Category Archives: food contamination

Sweden – Yersinia (Sweden, January 2021–) – Increase in cases of yersinia infection.

Folkhalsomyndigheten#

kswfoodworld.com

Since the second week of January, more than twice as many people have contracted yersinia infection as during the same period in the immediately preceding years. An increased number of patients has mainly been observed in the regions of Stockholm, Västra Götaland and Halland, which together account for 33 of the total of 48 disease cases reported since 11 January. Of the patients, a majority are aged 11-40 and most are women (figure). In the ongoing investigation, the Swedish Public Health Agency collaborates with the infection control units in the affected regions to try to identify the source of the infection through interviews of the cases and surveys.

As part of the outbreak investigation, the Swedish Public Health Agency also collects yersinia isolates from disease cases in the affected regions. The isolates are typed using whole genome sequencing (analysis of the genome of the bacterium) to clarify who has been affected by a common source of infection.

Figure. Distribution by age and sex of persons reported to be infected with yersinia infection 11 January – 2 February 2021.

Figure.  Distribution by age and sex of persons reported to be infected with yersinia infection 11 January – 2 February 2021.

USA – Ongoing lead, Legionella water issues in schools

Downtown Publications

CDC legionella

As students return to full in-person instruction, many Birmingham Public Schools continue to be plagued by locations where legionella has been found, as well as lead and copper, with remediation continuing in all affected buildings.

Reports have come in from Greenfield, Quarton, Beverly, Pierce, Harlan and West Maple elementary schools, Berkshire Middle School, and Seaholm and Grove high schools, indicating that while there have been improvements in the water quality at the schools since they were last tested last fall, continued remediation is still needed to eliminate all legionella from school plumbing. There have not been updates Derby Middle Schools or Birmingham Covington School.

According to communications from the school, “BPS is focused on the remediation of legionella while providing a lead-free source of drinking water for all staff and students. BPS will shift to cold water flushes to reduce copper and lead in the system in the coming weeks. All individuals should use water from home or bottled water until water filter stations are enabled again.”

At Groves, while legionella was found at more than 220 locations at the school in the first round of testing, following remediation and retesting, there are currently 79 locations were it was found.

USA – J&J Distributing Recalls Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Salads and Wrap Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

FSIS USDA

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2021 – J&J Distributing, a St. Paul, Minn., establishment, is recalling approximately 33 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry salads and wrap products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The fully cooked, not shelf stable salads and wraps were produced and packaged on Feb. 23, 2021 and list a “Sell-by” date of Feb. 28, 2021 on the packaging label. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF Only)]:

  • 9-oz. plastic container of “COBB SALAD” on the product label.
  • 10-oz. plastic container of “Because life is delicious. tastebuds Bacon Lettuce Avocado Tomato Wrap” on the label.
  • 10-oz. plastic container of “Because life is delicious. tastebuds Turkey Ranch Club Wrap” on the label.
  • 10-oz. plastic container of “Because life is delicious. tastebuds Chicken Caesar Wrap” on the label.
  • 12-oz. plastic container of “Because life is delicious. tastebuds Southwest Style Chicken Salad” on the label.
  • 12-oz. plastic container of “Southwest Style Chicken Salad” on the label.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 38450” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The problem was discovered when the firm received confirmation from their third-party lab that a product contact surface sample returned positive for Lm.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumption of food contaminated with Lm can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Media and consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Jason Jaynes, J&J Distributing Owner, at (651) 292-3822.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or live chat via Ask USDA from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Consumers can also browse food safety messages at Ask USDA or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/

France – Product recall: Grated Comté from Les Croisés brand – Listeria monocytogenes

Oulah

Product recall: Grated Comté from Les Croisés brand

ENCOUNTERED PROBLEM

Presence of Listeria monocytogens

PROPOSED SOLUTION

People who may have this product are asked not to consume it and to return it to the point of sale where it was purchased.

People who have consumed this product and who present with fever, isolated or accompanied by headaches, are invited to consult their attending physician, notifying him of this consumption.
Pregnant women should pay special attention to these symptoms, as well as immunocompromised people and the elderly. These symptoms may suggest listeriosis, a disease that can be serious and can take up to eight weeks to incubate.

FURTHER INFORMATION

▸ Barcode
3564706619692

▸ Packaging
130g

▸ DDM
04/16/21

▸ Stamp
FR 25 601 003 CE

▸ Marketing
This product was marketed in the Self-Service department from 02/23/21.

▸ Consumer service contact
0 800 86 52 86 Service and free call

▸ Source
https://www.e.leclerc/

Research – Outbreak of ceftriaxone-resistant Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi attributed to eating chicken at hotel X, Tiruchirappalli, India, 2018

IJID Online

Background: Third-generation cephalosporin is widely used for typhoid treatment. In May 2018, India’s National Centre for Disease Control based Antimicrobial resistance surveillance network notified through Tamil Nadu State Surveillance Unit about clustering of ceftriaxone-resistant Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi cases in Tiruchirappalli city, Central Tamil Nadu. Team led by State public health department investigated to identify risk factors.

Conclusion: The cluster of ceftriaxone-resistant Salmonella Typhi was due to eating chicken gravy at hotel X in central Tamil Nadu. We recommended proper processing of chicken and continuing surveillance for ceftriaxone-resistant.

Research – Case–control study of gastro-intestinal outbreak in a rural village, Philippines – 2017

IJID Online

On March 21, 2017, field investigating team was sent to Cayapa Village, Abra, Philippines due to an increasing cases of foodborne illness. An epidemiologic investigation was conducted to verify the diagnosis, establish existence of outbreak, identify risk factors, and recommend control and prevention measures.

The epidemic curve indicates a point source outbreak of gastrointestinal Anthrax. We found valid statistical and temporal association of eating by-product of dead water buffalo and gastrointestinal Anthrax. Though, bacterial isolation were both negative for human specimen and environmental sample, all clinical manifestations were consistent with Bacillus anthracis rather than other foodborne bacterial pathogens. Hence, we conducted massive information education campaign sick or dead animal by-product should not be sold or eaten and properly handled and disposed.

India – Uttar Pradesh: Over 40 hospitalised due to food poisoning after having meal at event in Sitapur

Times Now News

Lucknow: Over 40 people took ill after consuming food at an event in Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh. Subsequently, they were taken to a hospital for treatment.

“Around 40-50 people are admitted to the hospital after they had a meal at an event in Mahmudabad,” an official said.

After having food at the event in Sitapur’s Mahmudabad town, the health of the people worsened, following which they were rushed to a hospital for food poisoning treatment.

Belgium – Apple juice (3l) of the Dupigny brand – Patulin

AFSCA

Aflatoxin

Image CDC

Farm of Assonleville recalled
Product: Apple juice (3l) of the Dupigny brand.
Problem: too high patulin content.

In agreement with the AFSCA, the Ferme d’Assonleville is withdrawing the product Apple juice (3l) of the Dupigny brand from sale and is recalling it to consumers. The product contains too high a patulin content.

The Ferme d’Assonleville asks its customers not to consume this product and to contact the farm of Assonleville at info@pressoir.net mentioning the quantity purchased and attaching a photo of the products.

Despite our vigilance and the steps taken, 6 pouch-ups of 3L were sold to consumers in 1 point of sale.

Product description

– Product name: Apple juice
– Brand: DUPIGNY
– Date of minimum durability (DDM) (“
Best before (or end)”) : 07/26/2022 – Lot number: 04B21JOP – 00
– Sales period: from 02/15/2021 to 23 / 02/2021
– Type of packaging: Pouch Up 3l
– Weight: 3l

The product has been distributed by the Proxy Ferrières store (Rue Pré du Fa 6a, 4190 Ferrières).

For any further information , contact:
La ferme d’Assonleville with email: info@pressoir.net

USA – CORE Response Teams – Update

FDA

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Ireland – Recall of a Batch of SFC Chicken Poppets Due to Presence of Salmonella

FSAI

Recall of a Batch of SFC Chicken Poppets Due to Presence of Salmonella

Friday, 26 February 2021

Summary
Category 1: For Action
Alert Notification: 2021.20
Product: The Original SFC Chicken Poppets, pack size:190g
Batch Code: Best before date: 28.02.2022
Country Of Origin: United Kingdom

Message:

SFC is recalling the above batch of its Chicken Poppets due to the detection of Salmonella. Point-of-sale recall notices will be displayed in Tesco stores.

Nature Of Danger:

People infected with Salmonella typically develop symptoms between 12 and 36 hours after infection, but this can range between 6 and 72 hours.  The most common symptom is diarrhoea, which can sometimes be bloody.  Other symptoms may include fever, headache and abdominal cramps.  The illness usually lasts 4 to 7 days. Diarrhoea can occasionally be severe enough to require hospital admission. The elderly, infants, and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness.

Action Required:

Consumers:

Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batch.

SFC Chicken Poppets