Category Archives: Food Hygiene

Europe – EC at loggerheads with Brazil over Salmonella in poultry

Posted on April 25, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Poultry World 

The European Commission’s (EC) decision to ban meat imports from 20 Brazilian plants is believed to be due to concerns over imports of poultry meat containing Salmonella.

It is concerned that the South American country is not doing enough to address the risks posed by Salmonella.

The ban affects between 30-35% of Brazil’s meat exports to the EU and has angered the Brazilian government, which has vowed to challenge the ban.

The Commission issued a notification this week that a consignment of frozen salted chicken half breasts from Brazil had been rejected at the German border because of the presence of Salmonella that had been tested on 12 March.

Leave a comment

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

Canada – Raw pork products sold and distributed by The Meat Shop at Pine Haven recalled due to E. coli O157:H7

Posted on April 25, 2018 by | Leave a comment

CFIA  O157

Recall details

Ottawa, April 24, 2018 – The Meat Shop at Pine Haven is recalling raw pork products from the marketplace due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. Consumers should not consume and distributors, retailers and food service establishments, such as hotels, restaurants and cafeterias, should not sell or use the recalled products described below.

Recalled products

Brand Name Common Name Size Code(s) on Product UPC
Pine Haven Pork Feet and Hocks (Lacombe cut, hind) Variable All products sold or distributed from February 19 to April 24, 2018, inclusively Variable
Pine Haven Pork Ground (lean) Variable All products sold or distributed from February 19 to April 24, 2018, inclusively Variable
Pine Haven Pork Heads and Bones Variable All products sold or distributed from February 19 to April 24, 2018, inclusively Variable
Pine Haven Pork Blood, Intestine and Liver Variable All products sold or distributed from February 19 to April 24, 2018, inclusively Variable
Pine Haven Pork Ribs (back, side) Variable All products sold or distributed from February 19 to April 24, 2018, inclusively Variable
Pine Haven Pork Backfat and Bellies (skinless, skin-on, trim) Variable All products sold or distributed from February 19 to April 24, 2018, inclusively Variable
Pine Haven Pork Butt (bone-in, skin-on, boneless) Variable All products sold or distributed from February 19 to April 24, 2018, inclusively Variable
Pine Haven Pork Leg (bone-in, skin-on, boneless, denuded) Variable All products sold or distributed from February 19 to April 24, 2018, inclusively Variable
Pine Haven Pork Loin (tenderloin, bone-in, prime rib, boneless, peeled, skin-on) Variable All products sold or distributed from February 19 to April 24, 2018, inclusively Variable
Pine Haven Pork Shoulder (bone-in, picnic boneless) Variable All products sold or distributed from February 19 to April 24, 2018, inclusively Variable
Pine Haven Pork Middle and Sides, Block Ready Variable All products sold or distributed from February 19 to April 24, 2018, inclusively Variable
Pine Haven Pork Shoulder Cappicola Cut Variable All products sold or distributed from February 19 to April 24, 2018, inclusively Variable
Pine Haven Pork Sausages (hot Italian, sweet Italian, farmer, breakfast, bacon breakfast) Variable All products sold or distributed from February 19 to April 24, 2018, inclusively Variable
Pine Haven Pork Roasts and Chops (fresh and smoked) Variable All products sold or distributed from February 19 to April 24, 2018, inclusively Variable
Pine Haven Bacon Variable All products sold or distributed from February 19 to April 24, 2018, inclusively Variable
Pine Haven Wieners Variable All products sold or distributed from February 19 to April 24, 2018, inclusively Variable
Pine Haven Salami (house, Holsteiner, Kulen, Bergsteiger) Variable All products sold or distributed from February 19 to April 24, 2018, inclusively Variable

Leave a comment

Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Recall, Uncategorized

Canada – Certain Greenbelt Microgreens brand microgreens recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on April 25, 2018 by | Leave a comment

CFIA CIFA

Recall details

Ottawa, April 24, 2018 – Greenbelt Greenhouse Ltd. is recalling certain Greenbelt Microgreens brand microgreens from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.

Recalled products

Brand Name Common Name Size Code(s) on Product UPC
Greenbelt Microgreens Arugula Microgreens 75 g Best Before:
26/04/18
30/04/18
04/05/18		 8 90082 00012 4
Greenbelt Microgreens Arugula Microgreens 140 g Best Before:
30/04/18
04/05/18		 8 90082 00013 1
Greenbelt Microgreens Broccoli Microgreens 75 g Best Before:
26/04/18
30/04/18
04/05/18		 8 90082 00016 2
Greenbelt Microgreens Broccoli Microgreens 140 g Best Before:
30/04/18		 8 90082 00017 9
Greenbelt Microgreens Fresh Microgreen Mix 75 g Best Before:
26/04/18
30/04/18
04/05/18		 8 90082 00041 4
Greenbelt Microgreens Fresh Microgreen Mix 140 g Best Before:
30/04/18
04/05/18		 8 90082 00080 3
Greenbelt Microgreens Sweet & Crunchy Microgreen Mix 75 g Best Before:
26/04/18
30/04/18
04/05/18		 8 90082 00006 3
Greenbelt Microgreens Sweet & Crunchy Microgreen Mix 140 g Best Before:
30/04/18
04/05/18		 8 90082 00007 0
Greenbelt Microgreens Spicy Microgreen Mix 75 g Best Before:
26/04/18
30/04/18
04/05/18		 8 90082 00000 1
Greenbelt Microgreens Spicy Microgreen Mix 140 g Best Before:
30/04/18
04/05/18		 8 90082 00001 8
Greenbelt Microgreens Pea Shoots Microgreens 100 g Best Before:
26/04/18
30/04/18
04/05/18		 8 90082 00023 0
Greenbelt Microgreens Pea Shoots Microgreens 140 g Best Before:
30/04/18
04/05/18		 8 90082 00024 7
Greenbelt Microgreens Sunflower Microgreens 100 g Best Before:
30/04/18
04/05/18		 8 90082 00030 8
Greenbelt Microgreens Sunflower Microgreens 200 g Best Before:
30/04/18
04/05/18		 8 90082 00031 5
Greenbelt Microgreens Wheatgrass 114 g Best Before:
30/04/18
04/05/18		 8 90082 00032 2
Greenbelt Microgreens Wheatgrass 228 g Best Before:
04/05/18		 8 90082 00035 3
Greenbelt Microgreens Wheatgrass 454 g Best Before:
30/04/18		 8 90082 00036 0
Greenbelt Microgreens Spring Pea Microgreen Mix 75 g Best Before:
30/04/18
04/05/18		 8 90082 00002 5
Greenbelt Microgreens Spring Pea Microgreen Mix 140 g Best Before:
30/04/18
04/05/18		 8 90082 00003 9

Leave a comment

Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Recall, Uncategorized

USA – Nutrizone Expands Recalls of Various Lots of Multiple Dietary Supplements to Include All Kratom Products and All Lots Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

Posted on April 25, 2018 by | Leave a comment

FDA  kratom.jpg

NutriZone, LLC of Houston, Texas is expanding its recall of various kratom dietary supplements to all lots sold, which may contain the same source material as the original recalled lots. The expanded recall is being conducted out of an abundance of caution.

The recall of dietary supplements is due to the potential for contamination with Salmonella. Salmonella, is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

The dietary supplements are labeled and packaged as follows:

Product Name Net Quantity
(Capsules Per Container)		 Lot Number Packaging
Cali Green Malay All All All
Cali Maeng Da All All All
Cali Thai All All All
Nirvanio Bali All All All
Nirvanio Green Malay All All All
Nirvanio Maeng Da All All All
Nirvanio Special Reserve All All All
Pain Out Green Malay All All All
Pain Out Maeng Da All All All
Pain Out Thai All All All

Leave a comment

Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Recall, Salmonella, Uncategorized

India – 50 hit by food poisoning near Rajura

Posted on April 25, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Times of India

CHANDARPUR: Around 50 people took ill due to food poisoning in village Chincholi of Rajura tehsil during a religious feast on Sunday night. Out of the 50, 34 critically ill were admitted at Rajura rural hospital, but all are now reported out of danger.
Sources informed that one Sudhakar Choudhari had organized a religious feast on Sunday evening. Over 100 people were invited to attend the programme and all had dinner later in the night. Few hours after the feast, people started complaining of stomach ache and vomiting. Around 50 people with food poisoning symptoms were taken to local Public Health Center. Of these, 34 critically ill were referred to Rajura rural hospital the same night, sources said.

Leave a comment

Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Uncategorized

USA – Romaine Lettuce – E.coli O157 Updates

Posted on April 24, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal Eurofins Food Testing UK

Illinois Counts 1 Case of E. coli in Current Romaine Lettuce Outbreak

Food Poison Journal

With 12 with E. coli, Pennsylvania warns Doctors of Risks

Food Poison Journal

Alaska’s Eight Inmates Linked to Nation-Wide E. coli Outbreak

Food Poison Journal

Idaho has 10 E. coli cases tied to nation-wide Romaine Lettuce Outbreak

Food Poison Journal

New Jersey Reports 7 with E. coli Linked to Romaine

Food Poison Journal

Connecticut Department of Health weighs in on E. coli Outbreak Linked to Yuma Romaine

Leave a comment

Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Uncategorized

South Africa – 50 New Cases of Listeriosis Reported Since Product Recall

Posted on April 24, 2018 by | Leave a comment

South AfricaAll Africa 

Fifty new cases of listeriosis have been reported since affected food products were recalled on March 4, according to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD).

Eight additional cases were reported last week while one case, that occurred in October 2017, was retrospectively reported, stated the NICD’s latest report.

Marler Blog – Full Report Link

A multisectorial incident management team (IMT) has been formed by the National Department of Health (NDoH) to strengthen co-ordination of outbreak response and strengthen health systems to prevent future outbreaks. Funding is being sourced.

 The number of cases of laboratory-confirmed listeriosis reported per week has decreased since the implicated products were recalled on 04 March 2018, with eight additional cases reported this week. Of the eight cases reported this week, one case occurred in October 2017 and was retrospectively reported.

 Since the recall, a total of 50 cases have been reported

a. Twenty-four (48%) were among neonates ≤28 days old

b. Three (6%) were among children age 1 month to 14 years old

 As of 17 April 2018, a total of 1 019 laboratory-confirmed listeriosis cases have been reported to NICD since 01 January 2017.

Leave a comment

Posted in food death, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Testing, foodborne disease, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, listeriosis, south africa, Uncategorized

USA – Ziegenfelder Company Recalls Certain Ice Pops For Possible Health Risk – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on April 24, 2018 by | Leave a comment

FDA

As a precaution, the Ziegenfelder Company of Wheeling, WV is voluntarily recalling approximately 3,000 cases of Budget $aver Cherry Pineapple Monster Pops and Sugar Free Twin Pops because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The ice pops were distributed to retail grocers and distributors in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Maine, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Product was delivered during a 15-day period from April 5 through April 19, 2018.

No illnesses or incidents involving the product have been reported to date.

Leave a comment

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

Hong Kong – Romaine lettuce produced in Arizona, US suspected to be contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7

Posted on April 24, 2018 by | Leave a comment

CFS

Issue Date 23.4.2018
Source of Information The Food and Drug Administration of the United States
Food Product Romaine lettuce
Product Name and Description Romaine lettuce produced in the State of Arizona, the United States (US)
Reason For Issuing Alert
  • The Centre for Food Safety (CFS), through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted a notice from the US Food and Drug Administration about the investigation of an outbreak of E coli infections that was likely linked to the consumption of romaine lettuce produced in the State of Arizona, which was suspected to be contaminated with E coli O157:H7. For the sake of prudence, the CFS has immediately suspended the import into and sale within Hong Kong of romaine lettuce produced in the area concerned.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety
  • The CFS has informed the US authorities concerned of the import suspension and alerted the trade. It will continue to closely monitor the incident and take appropriate follow-up action.
  • The CFS has also enhanced surveillance of romaine lettuce produced in the US at import and retail levels.
Advice to the Trade
  • The trade should stop using or selling it if they possess the product concerned.
Advice to Consumers
  • People will contract E. coli causing gastro-intestinal disease through consumption of contaminated water or undercooked and contaminated foods. Intestinal bleeding and serious complications such as hemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) may also develop in some people.
  • Moreover, due to poor personal hygiene, person-to-person transmission of this pathogen is possible through the oral-faecal route.
  • E. coli cannot survive under high temperature and can be killed by thorough cooking.
Further Information The CFS press release

Leave a comment

Posted in E.coli, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Uncategorized

USA – Western Connecticut State University outbreak sickens dozens

Posted on April 23, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today

An outbreak of unknown etiology has sickened dozens on the campus of Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) and to date the source of the outbreak has not been pinpointed.

This outbreak is not believed to be connected with the national E. coli outbreak. Only two incidents of E. coli illness have been reported in Connecticut, and not in the Danbury region.

Any students who visit a doctor because of symptoms is asked to request tests, including an enteric bacterial stool culture and Norovirus testing. The WCSU Health Services hopes to speak to any student who became ill in order to identify the type of illness and potentially its source.

Sanitation of common areas on both campuses was completed Sunday. The cafeteria on the Westside campus was closed and cleaned Saturday, with reopening set for Sunday. The Midtown cafeteria will be closed and cleaned Sunday. As an additional precaution the university threw out all the food in the Westside cafeteria on Friday.

Leave a comment

Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne disease, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Uncategorized