Category Archives: Food Inspections

CDC 2011 Foodborne Disease Figures

CDC

The Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) conducts active population-based surveillance in ten areas (Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, and selected counties in California, Colorado, and New York) for laboratory-confirmed cases of infection caused by Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Listeria, Salmonella, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC, including STEC O157 and STEC non-O157), Shigella, Vibrio, and Yersinia.

FoodNet also conducts surveillance for postdiarrheal hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication of STEC infection characterized by renal failure and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, through a network of pediatric nephrologists and infection-control practitioners. Hospital discharge data are reviewed to validate HUS diagnoses and verify the presence of diarrhea in the 21 days before HUS onset. This report contains preliminary postdiarrheal HUS data for 2010, rather than for 2011, because additional time is needed to review hospital records.

Staphylococcus aureus – Colombian Style Cheese Recall

Food Consumer Org

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Darrel J. Aubertine today warned consumers in the Metropolitan New York area not to consume “Quesito Colombiano, Colombian style Cheese” made by Productos Tita Corp., 70-06 88th  Street, Glendale, New York 11385 due to possible Staphylococcus aureus contamination.

The recalled Colombian style cheese under the Brand name “Tita” is contained in 8oz. clear plastic pouches or tubs with a plant code of #36-8440 and with a stamped code of “AUG 10 2012” stamped beneath the label bar code. The product was distributed in the Metropolitan New York area.

A routine sample of the cheese, taken by an inspector from the Division of Milk Control and Dairy Services on July 25, 2012, was subsequently tested by the Department’s Food Laboratory and discovered to be contaminated with high levels of Staphylococcus aureus.  On July 28, 2012, the manufacturer was notified of the positive test result and voluntarily recalled the product.

Another Cantaloupe Scare – Listeria monocytogenes

Food Safety News

North Carolina’s Burch Farms and Hannaford Supermarkets on Saturday initiated a recall of 580 crates of whole Athena cantaloupes sent to New York due to possible contamination of Listeria monocytogenes.

The cantaloupes were shipped July 15. No illnesses have been linked to this outbreak.

US- BBQ Salads Recall – Listeria monocytogenes

USDA

Huxtable’s Kitchen, a Vernon, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 5,610 pounds of barbeque chicken salads. The salads contain diced onions that are the subject of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

FSIS was alerted to the problem by Huxtable’s Kitchen. The company was informed by a supplier that diced onions used in the product are subject to an FDA recall. FSIS and the company have received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.

 

US – Bean Salad Recall – Listeria monocytogenes

Food Poisoning Bulletin

The chain Stop & Shop Supermarkets has recalled Calico Bean Salad made by Costa Fruit & Product because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The product was sold in the salad bars at the stores. Anyone who bought that salad between July 18, 2012 and July 26, 2012 should discard it and bring the receipt to the place of purchase for a full refund.

There have not been any illnesses reported in connection with the consumption of this product.

FSA – Update Olives and Botulisum

FSA 

The Food Standards Agency is warning people not to eat a certain batch of Italian olives sold in jars after one person became ill with botulism poisoning after eating them. The Agency has now received further information from the Italian Authorities confirming that 60 jars of the affected Divini Di Chicco Francesco olives product were distributed to one supplier in the UK.

Divini Di Chicco Francesco olives

The Agency has issued an updated Food Alert for Action. The news story about the original Food Alert for Action, which was issued on 25 July 2012.

The UK supplier has confirmed that the implicated product was distribution to three independent delicatessens in the UK between July 2011 and July 2012. These delicatessens have been visited by the supplier and any remaining stock of the product has been removed from sale.

RASFF Alerts – Listeria, STEC, Algae, Histamine

RASFF – Algae in Bottled Spirng Water Dennmark

RASFF – Listeria Sliced Smoked Salmon in Italy sourced in Denmark

RASFF – STEC E.coli Roquefort Cheese in France

RASFF – Hisatmine in Sardines in France sourced in Morocco

 

Canada – Advisory Alert Shellfish Vibro parahaemolyticus

CDC BC 

The BC Centre for Disease Control is reminding the public there’s a risk of illness associated with eating raw or undercooked bivalve shellfish such as oysters, clams, mussels, scallops, and cockles.

 Shellfish may accumulate bacteria(Vibrio parahaemolyticus), viruses (norovirus, hepatitis A), and toxins (paralytic shellfish poisoning, diarrhetic shellfish poisoning) or other impurities present in the water. Thorough cooking destroys bacteria and viruses, but does not destroy toxins.

 To date in 2012, five cases of locally-acquired Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection have been reported. In 2011, 42 cases of vibrio were reported. These illnesses have been linked to raw shellfish served in restaurants, bought at retail, or self-harvested in communities throughout the province including, Gibsons, Sechelt, Powell River, Ladysmith, Qualicum, Ucluelet, Gabriola Island, Cortes Island and Parksville.

In addition to individual cases, BC has also experienced outbreaks associated with shellfish. In 2010, an outbreak of norovirus from raw oysters affected over 30 people and in 2011 more than 60 people became ill after consuming cooked mussels contaminated with diarrhetic shellfish poisoning.

Chinese Infant Formula Recall – Aflatoxin

Reuters

China’s Hunan Ava Dairy Co Ltd said on Monday it will recall baby formula sold under its Nanshan Bywise brand after a cancer-causing agent was found in test samples, the latest blow to the country’s scandal-ridden milk industry struggling to restore consumer confidence.

Five batches of Nanshan Bywise infant milk powder produced between July and December last year failed sample tests for aflatoxin, a toxin produced by a fungus that is widespread in nature

US – Gills Foods Onions Recall Expandend – Listeria – Other Products Affected

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Gills Onions LLC of California is expanding its July 18 recall of diced and slivered red and yellow onions and diced celery and onion mix to include more products. Now, diced, slivered, and whole peeled onions and diced onion/celery mix with use-by dates on or before August 3, 2012 are included in the recall for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Sartori Inspirations, LLC is recalling some Ciolo Products sold at Whole Foods Market stores because they may contain onions from Gills Onions. That product may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The Gills Onions were recalled on July 18, 2012.

Spartan Stores

Spartan Stores today is announcing an URGENT FOOD RECALL of two (2) Central Kitchen products shipped between July 13th  through July 26th, 2012 that contain onions produced by Gills Onions, LLC of Oxnard, CA. The recall is in connection with the expanded voluntary recall announced on July 25, 2012 by Gills Onions of their diced and slivered red and yellow onion products due to possible contamination with Listeria Monocytogenes.

Publix

Publix Super Markets is issuing a voluntary recall for custom sub sandwiches that contain onions because they may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes. Publix received notification from their supplier, who receives sliced onions from Gills Onions LLC. This recall involves any custom made sub sandwich with onions sold from the Publix Deli department between July 7, 2012 through July 26, 2012 in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina. Publix stores in Florida are not involved with this recall.