Category Archives: Food Hygiene

Canada and USA – Cherry Tomato Recalls – Salmonella

CIFA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the cherry tomatoes and store-made party trays containing cherry tomatoes described below because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The following products are affected by this alert:

Brand Product Size UPC Dates sold
Krown Cherry tomatoes 551 ml 0 33383 65520 8 November 13 to 21, 2012, inclusive
None – Sold at Safeway stores Various store-made party trays containing cherry tomatoes Various Various November 14 to 21, 2012, inclusive

These products have been distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, North West Territories and Yukon and may have been distributed nationally.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

FDA

Rio Queen Citrus, Inc. of Mission, TX is recalling 840 cartons of 12/1 Dry Pints of Mexican cherry tomatoes in “Karol” brand boxes, 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 Salmonellacan 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 “Karol” cherry tomatoes were distributed through retail stores in the states of Texas & South Carolina.

The product was originally distributed in a bulk container of 12/1 Dry Pints in boxes labeled “Karol” with the Lot No. “01W45” stamped in the upper, right-hand corner on the face of the box. The box states “Distributed by Interstate Fruit & Vegetable”, which is an affiliated business of Rio Queen Citrus, Inc. These packages were distributed at the retail level between November 10th & November 19th, 2012. At the retail level, the tomatoes may have been packaged in an alternative container depending on the area and retailer.

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

European Alerts – Salmonella, E.coli, Aflatoxin, Mould, Histamine

RASFF – E.coli in Mussles in Italy sourced in Spain.

RASFF – Salmonella in Frozen Snails in France sourced in Greece

RASFF – Aflatoxin in Maize in Italy sourced in Spain

RASFF – Mould in Hazlenuts in UK from Turkey

RASFF – Histamine in Tuna in Ireland sourced in Thailand

USA – CDC – Multistate Outbreak of E.coli O157:H7 – Spinach

CDCE.coli O157

A total of 28 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coliO157:H7 (STEC O157:H7) have been reported from five states, with most cases in New York.

42% of ill persons have been hospitalized. Two ill persons have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure, and no deaths have been reported.

The outbreak was initially in New York. More recently, more ill persons in other states have been reported, and the investigation has expanded.

UK/Germany/Netherlands – Increase in Cryptosporidium Notifications in 2012

ECDC

An increase in Cryptodsporidim notifications has been observed in the UK, Netherlands and Germany since August 2012 that is likely to be real and not due to surveillance or notifcations artifacts.

The available information from investigations in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany indicates that there is not a single, common source, but rather a combination of several causes. These may include climatic drivers, such as the increased rainfall in the summer of 2012 in these countries or a widely distributed commonly consumed product. There is however no evidence for it at this stage and further investigations are ongoing.

 The overall threat for the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) is considered to be low.

 EU/EEA Member States should be alert to an increase in cases as observed in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany, particularly in relation to immunocompromised and other at-risk groups as they may present with a more severe manifestation of cryptosporidiosis.

 

Canada – Pumpkin Butter – Clostridium botulinum

CFIA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Birtch Farms and Estate Winery are warning the public not to consume the Birtch Farms and Estate Winery brand Pumpkin Butter because it may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. Toxins produced by these bacteria may cause botulism, a life-threatening illness.

The affected product, Birtch Farms and Estate Winery brand Pumpkin Butter, was sold in 110 ml and 250 ml jars. All lot codes are affected by this alert.

This product has been distributed in Ontario.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

Food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with the toxin may cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, headache, double vision, dry throat, respiratory failure and paralysis. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

The manufacturer, Birtch Farms and Estate Winery, Woodstock, ON, is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

USA – Weekend Recalls – Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes

Food Poisoning Bulletin – Salmonella in Peanut  Pet and Wild Bird Seed

Food Poisoning Bulletin – Publix Super Markets is recalling forty-five various cake products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

FDA – Tony’s Imports and Exports of Clovis CA, is warning consumers, food distributors and food processors not to consume or purchase certain containers of AL-RABIH Tahineh (Sesame Paste) because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella

France RASFF Alert – Salmonella in Salmon

RASFF – Salmonella in Chilled Salmon Steak in FranceSalmonella

Australia – Tasmanian Scallops PSP and Unsafe Poultry

AFNSalmonella Campylobacter

The Food Safety Information Council has released concerning national survey data this week that shows 60% of home cooks in Australia are putting themselves at additional risk of food poisoning from chicken.

The data showed that 60 per cent were at risk from washing whole poultry before it was cooked, which can spread bacteria around the kitchen. A further 16% of those surveyed incorrectly tasted chicken to see if it was cooked properly rather than using a safe meat thermometer.

The focus on cross-contamination of meats by the Food Safety Information Council (FSIC) comes as yesterday marked the start of Australian Food Safety Week. The FSIC week is specifically focusing on chicken and those most affected by food poisoning with the theme “vulnerable populations.”

Food Safety Information Council Chairman, Dr Michael Eyles said that chicken, as Australia’s most popular meat, was consumed by 8 in every ten home cooks.

”Home cooks are probably following what their parents or grandparents did in the past by washing poultry, not to mention probably patting it dry with a tea towel. Washing poultry splashes these bacteria around the kitchen cross contaminating sinks, taps, your hands, utensils, chopping boards and foods that aren’t going to be cooked like salads or desserts,” Dr Eyles said.

“Chicken is a healthy, convenient meal [but] other poultry is also becoming popular with just under half of those surveyed cooking whole turkey and 37% whole duck but these, too, are being washed before cooking, with 68% washing turkey and 74% duck,” he added.

According to a Food Standards Australia New Zealand survey referenced by the Food Safety Information Council, 84 per cent of raw chicken carcasses tested positive to the food poisoning bacteria Campylobacter and 22 per cent to Salmonella.

News Com Au

SCALLOPS from the east coast of Tasmania have joined the area’s mussels in being banned following a toxic algal bloom.

A scallop fishery in the White Rock area has been closed after the same paralytic shellfish toxin (PST) found in Spring Bay Seafood’s mussels was detected in samples taken on November 2.

“PST levels in tested scallops are currently either close to or slightly over the permitted level, but it’s possible the level will increase before it goes back down again,” a health department warning said.

The affected shellfish don’t look or taste different and the toxin is not destroyed by cooking or freezing, but there have been no reports of illness.

European Alerts – Salmonella, Listeria, Vibrio

RASFF – Salmonella in Frozen Beef Fat in Italy sourced in Lithuania

RASFF – Salmonella in Mussels in Italy sourced in Spain.

RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes in Radish Sprouts in Germany sourced in Italy.

RASFF– Listeria welshimeri in Alfalfa Sprouts in Germany sourced in the Netherlands

RASFF – Salmonella, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificans in Frozen Shrimps in Denmark sourced in Panama

Denmark – Salmonella in Salad in Denmark 

 

European Alerts – Listeria monocytogenes – Salmonella

Luxembourg (French) – Listeria monocytogenes in Grated Ham in Luxembourg sourced in France (english translation)

Luxembourg (French) (English) – Listeria monocytogenes in Shredded Chicken in Luxembourg sourced in France.

RASFF – Salmonella in Pork Meat in Sweden sourced in Denmark

RASFF – Salmonella in Pet Food in Germany sourced in India