Category Archives: Food Inspections

RASFF Alerts – Histamine – Tuna

RASFF -histamine (2850 mg/kg – ppm) in tuna loins (Thunnus albacares) from Spain in Italy

RASFF Alerts – E.coli – Beef and Parsley

RASFF -high count of Enterobacteriaceae (17000 CFU/g) in dried parsley from Egypt in Italy

RASFF -shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (presence /25g) in fresh vacuum packed boneless beef (Bos taurus) from Argentina in Italy

RASFF -shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (presence /25g) in frozen boneless beef (Bos taurus) from Brazil in the Netherlands

RASFF -shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (presence /25g) in chilled beef (Bos taurus) from Brazil in the Netherlands

RASFF Alerts – Campylobacter – Chicken

RASFF -Campylobacter (between 400 and 17000 CFU/g) in chilled chicken thighs from Poland In Denmark

RASFF -Campylobacter jejuni (100 – 5.300 /g) in chilled whole chicken from Germany

RASFF Alerts – DSP – Live Mussels

RASFF -Diarrhoeic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) toxins – okadaic acid (203 µg/kg – ppb) in live mussels (Mytillus galloprovincialis) from Spain in Italy

RASFF -Diarrhoeic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) toxins – okadaic acid (287 µg/kg – ppb) in live mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from Spain in Italy

RASFF -Diarrhoeic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) toxins – okadaic acid (494 µg/kg – ppb) in live mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from Spain in Italy

Research – Norwegian Salmon and Listeria monocytogenes

Epidemiology and InfectionEurofins Food Testing UK

The objective of this study was to characterize Listeria monocytogenes isolated from farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and the processing environment in three different Norwegian factories, and compare these to clinical isolates by multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). The 65 L. monocytogenes isolates obtained gave 15 distinct MLVA profiles. There was great heterogeneity in the distribution of MLVA profiles in factories and within each factory. Nine of the 15 MLVA profiles found in the fish-associated isolates were found to match human profiles. The MLVA profile 07-07-09-10-06 was the most common strain in Norwegian listeriosis patients. L. monocytogenes with this profile has previously been associated with at least two known listeriosis outbreaks in Norway, neither determined to be due to fish consumption. However, since this profile was also found in fish and in the processing environment, fish should be considered as a possible food vehicle during sporadic cases and outbreaks of listeriosis.

Canada – CFIA – Updated Meat Recall E.coli O157 – Updated Salad Recall Listeria monocytogenes

CFIAEurofins Food Testing UK

– The public warning issued on October 8, 2013 has been  updated to include an additional product.

The Canadian  Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Belmont Meats Ltd. (Est. 112) are warning the  public not to consume the uncooked lean ground beef in the link above because it may  be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

This recall is the result of an ongoing food  safety investigation initiated as a result of a recent outbreak investigation.  There may be recalls of additional products or best before dates as the food  safety investigation at this facility continues.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of  this product.

The manufacturer,  Belmont Meats Ltd., Toronto, Ontario, is voluntarily recalling all affected  product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the  recall.

CFIA

The public warning issued on October 5, 2013 has been updated to include an additional product.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Reser’s Fine Foods Inc. are warning the public not to consume certain Reser’s Fine Foods brand Cheesy Macaroni salad, in the link above, because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

This product has been distributed in Walmart stores.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

The manufacturer, Reser’s Fine Foods Inc., Beaverton, Oregon, USA, is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace.  The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

UK- Public Health England New Food Web Link

We are pleased to inform you that the UK National Reference Laboratory for Food Microbiology has launched a webpage within Public Health England Food, Water and Environmental Microbiology Services, giving details of recent activities and events.  Please click on this link PHE

Within our webpage you will see two published documents which are free to download as pdf copies:-

  • “Audit      of Official Control Laboratories capabilities and accreditation status in      the UK 2013”
  • “2012      – 2013 Report of UK National Reference Laboratory for Food Microbiology”

 

 

USA – USDA – Garden Fresh – Listeria monocytogenes – Costco – Salmonella

USDA

Garden Fresh Foods, a Milwaukee, WI. establishment, is recalling approximately 6,694 additional pounds of ready-to-eat chicken and ham products due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The company is recalling these products in addition to the 19,054 pounds of similar products that were recalled on Sept. 25, 2013

USDA

Costco’s El Camino Real store in San Francisco, Calif., is recalling an additional 14,093 units of rotisserie chicken products that may be contaminated with a strain of Salmonella, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. This is in addition to the 9,043 units that were recalled on Oct. 12.

The products subject to recall are:

  • 13,455 “Kirkland Signature Foster Farms” rotisserie chickens
  • 638 total units of “Kirkland Farm” rotisserie chicken soup, rotisserie chicken leg quarters, and rotisserie chicken salad.

The products were sold directly to consumers in a Costco located at 1600 El Camino Real, South San Francisco, Calif., between Sept. 24 and Oct. 15, 2013.

Costco and the California Department of Public Health discovered through a follow up investigation to the previous recall that additional product should be recalled. No illnesses have been reported in association with the product being recalled today.

USA – USDA Q&A Sheet- Foster Farms – Salmonella Outbreak

USDA

Frequently Asked Questions – Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Chicken Products Produced at Three Foster Farms FacilitiesEurofins Food Testing UK

Canada – Ground Beef Recall Update – E.coli O157

CFIAEcoli Istock

The public warning issued on October 11th, 2013 has been updated to include an additional product which was sold at only one Costco store location.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd. are warning the public not to consume the Kirkland Signature brand Lean Ground Beef described in the link above because it may be contaminated with pathogenic E. coli bacteria.

This product has been sold from the Costco warehouse in Lethbridge, Alberta.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

The retailer, Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd., Ottawa, Ontario, is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall