Category Archives: Food Pathogen

China – Hepatitis A increase in Chinese province linked to seafood

Food Safety News

An increase in hepatitis A infections in a Chinese province earlier this year has been attributed to eating raw or undercooked seafood.

In February 2020, there was a 138 percent increase in hepatitis A infections reported to the National Notifiable Disease Report System (NNDRS) from Liaoning Province compared with February 2019, and more than three quarters of cases in Liaoning were from two coastal cities — Dalian and Dandong. These cities are on the Liaodong Peninsula where seafood is abundant. From November to April, many types of fresh seafood are sold and consumed by residents, and most eat raw seafood.

All cases were sporadic. Through a survey of affected people and a case-control study, researchers found that consuming raw or undercooked seafood, clams, snapping shrimp, and oysters was significantly associated with the increase. Findings were published in China CDC Weekly.

Ukraine – Ukraine reports 40 botulism cases in first half of 2020

112 UA

cdc clost spore

Image CDC

The Ukraine Ministry of Health has reported 40 cases of botulism since January, including two fatalities.

Since the beginning of 2020, 40 cases of infection with botulism observed in Ukraine; two cases were lethal. Besides, nine and 13-year-old children were among the diseased, as the Public Health Center reported on Facebook.

“The consumption of the home-made preserves, air-dried, smoked, salted fish and other food products purchased in the unauthorized trading may lead to the infection with botulism,” the center reported.

A 59-year-old man died from botulism in Ukraine. On the eve, a man ate homemade canned pork. It was severe acute disease and the state of the patient deteriorated after serum infusion and three surgeries. A man died on December 30, 2019.

 

USA – Could the Oregon Salmonella Outbreak Be Part of Larger Outbreak?

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Salmonella kswfoodworld

Image CDC

Earlier this week we told you about and Oregon Salmonella outbreak that was potentially associated with Si Casa Flores restaurant in Grants Pass, Oregon. According to a report by KOBI5, the food and environmental tests did not find any of that pathogen. This could be because the food that caused the problem has been eaten or discarded, or that the ill persons have another potential source in common.

The Josephine County Public Health Department also told that station that the outbreak could be part of a larger Salmonella Newport outbreak that has sickened at least 125 people in 15 states.

USA – Applebee’s Hepatitis A Exposure in Mount Vernon, Illinois

Food Poisoning Bulletin

An Applebee’s Hepatitis A exposure at the restaurant in Mount Illinois may have exposed customers to the virus, according to a Facebook post by the Jefferson County Health Department. The employee worked while infectious from July 9 through July 19, 2020.

New Zealand – Goodman Fielder various brands of cheeses – Listeria monocytogenes

MPI

Goodman Fielder is recalling specific dates of specific cheese products from the Puhoi Valley, Ornelle, and Bouton D’Or brands due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

Bouton D’Or Haloumi (180g).
Puhoi Valley Creamy Blue (70g).

 

Puhoi Valley Gruyere (150g).
Puhoi Valley Aged Smoked Cheddar (125g).

 

Puhoi Valley Peppered Havarti (70g).
Puhoi Valley Smokey Gouda (70g).

 

 

Puhoi Valley Cumin Gouda (150g).
Product identification
Product type  Cheese
Name of product (size) Bouton D’Or Haloumi (180g)

Ornelle Halloumi (1kg)

Puhoi Herit Creamy Havarti (1.25kg)

Puhoi Windy Peak Gouda (1.2kg)

Puhoi Summit Trail Gruyere (1.25kg)

Puhoi Valley Cumin Gouda (150g)

Puhoi Aged Smoked Cheddar (125g)

Puhoi Valley Gruyere (150g)

Puhoi Valley Smokey Gouda (70g)

Puhoi Valley Creamy Blue (70g)

Puhoi Valley Peppered Havarti (70g)

Batch and date marking

For Ornelle brand and Bouton D’Or brand Haloumi: Best before dates between and including 26/05/2020 and 08/10/2020.

For other products listed in this notice: Best before dates between and including 22/11/2020 and 06/04/2021.

Package size and description The products are sold in various packagings, weights, and shapes.
Distribution The products are sold in supermarkets throughout New Zealand.

The products have not been exported.

Notes This recall only affects the specific batches of these brands of cheeses listed on this notice.

Consumer advice

It is important for consumers to check the product names and best before dates as not all products are affected.

Affected products should not be consumed. There have been no reports of associated illness, however if you have consumed any of these products and have any concerns about illness, seek medical advice.

Customers should return the products to their retailer for a full refund.

More information is available in the media release

For more information about Listeria and prevention visit the Ministry of Health website.

Listeria – Ministry of Health

Information on Listeria and food safety from the Ministry for Primary Industries:

Who to contact

If you have questions, contact Goodman Fielder:

USA – 641 CASES OF CYCLOSPORA REPORTED IN US: NEW OUTBREAK LINKED TO SALAD PRODUCT

Inventiva

More than 640 people in 11 US states have been diagnosed with Cyclospora, with the outbreak possibly related to bagged salad products. The bagged salads included iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots. Symptoms of cyclosporiasis, a disease caused by a microscopic parasite, include lack of appetite and weight loss, bloating, nausea, low-grade fever, weakness, and diarrhea. Cases have been recorded in almost a dozen states between May and this month. Of those infected with the multi-state outbreak of Cyclospora, 37 were hospitalized, the Food and Drug Administration said. There were no confirmed deaths.

The outbreak is being investigated by the FDA, the CDC, and the state and local authorities. Cyclospora infections may be linked to salad products manufactured by Fresh Express containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots and distributed in several regions of the United States.

New Zealand – Talbot Forest Cheese, Gibbston Valley Cheese, The Cuisine Canteen, Imperial Foods, and Pams Finest brands of Cheeses – Listeria monocytogenes

MPI

Specific cheese products from the Talbot Forest Cheese, Gibbston Valley Cheese, The Cuisine Canteen, Imperial Foods, and Pams Finest brands are being recalled due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

Logos for Talbot Forest cheese, Pams Finest cheese, the Cuisine Canteen cheese, Gibbston Valley cheese, Imperial Foods cheese

Product identification
Product type Cheese
Name of product (size) Talbot Forest Cheese brand cheese products:

  • Aged Gouda (200g)
  • Castle Rock (150g)
  • Cheshire (150g)
  • Cumin Gouda (200g)
  • Cow Feta (150g)
  • Garlic & Chive Gouda (200g)
  • Geraldine Vintage Cheddar (150g)
  • Traditional Goat Feta (150g)
  • Goat Gouda (150g)
  • Gruyere (150g)
  • Creamy Havarti (150g)
  • Maasdam (150g)
  • Mesopotamia Blue (150g)
  • Mild Gouda (200g)
  • Mozzarella (250g)
  • Mt Peel Blue (150g)
  • Mt Somers Blue (150g)
  • Pepato (170g)
  • Peppered Havarti (150g)
  • Peppered Gouda (200g)
  • Raukapuka Red (150g)
  • Smokey Manuka (150g)
  • Waihi Blue (150g)
  • Wood Brie Blue (125g).

Gibbston Valley Cheese brand cheese products:

  • Kawarau Blue (140g)
  • Cow’s Milk Feta (150g)
  • Garlic & Chive Gouda (150g)
  • Black Pepper Gouda (150g)
  • Gibbston Gold Cheshire (150g)
  • Smokey Gold Cheshire (150g)
  • Nevis Maasdam (150g)
  • Glenroy Cheddar (150g)
  • Mt Scott Harvati (150g)
  • Mozzarella (200g)
  • Sheep Milk New Balfour (120g)
  • Sheep Milk Brinza Feta (120g)
  • Goat Milk Gouda (150g)
  • Chilli Havarti (150g)
  • Beer Match Cheeseboard Selection (240g) containing one of the each
    • Black Pepper Gouda
    • Glenroy Cheddar
    • Smokey Gold Cheshire
  • Wine Match Cheeseboard Selection (210g) containing one of the each
    • Nevis Maasdam
    • Mt Scott Harvati
    • Kawarau Blue.

The Cuisine Canteen brand cheese products:

  • Chilli Haloumi (200g)
  • Basil Haloumi (200g)
  • Cumin Gouda & Red Cheddar Cheese Duo (200g)
  • Chilli Gouda & Maasdam Cheese Duo (200g).

Imperial Foods brand cheese products:

  • Imperial Haloumi (1kg).

Pams Finest brand cheese products:

  • Traditional Haloumi (200g).
Batch and date marking

For Pams Finest brand Traditional Haloumi, The Cuisine Canteen brand Chilli Haloumi and Basil Haloumi, Imperial Foods brand Imperial Haloumi: Best before dates between and including 26/05/2020 and 08/10/2020.

For other products listed in this notice: Best before dates between and including 22/11/2020 and 06/04/2021.

Package size and description The products are sold in various packagings, weights, and shapes.
Distribution The products are sold in supermarkets throughout New Zealand.

The products have not been exported.

Notes This recall only affects the specific batches of these brands of cheeses listed on this notice.

No other products from these brands are affected by this recall.

Consumer advice

It is important for consumers to check the product names and best before dates as not all products are affected.

Affected products should not be consumed. There have been no reports of associated illness, however if you have consumed any of these products and have any concerns about illness, seek medical advice.

Customers should return the products to their retailer for a full refund.

More information is available in the media release

For more information about Listeria and prevention visit the Ministry of Health website.

Listeria – Ministry of Health

Information on Listeria and food safety from the Ministry for Primary Industries:

Who to contact

If you have questions, contact Talbot Forest Cheese:

  • Phone: 03 615 8652
  • Address: 29 King Street South, Temuka.

New Zealand – LeaderBrand brand Garden Gate Crisp’n Zesty Chopped Salad 260g – Listeria monocytogenes

MPI

LeaderBrand Produce Limited is recalling specific dates of its LeaderBrand brand Garden Gate Crisp’n Zesty Chopped Salad 260g due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the feta cheese sachet included in the salad.

 

LeaderBrand  brand Garden Gate Crisp’n Zesty Chopped Salad (260g).

 

Product identification
Product type Ready-to-eat salad
Name of product (size) LeaderBrand brand Garden Gate Crisp’n Zesty Chopped Salad (260g)
Date marking Best before up to and including 04/08/2020
Package size and description The product is sold in a 260g plastic bag.
Distribution The product is sold in Countdown supermarkets throughout New Zealand.
Notes This recall does not affect any other LeaderBrand brand products.

Consumer advice

The feta cheese in the affected products should not be consumed. There have been no reports of associated illness, however if you have consumed any of these products and have any concerns about illness, seek medical advice.

Customers should return the products to their retailer for a full refund.

More information is available in the media release

Recall to manage Listeria risk

For more information about Listeria and prevention visit the Ministry of Health website.

Listeria – Ministry of Health

Information on Listeria and food safety from the Ministry for Primary Industries:

Who to contact

If you have questions, contact LeaderBrand:

  • Phone: (06) 867 6231.

New Zealand – The Whole Mix brand Moroccan Cous Cous & Chicken Snack Pot -Listeria monocytogenes

MPI

Speirs Foods (2018) LP is recalling specific dates of its The Whole Mix brand Moroccan Cous Cous & Chicken Snack Pot due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the feta cheese included in the salad.

 

The Whole Mix brand Moroccan Cous Cous & Chicken Snack Pot (125g).

 

Product identification
Product type Ready-to-eat salad
Name of product (size) The Whole Mix brand Moroccan Cous Cous & Chicken Snack Pot (125g)

 

Batch and date marking Use by dates between and including 24JUL20 and 02AUG20.
Package size and description The product is sold in a 125g plastic container.
Distribution The product is sold at the following supermarkets and food retailers throughout New Zealand:

  • Countdown
  • Pak’n Save
  • New World
  • BidFood
  • Compass Food Group New Zealand
  • Four Square
  • SuperValue
  • Fresh Choice.

The product has not been exported.

Notes This recall only affects specific dates of The Whole Mix brand Moroccan Cous Cous & Chicken Snack Pot. This recall does not affect any other The Whole Mix brand products.

Consumer advice

Affected product should not be consumed. There have been no reports of associated illness, however if you have consumed any of this product and have any concerns about illness, seek medical advice.

Customers should return the product to their retailer for a full refund.

More information is available in the media release

Listeria – Ministry of Health

Information on Listeria and food safety from the Ministry for Primary Industries:

Who to contact

If you have questions, contact Speirs Foods (2018) LP:

Last reviewed: 

 

Iceland – Suspicion of Salmonella in chicken

MAST

Matvælastofnun warns against consuming Ali and Bónus chicken due to suspicion of salmonella. These are chickens with the traceability number 215-20-25-1-01. Distribution has already been stopped and a recall has begun from the stores that received the product.

The company Matfugl efh. sent information to the Food Administration.

The recall only applies to the following batch:

  • Brands: Ali and Bónus
  • Producer: Matfugl ehf, Völuteigi 2, 270 Mosfellsbær
  • Traceability number / batch number: 215-20-25-1-01
  • Distribution: Bonus, ISK, Fjarðarkaup, Iceland
  • Expiry date 28.07.20 – 30.07.20

Consumers who have purchased chicken with this traceability number are asked to return it to the relevant store or directly to Matfugl ehf., Völuteigi 2, Mosfellsbær

Related