RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 62; Tot. = 68 µg/kg – ppb) and ochratoxin A (230 µg/kg – ppb) in ground nutmeg from Lebanon in the Netherlands
KSWFoodWorld
Category Archives: Food Illness
RASFF Alert – Food Poisoning – Live Oysters
RASFF-food poisoning suspected to be caused by live oysters from France in Denmark
USA – Alaska confirms botulism case linked to Native Salad served at Bethel festival
The Alaska Section of Epidemiology has confirmed a case of botulism in an adult patient who ate Native Salad at the Cama-i Dance Festival in Bethel, March 16-18, 2018. Bethel is a city located near the west coast of Alaska, approximately 400 miles west of Anchorage.
The Alaska State Public Health Lab received a sample of the Native Salad consumed by the patient and it tested presumptive positive for botulism. Botulism toxin is produced from a certain bacteria that is found in the environment. Toxin production is more likely under certain conditions, like no oxygen or warm temperatures, which could be present during preparation or later during storage of that food.
Australia – Recall: UPDATE Washed Rind Cheeses – Listeria monocytogenes
Updated: additional Best before of 25-03-2018 for Le Vignelait Brillat Savarin.
The NSW Food Authority advises:
Washed Rind Pty Ltd has recalled a variety of cheeses made in France from IGA and Supa IGA in NSW, independent retailers in QLD and ACT, Foodworks and independent retailers in VIC, Foodlands IGA and independent retailers in SA and IGA, Supa IGA and independent retailers in WA due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Product details:
- Saint Simeon 200g, Plastic container, Best before 08-04-2018
- Brie de Nangis 1kg, Wrapped in cheesepaper/plastic and set in ½ wooden box, Best before 08-04-2018
- Le Vignelait Brillat Savarin 500g, Plastic container, Best before 25-03-2018 and 8-04-2018
- Coulommiers Truffe 800g, Wrapped in cheesepaper/plastic and set in ½ wooden box, Best before 08-04-2018 and 22-04-2018
- Le Coulommiers 500g, Wrapped in cheesepaper/plastic and set in ½ wooden box, Best before 08-04-2018 and 22-04-2018
- Brie de Brie Pasteurise 2.8kg, Wrapped in cheesepaper/plastic and set in ½ wooden box, Best before 08-04-2018 and 22-04-2018
Consumers should not eat this product and should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Listeria monocytogenes may cause illness in pregnant women and their unborn babies, the elderly and people with low immune systems.
If you are concerned about your health you should seek medical advice.
For more recall information, contact Say Cheese Wholesale on (08) 8321 5867.
Updated: additional Best before of 25-03-2018 for Le Vignelait Brillat Savarin.
The NSW Food Authority advises:
Washed Rind Pty Ltd has recalled a variety of cheeses made in France from IGA and Supa IGA in NSW, independent retailers in QLD and ACT, Foodworks and independent retailers in VIC, Foodlands IGA and independent retailers in SA and IGA, Supa IGA and independent retailers in WA due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Product details:
- Saint Simeon 200g, Plastic container, Best before 08-04-2018
- Brie de Nangis 1kg, Wrapped in cheesepaper/plastic and set in ½ wooden box, Best before 08-04-2018
- Le Vignelait Brillat Savarin 500g, Plastic container, Best before 25-03-2018 and 8-04-2018
- Coulommiers Truffe 800g, Wrapped in cheesepaper/plastic and set in ½ wooden box, Best before 08-04-2018 and 22-04-2018
- Le Coulommiers 500g, Wrapped in cheesepaper/plastic and set in ½ wooden box, Best before 08-04-2018 and 22-04-2018
- Brie de Brie Pasteurise 2.8kg, Wrapped in cheesepaper/plastic and set in ½ wooden box, Best before 08-04-2018 and 22-04-2018
Consumers should not eat this product and should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Listeria monocytogenes may cause illness in pregnant women and their unborn babies, the elderly and people with low immune systems.
If you are concerned about your health you should seek medical advice.
For more recall information, contact Say Cheese Wholesale on (08) 8321 5867.
USA- Norovirus – Indiana and Vermont
The Vermont Department of Health is investigating an outbreak of norovirus at The Windjammer Restaurant and its affiliated Upper Deck Pub in South Burlington, following more than 50 reports of illness and nine lab-confirmed cases of norovirus infection.
Health officials said the restaurant’s management has been cooperating in the investigation and has voluntarily closed for 48 hours to conduct a thorough cleaning of the establishment, including discarding prepared food items. According to The Windjammer’s management, several employees were out sick with similar symptoms. The restaurant is working closely with the Health Department to ensure the employees have the opportunity to be tested for norovirus and receive information about hand washing and glove use policies.
The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) is working with local health departments in southern Indiana to respond to a recent increase in hepatitis A cases, many of which are tied to a large outbreak in Kentucky.
In the last month, 17 cases of hepatitis A have been confirmed statewide, including 11 in Clark and Floyd counties. Since Jan. 1, ISDH has confirmed 40 cases of hepatitis A statewide. Typically, fewer than 20 cases are confirmed each year in Indiana.
Canada – Salmonella Enteritidis Outbreak in Canada Linked to Poultry Sickens 30
The Public Health Agency of Canada is collaborating with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada to investigate an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections in four provinces. These illnesses are linked to poultry, including frozen raw breaded chicken products.
USA – PDX Aromatics Issues Second Expanded Recall of Kratom Products for Possible Salmonella – Tamarack Inc. Recalls Eclipse Kratom
PDX Aromatics, doing business as Kraken Kratom, Phytoextractum, and Soul Speciosa is issuing a second expanded recall of their products because they may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. The company is aware of four confirmed cases of Salmonella associated with the consumption of red and white vein products.
Tamarack Inc. of Roy, Utah is voluntarily recalling Eclipse Kratom-containing powder products because it has 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.
The affected powder products are packaged in plastic heat sealed pouches or plastic sealed bottles sold in one gram capsules and powder. Distribution of an estimated 120 units were sold directly to five retailers in Utah.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
Canada – Vancouver Island cholera warning: Cases linked to eating herring eggs
The First Nations Health Authority and Island Health are warning the public following confirmed cases of Vibrio cholerae infection associated with eating herring eggs. The bacteria can be found in the aquatic environment and can cause intestinal illness after eating contaminated foods. Illness may include mild to severe nausea, vomiting, and very severe watery diarrhea. Some people don’t become ill and don’t know they have been infected. Health authorities are asking you to take the following precautions and actions:
- Do not consume herring eggs harvested from French Creek to Qualicum Bay area from kelp, seaweed or other surfaces.
- If you are ill, ensure you are drinking small amounts of fluid frequently to keep hydrated. Visit your physician or health center to ensure treatment and confirmation of the cause of illness. Letyour health care provider know if you have eaten raw or lightly-cooked herring eggs within 5
days of onset of illness or caring for someone who became ill after eating herring eggs. - The bacteria can be passed from person to person, even if you don’t have symptoms. Always wash your hands well after going to the bathroom or caring for someone who has been ill.
- If you have stored herring eggs, please call First Nations Health Authority Environmental Public Health Services at 250-924- 6125. Samples are being requested for testing (keep cold and in original packaging).
- Discard any extra stored herring eggs to avoid further illness. Freezing does not kill the bacteria.
- When handling herring eggs, practice proper handwashing and sanitize dishes and equipment to avoid cross contamination.
- Ensure other community members who may have received herring eggs are aware of these precautions and actions. If they are ill, we request that they be in contact with their physician or Health Center.
- A sanitary shellfish closure exists for bivalves in the French Creek/Qualicum Bay area. Harvesters are reminded to check area closures prior to harvesting bivalves to prevent illness.
USA – Top sirloin steaks recalled for possible Salmonella contamination
In Bridgeview, IL, SMI Holdings Inc., doing business as Stampede Meat, has recalled approximately 484,800 pounds of beef products that may be contaminated with Salmonella, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
The raw beef products were incorporated into a non-meat ingredient, Au Jus Seasoning, which tested positive for the presence of Salmonella. The frozen raw beef top sirloin steak items were produced on various dates from Feb. 19, 2018 through March 14, 2018.
Namibia – Namibia reports Listeriosis case in man who consumed Viennas
Namibia health officials are reporting a confirmed case of Listeriosis in a 41-year-old man from Tsumeb town in Oshikoto Region.
The patient with a known chronic co-morbidity, was admitted to a private hospital in Windhoek on 5 March 2018. He had travelled from Tsumeb to Windhoek on 4 March 2018. On 12 March 2018, abdominal fluid bacterial culture isolated Listeria monocytogenes. The patient remains admitted in a stable clinical condition.
Preliminary investigations reportedly indicated that the patient consumed meat products (Viennas) purchased from a local butchery in Tsumeb two weeks prior to onset of illness.
FoodWorld 