Category Archives: Food Microbiology Blog

Finland – Salmonella in unsalted pistachios

Ruokavirasto

Alesto unsalted pistachios 70g.

Lidl has announced a recall of unsalted pistachios. The recall concerns roasted and shelled pistachios of the Alesto brand, sold in blue 70 gram bags, with a best before date of  20 May 2024 .

The unsalted pistachios with the batch information in question have been sold from August 25 to October 5, 2023 throughout Finland.

On 24 October 2023, Lidl withdrew a batch of the salted version of the same product from sale. The recall now extends to the unsalted version as well.

In its announcement, Lidl asks   its customers who bought products with the batch information in question to return the products to a Lidl store, where the price of the product will be refunded.

More information for consumers: Lidl’s customer service, form on the website kaspalvelu.lidl.fi, 09 424 52 111

More information for the media: Lidl communications, media@lidl.fi , 09 2345 6400

The matter is handled at the Food Agency by special expert Paula Hietanen, tel. 050 596 9637,  firstname.surname@ruokavirasto.fi .

Image of the product:
(Image: Lidl)

New Zealand – Do not collect or eat shellfish from areas where shellfish biotoxin warnings have been issued – Hawke Bay – PSP

MPI

Hawke Bay

Reason for alert Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP)

Date warning issued Media release: 1 November 2023
Affected area Hawke Bay: Cape Kidnappers to Mohaka River.
Shellfish affected Mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles, scallops, catseyes, kina (sea urchin) and all other bivalve shellfish.

Note, cooking shellfish does not remove the toxin.

Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.

Symptoms Symptoms typically appear between 10 minutes and 3 hours after ingestion and may include:

  • numbness and a tingling (prickly feeling) around the mouth, face, and extremities (hands and feet)
  • difficulty swallowing or breathing
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhoea
  • paralysis and respiratory failure and in severe cases, death.
Other information Paralytic shellfish toxins have been detected in shellfish at levels over the safe limit of 0.8mg/kg set by New Zealand Food Safety. Ongoing testing will continue and any changes will be communicated accordingly.

USA – FDA Advises Restaurants and Retailers Not to Serve or Sell and Consumers Not to Eat Certain Oysters from Fanny Bay Oysters Potentially Containing High Levels of Vibrio parahaemolyticus

FDA

Audience

  • Restaurants and food retailers in California and Washington (and possibly other states) that have recently purchased oysters harvested by Fanny Bay Oysters based in British Columbia, Canada.
  • Consumers in California and Washington (and possibly other states) who have recently purchased oysters from Fanny Bay Oysters based in British Columbia, Canada.

Product

  • Certain oysters from Fanny Bay Oysters, harvested on 10/17/2023, from harvest area 14-8, Landfile #278757, with final harvest/process dates of 10/25/2023 and 10/26/2023. The implicated products include Small and Xsmall Sunseeker Oysters with Lot Number 38336 and wet storage lot numbers (W/S Lot #) w72297 and w72240. The oysters were distributed to restaurants and retailers in California and Washington and may have been distributed to other states as well.

Purpose

The FDA is advising restaurants and food retailers not to sell and to dispose of oysters and consumers not to eat oysters from Fanny Bay Oysters based in British Columbia, Canada harvested on 10/17/2023 from harvest area 14-8 Landfile #278757 and shipped to distributors in California and Washington due to Vibrio parahaemolyticus test results.

Oysters with high levels of Vibrio parahaemolyticus can cause illness if eaten raw, and potentially severe illness in people with compromised immune systems. Food containing Vibrio parahaemolyticus may look, smell, and taste normal. Consumers of these products who are experiencing symptoms of Vibrio parahaemolyticus should contact their healthcare provider and report their symptoms to their local Health Department. Diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, fever, and bloody diarrhea may be associated with gastroenteritis infections caused by this organism.

Summary of Problem and Scope

On October 30, 2023, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) advised the FDA of a recall of certain oysters due to Vibrio parahaemolyticus test results. The recall includes oysters from Fanny Bay Oysters, harvested on 10/17/2023 from harvest area 14-8, Landfile #278757. There are no known related illnesses at this time.

FDA Actions

The FDA is issuing this alert advising restaurants and food retailers not to sell and consumers not to eat oysters from Fanny Bay Oysters harvested on 10/17/2023 from harvest area 14-8, Landfile #278757 due to Vibrio parahaemolyticus test results. The FDA is awaiting further information on distribution of the oysters harvested and will continue to monitor the investigation and provide assistance to state authorities as needed. As new information becomes available, the FDA will update the safety alert.

Recommendations for Consumers

Consumers who have symptoms should contact their health care provider to report their symptoms and receive care.

To report a complaint or adverse event (illness or serious allergic reaction), you can

Visit www.fda.gov/fcic for additional consumer and industry assistance.

Belgium – Black Forest cake from the La Lorraine brand – Listeria monocytogenes

AFSCA

Recall of La Lorraine Bakery Group
Product: Black Forest cake from the La Lorraine brand.
Problem: Possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
In agreement with the AFSCA, La Lorraine Bakery Group is withdrawing the BLACK FOREST GATEAU of the La Lorraine brand from sale and recalling it from consumers due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

La Lorraine Bakery Group asks its customers not to consume this product and to return it to the point of sale in which it was purchased (reimbursement will be made on site).

Product description

– Product name: BLACK FOREST GATEAU 6P
– Brand: La Lorraine
– Best before date (Best before): 10/31/2023 – 11/01/2023 – 11/2 /2023
– Sales period: 10/28/2023 – 10/29/2023 – 10/30/2023
– Nature of packaging: Blister

The product was sold in Belgium through several points of sale:

Name of the distribution chain:
– Carrefour
– Champion
– Comarkt
– Cora
– Deneubourg
– Intermarché
– Jumbo
– Leader Price
– Market Mestdagh
– Match
– Mestdagh
– Smatch
– Spar

For any further information , contact:
Madame Véronique Vormezeele
Telephone number 0498/90.91 .55
Email: v.vormezeele@llbg.com

Canada – Malichita brand Cantaloupes recalled due to Salmonella

CFIA

Malichita - Cantaloupe - Case

Summary

Product

Cantaloupes

Issue

Food – Microbial Contamination – Salmonella

What to do

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

Distribution: Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec

Possibly other provinces and territories

Issue

The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination.

France – PROVENCAL CHARCUTIER SALAD – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov france

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Meats
  • Product brand name SALFADIS
  • Model names or references CHARCUTIER SALAD 1.8 KG
  • Product identification
    GTIN Batch Date
    3453593226345 068324044421123 Use-by date 01/11/2023
  • Products List traca_salade_bis.pdf Attachment
  • Packaging IN THERMO-SEALED TRAYS UNDER MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE
  • Start/end date of marketing From 10/17/2023 to 11/04/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to keep in the refrigerator
  • Further information SLICED PORK HEAD WITH VINAIGRETTE SAUCE
  • Geographical sales area Whole France
  • Distributors VENDARGUES WAREHOUSE U SYSTEM
  • List of points of saletraca_salade_bis.pdf

France – RAW MIX 1KG METRO CHEF – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov france

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Fruits and vegetables
  • Product brand name METRO CHEF
  • Model names or references RAW MIX 1KG METRO CHEF
  • Product identification
    Batch Date
    14A24131943 Use-by date 10/22/2023
  • Packaging 1kg bag
  • Start/end date of marketing From 10/11/2023 to 10/22/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to keep in the refrigerator
  • Geographical sales area Whole France
  • Distributors METRO FRANCE

France – PROVENCAL CHARCUTIER SALAD – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov france

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Meats
  • Product brand name SALFADIS
  • Model names or references PROVENCAL CHARCUTIER SALAD 1.8 Kg
  • Product identification
    GTIN Batch Date
    3453593226345 068324044415523 Use-by date 10/31/2023
  • Products List TRACA_SALAD.pdf Attachment
  • Packaging Sold in the cutting department. Packaging made in store. Sold at the store in heat-sealed white trays with a black tray containing the vinaigrette in the middle
  • Start/end date of marketing From 10/13/2023 to 11/03/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to keep in the refrigerator
  • Further information Sliced ​​pork head in vinaigrette sauce
  • Geographical sales area Whole France
  • Distributors U SYSTEM
  • List of points of sale TRACA_SALAD.pdf

Canada – Taylor Shellfish Canada ULC / Fanny Bay Oysters brand Oysters recalled due to Vibrio parahaemolyticus

CFIA

Summary

Product
Oysters
Issue
Food – Microbial Contamination – Vibrio parahaemolyticus
What to do

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

Audience
Hotels, restaurants and institutions
Retail
Distribution
Alberta
British Columbia
Ontario
Quebec

Issue

Taylor Shellfish Canada ULC / Fanny Bay Oysters brand Oysters recalled due to Vibrio parahaemolyticus.

Canada -President’s Choice brand White Sliced Mushrooms recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

CFIA

President's Choice - White Sliced Mushrooms - 454 g - Front

Summary

Product
White Sliced Mushrooms
Issue
Food – Microbial Contamination – Listeria
What to do

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

Distribution
Alberta
British Columbia
Possibly other provinces and territories

Issue

The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

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.