Category Archives: Food Hygiene

New Zealand – Sprouts Cause Salmonella Outbreak in New Zealand

Outbreak News Today

67 confirmed Salmonella cases and 2 probable cases have been linked to sprouts consumption in New Zealand.  Illness onset ranged from December 23, 2018 to April 1, 2019. 66 of the cases became ill between January 23, 2019 and January 25, 2019.  17 people required hospital treatment.

In the wake of the outbreak, GSF New Zealand recalled certain Pams, Sproutman, and Fresh Harvest brand sprout products.  GSF New Zealand said the recall was due to a “production process concern.” Regarding the Salmonella outbreak, New Zealand’s Ministry of Health reported that “Salmonella Typhimurium phage type 108/170 was the causative pathogen identified from cases, sprouts and spent irrigation water tested in this outbreak. Subtyping using Multiple Locus Variable-Number Tandem Repeat Analysis (MLVA) and whole genome sequencing methods were performed on isolates to confirm cases in the outbreak as well as the outbreak source.”

The recalled sprouts had best before dates of March 31, 2019 to April 4, 2019.

France- Escherichia coli O26: HUS increases investigated in France

Outbreak News Today

Public Health France is currently investigating an increase in the number of children with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

As of May 6, 2019, 16 children infected with Escherichia coli serogroup O26 are being investigated by Public Health France and the National Reference Center (CNR) E. coli  and its associated laboratory (Institut Pasteur, Paris, and Laboratoire de microbiology of Robert Debré Hospital, Paris). Fifteen children had HUS and one child had uncomplicated diarrhea.

USA – 22 Sickened by E. coli tied to Seattle Cafe Mario

Food Poison Journal ecoli

Public Health investigated an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) associated with I Love Sushi and Café Mario at Nintendo of America campus in Redmond. Café Mario is operated by Sodexo and is not open to the public. I Love Sushi is a food establishment that operates out of Café Mario once a week.

This outbreak appears to be over. After a thorough investigation, we do not have enough evidence to connect I Love Sushi to this outbreak.. No single food item prepared by Café Mario has been identified as the source of the illnesses. Everyone who reported illness has recovered.

USA – Salmon recalled over Listeria monocytogenes

Food Poison Journal

Listeria kswfoodworld food safety food poisoning

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Biltmore smoked sockeye salmon is being recalled by Seven Seas International LLC USA St. Petersburg, FL because Listeria monocytogenes may be present in some product. This was discovered through routine regulatory testing conducted by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Consumers who have purchased this product are being advised not to consume it and return it to the store where it was originally purchased for a full refund.

USA – Cheese recalled in New York due to Listeria monocytogenes

Food Poison Journal

Mecox Bay Dairy, LLC, is recalling their Mecox Sunrise washed-rind Tomme style cheese because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, 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 monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

This cheese was distributed and sold at seven retail locations and one restaurant on Eastern Long Island, NY, and served at one restaurant in Chicago, IL. The product comes in a clear plastic package marked with “Mecox Sunrise” cheese label. As of the date of this release, all affected Mecox Sunrise has been removed from all stores and restaurants.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

UK -Scottish survey looks at consumer perception of food safety risk

Food Safety News

Risks from undercooked chicken and unpasteurized cheese are of low concern to the public, according to a survey for Food Standards Scotland (FSS).

To help consumers in Scotland be aware of foodborne risks and how to control them, FSS needs to understand and measure the level of public knowledge, concern and awareness of such risks.

Results from the Food in Scotland consumer tracking survey show about three quarters of people are concerned about food poisoning but a significant proportion do not follow good food hygiene practices.

USA -FDA Sampling Frozen Berries for Harmful Viruses

FDA

 

Some people use frozen berries without first cooking them, increasing their risk of exposure to harmful viruses. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported three hepatitis A virus outbreaks and one norovirus outbreak linked to frozen berries in the United States from 1997 to 2016. The FDA began sampling frozen berries for each hazard as part of the agency’s efforts to protect consumers and ensure food safety.

The sampling assignment began in November and is estimated to last approximately 18 months. The agency is collecting domestic samples of frozen berries in retail packaging from processors, distribution centers, warehouses, and retail locations. The agency is also collecting import samples from ports of entry, importer warehouses, or other storage facilities where foreign goods are cleared for entry into the country. The FDA plans to collect and test 2,000 samples in all.

Frozen berries are used as ingredients in many foods without being cooked; cooking would reduce or eliminate potential contamination. Strawberries, raspberries and blackberries are delicate and may become contaminated with bacteria or viruses if handled by an infected worker who does not use appropriate hand hygiene, or if exposed to contaminated agricultural water or a contaminated surface, like a harvesting tote. Freezing preserves berries but generally does not kill viruses, which can survive at low temperatures.

If the FDA detects hepatitis A virus or norovirus in a sample, the agency will notify the firm of the finding(s) and work with the firm to take appropriate action to protect the public health. Upon detecting a positive test result, the FDA may also take actions such as placing a firm on an import alert, overseeing a recall, or issuing public warnings.

The FDA will post the sampling results on its FY 19-20 Frozen Berries Assignment page on a quarterly basis and will publish an analytical report once the assignment is complete.

India -Food poisoning claims one in Lakhimpur, 50 undergoing treatment after consuming prasad at a ritualistic event

Sentinel

LAKHIMPUR: A food poisoning incident has come to light in Lakhimpur. The case took place at Na-Bhagania Boro Gaon under Boginadi Police Station of the district on May 5.

Meanwhile, an infected woman lost her life and 15 people are undergoing treatment at North Lakhimpur Civil Hospital while 35 people are undergoing treatment at Boginadi Model Hospital. As per the report, the food poisoning happened after the villagers consumed prasad at a ritualistic event held at the village naamghar on that day. They consumed a food item prepared with rice flour, banana and milk as prasad. More than 150 people suffered from severe stomach pain, fever, vomiting and loose motion on the next day –Monday.

USA -Mecox Bay Dairy, LLC Recalls “Mecox Sunrise” Cheese Because of Possible Health Risk – Listeria monocytogenes

FDA

Company Announcement

Out of an abundance of caution, Mecox Bay Dairy, LLC, is recalling their Mecox Sunrise washed-rind Tomme style cheese because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, 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 monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

This cheese was distributed and sold at seven retail locations and one restaurant on Eastern Long Island, NY, and served at one restaurant in Chicago, IL. The product comes in a clear plastic package marked with “Mecox Sunrise” cheese label. As of the date of this release, all affected Mecox Sunrise has been removed from all stores and restaurants.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by New York State Agriculture and Markets Division of Milk Control revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of Mecox Sunrise cheese.

The production of the product has been suspended while FDA, New York State Agriculture and Markets, and Mecox Bay Dairy continue to investigate the source of the problem. Consumers who have purchased any “Mecox Sunrise” cheese are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company between 8:00am and 6:00pm EST at 631-537-0335.

USA -Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Newport Linked to Frozen Ground Tuna

FDA

May 9, 2019

On May 9, 2019, JK Fish of Vietnam was added to Import Alert 16-120 for fish from foreign processors, allowing FDA to detain product from this firm without physical sampling and analysis.

Recommendation

Restaurants and retailers should check with their suppliers and not sell or serve the recalled ground tuna from Jensen Tuna. They should also be sure to wash and sanitize locations where the recalled ground tuna was stored or prepared.

It is unlikely that the recalled ground tuna was sold directly to consumers in grocery stores; rather, it was likely used in food dishes sold by restaurants or retailers. Consumers with concerns should ask their restaurants and retailers whether the tuna dish they are purchasing contains the recalled ground tuna.