Category Archives: Food Micro Blog

USA – Updated – Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O121:H19 Frozen Falafel (October 2022)

Posted on October 10, 2022 by | Leave a comment

FDA

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O121:H19 infections linked to Earth Grown frozen falafel.

Based on epidemiologic information provided by CDC and interviews conducted by state and local public health officials, of 18 people interviewed, 15 reported shopping at ALDI stores. Among these 15 people who reported shopping at ALDI stores, 6 reported eating Earth Grown brand frozen falafel purchased from ALDI in the week before getting sick.

On October 6, 2022, the manufacturer of Earth Grown frozen falafel, Cuisine Innovations, initiated a voluntary recall. Recalled products include Earth Grown vegan traditional falafel and garlic & herb falafel distributed and sold exclusively by ALDI. Additional information on recalled products is available in the firm’s recall notice.

On October 6, 2022, ALDI removed any remaining Earth Grown frozen falafel from stores.

FDA’s investigation is ongoing. Updates to this advisory will be provided as they become available.

Recommendation

Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled Earth Grown Traditional Falafel or Garlic & Herb Falafel sold exclusively by ALDI after June 24, 2021.

These items are no longer available for sale but were sold frozen and have a long shelf-life of 18 months, so consumers should check their freezers for these products. If you have recalled frozen falafel in your freezer, do not eat or serve them.

Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O121: Frozen Falafel (October 2022) - CDC Case Count Map as of October 7, 2022

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O121, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, STEC, STEC E.coli

Spain – Presence of Histamine in sardines smoked in sunflower oil.

Posted on October 10, 2022 by | Leave a comment

ACSA

The Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) has become aware, through the Coordinated System of Rapid Information Exchange (SCIRI), of an alert notification sent by the health authorities in Madrid regarding the presence of ‘histamine in smoked sardines in sunflower oil .

The data of the product involved are:

  • Product name on the label: Smoked sardine in sunflower oil
  • Brand: Serie Oro The Menu
  • Product appearance: Semi-preserved
  • Lot number : L202CEB0 234 60
  • Best before date: 21/01/2023
  • Unit weight: 550 g
  • Temperature: Refrigeration

According to the current information, the product has not been distributed in Catalonia , it has been distributed in the autonomous communities of Andalusia, Castile-La Mancha, Cantabria, Castile and León, Madrid and the Valencian Country, although it is not ruled out that it may have redistributions to other autonomous communities.

AESAN has transferred this information to the competent authorities of the autonomous communities through the SCIRI in order to verify the withdrawal of the affected products from the marketing channels.

With the information available , there is NO evidence in Spain of any notified case associated with this alert.

People who have products affected by this alert at home are advised to refrain from consuming them and return them to the point of purchase.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Temperature Abuse, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Histamine

USA – Cuisine Innovations Unlimited, LLC Issues Voluntary Recall of Two Varieties of Earth Grown Frozen Falafel Due to Possible Health Risk -STEC E.coli

Posted on October 10, 2022 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Package, Earth Grown Vegan Garlic and Herb Falafel”

“Package, Earth Grown Vegan Traditional Falafel”

Summary

Company Announcement Date:
FDA Publish Date:
Product Type:
Food & Beverages
Foodborne Illness
Reason for Announcement:
Potential contamination with shiga toxin-producing E. Coli
Company Name:
Cuisine Innovations Unlimited LLC
Brand Name:
Earth Grown Vegan
Product Description:
Earth Grown Vegan Traditional Falafel and Garlic & Herb Falafel

Company Announcement

Cuisine Innovations Unlimited, LLC of 180 Lehigh Avenue, Lakewood, NJ, is voluntarily recalling its Earth Grown Vegan Traditional Falafel and Garlic & Herb Falafel Distributed & Sold Exclusively by Aldi, Batavia, IL due to the possible presence of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli.

Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli is an organism that can cause foodborne illness in a person who eats a food item contaminated with it. Symptoms of infection may include stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. The illness primarily impacts elderly individuals, children, and people with weakened immune systems. Most healthy adults and children rarely become seriously ill.

The voluntarily recalled Earth Grown Vegan Traditional Falafel And Garlic & Herb Falafel Distributed & Sold Exclusively by Aldi, Batavia, IL were distributed in ALDI retail stores in the following states:  Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut,  Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The product comes in a bag in a box marked with any of the following Lot numbers: 1472, 1481, 1531, 1532, 1541, 1552, 1561, 1581, 1601, 1611, 1612, 1661, 1682, 1732, 1752, 1762, 1782, 1802, and 1812, and would have been shipped to stores after June 24, 2021.  The lot number can be found in the “Best if used by” area on the outside flap of the box.  There has been no further production of this product.

There have been 20 reported cases in six (6) states (FL, IA, KS, MI, OH and WI) with onset dates reported between July 24, 2022 and September 19, 2022 with 5 hospitalization and no deaths.

Consumers who have purchased Earth Grown Vegan Traditional Falafel and Garlic & Herb Falafel Distributed & Sold Exclusively by Aldi, Batavia, IL with any of the above lot numbers after June 24, 2021, are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time at 1-201-439-1036, Ext. 26.

Outbreak Advisory

Company Contact Information

Consumers:
 1-201-439-1036, Ext. 26

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Posted in FDA, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Testing, Food Toxin, STEC, STEC E.coli

USA – Cut Fruit Express Recalls Caribou Coffee Fruit and Cheese Plate Because of Possible Health Risk – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on October 10, 2022 by | Leave a comment

FDA

“Label, Caribou Coffee Fruit and Cheese Plate”

Summary

Company Announcement Date:
FDA Publish Date:
Product Type:
Food & Beverages
Prepared Food
Foodborne Illness
Reason for Announcement:
Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:
Cut Fruit Express
Brand Name:
Caribou Coffee
Product Description:
Fruit and Cheese plate 6.2 oz

Company Announcement

Cut Fruit Express of Inver Grove Heights, MN is recalling Caribou Coffee Fruit and Cheese Plate 6.2oz because of potential contamination 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.

Caribou Coffee Fruit and Cheese Plate, item #3818, was distributed from Caribou Stores at the MSP Airport Caribou locations in the MSP Airport, Minnesota. The product comes in a clear plastic package. The USED BY DATES are 9/30/2022, 10/2/2022, 10/4/2022, 10/7/2022 and 10/9/2022.

Cut Fruit Express learned that their supplier is issuing a recall on Brie Cheese for potential contamination of Listeria Monocytogenes. Cut Fruit Express is initiating a recall on the affected product that contains the recalled Brie Cheese. The affected products were shipped between September 26th through October 5th, 2022.

Consumers should immediately DESTROY THE PRODUCT if they have it in their possession. Please do not share or give it to anyone to eat. Consumers who have purchased 6.2oz snack packages of Fruit and cheese plate may return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact
Shelley M. Ryan
Partner | 952.746.2705 Hoff Barry, P.A.
100 Prairie Center Drive, Suite 200
Eden Prairie, MN 55344 952.941.9220 | hoffbarry.comExternal Link Disclaimer weekdays from 9:00 – 5:00 Central Time.

Company Contact Information

Consumers:
Shelley M. Ryan, Partner
 952.746.2705

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Posted in FDA, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes

France – Butter Mackerel Fillet – Histamine

Posted on October 10, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Feed
  • Product subcategory Fishery and aquaculture products
  • Product brand name Sans
  • Model names or references Mackerel fillet
  • Identification of products
    Lot
    sans
  • Marketing start/end date From 02/09/2022 to 05/09/2022
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Saint Ambroix
  • Distributors Intermarché Saint-Ambroix

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall Presence of Histamine
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Undeclared allergenic substances

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Histamine

Canada – Certain Circle K / Couche Tard brand Sandwiches recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on October 10, 2022 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

Summary

Product
Sandwiches
Issue
Food – Microbial Contamination – Listeria
What to do

Do not consume, use, sell, serve, or distribute recalled products

Chicken Salad Club Sandwich
Chicken Salad Club Sandwich

Affected products

Issue

The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

The recalled products have been sold in Quebec and may have been distributed in other provinces and territories.

What you should do

  • If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, contact your healthcare provider
  • Check to see if you have recalled products
  • Do not consume, serve, use, sell, or distribute recalled products
  • Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, the infection can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes

Canada – No brand Low-Fat Mozzarella Cheese recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on October 10, 2022 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

Summary

Product
Low-Fat Mozzarella Cheese
Issue
Food – Microbial Contamination – Listeria
What to do

Do not use, sell, serve or distribute the affected product.

Audience
Warehouse

Affected products

Issue

No brand Low-Fat Mozzarella Cheese recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes.

The recalled product has been sold in Quebec.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes

Research – Straw Can Pose Mycotoxin Risk in Dairy Heifer Diets

Posted on October 9, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Dairy Herd

Straw is a common, high-fiber, low-energy ingredient in U.S. dairy heifer rations. While we normally monitor grain quality to watch for harmful mycotoxins, it turns out straw can carry its own mycotoxin risk, according to a recent feed quality evaluation by Alltech, Inc.

Each year, Alltech conducts comprehensive mycotoxin testing programs in the U.S., Canada, and Europe to assess the mycotoxin risk in newly harvested grain crops. For the first time this year, wheat and barley straw were added to the sampling in Europe.

Danish farmers were worried about the damaging effects of wet weather both pre- and post-harvest. Because excessive moisture delayed straw harvest, the crops lay in the field for extended periods, damaging quality and fueling mold contamination.

A total of 70 straw samples from Denmark were evaluated. Deoxynivalenol (DON) was identified in 84% of samples, and emerging mycotoxins were found in 70% of samples. All told, 95% of samples contained some form of mycotoxin, with 50% containing two or more.

According a bulletin on mycotoxins in forage shared by the University of Wisconsin, DON may be a marker for other mycotoxins in contaminated feeds. When young dairy animals consume mycotoxins, they can be at risk for feed refusals, diarrhea, and immunosuppression. Additionally, mycotoxin-induced outcomes may be vague, and include unthriftiness, rough haircoat, poor body condition, and reproductive problems.

Alltech technical advisor and veterinarian, Dr. Radka Boutova, DVM, suggested adding straw to the list of feedstuffs that are screened for mycotoxins if it is a commonly used ingredient in a young stock ration. This is particularly important if the straw crop was stressed and/or delayed in the field due to unfavorable weather conditions, or for any straw that shows visible signs of mold.

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Posted in Aflatoxin, Aflatoxin B1, Alternaria Toxin, Animal Feed, Animal Feed Mould Toxin, Animal Feed Testing, Aspergillus Toxin, Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Toxin, Fusarium Toxin, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Mold Toxin, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, Ochratoxin A, Pet Food Aflatoxin, Toxin

Research – Cultivation Conditions of Spinach and Rocket Influence Epiphytic Growth of Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on October 9, 2022 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Leafy vegetables are associated with Listeriosis outbreaks due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. To date, contradictory findings were reported on spinach, rocket, and kale, where some studies reported growth of L. monocytogenes, while others did not. Thus, the current study investigated the reason for conflicting findings by producing leafy vegetables, where cultivation factors were known for growth potential studies. Of all polytunnel produce, kale Nero di Toscana demonstrated the highest growth potential (2.56 log cfu g−1), followed by spinach F1 Cello (1.84 log cfu g−1), rocket Buzz (1.41 log cfu g−1), spinach F1 Trumpet (1.37 log cfu g−1), and finally rocket Esmee (1.23 log cfu g−1). Thus, plant species and variety influenced L. monocytogenes growth potentials. Moreover, significantly lower growth potentials of 0.3 log cfu g−1 were identified when rocket Buzz was cultivated in open fields (1.11 log cfu g−1) instead of a polytunnel. The opposite effect was observed for spinach F1 Trumpet, where growth potentials increased significantly by 0.84 log cfu g−1 when cultivated in open fields (2.21 log cfu g−1). Furthermore, a significant seasonality effect between batches was found (p < 0.05). This study revealed that spinach and rocket cultivation conditions are at least co-factors in the reporting of differing growth potentials of L. monocytogenes across literature and should be considered when conducting future growth potential studies.

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Research

Research – Effects of nonthermal dielectric barrier discharge plasma against Listeria monocytogenes and quality of smoked salmon fillets

Posted on October 8, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Wiley Online

The objective was to explore the effects of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma on bacterial reduction, physiological characteristics (pH and moisture), and sensorial quality against Listeria monocytogenes on the surface of smoked salmon. Reductions were treated with 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min with DBD plasma varied from 0.17, 0.25, 0.32, 0.70, 0.81, 1.05, and 1.25 log10 CFU/g, respectively. The R2 and D-value of L. monocytogenes was .98 and 49.01 min, respectively. However, moisture levels were significantly different after 30 and 60 min of treatment compared with the control but pH and the sensory qualities were not. This study found that treated with 60 min DBD plasma reduced L. monocytogenes by more than 90% without negatively affecting the smoked salmon. Based on these results, antibacterial treatment for smoked salmon, and this strategy could be explored in the seafood industry to increase food safety.

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Safety, Food Safety Management, food safety training, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk