Category Archives: Food Poisoning

RASFF Alerts – Histamine – Yellow Fin Tuna

RASFF

Histamine and E 300 – ascorbic acid unauthorised in frozen yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) from India in Italy

RASFF Alert – Diarrhoeic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) – Live Scallops

RASFF

Withdrawal of live scallops (Aequipecten operculatis) harvested in France because of possible contamination with Diarrhoeic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) toxins from Spain in France

RASFF Alert – Ochratoxin A – Date Syrup

RASFF

Exceedance of maximum limits for ochratoxin A in date syrup from the Netherlands in Austria, Finland, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands

RASFF Alert – Marine Biotoxin – Live Slipper Clams

RASFF

HIGH LEVELS OF LIPOPHILIC BIOTOXINS IN LIVE SLIPPER CLAM (VENERUPIS CORRUGATA) FROM PORTUGAL in Spain

Lipophilic marine biotoxins include okadaic acid, pectenotoxin, yessotoxin and azaspiracid groups.

Canada – Notice not to consume minced meat sold by Boucherie La Supérieure – STEC E.coli

MAPAQ

QUEBEC, July 21 2021 / CNW Telbec / – The Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation (MAPAQ), in collaboration with the company Boucherie La Supérieure, located at 2888 avenue du Cosmodôme, in Laval , is warning the population not to not consume the products indicated in the table below, because analytical results show that these products are likely to contain the bacterium E. coli producing shigatoxins.

Product designation

Format

Packing date

“LEAN GROUND BEEF”

Variable weight

All formats

“JL.06.21”

“MID-LEAN GROUND BEEF”

“EX-LEAN GROUND BEEF”

“GROUND VEAL”

” MINCED PORK “

The products that are the subject of this alert were packaged on July 6, 2021 and have been offered for sale only at the establishment identified above. They were packaged in plastic bags or in black plastic trays covered with transparent plastic wrap. They were offered in a refrigerated state. The product label includes, in addition to their name, the words “Boucherie La Superieure”.

The operator is voluntarily recalling the products in question. He agreed with MAPAQ to disseminate this warning as a precautionary measure. In addition, people who have any of these products in their possession are advised not to consume it. They must return it to the establishment where they bought it or throw it away.

It should be noted that proper cooking of meat destroys the E. coli bacteria   in all cases. Preparing ready-made meals, such as spaghetti sauce, shepherd’s pie, or meat pie, requires a fairly long cooking time and a temperature high enough to destroy the bacteria.

It should be noted that no case of illness associated with the consumption of these foods has been reported to MAPAQ so far.

Food contaminated with the shigatoxin- producing E. coli bacteria may not look or smell spoiled, but eating these foods can cause serious illness or death. They are manifested by diarrhea and abdominal pain, often accompanied by blood in the stool. These symptoms usually appear two to ten days after eating a contaminated food. Nausea, vomiting and sometimes fever can be associated with it. When these symptoms appear, it is strongly recommended to consult a doctor without delay. Most symptoms go away within five to ten days.

Czech Republic – MEAT SAUSAGES POLIČKA Tartar from Czech farms – Beef tartare 250g – STEC E.coli

Potravinynapranyri

Illustration photo no. 1

Place of inspection:
Pilsen ( Americká 2186/47, 301 00 Pilsen )
Company ID: 26178541
Food group: Meat and meat products Uncooked perishable products

MEAT SAUSAGES POLIČKA Tartar from Czech farms – Beef tartare 250g
Category: Dangerous food
Unsatisfactory parameter:

Escherichia coli producing shiga-toxin (STEC)

The product was found to have a type of Escherichia coli that is able to produce shiga-toxin.

Among other things, Shiga toxins cause diarrhea and can damage the kidneys.

The food cannot be considered safe.

Lots: L: 96382
Expiration date: 05/09/2021
Packaging: PE tray, PAP label
Quantity of product in package: 250 g
Producer: MASO UZENINY POLIČKA as, č.p.300, 572 01 Kamenec u Poličky, Czech Republic
Country of origin:  Czechia
Date of sampling: 5. 5. 2021
Reference number: 21-000206-CAFIA-CZ
The sample was found by an official inspection of the State Agricultural and Food Inspection Authority.

USA – Oysters recalled amid Washington’s largest ever Vibrio outbreak

Food Safety News

KSWFOODWORLD

Washington state has initiated a recall of live oysters harvested from the Samish Bay growing area in the Puget Sound area. The recall is in response to multiple cases of Vibrio parahaemolyticus illnesses associated with oysters harvested in the area. 

The outbreak has already surpassed the highest number of cases ever recorded by the state for the month of July, according to the state’s Health Department. Distribution details are incomplete but it is known that some of the oysters have gone to Asian and Canadian buyers as well as customers in the United States.

A recent heat wave, coupled with very low tides at mid-day, are likely to blame for the increased rate of illness, which is associated with eating raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters that are contaminated with Vibrio. 

The extremely low tides are part of an 18.6-year tide cycle, which means there will be more to come for a period of time during the cycle.

USA – FSIS Industry Guideline for Minimizing the Risk of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in Beef (including Veal) Processing Operations

FSIS USDA

GUIDELINE IDFSIS-GD-2021-0007
ISSUE DATEJuly 2021
Replaces: 2017 Version of the Guideline

This guideline helps establishments producing non-intact and intact cuts intended for raw non-intact beef products to understand the adulterant status of STEC in beef products; design supportable control measures for STEC; develop ongoing verification measures to ensure that STEC control measures are functioning as intended; and respond when the HACCP system fails to prevent or reduce STEC to below detectable levels. This guideline relates to 9 CFR 301.2, 9 CFR 303, 9 CFR 310.25, 9 CFR 314, 9 CFR 317.2, 9 CFR 320.1, 9 CFR 417.1 through 5, and 9 CFR 441.10.

USA – FSIS Industry Guideline for Minimizing the Risk of Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in Beef (including Veal) Slaughter Operations

FSIS USDA

GUIDELINE IDFSIS-GD-2021-0008
ISSUE DATEJuly 2021

Replaces: 2017 Version of the Guideline

This guideline helps establishments that slaughter beef (including veal) to implement effective sanitary dressing procedures designed to prevent carcass contamination; implement effective decontamination and antimicrobial interventions; properly assess microbial testing results; and use the results to assess the effectiveness of the overall HACCP system. This guideline relates to 9 CFR 310.18(a), 9 CFR 416.1 through 416.5, 9 CFR 417.2(a)(1), 9 CFR 417.2(c)(3), 9 CFR 417.4(a)(2), 9 CFR 417.5(a)(1), and 9 CFR 417.5(a)(2).

Luxembourg – RECALL: NIK BRAND ROASTED WATERMELON SEEDS AFLATOXIN CONTENT TOO HIGH

SAP

Aflatoxin content too high

The Luxembourg food safety authorities recall the following product:

Last name Roasted watermelon seeds
Mark Nik
Unit 200 g
Date of Minimum Durability (DDM) 02/11/2023

Danger  : Aflatoxin content too high

Aflatoxins are mycotoxins produced by certain species of Aspergillus molds that develop when the temperature and humidity of the food is high. Aflatoxins are considered genotoxic and carcinogenic by the European Food Safety Authority and can be dangerous with high and repeated consumption.

Sale in Luxembourg by:          Tobacco & Newspapers Stationery

   Route de Thionville, Luxembourg

A sale by other operators cannot be excluded.