Category Archives: Food Hygiene

USA – FDA Investigation of a Multistate Outbreak of Cyclospora Illnesses Linked to Fresh Express Salad Mix Served at McDonald’s Ends

Posted on September 13, 2018 by | Leave a comment

FDA Cyclospora_LifeCycle201

The FDA, CDC, along with state and local officials investigated a multi-state outbreak of cyclosporiasis illnesses likely linked to salads from McDonald’s restaurants.

Update – September 12, 2018

As of September 11, 2018, this outbreak appears to be over. A total of 511 laboratory-confirmed cases of Cyclospora infection were reported in people who consumed salads from McDonald’s restaurants; the cases were reported by 15 states and New York City.

The FDA investigated distribution and supplier information for romaine and carrots but did not identify a single source or potential point of contamination for this outbreak.

Recommendations

Consumers who have symptoms of cyclosporiasis should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.

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Posted in Cyclospora, FDA, 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, Uncategorized

RASFF Alerts – Moulds -Sweet and Hot Peppers – Chocolate Cakes with Coconut Topping

Posted on September 13, 2018 by | Leave a comment

RASFF-Logo

RASFF-sweet and hot peppers from Egypt infested with moulds in Slovenia

RASFF-chocolate cakes with coconut topping from Sweden infested with moulds in Denmark

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, mold, Moulds, RASFF, Uncategorized

RASFF Alerts – Aflatoxin – Almonds – Groundnuts – Pistachios

Posted on September 13, 2018 by | Leave a comment

RASFF-Logo

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 15.7; Tot. = 17.6 µg/kg – ppb) in almonds from the United States in Spain

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 4.0 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 13; Tot. = 15 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 7.2 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 2.8 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 25; Tot. = 62 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 25; Tot. = 28 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 86.5; Tot. = 93 µg/kg – ppb) in pistachios in shell from Iran in Greece

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 4.1; Tot. = 4.4 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 2,8 µg/kg – ppb) in shelled groundnuts from Sudan in Greece

 

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

Zimbabwe – 20 dead, 2,300 suspected cases as Zimbabwe cholera outbreak spreads

Posted on September 13, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today 

CDC Vibrio

The Zimbabwean Ministry of Health and Child care has declared the ongoing cholera outbreak in the capital Harare a state of national emergency as the death toll rose to 20.

Over 2,300 suspected cases have been reported in Harare since the outbreak was confirmed on September 1. The number of infected is expected to rise countrywide following the confirmation of several new cases and at least one death in four other provinces outside the capital.

Health and Child Care Minister Dr Obadiah Moyo said all the new cases reported in Masvingo, Manicaland, Midlands and Mashonaland Central provinces have been traced back to the outbreak in Harare.

“We are declaring a cholera emergency for Harare. This will enable us to contain cholera and typhoid in the city as quickly as possible. We do not want further deaths, and if we do not create this disaster emergency situation, we will continue losing lives,” he said.

Dr Moyo blamed the Harare City Council for triggering the cholera outbreak by neglecting burst sewerage reticulation pipes over the past two months, leading to faecal contamination of underground water sources.

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Posted in Contaminated water, food death, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Uncategorized, Vibrio, Vibrio cholera, Water

UK – Egypt – E. coli ’caused Egypt hotel couple’s deaths’

Posted on September 13, 2018 by | Leave a comment

BBC News

E. coli caused the deaths of a British couple who died after falling ill at a holiday resort in Egypt, the country’s authorities have said.

John Cooper, 69, and his wife Susan, 63, from Burnley, died in the Red Sea city of Hurghada on 21 August .

In an official statement, the Egyptian general prosecutor said post-mortem examinations showed E. coli bacteria was a factor in both deaths.

But the couple’s daughter described the findings as “absolute rubbish”.

Kelly Ormerod, who was at the Steigenberger Aqua Magic hotel with her parents, told the BBC she did not believe the symptoms her parents showed were consistent with E. coli infection .

She added further post-mortem examinations of her parents’ bodies would be carried out in the UK, on direction from the Home Office.

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Posted in E.coli, food contamination, food death, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Uncategorized

Research – Recall of Pure Water and Baby Pure Water Due to Insufficient Controls at the Production Site

Posted on September 12, 2018 by | Leave a comment

FSAI fsai

Summary
Category 2: For Information
Alert Notification: 2018.37
Product: Pure Water and Baby Pure Water; pack size: All pack sizes
Batch Code: All batch codes
Country Of Origin: Ireland

Message:

All batches of the above listed products manufactured by Baby Pure Water Ltd. operating at Ardbraccan, Navan, Co. Meath are subject to recall due to insufficient controls at the production site. A Closure Order, under S.I. No. 117/2010 EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulation 2010, was served by the Health Service Executive (HSE) on the food business operator of the Ardbraccan Navan Co. Meath site, for non-compliances with food legislation. A Prohibition Order was also issued by the HSE in respect of all bottled water produced to date by Baby Pure Ltd. at Ardbraccan, Navan, Co Meath.

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Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Uncategorized

Ukraine – Ukraine reports 8th botulism death of 2018 – Clostridium botulinum

Posted on September 12, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today 

CDC Clost Spore

The Ukraine Ministry of Health reported an additional botulism death in a man from the Kherson region, the eighth botulism fatality of the year.

The probable cause of botulism is smoked homemade fish, which he and his wife eaten the day before. The woman is currently hospitalized for her illness in a severe resuscitation unit.

The Ministry of Health once again emphasizes that with the slightest suspicion of botulism, urgent medical attention should be sought. The success of treatment depends on early diagnosis and proper treatment, which in most cases is accompanied by the introduction of botulinum antitoxin.

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Posted in Clostridium botulinum, food contamination, food death, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, 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, Uncategorized

USA -Possible Hepatitis A exposure at Salt Lake City restaurant

Posted on September 12, 2018 by | Leave a comment

KUTV

(KUTV) — Customers who consumed food or beverages at the New Yorker Restaurant in downtown Salt Lake City may have been exposed to the Hepatitis A virus, according to the Salt Lake County Health Department.

This possible exposure only affects the single restaurant and customers who ate there between July 25 and Aug. 15.

The heath department has estimated that 650 people may have been affected.

It is too late for these customers to receive a preventive vaccination. So, the health department is warning those individuals to watch for symptoms of Hepatitis A.

The symptoms include:

  • Low fever,
  • Loss of appetite,
  • Nausea,
  • Vomiting
  • Yellow skin and eyes.

Because Hepatitis A can show up between two to seven weeks, customers should watch for symptoms until Oct. 3, the health department advised.

 

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Posted in 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, Hepatitis A, Uncategorized

USA – CTI Foods LLC Recalls Ready-To-Eat Philly Steak Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

Posted on September 12, 2018 by | Leave a comment

FSIS USDA

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11, 2018 – CTI Foods LLC, an Owingsville, Ky., establishment, is recalling approximately 6,720 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) Philly Beef Steak products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The RTE Philly Beef Steak products were produced on Aug. 9, 2018. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF only)]

  • 672 cardboard cases labeled Classic Sysco having a NET WT of 10 lbs. The cardboard cases contain four 2.5 lb. bags of product.  Both the box and the bags are labeled “FULLY COOKED PHILLY BEEF STEAK SLICED Caramel Color Added” with a package code of 4887097.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 19085” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to a food service warehouse in Hamilton, Ohio and were further distributed to food service locations.

The problem was discovered on Sept. 7, 2018, when the establishment received results from their laboratory that four finished product samples from their Aug. 9, 2018 production were potentially positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

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.

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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 monocytogenes, Listeria welshimeri, Uncategorized

Research – USA – Microbiological Testing Program for Escherichia coli O157:H7 and non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC)

Posted on September 11, 2018 by | Leave a comment

FSIS USDA USDA

FSIS considers raw, non-intact beef products or the components of these products found to have six Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) to be adulterated, in addition to E. coli O157:H7. (Refer to the Federal Register notice Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli in Certain Raw Beef Products | PDF). These six non-O157 STECs are O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145.

On June 4, 2012, FSIS began verification testing for these non-O157 STEC in domestic and imported beef manufacturing trimmings from cattle slaughtered on or after June 4, 2012. Beef manufacturing trimmings collected from cattle slaughtered before June 4, 2012, or that contain other components such as cheek meat are analyzed for E. coli O157:H7 only.

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli 045, E.coli O103, E.coli O111, E.coli O121, E.coli O145, E.coli O157:H7, E.coli O26, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Uncategorized