Category Archives: Food Microbiology Testing

France – COOKED ROAST PORK x10 – COOKED ROAST PORK x5 – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on April 22, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Gov France

Product category
Food
Product subcategory
Meats
Product brand name
COSME CHARCUTERIE
Model names or references
COOKED ROAST PORK X10 COOKED ROAST PORK X5
Product identification
Batch Date
ROAST COOKED X5 – 241620 Use-by date between 05/07/2024 and 05/09/2024
COOKED ROAST X10 – 241620 Use-by date between 05/12/2024 and 05/15/2024
Packaging
TRAY OF 5 SLICES IN PROTECTIVE ATMOSPHERE PACK OF 10 SLICES IN VACUUM
Start/end date of marketing
From 04/17/2024 to 04/20/2024
Storage temperature
Product to keep in the refrigerator
Health mark
FR 72.181.005
Geographical sales area
Departments: INDRE-ET-LOIRE (37), LOIR-ET-CHER (41), LOIRET (45), MAYENNE (53), NIEVRE (58), ORNE (61), SARTHE (72)
Distributors
TERRE Y FRUIT – QUALITY FRUIT – CHARENTONNE BREEDERS – LE GRAND MARCHE – REGIONAL BUTCHERS – MARCHE PROVENCAL – PRIM FRESH – CARREFOUR CONTACT – HYPER U – LECLERC – SUPER U – U EXPRESS – RELAY MOUSQUETAIRES
List of points of sale
ET-Listing_client.pdf

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, 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 Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria France, Listeria monocytogenes

France – Cheese – COUNTY – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on April 22, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Gov France

Product category
Food
Product subcategory
Milk and dairy products
Product brand name
BEILLEVAIRE
Model names or references
County
Product identification
Batch
2473666
Packaging
sale by the cut
Start/end date of marketing
From 03/18/2024 to 04/17/2024
Storage temperature
Product to keep in the refrigerator
Geographical sales area
Regions: Pays-de-la-Loire
Distributors
Loire-Atlantique markets

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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 France, Listeria in Cheese, Listeria monocytogenes

France – Provençal-style sliced ​​pork belly – Salmonella

Posted on April 22, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Gov France

Product category
Food
Product subcategory
Meats
Product brand name
Unbranded
Model names or references
Provençal-style sliced ​​pork belly
Product identification
GTIN Batch Date
0241802000007 C4096141 Use-by date 04/17/2024
Packaging
Vacuum packaging
Start/end date of marketing
From 04/10/2024 to 04/17/2024
Storage temperature
Product to keep in the refrigerator
Health mark
FR 42.305.004 CE or FR 45.147.004 CE
Geographical sales area
Whole France
Distributors
Fresh and Grand Frais stores
List of points of sale
List_of_stores_concerned.pdf

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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, Salmonella

USA – Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Organic Basil (April 2024)

Posted on April 22, 2024 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Infinite Herbs Organic Basil Product

Organic Basil Infinite Herbs Brand Label

Melissa's Organic Basil

Product

Two brands of organic basil have been recalled:

  • Infinite Herbs-brand organic basil packed in 2.5-oz clamshell packaging (UPC 8 18042 02147 7) and sold at Trader Joe’s and Fruit Center Marketplace stores from February 1 through April 6, 2024.
  • Melissa’s brand fresh organic basil in 2.0-oz (UPC 0 45255 14142 9) and 4.0-oz clamshell packages (UPC 0 45255 14439 0) available for sale at Dierberg’s stores in Illinois and Missouri from February 10 through February 20, 2024.

Both recalled brands of basil are labeled as a product of Colombia on the back of the package. Recalled basil is past expiration and should no longer be available for sale.

Symptoms of Salmonella Infection:

Illness usually occurs within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food and usually lasts four to seven days. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Children younger than five, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections.

Stores Affected

Infinite Herbs-brand was sold at:

  • Trader Joe’s stores in D.C. and AL, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, and WI
  • Fruit Center Marketplace stores in MA

Melissa’s-brand was sold at:

  • Dierberg’s stores in IL and MO

Status

Ongoing

Recommendation

  • Consumers who purchased recalled organic basil from the stores listed above should check their refrigerators and freezers and should not eat it.
  • This product should no longer be for sale at retail stores and is likely past shelf-life. If you bought recalled organic basil and removed it from the packaging or froze it and cannot tell if it is part of the recall, do not eat or use it and throw it away.
  • Follow FDA’s safe handling and cleaning advice and use extra care in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with this product to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
  • Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have symptoms of a Salmonella infection after eating basil.

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Posted in FDA, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, 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, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, Salmonella

Belgium – Organic rye from the Pit & Pit brand – Ochratoxin A

Posted on April 22, 2024 by | Leave a comment

AFSCA

Pit & Pit organic rye

In agreement with the FASFC, Pit & Pit is withdrawing the “Organic Rye” product from the Pit & Pit brand from sale and recalling it from consumers due to excessively high levels of ochratoxin A.

Pit & Pit asks its customers not to consume this product and to return it. A free return label can be requested by sending an email with the photo of the label to help@pit-pit.com. Upon receipt of the return, the product will be refunded to you.

Product Description :

Product name: Organic rye
Brand: Pit & Pit
Type of packaging: transparent bag
Expiration date (DDM): 04/30/2024 – 09/30/2024
Weight and batch numbers:
1kg – Lot s : LUVZFWZL9, LUW4IC94L, LUX2U3XHO, LUZLHHA62, U1ZHWGL5, LV3UIT0DA, LUW4IC94L
The product was sold online, via the website http://www.pit-pit.com.

For any further information , please contact: help@pit-pit.com.

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

USA – FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination

Posted on April 22, 2024 by | Leave a comment

FSIS USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers are aware that these products should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.

The raw ground beef items were produced on March 28, 2024. The products have a “Use/Freeze by” date of April 22, 2024, and packaging date of “032824.” The list of products that are subject to the public health alert can be found here. The labels for these products can be found on the FSIS website [view labels].

The products subject to the public health alert bear establishment number “EST. 960A” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to food service institutions and retail locations nationwide.

The problem was discovered by the establishment while conducting an inventory of product that was on hold because it was found positive for E. coli O157:H7. The company notified FSIS that they inadvertently used a portion of the contaminated beef to produce ground beef products that they subsequently shipped into commerce.

There have been no confirmed reports of illness due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

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Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, FSIS, FSIS USDA, STEC, STEC E.coli

USA – Infinite Herbs, LLC Expands Recall of Fresh Organic Basil to Include Melissa’s Brand Organic Basil Received by Illinois and Missouri Retailer

Posted on April 22, 2024 by | Leave a comment

FDA

April 19, 2024—Infinite Herbs LLC of Miami, Florida, is expanding its April 18th recall to include Melissa’s brand fresh organic basil in 2.0 oz ( 96 packages, UPC 0 45255 14142 9) and 4.0 oz packages (24 packages, UPC 0 45255 14439 0) available for sale at Dierberg’s stores in Illinois and Missouri between February 10th and 20th (see photos below). This product is part of the lot that was previously recalled and, therefore, has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Please note that this recalled product is outdated and no longer available for sale. Still, consumers are urged to check their refrigerators and freezers and not consume the recalled organic basil if they have it. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 305-599-9255 x 148 or email customer_service@infiniteherbs.com, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT.

The company is conducting this recall with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) knowledge.

Link to Original Press Release

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Posted in FDA, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, 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 Toxin, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, Salmonella

USA – Infinite Herbs, LLC Voluntarily Recalls 2.5-Ounce Fresh Organic Basil Sold From February 1 Through April 6 Because of Possible Health Risk

Posted on April 22, 2024 by | Leave a comment

FDA

“Image of UPC and Date Packed for Infinite Herbs Basil package”

April 18, 2024—Infinite Herbs LLC of Miami, Florida, is voluntarily recalling 2.5-ounce packages of Infinite Herbs fresh organic basil sold between February 1 and April 6, 2024, and bearing the UPC 8 18042 02147 7 (see photos below) because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Based on its food questionnaires and epidemiological data to date, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that 12 illnesses are likely related to this recall. Infinite Herbs initiated the voluntary recall after the FDA notified it of the CDC’s information.

The recalled product was shipped directly to Trade Joe’s retail distribution centers in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Virginia and to two Fruit Center Marketplace stores in Massachusetts.

No other products distributed by Infinite Herbs are affected by this recall—non-organic basil in any package and other package sizes of organic basil are not included in this recall. The company is conducting this recall with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) knowledge.

The recalled product is out of date and no longer available for sale, but consumers are urged to check their refrigerators and freezers and not consume the recalled organic basil if they have it. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 305-599-9255 x 148 or via email to customer_service@infiniteherbs.com, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT.

Link to Expanded Press Release

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Posted in FDA, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, 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, Foodborne Illness, Illness, Salmonella

Research – Effect of food environment on the ability of microorganisms to form biofilms

Posted on April 21, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Wiley Online

Abstract

The aim of this study is to understand the effect of the food product’s, even in trace amounts, in the biofilm formation potential of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Bacterial adhesion was tested using three different food media, in which bacterial cells were adapted before determining how this would affect their adhesion score and biofilm formation potential: sterilized milk, mineral water, and pasteurized commercial orange juice. After characterization of the bacteria and the adhesion support by the contact angle, the adhesion score obtained by the theoretical mathematical model XDLVO developed by van Oss was compared to that obtained by the experimental approach, in order to examine the role of non-specific (thermodynamic) and specific (biological) interactions in adhesion. Changes in the membrane composition of bacteria, as a function of acclimation conditions, were evaluated by infrared spectroscopy. Results reveal variability in the spectral region between 900 and 1200 cm−1 specific to capsular polysaccharides (CPS) or lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and also in the range between 2800 and 3000 cm−1 characteristic of membrane lipids and phospholipids. Biofilm formation by S. aureus and E. coli was affected by commercial UHT milk. This led to increased hydrophobicity and total adhesion energy within the environment of these strains. However, no correlation was observed between the adhesion scores obtained through experimental and theoretical approaches. This underscores the necessity of considering the specific characteristics of individual food products in understanding the phenomenon of biofilm formation. Understanding, the mechanism, the variations in bacterial surface characteristics, and the conditions that favor or disadvantage the formation of biofilms, may have important implications, in the development of preventive and curative strategies, to control of food-borne infections.

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Posted in Biofilm, E.coli, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Research, Staphylococcus aureus

Belgium – Dried blackberries – Aflatoxin

Posted on April 19, 2024 by | Leave a comment

AFSCA

AH ripe

In agreement with the FASFC, Albert Heijn is recalling from consumers the Dried Blackberries ‘AH gedroogde biologische moerbei’ of the Albert Heijn brand with the expiry date 08/25/2024.

The product contains too high aflatoxin content (b1, b2, g1 and g2) and ochratoxin A. There is no immediate danger to health. If consumed in large quantities over a long period of time, it can be harmful.

Albert Heijn asks its customers not to consume this product and to return it to the point of sale. It will be exchanged or refunded.

Product Description :

  • Product category: dried fruits
  • Product name: AH gedroogde biologische moerbei
  • Brand: Albert Heijn
  • Expiration date (DDM): 08/25/2024
  • Sales period: 02/06/2024 until 04/16/2024 inclusive
  • Type of packaging: plastic bag  
  • Weight: 150g

Sold through Albert Heijn stores.

For any further information, please contact Albert Heijn via 0800 777 05

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Posted in Aflatoxin, afsca, 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