Category Archives: Food Pathogen

UK – Scotland – Cyclospora risk for travellers to Mexico

Posted on June 18, 2019 by | Leave a comment

HPS 

Seasonal outbreaks of Cyclospora infection in UK travellers returning from Mexico have been reported, with the majority of cases in travellers who have stayed in the Riviera Maya and Cancun regions of Mexico. The source of infection was likely to be contaminated food items supplied to hotels throughout the area.

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a protozoan parasite that can infect humans, causing frequent, watery diarrhoea, abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea, flatulence, low-grade fever and loss of both appetite and weight. HIV-positive individuals and those with other immune deficiencies can be at risk of more severe infection.

On return from Mexico, travellers with any symptoms such as those described should seek medical attention and inform their GP of their travel history.

Healthcare practitioners should raise awareness of Cyclospora infection with all travellers to Mexico, and should strongly advise that travellers maintain a high standard of food, water and personal hygiene, even if staying in high-end resorts.

For further information on protozoan parasitic infection, including Cyclospora, consult TRAVAX (for health professionals) and fitfortravel (for the general public).

Sources: TRAVAX and fitfortravel (both 10 June 2019)

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Posted in Contaminated water, Cyclospora, food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Uncategorized, Water, water microbiology

Australia – The Egg Basket the seventh company to recall eggs due to Salmonella contamination

Posted on June 18, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Weekly Times Now

 

FOUR brands of eggs in NSW are the latest to issue a recall due to a salmonella enteritidis contamination.

Wholesale company The Egg Basket conducted a recall of Country Fresh Eggs, Just Eggs, Chefs Choice Free Range and Chefs Choice Cage Free eggs on Friday.

The eggs were sold directly from the business in Kemps Creek and at Flemington Markets in NSW and can be identified by use-by dates of 14 June, 20 June, 24 June, 29 June, 5 July, 9 July or by the stamp eb24449 on the shell.

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Salmonella, Uncategorized

Iceland -E. Coli Found in Icelandic Meat

Posted on June 18, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Iceland Review

E. coli was found in 30% of lamb samples and 11.5% of beef samples in a test carried out by the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST). The particular strain discovered is known as STEC, or shiga-toxin producing E. coli. This is the first time lamb and beef have been screened for STEC in Iceland.

The testing was carried out on around 600 samples of lamb, beef, pork, and chicken of both Icelandic and foreign origin between March and December 2018. The purpose of the testing was to determine the prevalence of pathogenic micro-organisms in products when they reach the consumer, and for this reason the samples were taken from shops.

Campylobacter and salmonella were not detected in pork or chicken samples, with the exception of a single sample of pork from Spain. MAST attributes this to improved preventative measures in slaughterhouses.

 

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Posted in E.coli, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Uncategorized

USA – Delaware Warns Consumers Against Raw Milk After Brucellosis Case

Posted on June 18, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

The Delaware Division of Public Health is warning consumers to avoid consuming raw dairy products as a woman living in Sussex County has been diagnosed with a Brucella melitensis infection. This illness affects people who come into contact with sick animals or contaminated animal products.

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Posted in Brucella melitensis, Brucellosis, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Raw Milk, Uncategorized

Research – Norovirus structures could help develop treatments for food poisoning

Posted on June 17, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Science Direct

Noroviruses are a leading cause of food-borne illness outbreaks, accounting for 58% of all outbreaks and cause 685 million cases worldwide each year. There is no effective therapeutic against them. Having knowledge of the intricate structure of the outer layer of noroviruses, the capsid, which allows the virus to attach to its human host, could help in vaccine development.

In vaccines, specific antibodies recognize the capsids and bind to them so they can no longer interact with human cells. “We need to understand what the norovirus capsid shapes actually look like, and the shape differences between different strains,” said James Jung, a postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Leemor Joshua-Tor’s lab at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL).

Jung and Joshua-Tor led a team to solve the high-resolution structures of four different strains of noroviruses using a cryo-electron microscope. This allowed them to see the intricate architecture of virus shells in high-definition. Their findings are published in the journal PNAS.

Jung gleaned new insights that could help in guiding the development of therapeutics to fight norovirus infection. “Previously, it was thought that the norovirus shells exist in single-sized assemblies consisting of 180 building blocks and 90 surface spikes. What we found was an unexpected mixture of different shell sizes and shapes. We found a smaller form, which consists of just 60 building blocks with 30 surface spikes placed further apart. We also found larger shells made out of 240 building blocks with 120 surface spikes that are lifted significantly above the base of the shell and form a two-layered architecture that could interact differently with the human cells,” he said.

The spikes on the shell interact with the host. Jung found that the distance and orientation of the spikes varied across the different strains of noroviruses. “That means each strain will interact differently with human cells,” Jung explained. “The way the antibodies bind is also going to be different. Vaccines should be formulated to take into account the variations across strains and structural forms.”

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Technology, Food Testing, Food Virus, Norovirus, Uncategorized, Virus

Research – Prevention of Foodborne Cyclospora Outbreaks

Posted on June 15, 2019 by | Leave a comment

AGF Storage Cyclospora_LifeCycle201

In the spring and summer of 2018, Fresh Express and other fresh produce suppliers were linked to a Cyclospora cayetanensis outbreak — with U.S.-grown fresh produce samples testing positive for the parasite. To address this issue, Fresh Express formed the Blue-Ribbon Panel on the Prevention of Foodborne Cyclospora Outbreaks, comprising scientists with deep expertise in the biology of the organism, food safety, outbreak response, and public health. The panel was charged with studying the parasite and identifying controls to limit further C. cayetanensis– associated outbreaks. After a November 2018 in-person meeting, the Blue-Ribbon Panel formed four working groups that continued to work on C. cayetanensis specific issues related to root-cause assessment, preventive measures/controls, collaborative approach, and testing
validation over the next several months. This report contains the working groups’ preliminary findings, recommendations, and continuing priorities to more effectively prevent and control C. cayetanensis outbreaks going forward.

 

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Posted in Cyclospora, food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Technology, Food Testing, Uncategorized

UK – Update on listeria cases being investigated

Posted on June 14, 2019 by | Leave a comment

FSA

The Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland are continuing to investigate foods linked to listeria infections in hospitals.

There continues to only be cases in England.

All products linked to the cases have been withdrawn and food chain investigations continue.

Listeria is widespread in the environment and can contaminate a range of foods. However, all reported cases of listeria linked to food production are fully investigated to ensure public safety is being protected.

Low levels of listeria are legally permitted in some foods. The risk to the general population is low and infections are rare.

To date, all of the cases linked to this incident have involved people from vulnerable groups in healthcare organisations who were being treated for existing medical conditions.

North Country Quality Foods, which supplies meats produced by North Country Cooked Meats, took action once a link was confirmed to withdraw products that might pose a risk of listeria infection. This withdrawal notification instructed businesses not to use the food or distribute it further. North Country Cooked Meats and North Country Quality Foods both remain closed.

The Good Food Chain, who were supplied with ingredients from North Country Cooked Meats, has withdrawn all products from hospitals and other businesses and has ceased production.

Dr Colin Sullivan, Chief Operating Officer at the FSA said:

‘Our sympathies remain with the families of the patients who have tragically passed away.

‘We have taken action along with local authorities to minimise the risk based on the evidence so far.

‘The FSA will continue to investigate the cause of the outbreak to prevent a reoccurrence.’

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Posted in food contamination, food death, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Uncategorized

USA – In Association with ADM Milling Co, King Arthur Flour, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls Limited Quantity of Unbleached All-Purpose Flour (5 Lb.) Because of Possible Health Risk – E.coli

Posted on June 14, 2019 by | Leave a comment

FDA 

In cooperation with ADM Milling Company, King Arthur Flour, Inc. of Norwich, VT is voluntarily recalling 14,218 cases of 5 lb. Unbleached All-Purpose Flour due to the potential presence of Escherichia coli bacteria (E. coli).

The recalled Unbleached All-Purpose Flour (5 lb.) was distributed through retailers and distributors nationwide. No products sold through our website, Baker’s Catalogue, or the Baker’s Store in Norwich, VT are included in this voluntary recall.

The only product affected by this voluntary recall is our Unbleached All-Purpose Flour (5 lb.) from these six specific lot codes and three Best Used by Dates, which can be found on the bottom of the side panel, below the nutrition facts panel.


BEST USED BY 12/07/19   LOT:   L18A07C
BEST USED BY 12/08/19   LOTS: L18A08A, L18A08B
BEST USED BY 12/14/19   LOTS: L18A14A, L18A14B, L18A14C

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Posted in E.coli, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Testing, Uncategorized

RASFF Alerts – Salmonella – Turkey Breast – Chicken Breast Fillets – Sesame Seeds – Duck Breasts – Chicken Legs -Whitish Sesame Seeds

Posted on June 14, 2019 by | Leave a comment

RASFF-Logo

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in chilled turkey breasts from Poland in the Czech Republic

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in ‘marinated’ chicken breast fillets from Poland in Denmark

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Bongori (presence /25g) in sesame seeds from Ethiopia in Greece

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. anatum (presence /25g) in frozen duck breasts from Hungary in Estonia

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in frozen raw chicken half breasts from Brazil in the UK

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (presence /25g) and Salmonella group C1 (presence /25g) in frozen chicken fillets from Poland, with raw material from the Czech Republic in Poland

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (presence /25g) in chilled chicken legs and wings from the Czech Republic in the Czech Republic

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in sesame seeds from Sudan in Greece

RASFF – Salmonella (presence in 3 out of 5 samples /25g) in whitish sesame seeds from Sudan in Greece

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in sesame seeds from Sudan in Greece

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Newport (presence /25g) in chilled chicken leg fillets from Poland in the Czech Republic

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, RASFF, Salmonella, Salmonella Sesame Seeds, Uncategorized

RASFF Alert – Listeria monocytogenes – Raw Sausage

Posted on June 14, 2019 by | Leave a comment

RASFF-Logo

RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes (presence /25g) in raw sausages from Poland in Poland

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, RASFF, Uncategorized