Category Archives: Food Hygiene

New Zealand – Public health warning about shellfish in Grove Arm, Marlborough Sounds – Diarrhetic Shellfish Toxins

Posted on November 25, 2021 by | Leave a comment

MPI

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) yesterday issued a public health warning advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish harvested from Grove Arm in the Marlborough Sounds.

Routine tests on shellfish samples taken from Okiwa Bay has shown levels of Diarrhetic Shellfish Toxins above the safe limit of 0.16 mg/kg set by MPI.  Anyone eating shellfish from this area is potentially at risk of illness.

Mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles, scallops, catseyes, kina (sea urchin) and all other bivalve shellfish should not be eaten.

Note, cooking shellfish does not remove the toxin.

Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.

Symptoms typically appear within half an hour of ingestion and last for about 24 hours. Symptoms may include:

  • diarrhoea
  • vomiting
  • nausea
  • abdominal cramps

If anyone becomes ill after eating shellfish from an area where a public health warning has been issued, freephone Healthline for advice on 0800 61 11 16, or seek medical attention immediately. You are also advised to contact your nearest public health unit and keep any leftover shellfish in case it can be tested.

Monitoring of toxin levels will continue and any changes will be communicated accordingly. Commercially harvested shellfish – sold in shops and supermarkets, or exported – is subject to strict water and flesh monitoring programmes by MPI to ensure they are safe to eat. There is no commercial harvesting of shellfish in the affected area.

Find out more

See signage in the affected area.

Shellfish biotoxin alerts

Subscribe to shellfish biotoxins to receive email alerts

Collecting shellfish and keeping them safe [PDF, 1.4 MB]

Causes and symptoms of toxic shellfish poisoning

About toxic algal blooms

Food safety for seafood gatherers booklet [PDF, 688 KB

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Posted in Diarrhoeic Shellfish Poisoning, DSP, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Marine Biotoxin

USA – 4,000 exposed to Hepatitis A positive Starbucks employee in New Jersey

Posted on November 25, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

In light of the case of hepatitis A in an employee at a local Starbucks, the Camden County Health Department will be administering vaccines to anyone who feels they may have been exposed at the Camden County Health Hub located at 200 College Drive in Blackwood.

Today’s clinic will operate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vaccine appointments will be made on a first come first serve basis.

Vaccine clinics held last Friday and Saturday gave doses to more than 800 people in Camden County.

If you have been vaccinated for hepatitis A in the past, you do not need to receive another dose. If you have a child that was born after the year 2000, that child has likely already been vaccinated for hepatitis A and does not require another dose. However, parents should check with their pediatrician to confirm their child’s vaccine status.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food death, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Hepatitis A, Illness, outbreak

Canada – Org hulled sesame seeds recalled due to Salmonella

Posted on November 25, 2021 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

Summary

Product
Org hulled sesame seeds
Issue
Food » Microbial Contamination » Salmonella
What to do

Do not consume the recalled product

None – Org hulled sesame seeds - Variable (sold clerk served)

Affected products

Brand Product Size UPC Codes Distribution
None Org hulled sesame seeds Variable – sold clerk served Starting with 200516 All units sold from October 8, 2021 to November 16, 2021 inclusively Sold at Nature’s Pantry, 3744 First Ave., Smithers, BC

Issue

Nature’s Pantry is recalling Org hulled sesame seeds from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination.

The recalled product has been sold as indicated in the table.

What you should do

  • If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, call your doctor
  • Check to see if you have the recalled product in your home
  • Do not consume the recalled product
  • Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections. Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

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Posted in CFIA, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Salmonella

Wales – Salmonella outbreak affected 20 in Wales

Posted on November 24, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

An outbreak of Salmonella linked to a traditional meal containing meat affected more than 20 people earlier this year in Wales.

Public Health Wales was notified about two cases of salmonellosis in late July, according to a presentation at the ESCAIDE conference, organized by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

Both belonged to the Sudanese community who bought lamb to barbecue in a park in Cardiff in July to celebrate the Muslim festival Eid-al-Adha.

Further investigations found of 33 people who attended the barbecue, 22 were identified as patients. Seven were confirmed as infected from Salmonella Typhimurium.

Nine people reported attending A&E, four were admitted to hospital overnight and one patient to intensive care. The outbreak also drew attention to a wider ongoing cluster across the UK, which is still under investigation.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Salmonella

France – Smoked trout from the Pyrenees 100g – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on November 24, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

Show image n ° 1

Identifying information for the recalled product

  • Product category Food
  • Product sub-category Fishery and aquaculture products
  • Product brand name Peneau House
  • Names of models or references Smoked trout from the Pyrenees 100g
  • Product identification
    GTIN Lot Dated
    3389400342321 217065 Use-by date between 12/09/2021 and 12/10/2021
  • Start date / End of marketing Since 19/11/2021
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark FR 17.421.007 CE
  • Geographical sales area Whole France
  • Distributors AUCHAN, CARREFOUR, SCACHAP

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall Presence of Monocytogenic Listeria <10 CFU / g
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Listeria monocytogenes (causative agent of listeriosis)

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes

France- Smoked trout scraps 150g – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on November 24, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

Identifying information for the recalled product

  • Product category Food
  • Product sub-category Fishery and aquaculture products
  • Product brand name Peneau House
  • Names of models or references Smoked trout scraps 150g
  • Product identification
    GTIN Lot Dated
    3389400341591 217065 Use-by date 11/26/2021
  • Start date / End of marketing Since 11/13/2021
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark FR 17.421.007 CE
  • Geographical sales area Whole France
  • Distributors SCACHAP

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall Presence of monocytogenic listeria <10 CFU / g
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Listeria monocytogenes (causative agent of listeriosis)

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes

Singapore – Suspension of On & On Diners Pte Ltd’s food business operations

Posted on November 24, 2021 by | Leave a comment

SFA

The Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) are investigating two incidents of gastroenteritis affecting a total of 73 persons who reported gastroenteritis symptoms after consuming food prepared by On & On Diners Pte Ltd between 16 and 18 November 2021. None were hospitalised.

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, gastroenteritis, Uncategorized

Hong Kong – Not to import and sell ready-to-eat raw oysters harvested in Coffin Bay in Australia – Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Posted on November 24, 2021 by | Leave a comment

CFS

Food Illness

Issue Date 23.11.2021
Source of Information Centre for Food Safety
Food Product Raw Oysters
Product Name and Description Ready-to-eat Raw Oysters
Reason For Issuing Alert
  • The CFS noticed that Food Standards Australia New Zealand reported that ready-to-eat raw Pacific oysters harvested in Coffin Bay in Australia, which were suspected to be contaminated with Vibrio parahaemolyticus, were under recall.
  • According to the Department of Primary Industries and Regions of the Government of South Australia, the Coffin Bay growing area includes four harvesting areas, namely the Port Douglas harvesting area, the Mt Dutton Bay harvesting area, the Kellidie Bay West harvesting area and the Kellidie Bay East harvesting area.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety
  • The CFS immediately conducted investigation and contacted local major importers for follow-up.
  • The CFS has immediately instructed the trade to suspend the import into and sale within Hong Kong of all ready-to-eat raw oysters from the Coffin Bay growing area.
  • The CFS has instructed the importers concerned to stop sale of, remove from shelves and recall the affected products, and is tracing the distribution of the products concerned.
  • The CFS will inform the Australian authorities and will also notify the local trade. It will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health. Investigation is ongoing.
Advice to the Trade
  • The trade should stop using or selling the products concerned immediately should they possess them.
Advice to Consumers
  • Do not to consume the affected product if they have bought any.
  • Enquiries about the recall can be made to the two importers – Worldwide Seafood Limited (hotline: 2911 4989) and Diligence Marine Products Limited (hotline: 6732 0690).
Further Information The CFS press release

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Posted in Contaminated water, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Vibrio, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

India – Five instances of food poisoning in Kozhikode in less than a month

Posted on November 23, 2021 by | Leave a comment

The Hindu

Health Department issues advisory on checking quality of drinking water sources. (Cholera)

At least five incidents of suspected food poisoning have occurred in Kozhikode district in less than a month, prompting the Health Department to issue an advisory on checking the quality of drinking water sources.

Fifteen girl students of a private entrance coaching centre at Perumanna were admitted to hospital after they had stomach upset and other symptoms on October 25.

Two-and-a-half-year-old Mohammed Yamin of Narikkuni died on November 13, just a couple of days after he had food at a wedding event. A dozen children and some elders too fell ill.

Hundreds sought medical treatment at Puthoor in Vadakara on November 15 after they had food at another wedding event in the previous days. Those who had idli and sambar from two temples at Mukkom complained of uneasiness, and 22 people sought treatment on November 19.

Fourteen students of a hostel at Pantheerankavu sought treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, after they had breakfast on November 20.

Another instance of food poisoning was averted in the nick of time when an alert food safety inspector detected pseudomonas bacteria in eggs scheduled to be distributed at a school at Payyadimeethal near Pantheerankavu on November 10.

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Posted in Death, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food death, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Poisoning Death, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Poisoning, Pseudomonas, Vibrio cholera, vibrio cholerae, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

Denmark – Mold/Mould on pita bread

Posted on November 23, 2021 by | Leave a comment

DVFA

ISRASCAN / GymPoint EXPORT IMPORT is recalling a batch of Our Pita Bread due to the discovery of mold in the product.

Recalled Foods , Published: November 23, 2021

What food:
Our Pita bread, frozen
Net weight: 440G
Best before date: 27/12/2022
Lot Number: 210627

Sold in:
Føtex and grocery stores across the country

Company withdraws:
ISRA SCAN / GymPoint EXPORT IMPORT
Havsgårdsvej 35
2900 Hellerup

Cause:
The company has found that there is a risk of mold in the product.

Risk:
Mold formation makes the product unsuitable as food.

Advice for consumers: The Danish
Veterinary and Food Administration advises consumers to deliver the product back to the store where it was purchased or to discard it.

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Spoilage, Food Testing, mold, Moulds