Category Archives: Food Microbiology Blog

New Zealand – My Food Bag and Turkish Kitchen brand products – Salmonella

Posted on March 2, 2023 by | Leave a comment

MPI

2 March 2023: My Food Bag Ltd is recalling specific batches of its My Food Bag and Turkish Kitchen brand products due to the possible presence of Salmonella.

Product type  Multiple products containing tahini
Name of product (size) and date marking  The full list of affected products is listed above.
Package size and description The products are sold in 20g, 40g, 50g, 100g and 200g plastic container or sachet.
Distribution The products are included as part of My Food Bag meals and are distributed throughout New Zealand.

The products have not been exported.
Notes This recall does not affect any other My Food Bag brand products.

Consumer advice

Customers are asked to check the date mark on the product.

Affected products should not be consumed. There have been no reports of associated illness, however if you have consumed any of these products and have any concerns about your health, seek medical advice.

Customers should return the products to their retailer for a full refund.

More information on Salmonella

Who to contact

If you have questions, contact My Food Bag Customer Love Team:

  • Phone: 0800 469 366

Leave a comment

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 Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, MPI, Salmonella

USA – Persistent Strain of E. coli O157:H7 (REPEXH01) Linked to Multiple Sources

Posted on March 2, 2023 by | Leave a comment

CDC

REPEXH01

REPEXH01 is a persistent strain of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 bacteria that has caused illnesses and outbreaks in the United States.

Illness caused by this strain was first reported to PulseNet in 2017. Illnesses caused by this strain occur year-round but are less common in winter.

In the past, the REPEXH01 strain has spread to people through contaminated food and contaminated recreational water.

This strain is relatively diverse genetically. Bacteria in this strain are within 21 allele differences of one another by whole genome sequencing, which is more diverse than typical multistate foodborne outbreaks where bacteria generally fall within 10 allele differences of one another.

Identified outbreak sources*

*Confirmed sources were implicated by epidemiologic
plus traceback or laboratory data. Suspected sources
were implicated by epidemiologic data only. More info
  • Recreational water (confirmed): 1 outbreak
  • Romaine lettuce (confirmed): 1 outbreak
  • Leafy greens (suspected): 1 outbreak
  • Ground beef (suspected): 2 outbreaks

Leave a comment

Posted in Bacterial Toxin, Decontamination Microbial, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, STEC, STEC E.coli, Toxin

USA – Hawai‘i State Department of Health warns against Listeria tainted Enoki Mushrooms

Posted on March 2, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

The Hawai‘i State Department of Health (DOH) is alerting residents to a voluntary recall of enoki mushrooms sold in Hawai‘i, produced by Taiwan-based Changhua County Mushrooms Productions Cooperative and distributed by Jan Fruits Inc., because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The recall is the result of a routine sampling program by DOH’s Laboratory Preparedness and Response Branch which revealed that the enoki mushrooms contained Listeria monocytogenes.  No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the enoki mushrooms.

The enoki mushrooms are sold in a 7.05oz (200g) clear plastic package with a green-lettered “Premium,” printed with two QR scan codes and UPC 8 51084 00835 8 on the back side of a package. The package has no lot code or dates.

Leave a comment

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 Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria Enoki Mushrooms, Listeria monocytogenes

Belgium – Pistachios – “Pistazienkerne gerostet” (Roasted pistachios) and “Pistazienkerne gerostet & gesalzen” (Roasted and salted pistachios) – from the Alesto brand – Ochratoxin A

Posted on March 2, 2023 by | Leave a comment

AFSCA

03/01/2023 (updated 02/24/2023)
Recall of Carl Wilhelm Clasen GmbH
Products: Pistachios – “Pistazienkerne gerostet” (Roasted pistachios) and “Pistazienkerne gerostet & gesalzen” (Roasted and salted pistachios) – from the Alesto brand.
Problem: too high content of ochratoxin A.
In agreement with the FASFC, Carl Wilhelm Clasen GmbH withdraws pistachios – “Pistazienkerne gerostet” (Roasted pistachios) and “Pistazienkerne gerostet & gesalzen” (Roasted and salted pistachios) – from the Alesto brand from sale and recalls them from consumers due to an excessively high content of ochratoxin A.

Lidl Belgium asks its customers not to consume these products and to return them to the point of sale where they were purchased. You will be reimbursed even without presenting the receipt.

Description of the products:
– Product name: “Pistazienkerne gerostet” and “Pistazienkerne gerostet & gesalzen”
– Brand: Alesto
– Use-by dates (BDD) and sales periods:
           o “Pistazienkerne gerostet”:
               25/03/2023: from 5/07/2022 to 10/11/2022 inclusive
               12/08/2023 and 15/10/2023: from 20/12/2022 to 24/02/2023 inclusive

28/10/2023: from 13/02/2023 to 01/03/2023 inclusive
           o “Pistazienkerne gerostet & gesalzen”:
               23/03/2023: from 5/07/2022 to 10/11/2022 inclusive
               09/09/ 2023 and 16/10/2023: from 20/12/2022 to 24/02/2023 inclusive
– Weight: 70g
– Type of packaging: plastic bag

The products were sold via Lidl stores in Belgium.

For any further information , contact Lidl customer service (+32 (0)2 320 6000)

Leave a comment

Posted in Aspergillus Toxin, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Mold Toxin, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, Ochratoxin, Ochratoxin A

USA – Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Alfalfa Sprouts – Outbreak is Over

Posted on March 2, 2023 by | Leave a comment

CDC

Front and back packaging of alfalfa sprouts in this outbreak

Fast Facts
  • Illnesses: 63
  • Hospitalizations: 10
  • Deaths: 0
  • States: 8
  • Recall: Yes
  • Investigation status: Closed
Outbreak Investigation Summary

Data showed that alfalfa sprouts made people in this outbreak sick.

  • Of the 50 people interviewed, 35 (70%) reported eating alfalfa sprouts.
  • Eight of the people who got sick in this outbreak confirmed they had purchased Sun Sprouts brand alfalfa sprouts from their local grocery store.

On December 29, 2022, SunSprout Enterprises recalled four lots of raw alfalfa sprouts.

Leave a comment

Posted in Decontamination Microbial, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak, Salmonella

 Belgium – DLL mini chicken burgers, DLL minced chicken, DLL chicken calzone and chicken burger – Salmonella

Posted on March 2, 2023 by | Leave a comment

AFSCA

Recall of Plukon Maasmechelen
Products: DLL mini chicken burgers, DLL minced chicken, DLL chicken calzone and chicken burger
Problem: Presence of Salmonella.

In agreement with the FASFC, Plukon Maasmechelen withdraws the products: mini chicken burgers, minced chicken, chicken calzone and chicken burger from sale and recalls them from consumers due to the presence of Salmonella.

Plukon Maasmechelen asks its customers not to consume these products and to return them to the point of sale where they were purchased. Reimbursement for each affected item is guaranteed.

Description of products:

DLL Mini chicken burgers: DLC 03/01/2023 – Batch Nr 217176
DLL Chicken ax (2.5kg): DLC 03/01/2023 – Batch Nr 217176
DLL Chicken calzone: DLC 03/01/2023 – Nr of lot 217176
Sold via Delhaize

Chicken burger (2pc – 250g): DLC 01/03/2023 – Lot Nr 217176
Sold via Aldi

– Sales period: from 02/20/2023 to 02/28/2023

For further information , contact Kitty Vaesen (+32 476 60 82 98).

Leave a comment

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 Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Salmonella, Salmonella in Chicken

New Zealand – Greater!, Lisa’s, and Prep Kitchen brands of Hummus and Tahini – Salmonella

Posted on March 2, 2023 by | Leave a comment

MPI

1 March 2023: Life Health Foods NZ Ltd is recalling specific batches of its Greater!, Lisa’s, and Prep Kitchen brand products due to the possible presence of Salmonella.

Product type Hummus and tahini
Name of product (size) and date marking The full list of affected products is listed above in the link with photos.
Package size and description The products are sold in a 200g, 380g, 450g, 500g, 750g, and 1kg plastic container or pouch.
Distribution The products are sold in supermarkets and retail outlets throughout New Zealand.

The products have been exported.
Notes This recall does not affect any other Greater!, Lisa’s, and Prep Kitchen brand products.

Point of sale notices for retailers

If you are a retailer of the products in this recall, download a copy of the point of sale notice. You need to display it in your store for one month.

Point of sale notice – Greater! Hummus [PDF, 51KB]

Point of sale notice – Lisa’s 2in1 variety and Toppings variety [PDF, 133KB]

Point of sale notice – Lisa’s Hummus variety [PDF, 101KB]

Point of sale notice – Prep Kitchen [PDF, 52KB]

Consumer advice

Customers are asked to check the date mark on the side of the lid.

Affected products should not be consumed. There have been no reports of associated illness, however if you have consumed any of these products and have any concerns about your health, seek medical advice.

Customers should return the products to their retailer for a full refund.

Leave a comment

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 Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, food safety training, Food Testing, MPI, Salmonella

France – Fourme de Rochefort Cheese – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on March 2, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Feed
  • Product subcategory Milk and dairy products
  • Product brand name Unbranded
  • Model names or references Rochefort Montagne Farm Fourme
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Batch Date
    02000100 sold in the traditional department from 20/12/2022 to 23/02/2023
    02010680 sold in the self-service department from 20/12/2022 to 23/02/2023 Use-by date between 30/12/2022 and 05/03/2023
  • Marketing start/end date From 20/12/2022 to 23/02/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Departments: PUY-DE-DOME (63)
  • Distributors E.Leclerc Le Brézet – Clermont-Ferrand

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall Presence of listeria monocytogenes

Leave a comment

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 Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria in Cheese, Listeria monocytogenes

The Netherlands – Lidl Pistachio Roasted & Salted Alesto Safety Warning – Mycotoxin – Ochratoxin A

Posted on March 2, 2023 by | Leave a comment

NVWA

Lidl Pistachio Roasted & Salted Alesto Safety Warning (alert)

Lidl warns against the roasted & salted pistachios of the Alesto brand. An increased amount of Ochratoxin A (a fungal toxin) was found in the products. Customers are urged not to consume this product, but to return it to the store.
See the Lidl website

Which product is it?

  • Alesto Pistachios roasted (70g)
  • THT: 12.08.2023
    LOT 30031/221212001
  • THT: 15.10.2023
    LOT 30031/230118001
  • Alesto Pistachios Roasted & Salted (70g)
  • THT: 09.09.2023
    LOT 30030/221213001
  • THT: 16.10.2023
    LOT 30030/230119001

Yours sincerely

The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority

Leave a comment

Posted in Aspergillus Toxin, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Mold Toxin, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, Ochratoxin, Ochratoxin A

France – VPF SMOKED HAM GRATER – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on March 2, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Feed
  • Product subcategory Meats
  • Product brand name TRADILEGE
  • Model names or references SMOKED HAM GRATER VPF 150G
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Batch Date
    3661112096533 30854553 Use-by date 03/27/2023
  • Marketing start/end date From 02/27/2023 to 03/01/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark EN 22.364.008.CE
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Whole France
  • Distributors E.LECLERC

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall Listeria presence
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Listeria monocytogenes (causative agent of listeriosis)

Leave a comment

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 Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes