Category Archives: Food Hygiene

RASFF Alert – STEC E.coli O157 – Chilled Beef

RASFF

Shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (O157 stx1+ stx2+ eae+ /25g) in chilled beef from Belgium in the Netherlands

RASFF Alert – Ochratoxin A – Spray Dried Instant Coffee

RASFF

Ochratoxin A in Spray dried instant coffee from Vietnam in Romania

RASFF Alerts – Listeria monocytogenes – Beef – Raw Milk Cheese

RASFF

Listeria monocytogenes in beef from France in the Netherlands

RASFF

Listeria monocytogenes in raw milk cheese from Belgium in France

RASFF Alert – Aflatoxin – Dried Figs – Pistachio Kernels – Assorted Spice Mix – Sesame Seeds – Groundnuts – Millet Flour – Ground Ginger

RASFF

Aflatoxins (B1 = 12.6; Tot. = 13.1 µg/kg – ppb) in pistachio kernels from the United Kingdom in Ireland

RASFF

Aflatoxins (B1 = 59.2; Tot. = 136.8 µg/kg – ppb) in dried figs from Turkey in Belgium

RASFF

Aflatoxins (B1 = 168; Tot. = 275.7 µg/kg – ppb) in dried figs from Turkey in Belgium

RASFF

Aflatoxins in pistachio kernels from turkey in Germany

RASFF

Aflatoxins (B1 = 29.5; Tot. = 31.2 µg/kg – ppb) in pistachios from Iran in Germany

RASFF

Aflatoxines B1 in assorted spices mix from Pakistan in France and Belgium

RASFF

Aflatoxins and Bacillus cereus in organic sesame seeds from Togo in Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland

RASFF

Aflatoxins in millet flour from Senegal in the Netherlands

RASFF

Aflatoxins (B1 = 18.4; Tot. = 20.3 / B1 = 26.9; Tot. = 29.3 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts in shell from Egypt in Italy

RASFF

Aflatoxins in dried figs from Turkey in Germany

RASFF

Aflatoxin in Ground Ginger from India, distribution from UK in Ireland

Denmark – Outbreak of diarrhea-causing E. coli O157

SSI

The Statens Serum Institut is currently investigating an outbreak with a diarrhea-causing and toxin-producing E. coli bacterium. It began in December and currently includes 13 people with possible common source of infection.

Since December 3, 13 patients related to an outbreak with the diarrhea-causing and shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacterium (STEC) with the serotype O157: H7 have been identified. Of these, identical bacteria have been found in nine patients by whole genome sequencing at the Statens Serum Institut (SSI).

Three children with acute renal failure

Among the patients are three children who have developed haemolytic uraemic syndrome / acute renal failure (HUS), which may be a serious consequence of infection with STEC.

The sick are four men and nine women between the ages of 2 and 90. They come from all regions in the country, except Region North Jutland. The sick have not been traveling and have not participated in joint events in the time leading up to their illness.

Nine patients have been hospitalized in connection with the infection.

A serious outbreak

“It is a serious outbreak, as this type of toxin-producing E. coli can in some cases cause acute renal failure. We are paying particular attention when three children with acute renal failure were reported here in December. Patients with severe diarrhea, especially bloody diarrhea, should seek medical attention to get a correct diagnosis “, says Epidemiologist Luise Müller from SSI. She continues:

“As we do not yet know the source of this outbreak, the best advice we can give is to remember to fry minced meat and rinse fruit and vegetables thoroughly before eating it. It is also important to separate raw meat from ready-to-eat food, such as salad, which is not heat-treated before eating. ”

Looking for the source of infection

To find out what may have made the patients ill, interviews are conducted with patients or parents of patients to obtain information on food intake, institutional contact, animal contact and other relevant exposures.

The outbreak is being investigated by SSI in collaboration with the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration and the DTU Food Institute.

Read more

Read more about the outbreak on this outbreak site.

Read more about E. coli infection, among others STEC / VTEC.

Read more about Hemolytic uremic syndrome .

Read more about how to avoid STEC in your food on the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration’s website.

USA – Core Outbreak Table Updates

FDA

This week’s updates are:

  • A new outbreak of E. coli O121: H19 with an unidentified vehicle has been added. This outbreak does not appear to be ongoing, as the last illness onset occurred in November 2021. FDA has initiated traceback and other investigational activities in an effort to learn more about possible sources or routes of contamination.
  • The outbreak of Salmonella Javiana linked to 65 illnesses has ended. The information collected over the course of this investigation indicated cut cantaloupe was the likely source of this outbreak, however it appears that the products linked to outbreak illnesses are past shelf life and are no longer available for sale. The most recent illness occurred in November 2021. FDA’s outbreak investigation did not identify a specific product until after the product had expired and was no longer on the market, and there were no actionable steps for consumers to take to protect themselves.
  • For the outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 linked to spinach, the outbreak has ended and the FDA investigation has closed. This incident was archived in the 2021 Investigation Table.
1/10/2022 1050 E. coli
O121:H19
Not Yet
Identified
4
12/29/2021 1052 E. coli
O157:H7
Packaged Salad See Outbreak
Advisory
12/20/2021 1039 Listeria
monocytogenes
Packaged Salad See Outbreak
Advisory
12/15/2021 1048 Listeria
monocytogenes
Packaged Salad See Outbreak
Advisory
11/24/2021 1044 Salmonella
Javiana
Cut Cantaloupe 65
9/15/2021 1031 Salmonella
Oranienburg
Red, Yellow,
and White Onions
See Outbreak
Advisory

USA – FDA -Enforcement Report – Roasted Russets and Asparagus – Visible Mould

FDA

Product Details

Product Description: happi foodi , Roasted Russets and Asparagus, 10 oz frozen bowl, 8 packages per case, Keep Frozen DOM- 05/20/2021

Reason for Recall: Presence of visible mold detected.

Product Quantity: 153 cases on one (1) pallet

Recall Number: F-0360-2022

Code Information: 21140_983 internal tracking Sales Order SO9425 to KeHE PMC3 1401 on retail unit

Classification: Class III

Event Details

Event ID: 

89301

Voluntary / Mandated: Voluntary: Firm initiated

Product Type: Food

Initial Firm Notification of Consignee or Public: Two or more of the following: Email, Fax, Letter, Press Release, Telephone, Visit

Status: Ongoing

Distribution Pattern: There is one Consignee : KeHE Distributors 16081 Fern Avenue, Chino, CA 91708

Recalling Firm:

Prepared Meals Co
4135 Birney Ave
Moosic, PA 18507-1301
United States

Recall Initiation Date: 12/8/2021

Center Classification Date: 1/4/2022

Malaysia – Nine people, including children, suffer food poisoning at relief centre in Tangkak, Johor

New Straits Times

KUALA LUMPUR: Nine people suffered food poisoning at SK Pengkalan Besar flood relief centre in Tangkak, Johor on Sunday.

Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said the cases involved four flood victims and five others included personnel at the relief centre.

The four victims are children between 3 and 14 years old, with three staying in the same cubicle at the relief centre.

“All victims suffered vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Two of the victims were admitted to Tangkak Hospital on the same day and was discharged yesterday, while the other two received outpatient treatment,” he said in a statement today.

He ruled out contamination as the cause of the food poisoning and believed it was due to poor hygiene as well as food being exposed for a long time.

“Food samples have been collected for further investigation,” he said.

France – Fresh yellowfin tuna steak 250g – Histamine

Gov france

Identifying information for the recalled product

  • Product category Food
  • Product sub-category Fishery and aquaculture products
  • Product brand name Costs
  • Names of models or references Boneless yellowfin tuna steak
  • Product identification
    GTIN Lot Dated
    28696020 1162553 Use-by date 12/01/2022
    28696020 1162554 Use-by date 01/13/2022
    28696020 1162687 Use-by date 01/15/2022
    28696020 1162689 Use-by date 01/15/2022
    28696020 1162556 Use-by date 01/13/2022
    28696020 1162790 Use-by date 01/16/2022
  • Packaging Skin pack 250g vacuum tray
  • Start date / End of marketing From 01/08/2022 to 01/16/2022
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark FR 34.336.503 CE
  • Further information DLC on front label – Lot number and DLC on rear label
  • Geographical sales area Whole France
  • Distributors GRAND FRAIS MAREE – WORLD MARECHAL – GRAND FRAIS & FRESH STORES

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall Suspected Histamine presence
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Endogenous toxins: histamine (fish, cheese, alcoholic drinks, cold meats)

USA – Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. Announces Voluntary Recall for Certain Salads Processed at its Springfield, OH and Soledad, CA Facilities and Containing Iceberg Lettuce Due to Possible Health Risk from Listeria monocytogenes

FDA

Company Announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –Monterey, CA–January 7, 2022–Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is voluntarily recalling from the market all Dole-branded and private label packaged salads described below processed at its Springfield, OH and Soledad, CA production facilities containing iceberg lettuce, due to a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Products subject to the voluntary recall from Springfield, OH are identified by a product lot code beginning with the letter “W” and a “Best if Used By” date between December 22, 2021 and January 9, 2022. Products subject to the voluntary recall from Soledad, CA are identified by a product lot code beginning with the letter “B” and a “Best if Used By” date between December 23, 2021 and January 8, 2022. The product lot codes are located in the upper-right-hand corner of the package (see example below). Consumers who still have any of these products in their refrigerators are urged not to consume the product and to discard it immediately. No illnesses have been reported with the products being recalled to date.

This voluntary recall notification is being issued after harvest equipment used in the harvesting of the raw iceberg lettuce material used in these finished products was tested by Dole and found to contain Listeria monocytogenes.

Listing of products subject to each of these recalls is set forth below.

Recalled salad items from the Springfield facility were distributed in the states of AL, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA and WI. Additionally, these salads were distributed in the following Canadian provinces: New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec. Recalled salad items from the Soledad facility were distributed in the states of AL, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, LA, MI, MN, MO, MS, MD, ND, NE, NV, NY, OK, OR, PA, TX, UT, VA, WA and WI. Additionally, these salads were distributed in the following Canadian provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.

No other Dole products, including fresh fruit and field-packed fresh vegetables, are part of these voluntary recalls and are safe to consume.

Dole retailers have been advised to check store shelves and warehouse inventories to confirm that no recalled product is available for purchase by consumers.

Retailer and consumer questions about the voluntary recalls should be directed to the Dole Consumer Response Center at 800-356-3111, Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 3:00pm Pacific Time.

Dole Fresh Vegetables is coordinating closely with regulatory officials.

Product Listing on the following pages

LISTING OF PRODUCTS SUBJECT TO SOLEDAD RECALL

Product Description UPC Code
Dole 10oz Very Veggie 0-71430-01008-2
Dole 11oz Greener Selection 0-71430-00965-9
Dole 12oz American 0-71430-00933-8
Dole 12oz Garden Salad / Salade Du Jardin 0-71430-01135-5
Dole 13.25oz Country Ranch Kit 0-71430-01730-2
Dole 13oz Southwest Kit 0-71430-01701-2
Dole 16oz Value Size Shredded Lettuce 0-71430-84616-2
Dole 24oz Value Size Garden Salad 0-71430-01136-2
Dole 3lb Garden Salad 0-71430-01138-6
Dole 5.8 oz Chicken Club BLT Salad Bowl 0-71430-00123-3
Dole 6.05 oz Avocado Ranch Salad with Chicken Bowl 0-71430-00125-7
Dole 6.25 oz Backyard BBQ Salad with Chicken Bowl 0-71430-00124-0
Dole 6.25 oz Santa Fe Style Salad Bowl 0-71430-00118-9
Dole 7.25 oz Turkey & Bacon Country Cobb Salad Bowl 0-71430-00120-2
Dole 7.65oz Café Chef Salad Bowl 0-71430-00115-8
Dole 8oz Shredded Lettuce 0-71430-01065-5
Dole 9.1oz Peppercorn Ranch Chopped Kit 0-71430-00093-9
Dole 9.8oz Chopped Teriyaki Pineapple Kit 0-71430-00100-4
HEB 12oz American Salad 0-41220-35500-6
HEB 8oz Shredded Lettuce 0-41220-35521-1
HEB 9.5oz Premium Ranch Kit 0-41220791569-0
Marketside 7.45 oz Premium Avocado Ranch Bowl 6-81131-37735-5
Marketside 11.75 oz Multi-Serve Southwestern Style Salad Bowl 6-81131-42361-8
Marketside 12oz Classic Salad 6-81131-32894-4
Marketside 12oz Crisp Greens 6-81131-35503-2
Marketside 1lb Shredded Lettuce 6-81131-53209-9
Marketside 24oz Classic Salad 6-81131-32895-1
Marketside 6.35 oz Santa Fe Style Bowl 6-81131-42363-2
Marketside 6.81 oz BLT Salad Bowl 6-81131-37736-2
Marketside 7.25 oz Chef Salad Bowl 6-81131-35506-3
Marketside 7.25 oz Cobb Salad Bowl 6-81131-35507-0
Marketside 8oz Shredded Lettuce 6-81131-32896-8
Presidents Choice 12.25oz Ranch Kit / Le Choix du President Ranch Kit de Salade 0-60383-00493-4
President’s Choice 12oz Garden Salad / Le Choix du President Salade Jardiniere 0-60383-22268-0
President’s Choice 13oz Sesame Ginger Kit / Le Choix du President Sesame et Gingembre 0-60383-02320-1
President’s Choice 13oz Southwest Salad Kit / Le Choix du President Sud-Ouest 0-60383-02319-5

LISTING OF PRODUCTS SUBJECT TO SPRINGFIELD RECALL

Product Description UPC Code
Dole 10 oz Very Veggie / Ranache de Legumes 0-71430-01008-2
Dole 11 oz Greener Selection / Selection de Verdure 0-71430-00965-9
Dole 12 oz American / Melange Americain 0-71430-00933-8
Dole 12 oz Garden Salad / Salade du Jardin 0-71430-01135-5
Dole 13 oz Asian Island Crunch / Croustillante Des Iles Asiatiques 0-71430-01721-0
Dole 13 oz Southwest Salad Kit 0-71430-01701-2
Dole 13 oz Southwest Salad Kit / Salade du Sud-ouest 0-71430-01711-1
Dole 13.25 Country Ranch Kit 0-71430-01730-2
Dole 16 oz Shredded Lettuce 0-71430-84616-2
Dole 2 lb Garden Salad 0-71430-01137-9
Dole 24 oz Value Size Garden Salad 0-71430-01136-2
Dole 8 oz Shredded Lettuce 0-71430-01065-5
Dole 9.1 oz Peppercorn Ranch / Ranch et Poivre 0-71430-00098-4
Dole 9.1 oz Peppercorn Ranch Chopped Kit 0-71430-00093-9
Dole 9.8 oz Chopped Teriyaki Pineapple Kit 0-71430-00100-4
Dole 9.8 oz Chopped Teriyaki Pineapple Kit / Teriyaki A L’ananas 0-71430-00182-0
Kroger 12 oz American Blend 0-11110-91041-7
Kroger 12 oz Classic Garden 0-11110-91036-3
Kroger 12 oz Veggie Blend 0-11110-91048-6
Kroger 24 oz Classic Garden 0-11110-91037-0
Kroger 8oz. Shredded Iceberg Lettuce 0-11110-91613-6
Little Salad Bar 10 oz Caesar Salad Kit 4099100 087000
Little Salad Bar 10.65 oz. Chopped Caesar Kit 4099100263923
Little Salad Bar 12 oz Garden Salad 4099100082982
Little Salad Bar 8 oz Shredded Lettuce 4099100087963
Little Salad Bar 9 oz Italian Salad 4099100083194
Marketside 12 oz Classic Iceberg Salad 6-81131-32894-4
Marketside 12 oz Crisp Greens 6-81131-35503-2
Marketside 16 oz Shredded Lettuce 6-81131-53209-9
Marketside 24 oz Classic Iceberg Salad 6-81131-32895-1
Marketside 8 oz Shredded Lettuce 6-81131-32896-8
Presidents Choice 12 oz Garden Salad / Le Choix du President Salade Jardiniere 0-60383-22268-0
Presidents Choice 12 oz Mixed Greens / Le Choix du President Melange de Legumes- Feuilles 0-60383-00188-9
Presidents Choice 12.25 oz Ranch Kit / Le Choix du President Ranch Kit de Salade 0-60383-00493-4
Presidents Choice 13 oz. Sesame Ginger Kit / Le Choix du President Sesame et Gingembre 0-60383-02320-1
Presidents Choice 13 oz. Southwest Salad Kit / Le Choix du President Sud-Ouest 0-60383-02319-5

Company Contact Information

Consumers:
Dole Consumer Response Center
 800-356-3111
Media:
Bil Goldfield
 818-874-4647

Product Photos