Category Archives: Food Poisoning

RASFF Alerts – Aflatoxin – Dried Figs -Pistchios – Groundnuts- Roasted and Salted Pistachios –

Posted on December 18, 2020 by | Leave a comment

European Food Alerts

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 143.5; Tot. = 152.3 µg/kg – ppb) in pistachios from Turkey in Germany

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 25; Tot. = 26.4 µg/kg – ppb) in pistachios in shell from Turkey in Germany

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 15.3; Tot. = 16.4 µg/kg – ppb) in pistachios from Turkey in Germany

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 38.1; Tot. = 44.9 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Vietnam in Finland

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 37.5; Tot. = 43.2 µg/kg – ppb) in pistachios in shell from Turkey in Germany

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 10.3; Tot. = 24.4 µg/kg – ppb) in dried figs from Turkey in Germany

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 41.7; Tot. = 50.4 / B1 = 115; Tot. = 169.2 µg/kg – ppb) in roasted and salted pistachios in shell from Turkey in Germany

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 10.3; Tot. = 42.3 µg/kg – ppb) in dried figs from Turkey in Belgium

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 27; Tot. = 28.8 µg/kg – ppb) in pistachios in shell from the United States in Belgium

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 26.55; Tot. = 31.44 µg/kg – ppb) in dried figs from Turkey in Germany

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Posted in Aflatoxin, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Mold Toxin, Mould Toxin, Moulds, Mycotoxin, RASFF

Hong Kong – CFS announces food safety report for October

Posted on December 17, 2020 by | Leave a comment

CFS

logo

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (November 30) released the findings of its food safety report for last month. The results of about 13,300 food samples tested were satisfactory except for 21 samples that were announced earlier. The overall satisfactory rate was 99.8 per cent.

A CFS spokesman said about 1,000 food samples were collected for microbiological tests, some 3,900 samples were taken for chemical tests and the remaining 8,400 (including about 8,200 taken from food imported from Japan) were collected to test radiation levels.

The microbiological tests covered pathogens and hygiene indicators, while the chemical tests included pesticides, preservatives, metallic contaminants, colouring matters, veterinary drug residues and others.

The samples comprised about 3,300 samples of vegetables and fruit and their products; about 700 samples of cereals, grains and their products; about 900 samples of meat and poultry and their products; about 700 samples of milk, milk products and frozen confections; about 1,500 samples of aquatic and related products; and about 6,200 samples of other food commodities (including beverages, bakery products and snacks).

The 21 unsatisfactory samples comprised 10 frozen confection samples detected with counts of hygiene indicator organisms exceeding the legal limits, two red chilli samples and a prepackaged mantis shrimp sample found to contain excessive cadmium, a freshwater grouper sample and a rabbitfish sample found to contain trace amounts of malachite green, a sample of mala goose gizzard found to contain Salmonella, a sample of ground turmeric detected with a non-permitted colouring matter sudan dyes, a prepackaged candy sample detected with a non-permitted colouring matter Acid Red 52 and in breach of the food labelling regulation, a sample of prepackaged bamboo fungi found to contain excessive preservative and in breach of the food labelling regulation, a prepacked fresh beef sample found to contain sulphur dioxide and in breach of the food labelling regulation, and a sample of bottled chilli paste detected with an allergen, fish, undeclared on the food label.

The CFS has taken follow-up action on the unsatisfactory samples including informing the vendors concerned of the test results, instructing them to stop selling the affected food items and tracing the sources of the food items in question.

The spokesman reminded the food trade to ensure that food for sale is fit for human consumption and meets legal requirements. Consumers should patronise reliable shops when buying food and maintain a balanced diet to minimise food risks.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Safety

Luxembourg – COLRUYT ORGANIC PORK MINCE -Salmonella

Posted on December 17, 2020 by | Leave a comment

SAP

Last name Organic minced pork
Mark Colruyt
Unit 400 g
Article number 17968
Best before date (DLC) 12/18/2020
Sale period from 12/9/2020 to 12/15/2020 included

Danger  : Presence of Salmonella

Salmonella can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, fever and headache within 6 to 72 hours after consumption. These symptoms may be aggravated in young children, immunocompromised individuals and the elderly. People who have consumed these products and who present these symptoms are advised to consult a doctor, notifying him of this consumption.

Sale in Luxembourg by: Colruyt

Information source: Colruyt recall notification

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Salmonella

USA – Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks – Update

Posted on December 17, 2020 by | Leave a comment

FDA

The list in the link above of outbreak investigations being managed by FDA’s CORE Response Teams. The investigations are in a variety of stages, meaning that some outbreaks have limited information, and others may be near completion.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food death, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Research, Uncategorized

USA – 159 sick after eating AFC Sushi from Harris Teeter in Concord North Carolina

Posted on December 17, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

Pathogen not yet announced that has caused illnesses.

Cabarrus Health Alliance (CHA) and Harris Teeter officials are investigating multiple reports of illness linked to AFC sushi purchased and eaten from Harris Teeter at 358 George W. Liles Pkwy NW, Concord and Harris Teeter at 1245 Concord Parkway North, Concord. Those ill are experiencing symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, fever, muscle aches and abdominal cramps. CHA is aware of more than 10 (now 159) individuals who are sick, and all have consumed sushi from the third-party AFC Sushi kiosk located within the two Harris Teeter stores between Nov. 13, 2020 and Nov. 19, 2020.

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Poisoning

Research – Assessing Food Safety Practices Among Texas Small Growers

Posted on December 16, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Journal of Food Protection

This could be applied to many small growers all over the world.

This study aimed to assess current food safety gaps among small growers in Texas to identify key areas of focus for potential education and training materials for these stakeholders. Small growers earn ≤$25,000 in annual sales over a 3-year period and have an average food sale of less than $500,000. To this end, a survey tool was designed to determine the gaps in small farm growers’ food safety knowledge. A total of 29 questions were disseminated to participants at fruit and vegetable conference. The questions included topics such as food safety practices and perceptions, and current and past food safety training experiences. Data from 70 growers was collected and analyzed and the results demonstrated that more than 34% of growers use manure and 51% have domestic animals on the farm premises. Even though more than 51% of participants use bare hands for harvesting, 39% of growers do not provide handwashing facilities for workers, and 46% of the growers do not provide toilet facilities for their workers. Only 25% of the growers surveyed have access to food safety training materials for their employees. The results also showed that 21% of participants have previous food safety training. Furthermore, half of the growers surveyed used soil amendments and approximately 87% did not test irrigation water. About 30% of growers believe that organic produce is safer than conventional produce and 37% believe that organically grown produce has fewer harmful bacteria. Also, > 41% of participants could not recognize the difference between hydroponically grown produce and conventional systems. The results indicated specific areas of opportunity, gaps in resources needed by growers, and lack of food safety training materials. The results of this study will help in the design of targeted and specific food safety training materials for small growers.

 

 

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology

Belgium – Organic minced pork (400g) from the Colruyt brand – Salmonella

Posted on December 16, 2020 by | Leave a comment

AFSCA

Colruyt Group recalled
Product: Organic minced pork (400g) from the Colruyt brand.
Problem: Possible presence of Salmonella.During microbiological checks at the supplier, the presence of Salmonella was observed in the organic minced pork product 400 g bearing the expiration date (DLC) 18/12/2020.

In consultation with the AFSCA, Colruyt therefore decided to withdraw the product concerned from sale.

Customers who have purchased this product are advised not to consume it and to bring it back to the store, where they will be reimbursed. In the meantime, all stores have removed the affected products from the shelves.

Product description: • Organic minced pork 400 g •

Use-by date (Best before date): 18/12/2020 •

Item number: 17968 • Sales period: from 9/12/2020 to 15/12/2020 included

This product has been offered for sale in Colruyt stores in Belgium.

For more information , customers can contact Colruyt Group Customer Service on 0800 99 124 .

Possible symptoms of Salmonella poisoning
Possible symptoms of Salmonella poisoning are fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. These symptoms usually appear within 12 to 48 hours of ingestion.

Symptoms usually last 4-7 days, and most people recover without specific treatment. Young children, pregnant women, the immunocompromised and the elderly are among the groups at risk. In these people, the symptoms can be severe enough to require hospitalization.

People who have consumed this product and who present this type of symptoms are advised to consult their attending physician and notify them of this consumption.

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Posted in afsca, Bacteria, bacterial contamination, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Salmonella

Canada – Public Health Notice: Outbreak of Vibrio parahaemolyticus infections linked to shellfish is over.

Posted on December 14, 2020 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

Food Illness

In total, 23 confirmed cases of Vibrio parahaemolyticus illness were reported in the following provinces: Saskatchewan (1), Quebec (7), New Brunswick (10), and Prince Edward Island (5). Individuals became sick between early July and late October 2020. One individual was hospitalized. No deaths were reported. Individuals who became ill were between 11 and 92 years of age. The majority of illnesses (61%) were male.

Table 1 – Number of people confirmed to be infected with Vibrio parahaemolyticus by week of illness onset or specimen collection
Week of symptom onset or specimen collection Number of cases
2020-06-28 1
2020-07-05 0
2020-07-12 0
2020-07-19 0
2020-07-26 1
2020-08-02 2
2020-08-09 2
2020-08-16 4
2020-08-23 3
2020-08-30 2
2020-09-06 5
2020-09-13 2
2020-09-20 0
2020-10-04 0
2020-10-11 0
2020-10-18 0
2020-10-25 0
2020-11-01 1

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Vibrio, Vibrio parahaemolyticus

USA – Cozy Vale Raw Milk again linked to E. coli

Posted on December 14, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

Cozy Vale Creamery of Tenino, WA, is advising consumers to throw out or return any of the dairy’s retail raw milk and cream products with the best by dates of Dec. 12-14 through 12-23 because state tests showed E. coli contamination.

The unpasteurized dairy products were bottled in a gallon, half-gallon, quart, and pint containers, were sold to customers, including retail stores, in Western Washington. The dairy had pathogen problems at least twice in 2017.

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, Bacterial Toxin, Biotoxin, E.coli, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin

France – Product recall: Fromagerie des 2 Caps brand cheese from Les 2 Caps

Posted on December 14, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Oulah

Product recall: Fromagerie des 2 Caps brand cheese from Les 2 Caps

ENCOUNTERED PROBLEM

Presence of Escherichia coli

PROPOSED SOLUTION

People who hold the product in question are asked not to consume them – and more particularly young children, pregnant women, immunocompromised people and the elderly – and to return them to the point of sale where they were purchased.

People who have consumed it and who present symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain or vomiting should consult their doctor as soon as possible, mentioning this consumption and the possible link with the bacterium Escherichia coli.

If there are no symptoms within 10 days of consuming the affected products, there is no need to worry and consult a doctor.

The E. coli bacterium is naturally present in the digestive microflora of humans and warm-blooded animals. Some strains of E. coli are pathogenic, and can be responsible in humans for various disorders ranging from mild diarrhea to more serious forms such as hemorrhagic diarrhea or severe kidney damage such as HUS, mainly in young children.

FURTHER INFORMATION

▸
320g packaging

▸ Barcode
3188500032848

▸ Lot
272

▸ DLC
• 11/17/2020
• 11/21/2020

▸ Veterinary identification number
FR 59.512.030 CE

▸ Consumer service contact
LOSFELD DISTRIBUTION is available to consumers to answer their questions on the telephone number: 03 20 28 99 60 (Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).

▸ Areas concerned
• SUPER U CAMPHIN-EN-PEVELE
• SUPER U LUMBRES

▸ Source
https://www.coursesu.com/

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