Category Archives: food contamination

Malaysia – 86 Kuala Kangsar Vocational College students get food poisoning

SG News

IPOH, Feb 19 — Eighty-six trainees from the Kuala Kangsar Vocational College suffered food poisoning, believed to from eating at their hostel’s kitchen.

Perak Health Director Datuk Dr Ding Lay Ming said his department received an incident report on February 17.

“Around 86 trainees out of the total 562 were exposed to the food poisoning. The affected victims are aged between 16 and 19,” she said in a statement.

Dr Ding said that six victims were admitted at the Hospital Kuala Kangsar and their condition is now stable. The rest received outpatient treatment.

Victims suffered symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever, she said.

Dr Ding said that the cause of the poisoning is still under investigation and several samples were taken for testing at the Makmal Kesihatan Awam here.

USA -Company recalls chicken salad for Listeria; some went to Whole Foods

Food Safety News

Lean Culinary Services LLC of Hollywood, FL, is recalling about 220 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken salad because the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the product. Some of it carries the Whole Foods Market brand logo.

The FSIS reports all of the chicken salad was produced on Feb. 12. Consumers are urged to check their homes for unused portions of the products, a list can be found at the link above.

Romania – Romanian agency clamps down after Listeria in salmon recalls

Food Safety News

Listeria cdc

Image CDC

The Romanian food safety agency has stepped up controls after repeated recalls of fish products because of Listeria.

Eight recalls have been issued since the start of this year for Listeria in salmon involving retailers such as Auchan, Kaufland and Carrefour.

The National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA) commissioned enhanced controls following the incidents. The agency has not reported any related illnesses.

During these checks, samples were taken from different batches of finished items and from areas of production and packaging of finished products with processed samples sent to laboratories for analysis. Results showed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in smoked salmon fillet finished product samples from two unnamed fish processing units.

Canada – Eat Smart Sweet Kale Salad Bag Kit Recalled for Listeria

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Eat Smart brand Sweet Kale Vegetable Salad Bag Kit in 340 gram packages has been recalled in Canada for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The product was sold in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and may have been sold nationwide. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall.

The recalled product is Eat Smart Sweet kale Vegetable Salad Bag Kit in 12 ounce (340 gram) packages. The codes on the product are FEB 16 2019 2019 FE 16 2 01B 032, 2 01A 032, and 2 000 32. The UPC number is 7 09351 89145 8.

The recall was triggered by Canadian Food Inspection Agency test results. The CFIA is conducting an investigation, which may lead to the recall of more products.

Canada – Updated Food Recall Warning – Canada Herb brand Fish Mint recalled due to Salmonella

CFIA

Recall details Canada Herb - Fish Mint

Ottawa, February 19, 2019 – The food recall warning issued on January 20, 2019 has been updated to include additional product information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation.

Canada Herb is recalling Canada Herb brand Fish Mint from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below.

Recalled products

Brand Name Common Name Size Code(s) on Product UPC
Canada Herb Fish Mint Variable weight LOT: 1721-0060 13/FEB or all packages sold up to and including February 19, 2019 None

Mongolia – Mongolia to suspend KFC outlets for inquiry after food poisoning reports

Reuters

ULAANBAATAR (Reuters) – A Mongolian regulator said it will suspend operations at KFC restaurants temporarily to conduct inquiries, as 42 people were hospitalized and hundreds showed food poisoning symptoms after eating at one of the outlets of the fast-food chain.

The incident occurred at the Zaisan outlet in Ulaanbaatar last week due to its contaminated water supply, the city’s Metropolitan Professional Inspection Agency said, adding that 247 people had reported symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting.

Finland – Lidl pulls minced beef over Salmonella fears

YLE

The products were on sale in all Lidl stores across Finland from 4 February.

Lidl has withdrawn two lots of Bergmann-branded minced beef after a control sample of one lot was suspected of being contaminated with salmonella.

 

The recall involves packages with “best before” dates of 12.2.2019 and 14.2.2019. The products had been on sale nationwide from 4 February.

Lidl is asking consumers who have purchased the affected products and may have frozen them to return them to Lidl supermarkets for a refund.

The German supermarket chain also said Monday that it has suspended cooperation with the Skare meat company over three other instances of salmonella contamination.

Salmonella was also detected in similar products sold by the same supplier at the end of January.

USA – Smoked Alaska Seafoods, Inc. Recalls 6.5 oz Jars & Cans of Smoked Silver Salmon Because of Possible Health Risk

FDA Front Label - WILD ALASKA, SMOKED SILVER SALMON

Smoked Alaska Seafoods, Inc. of Wasilla, AK is recalling all jars and cans of Smoked Silver Salmon in 6.5 oz. containers with the production code of AL81111133 on the bottom of the jar/can because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

The Smoked Silver Salmon was sold to distributors throughout the state of Alaska primarily in gift stores in the Anchorage and Fairbanks area.

Smoked Alaska Seafoods, Inc. produces several species of smoked salmon in flexible retortable pouches, glass jars and black two-piece metal cans.  The flexible retortable pouches are not affected by this recall.

No illnesses have been reported to date. The recall was initiated as a result of an independent audit paid for by Smoked Alaska Seafoods, Inc.  A review of the thermal processing records determined the recalled lot did not receive the prescribed thermal process and was therefore underprocessed.  Consumers should destroy the product, return it to the place where purchased for a refund or contact Smoked Alaska Seafoods, Inc. for a refund or replacement.

This recall is being made with the knowledge of US Food and Drug Administration and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.

Consumers who have purchased this product and have questions or need additional information should call the company at (907) 355-5533 from 8:00 AM to 8:00PM Alaska time.

Canada – Food Recall Warning – Eat Smart brand 340 G (12 OZ) Sweet Kale Vegetable Salad Bag Kit recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

CFIA Eat Smart: Sweet Kale Vegetable Salad Bag Kit - 340 G (12 oz.)

Recall details

Ottawa, February 17, 2019 – Industry is recalling certain 340 G (12 OZ) Eat Smart brand Sweet Kale Vegetable Salad Bag Kits from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below.

Recalled products

Brand Name Common Name Size Code(s) on Product UPC
Eat Smart Sweet Kale Vegetable Salad Bag Kit 340 G (12 OZ) FEB 16 2019
2019 FE 16
2 01B 032,
2 01A 032, and
2 000 32
7 09351 89145 8

What you should do

If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, call your doctor.

Check to see if you have recalled product in your home. Recalled product should be thrown out or returned to the store where it was purchased.

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, the infection can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

Background

This recall was triggered by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) test results. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings.

The CFIA is verifying that industry is removing recalled product from the marketplace.

Illnesses

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

UK – The Condiment Company recalls Hunter & Gather Avocado Oil Mayonnaise because it may contain Mould and Salmonella

FSA

The Condiment Company Ltd has taken the precautionary step of recalling Hunter & Gather Avocado Oil Mayonnaise because a recipe error has occurred which means the product might contain mould and be contaminated with salmonella.

Product details

Hunter & Gather Avocado Oil Mayonnaise

Pack size 250g
Best before 25 September 2019
Batch description 25/09/19

No other The Condiment Company Ltd products are known to be affected.

Risk statement

The product listed above might contain mould and be contaminated with salmonella. Symptoms caused by salmonella usually include fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.

Action taken by the company

The Condiment Company Ltd is recalling the above product. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling this product. These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product. Please see the attached notice.

Our advice to consumers

If you have bought any of the above product do not eat it. Instead, return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund.