Category Archives: Food Microbiology Testing

France -Boneless skinless turkey thigh – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov France

Product category
Food
Product subcategory
Meats
Product brand name
UNBRANDED
Model names or references
Sous Vide Boneless Skinless Turkey Thigh
Product identification
GTIN Batch Date
3266980111670 0344168657 Use-by date 02/27/2024
3266980111670 0344168657 Use-by date 02/28/2024
Products List
Listing_products.pdfAttachment
Packaging
Under a vacuum
Start/end date of marketing
From 01/15/2024 to 01/16/2024
Storage temperature
Product to keep in the refrigerator
Health mark
FR 41 238 001 CE
Further information
All products are outdated DLC
Geographical sales area
Whole France
Distributors
BEAU MARCHE SARL – BALLEY DEPOT A QUAI – MEYER/WIOLAND – LAPEYRE LOG/ RACINE
List of points of sale
Listing_Customers.pdf

USA – Bright Farms Announces Voluntary Recall of Southwest Chipotle Salad Kit Due to Potential Risk of Listeria Monocytogenes in Cheese From Supplier: Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc.

FDA

Irvington, New York (February 8, 2024) –– In response to a voluntary recall initiated by Rizo Lopez Foods, Inc. who produces and supplies cheese products, Bright Farms is voluntarily recalling its Southwest Chipotle salad kit with best-by-dates between 12/31/23 and 2/22/24 due to potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes in the Cotija Cheese, an ingredient found in the salad kit.

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, Listeria infection can cause miscarriage and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The affected cheese product is contained in a fully enclosed and sealed plastic “masterpack” placed inside the kit and contains a best-by-date through 3/27/24. The product comes in a clear, plastic container. Information about the “best by” date, UPC can be found at the bottom of the package. Pictures to assist customers in identifying the recalled products are found at the end of this announcement.

Consumers who have purchased the affected products should dispose of the “masterpack” containing the Cotija cheese or discard the full salad kit and present a photo of the product, receipt, or reference their loyalty card history at their place of purchase for a full refund. Retailers have been instructed to remove all recalled products from store shelves.

The recalled products were distributed to retailers in the following states: Delaware, Maryland, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington D.C.

Product

Ounce

UPC Code

Best-By Date

BrightFarms Southwest Chipotle Crunch Kit 5.85oz 8-50051-82500-4 12/31/23 – 2/22/24

To date, we have received no confirmed reports of illness related to the BrightFarms product covered by this recall

As a result of today’s recall, the company has temporarily suspended distribution of the Southwest Chipotle salad kit.

Consumers with questions are encouraged to call 1-866-857-8745 between 8:00am-6:00pm EDT or email info@brightfarms.com with the subject line: Recall

FDA Outbreak Investigation

France – Boneless Skinless Turkey Stir Fry – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov France

Product category
Food
Product subcategory
Meats
Product brand name
UNBRANDED
Model names or references
Sous Vide Boneless Skinless Turkey Stir Fry
Product identification
GTIN Batch Date
3378740630281 0344168624 Use-by date 01/26/2024
Products List
Listing_products.pdfAttachment
Packaging
Under a vacuum
Start/end date of marketing
From 01/15/2024 to 01/15/2024
Storage temperature
Product to keep in the refrigerator
Health mark
FR 41 238 001 CE
Further information
All products are outdated DLC
Geographical sales area
Whole France
Distributors
FAYE BEL COLRUYT
List of points of sale
Listing_Customers.pdf

France – Tommette, soft pasta made with raw sheep’s milk – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov France

Product category
Food
Product subcategory
Milk and dairy products
Product brand name
Bergerie du Tilh
Model names or references
Titou, Bichon, Arriel
Product identification
Batch Date
Arriel, Bichon Use-by date 01/30/2024
Tito Use-by date 02/08/2024
Packaging
Packaging with label
Start/end date of marketing
From 01/16/2024 to 02/08/2024
Storage temperature
Product to keep in the refrigerator
Health mark
64,059,100
Geographical sales area
Departments: PYRENEES-ATLANTIQUES (64)
Distributors
Ferm’Envie Bizanos, Ferm’ENvie Serres-Castet

USA -Ready Pac Foods, Inc. Recalls Four Salad Kits Due to Possible Health Risk From Listeria Monocytogenes

FDA

Marketside Bacon Ranch Crunch salad kit

IRWINDALE, Calif., February 8, 2024 — With the safety of its consumers being a top priority Ready Pac Foods, Inc. has initiated a voluntary recall of a limited number of cases of four salad kits as a result of the expanded recall by Rizo-López Foods of certain cheese products that may have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which 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, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Upon being notified of the expanded recall on February 7, 2024, Ready Pac conducted an investigation and determined that the following products may be impacted:

Product

UPC

Use by date

States shipped

10.3 oz “Marketside Southwest
Chopped Kit” distributed by
Walmart
681131305129 12/27/2023 – 1/14/2024 AZ, CA, CO, CT,
DE, HI, MA, MD,
ME, MT, NH, NJ,
NM, NY, PA, RI,
SD, TX, VT, WY
9.8 oz “Marketside Bacon Ranch
Crunch Kit” distributed by
Walmart
681131305440 02/03//2024 – 2/19/2024 AZ, CA, CO, CT,
DE, HI, MA, MD,
ME, MT, NH, NJ,
NM, NY, PA, RI,
SD, TX, VT, WY
10.5 oz “Ready Pac Bistro Fresh
Mex Chopped Kit” distributed by
Winco
077745256108 1/18/2024 – 2/18/2024 AZ, CA
24 oz “Ready Pac Bistro Queso
Crunch Salad Kit” distributed by
Costco
077745256139 1/13/2024 – 2/18/2024 CA, NV, HI

The kits are sold in bags and the UPC and best by dates may be found on the front or the back of the package depending on which kit was purchased.

A total of 15,751 cases were manufactured between December 2023 through February 2024 by Ready Pac Foods and distributed to the retailers listed above.

Ready Pac has ceased all sale and distribution of the impacted products and any products in inventory will be removed and destroyed per FDA guidelines. Ready Pac is urging customers who purchased any of the potentially impacted products to immediately discard the entirety of the kit, including the individual packets of cheese, or return it to the retailer where it was purchased, for a full refund.

No other Ready Pac Foods products sold under the Ready Pac Bistro brand are affected.

To date, the company has not received any reports of illnesses at this time related to these recalled salad kits.

Consumers with questions may contact the Ready Pac Foods Consumer Affairs at +1.800.800.7822 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. PST or by email at bfa-consumer.affairs@bonduelle.com

Media inquiries only: David.Schraeder@bonduelle.com

FDA Outbreak Investigation

France -Einkorn flour -Ergot Alkaloids

Gov France

Product category
Food
Product subcategory
Cereals and bakery products
Product brand name
CLEAR LIFE
Model names or references
Einkorn flour 500G
Product identification
GTIN Batch Date
3266191107875 26223L1 Minimum durability date 09/19/2024
Packaging
500g bag
Storage temperature
Product to be stored at room temperature
Geographical sales area
Whole France
Distributors
La Vie Claire Stores

USA- FSIS Issues Public Health Alert For Ready-To-Eat Poultry Products Containing FDA-Regulated Dairy Products That Have Been Recalled Due To Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination

FSIS USDA

WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for ready-to-eat (RTE) poultry burrito products containing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated dairy products that have been recalled by Rizo-Lopez Foods, due to concerns that the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers are aware that these products, which bear the USDA mark of inspection, should not be consumed. As more information becomes available, FSIS will update this public health alert. Consumers should check back frequently because additional products may be added.

The RTE poultry burrito items were produced on various dates between June 20, 2023, and December 30, 2023. The following products subject to the public health alert are [view labels]:

  • 10.53-oz. individual wax paper packages containing “amazon kitchen, CHICKEN CHILI VERDE burrito with rice, black beans & monterey jack” with BEST BEFORE Julian dates starting with 0764, 1384, 1394, and 2694.  The product is packaged in boxed cases labeled as “CHICKEN CHILE VERDE BURRITO WITH RICE, BLACK BEANS & MONTEREY JACK” with production dates 6/20/23, 8/21/23, 8/22/23, and 12/30/23, and with expiration dates of 3/16/24, 5/17/24, 5/18/24, and 9/25/24.

The products bear establishment number “P-20552” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the case label and “P-20552” on the back of the immediate package. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide.

The problem was discovered when the firm notified FSIS that they used FDA-regulated cotija cheese that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes to produce burrito products. FDA is continuing its investigation into the dairy products produced by Rizo-Lopez Foods.

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

Canada – Rojo’s brand Black Bean 6 Layer Dip recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

CFIA

Black bean 6 layer dip
Issue
Food – Microbial Contamination – Listeria
What to do

Do not consume, use, sell, serve, or distribute recalled products

Distribution
New Brunswick
Newfoundland and Labrador
Ontario
Quebec

The affected product is being recalled from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. This product was made using cheese recalled by Rizo-López Foods, Inc. in association with an outbreak investigation in the US.

What you should do

  • If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, contact your healthcare provider
  • Check to see if you have recalled products
  • Do not consume, serve, use, sell, or distribute recalled products
  • Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, the infection can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

Canada – Southwest Potato, Black Bean, & Egg Wrap recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

CFIA

Product
Southwest Potato, Black Bean, & Egg Wrap
Issue
Food – Microbial Contamination – Listeria
What to do

Do not use, sell, serve or distribute the affected product.

Audience
Hotels, restaurants and institutions
Distribution
National

Southwest Potato, Black Bean, & Egg Wrap recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes.

Research – A new Rogue-like Escherichia phage UDF157lw to control Escherichia coli O157:H7

Frontiers In.org

Introduction: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 is one of the notorious foodborne pathogens causing high mortality through the consumption of contaminated food items. The food safety risk from STEC pathogens could escalate when a group of bacterial cells aggregates to form a biofilm. Bacterial biofilm can diminish the effects of various antimicrobial interventions and enhance the pathogenicity of the pathogens. Therefore, there is an urgent need to have effective control measurements. Bacteriophages can kill the target bacterial cells through lytic infection, and some enzymes produced during the infection have the capability to penetrate the biofilm for mitigation compared to traditional interventions. This study aimed to characterize a new Escherichia phage vB_EcoS-UDF157lw (or UDF157lw) and determine its antimicrobial efficacy against E. coli O157:H7.