RASFF-shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (in 1 out of 5 samples /25g) in chilled boneless beef from Argentina in Germany
RASFF-shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (presence /25g) in farmstead cheese from France in Germany
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Category Archives: food contamination
RASFF Alerts – Listeria monocytogenes – Smoked Salmon – Dried Shredded Squid – Smoked Salmon Trimmings
RASFF-Listeria monocytogenes (<10 CFU/g) in smoked salmon from Poland in Italy
RASFF-Listeria monocytogenes (in 2 out of 5 samples /25g) in dried shredded squid (Ommastrephes bartramii) from China in Estonia
RASFF-Listeria monocytogenes (presence /25g) in smoked salmon from the United Kingdom in Italy
RASFF-Listeria monocytogenes (70 CFU/g) in smoked salmon trimmings from the United Kingdom in France
RASFF Alerts – Aflatoxin – Raw Red Rice – Hazlenut Kernels – Groundnut Kernels – Dried Figs
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 6.1 µg/kg – ppb) in raw red rice from India, via Germany in Siwtzerland
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 20; Tot. = 21 µg/kg – ppb) in hazelnut kernels from Azerbaijan in Germany
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 5 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from Argentina in the Netherlands
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 5.3 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from China in the UK
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 8.7; Tot. = 15 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from Argentina in the Netherlands
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 42.21; Tot. = 62.66 µg/kg – ppb) in dried figs from Turkey in Germany
RASFF Alert- Ochratoxin A – Raisins – Sultanas
RASFF-ochratoxin A (>15 µg/kg – ppb) in raisins (sultanas) from Turkey in Spain
RASFF Alert – Hepatitis A – Live Mussels
RASFF -hepatitis A virus (presence /2g) in live mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from Spain, packaged in Italy in Italy
Canada – Food Recall Warning – Achva and S&F brand tahini products recalled due to Salmonella
Recall details
Ottawa, November 28, 2018 – Industry is recalling Achva and S&F brand tahini products from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.
The following products have been sold in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec and maybe have been distributed in other provinces.
Recalled products
| Brand Name | Common Name | Size | Code(s) on Product | UPC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achva | Whole Sesame Tahini | 500 g | LOT 18-099 | 7 290000 572796 |
| Achva | Organic Tahini | 500 g | LOT 18-099 | 7 290000 572086 |
| Achva | Tahini | 500 g | LOT 18-106 | 8 14968 02002 0 |
| Achva | Whole Tahini | 500 g | LOT 18-106 | 8 14968 02003 7 |
| Achva | Seasoned Tahini | 500 g | LOT 18-128 | 7 290000 572123 |
| Achva | Tahini – Crushed Sesame Seeds | 500 g | LOT 18-130 | 7 290000 572109 |
| Achva | Tahini | 18 kg | LOT 18-106 | 7 290000 572116 |
| S&F | Pure Tahini | 18 kg | Lot. 18-099 | 7 290000 572116 |
USA – FDA Names California Counties Where Contaminated Romaine Was Grown
The FDA has updated its investigation into the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to romaine lettuce grown in the Central Coast growing regions of northern and central California. They have now named the California counties where they believe the lettuce was grown. Remember, most of the patients in this outbreak live in California.
The specific California counties include Monterey, San Benita, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Venture. More counties may be added to this list as the FDA traceback develops. Romaine lettuce that was harvested from locations outside of the specific California regions identified, along with lettuce that is grown hydroponically and in greenhouses.
USA – Sprout Creek Farm Recalls “Kinkead” Cheese due to Possible Health Risk – Listeria monocytogenes
Image CDC
Sprout Creek Farm of Poughkeepsie, New York is recalling 4 wheels of “Kinkead” cheese made on 5-10-18, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is 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.
No illnesses have been reported to date. Any consumer with the product should dispose of it immediately. Sprout Creek Farm has been in contact with distributors and markets to immediately remove this batch of “Kinkead” cheese from their shelves.
The recalled batch of “Kinkead” cheese was distributed to the following locations, which have all been notified of the recall and instructed to dispose of the cheese:
| Adams Fairacre Farms | 160 OldPost Rd, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 |
| Rocking Horse Ranch | 600 US-44, Highland, NY 12528 |
| Mountain Brauhaus | 3123 US-44, Gardiner, NY 12525 |
| Online Order | 2003 Avondale, Wichita Falls, TX 76308 |
| The Amsterdam | 6380 Mill Street Rhinebeck, NY 12572 |
“Kinkead” is a raw semi-firm, washed natural rind cheese, packaged with an orange label. Some of the distributed cheese was cut and sold by weight within the stores listed.
The issue was discovered as Sprout Creek Farm was taking proactive measures as part of determining the root cause of the Listeria monocytogenes contamination discovered during routine testing earlier this month. In conducting a thorough review, Sprout Creek Farm determined that Listeria monocytogenes may have been present in the environment. In line with Sprout Creek’s mission of providing healthy, sustainable food, all cheese in the farm’s aging caves is being tested to ensure its safety. No new cheese will be produced until a complete review and overhaul of creamery facilities, procedures, and standing practices are complete.
Sprout Creek Farm voluntarily ceased all production of cheese immediately following that recall initiated on November 6. Additionally since the November 6 recall, there has been no production or distribution of any cheese by the farm. The 5-10-2018 “Kinkead” cheese was distributed prior to the November 6 recall.
For additional information regarding this recall, call Sister Margo Morris at Sprout Creek Farm (845) 485-8438 from 9:00am – 5:00pm, Monday – Friday EST.
“Sprout Creek Farm takes this very seriously and we have voluntarily gone above and beyond what is required to ensure our cheese is both safe and exquisite,” said Mark Fredette, Executive Director of Sprout Creek Farm.
USA – Nearly 100K pounds of ground beef recalled due to possible E. coli contamination
JBS USA, a unit of the world’s largest meat processor, has recalled nearly 100,000 pounds of ground beef due to concerns it may be possibly tainted with E. coli.
According to CBS News, this is the unit’s second largest meat recall in as many months. In early October, Swift Beef, part of JBS USA, recalled 6.9 million pounds of beef tied to a 25-state salmonella outbreak that affected more than 200 people. Swift Beef is part of JBS USA.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Swift Beef Co. recalled 99.260 pounds of ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli. Swift Beef shipped the recalled meat to retail distributors for further processing and food service providers for institutional use in the following five states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.
The bulk ground beef was produced on October 24, the FSIS said.
USA -FDA Investigating a Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Concord Linked to Tahini Produced by Achdut Ltd
November 27, 2018
United States Food and Drug Administration, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Concord illnesses linked to tahini imported from an Israeli manufacturer, Achdut Ltd., located in Ari’el, Israel.
Achdut Ltd. has voluntarily recalled all brands of tahini products manufactured from April 7, 2018 to May 21, 2018 with expiration dates of April 7, 2020 to May 21, 2020.
Recommendations
The FDA is advising consumers not to eat recalled Achva, Achdut, Soom, S&F, Pepperwood, and Baron’s brand tahini with expiration dates ranging from April 7, 2020 to May 21, 2020. The product lot codes range from 18-097 to 18-141. Consumers should discard the product or return the product to the store for a refund.
Some brands of tahini manufactured by Achdut Ltd. may lack specific dates or may have labels that are written in Hebrew. Consumers who have purchased a tahini product and are uncertain of where the product was manufactured or cannot identify the brand by lot codes or expiration dates should use caution and discard the product or return the food to the store for a refund. More product information and pictures of the recalled product labels can be found in the firm’s recall announcement.
Retailers and restaurants should not use any of the recalled tahini manufactured by Achdut Ltd. at their establishments. Retailers and restaurants should throw the product out.
Firms that may have used the recalled tahini (either repacked or used as an ingredient in a food without a kill step) should consider recalling their products. Recalls should be reported to your local FDA office. A list of recall coordinators can be found here.
Consumers who have symptoms of salmonellosis should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.
Background
CDC identified five ill people in the U.S. infected with Salmonella Concord that had the same genetic fingerprint as the Salmonella Concord found in tahini sampled at the point of import into the United States. Of the five U.S. cases interviewed, all five reported consuming hummus made with tahini; three people reported eating tahini or hummus made with tahini in a restaurant in the U.S., while the other two people reported consuming tahini or hummus made with tahini during international travel.
A sample of imported tahini collected by FDA at the point of import tested positive for Salmonella Concord. The tahini was Baron’s brand manufactured by Achdut Ltd. This manufacturer was placed on an FDA Import Alert, detaining additional product from the firm at the U.S. border until evidence is presented demonstrating that Salmonella is not present in the product. Whole genome sequencing analysis has indicated the positive sample of imported Baron’s brand tahini is highly related to clinical isolates from ill people in the U.S.
