Category Archives: Food Microbiology

USA – Revolution Farms Announces the Voluntary Recall of Lettuce Because of Possible Health Risk

Posted on April 11, 2023 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Company Announcement

Revolution Farms of Caledonia, Michigan is voluntarily recalling the listed products packed between 3/3/23 and 3/11/23, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, 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.

No illnesses have been reported to date. If you think you may have become ill from something you ate, seek immediate medical attention. The recall was initiated when the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) received a positive result for Listeria monocytogenes in a random sample test of a single package of Revolution Farms Green Sweet Crisp – 5oz Retail with Best By date of April 2, 2023.

The recalled products were sold to the following retailers and food service distributors in the states of MI, OH, IN, IL, KY, and WI: SpartanNash stores, Meijer stores, Bridge St. Market, Kingma’s Market, Fresh Thyme Market Grand Rapids, Fresh Thyme Market Kalamazoo, Horrocks Market Grand Rapids, Doorganics, Cherry Capital Foods, Gordon Food Service, Van Eerden Foodservice, Vine Line Produce, Luna restaurant, Russ’ Commissary, and Pearson Foods Corporation.

All recalled products were distributed under the Revolution Farms brand name. Only the products and product codes listed in the table are included in the recall. The full list of recalled products is below:

Product Packaging Product Code UPC Code
Great Lakes Gourmet 5oz Retail Plastic tray, lidding film Best By 3/28/23 – 4/5/23 856791008028
Green Sweet Crisp 5oz Retail Plastic tray, lidding film Best By 3/28/23 – 4/5/23 856791008141
Michigan Spring Mix 5oz Retail Plastic tray, lidding film Best By 3/28/23 – 4/5/23 856791008004
Robust Romaine 5oz Retail Plastic tray, lidding film Best By 3/28/23 – 4/5/23 856791008035
Romaine Lettuce Boats 5oz Retail Plastic tray, lidding film Best By 3/28/23 – 4/5/23 856791008196
Sweet Crisp Deli Leaf 5oz Retail Plastic tray, lidding film Best By 3/28/23 – 4/5/23 856791008189
Whole Leaf Romaine 5oz Retail Plastic tray, lidding film Best By 3/28/23 – 4/5/23 856791008202
Sesame Ginger Crunch 6 oz Salad Kit Plastic tray, label Sell By 3/23/23 856791008233
Traverse City Cherry 6 oz Salad Kit Plastic tray, label Sell By 3/23/23 856791008226
Zesty Southwest 6 oz Salad Kit Plastic tray, label Sell By 3/23/23 856791008240
Farmer’s Mix 3lb Bulk Clear poly bag Packaged On 3/3/23 – 3/11/23 856791008134
Great Lakes Gourmet 3lb Bulk Clear poly bag Packaged On 3/3/23 – 3/11/23 856791008066
Green Sweet Crisp 3lb Bulk Clear poly bag Packaged On 3/3/23 – 3/11/23 856791008172
Michigan Spring Mix 3lb Bulk Clear poly bag Packaged On 3/3/23 – 3/11/23 856791008042
Robust Romaine 3lb Bulk Clear poly bag Packaged On 3/3/23 – 3/11/23 856791008127

5oz Retail packages are clear, plastic trays sealed with printed lidding film and have a Best By date stamped on the bottom of the tub. 6oz Salad Kits are clear plastic tubs with a wrap label and have a Sell By date stamped on the side of the container. 3lb Bulk packages are clear, plastic bags packed 1 bag to a case with a Packaged On date stamped on the case label. Pictures to assist customers in identifying the recalled products are found at the end of this announcement.

Revolution Farms is cooperating with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on this ongoing investigation.

Affected retailers have been instructed to remove all recalled products from store shelves. Consumers who have purchased the recalled products should discard them or return them to their place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions are encouraged to call Trent Hartwig, President Monday to Friday from 9AM to 5PM at (616) 893-1748 or email info@revolutionfarms.com with the subject line: Recall.

Expanded Press Release

Company Contact Information

Consumers:
Trent Hartwig, President
 616-893-1748
 info@revolutionfarms.com

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes

USA- Fresh Express Incorporated Announces Precautionary Recall of Expired Fresh Salad Kits Due to Potential Health Risk

Posted on April 11, 2023 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Company Announcement

Fresh Express Incorporated is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of three varieties of already-expired branded and private label salad kit products produced at the company’s Morrow, Georgia facility out of an abundance of caution due to a possible health risk from Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled products are no longer available for sale and no illnesses have been reported to date.

Listeria monocytogenes 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. Consumers with these symptoms should consult their health care provider.

The recall was initiated when it was learned a random sample test of a single salad kit with a Use-By Date of March 31, 2023 collected by the Georgia Department of Agriculture yielded a positive result for the Listeria pathogen.

Recalled salad items all carry Product Code GO75 and Use-By Dates of March 31 or April 2, 2023 located on the front of the package. They were distributed through retailers in the states of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. Retailers have been instructed to ensure the recalled products are removed from all inventories. Consumers who might still have the recalled products in their refrigerators should discard and not consume them.

A listing of products subject to this recall are summarized at the end of this announcement.

To obtain a refund or for more information, consumers may call the Fresh Express Consumer Response Center at (800) 242-5472 between the hours of 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Refunds are also available where purchased.

Brand Product Ounce UPC Codes Product Code Use-By Date Distribution States
Fresh Express Caesar Chopped Kit 9.40 00071279309194 G075 4/2/2023 FL, GA, NC, SC
Fresh Express Chopped Kit Chipotle Cheddar 11.3 00071279306049 G075 4/2/2023 FL, GA, NC, SC, VA
Publix Makoto Honey Ginger Salad Kit 8.75 00071279309194 G075 3/31/2023 Fl, GA, NC

Company Contact Information

Consumers:
Fresh Express Consumer Response Center
 (800) 242-5472
Media:
Donna Stephens or Barbara Hines
 (210) 802-1412 or (972) 677-8127

Product Photos

  • Labeling, Fresh Express Chopped Kit Chipotle Cheddar, Front
  • Labeling, Fresh Express Chopped Kit Chipotle Cheddar, Back
  • Labeling, Publix Makoto Honey Ginger Salad Kit, Front
  • Labeling, Publix Makoto Honey Ginger Salad Kit, Back
  • Labeling, Fresh Express Chopped Kit, Caesar, Front
  • Labeling, Fresh Express Chopped Kit, Caesar, Back

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Posted in FDA, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes

USA – FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Fresh Salads With Chicken and Ham Containing Lettuce Recalled by FDA for Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination

Posted on April 11, 2023 by | Leave a comment

FSIS USDA

WASHINGTON, April 7, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for ready-to-eat (RTE) fresh salad products with chicken and ham that contain Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated lettuce that has been recalled for possible Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) contamination.

FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers are aware that this product should not be consumed.

The fresh salads with chicken and ham were produced on various dates from March 10, 2023, through March 24, 2023. The following products subject to the public health alert are [view labels]:

  • 5.5-oz. clear plastic packages containing “Fruit Ridge Farms White Chicken Caesar Salad” with sell by dates 03/10/23 through 04/14/23.
  • 4.6-oz. clear plastic packages containing “Fruit Ridge Farms Chef Salad with Ham” with sell by dates 03/10/23 through 04/14/23.
  • 5.5-oz. clear plastic packages containing “BELL’S BISTRO White Chicken Caesar Salad” with sell by dates 03/10/23 through 04/14/23.
  • 4.6-oz. clear plastic packages containing “BELL’S BISTRO Chef Salad with Ham” with sell by dates 03/10/23 through 04/14/23.

The products bear establishment number “EST. 17050” or “P-17050”  inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

The problem was discovered when the firm notified FSIS that they used FDA-recalled lettuce to produce the fresh salad with chicken and ham products.

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.

Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Click to access PHA-04072023-Labels.pdf

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, FSIS, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, USDA

France – Sashimi quality tuna steak – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on April 11, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Feed
  • Product subcategory Fishery and aquaculture products
  • Product brand name Unbranded
  • Model names or references Sashimi quality tuna steak 120g
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Batch Date
    4056489614463 9230900001 Use-by date 04/14/2023
  • Marketing start/end date From 03/04/2023 to 07/04/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark EN 13.117.001 CE
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Some LIDL stores see List of affected supermarkets
  • Distributors Some LIDL stores
  • List of points of sale List_of_stores.pdf

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall Self-checks detected the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes

France – Sainte-Maure de Touraine AOP FARMER – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on April 11, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Feed
  • Product subcategory Milk and dairy products
  • Product brand name JACQUIN
  • Model names or reference Sainte-Maure de Touraine AOP FARMER
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Batch Date
    3369640003619 J30820038 Date of minimum durability 05/12/2023
  • Products List LIST_OF_PRODUCTS.pdfAttachment
  • Packaging Naked
  • Marketing start/end date From 03/27/2023 to 04/07/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark EN 36.233.001 CE
  • Further information Fromagerie P.Jacquin & Fils, as a refiner, is proceeding as a precautionary measure to recall products from the EARL CHRISTIAN BAK/Fromagerie de la Picaudière farm: SAINTE-MAURE DE TOURAINE AOP FERMIER
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Whole France
  • Distributors Wholesalers
  • List of points of saleCustomer_contact_details.pdf

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall As a precautionary measure following an alert at a farm producer due to the potential presence of Listeria Monocytogenes.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria in Cheese, Listeria monocytogenes

UK – The Cambridge Food Company Ltd (trading as Cheese +) recalls several cheeses because of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on April 10, 2023 by | Leave a comment

FSA

The Cambridge Food Company Ltd (trading as Cheese +) is recalling several of its cheeses because they might contain Listeria monocytogenes. This issue only affects products sold at the food businesses listed in this notice.

Product details

Alpen cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
Appleby Red Cheshire cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
Kirkhams Lancashire cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
Lincolnshire Poacher cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
Mayfield cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
Montgomery cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
Ogleshield cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
Old Roan Wensleydale cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
Old Winchester cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
Pitchfork Cheddar cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
Quickies Mature cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
Rachel cheese
Pack size 1.25kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
Ashcombe cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
Shropshire Blue cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
Sparkenhoe cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
Spenwood cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
T & T Stilton cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
Westcombe cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
Young Buck cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
Beauvale cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
Bybrook cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
Cornish Kern cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
Cropwell Bishop cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
Dorset Blue Vinny cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
Duckett’s Caerphilly cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023
Hafod cheese
Pack size 1kg and any cut pieces
Use by All dates up to and including 14 April 2023

Risk statement

The products listed above might be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

Symptoms caused by this organism can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea. However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis.

Some people are more vulnerable to listeria infections, including those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one month old and people with weakened immune systems.

Action taken by the company

The Cambridge Food Company Ltd are recalling the above products. Point of sale notices will be displayed where the products were sold. These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product. Please see the attached notice.

Customer notice: The Cambridge Food Company Ltd trading as Cheese + (805.92 KB)

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, fsa, Listeria, Listeria in Cheese, Listeria monocytogenes

Research – Human and animal botulism surveillance in France from 2008 to 2019

Posted on April 10, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Frontiers in Microbiology

Botulism is a human and animal neurological disease caused by the action of bacterial neurotoxins (botulinum toxins) produced by bacteria from the genus Clostridium. This disease induces flaccid paralysis that can result in respiratory paralysis and heart failure. Due to its serious potential impact on public health, botulism is a closely monitored notifiable disease in France through a case-based passive surveillance system. In humans, this disease is rare, with an average of 10 outbreaks reported each year, mainly due to the consumption of contaminated foods. Type B and to a lesser extend type A are responsible for the majority of cases of foodborne botulism. Each year, an average of 30 outbreaks are recorded on poultry farms, about 20 cases in wild birds and about 10 outbreaks in cattle, involving a large number of animals. Mosaic forms C/D and D/C in birds and cattle, respectively, are the predominant types in animals in France. Types C and D have also been observed to a lesser extent in animals. With the exception of botulinum toxin E, which was exceptionally detected throughout the period in wild birds, the types of botulism found in animal outbreaks are different from those identified in human outbreaks over the last ten years in France and no human botulism outbreaks investigated have been linked to animal botulism. In line with the One Health concept, we present the first integrative approach to the routine surveillance of botulism in humans and animals in France.

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Posted in botulism, Clostridium, Clostridium botulinum, Decontamination Microbial, food bourne outbreak, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak

Research – Bacterial signaling across biofilm affected by surface structure

Posted on April 10, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Science Daily

Bacteria are also able to communicate with each other through chemical signals, a behavior known as quorum signaling (QS). These chemical signals spread through a biofilm that colonies of bacteria form after they reach a certain density, and are used to help the colonies scavenge food, as well as defend against threats, like antibiotics. Researchers examined how different structures affects biofilm growth and QS by the bacteria in the presence of antibiotics. They found structure does have an effect on QS in some strains of the bacteria.

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, Biofilm, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk

Research – Microbiological Risk Assessment in Foods: Background and Tools, with a Focus on Risk Ranger

Posted on April 9, 2023 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Risk assessment is an important phase of the food production path; it is strictly related to the processing chain as a necessary step for safe foods. This paper represents a contribution to understanding what is and how risk assessment could be conducted; it aims to provide some information on the structure of risk assessment, the tools for its identification and measurement and the importance of risk assessment for correct communication. In this context, after a focus on the background and on some commonly used tools (Risk Ranger, FDA-iRisk, decision tree, among others), the paper describes how to perform risk assessment through three case studies: lettuce (for Listeria monocytogenes), chicken salad (for Escherichia coli), and fresh egg pasta (for Staphylococcus aureus) in the first step, and then a comparison of risk for chicken salad contaminated by different pathogens (E. coli O157:H7, Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella sp.). As a final step, a critical evaluation of Risk Ranger was carried out, pointing out its pros and cons.

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Salmonella, Staphylococcal Toxin, Staphylococcus aureus

Research – Evaluation of peroxyacetic acid, liquid buffered vinegar, and cultured dextrose fermentate as potential antimicrobial interventions for raw chicken livers

Posted on April 8, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Wiley Online

This study aimed to evaluate the use of peroxyacetic acid (PAA), buffered vinegar (BV), and cultured dextrose fermentate (CDF) to reduce Salmonella on artificially inoculated raw chicken livers, one of the most consumed offal around the world. Samples were inoculated with a 5-strain cocktail of poultry-borne Salmonella to obtain 106 CFU/g and immersed for 90 s with agitation in one of the following treatments: distilled water (control), 450 ppm PAA, 2.0% (w/v) BV, or 1.5% (w/v) CDF, prior to storing at 4°C. Salmonella was enumerated on XLD agar and monitored for 14 days. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance. After immersion, there was a significant Salmonella reduction (p < .05) with all treatments, including the control. PAA resulted in the greatest numerical reduction at 0.65 ± 0.12 log; however, there were no significant differences in the reductions among all other treatments (p > .05). After 14 days, higher numerical reductions were observed for PAA, but only when compared to CDF. Although similar reductions (p > .05) were noted after 14 days except for CDF, Salmonella counts were lowest in all timepoints when PAA was used. PAA and CDF inhibited the growth of aerobic bacteria until day 3 while BV inhibited the growth up to 7 days. Regarding objective color, chicken livers immersed in PAA became lighter, but the difference was not sustained over time. No differences were observed in redness or yellowness values across any treatments.

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Salmonella