The above publication is running an article which fully encompasses modern-day trends. The article reports on an US study extolling the virtues of Twitter and Facebook as a surveillance tool for food illness outbreaks.
There is also a webinar at the following link on February 3rd.
Food Product Tracing Technology Capabilities and Interoperability
Salmonella – a bacterium causing salmonellosis in humans – was until 2005 the most common food-borne disease in European Union (EU) with almost 200.000 reported human cases that year. It is estimated that the overall economic burden of human salmonellosis for the EU could be as high as EUR 3 billion a year.
Salmonellosis is a zoonosis – disease or infection that can be transmitted directly or indirectly between animals and humans. The bacterium is commonly found in the intestines of healthy birds and mammals. It can spread to humans through contaminated eggs and meat, most often poultry and pig meat. Usual symptoms include fever, diarrohea and abdominal cramps.
The coordinated approach by all EU actors has had significant results: human Salmonella cases have been reduced by almost one-half in the EU over five years (2004-2009). At the same time, the prevalence of Salmonella in poultry decreased significantly, especially in laying hen flocks. The reduction of the bacteria in laying hen flocks is likely to be the main reason for the decline of Salmonella cases in humans, since eggs are considered the most important source of human infections in EU.
The one-year-old was infected with the bacteria and was hospitalised two weeks ago, and is now recovering.
Just four serious incidents following O113 infection have ever been recorded in Europe. Antibiotics are not prescribed for the bacteria, but fluids are the best course of action to combat it instead.
The Brattås nursery in Nøtterøy, Vestfold, where the child attends has been asked to tighten up its hygiene policy.
Assistant General Manager Stig André Kragnes told Tønsbergs Blad, Saturday, “All door handles and other contact surfaces are to be cleaned. This is in addition to the other extraordinary hygiene measures we have initiated. We are collaborating with community health services.
“For those who have been working on food safety for years — even decades — the promise of a quick-fix holds no allure. Experts know that food safety is multi-faceted, and no silver bullet exists to wipe the scourge of E. coli 0157:H7 from existence. But where promising new technologies could — in combination with common-sense approaches — make serious contributions to public health, they should be advanced. Pre-harvest vaccines for E. coli O157:H7 could very well be one of them.”
The USDA announced that 18th Street Deli Inc., a Hamtramck, Mich., establishment, is recalling approximately 118 pounds of julienne salad products with turkey, ham and hard-boiled eggs. The salads contain eggs that are the subject of an FDA recall due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
A group of French tourists returned home from Turkey last autumn with diarrheal illnesses, and two of them developed a life-threatening kidney disease linked to the foodborne pathogen E. coli.
On January 25, 2012, it was announced that Anytime Deli Turkey & Ham Footlong Sandwiches are being recalled due to potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The sub sandwiches were distributed on January 2nd and 3rd to convenience stores in Florida and South Georgia.
The sandwiches being recalled have expirations dates of January 19 and January 22 and UPC 0543200194. The sandwich is packaged in white butcher wrap. The Best Buy date is located on the white press on circular label. The UPC Code is located on the bottom of the product beneath the Ingredient and Nutrition Facts label.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
A mother whose five-year-old son died in Wales’ largest E. coli outbreak has won an award for improving food safety.
Sharon Mills was named Tesco Campaigning Mum of the Year for her work leading to a “scores on the doors” system forcing Welsh restaurants and takeaways to display hygiene ratings.
It is quite interesting to see where pathogenic organisms can be found, I spend quite some time telling clients to be aware of control statements such as organisms will not grow below this pH, Temperature, aW etc. There is always a difference between growth and persistence and the organisms do not always know about the limits and tolerance they are supposed to have.
January 23, 2012 – University Place, Washington- Jones’ Seasoning Blends LLC announced a voluntary recall of Jones’ Mock Salt Original as well as Jones’ Mock Salt Spicy Southwest Blend due to the potential contamination of Salmonella.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this voluntary recall.
This recall has been initiated due to possible Salmonella contamination of the celery seeds ingredient used in Jones Mock Salt. Jones Seasoning Blends LLC is not responsible for the contamination of Salmonella. The supplier of the celery seeds has been recalling the product and Jones Seasoning Blends LLC has also taken every action possible in notifying the public.
The following affected products were directly distributed to grocery stores and markets in California, Minnesota, and Washington and it was also sold through internet orders on http://www.jonesmocksalt.com:
Jones’ Mock Salt Original: Organic Salt Free Seasoning, 1.6 oz bottles (UPC 0 94922 16616 6), 12 oz bags (UPC 0 94922 07199 6) and 16 oz bags (0 94922 16616 6).
Jones’ Mock Salt Spicy Southwest Blend: Organic Salt Free Seasoning, 1.6 oz bottles (UPC 0 94922 01560 0).
There is no lot number identifying the bottles or bags. Any products purchased from July 1, 2011 to December 14, 2011 should be destroyed.
FoodWorld 