Category Archives: Food Microbiology Blog

Catalonia – Alert for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in gorgonzola cheese from Italy

ACSA

gorgonzola cheese affected by the alert

The Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) has been informed by the autonomous community of Galicia, through the Coordinated Rapid Information Exchange System (SCIRI) , of the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in Gorgonzola brand cheese Cucina Nobile, marketed by the company ALDI SUPERMERDADOS SL, which has warned its customers through its website.

The data of the product involved are:

  • Product name (on label): Gorgonzola cheese
  • Brand/trade name: CUCINA NOBILE
  • Product appearance: Packed in 200g units, refrigerated
  • Lot number: L33812011

According to the information available, the initial distribution has been in the autonomous communities of Catalonia , Andalusia, Aragon, Principality of Asturias, Cantabria, Castile and Leon, Castile-La Mancha, Community of Madrid, Navarra, Valencian Community, Extremadura, Galicia, Balearic Islands, La Rioja, Basque Country and Region of Murcia, although it cannot be ruled out that there may be 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.

People who have products affected by this alert at home are advised to refrain from consuming them.

If you have consumed any of the products from the affected batches and have symptoms compatible with listeriosis (vomiting, diarrhea and fever), it is recommended to go to a health center.

France – Various Whole Turkey Ready to Cook Products – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov France

READY TO COOK TURKEY

Brand: REGHALAL

Gov France

Turkey Ready to Cook

Brand: AUTHENTIC HALAL

Gov France

Turkey Ready to Cook

Brand: AUTHENTIC HALAL

Gov France

Turkey Ready to Cook

Brand: LE GAULOIS PRO

Gov France

TURKEY READY TO COOK NAKED

Brand: LE GAULOIS PROFESSIONAL

Gov France

Turkey Ready to Cook

Brand: HALAL MEDINA

Gov France

Turkey Ready to Cook

Brand: REMIN RAMON POULTRY

Gov France

Turkey Ready to Cook

Brand: FINE FRANCE

Gov France

Turkey Ready to Cook

Brand: LE GAULOIS PRO

Gov France

READY TO COOK TURKEY

Brand: LE GAULOIS PROFESSIONAL

Gov France

READY TO COOK TURKEY

Brand: LE GAULOIS PROFESSIONAL

Gov France

READY TO COOK TURKEY

Brand: LE GAULOIS

Gov France

Turkey Ready to Cook

Brand: LE GAULOIS PRO

Gov France

Little Turkey

Brand: MAÎTRE COQ

Gov France

Turkey Ready to Cook

Brand: SELECTION DU POULTRY

Gov France

TURKEY READY TO COOK NAKED

Brand: SELECTION DU POULTRY

Gov France

Turkey Ready to Cook

Brand: COLRUYT

Gov France

Turkey Ready to Cook

Brand: HALAL MEDINA

Gov France

Turkey Ready to Cook

Brand: VICOMTE PRO

Gov France

Turkey Ready to Cook

Brand: COLRUYT

Italy – Smoked Scottish Salmon – Listeria monocytogenes

Salute

Brand : KV NORDIC

Name : Smoked Scottish Salmon

Reason for reporting : Recall due to microbiological risk

Publication date : 12 January 2024

Documentation

Documentation

Canada – Various parfait and yogurt bowls recalled due to Salmonella

CFIA

Summary

Product
Various parfait and yogurt bowls
Issue
Food – Microbial Contamination – Salmonella
What to do

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

Distribution
National

Issue

The affected products are being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. These products were made using granola recalled by Quaker Canada on January 11, 2024.

List of Loblaw banners:

  • Atlantic: Atlantic Superstore, Dominion, Atlantic Your Independent Grocer, Wholesale Club
  • Quebec: Provigo, Maxi, Wholesale Club
  • Ontario: Superstore, Fortinos, Loblaw, Valu-Mart, Your Independent Grocer, Zehrs
  • Western Canada: Superstore, Your Independent Grocer, Extra Foods, Wholesale Club

List of Sobeys banners:

  • Atlantic: Coop, Foodland, Sobeys
  • Quebec: IGA, IGA Extra, IGA Express, IGA Mini, Tradition, Bonichoix, Bonisoir, Omni, Voisin, Rachelle-Béry
  • Ontario: Foodland, Sobeys
  • Western Canada: IGA, Safeway, Sobeys, Thrifty Foods

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 Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections. Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

Quebec -Notice not to consume BBQ meatloaf prepared and sold by the company Boucherie Thibault inc – E.coli

Quebec

QUEBEC CITY ,  Jan. 11, 2024 /CNW/ – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), in collaboration with the company Boucherie Thibault inc. , located at 1739, avenue des Érables, in Plessisville , advises the population not to consume the product indicated in the table below, because this food is likely to contain the E. coli bacteria .

Product name

Format

Target lot

“BBQ POTATO AND VEGETABLE MEATLOAF”

Unitary

BEST AV

24-JA-14 

The product which is the subject of this warning was offered for sale until January 11, 2024, and only at the establishment designated above. The product was packaged in an aluminum tray with a transparent plastic lid and sold refrigerated.

The operator is recalling the product in question. He agreed with MAPAQ to broadcast this warning as a precautionary measure. In addition, people who have this product in their possession are advised not to consume it. They must return it to the establishment where they purchased it or throw it away. Food contaminated with E. coli bacteria does not necessarily show visible spoilage or a suspicious odor, but can still make a person who consumes it sick. Possible symptoms are: nausea, vomiting, more or less acute abdominal cramps and watery or bloody diarrhea.

It should be noted that no cases of illness associated with the consumption of this food have been reported to MAPAQ to date.

Italy- Blanched leaf spinach – Enterobacteriaceae

Salute

Brand : High quality frozen Pescasseroli

Name : Blanched leaf spinach

Reason for reporting : Recall due to microbiological risk

Publication date : 12 January 2024

Documentation

Documentation

Italy – ORGANIC CORN FLOUR – Aflatoxin

Salute

Brand : AZIENDA AGRICOLA BIO FLORIDDIA

Name : ORGANIC CORN FLOUR

Reason for reporting : Recall due to chemical risk

Publication date : 12 January 2024

Documentation

Documentation

Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. Recalls Aged Cotija Mexican Grating Cheese (8oz) Because of Possible Health Risk – Listeria monocytogenes

FDA

Image 1 – Labeling, Rizo Bros Cojita, back of label

Summary

Company Announcement Date:
FDA Publish Date:
Product Type:
Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:
Potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Company Name:
Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc.
Brand Name:
Rio Bros California Creamery
Product Description:
Aged Cojita Mexican Grating Cheese

Company Announcement

Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. of Modesto, CA is recalling a total of 344 cases of Aged Cotija Mexican Grating Cheese (8oz), UPC 72724200043 batch number 4DW-23318 because it has 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 miscarriage and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Aged Cotija Mexican Grating Cheese (8oz) was distributed nationwide through distributors.

The product comes in a small 8oz. “puck” shape wrapped in clear plastic marked with red and black lettering on the botom noted as “Cotija, made with Grade A Milk” along with an ingredient description. Nutritional facts are noted in black below the ingredient description. The top shows “Cotija Aged Mexican Grating Cheese” with orange background. Batch number is identified on the outer edge of the clear plastic with “SELL BY 05/12/24 BATCH 4DW-23318” in black lettering.

To date, no confirmed illnesses related to this product have been reported.

The recall was a result of a routine sampling program by the Hawaii State Department of Health’s Food and Drug Branch on Wednesday, January 3rd which revealed that the finished product contained the bacteria. Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. has ceased the produc􀆟on and distribution of the product as the FDA and Rizo Lopez Foods continue their investigation as to what caused the issue.

Consumers who have purchased Aged Cotija Mexican Grating Cheese (8oz). are urged to quarantine the product and destroy it. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-626-5587, Monday through Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm Pacific Standard Time.

####


Company Contact Information

Consumers:
Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc.
 1-800-626-5587

France – COUNTY Cheese – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov France

Product category
Food
Product subcategory
Milk and dairy products
Product brand name
FRUIT COUNT
Model names or references
FRUIT COUNT
Product identification
GTIN Batch Date
36122022 36122022 Use-by date 01/17/2024
Products List
Scan.pdfAttachment
Packaging
cheese by cut 250 -500 grs or kilo
Start/end date of marketing
From 12/27/2023 to 01/03/2024
Storage temperature
Product to keep in the refrigerator
Geographical sales area
Whole France
Distributors
FRUITIERE IN COMTE EURL LA SAINT CHRISTOPHE 1 GRANDE RUE 39130 CLAIRVAUX LES LACS
List of points of sale
DISTRIBUTOR.pdf

USA – Update: Quaker Issues Revised Recall Notice with Additional Products Due to Possible Health Risk

FDA

Summary

Company Announcement Date:
FDA Publish Date:
Product Type:
Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:
Potential for Salmonella contamination
Company Name:
The Quaker Oats Company
Brand Name:
Multiple brand names
Product Description:
Cereal, bars, and snacks

Company Announcement

A previous press release was issued on 12/15/2023. This new press release is to communicate additional products due to possible health risk.

CHICAGO, Illinois – January 11, 2024 – The Quaker Oats Company today announced an expansion of the December 15, 2023, recall to include additional cereals, bars and snacks listed below because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The products listed in the link above  are sold throughout the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, Guam and Saipan. Consumers should check their pantries for any of the products listed below and dispose of them. Additionally, consumers with any product noted below can contact Quaker Consumer Relations (9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CST, Mon.-Fri.) at 1-800-492-9322 or visit www.QuakerRecallUSA.comExternal Link Disclaimer for additional information or product reimbursement.

Consumers can scan the SmartLabel QR code on the product package to determine if it has been recalled. Click here for information on how to use SmartLabel.External Link Disclaimer

Quaker has informed the FDA of our actions.

This recall applies to the specific products listed below, in addition to the products announced on December 15, 2023. A combined list of recalled products is available on www.QuakerRecallUSA.comExternal Link Disclaimer.

For more information, please reference this PDF.”