Category Archives: Food Safety Alert

Research – Record number of outbreak alerts on EU platform

Record number of outbreak alerts on EU platform

A European system used by countries to report outbreaks saw a record number of alerts in 2019.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) hosts the Epidemic Intelligence Information System for food- and waterborne diseases (EPIS-FWD) platform. The network is a restricted web-based platform for experts to help with early detection and coordination of response to multi-country outbreaks through sharing information.

It consists of Urgent Inquiries and associated forums, which are the outbreak alert and investigation tools. The forums allow information to be shared about the outbreak investigation among a restricted number of experts. Nominated people outside the EPIS-FWD network, such as food safety and environmental experts or veterinarians from network countries or any expert or organization outside the network can also be invited to join.

Malaysia – Penang – Sg Bakap religious school students down with food poisoning

NST

SUNGAI BAKAP: Some 42 students of a religious school here were rushed to the Sungai Bakap Hospital for suspected food poisoning.

They had apparently consumed fried noodle and milo at the school canteen.

They were sent to the hospital in batches by the Civil Defence Force ambulance.

A spokesman said all the students were reported to be in stable condition.

“Soon after consuming the food, the affected students began vomiting and having diarrhoea,” the spokesman said.

The first batch of students were sent at 11.38am while the second batch at 12.03pm.

Canada – Notice not to consume various products sold by Boulangerie-pâtisserie L’Artisan

MAPAQ

Quebec

 September 9, 2020 – MAPAQ, in collaboration with the Food Inspection Division of the City of Montreal and the company Boulangerie-pâtisserie L’Artisan, located at 4780 Papineau Avenue, in Montreal , is notifying the population not to consume the products indicated in the table below, because they have not been prepared and packaged in such a way as to ensure their safety .

 

Product name Format Targeted lot
“Breads” In addition to this, you need to know more about it.

Various formats, various flavors

In addition to this, you need to know more about it.

Units sold until September 8, 2020

“Viennese pastries”
“Soups”

The products that are the subject of this warning were offered for sale until September 8, 2020 inclusively , and only at the establishment designated above. They were sold refrigerated or at room temperature. The products were packaged in a cardboard bag or box. The products do not have a label.

The operator is voluntarily recalling the products in question. He agreed with MAPAQ and the Food Inspection Division of the City of Montreal to disseminate this warning as a precautionary measure. People who have these products in their possession are advised not to consume them. They must either return the products to the establishment where they purchased them or throw them away. Even if the affected products do not show signs of spoilage or a suspicious odor, consuming them may represent a health risk. It should be noted that no case of illness associated with the consumption of these foods has been reported to MAPAQ so far.

Ireland – Recall of Glensallagh Family Pack Roast Chicken Breast Pieces due to the Presence of Listeria monocytogenes

FSAI

Summary
Category 1: For Action
Alert Notification: 2020.55
Product: Glensallagh Family Pack Roast Chicken Breast Pieces; pack size: 240g
Batch Code: P3527; Use by: 13 Sep 20
Country Of Origin: Ireland

Message:

Faughan Foods is recalling the above batch of Glensallagh Family Pack Roast Chicken Breast Pieces due to the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. Point-of-sale recall notices will be displayed in stores supplied with the implicated batch.The implicated batch was sold in Lidl stores.

Nature Of Danger:

Symptoms of Listeria monocytogenes infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness.  In rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications.  Some people are more vulnerable to Listeria monocytogenes infections, including pregnant women, babies, and people with weakened immune systems, including the elderly.  The incubation period (time between initial infection and first symptoms appearing) is on average 3 weeks but can range between 3 and 70 days.

Action Required:

Manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, caterers & retailers:

Retailers are requested to remove the implicated batch from sale and to display a point-of-sale recall notice in stores where the affected batch was sold.

Consumers:

Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batch.

Glensallagh chicken

France – CASINO ÇA VIENT D’ICI brand Buckwheat Pancakes – Listeria monocytogenes

https://www.oulah.fr/rappel-produit-galettes-de-sarrasin-de-marque-casino-ca-vient-dici/

Product recall: CASINO ÇA VIENT D'ICI brand Buckwheat pancakes

ENCOUNTERED PROBLEM

Presence of Listeria

PROPOSED SOLUTION

Those in possession of this product are asked not to consume it and to return it to the point of sale where it was purchased for reimbursement.

People who have consumed this product and who have a fever, isolated or accompanied by headaches, are invited to consult their attending physician, notifying them of this consumption.
Pregnant women should pay special attention to these symptoms, as well as immunocompromised people and the elderly. These symptoms may suggest listeriosis, a disease that can be serious and can take up to eight weeks to incubate.

FURTHER INFORMATION

▸ Packaging
6x50g

▸ Barcode
3222475960130

▸ DLC
09/14/2020

▸ Lot
237

▸ Marketing
Some of these products have however been marketed since 08/28/2020

▸ Consumer service contact
For any further information, you can contact the consumer service by dialing the Freephone number: 0 800 13 30 16 (free service and call) from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

▸ Source
https://www.mescoursescasino.fr/

Photo: https://fr.openfoodfacts.org/

France – Confit pork tenderloin from SAS LARTIGAU – Listeria monocytogenes

ENCOUNTERED PROBLEM

Presence of Listeria monocytogenes

PROPOSED SOLUTION

Those in possession of this product are asked not to consume it and to return it to the point of sale where it was purchased.

People who have consumed this product and who have a fever, isolated or accompanied by headaches, are invited to consult their attending physician, notifying them of this consumption.
Pregnant women should pay special attention to these symptoms, as well as immunocompromised people and the elderly. These symptoms may suggest listeriosis, a disease that can be serious and can take up to eight weeks to incubate.

FURTHER INFORMATION

▸ Marketing
These products were sold in the Cup section of your store from 06/12/2020 to 09/09/2020

▸ Consumer service contact
SAS LARTIGAU is available to consumers to answer their questions at the telephone number: 05 58 46 68 95 (during office hours).

▸ Source
https://www.carrefour.fr/


https://www.oulah.fr/rappel-produit-filet-de-porc-confit-de-la-societe-sas-lartigau/

Belgium – Loué brand White Farmer chicken fillet – Salmonella

AFSCA

Recall of Carrefour
Product: Loué brand White Farmer chicken fillet.
Problem: suspected presence of salmonella.

Following a control and as a precautionary measure to guarantee consumer safety, the company LDC – SABLE SAS requests to withdraw from the trade the White Farmhouse Chicken Fillet of the Loué brand sold in the butcher’s department of certain Carrefour stores in Belgium and the reminds consumers of the possible presence of salmonella.

Product description:

Name: White
farmhouse chicken fillet from the Loué brand EAN: 2951079500000
Expiry date (DLC): 08-10 /
09/20 LOT 2020037371

The company LDC – SABLE SAS is proceeding today as a precaution to withdraw from the sale ofLoué brand White Farm chicken fillet following the suspicion of the presence of salmonella.

All products have been withdrawn from sale. Some of these products were, however, marketed on the Belgian market before the withdrawal measure. It is therefore recommended that people who hold the products described above do not consume them and destroy them or return them to the point of sale where they will be reimbursed to you.

Foodborne illnesses caused by salmonella result in
gastrointestinal disturbances often accompanied by fever within 12 to 72 hours of
consuming the contaminated products. These symptoms may be aggravated in
young children, immunocompromised individuals and the elderly.

People who have consumed the products mentioned above
and who have these symptoms, are invited to consult their doctor by notifying him of this consumption.

For any further information , you can contact the Carrefour Belgium consumer service by dialing the free number 0800.9.10.11 , from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on working days and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience caused.

 

Lithuanian – Lithuanian officials seize poultry meat due to Salmonella

Lithuanian authorities have seized more than 40 tons of imported poultry meat due to potential Salmonella contamination in the space of three months.

From June to August of this year, the State Food and Veterinary Service (VMVT) banned the placing on the market of 10 batches of poultry meat imported to Lithuania from Poland, Hungary, and Romania.

More than half of the non-compliant meat (25 tons or seven batches) was imported from Poland. A total of 12 tons, or two lots, originated in Hungary and three tons, or one lot, came from Romania.

Lithuanian officials seize poultry meat due to Salmonella

Iceland – Suspicion of Salmonella in Chicken

MAST

Matvælastofnun warns against consuming fresh chickens from Reykjagarður due to suspicion of salmonella. The company is recalling the chicken.

The recall only covers the following traceability numbers:

  • 001-20-31-3-07 & 001-20-31-1-13 (Holta-, Kjörfugl and Króna-chicken)
  • 001-20-31-3-07 & 001-20-31-1-13 (Whole bird, breast, puffins, bits)

Distribution: Icelandverslanir, Hagkaupsverslanir, Krónan, KR Vík, Kjarval, Nettó, Costco, Extra24, Heimkaup, Kf. Skagfirðingar, Bjarnabúð, Kjörbúðin, Kaupfélag Vestur-Húnvetningar, Olís Verslun Varmahlíð, Basko / 10-11.

Consumers who have purchased chickens with this traceability number are asked to return them to the relevant store or directly to Reykjagarður hf. at Fossháls 1, 110 Reykjavík.

 

Research – A new method may make tomatoes safer to eat

Science Daily

When vegetable farmers harvest crops, they often rely on postharvest washing to reduce any foodborne pathogens, but a new University of Georgia study shows promise in reducing these pathogens — as well as lowering labor costs — by applying sanitizers to produce while it is still in the fields.

Salmonella, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes are major causes of foodborne diseases and of public health concern in the U.S. Tomato-associated Salmonella outbreaks reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have increased in frequency and magnitude in recent years, and fresh produce accounted for 21% of E. coli outbreaks reported to the CDC over a 20-year span.

Initially researchers were going to study the use of a nonchlorine-based sanitizer made of two food additives approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration — levulinic acid and sodium dodecyl sulfate — as a postharvest wash solution. However, at the suggestion of a producer involved in the study — Bill Brim of Lewis Taylor Farms in Tifton, Georgia — they designed the study using the solution in a preharvest spray, said Tong Zhao, associate research scientist with the Center for Food Safety on the UGA Griffin campus.