Category Archives: Food Poisoning

Research – Nearly 2,000 collective food poisoning infections declared in France in 2022

Sante Publique

Foodborne infectious diseases, such as collective foodborne illness (TIAC), represent a health risk for the population and are often caused by the consumption of food contaminated by pathogenic bacteria (Salmonella, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, etc.). ). Each year, between 10,000 to 16,000 people are affected by TIAC in France, whether in a family environment, in commercial or collective catering. 

Each year, Public Health France publishes a report on the epidemiological evolution of TIACs based on mandatory notification data. In 2022, the number of notified TIACs is the highest recorded since the implementation of surveillance in 1987 and continuing the upward trend observed before the Covid-19 pandemic. It exceeded the increase already observed in 2019 after a decrease in 2020-2021, most certainly linked to the implementation of physical distancing measures and the application of barrier gestures during the pandemic. 

France – Vendée ham – Staphylococcus aureus

Gov France

Product category
Food
Product subcategory
Meats
Product brand name
sold without brand in the traditional department
Model names or references
Sold in the traditional department
Product identification
GTIN
0210022000000
Start/end date of marketing
From 02/12/2024 to 02/16/2024
Storage temperature
Product to keep in the refrigerator
Further information
Product sold in the traditional department
Geographical sales area
Whole France
Distributors
E.Leclerc Atlantis Saint Herblain

Food Poisoning Tragedy at Funeral in Eastern Uganda: A Call for Food Safety and Public Health Reform

BNN

In the quiet village of Bukasami, located in the heart of Jinja district, Eastern Uganda, a somber gathering to bid farewell to Ahamad Magumba, a respected county khadhi, took an unforeseen and tragic turn. On February 13, what was meant to be a ceremony of remembrance quickly spiraled into a public health emergency. Three attendees lost their lives, and an additional 100 were hospitalized with symptoms pointing unmistakably to food poisoning.

The laboratory findings, including the detection of a high number of colony-forming units of C. perfringens in the consumed food, further cement the diagnosis. This bacterium, often found in improperly stored or cooked food, can lead to devastating outbreaks, as witnessed in Bukasami village.

Czech Republic – Milbona EMMENTAL 200g (Emmental – full-fat cheese, grated) – Visible Mold/Mould

Potravinynapranyri

Illustrative photo #6

Place of inspection:
Lidl Czech Republic Ltd
Pohořelice ( Znojemská 1149, 691 23 Pohořelice )
ID: 26178541
Food group: Milk and milk products / Cheese
Milbona EMMENTAL 200g (Emmental – full-fat cheese, grated)
Category: Dangerous foods
Invalid parameter:
fungi visible to the eye
In some of the inspected packages, white and grey-green mold colonies were present on the surface of the food under the intact packaging. Food is not considered safe if it shows signs of spoilage.

Unsuitable storage temperatures for this food were not detected during the inspection. The food did not have an expired minimum durability date.

Batch: 08/01/2024 G 02123278040456
Best before date: 08/01/2024
Packaging: plastic bag with weld and print
Quantity of the product in the package: 0.2 kg
Manufacturer: Stegmann Emmentaler Käserien GmbH, Mozartstraβe 31, DE-87435 Kempten/Allgäu
Date of sample collection: 20/12/2023
Reference number: 24-000098-SZPI-CZ

The sample was detected by the official control of the State Agricultural and Food Inspection.

Quebec – Notice not to consume various products in glass jars prepared and sold by the caterer Les 2 Gourmands – Clostridium botulinum

Quebec

QUEBEC , February 15 2024 /CNW/ – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), in collaboration with the caterer Les 2 Gourmands, located at 3779, boulevard Père-Lelièvre, in Quebec, advises the population not to consume the products indicated in the table below, because they have not been prepared and packaged to ensure their safety. In fact, these products could promote the proliferation of the bacteria  Clostridium botulinum .

Product name

Format

Target lot

” The ratatouille “

500ml

Units sold
until February 14,
2024

“The Provençal tomato”

250ml

“The frito tomato”

500ml

The products that are the subject of this warning were offered for sale until February 14, 2024, and only at the establishment designated above. The products were packaged in glass jars with a metal lid. They were sold at room temperature. The product label included, in addition to their name, the words “Les Gourmandises de Victoire”.

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

Even if the affected products do not show signs of spoilage or suspicious odor, they could be contaminated with the bacteria Clostridium botulinum . Foods contaminated with the toxin of this bacteria can cause, when ingested, the following symptoms: facial paralysis, unresponsive or fixed pupils, difficulty swallowing, drooping eyelids, vision and speech problems. In severe cases, the disease can cause death.

It should be noted that no cases of illness associated with the consumption of these foods have been reported to MAPAQ to date.

Italy – VITEL TONNE – slices of cooked adult bovine meat in tuna sauce – Microbiology Risk

Salute

Brand : Gianni Negrini srl

Name : VITEL TONNE – slices of cooked adult bovine meat in tuna sauce

Reason for reporting : Recall due to microbiological risk

Publication date : 16 February 2024

Documentation

Documentation

Italy – Dried Figs with Rum – Baked Almond Figs – Ochratoxin A

Salute

Brand : M. GRECO srl

Name : Dried Figs with Rum – Baked Almond Figs

Reason for reporting : Recall due to chemical risk

Publication date : 15 February 2024

Documentation

Documentation

Czech Republic – Tesco Parmigiano Reggiano grated – Visible Mold/Mould

Potravinynapranyri

Illustrative photo #5

Place of inspection:
Tesco Stores CR as
Brno ( Skandinávská 128/2, 619 00 Brno )
ID: 45308314
Food group: Milk and milk products / Cheese
Tesco Parmigiano Reggiano grated
Category: Dangerous foods
Invalid parameter:
fungi visible to the eye
In part of the package, there were greenish-colored mold colonies under the intact packaging on the surface of the cheese. Food is not considered safe if it shows signs of spoilage.

Unsuitable storage temperatures of this product were not detected during the inspection. The food did not have an expired minimum durability date.

Best before date: 28.01.24
Packaging: PP bag with weld and print
Quantity of the product in the package: 0.1 kg
Manufacturer: Seller: Tesco Stores ČR as, Vršovická 1527/68b, 100 00 Prague 10
Country of origin: Italy
Date of sample collection: 10/1/2024
Reference number: 24-000093-SZPI-CZ

The sample was detected by the official control of the State Agricultural and Food Inspection.

Czech Republic – AW Olomouc cottage cheese large – Visible Mold/Mould

Potravinynapranyri

Illustrative photo #6

Place of inspection:
BILLA, spol. s.r.o
Brno ( Makovského náměstí 2574/1, 616 00 Brno )
ID: 00685976
Food group: Milk and milk products / Cheese
AW Olomouc cottage cheese large
Category: Dangerous foods
Invalid parameter:
fungi visible to the eye
There were greenish and white mold colonies on the surface of the food in part of the packaging. Food is not considered safe if it shows signs of spoilage.

The food did not have an expired minimum durability date. Unsuitable storage temperatures of this product were not detected during the inspection.

Batch: L145 241
Best before date: 25 01 24
Packaging: PP 5
Quantity of the product in the package: 0.167 kg
Manufacturer: AW spol. s ro, Palackého 4, 789 83 Loštice
Country of origin: Czechia
Date of sample collection: 1/11/2024
Reference number: 24-000097-SZPI-CZ

The sample was detected by the official control of the State Agricultural and Food Inspection.

RASFF Alert- Mycotoxin – Ergot Alkaloids – Organic Einkorn Flour

RASFF

Ergot (Claviceps purpurea) alkaloids in organic einkorn flour from France in Belgium