Category Archives: Food Inspections

USA – Legionella Outbreak

Food Posioning BulletinLegionella_Plate_01

Legionnaire’s outbreaks in Wisconsin and Ohio have sickened dozens of people, health authorities say. At least 20 people in Milwaukee County have  been diagnosed with the disease since June 1, 2013. Of those, 14 are from  the city of Milwaukee. Four people remain hospitalized. Wisconsin health authorities are looking for the source or sources of the outbreak

In Franklin County, Ohio, 22 illnesses have been associated with the Wesley Ridge Retirement Community in Reynoldsburg. Those sickened include visitors, residents and employees. Two of them have died. Franklin County Public Health,  the Ohio Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are working together to determine the source of the outbreak

USA – More Cyclospora and Hepatitis A Cases

Food Poisoning Bulletin

The Cyclospora outbreak that has been reported by health departments in several midwestern states may have sickened as many as 183 people. The Iowa Department of Public Health released new information today saying their case count is up to 87. In Nebraska, 54 people are sick, and Texas has 37 cases of the parasitic disease so far this year; of those, 29 in north Texas were reported just this week.

Food Poisoning Bulletin

As of July 17, 2013, 149 people are now sick in the hepatitis A outbreak linked to Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend frozen berry and pomegranate mix. Sixty-five people have been hospitalized in this outbreak with acute hepatitis A. No deaths have been reported.

UK – FSA – FSA Seeks Information on Cost of Proposed Stricter Criteria for Listeria

FSAfood_standards_agency_logo

The Food Standards Agency is asking businesses to provide information and data on the impact of proposed new guidance. The Agency wants to know the costs and benefits of guidance for stricter criteria for Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) food supplied to hospitals, nursing homes and similar healthcare settings. Responses to the questionnaire should be received by Friday 23 August 2013.

USA – FDA Recall – More Hummus Products – Listeria monocytogenes

FDAFDA

Hagee Foods Inc. dba Penny’s Salsa Inc., is recalling hummus products listed in the attached table because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The retail hummus products come in 8 oz. and 12 oz. clear plastic packages and were distributed to retail stores and food service accounts in Oregon and Washington with the Penny’s Salsa, Tacoma Boys and Harbor Greens labels. The USE BY dates 7/13/2013-8/25/2013 are printed on the side of the top lid.

Vegetable trays 8 oz and Snack packs 8 oz, which include 1.5 oz plastic containers of creamy hummus labeled Made in the Pacific North West, are packaged in black plastic trays with clear plastic lids. These products were distributed in Oregon and Washington. The USE BY dates 7/13/2013-7/24/2013 are on the underside of these trays.

Hummus for foodservice is packaged in 25 lb. bulk boxes. USE BY dates 7/13/2013-8/25/2013 are printed on the master shipper labels. This product was distributed in Washington.

The above hummus products were shipped from 5/27/13 to 7/14/13. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with these products

Canada – Tahina Recall – Possible Salmonella

CFIAEurofins Food Testing UK

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the Clic brand Tahina (Paste made from Sesame Seeds) described in the link above because it may be contaminated with Salmonella.

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

The CFIA is working with the importer to remove the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

RASFF Alerts – Aflatoxins – Groundnuts – Listeria monocytogenes – Smoked Salmon – Salmonella – Frozen Chicken

RASFF – Aflatoxins (B1 = 49; Tot. = 60 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Brazil in the Netherlands

RASFF – Aflatoxins (B1 = 18; Tot. = 21 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Brazil in the Netherlands

RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes (<10; 110; <10; 91; 131 CFU/g) in chilled smoked salmon from France in Italy

RASFF – Salmonella spp. (presence /25g) in frozen chicken meat from Brazil in Spain

RASFF – Salmonella enteritidis (present in 5 out of 5 samples /25g) in chilled chicken quarters from Slovakia, with raw material from Poland in Slovakia

 

USA – FDA – Recall Pet Food – Possible Salmonella

FDA

Natura Pet Products is voluntarily recalling specific lots of dry pet food because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

These products were packaged in a single production facility. During routine FDA testing, a single lot tested positive for the presence of Salmonella. There have been no reports of pet or human illness associated with this product. In an abundance of caution, Natura is voluntarily recalling all products with expiration dates prior to June 10, 2014.

The affected products are sold in bags through veterinary clinics, select pet specialty retailers, and online in the United States and Canada. No canned wet food is affected by this announcement.

Canada – Recall Gorgonzola Cheese – Listeria monocytogenes

CFIA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Agropur are warning the public not to consume the Il Villaggio brand Gorgonzola Dolce Cheese described in the link above because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

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

The importer, Agropur, St-Hubert, Quebec, is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace.  The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

USA – Recall Hummus – Listeria monocytogenes

Food Safety NewsEurofins Food Testing UK

Washington state-based company is recalling some of its hummus products because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Penny’s Salsa of Auburn, WA initiated a recall of certain hummus products Sunday after two types of the spread tested positive for Listeria, according to the Oregonian.

USA – Organic Oregano Recall – Salmonella

Food Safety News

California company is recalling 1,075 cases of its organic oregano because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Olde Thompson Inc. of Oxnard, CA issued a voluntary recall of its Earth’s Pride Organics brand Organic Oregano — sold exclusively at BJ’s Wholesale — on Friday after the bacteria was discovered as a result of routine sampling.

The product was sold in a 2.2 oz. jar glass jar at BJ’s locations in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia between January 1 and July 10 of this year.

Affected lot numbers include 060367, 060692, 061252 and 061864. These numberscan be found on the bottom of the jar.

No illnesses have been linked to consumption of the product to date.