Category Archives: Food Hygiene

RASFF Alerts – Salmonella – Black Pepper – Sesame Seeds – Whitish Sesame Seeds – Pepper – Chilled Chicken Escalopes – Chilled Chicken Fillets – Cooked Red Shrimps – Turkey Breast – Frozen Pork Cheeks

Posted on May 10, 2019 by | Leave a comment

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RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in black pepper from Brazil in Spain

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Pensacola (present /25g) in sesame seeds with shell from India in Germany

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Oranienburg (presence /25g) and Salmonella enterica ser. Rubislaw (presence /25g) in black pepper from Brazil in Germany

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in black pepper from Brazil in the Netherlands

RASFF – Salmonella (presence in 4 out of 5 samples /25g) in whitish sesame seeds from Nigeria in Greece

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in black pepper from Brazil in the Netherlands

RASFF – Salmonella (present /25g) in organic sesame seeds from Uganda in the Netherlands

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in pepper from Brazil in the Netherlands

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Infantis (presence /25g) in chilled chicken escalopes from Italy in Austria

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Infantis (presence /25g) in chilled chicken fillets from Slovakia, with raw material from Ukraine in the Czech Republic

RASFF – Salmonella (in 4 out of 5 samples /25g) in chilled cooked red shrimps (Hymenopenaeus muelleri) from Denmark in Denmark

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in sesame seeds from Nigeria in Greece

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in frozen turkey breast with pepper from Chile in Germany

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in sesame seeds from Nigeria in Greece

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in frozen pork cheeks from Poland, via Estonia in Finland

 

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, RASFF, Salmonella, Salmonella Sesame Seeds, Uncategorized

RASFF Alerts – Aflatoxin – Groundnuts – Almonds – Hazlenuts

Posted on May 10, 2019 by | Leave a comment

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RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 20; Tot. = 38 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 7.5; Tot. = 10 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 7.0; Tot. = 10.8 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Argentina in the UK

RASFF – aflatoxins (Tot. = >24 µg/kg – ppb) in almonds from the United States in Spain

RASFF – aflatoxins (Tot. = 16.0 µg/kg – ppb) in hazelnut kernels from Georgia in Bulgaria

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 23.1 / B1 = 20.0 µg/kg – ppb) in hazelnut kernels from Georgia in Bulgaria

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 11.7 µg/kg – ppb) in blanched hazelnut kernels from Georgia in Bulgaria

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 51.5 µg/kg – ppb) in blanched groundnuts from China in the UK

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 15; Tot. = 34 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from Argentina in the Netherlands

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Posted in Aflatoxin, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Mycotoxin, RASFF, Uncategorized

RASFF Alerts – Listeria monocytogenes – Crottin de Chavignol – Cooked Squid Tentacles -Kale – Meat Product – Chicken Salad

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RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes (<10 CFU/g) in crottin de chavignol from France in  France

RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes (present /25g) in cooked squid tentacles (Dosidicus gigas) from Spain in Portugal

RASFF – Listeria in kale from the Netherlands in Denmark

RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes (up to 3000 CFU/g) in meat product from Latvia in Estonia

RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes (presence /25g) in chicken salad from Belgium in Belgium

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

RASFF Alert – Histamine – Frozen Tuna

Posted on May 10, 2019 by | Leave a comment

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RASFF – histamine (740 mg/kg – ppm) in frozen tuna from Vietnam in the Netherlands

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Histamine, RASFF, Uncategorized

RASFF Alert – STEC E.coli – Soft Cheese

Posted on May 10, 2019 by | Leave a comment

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RASFF – shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (vtx1, eae+) in soft cheese (Chaource) from France in Belgium

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Posted in E.coli, eae, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, RASFF, STEC, STX 1, STX 2, Uncategorized

USA – Cargill Conducts Voluntary Recall of Select Southern States® Feed Due to High/Excessive/or Elevated Aflatoxin Levels

Posted on May 9, 2019 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Company Announcement

Cargill’s animal nutrition business is conducting a voluntary recall of select Southern States® feed due to aflatoxin levels that exceed FDA’s action levels. The affected products, which were manufactured and sold in the eastern United States, were removed from retail shelves throughout February, March, and April 2019. Livestock, horses, and poultry exposed to aflatoxin are at risk of exposure to several health hazards.

Aflatoxicosis has the same acute and chronic adverse effects and health consequences across all species and age classes (immature and mature). Immature animals are more sensitive to aflatoxins.  Acute aflatoxicosis may result in generalized hemorrhage, bloody diarrhea and death in 1-3 days.  In addition, aflatoxin toxicity can cause reduced feed intake, reduced weight gain, liver damage, jaundice, and eventually death.

No adverse health effects to animals have been reported to date. Nonetheless, Cargill is taking this voluntary step out of an abundance of caution. The affected products were manufactured at Cargill’s Cleveland, North Carolina, facility. Cargill first learned of the issue when it received a notification from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture of test results showing that a single lot of a specific Southern States product contained elevated levels of aflatoxin. Cargill has identified and corrected the root cause.

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Posted in Aflatoxin, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Mycotoxin, Toxin, Uncategorized

USA – Vibrio Shigella E. coli Outbreak Linked to Raw Oysters in California

Posted on May 9, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

A Vibrio Shigella E. coli and norovirus outbreak linked to raw oysters from Baja California Sur, Mexico has sickened at least 12 people in California, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

Those twelve patients reported illnesses in February, March, and April 2019 after consuming raw oysters that were sold by restaurants and retailers in Los Angeles, Orange, Santa Barbara, and San Diego counties. The raw oysters were sold throughout the state.

Lab testing was performed on isolates from eight cases. Officials identified Vibrio parahaemolyticus in three patients, Vibrio albensis in one, an unidentified species of Vibrio in one patient, Shigella flexneri serotype 1 in two patients, and norovirus. In addition, one of the people infected with Vibrio parahaemolyticus cases was co-infected with non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria.

Traceback evidence has shown that the oysters were harvested from Estero El Cardon. Authorities in Mexico have been notified about this outbreak and are investigating.

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Posted in E.coli, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Norovirus, Shigatoxin, Shigella, Uncategorized, Vibrio, Vibrio parahaemolyticus

USA – Outbreak of Salmonella Infections Linked to Butterball Brand Ground Turkey

Posted on May 9, 2019 by | Leave a comment

CDC

This outbreak appears to be over. People should always handle and cook turkey safely. Get CDC’s tips to prevent foodborne illness from turkey.

  • On March 13, 2019, Butterball, LLC in Mount Olive, North Carolina recalled external icon approximately 78,164 pounds of raw ground turkey products because they may have been contaminated with Salmonella Schwarzengrund.
    • Recalled ground turkey products were produced on July 7, 2018 and were shipped to institutional and retail locations nationwide.
    • Products were labeled with the establishment number “EST. P-7345” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
    • Visit the USDA-FSIS website for a list of recalled products external icon.
  • Institutions, restaurants, and retailers should not serve or sell recalled turkey products and should check food storage and freezers for them.
    • If possible, retailers who received recalled turkey products should contact their customers to alert them of the recall.
  • Consumers should check their homes for Butterball brand ground turkey labeled with the establishment number “EST. P-7345” with a sell or freeze by date of 7/26/18. Visit the USDA-FSIS website for a list of recalled products external icon.
    • Do not eat recalled ground turkey. Return it to the store or throw it away.
  • Contact a healthcare provider if you think you got sick from eating recalled ground turkey.
  • In general, consumers and restaurants should always handle and cook ground turkey safely to avoid foodborne illness. It is important to handle and prepare all ground turkey products carefully.
Final Outbreak Information
  • As of May 7, 2019, this outbreak appears to be over.
  • A total of 7 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Schwarzengrund were reported from 3 states.
    • Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 19, 2018 to March 16, 2019.
    • One person was hospitalized. No deaths were reported.
  • Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicated that ground turkey produced by Butterball, LLC was the likely source of this outbreak.
  • On March 13, 2019, Butterball, LLC recalled external icon approximately 78,164 pounds of ground turkey products that may have been contaminated with Salmonella Schwarzengrund.

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Posted in CDC, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Salmonella, Uncategorized

Information – Advice CDC – Do not rinse chicken!

Posted on May 9, 2019 by | Leave a comment

CDC

Americans eat more chicken every year than any other meat. Chicken can be a nutritious choice, but raw chicken is often contaminated with Campylobacter bacteria and sometimes with Salmonella and Clostridium perfringens bacteria. If you eat undercooked chicken or other foods or beverages contaminated by raw chicken or its juices, you can get a foodborne illness, which is also called food poisoning.

That’s why it’s important to take special care when handling and preparing chicken.

 

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Posted in Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens, food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Food Toxin, foodborne disease, Foodborne Illness, Salmonella, Uncategorized

Canada – Updated Food Recall Warning – Feeding Change brand Young Thai Coconut Meat recalled due to Salmonella

Posted on May 9, 2019 by | Leave a comment

CFIA Feeding Change - Young Thai Coconut Meat

Recall details

Ottawa, May 7, 2019 – The food recall warning issued on May 3, 2019 has been updated to include additional product information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation.

FeedingChange Canada is recalling Feeding Change brand Young Thai Coconut Meat from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below.

Recalled products

Brand Name Common Name Size Code(s) on Product UPC
Feeding Change Young Thai Coconut Meat 454 g All Best By dates from MAY 25 2020 up to and including JUN 26 2020 0 91037 12927 7

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Posted in CFIA, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Salmonella, Uncategorized