Category Archives: food contamination

Hong Kong – Not to consume two types of imported chocolate products with possible contamination with Salmonella

Posted on April 19, 2022 by | Leave a comment

CFS

Issue Date 14.4.2022
Source of Information Notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed of the European Commission
Food Product Chocolate products
Product Name and Description Product name: Kinder Überraschung Maxi Rosa 100g XMAS

Brand: Kinder

Place of origin: Belgium

Net weight: 100 grams per pack

Best-before date: April 20, 2022

Product name: Kinder Überraschung Maxi Classic 100g XMAS

Brand: Kinder

Place of origin: Belgium

Net weight: 100 grams per pack

Best-before date: April 20, 2022
Reason For Issuing Alert The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed of the European Commission that two of the chocolate products that are possibly contaminated with Salmonella have been imported into Hong Kong.

Salmonella infection may cause fever and gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. The effects on infants, young children, the elderly and persons with a weak immune system could be more severe and may even lead to death.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety The CFS has immediately contacted local importers for follow-up. An importer, CIAO International Limited, had imported the affected batches of products. As a precautionary measure, the importer has already stopped sales and removed from shelves the affected products on April 7, and will initiate a recall according to the CFS’s instructions.

The CFS has stepped up testing of related products as well as alerting the trade to the incident, and will continue to follow up, closely liaise with overseas authorities and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.
Advice to the Trade The trade should stop using or selling the affected products immediately if they possess them.
Advice to Consumers Do not consume the affected products.
Further Information The CFS press release

The latest information of affected products can be found at the CFS’s Food Incident Post webpage (www.cfs.gov.hk/english/rc/subject/fi_list.html).

Members of the public may call the hotline of the importer, CIAO International Limited, at 2755 7777 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

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France – International outbreak of salmonellosis in young children linked to the consumption of Kinder brand products. Update on April 12, 2022.

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Sante Publique

Following the investigations carried out by the Belgian health authorities, together with their English, European and in particular French counterparts, the company Ferrero proceeded on April 5, 2022 to the recall of several Kinder range products manufactured in a factory in Belgium due to suspected contamination by Salmonella Typhimurium . On April 8, 2022, the recall finally affected all Kinder products from this factory, regardless of their expiry date. 

Case of salmonellosis in France: update on April 12, 2022

In total, as of 04/12/2022: 33 cases have been identified by the National Reference Center (CNR) for salmonella at the Institut Pasteur in France. 

The cases are spread over 11 regions: Ile-de-France (6 cases), Grand-Est (5 cases), Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (4 cases), Hauts-de-France (4 cases), Nouvelle -Aquitaine (3 cases), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (3 cases), Normandy (2 cases), Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (2 cases), Brittany (2 cases), Corsica (1 case), and Occitanie (1 case ), with a median age of 4 years, and 17 boys and 16 girls.

Twenty-two cases were able to be questioned by Public Health France. All the cases report, before the onset of their symptoms, the consumption of chocolates of the brand mentioned here. Nine people were hospitalized for their salmonellosis, all since discharged. No deaths were reported.

Public Health France is continuing its investigations with families who have not yet been able to be reached. 

The withdrawal and recall on 05/04 of the concerned products of the Kinder brand, extended on 08/04 to all production by the Belgian factory with closure of the latter by the Belgian authorities, should limit the occurrence in France new cases of salmonellosis in the coming days/weeks. 

To find out the list of products concerned by the withdrawal-recall: https://rappel.conso.gouv.fr/

People who have consumed the products mentioned above and who present symptoms (gastrointestinal disorders, fever within 72 hours of consumption), are invited to consult their doctor without delay, notifying him of this consumption. 

In order to limit person-to-person transmission (especially in households with young children), it is recommended to wash your hands well with soap and water after using the toilet, after changing your child, and before to cook.

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France – Investigation of grouped cases of haemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) and shiga-toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections linked to the consumption of Buitoni® brand Fraîch’Up pizzas. 

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Sante Publique

Public Health France and the National Reference Center (CNR) E. coli and its associated laboratory (Institut Pasteur, Paris, and Microbiology Laboratory of the Robert Debré Hospital, Paris), in conjunction with the Directorate General for Food, the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention, and in coordination with the Directorate General for Health, have been investigating since 02/10/2022 an increase in the number of cases of haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) pediatric infections and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections.

The epidemiological, microbiological and traceability investigations carried out since that date have confirmed a link between the occurrence of these grouped cases and the consumption of frozen pizzas from the Buitoni brand Fraîch’Up range contaminated with STEC bacteria. On 03/18/2022, the company proceeded with the withdrawal-recall of all the pizzas in the Fraîch’Up range, marketed since June 2021 and the authorities asked the people who hold these pizzas not to consume them and to destroy them.

The total number of HUS cases linked to the consumption of these pizzas seems to have stabilized since the withdrawal-recall.

Case of SHU in France: update on 04/13/22

As of 04/13/2022, 53 confirmed cases have been identified, of which 51 are linked to STEC O26 strains, and 2 to STEC O103 strains. For 26 other cases of HUS and STEC infections notified to Public Health France, investigations are ongoing.

These 53 cases occurred in 52 children and 1 adult, who presented symptoms between 18/01/2022 (week 3) and 16/03/2022 (week 11) (Figure 1). The epidemic peak is in week 7 (14/02 to 20/02) and week 9 (28/02 to 06/03), with 10 cases each of these weeks. These 53 cases occurred in 12 regions of metropolitan France: Hauts-de-France (11 cases), Ile-de-France (9 cases), New Aquitaine (8 cases), Pays de la Loire (7 cases), Brittany ( 6 cases), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (2 cases) [-1 case since the situation update of 06/04/2022 after additional result], Grand Est (2 cases), Occitanie (2 cases), Provence-Alpes- Côte d’Azur (2 cases) and Center Val-de-Loire (2 cases), Bourgogne Franche-Comté (1 case) [-1 case since the situation update of 04/06/2022 after additional result], Normandy ( 1 case) (Figure 2).

The 52 sick children are aged from 1 to 17 years with a median age of 7 years; 23 (44%) are female; 46 (88%) presented with HUS, 6 (12%) with STEC gastroenteritis. Two children died. The adult did not present with HUS [an adult previously reported in the situation update of 06/04/2022 was finally invalidated after additional results].

Figure 1: Epidemic curve: number of confirmed cases of HUS and STEC infections (N=51), by week of onset of symptoms – metropolitan France, weeks 3 to 11, 2022
Figure 1: Epidemic curve: number of confirmed cases of HUS and STEC infections (N=51), by week of onset of symptoms - metropolitan France, weeks 3 to 11, 2022
Figure 2: Geographical distribution of confirmed cases of HUS and STEC infections (N=53) linked to the consumption of Buitoni® brand Fraîch’Up pizzas, by region of residence in metropolitan France, weeks 3 to 11, 2022
Figure 2: Geographical distribution of confirmed cases of HUS and STEC infections (N=53) linked to the consumption of Buitoni® brand Fraîch'Up pizzas, by region of residence in metropolitan France, weeks 3 to 11, 2022

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France – PIEDMONTESE SALAD – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on April 19, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Meats
  • Product brand name SOLEANE (SOLEANE MY GARDEN)
  • Model names or references Traditional Piedmontese in: 230g-400g-800g-1.5kg-2.5kg
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Batch Date
    3760054098022 089 Use-by date 04/24/2022
    3760054098718 089 Use-by date 04/24/2022
    3760054090293 089 Use-by date 04/24/2022
    3760054095625 089 Use-by date 04/24/2022
    3760054090071 089 Use-by date 04/24/2022
    3760054096028 089 Use-by date 04/24/2022
    3760054092600 089 Use-by date 04/24/2022
  • Packaging Tray sealed under modified atmosphere. 230g, 400g, 800g, 1.500kg, 2.500kg
  • Marketing start/end date From 31/03/2022 to 25/04/2022
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Whole France
  • Distributors GMS

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall Presence of Listeria (<10ufc/g)
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Listeria monocytogenes (causative agent of listeriosis)

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France – Strasbourg salad sold at the stand with service – Listeria monocytogenes

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Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Prepared meals and snacks
  • Product brand name unbranded (sold at the stand department with service)
  • Model names or references Strasbourg salad (cooked potato salad and slices of frankfurter sausage seasoned with vinaigrette sauce)
  • Identification of products
    Batch
    product sold from 04/04/2022 to 08/04/2022
  • Marketing start/end date From 04/04/2022 to 08/04/2022
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark/
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Store cora Vesoul (70)
  • Distributors Cora Vesoul

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall presence of listeria
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Listeria monocytogenes (causative agent of listeriosis)

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France – Pyramid, log, ash – Goats Cheese – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on April 19, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Milk and dairy products
  • Product brand name Goat cheese
  • Model names or references Pyramid, log, ash
  • Identification of products
    Batch Date
    The batches of cheeses from 22-23/03 which could not be analyzed and for which doubt remains as to contamination. The batches of cheeses marketed on March 25-26-27, 2022 and The batches of cheeses April 1-2-3 and 4, 2022. Use-by date 04/21/2022
  • Marketing start/end date From 03/25/2022 to 04/05/2022
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Whole France
  • Distributors Orleans market halls

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall Listeria
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Listeria monocytogenes (causative agent of listeriosis)

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes

France – ROAST PORK ORLOFF -Salmonella

Posted on April 19, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Meats
  • Product brand name/
  • Model names or references ROAST PORK ORLOFF SOLD IN BUTCHER STAND
  • Identification of products
    Batch
    ORLOFF PORK ROAST SOLD AT THE BUTCHER STAND BETWEEN APRIL 4 AND 15
  • Products List Reminder_poster.pdfEnclosed
  • Packaging Packed in a butcher’s stand
  • Marketing start/end date From 04/04/2022 to 15/04/2022
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark/
  • Further information The packaging date is indicated on the label of the bag given to the customer.
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Auchan City Tourcoing
  • Distributors Auchan City Tourcoing

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall presence of Salmonella
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Salmonella spp (causative agent of salmonellosis)

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Canada – Certain Pacific Oysters recalled due to norovirus

Posted on April 19, 2022 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

Summary

Product
Certain Pacific Oysters
Issue
Food – Microbial Contamination – Norovirus
What to do

Do not consume, use, sell, serve, or distribute the recalled products

Sawmill Bay Shellfish - Joyce Point Oysters
Sawmill Bay Shellfish - Read Island Gem Oysters
Sawmill Bay Shellfish - Sawmill Bay DD Oysters

Issue

Sawmill Bay Shellfish Co. Ltd. is recalling certain Pacific Oysters from the marketplace due to possible norovirus contamination.

The recalled products have been sold in British Columbia and Alberta and may have been distributed in other provinces and territories.

What you should do

  • If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, call your doctor
  • Check to see if you have the recalled products in your home or establishment
  • Do not consume the recalled products
  • Do not serve, use, sell, or distribute the recalled products
  • Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased
  • Consumers who are unsure if they have purchased the affected products are advised to contact their retailer

People with norovirus illness usually develop symptoms of gastroenteritis within 24 to 48 hours, but symptoms can start as early as 12 hours after exposure. The illness often begins suddenly. Even after having the illness, you can still become re-infected by norovirus. The main symptoms of norovirus illness are diarrhea, vomiting (children usually experience more vomiting than adults), nausea and stomach cramps. Other symptoms may include low-grade fever, headache, chills, muscle aches and fatigue (a general sense of tiredness).  Most people feel better within one or two days, with symptoms resolving on their own, and experience no long-term health effects. As with any illness causing diarrhea or vomiting, people who are ill should drink plenty of liquids to replace lost body fluids and prevent dehydration. In severe cases, patients may need to be hospitalized and given fluids intravenously.

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Canada – Various poppy seeds recalled due to Salmonella

Posted on April 19, 2022 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

Summary

Product
Various poppy seeds
Issue
Food – Microbial Contamination – Salmonella
What to do

Do not consume, use, sell, serve, or distribute the recalled products

Issue

Industry is recalling various poppy seeds from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination.

The recalled products have been sold as indicated in the table.

What you should do

  • If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, call your doctor
  • Check to see if you have the recalled products in your home
  • Do not consume the recalled products
  • Do not serve, use, sell, or distribute the recalled products
  • Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections. Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

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UK – ‘Don’t take the risk’: The FSA, FSS and UKHSA issue reminder that a range of Kinder egg products and Schoko-Bon’s should not be eaten this Easter weekend

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FSA

The agencies are continuing to work with Public Health Scotland, Public Health Wales, Public Health Agency Northern Ireland – as well as international public health and food safety authorities – to investigate an ongoing outbreak of Salmonella linked to certain Kinder egg product ranges and Schoko-Bons produced at one of the Ferrero company’s factories, in Arlon, Belgium.

Full details on the products affected and the recall can be found here .

Kinder product recall items

As of 15 April, there are 70 cases linked to this outbreak in the UK. The majority of the cases are in children under 5 years of age.

Emily Miles, Chief Executive of the Food Standards Agency said:

“As we go into the Easter weekend, we are strongly urging consumers to follow the advice in the latest recall notice and to check any Kinder products they might have already bought against the list detailed in the notice, as they may pose a risk to health. If they do have any products on the list, they should not eat them and should discard them immediately.

“We have emphasised to the business and the authorities in Belgium the importance of taking a precautionary approach to their recall and trust that they will continue to put consumers’ needs first in any action they take.”

Dame Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said:

“We’re reminding people of the recall this Bank Holiday weekend as it’s possible these products have been bought and stored as gifts, or for events such as Easter trails.

“It’s crucial these products are not eaten and are discarded. Salmonella infection can be severe and many children affected in this outbreak have been very unwell and hospitalised, so anyone giving chocolate products to friends or family should take extra care to ensure their Easter gifts are not amongst those products recalled.

“Thank you to parents and guardians  who worked with us and other public health authorities in the UK to tell us what their children had eaten prior to becoming unwell – this allowed us to rapidly pinpoint a potential source of infection and helped food chain investigations both in this country and in Europe. We understand this has been a worrying time for these families, and their responses have helped to prevent more children and vulnerable adults being affected.”

Symptoms of salmonellosis – or infection with salmonella – typically resolve themselves within a few days. However, symptoms can be more severe, especially in young children, those who are pregnant and those with weakened immune systems.

Anybody with concerns that they have symptoms of salmonellosis should contact their GP or call NHS 111. Salmonella can be spread from person to person as well as from food, so anyone affected should adhere to good hygiene practices, such as washing hands thoroughly after using the bathroom and avoiding handling food for others where possible, if you have symptoms.

Notes to Editors:

The following products have been recalled and regardless of best-before date, should not be eaten.

The recall includes:

Kinder Surprise 20g & 3x 20g

Kinder Surprise 100g

Kinder Egg Hunt

Kinder Mini Eggs

Kinder Schoko-Bons

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