Category Archives: Food Hygiene

Belgium – Ferme Fromagère de Chertin – Boulette de Chertin – Listeria monocytogenes

AFSCA

In agreement with the AFSCA, the Ferme Fromagère de Chertin is withdrawing BOULETTE de CHERTIN cheese from sale and is recalling it to consumers, due to the presence of LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES.

La Ferme Fromagère de Chertin asks its customers NOT to consume this product and to bring it back to the point of sale where it was purchased, where it will be refunded.


Product Description

– Product category: cheese made from raw skimmed cow’s milk
– Product name: Boulette de Chertin
– Date of minimum durability (DDM): 10.10.2020 – 15.10.2020 – 18.10.2020 – 20.10.2020 – 01.11.2020 – 05.11 .2020 – 10.11.2020
– Sold from 09.09.2020 to 07.10.2020
– Weight: 200g

The product was sold via:

– Abbaye de Maredsous 5537 Denée-Maredsous
– Ets Bodart rue de la Gare 12 5537 Warnant
– Cloet Bernard rue Linchet 12 Flawinne- Namur
– Le Bonheur est dans le pré Rue Saint Gilles 57/2 5590 Ciney
– Spapens rue des Forgerons 102 6001 Charleroi
– Tagnon Frédérick Rue Grande 32 5500 Dinant
– Paysans-Artisans 107 Rue Celestin Hastir Floreffe
– Limousin Butcher of la Neuve Cense rie Albert Ier 1 Gerpinnes
– SPRL D’ICI chaussée de Marche 940 5100 Nanninne

For any further information

Madam / Mr FRIPPIAT on 082/699388 or by email via frippiat-sandron@hotmail.com .

Research – Fate of aflatoxins during almond oil processing

Journal of Food Protection

Almonds rejected as inedible are often used for production of almond oil. However, low-quality almonds are frequently contaminated with aflatoxins, and little is known regarding transfer of aflatoxins to almond oil during processing. In this study, oil was produced from reject almonds by hexane extraction. Of 19 almond samples that were naturally contaminated with aflatoxins, 17 oil samples contained measurable amounts of aflatoxins, and aflatoxin content of contaminated oil was correlated with aflatoxin content of the nuts. However, oil aflatoxin levels were not correlated with the oxidation level of the oil as measured by percent free fatty acids and peroxide value. Adsorbents used in oil refining were tested for their ability to remove aflatoxins from contaminated oil. Fuller’s earth and bentonite were the most effective, removing 96% and 86% of total aflatoxins from contaminated oil samples, respectively. Treatment with diatomaceous earth, in contrast, had no effect on aflatoxin levels in oil. These results show that oil refining steps using mineral clay adsorbents may also function to remove aflatoxins from contaminated oil.

Netherlands – Important safety warning AH burgers, bratwurst and beef finches – STEC E.coli

NVWA

Albert Heijn warns against a number of beef products with an expiry date of 24 or 25 September 2020. The E.coli bacteria was found in the products.

It concerns the following products:

  • AH mini hamburger 10 pieces, TGT 24-09-2020
  • AH hamburger 8 pieces, use-by-date 9/24/2020 and 9/25/2020
  • AH beef bratwurst 4 pieces, TGT 24-09-2020
  • AH hamburger 2 pieces, TGT 25-09-2020
  • AH hamburger 4 pieces, TGT 25-09-2020
  • AH beef finch 2 pieces, TGT 25-09-2020

The beef products are no longer in Albert Heijn stores, but customers can have these products in the freezer. Albert Heijn asks customers not to eat the beef products and to return them to an Albert Heijn store where they will be reimbursed for the purchase price upon return.

See also the Albert Heijn website

Download ‘Important safety warning for AH burgers, bratwurst and beef finches’

PDF document | 1 page | 166 KB

Warning | 05-10-2020

E.coli

Eating a product with an E.coli bacteria (faeces bacteria, STEC, EHEC) can, if not thoroughly cooked, cause nausea, vomiting and (bloody) diarrhea within a week. Especially for young children, the elderly, people with low immunity and pregnant women. Consult your doctor or general practitioner for more information if you have health complaints after eating the said product.

6 packs of Albert Heijn beef products

Research – Thermal Resistance of Single Strains of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O121:H19 and O157:H7 Based on Culture Preparation Method and Osmolyte-Reduced Water Activity

Journal of Food Protection

Pathogen thermal resistance studies on low-water activity foods (LWAF) use a variety of methods to inoculate food, as well as strategies to reduce water activity, which can influence thermal resistance observations. This study investigated effects of culture preparation method and osmolyte-induced water activity on thermal resistance of two Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC; O121:H19, O157:H7) challenged with isothermal conditions, determining D – and z -values for each isolate (56, 59, and 62 ° C). Tryptic Soy Broth (TSB) and Agar (lawn cultures) were compared. D -values of broth cultures were significantly and consistently larger than those of lawn cultures, and O121 was significantly more resistant than O157, but only at 56 ° C ( p < 0.05). To compare potential effects of water activity on STEC thermal resistance, cells were suspended in osmolyte solutions with varying water activity: high (TSB, a w 0.99), intermediate (61% glycerol or 26% NaCl, a w 0.75), and low (82% glycerol, a w 0.5). In most instances, STEC in high-water activity broth exhibited greater heat resistance compared to reduced-water activity solutions, except the glycerol intermediate-water activity solution (a w 0.75). Magnitudes varied with strain and temperature. The z -values of lawn cultures were significantly lower than those of broth cultures ( p < 0.05), but there were only some differences between high-a w and reduced-a w samples. There were no significant differences of z -values based on strain type. These results highlight that thermal resistance can be affected by culture preparation and that osmolyte-induced changes to water activity influence thermal inactivation of STEC by varying magnitudes. These results emphasize the challenges between extrapolating results from lab inactivation kinetic experiments to determine the inactivation of low water activity foods, especially those considered dry in nature.

Egypt – Beheira hospital receives 134 wedding guests with food poisoning

Egypt Independant

El Mahmoudeya Central Hospital, located in Egypt’s Beheira Governorate, received on Thursday 134 people experiencing severe symptoms of food poisoning after eating at a wedding in the village of Ezbet al-Far.

A number of families, including dozens of children, promptly reported to the hospital for treatment.

All cases were successfully treated, according to the hospital’s Director, Ashraf al-Qalfat.

Among the patients that the hospital received, many presented with no symptoms, but were worried that they had contracted the illness, said Qalfat. 

All but five patients have been discharged from the hospital, and those who remain are in stable condition. 

 

Canada imposes new import measures for romaine lettuce from U.S.

Digital Journal

In an effort to prevent future E. coli illnesses from romaine lettuce, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is imposing new import measures on shipments from parts of California where prior outbreaks originated.

Belgium – Sequoia – Organic free-range chicken thighs from Le Picoreur. – Salmonella

AFSCA

In agreement with the AFSCA, Sequoia is withdrawing from sale the product Le Picoreur organic free-range chicken thighs and is recalling it to consumers because of the presence of Salmonella.

Sequoia asks its customers not to consume this product and to return it to the point of sale where it was purchased, with proof of purchase for reimbursement.

Product description
– Product name: BLC organic free-range chicken thigh
– Brand: Le picoreur
– Use-by date (DLC) (“To be consumed until”) and batch number:
         – 27, 28 and 30/09 / 20 with batch number 25801101
– 5/10/2020 with batch number 26501501 (update)
– Health stamp: FR 85.223.001 CE
– Sale period: from 09/15/20 to 09/29/20
– Type of packaging: plastic

The product was sold via:
Sequoia Stockel – 101, rue de l’Eglise, 1150 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre
Sequoia Jourdan – 2, rue Gray, 1040 Etterbeek

For any further information , contact:
Sequoia
info@sequoia.bio

USA – Country Fresh Voluntary Product Recall – Watermelon Chunks – Listeria monocytogenes

FDA

Country Fresh is initiating a voluntary recall of a limited quantity of watermelon chunks from select stores as a precautionary measure due to a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes detected on equipment used in packing this product. FDA made these findings during a recent inspection.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which 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.

The recall affects product codes of watermelon items shipped directly to Walmart and RaceTrac’s retail distribution centers stores in select stores located in Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma, and Texas. The product was packaged in a variety of clam shell containers (see photos). The best-if-used by dates of October 2, 3, and 4, 2020 and the SKUs are as follows:

Walmart – Freshness Guaranteed
Watermelon 4 x 10 oz – UPC Code: 681131180672
Watermelon 2 x 32 oz – UPC Code: 681131180672 Watermelon Chunks 2 x 42 oz – UPC Code: 681131180658 Watermelon Spears 4 x 16 oz – UPC Code: 681131180665 Summer Blend FTC 4 x 5 oz – UPC Code: 681131355094

RaceTrac
Watermelon 5.5oz – UPC Code: 74641000644 Melon Trio 5.5oz – UPC Code: 74641031945

Country Fresh has not received any reports of illnesses to date associated with these recalled items. The recalled products were distributed from 9/23/2020 – 9/25/2020. RaceTrac and Walmart retail stores are removing the recalled product from store shelves and inventories immediately. Customers with recalled watermelon should discard it immediately and not consume it.

This recall is being undertaken with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Country Fresh takes food safety matters very seriously, stringently follows all mandated regulations and implements preventive measures designed to minimize potential risks. Country Fresh is working in close coordination with FDA in its continuing investigation to resolve the matter promptly and deeply regrets the inconvenience to our consumers and customers. If you have any questions, please contact Customer Service at: 1-877-251-8300 Monday – Friday, 8-5pm CST

Watermelon 32oz, Lot URR0103, Use By 10/2/20
Watermelon 32oz, Lot URE0103, Use By 10/3/20
Watermelon 42oz, Lot URR0103, Use By 10/2/20
Watermelon 42oz, Lot URE0103, Use By 10/3/20
Watermelon 16oz, Lot URR0103, Use By 10/2/20
Watermelon 16oz, Lot URS0103, Use By 10/4/20
Watermelon 10oz, Lot URR0103, Use By 10/2/20
Watermelon 10oz, Lot URE0103, Use By 10/3/20
Watermelon 10oz, Lot URS0103, Use By 10/4/2
Watermelon 5.5oz, Lot URE0103, Use By 10/4/20
Summer Blend 5oz, Lot URR0103, Use By 10/2/20
Summer Blend 5oz, Lot URE0103, Use By 10/3/20
Summer Blend 5oz, Lot URS0103, Use By 10/4/20
Melon Trio 5.5oz, Lot URE0103, Use By 10/4/20

Expanded Press Release


Company Contact Information

Consumers:
Country Fresh Customer Service
 1-877-251-8300

Product Photos

Germany – Manner Powidl buttons 180g -Mould

LMB

Warning type:

Food

Date of first publication:

02.10.2020

Product name:

Manner Powidl buttons 180g

Manufacturer (distributor):

Josef Manner & Comp. AG

Reason for warning:

Possibility of mold growth

Packaging Unit:

180g

Durability:

s. attached press release

Lot identification:

s. attached press release

Additional Information:

Reference is made to the attached press release from the food business operator.

Contact to the responsible authorities:

Baden-Württemberg:

poststelle@mlr.bwl.de

Bavaria:

poststelle@lgl.bayern.de

Press releases and information
title Attachment or web link
Press release

Germany – Dulano Delikatess Lyoner, cut into strips 2 x 200 g – Listeria monocytogenes

LMB

Warning type:

Food

Date of first publication:

02.10.2020

Product name:

Dulano Delikatess Lyoner, cut into strips 2 x 200 g

Product pictures:

Image Filialplakat.PNG

Branch poster

Manufacturer (distributor):

Manufacturer Hans Adler OHG Distributed by Lidl in the federal states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland

Reason for warning:

Listeria monocytogenes was detected in the affected product. Listeria monocytogenes can cause severe gastrointestinal diseases and symptoms similar to flu-like infections. In certain groups of people (infants, young children, pregnant women, as well as old and sick people) the disease can develop seriously.

Packaging Unit:

2 x 200 g

Durability:

09/23/20 (already expired)

Production date:

Packing period 08:40:00 to 13:00:00

Lot identification:

Lot number 230920LYG M: 2 246; Identity label DE EV 143 EG

Additional Information:

Reference is made to the company’s customer information sheet attached.

Contact to the responsible authorities:

Baden-Württemberg:

poststelle@mlr.bwl.de

Bavaria:

poststelle@lgl.bayern.de

Rhineland-Palatinate:

Poststelle.Referat22@lua.rlp.de

Saarland:

poststelle-luv@lav.saarland.de

Press releases and information
title Attachment or web link
Branch poster