Category Archives: Food Inspections

US – Jalepeno Chillies – Recall – Salmonella

Posted on March 26, 2012 by KSW | Leave a comment

Newport, Kentucky-based Castellini Produce has issued an unclassified recall for fresh jalapenos in packs of two, 10 and 40.

The recalled jalapenos reached five divisions of Rosemont,IL-based US Foods (formerly U.S. Foodservice) between March 9 and 24, according to the food distribution company.

While no illnesses have yet been associated with the recall, routine test results showed possible presence of Salmonella.

The recalled product may be identified by packaging bearing the name Professional Produce of Florida/South Florida Produce and may include the following lot numbers:

1977434, 1977911, 1978565, 1976393, 1976549, 1976551, 1977220, 1977514, 1977845, 1978122, 1978125, 1978930, 1976774, 1976786, 1977289, 1977310, 1977906, 1977913, 1978563, 1978574, 1979025, 1979034, 1976509, 1977743, 1978618, 280104C07

Formed in 1896, Castellini is one of the largest distributors of fresh produce in the United States with more than 2,500 fruits, vegetables and floral items in its product line.

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, Salmonella

Tagged food distribution company, food safety news

US – E.coli O157 Alert in Imported Canadian Products

Posted on March 26, 2012 by KSW | Leave a comment

E.coli Blog

USDA

Sysco Seattle Inc. is recalling approximately 16,800 pounds of ground beef patties distributed to restaurants in Colorado, Arizona, Texas and Washington because of possible E. coli contamination according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The producer, New Food Classics of Burlington, Ontario, notified Sysco Seattle of the possible contamination earlier this month.

The following products are subject to recall:

•10 lb. boxes of PRIME RIB BEEF PATTIES 8 oz, with product code 55317, and production code 11 NO 22.

•10 lb. boxes of PRIME RIB BEEF PATTIES 71g, with product code 55391 and bearing a production code of 11 SE 01 or 12 JA 04.

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Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, E.coli O157, EHEC, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, STEC, USDA

US – Salmonella Outbreak Live Chicks

Posted on March 23, 2012 by KSW | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Are you thinking of getting some chicks so you can produce your own eggs? Have the recalls of eggs from Daizen Farms, Michael Foods Inc., and the huge outbreak of foodborne illness from Wright County Eggs in 2010have you forgoing eggs at the grocery store?

Your own hatchery may not be the answer. The CDC just released a study of an outbreak of Salmonella Altona and Salmonella Johannesburg infections linked to chicks and ducklings from a mail order hatchery last year.

Two clusters of human Salmonella infections from baby chicks were identified in 2011 through pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). From February 25, 2011 to October 10, 2011, 68 cases of Salmonella Altona and 17 cases of Salmonella Johannesburg had contact with live poultry the week before their illness developed

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Posted in Bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Pathogen, Salmonella

Tagged salmonella infections

Texas Firm Recalls Beef Sausage Products Due To Possible Listeria Contamination

Posted on March 22, 2012 by KSW | Leave a comment

USDA

WASHINGTON, March 21, 2012 – Southside Market & BBQ, an Elgin, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 2,373 pounds of ready-to-eat beef sausage products that may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The following products are subject to recall:

16 oz. packages of “Southside Market & BBQ Original Beef Sausage,” Lot # 065-E
16 oz. and 48 oz. packages of “Southside Market & BBQ Original Beef Sausage,” Lot #’s 065-A, 065-B, 065-C, and 065-D
16 oz. packages of “Southside Market & BBQ 1882 Hot Recipe Beef Sausage,” Lot # 065-D

FSIS and the company have received no reports of illness due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

US – Hens Fed on Salmonella Contaminated Feed – Rat Droppings

Posted on March 22, 2012 by KSW | 1 comment

Washington State

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) recommends against eating any eggs produced by Daizen Farms of Burlington, WA. The eggs were produced by hens that ate feed contaminated with rodent droppings. Laboratory testing confirms that the feed contained Salmonella.

The eggs were also packaged under insanitary conditions on the farm. WSDA inspectors observed rodent droppings inside an egg-washing machine during use.

To date, public health officials have linked no human illnesses to the eggs. Consumers are reminded to thoroughly cook all eggs, regardless of source, to reduce the risk of food borne illness.

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Pathogen, Salmonella

CIFA – More on the E.coli O157 Recall – Beef

Posted on March 21, 2012 by KSW | Leave a comment

CIFA Fact Sheet

CIFA Recall List

CIFA Article

To date, the CFIA has provided details of over 135 affected products under various brand names and codes that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. These products have been distributed nationally.

As the CFIA continues its investigation, it will immediately advise consumers if additional affected products are found.

The affected products can also be identified by the Establishment number that appears on the packages, cartons or cases. The products made at this facility bear Establishment number (EST) 761.

The affected products involved in this recall may be identified by one of the following codes:

bearing a Best Before date from BB 2012 JA 01 up to and including to BB 2013 FE 15;
bearing a production code with a format of 11 JL 01 up to and including 12 FE 15;
bearing a 5 digit lot code where the last four digits are 1831 or greater.

If you have any of the affected products, or have products that you are not certain falls under the recall, do not consume these products.

You should throw out the product or contact the point of purchase about their return policy.

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Posted in Bacteria, CIFA, E.coli, E.coli O157, EHEC, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, STEC

UK – Staffordshire Closed Till Easter – 18 Cases E.coli O157

Posted on March 20, 2012 by KSW | Leave a comment

BBC News

A Staffordshire primary school which was closed because of an E. coli outbreak is expected to remain shut until after Easter.

The closure followed 18 confirmed cases of E. coli O157 at Friarswood Primary School in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Year 4, 5 and 6 pupils will be taught in a nearby college while a thorough deep cleaning is carried out.

The Health Protection Agency is still trying to find the source of the bacteria, which often causes diarrhoea.

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Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, E.coli O157, EHEC, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Standards Agency, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, HPA, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen

Canada CIFA – Recall Beef Burger Products – Ecoli O157

Posted on March 15, 2012 by KSW | Leave a comment

CIFA

The public warning issued on March 13, 2012has been expanded to include additional products and distribution information.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and New Food Classics are warning the public not to consume certain Best Value beef burger products, described below, because the products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The following Best Value brand products are affected by this alert:

Product	Size	UPC	Lot Code
10 Beef Burgers	1 kg	0 71212 88103 8	72991 EST 761, 82991 EST 761
20 Beef Burgers	2 kg	0 71212 88104 5	53011 EST 761, 63011 EST 761, 73011 EST 761, 83011 EST 761

These products have been distributed to Giant Tiger and Northern Canada retail stores in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

There has been one reported illness associated with the consumption of these products.

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Tagged technology

Views Sought on Using Lactic Acid on Beef Carcasses – FSA

Posted on March 14, 2012 by KSW | 1 comment

FSA

The Food Standards Agency is asking businesses to provide their views on the use of lactic acid to reduce microbiological surface contamination on beef carcasses, proposed in a draft EU regulation.

The FSA has already consulted widely to inform the UK voting position on the EU draft regulation, and would like to consult further in order to assess the likely impact on UK businesses. If authorised, the use of lactic acid on beef carcasses would be permissive rather than mandatory. A vote on the Commission regulation is expected in spring 2012.

Businesses in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland are asked to submit their views, for instance whether they would use lactic acid if approved, what the cost might be, and whether staff would require additional training in the process.