Category Archives: Food Hygiene

RASFF Alerts – Aflatoxin – Groundnuts – Dried Figs – Hazlenuts – Pistachios

Posted on August 24, 2018 by | Leave a comment

kswfoodworld food safety poisoning

RASFF -aflatoxins (B1 = 57.07; Tot. = 68.89 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Turkey in Poland

RASFF -aflatoxins (B1 = 5.5; Tot. = 7.9 µg/kg – ppb) in roasted groundnuts in shell from China in Portugal

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 3.81; Tot. = 5.06 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from the United States in Poland

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 88.3 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Nicaragua in the UK

RASFF-aflatoxins (Tot. = 121 µg/kg – ppb) in dried figs from Spain in Germany

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 5.7; Tot. = 8.4 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from China in Spain

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 9.8 µg/kg – ppb) in hazelnut kernels from Turkey in the UK

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 24 µg/kg – ppb) in pistachios with milk chocolate from Italy, with raw material from Germany in Switzerland

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 53; Tot. = 56 / B1 = 110; Tot. = 117 µg/kg – ppb) in raw pistachios from the United States, via Belgium in Belgium

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 30; Tot. = 32 µg/kg – ppb) in raw pistachios from the United States, via Belgium in Belgium

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 11; Tot. = 12 µg/kg – ppb) in roasted and salted pistachios from Belgium, with raw material from the the United States in Belgium

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

USA – Mystery illnesses strike New York McDonald’s

Posted on August 24, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

The New York State Department of Health, working collaboratively with the Chautauqua County Health Department, is investigating reports of multiple illnesses potentially associated with the McDonald’s at 2803 N. Main Street Extension in Jamestown, Chautauqua County.“We are working diligently with the State Health Department and McDonald’s representatives to conduct a thorough epidemiological investigation into these illnesses,” said Christine Schuyler, County Public Health Director. “There is currently no identified source of these illnesses and there is no evidence that the illness can be spread from person to person.”

Twenty-two (22) individuals reported common symptoms of nausea, vomiting or diarrhea from August 4-21. Through interviews conducted with 15 case patients, all individuals indicated they had eaten various breakfast sandwiches at the establishment. Additionally, patient samples as well as breakfast sandwiches prepared at the McDonald’s were sent to the Wadsworth Center, New York State’s Public Health Laboratory in Albany, for testing. While many tests are pending, preliminary testing has come back negative.

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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 Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Uncategorized

USA – Cargill recalls 12.64 tons of ground beef for E. coli O157:H7 contamination

Posted on August 24, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News 

kswfoodworld E.coli O157

Image CDC

 

Cargill Meat Solutions in Fort Morgan, CO late Thursday recalled approximately 25,288 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157: H7, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The ground beef items were produced on Aug. 16, 2018. The following products are subject to recall:

  • 10-lb. chubs of “EXCEL 93/7 FINE GRIND GROUND BEEF” with “Use/Frz. By Sep 05” on the chub label and a “PACK DATE 08/16/2018” on the box label.

The recalled beef products bear the establishment number “EST. 86R” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to warehouses in California and Colorado.

The problem was discovered on Aug. 22 by the establishment when they reviewed their records and determined that the product may be associated with the product that was presumptive positive for E. coli O157: H7. The company then notified FSIS. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, 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, Uncategorized

UK – Manchester Hepatitis A outbreak infects staff at two restaurants

Posted on August 24, 2018 by | Leave a comment

BBC News

Staff at two Manchester restaurants have fallen ill during an outbreak of hepatitis A.

Three staff members were discovered to have the liver virus at Dukes 92 and Albert’s Shed in the city centre’s Castlefield area.

Public Health England said the public risk was “very low”, and immunisation was being offered to people who have had close contact with those infected.

The restaurants’ parent firm said the source of the infection was “unclear”.

Lucy McCarthy, operations director of Elle R Leisure, said the restaurants remained open, adding: “Public Health England have inspected our premises and are completely satisfied with the site and our procedures.

“We’re doing everything we can to help them and the members of the team who have been affected.”

PHE said it was not aware of any customers being affected.

Dr Caroline Rumble, of PHE North West’s health protection team, said: “As a precaution we are offering immunisation to those we have identified as having had close contact with the cases to prevent the spread of infection.”

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Uncategorized

USA – Update – FDA Investigates Multistate Outbreak of Cyclospora Illnesses Linked to Fresh Express Salad Mix Served at McDonald’s

Posted on August 24, 2018 by | Leave a comment

FDA 220px-Cyclospora_cayetanensis_stained

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

Update – August 23, 2018

As of August 23, 2018, a total of 507 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 investigation is ongoing and the FDA is currently reviewing distribution and supplier information for romaine and carrots.

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, Parasite, Protozoan, Uncategorized

Malaysia – Eight Malaysian athletes down with food poisoning

Posted on August 24, 2018 by | Leave a comment

The Star

SEVERAL members of the national contingent are down with food poisoning at the athlete village in Kemayoran.

MalaysiaN contingent chef de mission Datuk Seri Azim Zabidi confirmed that eight athletes and seven officials are down with diarrhoea and there are other cases involving athletes from other contingents.

“I’ve been informed of these cases during our contingent meeting last night (Monday),” said Abdul Azim.

“Wushu exponent Loh Jack Chang is one of the athletes down with food poisoning. I can’t reveal the names of others.

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“All the athletes are in stable condition but are weak. The organisers are conducting their investigation to get to the root of the problem.”

It is learned that the others hit with food poisoning are sailing team manager Megat Fairuz Khairuddin and swimmer Foong Wei Tze.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/sport/athletics/2018/08/22/eight-malaysian-athletes-down-with-food-poisoning/#CGt22jBzXQXZm0ow.99

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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 Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Uncategorized

UK -Ewing Seafoods recalls further batches of Smoked Salmon products due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on August 24, 2018 by | Leave a comment

FSA

Listeria monocytogenes has been found in two batches of Organic Smoked Salmon. As a precautionary measure, Ewing Seafoods is recalling further batches of Organic Smoked Salmon and Original Recipe Smoked Salmon, as they may also be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

Product details

Organic Smoked Salmon
Pack size All pack sizes
Batch code All batch codes
Smoked Salmon
Pack size All pack sizes
Batch code All batch codes

No other Ewing Seafoods products are known to be affected.

Risk statement

The products listed above might be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Symptoms caused by this organism can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea. However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis.

Some people are more vulnerable to listeria infections, including those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one month old and people with weakened immune systems.

Action taken by the company

Ewing Seafoods is recalling the above products. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling these products. The notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product. See attached point of sale notice.
Customer notice: Ewing Seafoods

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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, fsa, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Uncategorized

Namibia -Fisheries Warns Against Poisonous Oyster, Mussel -DSP

Posted on August 23, 2018 by | Leave a comment

All Africa

THE FISHERIES ministry has cautioned the general public not to consume oysters and mussels originating from the Walvis Bay Aquaculture Production Area 1.

This caution comes after recent biotoxins tests done on oyster and mussel samples on aquaculture in the said area found the presence of Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) at a level higher than the permissible level in these samples.

The sampling and testing were facilitated by the Namibian Standards Institution (NSI) as part of the National Shellfish Sanitation Programme.

A media release issued by the ministry yesterday warned that it is therefore unsafe to consume oysters and mussels until further notice.

Members of the public should take note that marine biotoxins are not destroyed by cooking or freezing.

Earlier this year in May, the ministry had issued another caution against the consumption of the same seafood. In 2016, the ministry noted in a separate incident that the poisoning was only temporary and that the oysters and mussels could be consumed when laboratory results indicate a lower level of the harmful substances.

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Posted in Algal Toxin, DSP, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Toxin, Uncategorized

USA – La Luz Mexican Restaurant implicated in Colorado Salmonella Outbreak

Posted on August 23, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

The Larimer County Department of Health and Environment (LCDHE) is investigating an outbreak of Salmonella illness at La Luz Mexican Restaurant in Old Town Fort Collins. As of August 21, there are six confirmed cases with additional cases pending investigation and testing. Some of the confirmed cases have been hospitalized.La Luz has been proactive in collaborating with the Health Department to try and identify the source of the outbreak.  La Luz is primarily concerned with the safety of its customers and integrity of its food supply and wants to prevent any further illness as best they can. Out of concern for its customers and employees, La Luz has voluntarily closed until more is known about the outbreak.

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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 Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Salmonella, Uncategorized

Information – Bank holiday barbecue checklist

Posted on August 23, 2018 by | Leave a comment

FSA

With an estimated 33 million people planning to have a barbecue over the bank holiday weekend come rain or shine, we are providing some top tips to help prevent food poisoning.

It is estimated that the UK reports 1,000,000 cases  of food poisoning each year, with a rise in summer months, which is a potential consequence of unsafe barbecue food. So, it is important to be aware of the dangers of foodborne diseases from bacteria, such as Campylobacter, listeria and salmonella.

Stuart Armstrong, Acting Head of Food Policy at the Food Standards Agency, said:

‘Most of us know the danger of not cooking chicken all the way through, and people need to have the same vigilance when it comes to burgers and sausages. A common misconception is that burgers are like steak and can be eaten rare, but when they are still pink in the middle, they are three times more likely to contain harmful bacteria.

‘And also, anyone who is planning a barbecue needs to make sure food isn’t left out and that fridges should be kept below 5⁰C.’

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Safety, Uncategorized