Category Archives: Food Poisoning

USA -N.C. man dies from eating contaminated oysters – Vibrio vulnificus

Star News Online Vibrio

A Cary man is dead after eating oysters in the Wilmington area, according to recent reports.

The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is investigating after David Argay contracted vibriosis and died at the Raleigh-based WakeMed hospital Thursday.

The NCDHHS and the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) confirmed that the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus caused Argay’s death. Vibrio is one of several bacteria species known to cause illness in humans.

“We do know that that the oysters were not a North Carolina product,” said Tricia Smith, a spokesperson for the DMF.

Dubai – Dubai restaurant closed after 15 people suffer food poisoning

MENAFN

An American restaurant located at Jumeirah Mall has been shut down recently by the Dubai Municipality following reports of food poisoning.

According to health inspectors, the cause of the incident was the use of raw eggs in making the sauce for breakfast dishes.

Ireland – Sushi Production and Outlets Cause for Concern – Audit Published

FSAI

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today released the findings of a targeted audit that shows an unacceptable level of non-compliance by sushi production and processing facilities in Ireland. The audit of sushi manufacturers, restaurants and takeaway outlets revealed 76 breaches of food safety regulations, with some 90% of the businesses audited not having adequate controls in place to safeguard human health. All food businesses are legally obliged to have robust food safety control systems in place, however of the 11 premises audited, only one premises had no breaches of food safety and hygiene legislation. The audit was undertaken due to a reported 80% increase in the number of restaurants offering sushi since 2018. To coincide with the audit being published today, the FSAI has produced new advice on the safe production of sushi to assist sushi producers to comply with the law and the advice is available on: https://www.fsai.ie/faq/safe_production_sushi.html

Canada – Globe Meats Fresh Market & Grill brand Regular Ground Veal recalled due to E. coli O157:H7

CFIA

Recall details

Ottawa, September 26, 2019 – Globe Meats Fresh Market & Grill is recalling Globe Meats Fresh Market & Grill brand Regular Ground Veal from the marketplace due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below.

The following product has been sold at Globe Meats Fresh Market & Grill, 61 Signet Drive, Toronto, Ontario.

Recalled products

Brand Name Common Name Size UPC Code(s) on Product
Globe Meats Fresh Market & Grill Regular Ground Veal Variable Starting with 0201111 Sold from June 15, 2019 to June 17, 2019, inclusively

Illnesses

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

Product photos

Printer ready version of photos

  • Globe Meats Fresh Market & Grill brand Regular Ground Veal – Variable (label)

RASFF Alerts – Aflatoxin – Groundnut Kernels – Groundnuts – Brazil Nuts –

RASFF-Logo

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 2.4 µg/kg – ppb) in blanched groundnuts kernels from Argentina in the UK

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 7.3 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from the United States in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 8.44; Tot. = 11 µg/kg – ppb) in Brazil nuts from Bolivia in Italy

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 11.43; Tot. = 12.67 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from China in Spain

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 35.1; Tot. = 40.3 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from the United States in the UK

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 5.6; Tot. = 6.8 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from China in Spain

RASFF Alert – DSP – Live Mussels

RASFF-Logo

RASFF – Diarrhoeic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) toxins – okadaic acid ( >320 µg/kg – ppb) in live mussels from Italy in Italy

RASFF Alert – Ochratoxin A – Dried Raisins

RASFF-Logo

RASFF – ochratoxin A (21.91 µg/kg – ppb) in dried raisins from China in Poland

USA -Roland Foods, LLC Initiates a Voluntary Recall of Roland Red Lumpfish Caviar and Roland Black Lumpfish Caviar Due to Possible Health Risk – Clostridium botulinum

FDA

Company Announcement

Roland Foods, LLC of New York, New York is initiating a voluntary recall of its red and black lumpfish caviar products, which were manufactured at Ora ehf in Iceland, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

The Red Lumpfish Caviar and Black Lumpfish Caviar, sold in glass jars, were distributed nationwide to retailers and foodservice distributors across the United States. The UPC code is located on the back of the label, under the bar code.

The following products are subject to the voluntary recall:

Affected Product
Product Name Roland® Black Caviar Whole Grain Lumpfish Roland® Black Caviar Whole Grain Lumpfish Roland® Black Caviar Whole Grain Lumpfish Roland® Black Caviar Whole Grain Lumpfish
Item # 20002 20004 20020 20040
Batch # 206 J018803, J019622, J020834 226 223
Pack Size 2×48/2 oz 48/2 oz 2×24/3.5 oz 12X12 oz
UPC #s
Item UPC 41224200029 41224200029 41224200203 41224200401
Outside Case UPC 10041224200026 10041224200040 10041224200200 10041224200408
Carton Markings
Product Name Roland Caviar Roland Caviar Roland Caviar Roland Caviar
Item # 20002 20004 20020 20040
Batch # 206 J018803, J019622, J020834 226 223
UPC # 10041224200026 10041224200040 10041224200200 10041224200408
Other Relevant Info This product is sold as 2 cases tie wrapped together This is a repack therefore product UPC is different than item # This product is sold as 2 cases tie wrapped together
Affected Product
Product Name Roland® Red Caviar Whole Grain Lumpfish Roland® Red Caviar Whole Grain Lumpfish Roland® Red Caviar Whole Grain Lumpfish Roland® Red Caviar Whole Grain Lumpfish
Item # 20202 20204 20220 20240
Batch # 154, 155 J018821, J020767 168 175
Pack Size 2×48/2 oz 48/2 oz 2×24/3.5 oz 12×12 oz
UPC #s
Item UPC 41224202023 41224202023 41224202207 41224202405
Outside Case UPC 10041224202020 10041224202044 10041224202204 10041224202402
Carton Markings
Product Name Roland Caviar Roland Caviar Roland Caviar Roland Caviar
Item # 20202 20202 20220 20240
Batch # 154, 155 J018821, J020767 168 175
UPC # 10041224202020 10041224202044 10041224202204 10041224202402
Other Relevant Info This is sold as 2 cases tie wrapped together This is a repack therefore product UPC is different than item # This is sold as 2 cases tie wrapped together

No other sizes or lots of red and black caviar or Roland® products are affected by this voluntary recall.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing found that the product experienced a processing issue.

Production and distribution of the product has been suspended as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to the source of the problem.

Consumers can visit our website at www.rolandfoods.comExternal Link Disclaimer, or contact our 24-Hour Consumer Hotline at 800.221.4030 ext. 222 for further information about this voluntary recall and for further instructions.

USA – Philadelphia mystery E. coli outbreak adds 19th Victim

Food Poison Journal

ecoli

Image CDC

According to Food Safety News, Philadelphia officials have added more people to the patient list in an E. coli outbreak that is associated with “shared restaurant exposure.”

Earlier this month the Philadelphia Department of Public Health reported the outbreak but did not name a specific restaurant or restaurants. The department continues to decline to provide that information.

“A total of 19 cases were identified in this cluster. The last report was received on Sept. 6, and our investigation into the source continues,” department spokesman James Garrow told Food Safety News.

Outbreak investigations typically involve interviews with patients to find out what they ate and where they ate it in the days before becoming ill.

Hong Kong – Not to consume prepackaged flour batch with possible E. coli O26 contamination

CFS

Issue Date 20.9.2019
Source of Information Food Incident Surveillance System
Food Product A batch of prepackaged flour imported from the United States (US)
Product Name and Description Product name: Unbleached All Purpose Flour

Brand: Gold Medal

Place of origin: US

Net weight: Five pounds per pack

Best-before Date: September 6, 2020

Reason For Issuing Alert
  • The Centre for Food Safety (CFS), through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted a notice by the US Food and Drug Administration that the above-mentioned batch of the product was under recall by the manufacturer as the product concerned might have been contaminated with E. coli O26.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety
  • Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted local major importers and retailers for follow-up.
  • Preliminary investigation found that a local importer, the Dairy Farm Company, Limited, had imported about 220 packs of the affected batch of the product. All had been sold out at its outlets. The importer concerned has initiated a recall according to CFS instructions.
  •  The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, continue to follow up and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.
Advice to the Trade
  • Stop using or selling the affected batch of the product concerned immediately if they possess it.
Advice to Consumers
  • Not to consume the affected batch of the product if they have bought it.
Further Information The CFS press release 

Members of the public may call the company’s hotline at 2299 1133 for enquiries during office hours about the recall.