Category Archives: Food Inspections

RASFF Alerts – Aflatoxin -Pistachios – Almonds – Fermented Banku Flour – Hazlenuts – Groundnuts

Posted on September 7, 2018 by | Leave a comment

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RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 38.2; Tot. = 42.2 µg/kg – ppb) in pistachios in shell from the United States in Germany

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 17.7; Tot. = 18.8 µg/kg – ppb) in almonds from the United States in Spain

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 8.1; Tot. = 11 µg/kg – ppb) and Bacillus cereus enterotoxigenic (40000 CFU/g) in fermented banku flour from Ghana, via the Netherlands in Germany

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 91.6; Tot. = 106 µg/kg – ppb) in hazelnuts from Turkey in Sweden

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 170; Tot. = 180 µg/kg – ppb) in unshelled pistachios from Iran in France

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 8.7; Tot. = 14) in groundnut kernels from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 6.3 / B1 = 2.2 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 2.6 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts kernels from Argentina in the Netherlands

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Posted in Aflatoxin, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, RASFF, Uncategorized

Canada – Updated Food Recall Warning – Randsland brand Super Salad Kit recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on September 7, 2018 by | Leave a comment

CFIA CIFA

Recall details

Ottawa, September 6, 2018 – The food recall warning issued on August 26, 2018 has been updated to include additional product information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation.

Randsland Farms Inc. is recalling Randsland brand Super Salad Kit from the marketplace due to Listeria monocytogenes. Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below.

Recalled products

Brand Name Common Name Size Code(s) on Product UPC
Randsland Super Salad Kit 454 g 090718 0 57225 00005 6

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Posted in CFIA, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Uncategorized

Canada – Compliments brand Chili Powder recalled due to Salmonella

Posted on September 7, 2018 by | Leave a comment

CFIA CIFA

Recall details

Ottawa, September 6, 2018 – La Cie McCormick Canada is recalling Compliments brand Chili Powder from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below.

Recalled products

Brand Name Common Name Size Code(s) on Product UPC
Compliments Chili Powder 155 g 2020 MA 26 0 55742 35921 3

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Posted in CFIA, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Salmonella, Uncategorized

USA – FDA Investigation of Multistate Outbreak of Cyclospora Illnesses Linked to Del Monte Vegetable Trays Ends

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FDA cyclo

The FDA, CDC, along with state and local officials investigated a multi-state outbreak of cyclosporiasis illnesses associated with Del Monte vegetable trays recalled from Kwik Trip/Kwik Star locations in the United States.

Update – September 6, 2018

As of September 6, 2018, a total of 250 laboratory-confirmed cases of Cyclospora infection were reported in people who reportedly ate recalled pre-packaged Del Monte vegetable trays. CDC reports that the numbers of reported cases of cyclosporiasis in the United States have returned to baseline levels.

FDA evaluated and reviewed the distribution and supplier information for each component of the recalled vegetable trays as part of the traceback investigation. The investigation did not identify a single source or potential point of contamination for any of the items that comprised the recalled vegetable trays. The traceback investigation is complete.

Recommendations

Consumers who have symptoms of cyclosporiasis should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.

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Posted in Cyclospora, FDA, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Uncategorized

Hong Kong – Packed milk drink sample found to contain excessive Bacillus cereus

Posted on September 7, 2018 by | Leave a comment

CFS bacillus

Issue Date 4.9.2018
Source of Information Centre for Food Safety
Food Product Kowloon Dairy Hi-Calcium Skimmed milk drink
Product Name and Description Product name: Kowloon Dairy Hi-Calcium Skimmed milk drink

Manufacturer: The Kowloon Dairy Ltd

Volume: 236 millilitres per pack

Use-by date: August 23, 2018
Reason For Issuing Alert
  • Following up on a food complaint, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) collected the concerned sample from a supermarket in Sha Tin for testing. The test result showed that the sample contained Bacillus cereus at a level of 3.8 million per gram. Under the Microbiological Guidelines for Food, if ready-to-eat food contains Bacillus cereus at a level of more than 100 000 per gram, it is considered unsatisfactory.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety
  • The CFS had informed the manufacturer and the vendor concerned of the test result. Investigation was conducted at the production plant and the supermarket concerned and follow-up samples were collected for further testing. Investigation is ongoing.
  • The CFS has also provided health education on food safety and hygiene for the staff of the production plant and the supermarket and requested them to carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection.
  • The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action in order to safeguard public health and food safety.
Advice to the Trade
  • According to Section 54 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), all food available for sale in Hong Kong, locally produced or imported, should be fit for human consumption. An offender is subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.
Advice to Consumers
  • Bacillus cereus is commonly found in the environment. Unhygienic conditions in food processing and storage may give rise to its growth. Consuming food contaminated with excessive Bacillus cereus may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea.
Further Information The CFS press release

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Posted in Bacillus, Bacillus cereus, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Uncategorized

USA – FDA Investigated Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Infections Linked to Hy-Vee Spring Pasta Salad

Posted on September 7, 2018 by | Leave a comment

FDA 

Salmonella

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local partners, investigated a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella illnesses linked to Spring Pasta Salad sold at Hy-Vee locations in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Update – September 5, 2018

On September 5, 2018, the investigational activities related to this outbreak concluded.

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Posted in FDA, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Salmonella, Uncategorized

USA – Salmonella Honey Smacks now linked to 130 illnesses in 36 States

Posted on September 5, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

As of August 30, 2018, 130 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Mbandaka have been reported from 36 states – AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV.

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Illnesses started on dates from March 3, 2018, to August 7, 2018. Ill people range in age from less than one year to 95, with a median age of 57. Of ill people, 69% are female. Out of 98 people with information available, 34 (35%) have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Illnesses that occurred after August 4, 2018, might not yet be reported due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when their illness is reported. This takes an average of 2 to 4 weeks.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Salmonella, Uncategorized

Europe – Rare Salmonella strain sickens 50 in five EU countries – Salmonella Mikawasima

Posted on September 5, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Around 50 people in five European countries have been struck down with a rare strain of Salmonella.

Salmonella Mikawasima has infected 15 people in Germany, 13 in Sweden, eight in both Denmark and the Czech Republic and six in Austria.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Salmonella, Uncategorized

USA – FDA documents first Cyclospora contamination of U.S. fresh produce

Posted on September 5, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News 220px-Cyclospora_cayetanensis_stained

A special FDA testing program on fresh herbs has documented the first confirmed evidence of the Cyclospora parasite in U.S. produce.

The Food and Drug Administration found the microscopic parasite on fresh cilantro at a U.S. distribution facility in July. In a follow-up investigation, the FDA found Cyclospora on fresh cilantro at a farm. The federal agency worked with state and local officials to embargo the cilantro. Staff from FDA have been working with the farmer on “corrective actions geared toward common routes of contamination,” according to a constituent update from the agency. 

“Although this is the first confirmed evidence of the presence of Cyclospora in domestic produce, FDA is currently unaware of illnesses associated with the product, and traceforward efforts do not indicate there are any connections between this domestic finding of contaminated cilantro and multistate outbreaks of Cyclospora illnesses investigated this spring and summer,” the agency reported.

Those Cyclospora outbreaks were linked to Del Monte vegetable-dip trays and salads made with Fresh Express chopped lettuce and carrots that were served at McDonald’s restaurants.

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Posted in Cyclospora, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Parasite, Uncategorized

New Zealand -Campylobacter in raw milk leads to recall in New Zealand

Posted on September 4, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News 

campy2

BOI Farming Ltd., trading as Bella Vacca Jerseys, is recalling raw, unpasteurized milk in New Zealand because of contamination with Campylobacter bacteria.

Bella Vacca brand unpasteurized, raw drinking milk is sold in 750-ml glass bottles.

Batch numbers 270818, 280818, 310818, 010918 and 030918 with use by dates Aug. 27, 28 and 31, and Sept. 1 and 3 are included in the recall. The product is delivered directly to customers or sold from the farm at 568 Pokapū Road, RD1 Kawakawa, Northland. It is not exported.

Consumers who have unused portions of Bella Vacca brand raw milk are urged to check the batch and date mark on stickers on the lids of bottles. Health officials say people should not to consume affected product. They should return the products for a full refund.

There have been no reports of illness but those who have consumed the product and have developed symptoms of infection from Campylobacter bacteria should seek medical advice.

Bella Vacca Jerseys representatives said until the next five tests are clear it is unable to sell raw milk.

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Posted in Campylobacter, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Raw Milk, Recall, Uncategorized