Category Archives: Food Microbiology Testing

South Africa – Peanut butter health risk spreading: More brands recalled due to high Aflatoxin levels

Citizen

BNN

TNCC

The National Consumer Commission has issued a nationwide recall of various peanut butter brands due to high levels of Aflatoxin. Affected brands include Pick n Pay, Eden, Dischem, and Wazoogles Superfoods. Consumers are advised to return the products for a full refund to avoid potential health complications.

PRODUCT RECALL: CONSUMERS ARE URGED TO RETURN DISCHEM LIFESTYLE BRAND, WAZOOGLES SUPERFOODS, EDEN ALL NATURAL AND NO-NAME PICK N’ PAY PEANUT BUTTER
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) calls to attention all persons who have these peanut butter brands:

Dischem’s Lifestyle 400 grams Smooth and Crunchy,

Dischem’s Lifestyle 800 grams Smooth and Crunchy,

Wazoogles Superfoods- all sizes starting from 32g to 20 KG,

Pick n’ Pay’s No Name 1KG smooth and

Eden All Natural; to immediately stop consuming these products and return them to the point of purchase for a full refund with or without proof of purchase.
Pick n Pay’s No Name, Eden All Natural, and Dischem’s Lifestyle brands were distributed nationally, while Wazoogles Superfoods products were distributed mainly in the Western Cape.
The manufacturer, House of Natural Butters (Pty) Ltd, informed the Commission that all these brands were found to have higher than legally acceptable levels of Aflatoxin as set out under R1145 Regulation Governing Tolerance of Fungus-Produced Toxins in Foodstuffs. Failing to meet the quality standards rendered Lifestyle peanut butter, the No Name 1kg Pick n’ Pay, Wazoogles Superfoods, and Eden All Natural peanut butter unsafe for human consumption.

The Acting National Consumer Commissioner, Ms. Thezi Mabuza says while the Commission is investigating the affairs of the manufacturer House of Natural Butters (Pty) Ltd, the NCC will also conduct a nationwide assessment to establish whether other brands are affected. “The Commission urges the manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers of peanut butter to comply with regulations and conduct urgent tests to assess the safety of the products on their shelves and take immediate corrective steps if found to be unsafe.
The Consumer Protection Act requires that goods that pose any risk of harm to the consumer be recalled. It is the responsibility of the manufacturers, importers, and retailers to ensure that goods comply with all applicable laws and standards of the Republic. Aflatoxin may lead to health complications but not limited to nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. We, therefore, urge South African consumers who have the recalled products (No Name brand, the Eden All Natural brand, Wazoogles Superfoods, and Dischem’s Lifestyle brand) to immediately stop consuming these products and return the products to a point of purchase for a full refund, with or without proof of purchase” she concluded.
Images of the recalled brands:
Issued by: National Consumer Commission (NCC)
For media enquiries contact: Phetho Ntaba (Spokesperson/MLO) 082 809 2031/ 012 428 7762
Facebook: The National Consumer Commission
X Handle: @TheNCC_RSA
More news: http://www.thencc.gov.za/mediacenter

Iceland – Salmonella in confectionery

MAST

The Swedish Food Agency warns against the consumption of several batches of Chalva sezamowa sweets imported by Mini Market because of salmonella. The company, in consultation with the Reykjavík Health Authority, has recalled the product.

The announcement of the recall came through the European rapid alert system RASFF for dangerous food and feed on the market.

The recall only applies to the following production batches:

  • Brand: Sultan
  • Product name: Chalwa Sezamowa
  • Shelf life: Best before Date: 09.07.2025 and all older dates
  • Net quantity: 100 g
  • Barcode: 5907180567512, 5906660133780, 5906660133254, 5906660133247, 5906660133230.
  • Manufacturer (packager): Elis Ali Eski, Poland
  • Importer: Mini Market, Drafnarfell 14, 111 Reykjavík.
  • Distribution: Mini Market

Salmonella can cause serious illness in young children and the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions.

Consumers who have purchased the product are advised not to consume it, discard it or take it to the store for a refund.

Advanced material:

France – ANDOUILLE BASQUAISE sold in the cut charcuterie section of the HYPER ANGLET store between 01/31/2024 and 02/05/2024 – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov France

Product category
Food
Product subcategory
Meats
Product brand name
Maritchu
Model names or references
ANDOUILLE BASQUAISE sold in the cut charcuterie section of the HYPER ANGLET store between 01/31/2024 and 02/05/2024
Product identification
GTIN Batch
1111111111116 All lots
Packaging
Tray
Start/end date of marketing
From 01/31/2024 to 02/05/2024
Storage temperature
Product to keep in the refrigerator
Health mark
ES 10.13438/SS CE
Further information
ANDOUILLE BASQUAISE sold in the cut charcuterie section of the HYPER ANGLET store between 01/31/2024 and 02/05/2024
Geographical sales area
Carrefour Hypermarket Anglet
Distributors
Carrefour Hypermarket Anglet only

Czech Republic – VALDOR Duck without giblets – Salmonella

Potravinynapranyri

Illustrative photo #1

Place of inspection:
Pilsen ( Písecká 972/1, 326 00 Pilsen )
ID: 44012373
Food group: Meat and meat products Packaged meat

VALDOR Duck without giblets
Category: Dangerous foods
Invalid parameter:

Salmonella

The presence of the pathogenic bacterium Salmonella Anatum, which can cause a disease called salmonellosis, was detected in the food . 

SZPI has already informed about this product in a press release dated 16/01/2024.  Warning for consumers: two batches of poultry meat from abroad with salmonella in the market network.

Batch: L 210090103
Expiration date: 21/10/2023
Packaging: PE packaging + PAP label
Quantity of the product in the package: 2.356 kg
Manufacturer: Hungerit Zrt. H-6600 Szentes, Attila út 2, Hungary.
Country of origin:  Hungary
Date of sample collection: 17/10/2023
Reference number: 24-000059-SZPI-CZ
The sample was detected by the official control of the State Agricultural and Food Inspection.

France – Duck confit 2 and 4 sleeves – Clostridium botulinum

Gov France

Product category
Food
Product subcategory
Meats
Product brand name
The royal delight farm
Model names or references
Duck confit 2 sleeves 350 gr Duck confit 4 sleeves 700 gr
Product identification
Batch Date
All lots Use-by date between 01/01/2021 and 12/31/2026
Packaging
Canned in glass
Start/end date of marketing
From 01/01/2021 to 12/31/2026
Storage temperature
Product to be stored at room temperature
Geographical sales area
Whole France
Distributors
See the list provided *plus the website’s online store
List of points of sale
Concerned_points of sale.pdf

USA – Mg Foods Voluntarily Recalls Ham & Cotija Torta Sandwich Distributed in Florida Due to Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination of Cotija Cheese

FDA

Ham & Cotija Torta Sandwich on Telera Roll front label

Melbourne, Fla. (February 13, 2024) – MG Foods is voluntarily recalling a Ham & Cotija Torta Sandwich on Telera Roll sold in Florida. This voluntary recall is being initiated as a result of the Rizo-López Foods, Inc. recall of cotija cheese due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes and associated with an outbreak the FDA is currently investigating.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, a Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

MG Foods used this cheese to make the recalled product distributed between 2/2/24 and 2/9/24 and sold via vending machines and grab-and-go retail markets within business locations exclusively in Florida. Product packaging, UPC number and use by dates can be found below, and the label for identification of the product is also included.

To date, no illnesses have been reported related to this specific product.

PRODUCT SIZE UPC NUMBER CONTAINER USE BY
DATES
WHERE USE
BY DATE CAN
BE FOUND
S&S Ham & Cotija Torta
Sandwich on Telera Roll
8.3 oz 100001002017 Plastic Container 02/09/24 to
02/16/24
Left side of front label
above net weight

MG Foods takes product safety very seriously. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to discard any remaining product immediately. Consumers may contact MG Foods at RecallConcern@HotLineGlobal.com or by calling 1-855-424-8390 Monday through Friday 8:00am – 6:00 pm EST for any questions related to this recall or to request a full refund.

Product label is included below for identification of products.

FDA Outbreak Investigation

Italy – CASTELMAGNO DOP PRODUCT OF THE MOUNTAIN – STEC E.coli

Salute

Brand : TINO PAIOLO

Name : CASTELMAGNO DOP PRODUCT OF THE MOUNTAIN

Reason for reporting : Recall due to microbiological risk

Publication date : 14 February 2024

Documentation

Documentation

Italy – CASTELMAGNO DOP Cheese – STEC E.coli

Salute

Brand : BEPPINO OCCELLI

Name : CASTELMAGNO DOP

Reason for reporting : Recall due to microbiological risk

Publication date : 14 February 2024

Documentation

Documentation

France – Gorgonzola DOP – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov France

Product category
Food
Product subcategory
Milk and dairy products
Product brand name
palzola
Model names or references
GORGONZOLA DOLCE DOP PALZOLA/SOVRANO/RP/DOLCE&BLU/ROMANIN
Product identification
Batch Date
18D16423A Use-by date 03/20/2024
Storage temperature
Product to keep in the refrigerator
Geographical sales area
Whole France
Distributors
direct sales store see traceability file attached
List of points of sale
traceability_france.pdf

France – More Duck Products – Clostridium botulinum

Gov France

Duckaise tomato sauce (3 variations)

Gov France

Duck terrine different varieties (continued)

Gov France

Duck meat soup (2 types)