Category Archives: Eurofins Laboratories

US Factory Listeria Control Sampling Once Every Four Years!

Posted on December 30, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has told producers of ready-to-eat foods not to veer from their regular manufacturing, sanitation and food-safety procedures when federal inspectors test for Listeria monocytogenes in their processing plants.
 
According to the notice published Wednesday, routine sampling to test for Listeria is conducted about once every four years at most facilities that make ready-to-eat foods, such as hot dogs and luncheon meats, or after a problem is suspected.
 
I am just amazed that it is only once every four years no wonder that there are so many US recalls for Listeria monocytogenes.

Leave a comment

Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology

Aflatoxins in Pet Food – USA

Posted on December 29, 2011 by | Leave a comment
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration posted two dog food recall notices on its website Wednesday, including one dated Dec. 12 and an “updated” alert dated Dec. 14, more than two weeks ago.
 
Both recalls of dry dog food were the result of elevated levels of aflatoxin, caused by fungus on grains such as corn that in significant quantities can cause liver damage in pets. These recalls are apparently related to the Dec. 7 announcement by manufacturer Cargill Animal Nutrition that it was pulling dry dog food off the market because of excess amounts of aflatoxin.
 
Aflatoxin, which cannot exceed 20 parts per billion under FDA standards, has been found in levels above that in dog food produced at Cargill’s plant in LeCompte, LA and in Iams puppy food manufactured by Proctor and Gamble in Henderson, N.C. Advanced Animal Nutrition recalled its Dog Power food, also for elevated aflatoxins.
 
All the companies have said that, to date, no illnesses or adverse affects have been reported in connection with the recalled dog food, but did not explain why dog food was on the market for more than a year before it was tested for aflatoxins.
 
This may be of interest to producers of Pet Foods within the UK market.
 

Leave a comment

Posted in Aflatoxin, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Mycotoxin, Recall

Third Infant Infected by Chronobacter in Infant Formula in the USA

Posted on December 29, 2011 by | 1 comment

Chicago Tribune Article 

A third infant in the United States has tested positive for the infection that led to the death of one infant, sickened another and spurred a probe of baby formula, including Enfamil by Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.

A baby in Oklahoma tested positive for Cronobacter, a bacteria that has sometimes been linked to rare illnesses in newborns and has been found in milk-based powdered baby formula.

The baby had not consumed Enfamil formula, according to Leslea Bennett-Webb of the Oklahoma Department of Health. The baby, less than a month old, has been treated and discharged from the hospital, she said.

This is a third Cronobacter case in recent weeks, after a baby in Missouri died and another child is now recovering in Illinois, both confirmed to have been infected with Cronobacter.

1 Comment

Posted in Chronobacter sakazakii, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Recall

US – Spinach Recall- E.coli O157

Posted on December 24, 2011 by | Leave a comment
Avon Heights Mushrooms is recalling certain packages of fresh packaged spinach because they may be contaminated with E. coli.
 
During routine surveillance sampling, one package of Better Brand 10 oz. spinach tested positive for E. coli O157:H7. The company said it is recalling all packages produced on the affected day.
 
No illnesses have been associated with the recalled spinach.
 
This is quite an interesting recall as I am not aware of many producers regularly testing produce for E.coli O157 in the UK

Leave a comment

Posted in E.coli, E.coli O157, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Recall

US Alfalfa Sprouts Recalled – Salmonella

Posted on December 24, 2011 by | Leave a comment
Green Valley Food Corp. is recalling 650 cases of alfalfa sprouts that may be contaminated with Salmonella.
 
In a news release, the company said a random sample of the sprouts collected on Dec, 12 from a customer tested positive for Salmonella. There so far have been no illnesses confirmed in connection with the sprouts, according to Green Valley Food Corp.
 

Leave a comment

Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Recall, Salmonella

Poultry Packaging and Campylobacter

Posted on December 22, 2011 by | Leave a comment

A Food Manufacture article has reported on food packaging for raw chicken that could help control Campylobacter.

The type of packaging used for raw poultry could influence the levels of Campylobacter found on the external wrapping, according to a new study from the West of Scotland Food Liaison Group (WOSFLG).

Leave a comment

Posted in Campylobacter, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Testing, Microbiology

CIFA – Serrano Peppers – Recall – Salmonella

Posted on December 22, 2011 by | Leave a comment

The public warning issued on December 20, 2011has been expanded to include an additional product.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning the public not to consume the Serrano peppers described below because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The affected fresh Serrano peppers, imported from the USA, were sold as follows:

Unlabelled from bulk at Safeway stores and various independent grocery stores in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Yukon, between December 5 and 20, 2011, inclusively.

Consumers who have purchased bulk, unlabelled Serrano peppers are advised to check with their place of purchase to determine if they have the affected product.

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

Leave a comment

Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Recall, Salmonella

FSA – Recall Ground Cumin – Salmonella

Posted on December 22, 2011 by | Leave a comment

FSA

Natco Foods Ltd is recalling specific batch codes of ground cumin, as salmonella has been detected in some parts of the affected batch. Investigations into the source of contamination are ongoing.

Leave a comment

Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Recall, Salmonella

US Ground Beef Recall – E.coli

Posted on December 21, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Manufacturing Net

A Nebraska meatpacker recalled more than 40,000 pounds of ground beef products distributed in 16 states after a test confirmed the presence of E. coli, the Agriculture Department said Friday.

The products were shipped to institutions and distributors in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. of Dakota City, Neb., recalled 10-pound chubs of chuck fine ground beef 80/20, packed in cases containing eight chubs.

USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service said in a statement that the problem was discovered through routine monitoring that confirmed a positive result for E. coli. No reports of illness have been received.

Leave a comment

Posted in E.coli, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Recall

Asparagus – X-Ray Treatment – Bacterial Control

Posted on December 19, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Science Daily – As consumer demand for convenient, nutritious foods increases, pre-cut and packaged fruit and vegetables become more popular. Food producers are looking to science to discover new ways to safely extend the shelf life of these “minimally processed” products. A potential solution to vegetables’ short market life may be the lie in x-ray irradiation, the latest ionizing irradiation technology currently in use in commercial food operations.

Leave a comment

Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Testing, Microbiology