Category Archives: Food Hygiene

RASFF Alert – Moulds – Olives

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RASFF – olives from Turkey unfit for human consumption and infested with moulds in Denmark

RASFF Alert – E.coli – Raw Cows Milk

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RASFF – too high count of Escherichia coli (50000 to 440000 CFU /g) in raw cow’s milk cheese from France in France

RASFF Alert – Norovirus – Live Oysters

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RASFF – norovirus (GI) in live oysters from France in Italy

RASFF Alerts – Salmonella – Frozen Poultry meat – Frozen Chicken Inner Fillet – Chilled Turkey Meat – Skewer of Chicken and Turkey Slices – Chicken Leg Quarters – Ground Ginger – Black Pepper

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RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in frozen poultry meat preparation from Poland in Poland

RASFF – Salmonella (5 out of 5 samples /25g) in frozen chicken innerfillet from Brazil in the UK

RASFF – Salmonella (present /25g) in chilled turkey meat from Poland in Poland

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in frozen skewer of chicken and turkey slices from Germany in Germany

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Infantis (presence /25g) in frozen chicken leg quarters from Poland in Italy

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in ground ginger from the Netherlands in the Netherlands

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in black pepper from Brazil in the Netherlands

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in frozen chicken fillets from Brazil in Finland

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Infantis (presence /25g) in chilled chicken legs with skin from Poland in the Czech Republic

RASFF Aleret – Animal Feed – Ergot Alkaloids – Triticale

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RASFF – ergot (Claviceps purpurea) alkaloids (3.5 g/kg) in triticale from France in Belgium

USA – Mountain Rose Herbs Recalls Organic Kudzu Root Herbal Supplement Due to Possible Health Risk

FDA

Mountain Rose Herbs (MRH) of Eugene, Oregon is recalling all sizes of its Organic Kudzu Root Herbal Supplement from Lot #24247-X and #24247 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 Salmonella can 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 product comes in a clear plastic or poly-woven bag, net weight ranges from 4 oz. to 50 lbs., marked with lot #24247-XExternal Link Disclaimer and #24247External Link Disclaimer. The lot number is located on the principal display panel on the lower left of the label (see linked label examples).

The recalled Organic Kudzu Root Herbal Supplement was distributed to customers who ordered from mountainroseherbs.com, purchased at the company’s retail shop in Eugene, Oregon, or placed mail orders by phone or fax between the dates of 6/17/2019 to 3/2/2020. It is possible MRH customers also resold the Kudzu Root to their own clientele.

Mountain Rose Herbs also distributed product directly to customers in AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY, British of Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec of Canada.

No illnesses have been reported to date. We are initiating this recall as a precautionary measure. The potential for contamination was noted after testing by the company revealed the presence of Salmonella in a portion of its ingredients in inventory. Production of the product has been suspended while we continue our investigation.

We conduct this recall with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Consumers who have purchased the affected Kudzu Root are urged not to consume and should return product to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Mountain Rose Herbs at 1-800-879-3337 X.109, Mon-Fri, 8 am-4:30 pm PT, or at claims@mountainroseherbs.com.

USA – Listeria Outbreak linked to China Buffet in Alexandria, Minnesota

Food Poison Journal

Local and tribal health department: Please forward to hospitals, clinics, urgent care centers, emergency departments, and convenience clinics in your jurisdiction.
Hospitals, clinics and other facilities: Please distribute to infection preventionists, internists, infectious disease doctors, OB-GYN physicians, family physicians, emergency department staff and all other health care providers who might see patients with bacteremia or meningitis.
Health care providers:
•Consider listeriosis in patients who present with compatible symptoms (listed below), especially among individuals who ate or may have eaten at China Buffet restaurant in Alexandria.
•Be aware that two cases of listeriosis have been identified in Minnesotans who ate at China Buffet in Alexandria on February 15; one was a previously healthy teenager.
•Report all cases with positive Listeria monocytogenes results (including both culture and culture-independent tests) to MDH at 1-877-676-5414 (toll-free) or 651-201-5414, and forward clinical specimens to the MDH Public Health Laboratory per normal reportable disease surveillance procedures.

USA – Norovirus outbreak reported on Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas

Outbreak News Today norovirus-1080x655

Federal health officials report investigating a norovirus outbreak onboard Royal Caribbean International vessel, Grandeur of the Seas.

The outbreak on the March 7–March 19, 2020 voyage has sickened 83 passengers and six crew members, who developed symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea.

Specimens have been collected, tested onboard, and found to be positive for norovirus. The specimens will be sent to CDC for genome sequencing.

USA – Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O103: Clover Sprouts (February 2020)

FDA

March 17, 2020

Recommendation

Chicago Indoor Garden is recalling all products containing Red Clover sprouts. FDA is recommending that consumers not eat the following recalled items with “Best By” dates between 12/1/2019 and 3/12/2020 that were distributed to Whole Foods throughout the Midwest, Coosemans Chicago Inc., Battaglia Distributing, and Living Waters Farms:

  • Red Clover 4oz. clamshell
  • Red Clover 2lb. boxes
  • Sprout Salad 6oz. clamshell
  • Mixed Greens 4oz. clamshell
  • Spring Salad 6oz. clamshell
Sample Labels of Chicago Indoor Garden Sprout Products

(PDF: 849 KB)

The FDA’s analysis of a sample of this firm’s product identified the presence of E. coli O103. Whole Genome Sequencing of this bacteria showed that it matches the outbreak strain.

Generally, it is recommended that children, the elderly, pregnant women, and persons with weakened immune systems should avoid eating raw sprouts of any kind.

Background

FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, are investigating an outbreak of 14 illnesses caused by E. coli O103 in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Texas and Utah likely linked to clover sprouts.

As the outbreak investigation progresses, the FDA will continue in its traceback investigation to determine where implicated sprouts have been distributed and will continue monitoring for additional illnesses associated with this outbreak.

Scotland – New research into Campylobacter infection in Scotland

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17 March 2020

Article: 54/1104

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has published new research on Campylobacter, the most common cause of bacterial food poisoning in Scotland, which provides evidence concerning those at greater risk of infection and severe illness, and the estimated healthcare cost of infection. Conducted between 2013 and 2019, this research was undertaken by Health Protection Scotland (HPS) and the University of Aberdeen, on behalf of FSS.

The research confirmed that, while a higher number of cases are reported in more affluent areas of Scotland, those living in the most deprived areas are at an increased risk of developing serious illness and being hospitalised.

The results showed that overall, around 14% of Campylobacter cases lead to hospitalisation, with hospital admissions more likely to have one or more of the following risk factors:

  • being 65 years or older
  • having an underlying medical condition
  • being prescribed with proton pump inhibitor to reduce stomach acid production in the 90 days prior to infection

The findings from this research have enabled public health authorities to estimate that, with approximately 6,000 cases reported per year, Scotland’s total annual healthcare cost for Campylobacter infections is approximately three million pounds.