8, 2012 through August 20, 2012 because they contain diced or sliced apples which may be
contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious or life‐threatening food borne illness in a person who eats a food item contaminated with it. Symptoms of infection may include fever, muscle aches, gastro intestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. The illness primarily impacts pregnant women and adults with weakened immune systems. Most healthy adults and children rarely become seriously ill.

This recall notification is being issued due to finding Listeria monocytogenes on equipment used by
Missa Bay, LLC to produce apple products. Missa Bay, LLC is coordinating closely with regulatory officials.
No illnesses have been reported in association with this voluntary recall.

Leave a comment

Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen

Tagged , ,

US – Grilling Trays Recalled Mushrooms – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on August 19, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Saturday that Pure Hothouse Foods Inc. was recalling fresh cut grilling trays because the mushrooms used in the trays had tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.  

On August 16, Pure Hothouse Foods issued a recall for 1402 cases and 8,412 individually distributed units of fresh cut grilling trays, with Sell-by dates of August 11, 2012 through August 26, 2012.  The products were produced and distributed from Pure Hothouse Foods, Inc. of Leamington, Ontario, Canada to retailers in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.

Leave a comment

Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

Vibrio Outbreak – Shellfish Areas Closed for the Season

Posted on August 18, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Washington Health

Vibrio bacteria have closed three commercial growing areas and caused 30 confirmed illnesses in Washington this summer, according to the state Department of Health. Totten Inlet near Olympia, North Bay and Dabob Bay in north Hood Canal are closed for the rest of the summer due to these bacteria, which are common in warm weather conditions. Once water temperatures begin to cool in October, these growing areas will reopen.

People get vibriosis from eating raw or undercooked oysters that have Vibrio parahaemolyticus bacteria in them. Cooking shellfish until the shells just open is not enough to kill Vibrio bacteria. Shellfish should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees F for at least 15 seconds. Don’t rinse cooked oysters in seawater, which can re-contaminate them.

Vibriosis symptoms include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, headache, fever, and chills. Symptoms usually appear 12-24 hours after eating infected shellfish, and can last two to seven days. Vibriosis can be life-threatening for people with low immunity or chronic liver disease. Also at greater risk are people who take antacids, heart or diabetes medication, or who’ve had antibiotic or cancer treatments recently.

Leave a comment

Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Illness, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, Vibrio, Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Multistate US Salmonella Outbreak

Posted on August 18, 2012 by | Leave a comment

FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections. The investigation is in the early stages. We are moving quickly to learn as much as possible and prevent additional people from becoming ill. We recognize that people will be concerned about this outbreak, and we will continue to provide updates and advice. 

A total of 141 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported from 20 states.

The number of ill persons identified in each state is as follows: Alabama (7), Arkansas (3), California (2), Georgia (1), Illinois (17), Indiana (13), Iowa (7), Kentucky (50), Michigan (6), Minnesota (3), Missouri (9), Mississippi (2), New Jersey (1), North Carolina (3), Ohio (3), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (3), Tennessee (6), Texas (1), and Wisconsin (2).     

31 persons have been hospitalized, and two deaths have been reported in Kentucky.

In the course of their investigation, state officials in Kentucky and Indiana found evidence that they believe indicate cantaloupes grown in southwestern Indiana may be a source of the ongoing Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak. FDA officials are actively investigating potential sources of the outbreak, and will continue to update the public as more specific information becomes available.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Chemistry, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen

Japan – Ecoli O157 in Pickled Cabbage Outbreak – Six Dead

Posted on August 18, 2012 by | 1 comment

EcoliBlog

Sapporo, Japan news services report that four people, including a 4-year-old girl, have been confirmed dead of food poisoning from pickled Chinese cabbage produced by a Sapporo food company. Another two are suspected to have died due to the cabbage.

According to the city health care center, four people have died because of the E. coli O157:H7 bacteria after eating pickled Chinese cabbage produced in late July by Iwai Shokuhin. Three of the four victims were women in their 80s and 100s living in elderly care facilities in the city.

1 Comment

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

Tagged , , ,

CFIA – Recall Romaine Lettuce – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on August 18, 2012 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the Tanimura & Antle brand Romaine Lettuce described below because this product may be contaminated with E. coliO157:H7 bacteria.

The affected product, Tanimura & Antle brand Romaine Lettuce, produce of USA, is sold in a plastic package containing 1 head of lettuce. The package bears the UPC 0 27918?ى The affected product was sold at retail from August 8, 2012 through August 17, 2012.

This product has been distributed in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Nunavut and Yukon.

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

Leave a comment

Posted in Bacteria, CFIA, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

Tagged ,

Canada Extended Recalls Dried Basil – Salmonella

Posted on August 17, 2012 by | Leave a comment

CIFA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public, distributors and food service establishments not to consume, sell, serve or use the dried Basil products described in the recall because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

This is an ongoing food safety investigation. The CFIA is working with various parties to identify and remove all affected basil products that were made with the dried basil recalled by Shah Trading Co. Ltd., Scarborough, Ontario on August 3, 2012.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Bacteria, CFIA, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, Salmonella

Tagged , , , ,

CFIA – Recall Fresh Cut Grillers – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on August 17, 2012 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Pure Hothouse Foods Inc. are warning the public not to consume the Freshly Cut Grillers described below because the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

These products have been distributed in Ontario.

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

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause listeriosis, a foodborne illness. Listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness, however, infections during pregnancy can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

The manufacturer, Pure Hothouse Foods Inc., Leamington, Ontario, is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

Leave a comment

Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

Tagged