Category Archives: Food Microbiology Research

USA – Brazil Nuts Cause Salmonella Outbreak in UK; America Could be Next

Posted on September 4, 2020 by KSW | Leave a comment

Brazil Nuts Cause Salmonella Outbreak in UK; America Could be Next

Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, microbial contamination, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, pathogenic, Salmonella, Salmonella in Brazil Nuts

Research – Investigation into a national outbreak of STEC O157:H7 associated with frozen beef burgers, UK, 2017

Posted on September 4, 2020 by KSW | Leave a comment

Cambridge org

Image CDC

In November 2017, Public Health England (PHE) identified an outbreak of Shiga toxinproducing Escherichia coli O157 in England where whole genome sequencing results indicated cases were likely to be linked to a common source and began investigations. Hypothesis generation included a review of enhanced surveillance data, a case-case study and trawling interviews. The hypothesis of interest was tested through the administration of focussed questionnaires and review of shopping history using loyalty card data. Twelve outbreak cases were detected, eight were hospitalised, and four developed Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome. Frozen beef burgers supplied by a national retailer were identified as
the vehicle of the outbreak. Testing of two left-over burger samples obtained from freezers of two separate (unlinked) cases and a retained sample from the production premises were tested and found positive for the STEC outbreak strain. A voluntary recall of the burgers was implemented by the retailer. Investigations at the production premises identified no contraventions of food safety legislation. Cooking guidance on the product packaging was deemed to be adequate and interviews with the cases/carers who prepared the burgers
revealed no deficiencies in cooking practices at home. Given the long-shelf life of frozen burgers, the product recall likely prevented more cases.

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Food Toxin, microbial contamination, Microbiology, STEC, STEC E.coli

RASFF Alerts – Bacillus cereus – Food Supplements

Posted on September 4, 2020 by KSW | Leave a comment

RASFF

Bacillus cereus (up to 370 000 CFU/g) in and unauthorised irradiation of food supplement from Sweden in Finland

RASFF

Bacillus cereus (up to 160 000 CFU/g) and unauthorised substance magnesium orotate in food supplement from Sweden in Finland

RASFF

Bacillus cereus (between 49000 and 800000 CFU/g) in food supplement from Sweden in Finland

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Posted in Bacillus, Bacillus cereus, Bacteria, bacterial contamination, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Technology, Food Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, RASFF

RASFF Alerts – Norovirus – Frozen Berry Mix

Posted on September 4, 2020 by KSW | Leave a comment

RASFF

norovirus (GI /25g) in frozen berry mix from the Netherlands in Germany

RASFF

norovirus (GI /25g) in frozen red berry mix from Germany in Italy

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Posted in cross contamination, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Norovirus, Virus

RASFF Alerts – Salmonella – Sesame Seeds – Chicken Thighs – Minced Beef – Chicken Quarters – Chicken Wings – Chicken Breast – Minced Veal – Beef Strips – Betel Leaves – Salad made of Rice, Vegetables, Eggs and Tuna – Eggs – Poultry Kebabs – Pepper – Black Pepper – Turkey Rump

Posted on September 4, 2020 by KSW | Leave a comment

RASFF

Salmonella (presence /25g) in hulled sesame seeds from Nigeria in Greece

RASFF

Salmonella (presence /25g) in frozen chicken thighs from the Netherlands in Netherlands

RASFF

Salmonella enterica ser. Infantis (presence /25g) in chilled minced beef from the Netherlands, with raw material from Hungary in Sweden

RASFF

Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (presence /25g) in chilled chicken quarters from Poland in Poland

RASFF

Salmonella group C1 (presence /25g) in chicken wings from Poland in Poland

RASFF

Salmonella enterica ser. Infantis (presence /25g) in chilled chicken breast fillets from the Netherlands in the UK

RASFF

Salmonella enterica ser. Infantis (presence /25g) in frozen chicken thigh meat boneless skinless from Poland in Estonia

RASFF

Salmonella enterica ser. Infantis (in 2 out of 5 samples /25g) in frozen chicken broiler thighs from Hungary in Lithuania

RASFF

Salmonella (presence /25g) in frozen beef strips from Germany in Germany

RASFF

Salmonella (4 of 5 samples /25g) in betel leaves from Thailand in the UK

RASFF

Salmonella (presence /25g) in betel leaves from Thailand in the UK

RASFF

Salmonella (2 out of 5 samples /25g) and too high count of Escherichia coli (1200 CFU/g) in betel leaves from Thailand in the UK

RASFF

Salmonella (presence /25g) in chilled salad made of rice, vegetables, eggs and tuna from France in France

RASFF

Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (in 1 out of 5 samples /25g) in chilled chicken thighs from Poland in Poland

RASFF

suspicion of Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (found on egg shells /25g) in eggs from Poland in Poland

RASFF

Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium (in 4 out of 5 samples /25g) in chilled chicken meat from Poland in Poland

RASFF

Salmonella (in 3 out of 5 samples /25g) in frozen poultry kebab from Belgium in Belgium

RASFF

Salmonella enterica ser. Agona (presence /25g) and Salmonella enterica ser. Soerenga (presence /25g) in pepper from Brazil in Germany

RASFF

Salmonella enterica ser. Abaetetuba (presence /25g) and Salmonella enterica ser. Sandiego (presence /25g) in black pepper from Brazil in Germany

RASFF

Salmonella (presence /25g), Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (presence /25g) and Salmonella enterica ser. Newport (presence /25g) in skinless boneless chicken fillets from Poland in Italy

RASFF

Salmonella enterica ser. Indiana (in 2 out of 5 samples /25g) and Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium monophasic (1 ,4, [5], 12:i:-) (in 3 out of 5 samples /25g) in frozen turkey rump from France in France

RASFF

Salmonella (presence /25g) in sesame seeds from India in the Netherlands

RASFF

Salmonella (presence /25g) in frozen salted chicken half breasts from Brazil in the Netherlands

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pathogen, pathogenic, Salmonella, Salmonella Betel Leaves, Salmonella in Black Pepper, Salmonella in Chicken, Salmonella in Eggs, Salmonella Sesame Seeds

RASFF Alerts – Aflatoxin – Groundnuts – Roasted Pistachios – Peanut Butter – Red Rice – Black Pepper – Flavour Coated Groundnuts – Peanuts – Spice Mix – Pistachios – Basmati Rice

Posted on September 4, 2020 by KSW | Leave a comment

As I have been on annual leave I have covered the last two weeks RASFF Alerts.

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 29; Tot. = 51 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF

aflatoxins (Tot. = 16.12 µg/kg – ppb) in roasted and salted pistachio kernels from Turkey in Germany

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 8.3; Tot. = 9.6 µg/kg – ppb) in peanut butter from the United Kingdom in Ireland

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 8.9; Tot. = 11 µg/kg – ppb) and ochratoxin A (10.3 µg/kg – ppb) in red rice from Sri Lanka in Switzerland

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 14.7; Tot. = 20.1 µg/kg – ppb) in black pepper from Nigeria in Belgium

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 5.6 µg/kg – ppb) in blanched groundnuts from India in the Netherlands

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 3.8; Tot. = 4 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 5.7; Tot. = 22 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 3.4; Tot. = 3.8 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 26.3; Tot. = 29.8 µg/kg – ppb) in flavoured coated groundnuts from Germany in Finland

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 5.4 µg/kg – ppb) in flavoured groundnuts from Germany in Finland

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 3.1; Tot. = 3.9 µg/kg – ppb) in peanuts with shell from India in Spain

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 5; Tot. = 5 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from China, via Germany in the Netherlands

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 8.6; Tot. = 10.0 µg/kg – ppb) in dry roasted cocktail peanuts from Nigeria in the UK

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 6.6; Tot. = 6.6 µg/kg – ppb) in spice mix from Pakistan in Ireland

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 9.8; Tot. = 11.1 µg/kg – ppb) in spice mix from Pakistan in Ireland

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 15.8; Tot. = 17.4 µg/kg – ppb) in inshell pistachios from Iran in Greece

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 4.6; Tot. = 4.6 µg/kg – ppb) in basmati rice from Pakistan in Greece

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 94; Tot. = 101 µg/kg – ppb) in pistachios from Iran in Spain

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Posted in Aflatoxin, food contamination, 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 Spoilage, Food Testing, Food Toxin, microbial contamination, Microbiology, mold, Mould Toxin, Moulds, Mycotoxin

Denmark – Outbreak of Hepatitis A in Denmark

Posted on September 3, 2020 by KSW | Leave a comment

SSI

The Statens Serum Institut is investigating an outbreak of contagious hepatitis caused by infections with the hepatitis A virus. The source of the infection is still unknown.

Last edited on 25 August 2020

The outbreak includes 14 patients, 8 women and 6 men aged 17-63 years. The patients have become ill from April to July 2020. The patients live all over the country and 11 have been hospitalized. Viruses from patients have been typed to genotype 1B. Graph with number of cases of hepatitis A

Graph with number of cases of hepatitis A

Region	Number of patients
The capital	3
Zealand	5
Southern Denmark	0
Central Jutland	3
North Jutland	3
Total	14

Tracking the source

To investigate the source of the outbreak, the Statens Serum Institut interviews the patients in relation to uncovering how they have become ill. The initial interviews have shown that the patients have not been out traveling, do not know each other and that they had not participated in joint events. It therefore suggests that the source of infection is a common food that has been sold throughout the country. The outbreak is being investigated in collaboration with the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration and the DTU Food Institute.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Hepatitis A, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Virus

Denmark – Outbreak of Salmonella Strathcona in Denmark

Posted on September 3, 2020 by KSW | Leave a comment

SSI

From May to August 2020, 23 people are registered with a special type of salmonella in Denmark. The outbreak is being investigated to pinpoint the source of the infection and stop the outbreak.

Last edited on 25 August 2020

From 26 May to 4 August, 23 cases of Salmonella Strathcona have been reported to the Statens Serum Institut (SSI) (see figure). The sick live all over the country, and there are 19 women and 4 men aged 3-95 years. The median age is 65 years. A total of 15 (65%) of the patients have been hospitalized.

Interviews with the affected persons show that they had not been traveling in the period before they became ill, they did not know each other, and they had not participated in joint events. This suggests that it is a common food that has been sold throughout the country that is the source of infection.

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Salmonella

Denmark – Outbreak of Salmonella Kasenyi in Denmark

Posted on September 3, 2020 by KSW | Leave a comment

SSI

From June to July 2020, 11 people are registered with a special type of salmonella in Denmark. The outbreak is being investigated to pinpoint the source of the infection and stop the outbreak.

Last edited on 25 August 2020

From 10 June to 16 July, 11 cases of Salmonella Kasenyi have been reported to the Statens Serum Institut (SSI) (see figure). The sick live primarily in the metropolitan area – but there are also a few sick elsewhere in the country (see table). The patients are 9 women and 2 men aged 27-78 years. The median age is 53 years. Three (27%) of the patients have been hospitalized.

Interviews with the affected persons show that they had not been out traveling until they became ill, they did not know each other, and they had not participated in joint events. It therefore suggests that it is a common food that has been sold throughout the country that is the source of infection.