Category Archives: Food Microbiology Research

France – Whole cooked ham – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov France

Product category
Food
Product subcategory
Meats
Product brand name
LEFORGEAIS
Model names or references
Whole cooked ham 600gr
Product identification
GTIN Batch Date
3521921000285 24086 Use-by date between 04/25/2024 and 04/30/2024
Start/end date of marketing
From 03/29/2024 to 04/04/2024
Storage temperature
Product to keep in the refrigerator
Geographical sales area
Whole France
Distributors
YVAS; DISCOUNTS; DAVID MASTER; LOSTE; HAUTE LOIRE DISTRIBUTION; THE GOOD RAME OF VIROISE; JACKY LEDUC; MASTER DAIRY DISTRIBUTION; GARCIN MARKET; SALTED PASSION; FAS; TLC; VALLEGRAIN

France – PEANUTS IN SHELL 500g – Aflatoxin

Gov France

Product category
Food
Product subcategory
Nuts and seeds
Product brand name
PAQUITO
Model names or references
PAQUITO PEANUTS IN SHELL – 500g
Product identification
GTIN Batch Date
3250391435487 L5 – all hours Minimum durability date 03/27/2025
Packaging
500 g bag
Start/end date of marketing
From 03/29/2024 to 04/08/2024
Storage temperature
Product to be stored at room temperature
Geographical sales area
Regions: Brittany, Normandy, New Aquitaine, Pays-de-la-Loire
Distributors
INTERMARCHE

USA – 2023 – Research – Multiple Salmonella Outbreaks linked to Boston Restaurant

Food Poison Journal

In the summer of 2023, an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections occurred in the Boston area. Public health officials from the Boston Public Health Commission and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health conducted investigations into what would become three rounds of illnesses associated with food prepared at Los Amigos Taqueria located at 366 Washington Street in Brighton, Massachusetts. A total of 126 ill patrons were identified. Sixteen people were hospitalized. No one died.

Research – Turkish study reveals high prevalence of Salmonella in poultry meat

Food Safety News

A study in Turkey has found nearly 40 percent of chicken products sampled contained Salmonella.

Researchers investigated prevalence, antibiotic resistance, and genomic diversity of Salmonella in raw poultry meat products across Turkey.

A total of 293 samples were collected, including chicken breast, skinned drumstick, skinned chicken chop, wing, chicken offal, and chicken patty.

UK Research – Campylobacter data 2013 to 2022

Gov UK

Main points for 2022

The 2022 report shows that:

  • the number of reported Campylobacter cases in England decreased from 55,642 cases in 2021 to 54,461 cases in 2022, a decrease of 1,181 cases
  • the region that reported the highest number of Campylobacter laboratory reports was the South East with 9,540 reports; however, the region with the highest rate per 100,000 population was the North East with 133.3 per 100,000.
  • overall, 54% of Campylobacter laboratory-confirmed cases in England were male
  • the age group with the highest number of laboratory reports was the 50 to 59 year old age category
  • consistent with previous years’ 5-year median, in 2022 Campylobacter reporting peaked in the month of June
  • species was only reported for 23% of laboratory reports, the majority of which were Campylobacter jejuni (20% of all cases)

France – Raw milk goat cheese – STEC E.coli

Gov France

Product category
Food
Product subcategory
Milk and dairy products
Product brand name
Earl Louet
Model names or references
Faisselle,Pyramid,log,round,White pyramid,Touré,Crottin
Product identification
Batch Date
03/25, 03/26, 03/27 Use-by date 05/17/2024
Packaging
Wooden box Paper packaging
Start/end date of marketing
From 03/25/2024 to 03/29/2024
Storage temperature
Product to keep in the refrigerator
Geographical sales area
Whole France
Distributors
Carrefour Buzançais, Intermarché Buzançais, Farm, Marché Palluau, Marché Pellevoisin, Ricardel, Marché Buzançais

New Zealand – Recall of peanut products due to aflatoxin above acceptable levels

MPI

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is supporting Prolife Foods in its recall of specific batches of various Value Pack and Refill Pack products containing peanuts.

“The concern with these products is that they contain levels of aflatoxins above the allowable level in New Zealand,” says NZFS deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle.

The products affected by this recall are:

  • Value Pack (VP) Nuts and Raisins (400g) with a Best Before: 29 SEP 2024
  • Value Pack (VP) Roasted Salted Peanuts (400g) with a Best Before: 08 OCT 2024 and 15 OCT 2024
  • Value Pack (VP) Roasted Salted Peanuts (750g) with a Best Before 08 OCT 2024
  • Refill Pack brand Roasted Nut Mix (850g) with a Best Before: 05 OCT 2024
  • Refill Pack brand Raw Nut Mix (850g) with a Best Before: 05 OCT 2024

“If you have bought any of these products, don’t consume them and return them to the place of purchase for a refund.

“Aflatoxins are naturally occurring in many food products and are produced by a group of moulds that grow on foods produced in hot and tropical climates.

“Levels of aflatoxin in the New Zealand diet are usually very low and don’t represent a health risk, however, consumption of food products with increased levels of aflatoxin over an extended period of time can be harmful.”

The affected products are sold at selected supermarkets throughout New Zealand.

Visit New Zealand Food Safety’s recall page for more information about batch details and photographs of the affected product.

“The recalled products are imported and, although they have undergone the necessary testing, they were released by the importer in error without confirming the results,” says Mr Arbuckle.

The products have been removed from stores. The affected products are not available overseas.

“As is our usual practice, NZFS will work with Prolife Foods to understand how the products were released and to prevent it happening again,” Mr Arbuckle said.

New Zealand Food Safety has not received any notifications of associated illness.

If you have consumed any of this product and are concerned for your health, contact your health professional, or call Healthline on 0800 61 11 16 for free advice.

Norway – Midsona Norge AS withdraws Helios organic dark baking mix and Helios organic light baking mix -Aflatoxins

Mattilsynet

Helios dark makemix.JPG

Helios light baking mix.JPG

Midsona Norge AS withdraws Helios organic dark baking mix and Helios organic light baking mix, both gluten-free. Aflatoxins above the limit value have been found in the ingredient rice flour.

Updated 05/04/2024
Importer Midsona Norge AS has informed the Norwegian Food Safety Authority that the withdrawal applies to more “best before dates” than those stated in the online notification 27/03/2024

Dark baking mix, best before dates:
09.03.2024, 12.04.2024, 11.05.2024, 26.06.2024, 15.08.2024, 03.09.2024, 05.11.2024, 04.12.2024.

Light baking mix, best before dates:
07.02.2024, 12.04.2024, 11.06.2024, 02.07.2024, 06.11.2024, 04.12.2024.
The products are sold via health food stores, shop outlets and through Oda.

The mycotoxin aflatoxin has been found in the ingredient rice flour from Cambodia. Mold toxins (mycotoxins) are naturally occurring toxins from molds. Mycotoxins occur in feed and food and can cause long-term negative health effects in humans and animals.

The importer asks customers who have bought the products to throw them away.

Research – Novel process decontaminates raw pet food, increases safety

Pet Food Industry

Dr. Keith Warriner will explain the gas-phase hydroxyl-radical process that offers intervention against Salmonella and other pathogens during his education session next month at Petfood Forum.

In recent years, the raw pet food industry has faced a series of challenges, with outbreaks and recalls linked to Salmonella contamination. This has led to a negative perception and concerns over the safety of raw pet foods.

USA – Alabama Cyclospora Outbreak 2023

Food Poison Journal

In the May of 2023, a significant increase in Cyclospora cases associated with a Mexican-style restaurant in Limestone County, Alabama was investigated by the Alabama Department of Public Health. An outbreak investigation was initiated on June 7, 2023. A case control study was launched on June 12. Exposures were reported between May 20 and June 6, 2023.