Category Archives: Food Microbiology

France – HALAL GRILLED CHORIZO – 5KG -Salmonella

Gov france

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Meats
  • Product brand name OZTAT
  • Model names or references HALAL GRILLED CHORIZO – 5KG UNDER PROTECTIVE ATMOSPHERE
  • Product identification
    GTIN Batch Date
    3436598139650 39072823 Use-by date 10/19/2023
  • Packaging UNDER PROTECTIVE ATMOSPHERE
  • Start/end date of marketing From 02/10/2023 to 04/10/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to keep in the refrigerator
  • Health mark FR 88.218.001 CE
  • Geographical sales area Regions: Grand-Est
  • Distributors OZTAT

Australia – Brand Solutions Australia – Performance inspired Water – Aureobasidium melanogenum

FSANZ

Product information

Brand Solutions Australia is conducting a recall of Performance Inspired Protein Water Ready 2 Go Blueberry Lemonade Flavour 500 mL and Performance Inspired Energy Water Go Time Fruit Punch Pow Flavour 500 mL.

The product has been available for sale at in Chemist Warehouse stores nationally.

Date markings

Performance Inspired Protein Water Ready 2 Go Blueberry Lemonade Flavour 500 mL

Best Before dates up to and including 28 DEC 2023, Batch No. 22300-1, 22300-2, 22300-3, 22301-1 and 22256-1

Performance Inspired Energy Water Go Time Fruit Punch Pow Flavour 500 mL

Best Before dates up to and including 26 DEC 2023, Batch No. 22299-1, 22298-1 and 22255-1

Problem

The recall is due to microbial (Aureobasidium melanogenum) contamination.

Food safety hazard

Food products contaminated with Aureobasidium melanogenum may cause illness if consumed.

Country of origin

Australia

What to do​

Consumers should not ingest this product. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice. Customers should return the products to the place of purchase for a full cash refund. 

For further information please contact:
Brand Solutions Australia
03 8399 9419
admin@bsaus.com.au

France -Smoked sea-farmed trout – 4/6 slices 150g – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov france

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Fishing and aquaculture products
  • Product brand name Ets Neau
  • Model names or references Smoked sea-farmed trout – 4/6 slices 150g
  • Product identification
    Batch Date
    All lots Use-by date between 10/10/2023 and 10/20/2023
  • Packaging Vacuum plate
  • Start/end date of marketing From 09/22/2023 to 10/02/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to keep in the refrigerator
  • Health mark FR 78.005.001 CE
  • Geographical sales area Whole France
  • Distributors Retailers & wholesalers in Ile de France

France -Plain Meat- Salmonella

Gov france

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Meats
  • Product brand name THE MONTLOUISIAN
  • Model names or references Sausage meat 1 kg Sausage meat 3 kg
  • Product identification
    Batch Date
    400123 Use-by date 10/16/2023
  • Packaging Protective atmosphere tray
  • Start/end date of marketing From 03/10/2023 to 03/10/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to keep in the refrigerator
  • Health mark FR 37.156.031 CE
  • Geographical sales area Whole France
  • Distributors Sologne Frais, Leclerc Rueil Malmaison

France – Natural chipolatas – Salmonella

Gov france

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Meats
  • Product brand name THE MONTLOUISIAN
  • Model names or references chipolatas 60g x20
  • Product identification
    Batch Date
    400123 Use-by date 10/18/2023
  • Start/end date of marketing From 03/10/2023 to 03/10/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to keep in the refrigerator
  • Health mark FR 37.156.031 CE
  • Further information Protective atmosphere tray
  • Geographical sales area Whole France
  • Distributors Sologne Frais, Gallais, Leclerc Rueil Malmaison

France – CHICKEN MINCE 8*75G – Salmonella

Gov france

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Meats
  • Product brand name TOP PRICE
  • Model names or references Minced chicken price 8*75g top price
  • Product identification
    GTIN Batch Date
    3700141404824 240523 Minimum durability date 11/21/2024
  • Products List List_of_concerned_products.pdfAttachment
  • Packaging Bag
  • Start/end date of marketing From 09/13/2023 to 10/04/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to keep in the freezer
  • Health mark ES 10000684/GE CE
  • Further information frozen product
  • Geographical sales area Departments: BOUCHES-DU-RHONE (13), MEURTHE-ET-MOSELLE (54), OISE (60), SEINE-ET-MARNE (77), ESSONNE (91), SEINE-SAINT-DENIS (93), VAL- OF OISE (95)
  • Distributors Carrefour Traditional network
  • List of points of saleLIST_OF_POINTS_OF_SALES.pdf

Research – New publication about microbiological hazards in fresh fruits and vegetables

FAO

Fresh fruits and vegetables contaminated with foodborne pathogens (bacteria, viruses, protozoa, helminths, etc.) have resulted in numerous outbreaks of foodborne illness, made headlines and caused trade disruptions around the world. To better understand these hazards, and how to prevent and mitigate the risks, FAO and WHO convened a meeting of scientific experts to identify and evaluate commodity-specific interventions used to reduce the risk of microbiological hazards in fresh fruit and vegetable production – from primary production to post-harvest activities, transportation, point of sale and preparation for consumption. A new report is now available and provides guidance, taking into consideration the effectiveness, practicality and suitability of the various approaches used in fruit and vegetable safety.

Prevention and control of microbiological hazards in fresh fruits and vegetables – Part 4: Specific commodities, which is volume 44 in the FAO/WHO Microbiological Risk Assessment Series, is the report of the meeting convened by the Secretariat of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA). It addresses four commodity groups:  leafy vegetables and herbs, berries and tropical fruits, melons and tree fruits, and seeded and root vegetables.

This assessment updates and expands previous JEMRA work on the safety of fruits and vegetables and supports work being conducted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission on the development of guidelines for the control of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in leafy vegetables and in sprouts.

Download the report

Germany -Meat of wild game animals should become safer

BFR

European network aims to further reduce health risks

Game meat, including those of red deer, wild boar, or pheasant, is among the foods with the smallest ecological footprint. These animals grow up in the wild, feeding on what na-ture provides, which also means that they can be exposed to various environmental con-taminants. Furthermore, wild animals can serve as carriers of zoonotic pathogens. The Eu-ropean network ‘Safety in the Game Meat Chain’ that will be established over the next four years under the leadership of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR),and promotes the exchange of knowledge regarding the health risks associated with game meat obtained through hunting for consumers. ‘Our goal is to make this valuable animal-derived food as safe as possible both in Europe and worldwide,’ says BfR President Professor Dr.Dr. Andreas Hensel. ‘We aim to minimize both chemical and microbial risks as much as possi-ble.’ The growing network currently includes 29 countries, encompassing not only EU member states but also non-EU countries, including those in the Western Balkans, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand, and Australia.

Over a four-year period, the five working groups of the network will focus on hunting and processing, game meat trade networks and the supply chain, as well as various biological and chemical hazards. To accomplish this, research activities from national level will be compiled and evaluated. Stakeholder groups from academia, industry, governmental institutions, and final consumers will receive ongoing updates on the new findings.

A central aim of the network is direct collaboration with stakeholder groups to translate knowledge into actions along the entire production chain, “from forest to fork” . The focus lies not only on undesirable substances from the environment (environmental con-taminants), but also on preventing or reducing the input of heavy metals, especially lead, from hunting ammunition. The biological hazards range from parasites such as Trichinella larvae, which can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of game meat, all the way to bacterial zoonotic agents including Salmonella and verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC), as well as viruses like hepatitis E (HEV) in wild boars.

Risks of both chemical and microbial origin that may arise during processing and trade of game meat, potentially contaminating the end product, will also be assessed. The goal is to disseminate scientific knowledge gained through the network from various regions and to align long-term food safety standards across borders.

The network also aims to gather insights into different hunting and training practices as well as national legal regulations and standards on meat inspection and hygiene for game meat in each country. The safety standards for cross-border trade in wild products are intended to be enhanced and harmonized. Additionally, the network places emphasis on educating con-sumers about the risks associated with and safe handling of game meat. Ultimately, this can support the consumer’s confidence in game meat products.

‘Safety in the Game Meat Chain’ is founded by the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST).

Useful links

SafeGameMeat COST Action (CA22166):
https://www.cost.eu/actions/CA22166/

Further information from the BfR website on game meat (in German)

Finland – Too much Ochratoxin in fruit bars

Epressi

Frugi Moomin apple-blueberry 120 g fruit bar.

The Danish company House of Denmark A/S has announced that it will withdraw three batches of Moomin fruit bars from sale. In one product lot, ochratoxin A has been measured above the amount considered safe. The recall concerns the product Frugi Moomin apple-blueberry 120 g fruit bar and its dates

  • best before 19.04.2024 (batch no. L10931)
  • best before 04/07/2024 (batch no. L18532)
  • best before 01.08.2024 (batch no. L21322)

The items in question have been on sale in the stores of the Tokmanni chain and the K group. According to the announcement, consumers can return the products to the place of purchase, where the price of the product will be refunded. There is  a notice on the matter on Tokmanni’s website.

More information:

  • House of Denmark A/S, Quality Assurance Manager Michael Gøttrup, +45 7581 5122.
  • Tokmanni customer service, tel. 020 33 1415,  kaspalvelu@tokmanni.fi

Customer service is open Mon-Thurs from 10 am to 6 pm and Friday from 12 pm to 5 pm. The price of the call when calling from a landline and mobile phone subscription is 8.4 cents/min (incl. VAT 24%).

The matter is handled at the Food Agency by special expert Mika Varjonen, tel. 050 38 68 416,  firstname.surname@ruokavirasto.fi .

Picture of the product:
(Photo: Tokmanni)

France – Cheese – Tomme d’espelette farm sheep pepper chili – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov france

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Milk and dairy products
  • Product brand name TEAM WEST
  • Model names or references Tomme d’Espelette farm sheep pepper chili batch BP70323 DDM: 02-27-2024
  • Product identification
    GTIN Batch Date
    377000254884 BP70323 Minimum durability date 02/27/2024
  • Packaging CUT CHEESE
  • Start/end date of marketing From 09/27/2023 to 10/09/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to keep in the refrigerator
  • Health mark FR 64.213.100 CE
  • Geographical sales area Whole France
  • Distributors TEAM WEST