At least 4 people have been sickened in an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Humboldt County, California, according to the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Of those, 3 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe complication of E. coli poisoning that causes kidney failure.
The first E. coli case was reported in July of this year, the second in the middle of August and the other two in October.
The BfR invites stakeholders to the international symposium “Antimicrobial Resistance in the Food Chain” which will take place in Berlin-Marienfelde on 11 and 12 November 2013.
Resistance of pathogens to antimicrobials is on the increase and experts agree that the use of antibiotics must be reduced to an absolute minimum. On 11 and 12 November 2013, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) invites representatives from the worlds of science, politics and business from different countries to discuss in detail the state of affairs as well as necessary strategies to control antimicrobial resistance in the food chain. “Where antibiotics are used, resistance is on the increase as well. This applies both to animal husbandry as much as to hospitals”, says Professor Dr. Dr. Andreas Hensel. “For the first time ever we now have representative data on the use of antibiotics and the resistance situation in animal production in the whole of Germany. On this basis, risks can be objectified before being assessed. Measures for improving the situation can then be suggested.”
Posted in Antibiotic Resistance, Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research
Tagged Andreas Hensel, antimicrobial resistance, BfR, Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Resistance
Date: 8/11/2013
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today called for submissions on a Proposal to review limits for Listeria monocytogenes in the Food Standards Code.
FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Steve McCutcheon said Proposal P1017 was seeking to establish criteria that are based on whether growth of L. monocytogenes can occur in ready-to-eat foods.
“This approach is consistent with L. monocytogenes management internationally,” Mr McCutcheon said.
“It recognises that L. monocytogenes is able to grow to high numbers in some foods and should not be present at detectable levels if the food is to be kept safe. In other foods, where we know the pathogen cannot grow, there is a possibility for occasional low level detections that will not affect the safety of the food.
“The review of the limits for L. monocytogenes is the first stage of a broader review of microbiological limits in the Code.”
The closing date for submissions on Proposal P1017 is 10 January 2014.
More information
Proposal P1017 – Criteria for Listeria monocytogenes – Microbiological Limits for Foods
FSANZ’s latest notification circular
What is Listeria? – See our consumer advice
Media contact: 0401 714 265 (Australia) or +61 401 714 265 (from New Zealand) or email media@foodstandards.gov.au
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced this week that Orange Blossom Farm is recalling Hot Dog Relish in response to a food safety investigation being conducted by CFIA. The relish was sold at St. Jacob’s Farmers’ Market in Ontario in 500 ml containers.
The public health agency announced that the recall was triggered by CFIA inspection activities, which found the relish risky because it may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum, the bacterium that produces botulinm toxin. When ingested, the toxin causes botulism poisoning, a potentially life-threatening illness.
RASFF-Salmonella spp. (presence /25g) in frozen marinated chicken fillet from the Netherlands in France
RASFF-Salmonella typhimurium DT 108 (in 1 out of 12 samples /25g) in chilled vacuum packed boneless pork collars from Germany
RASFF-Salmonella spp. (presence /25g) in chilled chorizo from Spain in France
RASFF-Salmonella spp. (presence /25g) in frozen cooked clams (Meretrix lyrata) from Vietnam in Belgium
RASFF-Salmonella Brunei (in 1 out of 5 samples /25g) in fresh coriander leaves from Thailand in Denmark
RASFF -Salmonella typhimurium (presence /25g) in frozen spiced turkey thighs from Brazil, via the Netherlands in Belgium
RASFF -aflatoxins (B1 = 5.5; Tot. = 18.3 µg/kg – ppb) in dried figs from Turkey in France
RASFF-aflatoxins (Tot. = 18.7 µg/kg – ppb) in shelled almonds from Australia in Italy
RASFF -aflatoxins (B1 = 7.1; Tot. = 36.3 / B1 = 7.6; Tot. = 38.1 µg/kg – ppb) in shelled pistachios from Turkey, with raw material from the United States in Italy
RASFF -aflatoxins (B1 = 5.6; Tot. = 6.2 µg/kg – ppb) in basmati rice from Pakistan in Germany
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 7.9 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Argentina in the Netherlands
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 31; Tot. = 34 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from the United States in the Netherlands
RASFF -ochratoxin A (13.5 µg/kg – ppb) in buckwheat porridge from Russia in Croatia
Orange Blossom Farm is recalling Hot Dog Relish from the marketplace because it may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum. Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below.
| Brand Name | Common Name | Size | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | Hot Dog Relish | 500 ml | Sold at St. Jacob’s Farmers’ Market in Ontario. |
The Health Hazard Alert issued on October 26, 2013 has been updated to include additional products and codes. This additional information was identified through a recall in the United States.
Reser’s Fine Foods Inc. is recalling various salad products from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described at the link above.
