Category Archives: Food Microbiology

Czech Republic – Spicy sausage – Visible Mould

Potravinynapranyri

Illustrative photo #1

Place of inspection:
Předměřice nad Labem ( Průmyslova 323, 503 02 Předměřice nad Labem )
ID: 87680181
Invalid parameter:

fungi visible to the eye

There were white mold colonies on the surface of the food. Food is not considered safe if it shows signs of spoilage.

The food had an expired use-by date.

Batch: L29.05.2023
Expiration date: 19/06/2023
Packaging: PP bag
Quantity of the product in the package: 0.74 kg
Date of sample collection: 22/06/2023
Reference number: 23-000441-SZPI-CZ
The sample was detected by the official control of the State Agricultural and Food Inspection.

Research – Prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in RTE Meat Products of Quevedo (Ecuador)

MDPI

Abstract

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that causes listeriosis and can be a problem in areas where meat products are sold at unregulated storage temperatures. In this work, the prevalence of L. monocytogenes was determined in the five most widely traded meat products in the province of Quevedo (Ecuador): bacon, “chorizo paisa”, grilled hamburger meat, mortadella, and salami. A total of 1000 samples of these products were analyzed in two seasons of the year (dry season/rainy season). All L. monocytogenes isolates were confirmed by PCR with primers designed for the iap gene. Furthermore, the positive samples were quantified for L. monocytogenes. Of the 1000 meat products analyzed, 163 were positive for L. monocytogenes (16.3%). The prevalence of L. monocytogenes in the two seasons in different meat products was as follows: 22.5% in mortadella, 19% in hamburger meat, 15% in bacon, 14.5% in chorizo paisa and 10.5% in salami. In addition, the concentration of L. monocytogenes in most of the positive samples was in the range of 4–6 log CFU/g or even higher. The results show the need for improvements in the hygienic measures and meat storage temperatures in Quevedo (Ecuador) to avoid risks of foodborne listeriosis.

Austria – dmBio raspberry rice cakes from the 8th month, 35 g – Aflatoxin

AGES

nfant Formula Recall

AGES informs about a recall of the company dm drogerie markt. On August 4th, 2023, the company recalled the product dmBio raspberry rice cakes from the 8th month, 35 g:
© dm drugstore market
recall reason
Increased aflatoxin levels
Marketed by
Dm-market
Manufacturer
Dm-market
Expiry Date
06/04/2024
Batch number
NL 157

For reasons of preventive consumer protection, dm drogerie markt is recalling the item “dmBio raspberry rice cakes from the 8th month, 35 g”. The item was immediately withdrawn from sale. Only goods with the best before date (MHD) 04.06.2024 batch “NL 157” are affected. This information can easily be found on the back of the packaging.

Reason for the recall: It cannot be ruled out that individual packs with the above MHD contain increased aflatoxin levels . These substances can impair health if ingested over a long period of time. Aflatoxins are metabolites formed by various molds.

Customers are asked not to consume the product with the above-mentioned BBD and to return it to the dm branches unopened or already opened. The purchase price will of course be refunded, even without presenting the receipt.

The quality and safety of our products is our top priority. We regret the incident and apologize to all customers for the inconvenience caused.

If you have any questions, dm customer service is available:
Tel.: 0800 – 365 86 33 (free of charge)
E-mail: kundenservice@dm.at
Opening hours: Mon.-Fri. 07:30-17:30

original recall

Czech Republic – Bun dumpling – Visible Mould/Mold

Potravinynapranyri

Illustrative photo #1

Place of inspection:
Předměřice nad Labem ( Průmyslova 323, 503 02 Předměřice nad Labem )
ID: 87680181
Food group: Cold cuisine Dumplings

Bun dumpling
Category: Dangerous foods
Invalid parameter:

fungi visible to the eye

There were colonies of mold on the surface of the food. Food is not considered safe if it shows signs of spoilage.

The food had an expired use-by date.

Expiration date: 06/02/2023
Packaging: transparent film
Quantity of the product in the package: 550 g
Date of sample collection: 8/6/2023
Reference number: 23-000440-SZPI-CZ
The sample was detected by the official control of the State Agricultural and Food Inspection.

CDC monitoring long-running Listeria strain behind 12 deaths

Food Safety News

TORONTO – Monitoring of related Listeria infections over multiple years has seen more than 80 cases and a dozen deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Michael Vasser, from the CDC, gave details about the reoccurring, emerging and persisting (REP) strain during a recent presentation at the International Association for Food Protection.

USA – Source of foodborne illness outbreak remains unknown – Cyclospora

Ouray News

Health officials unable to pinpoint food that has sickened more than 100 who ate at Ridgway’sTaco del GNAR

Three months after the first diner reported falling ill, federal and state health officials still haven’t pinpointed the source of contaminated food that has sickened more than 100 people who ate at Taco del GNAR in Ridgway.

Paul Galloway, a spokesman for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, said a total of 144 cases of cyclosporiasis have been reported thus far to the state involving Western Slope residents who did not travel internationally. Health officials have attempted to interview 143 people, with all but 10 of them reporting they ate at the Ridgway taco shop. Of the remaining 10, two said they didn’t eat at the restaurant, one wasn’t sure and seven couldn’t be reached for an interview, according to Galloway. He said the last known date someone ate at Taco del GNAR and contracted the parasite was June 10.

The number of people infected with the Cyclospora parasite is likely much higher than that reported by the state health department, because the confirmed cases reflect only those who have reported their symptoms to the state or sought medical treatment.

Research – Cheese link in Italian HUS case

Food Safety News

Italian authorities have issued a warning after a young girl developed a serious condition after suffering an E. coli infection.

The Ministry of Health (Ministero della Salute) published a notice to consumers following a case of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) which has affected a child in Trentino. HUS is a severe complication associated with E. coli infections that causes kidney failure.

Local health authorities have taken steps to try and verify the source of infection. They identified a probable link to the consumption of cheese produced in a malga, which is an alpine hut, in Coredo. In late July, local officials said the girl was hospitalized.

A related Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) report shows Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O26 was detected in the cheese.

To protect public health, it was advised that anyone who had purchased dairy products from the implicated site, before July 14, should not consume them. Officials also added that raw milk products should not be given to children under 5 years of age or the elderly.

France – VEGETABLE STUFFING – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Feed
  • Product subcategory Meats
  • Product brand name VEGETABLE STUFFING
  • Model names or references VEGETABLE STUFFING
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Batch
    26150000 All lots
  • Packaging VARC
  • Marketing start/end date From 07/24/2023 to 07/26/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Further information BULK VEGETABLE STUFFING SOLD BY WEIGHT ON THE TRADITIONAL BUTCHER DEPARTMENT
  • Geographic area of ​​sale INTERMARCHE 01160 NEUVILLE SUR AIN
  • Distributors INTERMARCHE

France – BASQUAISE POULTRY COOKING DISH – Salmonella

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Feed
  • Product subcategory Prepared meals and snacks
  • Product brand name CHICKEN
  • Model names or references BASQUE POULTRY
  • Identification of products
    Batch Date
    120523 Use-by date 07/27/2023
  • Packaging Filmed individual tray
  • Marketing start/end date From 07/25/2023 to 07/27/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark EN 68.224.005 EC
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Whole France
  • Distributors Stores POULAILLON
  • List of points of sale List_of_points_of_sale_-_basquaise_chicken_filet_-_02.08.23.pdf

RASFF Alerts – Salmonella – Polish Chicken Products – Polish Duck Products – Whole Hens – Sesame Seeds – Parsley – Raw Beef Patties

RASFF

Salmonella enteritidis in fresh raw hens from The Netherlands in Belgium

RASFF

Salmonella (detected/25 g in 1 of 5 samples) in sesame seeds from India in Poland

RASFF

Salmonella in parsley from Egypt in Spain

RASFF

Salmonella Mbandaka (in 1 out of 5 units) in broiler drumsticks from Poland in Latvia

RASFF

Salmonella in frozen duck breast fillet from Poland in the Netherlands

RASFF

Salmonella Enteritidis in frozen chicken livers from Poland in  France, Guinea, Italy, Netherlands, Panama, Poland, Spain.

RASFF

Salmonella in frozen raw beef patties from Italy in Finland