FnBnews has reported on the European Food Agency wanting new controls on sprouting seeds, I have just recently posted on the new Australian and NZ guidelines for sprouting seeds. Producers of sprouted seeds should tighten safety measures along the production chain as ready-to-eat food can cause large outbreaks of illness, the EU food safety agency said after thousands of people were hit by E.coli infection this year.
Posted in E.coli, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Testing, Microbiology, outbreak
An article in Food Production Daily has reported that an Australian Poultry Producer has been fined $AUD 250,000 for pre-cooked chicken contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The firm supplied the Australian Airline Virgin Blue with the chicken meat that was in sandwich wraps, 29 people were affected including one who gave birth prematurely.
Posted in Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Testing, Listeria, Microbiology, outbreak
There have been some changes to the EU2073 regarding poultry sampling and testing for Salmonella. There is extra emphasis on Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium. Sections 12, 13, 14, 16 and Articles 1, 2 ,3 and the Annexes seem to be most relevant.
Posted in EU2073, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Testing, Microbiology, Salmonella
The Australian and New Zealand Food Standards Agency have released a standard Proposal P1004 – Primary Production and Processing Standard for Seed Sprouts.
The objective of this Proposal is to reduce the incidence of foodborne illness from the consumption of seed sprouts while avoiding any unnecessary cost burden on industry and consumers.
Posted in Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Testing, Microbiology, outbreak
A release by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has implicated that some Ginger Beef on sale in Canada has possibly been contaminated by Listeria monocytogenes.
OTTAWA, November 16, 2011 – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Ginger Beef Choice Ltd., EST 615 are warning the public not to consume the ready-to-eat Special Combo described below because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
The affected product, Ginger Beef Choice brand Special Combo is sold in a 1 kg package bearing UPC 6 65075 22980 2 and Best Before date 2011 NOV 28.
This product was distributed to Costco stores in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. No illnesses have been reported.
Posted in Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Testing, Listeria, Microbiology, outbreak
The FSA is trying to heighten awareness to Botulinum symptoms in a follow-up to the two cases of botulinum poisoning that has happened in Glasgow in the last couple of days.
These are two links to further information.
The Food Standards Agency is advising people not to consume specific jars of Loyd Grossman Korma sauce. This is because of the risk of botulism poisoning.
Only one jar from the batch is known to have been contaminated with the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which causes botulism, but the Agency is advising people not to eat products from this batch as a precautionary measure
The affected batch is:
Anyone who has any of the jars from this batch of Loyd Grossman Korma sauce should not eat it. No other batches of Loyd Grossman products are thought to be affected.
Two members of the same family who have contracted botulism and have eaten from a jar of this batch of sauce have been hospitalised in Scotland. The FSA will issue more information as it becomes available.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued an alert for cheese products thought to contain Listeria monocytogenes. The products are certain Deschamps brand and Fromagerie Marie Kadé brand cheese these products have been distributed in Quebec and Ontario. There have been no reported illnesses but these products have possible contamination.
Posted in Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Testing, Listeria, Microbiology, outbreak
The FDA have warned consumers not to eat certain brands ASSI Brand Oysters from Washington State as they are contaminated with Norovirus and have caused illness. The oysters, were served in a Washington state restaurant and were eaten by three people who became ill, have been sampled and tested positive by FDA for norovirus genotypes I and II.
Records indicate that this product was shipped to the states of Washington, California, Texas, Colorado, Arizona, Idaho, and Utah
Posted in Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Virus, Microbiology
An outbreak of Shigella sonnei in Norway has been linked to fresh basil used in making pesto, there were 46 cases have been detected the product has been withdrawn from the market. The link above describes the investigation that was undertaken.
Posted in Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Microbiology, outbreak
FoodWorld 