Category Archives: Food Inspections

RASFF Alerts – E.coli – Japanese Clams – Tellines

RASFF

Too high count of Escherichia coli in live japanese clams from Spain in France

RASFF

Too high count of Escherichia coli in live tellines (Donax trunculus) from Bulgaria in Spain

RASFF Alert – Bacillus cereus – Italian Herbs

RASFF

Bacillus cereus in Italian Herbs from Germany in Austria, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland

RASFF Alert- Clostridium – Salted Sheep Casings

RASFF

Clostridium (up to 6400 CFU/g) in salted sheep casings from Iran in Greece and Germany

RASFF Alert- Norovirus – Range Salads

RASFF

Presence of norovirus GII in IV range salads from the Netherlands and Italy in Italy

RASFF Alert – STEC E.coli – Valencay Cheese – Camenbert

RASFF

E.COLI producers STEC in Valencay cheese from France in Italy

RASFF

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in Camenbert from France in Germany

UK – Report of the Independent Review of NHS Hospital Food

UK Gov

In the summer of 2019, there was an outbreak of listeriosis in which seven patients tragically died after eating hospital sandwiches contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Following this, the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, announced a “root and branch” review of food served and sold in hospitals.
The scope of the review included the safety, nutrition, quality and production methods of food for patients, staff and visitors in NHS hospitals. In 2018 to 2019, the NHS spent £634 million on hospital food, representing approximately 6.7% of the total costs of running the NHS estate [10] or 0.6% of the total £114 billion 2018 to 2019 NHS budget [11]. It is the second biggest provider of meals in the UK public sector, serving 141 million inpatient meals [10] last year alone, to about 125,000 patients a day. This compares to 602 million school lunches [12] and 93 million prison meals [13].
There is a poor public perception of hospital food; and frequent critical press coverage of problems with both food that is on offer in hospitals to patients, staff and visitors, as well as wider concerns regarding food service. However, the evidence suggests that patients in NHS hospitals are satisfied, overall, with the quality of hospital food, with 22% of patients surveyed in 2019 rating the food they received as very good, and 36% rating it as good [14].
This contrasts with 39% of NHS staff, who felt that food and catering facilities offered in their workplaces were poor [15]. There is clearly scope for improvement. With a median spend of £4.56 per patient meal (including labour costs and overheads) [10], exceeding the budget of meals offered by other UK public services, the NHS should be demonstrating best practice in safely delivering nutritious, quality food to patients, and ensuring the least possible impact on our environment with best possible outcomes.
Better hospital food requires both national focus and leadership, but it is hard to deliver from the centre when power is devolved to individual trusts. We also need trusts to lead the change.
This report makes eight recommendations for system-level change. In Chapter 8 we propose that these are taken forward by an expert group with representation from across the sector and government. These apply mainly to government, NHS England and NHS Improvement, and national regulators.

Hospital food review10However, there are also actions that need to be delivered by trusts themselves. We have included a checklist for catering managers and chief executives which contains key principles of providing a good food service. We urge trust executive teams and boards to consider this list and what they can do to take their catering to the next level. We have tried not to be too prescriptive, as trusts are very diverse and what works in one place may not work in another.
However, these core principles are applicable to every type of service and should be carefully considered. Leadership engagement is key – hospital food is something that all boards we’ve engaged with really care about and are committed to. But commitment is not enough on its own – effective change needs two more things: data that gives insight for improvement, and a plan or strategy for getting the improvement done

USA – Famous Anthony’s Hepatitis A Virginia Outbreak Sickens 50, 31 Hospitalized

Food Poisoning Bulletin

The Famous Anthony’s hepatitis A outbreak has now sickened 50 people and hospitalized 31 as of October 26, 2021, according to news reports. A sick employee worked at that restaurant in mid to late August 2021. The Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts reported the increase in cases. This is an increase of 13 patients since the last update two weeks ago.

One of the problems with this viral infection is that people are infectious up to two weeks before they even know they are sick. The virus is very contagious and is easily passed from person-to-person, through contaminated food, and through contact with contaminated surfaces.

Belgium -“defatted cooked ham (500 g)” from the Boni Selection brand – Listeria monocytogenes

AFSCA

Colruyt and OKay recall the “defatted cooked ham (500 g)” from the Boni Selection brand.

During an internal check, the presence of Listeria monocytogenes was observed in the gluten-free cooked defatted ham product (500g) of the Boni Selection brand bearing the expiry date (BBD) 11/11/2021.

In consultation with the AFSCA, Colruyt and OKay have therefore decided to withdraw the product concerned from sale.

Customers who have purchased this product are advised not to consume it and to bring it back to the store, where they will be reimbursed. In the meantime, all stores have removed the affected products from the shelves.

Product Description :

Gluten-free cooked ham (500g) from Boni Selection Best before
date (BBD): 11/11/2021
Sales period: from 10/22/2021 to 10/28/2021 included
Item number: 27244

This product was offered for sale in the Colruyt and OKay stores in Belgium.

For more information , customers can contact Colruyt Group Customer Service on 0800 99 124.

Possible symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes poisoning

Listeria monocytogenes infection can be dangerous for young children, pregnant women (risk of miscarriage), immunocompromised people and the elderly. Possible symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes poisoning include nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea or constipation, headache and persistent fever (feeling like the flu). These symptoms usually appear 2 to 60 days after taking Listeria monocytogenes.

People who have consumed this product and who present this type of symptoms are advised to consult their doctor, notifying him of this consumption.

Luxembourg – BONI BRAND DEFATTED HAM – Listeria monocytogenes

SAP

Colruyt recalls the following product:

Source: Colruyt
name Defatted ham
Mark BONUS
Unity 500 g
Use by date (DLC) 11/11/2021
Sale period from 25/10/2021 to 28/10/2021

Danger: Presence of Listeria monocytogens

Listeria monocytogenes can cause fever, headache, and gastroenteritis. Vulnerable people such as the immunocompromised and the elderly and young children may experience neurological symptoms due to meningitis. Pregnant women should also pay special attention to these symptoms. Gastroenteritis can appear between a few hours and 3 days after consumption, while neurological symptoms can only appear after 3 months. People who have consumed these products and have these symptoms are advised to consult a doctor, notifying him of this consumption.

Sale in Luxembourg by: Colruyt

Information source: Colruyt recall notification

Communicated by: Government Commission for Quality, Fraud and Food Safety .

France – Roasted and chopped hazelnuts 200g – Salmonella

Gov france

Identifying information for the recalled product

  • Product category Food
  • Product sub-category Cereals and baked goods
  • Product brand name Zauberhaft Backen
  • Names of models or references Roasted and chopped hazelnuts 200g
  • Product identification
    GTIN Lot Dated
    20234157 L 50357 Recommended consumption date 06/11/2022
  • Packaging200g bag
  • Start date / End of marketing Since 24/09/2021
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored at room temperature
  • Geographical sales area Whole France
  • Distributors Norma France

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall Presence of salmonella
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Salmonella spp (causative agent of salmonellosis)