Category Archives: Food Hygiene

RASFF Alerts – Aflatoxin – Groundnut Kernels – Peanuts – Capsicum – Dried Red Chillies – Date Syrup – Shelled Groundnuts

Posted on March 6, 2020 by | Leave a comment

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RASFF  – aflatoxins (B1 = 38.1; Tot. = 42.2 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from the United States in Norway

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 6.4) in groundnut kernels from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 8.1; Tot. = 10 µg/kg – ppb) in peanuts from Brazil in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 4.9; Tot. = 4.9 µg/kg – ppb) in blanched groundnut kernels from China in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 20; Tot. = 20 µg/kg – ppb) in capsicum from Sri Lanka in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 13.7; Tot. = 14.0 mg/kg – ppm) in dried red chillies from India in the UK

RASFF – aflatoxins (Tot. = 89.2 / Tot. = 82.4 µg/kg – ppb) in shelled groundnuts from Egypt in Italy

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 3.6; Tot. = 23. µg/kg – ppb) in date syrup from Tunisia in Belgium

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Posted in Aflatoxin, food contamination, 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, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, RASFF, Toxin, Uncategorized

Canada – Outbreak of Salmonella illnesses linked to raw turkey and raw chicken is over.

Posted on March 6, 2020 by | Leave a comment

PHN

 

This is the final update for this outbreak investigation. The Public Health Agency of Canada collaborated with provincial and territorial public health partners, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada to investigate an outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to raw turkey and raw chicken products. The investigation has been closed, however illnesses could still be reported because this Salmonella strain is present in some raw turkey and raw chicken products in the Canadian marketplace.

The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to remind Canadians to always handle raw turkey and raw chicken carefully, and to cook it thoroughly to prevent food-related illnesses like Salmonella. The Public Health Agency of Canada is not advising that consumers avoid eating properly cooked turkey or chicken products, nor is it advising retailers to stop selling raw turkey and raw chicken products.

The Public Health Agency of Canada collaborated with provincial and territorial public health partners, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada to investigate an outbreak of Salmonella infections.

Based on the investigation findings, exposure to raw turkey and raw chicken products was identified as the likely source of the outbreak. Many of the individuals who became sick reported eating different types of turkey and chicken products before their illnesses occurred. A single common supplier of turkey and chicken products was not identified through the investigation. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency did not issue any food recall warnings related to this outbreak. The Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency shared investigative findings with representatives from the turkey and chicken industries.

The investigation has been closed, however illnesses could still be reported because this Salmonella strain is present in some raw turkey and raw chicken products in the Canadian marketplace. The Public Health Agency of Canada will continue to monitor reports of illnesses and will provide updates in the future if there is an increase in newly reported cases or new investigation information is identified.

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Posted in CFIA, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, 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, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Salmonella, Uncategorized

RASFF Alerts – Salmonella – Poultry Meat – Turkey Neck Skin – Chilli Powder – Chicken Legs – Turkey and Veal Kebab – Meatballs – Chicken Fillet – Goose Legs – Marinated Chicken Breast – Goose Breast – Turkey Fillet

Posted on March 6, 2020 by | Leave a comment

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RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in chilled turkey neck skin in Poland

RASFF -Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (presence /25g) in chilled poultry meat from Poland in Poland

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in chili powder from India in Spain

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium (in 5 out 5 samples /25g) in chilled boneless chicken legs from Poland in Poland

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (presence /25g) in frozen chicken leg with skin on from Poland in Cyprus

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Derby (presence /25g) and Salmonella enterica ser. Saintpaul (presence /25g) in turkey and veal kebab from Germany, with raw material from Germany and the Netherlands in Italy

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in frozen meatballs from Belgium in Belgium

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (presence /25g) in chilled chicken fillet from Poland in Poland

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Infantis (presence /25g) in frozen legs of goose from Poland in Germany

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Infantis (in 2 out of 5 samples /25g) in frozen marinated chicken breast fillets from Germany in Italy

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium (4 out of 7 samples /25g) in environment in egg laying facility from the United Kingdom in the UK

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in frozen goose breasts from Poland in Germany

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (presence /25g) in frozen chicken meat from Poland in Poland

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (presence /25g) in frozen chicken from Poland in France

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Infantis (presence /25g) in frozen chicken breast from Hungary in Italy

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (presence /25g) in frozen chicken meat from Poland in Italy

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (presence /25g) in frozen chicken broiler fillets from Poland in Lithuania

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium (presence /25g) in chilled turkey fillet from Poland in Poland

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium (presence /25g) in frozen turkey fillets from Belgium, with raw material from Germany in Belgium

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, 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, RASFF, Salmonella, Salmonella in Chicken, Uncategorized

RASFF Alert – Listeria monocytogenes – Frozen Chicken Kebab – Bio Frozen Smoked Salmon

Posted on March 6, 2020 by | Leave a comment

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RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes (presence CFU/g) in frozen chicken kebab from Poland in Poland

RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes (presence /25g) in bio frozen smoked salmon from Poland in Cyprus

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Posted in food contamination, 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, RASFF, Uncategorized

RASFF Alerts – Ochratoxin A – Dried Figs – Dried Currants

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RASFF – ochratoxin A (19.9 µg/kg – ppb) in dried figs from Turkey in Germany

RASFF – ochratoxin A (81.4 µg/kg – ppb) in dried currants from Greece, via Germany in Siwtzerland

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Posted in food contamination, 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, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, Ochratoxin, Uncategorized

RASFF Alerts – Norovirus – Raspberries – Oysters

Posted on March 6, 2020 by | Leave a comment

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RASFF – norovirus (presence /25g) in raspberries from Serbia in Belgium

RASFF – norovirus (GII) in oysters (Crassostrea gigas) from Ireland in the Netherlands

RASFF – norovirus (GI and GII) in live oysters (Crassostrea gigas) from France in Italy

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Posted in food contamination, 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, Food Virus, Norovirus, RASFF, Uncategorized

RASFF Alert – STEC E.coli – Organic Raw Milk Goats Cheese – Soft Cheese – Raw Milk Goats Cheese

Posted on March 6, 2020 by | Leave a comment

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RASFF – shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (Stx1-, Stx2+, eae+, O103) in organic raw milk goat’s cheese from Belgium in Belgium

RASFF – shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (stx1+ stx2+ eae+ /25g) in soft cheese from Italy in the Netherlands

RASFF – shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (stx2a+ and stx2d+ /25g) in goat cheese with raw milk from France in Switzerland

 

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Posted in eae, food contamination, Food Hygiene, 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, RASFF, STEC, STEC E.coli, STX 1, STX 2, Uncategorized

USA – Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Hard-Boiled Eggs (December 2019) FDA’s investigation is complete. CDC announces outbreak is over.

Posted on March 6, 2020 by | Leave a comment

FDA

March 4, 2020

Rainbow Farms Select Hard Cooked Peeled Eggs 20 lbs container

FDA, CDC, and state and local partners investigated an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to hard-boiled eggs produced by Almark Foods’ Gainesville, Georgia facility. Almark Foods announced an initial voluntary recall of hard-boiled and peeled eggs in pails on December 20, 2019, and then on December 23, 2019 expanded the recall to include all hard-boiled eggs produced at the Gainesville, Georgia facility. All recalled products are now past their “best by” dates.

CDC has announced this outbreak is over. FDA’s investigational activities, including an inspection, are complete. At this time, the firm is no longer producing products at this facility.

Recommendation

Recalled products are now past their “best by” dates and should be thrown away.

FDA recommends that food processors, restaurants and retailers who received recalled products use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces that may have come in contact with these products, to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.

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Posted in FDA, food contamination, food handler, 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, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Uncategorized

USA – Texas, Florida, South Carolina, Pennsylvania and Maine link in Listeria Egg Outbreak

Posted on March 5, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

Eight ill with one death. As of March 4, 2020, this outbreak appears to be over.

A total of eight people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes were reported from five states.

Listeria specimens from ill people were collected from April 10, 2017, to December 7, 2019. Ill people ranged in age from less than 1 to 82 years, with a median age of 71. Sixty-two percent of ill people were male. Of seven ill people with information available, five hospitalizations were reported. One death was reported from Texas. One illness was reported in a newborn who was infected with Listeria while the mother was pregnant, but the newborn survived.

Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicated that hard-boiled eggs produced at the Almark Foods Gainesville, Georgia, processing facility were the likely source of this outbreak.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, 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, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Uncategorized

Canada – Updated Food Recall Warning – Various tuna products recalled due to histamine

Posted on March 2, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Canada Gov

Recall details

Ottawa, February 28, 2020 – The food recall warning issued on February 25, 2020 has been updated to include additional distribution and product information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation.

Industry is recalling various tuna products from the marketplace due to elevated levels of histamine. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.

Recalled products

Brand Product Size UPC Codes Additional Information
Choices Markets Ahi Tuna Loin Steak Sashimi Grade – Previously Frozen Variable Starts with 0 245345 All units sold from October 9, 2019 up to and including October 23, 2019 Sold at Choices Market, 8683 10th Ave., Burnaby, BC
Choices Markets Ahi Tuna Loin Steak Sashimi Grade – Previously Frozen Variable Starts with 0 245345 All units sold from October 10, 2019 up to and including October 12, 2019 Sold at Choices Market, 3493 Cambie St., Vancouver, BC
Choices Markets Ahi Tuna Loin Steak Sashimi Grade – Previously Frozen Variable Starts with 0 245345 All units sold from October 26, 2019 up to and including November 9, 2019 Sold at Choices Market, 1888 West 57th Ave., Vancouver, BC
Choices Markets Ahi Tuna Loin Steak Frozen – Ocean Wise Variable Starts with 0 245516 All units sold from October 9, 2019 up to and including October 23, 2019 Sold at Choices Market, 8683 – 10th Ave., Burnaby, BC
Choices Markets Ahi Tuna Loin Steak Frozen – Ocean Wise Variable Starts with 0 245516 All units sold from October 10, 2019 up to and including October 12, 2019 Sold at Choices Market, 3493 Cambie St., Vancouver, BC
Choices Markets Ahi Tuna Loin Steak Frozen – Ocean Wise Variable Starts with 0 245516 All units sold from October 26, 2019 up to and including November 9, 2019 Sold at Choices Market, 1888 West 57th Ave., Vancouver, BC
IGA Ahi Tuna – Previously Frozen Variable Starts with 200840 All units sold from November 6, 2019 up to and including December 6, 2019 Sold at IGA, 1940 Kane Rd., Kelowna, BC
IGA Ahi Tuna – Previously Frozen Variable Starts with 200840 All units sold from September 28, 2019 up to and including December 17, 2019 Sold at IGA, 2286 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC
IGA Ahi Tuna – Previously Frozen Variable Starts with 200840 All units sold from November 26, 2019 up to and including January 13, 2020 Sold at IGA, 12887 Madeira Park Road, Madeira Park, BC
Save on Foods O/W Ahi Tuna Variable Starts with 226248 All units sold from September 18, 2019 up to and including February 28, 2020 Sold at Save on Foods locations in AB, BC, MB, SK, and YT

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 products in your home. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased.

Food contaminated with high levels of histamine may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Histamines are not destroyed by cooking. High levels of histamine in fish can cause an allergic-type reaction known as scombroid poisoning. Symptoms can include burning throat, diarrhea, dizziness, facial swelling, headache, vomiting and peppery taste in mouth.

Background

This recall was triggered by consumer complaints. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings.

The CFIA is verifying that industry is removing the recalled products from the marketplace.

Illnesses

There have been no reported reactions associated with the consumption of these products. However, there were reported reactions associated with the products included in the Food Recall Warning on February 25, 2020.

Related recalls

2020-02-25 – Unomundo brand tuna loins and steaks recalled due to histamine

Product photos

Printer ready version of photos

  • Choices Markets - Ahi Tuna Loin Steak Sashimi Grade – Previously Frozen
  • Choices Markets - Ahi Tuna Loin Steak Frozen – Ocean Wise
  • IGA - Ahi Tuna – Previously Frozen
  • Save on Foods - O/W Ahi Tuna

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Posted in CFIA, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Temperature Abuse, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Histamine, Uncategorized