Category Archives: Food Microbiology

Norovirus outbreaks surging on cruise ships this year

CBS News

Food Borne Illness - Norovirus -CDC Photo

Norovirus outbreaks spiked on cruise ships this year, with data showing more outbreaks happened between January and June than over the course of any other full calendar year in the last decade. Thirteen norovirus outbreaks have been reported on cruises so far in 2023, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which keeps a record of annual case counts dating back to 1994.

Scotland mulls pathogen action levels

Food Safety News

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is considering introducing thresholds for action for some pathogens based on either a UK or Scottish approach.

Using targets based on reported infections of key pathogens could help monitor trends and be used as a trigger to act. However, figures would need to be interpreted carefully because of underreporting, inability to separate food and non-food sources, changes in demographics, and impacts of year to year fluctuations in environmental factors, such as weather.

When reported cases breach the threshold, different steps would be considered including an investigation to identify reasons behind the increase; additional food sampling associated with the pathogen and risk communication to consumers using tailored messages.

FSS currently uses Public Health Scotland data on confirmed laboratory reports for five pathogens to monitor how foodborne illness is changing.

Luxembourg – TOMME DE BREBIS FROM ANTOINE OTTAVI – Listeria monocytogenes

SAP

The Luxembourg Veterinary and Food Administration is recalling the following product in Luxembourg:

Name Sheep Tomme
Brand Antoine Ottavi
Date of minimum durability (MDD) 07/10/2023 to 07/16/2023
Batch VC327 and VC330

Danger  : Possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes can cause fever, headache and gastroenteritis. Vulnerable people such as immunocompromised and elderly people and young children may present with neurological symptoms due to meningitis. Pregnant women should also be especially alert to these symptoms. Gastroenteritis can appear between a few hours and 3 days after consumption, while neurological symptoms can only appear after 3 months. People who have consumed these products and have these symptoms are invited to consult a doctor and report this consumption to him.

Sale confirmed in Luxembourg by: De Kéisplateau and Kaempff-Kohler

A sale by other operators cannot be excluded.

USA – Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Raw Cookie Dough (May 2023)

FDA

Product 

Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N’ Bake raw Chocolate Chip Cookie and S’mores Bars dough purchased before May 23, 2023.

FDA’s investigation is complete and the outbreak is over.

Stores Affected

  • Papa Murphy’s Stores Nationwide

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.

Status

Ended

Recommendation

  • Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N’ Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie and S’mores Bars dough are not meant to be eaten raw.
  • This outbreak appears to be over; however, consumers should check their refrigerators and freezers for Papa Murphy’s Chocolate Chip Cookie and S’mores Bars dough purchased before May 23, 2023 and should throw it away.
  • Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have symptoms of Salmonella infection.

Raw Dough Safety Tips

  • Due to the potential for contamination, never eat any raw dough that is supposed to be cooked or baked.
  • Always wash hands and clean and sanitize work surfaces and utensils thoroughly after contact with raw dough or batter.
  • Keep raw food or dough separate from other foods while preparing them to prevent any possible contamination from spreading.
  • More information is available on the FDA website.

Current Update

July 13, 2023

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, investigated an outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections linked to Chocolate Chip Cookie and S’mores Bars dough sold at Papa Murphy’s franchises and purchased before May 23, 2023.

FDA conducted a traceback investigation and identified two suppliers of interest. FDA and several state partners collected samples at both suppliers, and state partners also collected retail samples at several Papa Murphy’s stores. All samples collected were reported as negative for Salmonella contamination. As of July 13, 2023, CDC announced that the outbreak is over. CDC reports a total of 26 illnesses in six states. The last illness onset was May 22, 2023. FDA’s investigation is complete.

In response to this investigation, Papa Murphy’s notified franchise owners nationwide and stopped selling all Chocolate Chip Cookie dough and S’mores Bars dough at all stores and stopped using unprepared dry cookie dough mixes dating back through April 2023 to ensure any potentially contaminated ingredients are not used. As of July 13, 2023, Papa Murphy’s has not restarted sales of cookie dough. Additionally, the firm is reviewing their dessert menu items and labels to further enhance instructions to consumers to emphasize that their products are not intended to be eaten raw.

France – Organic Moringa Leaflets Jar 150g – E.coli

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Feed
  • Product subcategory Diet foods and nutrition
  • Product brand name LT LAB
  • Model names or references Organic Moringa Leaflets Jar 150g
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Batch Date
    3560610777527 230512-MOPO-2302 Date of minimum durability 31/12/2026
    3560610777527 230327-MOPO-2302 Date of minimum durability 31/12/2026
  • Marketing start/end date From 31/03/2023 to 04/07/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored at room temperature
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Whole France
  • Distributors Organic stores, websites…

France – Dried Fish – Selar with golden band dried 100g – Salmonella

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Feed
  • Product subcategory Fishery and aquaculture products
  • Product brand name BDMP
  • Model names or references 6298 – Selar with golden band dried 100g BDMP
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Batch Date
    8851035433002 BATCH: 2022445287 Date of minimum durability 01/09/2024
  • Marketing start/end date From 20/12/2022 to 30/12/2022
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored at room temperature
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Whole France
  • Distributors THE ASIAN SQUARE / H2 TRADING; ASIA STORE ANTIBES
  • List of points of sale Contact_customers_-_reminderconso.pdf

France DUCK AIGUILLETTE U 230G APPROXIMATELY UNDER SKIN – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Feed
  • Product subcategory Meats
  • Product brand name U
  • Model names or references DUCK AIGUILLETTE U 230G APPROXIMATELY UNDER SKIN
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Batch Date
    2865507000001 00135778 Use-by date 07/13/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark Sanitary stamp
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Regions: Grand-Est
  • Distributors SUPER U St Germain Route de Troyes SUPER U Munster ZI

France – DUCK BREAST – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Feed
  • Product subcategory Meats
  • Product brand name THE POULTRY OF OUR REGIONS
  • Model names or references 1 DUCK FILLET A/P SKIN
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Batch Date
    3369050819954 0103011177 Use-by date 07/12/2023
  • Packaging UNDER SKIN
  • Marketing start/end date From 06/30/2023 to 06/30/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark OVAL SANITARY STAMP
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Whole France
  • Distributors INTERMARCHE LECLERC

France – DUCK BREAST -Listeria monocytogenes

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Feed
  • Product subcategory Meats
  • Product brand name GALLIC
  • Model names or references DUCK NET x1 W/PS/LE GAULOIS SKIN
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Batch Date
    3266980047863 0103011177 Use-by date between 07/14/2023 and 07/15/2023
  • Packaging UNDER SKIN
  • Marketing start/end date From 06/30/2023 to 07/01/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark OVAL SANITARY STAMP
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Whole France
  • Distributors INTERMARCHE LECLERC

France – Duck fillet 280g – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Feed
  • Product subcategory Meats
  • Product brand name Poultry stall
  • Model names or references Duck fillet 280g
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Batch Date
    3571320013652 0253033994 Use-by date 07/12/2023
  • Packaging Vacuum packaging
  • Marketing start/end date From 01/07/2023 to 12/07/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark Poultry stall
  • Geographic area of ​​sale CF List of stores concerned in PJ
  • Distributors LIDL
  • List of points of sale List_of_stores_Filet_de_canard.pdf