Category Archives: food contamination

USA – 641 CASES OF CYCLOSPORA REPORTED IN US: NEW OUTBREAK LINKED TO SALAD PRODUCT

Inventiva

More than 640 people in 11 US states have been diagnosed with Cyclospora, with the outbreak possibly related to bagged salad products. The bagged salads included iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots. Symptoms of cyclosporiasis, a disease caused by a microscopic parasite, include lack of appetite and weight loss, bloating, nausea, low-grade fever, weakness, and diarrhea. Cases have been recorded in almost a dozen states between May and this month. Of those infected with the multi-state outbreak of Cyclospora, 37 were hospitalized, the Food and Drug Administration said. There were no confirmed deaths.

The outbreak is being investigated by the FDA, the CDC, and the state and local authorities. Cyclospora infections may be linked to salad products manufactured by Fresh Express containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots and distributed in several regions of the United States.

New Zealand – Talbot Forest Cheese, Gibbston Valley Cheese, The Cuisine Canteen, Imperial Foods, and Pams Finest brands of Cheeses – Listeria monocytogenes

MPI

Specific cheese products from the Talbot Forest Cheese, Gibbston Valley Cheese, The Cuisine Canteen, Imperial Foods, and Pams Finest brands are being recalled due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

Logos for Talbot Forest cheese, Pams Finest cheese, the Cuisine Canteen cheese, Gibbston Valley cheese, Imperial Foods cheese

Product identification
Product type Cheese
Name of product (size) Talbot Forest Cheese brand cheese products:

  • Aged Gouda (200g)
  • Castle Rock (150g)
  • Cheshire (150g)
  • Cumin Gouda (200g)
  • Cow Feta (150g)
  • Garlic & Chive Gouda (200g)
  • Geraldine Vintage Cheddar (150g)
  • Traditional Goat Feta (150g)
  • Goat Gouda (150g)
  • Gruyere (150g)
  • Creamy Havarti (150g)
  • Maasdam (150g)
  • Mesopotamia Blue (150g)
  • Mild Gouda (200g)
  • Mozzarella (250g)
  • Mt Peel Blue (150g)
  • Mt Somers Blue (150g)
  • Pepato (170g)
  • Peppered Havarti (150g)
  • Peppered Gouda (200g)
  • Raukapuka Red (150g)
  • Smokey Manuka (150g)
  • Waihi Blue (150g)
  • Wood Brie Blue (125g).

Gibbston Valley Cheese brand cheese products:

  • Kawarau Blue (140g)
  • Cow’s Milk Feta (150g)
  • Garlic & Chive Gouda (150g)
  • Black Pepper Gouda (150g)
  • Gibbston Gold Cheshire (150g)
  • Smokey Gold Cheshire (150g)
  • Nevis Maasdam (150g)
  • Glenroy Cheddar (150g)
  • Mt Scott Harvati (150g)
  • Mozzarella (200g)
  • Sheep Milk New Balfour (120g)
  • Sheep Milk Brinza Feta (120g)
  • Goat Milk Gouda (150g)
  • Chilli Havarti (150g)
  • Beer Match Cheeseboard Selection (240g) containing one of the each
    • Black Pepper Gouda
    • Glenroy Cheddar
    • Smokey Gold Cheshire
  • Wine Match Cheeseboard Selection (210g) containing one of the each
    • Nevis Maasdam
    • Mt Scott Harvati
    • Kawarau Blue.

The Cuisine Canteen brand cheese products:

  • Chilli Haloumi (200g)
  • Basil Haloumi (200g)
  • Cumin Gouda & Red Cheddar Cheese Duo (200g)
  • Chilli Gouda & Maasdam Cheese Duo (200g).

Imperial Foods brand cheese products:

  • Imperial Haloumi (1kg).

Pams Finest brand cheese products:

  • Traditional Haloumi (200g).
Batch and date marking

For Pams Finest brand Traditional Haloumi, The Cuisine Canteen brand Chilli Haloumi and Basil Haloumi, Imperial Foods brand Imperial Haloumi: Best before dates between and including 26/05/2020 and 08/10/2020.

For other products listed in this notice: Best before dates between and including 22/11/2020 and 06/04/2021.

Package size and description The products are sold in various packagings, weights, and shapes.
Distribution The products are sold in supermarkets throughout New Zealand.

The products have not been exported.

Notes This recall only affects the specific batches of these brands of cheeses listed on this notice.

No other products from these brands are affected by this recall.

Consumer advice

It is important for consumers to check the product names and best before dates as not all products are affected.

Affected products should not be consumed. There have been no reports of associated illness, however if you have consumed any of these products and have any concerns about illness, seek medical advice.

Customers should return the products to their retailer for a full refund.

More information is available in the media release

For more information about Listeria and prevention visit the Ministry of Health website.

Listeria – Ministry of Health

Information on Listeria and food safety from the Ministry for Primary Industries:

Who to contact

If you have questions, contact Talbot Forest Cheese:

  • Phone: 03 615 8652
  • Address: 29 King Street South, Temuka.

New Zealand – LeaderBrand brand Garden Gate Crisp’n Zesty Chopped Salad 260g – Listeria monocytogenes

MPI

LeaderBrand Produce Limited is recalling specific dates of its LeaderBrand brand Garden Gate Crisp’n Zesty Chopped Salad 260g due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the feta cheese sachet included in the salad.

 

LeaderBrand  brand Garden Gate Crisp’n Zesty Chopped Salad (260g).

 

Product identification
Product type Ready-to-eat salad
Name of product (size) LeaderBrand brand Garden Gate Crisp’n Zesty Chopped Salad (260g)
Date marking Best before up to and including 04/08/2020
Package size and description The product is sold in a 260g plastic bag.
Distribution The product is sold in Countdown supermarkets throughout New Zealand.
Notes This recall does not affect any other LeaderBrand brand products.

Consumer advice

The feta cheese in the affected products should not be consumed. There have been no reports of associated illness, however if you have consumed any of these products and have any concerns about illness, seek medical advice.

Customers should return the products to their retailer for a full refund.

More information is available in the media release

Recall to manage Listeria risk

For more information about Listeria and prevention visit the Ministry of Health website.

Listeria – Ministry of Health

Information on Listeria and food safety from the Ministry for Primary Industries:

Who to contact

If you have questions, contact LeaderBrand:

  • Phone: (06) 867 6231.

New Zealand – Pams brand Greek Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette (295g) – Listeria monocytogenes

MPI

Foodstuffs Own Brands Ltd is recalling specific dates of its Pams brand Greek Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette (295g) due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the feta cheese sachet included in the salad.

Pams brand Greek Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette (295g).
Product identification
Product type Ready-to-eat salad
Name of product (size) Pams brand Greek Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette (295g)
Batch and date marking Use-by dates between and including 09JUL20 and 25JUL20

Best before dates between and including 25/07/20 and 02/08/20

Package size and description The product is sold in a 295g plastic container.
Distribution The product is sold in Pak’n Save, New World, and Four Square supermarkets throughout New Zealand.

The product has not been exported.

Notes

This recall only affects specific dates of Greek Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette in the 295g plastic container listed above. This recall does not affect product in the 220g plastic container.

Consumer advice

The feta cheese sachet included in the affected product should not be consumed. There have been no reports of associated illness, however if you have consumed any of this product and have any concerns about illness, seek medical advice.

Customers should return the product to their retailer for a full refund.

More information is available in the media release

For more information about Listeria and prevention visit the Ministry of Health website.

Listeria – Ministry of Health

Information on Listeria and food safety from the Ministry for Primary Industries:

Who to contact

If you have questions, contact Foodstuffs Own Brand Ltd:

  • Phone: 0800 245 114
  • Address: 95 May Road, Mt Roskill, Auckland

New Zealand – The Whole Mix brand Moroccan Cous Cous & Chicken Snack Pot -Listeria monocytogenes

MPI

Speirs Foods (2018) LP is recalling specific dates of its The Whole Mix brand Moroccan Cous Cous & Chicken Snack Pot due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the feta cheese included in the salad.

 

The Whole Mix brand Moroccan Cous Cous & Chicken Snack Pot (125g).

 

Product identification
Product type Ready-to-eat salad
Name of product (size) The Whole Mix brand Moroccan Cous Cous & Chicken Snack Pot (125g)

 

Batch and date marking Use by dates between and including 24JUL20 and 02AUG20.
Package size and description The product is sold in a 125g plastic container.
Distribution The product is sold at the following supermarkets and food retailers throughout New Zealand:

  • Countdown
  • Pak’n Save
  • New World
  • BidFood
  • Compass Food Group New Zealand
  • Four Square
  • SuperValue
  • Fresh Choice.

The product has not been exported.

Notes This recall only affects specific dates of The Whole Mix brand Moroccan Cous Cous & Chicken Snack Pot. This recall does not affect any other The Whole Mix brand products.

Consumer advice

Affected product should not be consumed. There have been no reports of associated illness, however if you have consumed any of this product and have any concerns about illness, seek medical advice.

Customers should return the product to their retailer for a full refund.

More information is available in the media release

Listeria – Ministry of Health

Information on Listeria and food safety from the Ministry for Primary Industries:

Who to contact

If you have questions, contact Speirs Foods (2018) LP:

Last reviewed: 

 

Iceland – Suspicion of Salmonella in chicken

MAST

Matvælastofnun warns against consuming Ali and Bónus chicken due to suspicion of salmonella. These are chickens with the traceability number 215-20-25-1-01. Distribution has already been stopped and a recall has begun from the stores that received the product.

The company Matfugl efh. sent information to the Food Administration.

The recall only applies to the following batch:

  • Brands: Ali and Bónus
  • Producer: Matfugl ehf, Völuteigi 2, 270 Mosfellsbær
  • Traceability number / batch number: 215-20-25-1-01
  • Distribution: Bonus, ISK, Fjarðarkaup, Iceland
  • Expiry date 28.07.20 – 30.07.20

Consumers who have purchased chicken with this traceability number are asked to return it to the relevant store or directly to Matfugl ehf., Völuteigi 2, Mosfellsbær

Related

 

USA – Mystery Salmonella Outbreak sickens 212 in 23 States

Food Poison Journal

Since the last update on July 21, 2020, an additional 87 ill people have been reported in this outbreak.

Now, a total of 212 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Newport have been reported from 23 states.

31 hospitalizations have been reported. No deaths have been reported.

A specific food, grocery store, or restaurant chain has not been identified as the source of this outbreak.

CDC is not advising that consumers avoid eating any specific foods, or that retailers stop selling any specific foods.

This investigation is ongoing. CDC will provide more information as it becomes available.

Canada – Mystery Salmonella Outbreaks Sickens 59 in 5 Canadian Provinces

Food Poison Journal

According to Canadian Health officials, as of July 24, 2020, there have been 59 confirmed cases of Salmonella Newport illness linked to this outbreak in the following provinces: British Columbia (23), Alberta (31), Manitoba (3), Ontario (1), and Prince Edward Island (1). Individuals became sick between mid-June and mid-July 2020. Information is available for 28 illnesses. Out of 28 people, six individuals have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Individuals who became ill are between 11 and 77 years of age. The majority of cases (54%) are female.

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) is also investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Newport illnesses that have a similar genetic fingerprint to illnesses reported in this outbreak. In the U.S., a total of 212 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Newport have been reported from 23 states. 31 hospitalizations have been reported. No deaths have been reported.

Research – Aspergillus mycotoxins and their effect on the host

Pub Med

Abstract

Aspergillus fumigatus is known to produce various immunosuppressive mycotoxins including gliotoxin. However, none of these mycotoxins has been confirmed as being directly related to the pathogenesis of aspergilli. Recent studies have made substantial progress in the determination of mycotoxins as virulence factors. Gliotoxin was found to be produced much faster than previously believed under certain culture conditions, such as at 37 degrees C and under high oxygen content, which is close to the environment in the host. Gliotoxin was also found to be detectable in the sera of aspergillosis mice and of aspergillosis patients. Based on these findings, it is becoming evident that gliotoxin is produced in the infected organs of patients of aspergillosis at a significant level. In addition to these known mycotoxins, A. fumigatus produces many mycotoxins apparently different from known toxins. From the aspect of gene analysis, the deletion of laeA was found to block the expression of metabolic gene clusters such as sterigmatocystin, and the gene is also expected to be related to the production of gliotoxin. The significance of mycotoxins as virulence factors will hopefully be clarified in the near future.

Research – Survival of toxigenic Escherichia coli on chamomile, peppermint, green, black, ginger, and cinnamon teas during storage and brewing

Wiley Online

In this study, the persistence of toxigenic Escherichia coli (E. coli ) on dried chamomile, peppermint, ginger, cinnamon, black and green teas stored under 4, 10, and 25°C was determined. The E. coli survival rate in ginger and cinnamon teas decreased below 0 on Day 5. In the other tested teas, E. coli survivability showed a downward trend over time, but never dropped to 0. Chamomile tea retained the greatest population of viable E. coli . Meanwhile, die‐off of E. coli was higher at 25°C compared to lower temperatures. Additionally, fate of E. coli during brewing at 60, 70 and 80°C was evaluated. The E. coli population was reduced to below 2 Log colony forming units (CFU)/g after 1 min at 80°C, At the same time, the E. coli survival at 60°C was higher than that at 70°C in all tested teas. The data indicated that if E. coli survives after storage of prepared teas, it may also survive and grow after the brewing process, especially if performed using temperatures <80°C. Finally, we analyzed the correlations between temperature, time, tea varieties and E. coli survival, and successfully constructed a random forest regression model. The results of this study can be used to predict changes in E. coli during storage and fate during the brewing process. Results will form the basis of undertaking a risk assessment.