Category Archives: Food Hygiene

Research – Determination of Thermal Inactivation Kinetics of Hepatitis A Virus in Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis) Homogenate

Posted on April 28, 2014 by | Leave a comment

American Society for Microbiology Mussels

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a food-borne enteric virus responsible for outbreaks of hepatitis associated with shellfish consumption. The objectives of this study were to determine the thermal inactivation behavior of HAV in blue mussels, to compare the first-order and Weibull models to describe the data, to calculate Arrhenius activation energy for each model, and to evaluate model efficiency by using selected statistical criteria. The times required to reduce the population by 1 log cycle (D-values) calculated from the first-order model (50 to 72°C) ranged from 1.07 to 54.17 min for HAV. Using the Weibull model, the times required to destroy 1 log unit (tD = 1) of HAV at the same temperatures were 1.57 to 37.91 min. At 72°C, the treatment times required to achieve a 6-log reduction were 7.49 min for the first-order model and 8.47 min for the Weibull model. The z-values (changes in temperature required for a 90% change in the log D-values) calculated for HAV were 15.88 ± 3.97°C (R2, 0.94) with the Weibull model and 12.97 ± 0.59°C (R2, 0.93) with the first-order model. The calculated activation energies for the first-order model and the Weibull model were 165 and 153 kJ/mol, respectively. The results revealed that the Weibull model was more appropriate for representing the thermal inactivation behavior of HAV in blue mussels. Correct understanding of the thermal inactivation behavior of HAV could allow precise determination of the thermal process conditions to prevent food-borne viral outbreaks associated with the consumption of contaminated mussels.

 

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Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety

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USA – FDA Recall -Ground Annato Spice – Salmonella

Posted on April 24, 2014 by | Leave a comment

FDA Salm2

Miravalle Foods, Inc. of El Monte, CA, is conducting a voluntarily recall on its 0.75 ounce packages of Miravalle brand Achiote Molido Ground Annato spice because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The recalled packages of Ground Annato 0.75 oz. were distributed in California, Utah, Idaho, Colorado, Nevada, Washington and Oregon, in retail stores.

The product comes in a 0.75 ounce, clear plastic package marked with lot # 0015 & #0018 on the top of the UPC number (712810005020).

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

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Posted in Bacteria, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, Salmonella

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USA – FDA to Permit the Irradiation of Shellfish

Posted on April 14, 2014 by | Leave a comment

FDA FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA or we) is amending our current food additive regulations to allow the safe use of ionizing radiation on crustaceans (e.g., crab, shrimp, lobster, crayfish, and prawns) to control foodborne pathogens and extend the shelf life. Our action responds to a food additive petition submitted by the National Fisheries Institute. Our decision is based on a rigorous safety assessment that considered 1) potential toxicity, 2) the effect of irradiation on nutrients, and 3) potential microbiological risk that may result from treating crustaceans with ionizing radiation. The evaluation also considered previous evaluations of the safety of irradiation of other foods including poultry, meat, molluscan shellfish, iceberg lettuce, and fresh spinach. This rule covers raw, frozen, cooked, partially cooked, shelled, or dried crustaceans, or cooked, or ready-to-cook, crustaceans processed with spices or small amounts of other food ingredients.

At the maximum permitted dose of 6.0 kiloGray, this new use of ionizing radiation will reduce, but not entirely eliminate, the number of pathogenic (illness causing) microorganisms in or on crustaceans. The maximum dosage of irradiation approved is capable of reducing a number of pathogens that may be found in crustaceans, including Listeria, Vibrio, and E. coli. Irradiation is not a substitute for proper food-handling practices; therefore crustaceans treated with ionizing radiation must be stored, handled, and cooked in the same way as non-irradiated foods.

 

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Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Technology, Food Testing

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USA – FDA – Three Salmonella Recalls – Black Peppercorns – Cat Growth Formula – Sweet Basil

Posted on April 10, 2014 by | Leave a comment

FDA

FDA

Frontier Natural Products Co-op is voluntarily recalling several of its products manufactured with organic black peppercorns that were sold under its Frontier and Simply Organic brands, Whole Foods Market 365 Everyday Value, Nature’s Place and others due to potential Salmonella contamination. To date, no illnesses have been associated with these products.

While the product in question was steam pasteurized at the source and tested negative for Salmonella by Frontier Natural Products Co-op, there is a small risk that Salmonella may still be present based on a positive, random test that was recently conducted. Frontier Natural Products Co-op is immediately initiating added precautions to the safety of the supply chain to mitigate any future occurrence.

FDA

The Robert Abady Dog Food Co., LLC of Poughkeepsie, NY, is recalling its 2 lb, 5 lb & 15 lb boxes of “Abady Highest Quality Maintenance & Growth Formula for Cats” because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

The recalled “Highest Quality Maintenance & Growth Formula for Cats” were distributed nationwide in retail stores and through mail orders.

The product comes in a 2 lb, 5 lb & 15 lb, corrugated boxes with plastic liners marked with lot # 14029/21 stamped on the right side top of the box.

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

FDA

Lisy Corporation of Miami, FL is voluntarily recalling Lisy Sweet Basil (Albahaca), 6 oz jar, Item #1132, Lot #’s A013 0518 & A014 0518, because it has the potential to be contaminated 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 persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e. infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

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

Lisy Sweet Basil- 6oz, bottle, UPC Code 0 96786 30032 8 began distribution on 01/15/2014 in retail stores in the states of New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Maryland.

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Posted in Animal Feed, Bacteria, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Laboratory, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, Salmonella

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USA – Yet Another Norovirus Cruise Ship Outbreak

Posted on April 9, 2014 by | Leave a comment

USA Todaynorovirus-2(1)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Officials say more than three dozen people are possibly ill with the highly contagious Norovirus while onboard a cruise ship sailing to ports in California.

Princess Cruises spokeswoman Karen Candy says about 37 passengers on the Crown Princess reported being sick while the ship was in San Francisco on Monday

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Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Laboratory, Microbiology, Norovirus, Pathogen

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UK – Petting Farms and Crytosporidium

Posted on April 8, 2014 by | Leave a comment

Westmorland Gazette 763px-Cryptosporidium_parvum_01

A CUMBRIA and north Lancashire public health chief is urging parents to be aware of potential infections that can be caught at farm attractions.

Dr Ken Lamden says everyone should practice good hand hygiene when visiting petting farms where animals can be handled.

Over the past 20 years, an average of around 80 cases of cryptosporidium infection linked to visits to petting farms have been reported to Public Health England each year. This is out of a total of around two million visits to the 1,000 plus farm attractions in the UK, with peak visitor times during school and public holidays.

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Posted in Cryptosporidium, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Illness

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RASFF Alerts – Salmonella -Dog Chew – Aflatoxin – Popcorn – Norovirus – Clams – STEC E.coli – Raw Milk

Posted on April 7, 2014 by | Leave a comment

RASFF-Logo

RASFF – Salmonella spp. (presence /25g) and high count of Enterobacteriaceae (1.5*10² CFU/g) in dog chew from Thailand in Spain

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 1937; Tot. = 2569 µg/kg – ppb) in popcorn from Argentina in Italy

RASFF -norovirus in frozen blanched clams (Meretrix Lyrata) from Vietnam in Spain

RASFF -shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (stx+ ; eae+ /25g) in raw milk from Belgium in Belgium

 

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Posted in Aflatoxin, Animal Feed, Bacteria, E.coli, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hygiene, Microbiology, Mycotoxin, Norovirus, Pathogen, RASFF, Raw Milk, Recall, Salmonella, STEC

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USA – British Airways Meals – Possible Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on April 7, 2014 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin Eurofins Food Testing UK

Flying Food Group, an airline catering company, is warning passengers who ate an appetizer meal served on British Airways flights that they may have been exposed to Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. The meals were served on British Airways flights 0204, 0206, and 208 on March 19, 2014. The 41 appetizer meals were prepared at the corporation’s facility in Miami.

Listeriosis, the illness caused by the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria, takes up to 70 days to manifest. Anyone who ate the Char Grilled Asparagus and Grapefruit Appetizer meal served on those flights on that date should monitor themselves for the symptoms of listeriosis food poisoning for the next 70 days

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Laboratory, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Pathogen

Canada- CFIA Updated Recall – Listeria monocytogenes – Cheese Products

Posted on April 2, 2014 by | Leave a comment

CFIA CIFA

The food recall warning issued on March 26, 2014 has been updated to include additional product information identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation. The following products are being recalled because they were made from or contain shredded cheese products voluntarily recalled by Castle Cheese Inc. due to Listeria.

Industry is recalling Belich’s Market and Creekside Market brands Breakfast Wraps from the marketplace due to possible Listeria contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described in the linkm above.

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Posted in Bacteria, CFIA, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

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RASFF Alerts – Animal Feed – Salmonella – Fish Meal – Aflatoxin – Rice Gluten Meal

Posted on April 1, 2014 by | Leave a comment

RASFF-Logo

RASFF-Salmonella Agona (presence /25g) in fishmeal from Germany in Belgium

RASFF -aflatoxins (B1 = 0.032 mg/kg – ppm) in rice gluten meal from India in Belgium

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Posted in Aflatoxin, Animal Feed, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Mycotoxin, Pathogen, RASFF, Recall