Category Archives: food safety training

USA – FDA and Stop Foodborne Illness to Co-Host Webinar on Assessing Food Safety Culture

FDA

Today, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the seventh in the ongoing series of webinars exploring food safety culture will take place on May 11, 2023, from 3:45 pm 5:00 pm ET. The webinar series Collaborating on Culture in the New Era of Smarter Food Safety is in partnership with Stop Foodborne IllnessExternal Link Disclaimer, a non-profit public health organization.

The upcoming webinar “Live from the Food Safety Summit: Measure What You Treasure”, will focus on the importance of assessing food safety culture in an organization.

Guest speakers on May 11, include:

  • Donald A. Prater, DVM, Acting Director, Office of Food Policy and Response, FDA
  • Conrad Choiniere, PhD, Director, Office of Analytics and Outreach, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FDA
  • Lone Jespersen, Principal and Founder, Cultivate SA
  • Vanessa Coffman, Director, Alliance to Stop Foodborne Illness
  • Brian Perry, Executive Food Safety & Quality Leader, TreeHouse Foods, Inc
  • Karleigh Bacon, Director of U.S. Supply Chain Food Safety, Science & Regulatory, McDonald’s Corporation
  • Philip Bronstein, Ph.D., Assistant Administrator, Office of Field Operations, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA

The webinar series engages experts from the public and private sectors in a collaborative exchange of ideas and experiences related to the importance of a robust food safety culture in helping to ensure safe food production.

Food safety culture is one of the core elements in FDA’s New Era of Smarter Food Safety blueprint, which states that dramatic improvements in reducing the burden of foodborne illness cannot be made without doing more to influence the beliefs, attitudes, and, most importantly, the behaviors of people and the actions of organizations.

Register for Session 7External Link Disclaimer

To learn more about this webinar series and to listen to recordings, visit Collaborating on Culture in the New Era of Smarter Food Safety.

For More Information 

Germany – dmBio Tahin Sesame Butter 250 g – Salmonella

LMW

Alert type: Groceries
Date of first publication: 03/24/2023
Product name:

dmBio Tahin Sesame Butter 250 g

Product images:

Produktbild_dmBio Tahin Sesammus 250 g.PNG

consumer information

Manufacturer (distributor):

Distributed by dm-drogerie markt

Reason for warning:

It cannot be ruled out that salmonella may appear in the article. Eating food contaminated with salmonella can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain and occasionally vomiting and a slight fever.

Packaging Unit: 250 g
Durability: BBD 02/21/2025 and BBD 02/25/2025
Additional Information:

Reference is made to the attached consumer information from the food company.

Click to access Verbraucherinformation_dmBio+Tahin+Sesammus+250g.pdf

Belgium – Recall from Kim’s Chocolates – Aflatoxin

AFSCA

Recall from Kim’s Chocolates
Products: – 72% organic dark chocolate bar with almonds from the Cachet brand
                  – 57% organic dark chocolate bar with almonds and cherries from the Cachet brand

Problem: too high aflatoxin content.
In agreement with the FASFC, Kim’s Chocolates is withdrawing the “72% organic with almonds” and “57% organic with almonds and cherries” dark chocolate bars from sale and recalling them from consumers because of an excessively high content of aflatoxins.

Kim’s Chocolates asks its customers not to consume these products and to return them to the point of sale in which they were purchased.

Product description:

– Product name: 72% organic dark chocolate bar with almonds
– Brand: Cachet
– Expiry date (BDD) (“Best before (or end)”): 09/03/2024
– Number lot: 22343
– Sale period: from 14/12/2022
– Nature of packaging: aluminum foil and cardboard packaging
– Weight: 100g

Product description:

– Product name: 57% organic dark chocolate bar with almonds and cherries
– Brand: Cachet
– Expiration dates (BDD) (“Best before (or end)”): 29/1/2024 & 8/6 /2024
– Batch numbers: 22302 & 23067
– Sale period: from 10/11/2022
– Nature of packaging: aluminum foil and cardboard packaging
– Weight: 100g

The products have been distributed by different points sales in Belgium.

For further information , contact:
Ms. Leen Michiels or Mr. Marc Quirijnen
Email address: Leen.michiels@kimchoc.be or Marc.Quirijnen@kimchoc.be

USA – FDA Releases FDA Activities for the Safety of Imported Seafood

FDA

Today, the FDA released Activities for the Safety of Imported Seafood (PDF).  The report shares the comprehensive approach the FDA is taking to ensure that imported seafood consumed in the U.S. meets food safety requirements and the standards of domestically produced seafood.

Seafood is one of the most highly traded food commodities in the world with 2018 total imports accounting for approximately 94% of seafood sold by volume in the U.S. Seafood contains high quality protein and other essential nutrients and is an important part of a healthy diet. The safety of imported seafood, particularly shrimp, the most consumed type of seafood in the U.S., has garnered the attention of Congress and industry, among other stakeholders.

The FDA Strategy for the Safety of Imported Food (Import Strategy) is the roadmap for this report.  It describes a comprehensive approach to imported food safety – guided by four goals:

  • Food Offered for Import Meets U.S. Food Safety Requirements
  • FDA Border Surveillance Prevents Entry of Unsafe Foods
  • Rapid and Effective Response to Unsafe Imported Food
  • Effective and Efficient Food Import Program

The Activities for the Safety of Imported Seafood details how established FDA regulation and innovative programs and technology are employed to support each of the four goals as they relate to imported seafood safety. These include proactively engaging and establishing partnerships with FDA regulatory counterparts in countries that export seafood to the United States; exploring the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically Machine Learning (ML), to strengthen predictive analytics; and developing new tools that leverage technology such as geographic information system (GIS) to provide spatial intelligence about potential seafood hazards.

Australia – Updated – Ceres Organics Organic Tahini products – Salmonella

FSANZ

Date published: 17 March 2023

Updated: 22 March 2023

Product information

CERES ORGANICS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD is conducting a recall of​ Ceres Organics Organic Hulled Tahini 300g and Ceres Organics Organic Unhulled Tahini 300g. The product has been available for sale at Woolworths in NSW; independent food retailers including IGA in NSW, VIC, QLD and WA; independent food retailers in ACT and SA; and online nationally.​

Problem

The recall is due to potential microbial (Salmonella) contamination.

Food safety hazard

Food products contaminated with Salmonella may cause illness if consumed.​

Country of origin

Turkey ​

What to do​

Consumers should not eat this product. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice and should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund.

For further information please contact:

CERES ORGANICS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
1800 625 161

​​Related links:

USA – Resources for the Control of Listeria monocytogenes for Manufacturers of Soft Fresh Queso Fresco-type CheesesUSA –

FDA

Summary of FDA’s Strategy to Help Prevent Listeriosis Outbreaks Associated with Soft Fresh Queso Fresco-Type Cheeses

This fact sheet is intended to help Queso Fresco-type soft cheese manufacturing groups further their understanding of possible food safety risks that can occur in production and the resources available to help them consistently produce safe food.

What are soft Queso Fresco-type cheeses?

Soft Queso Fresco-type (QFT) cheeses are fresh, unripe cheeses that do not go through a significant aging process. These types of cheeses are white/off-white in color and very moist. They also have a low salt and acid content, which gives them a shorter shelf life compared to that of other aged cheeses. This also means soft QFT cheeses must always be refrigerated. Depending on the country of origin, some of the more popular fresh, soft QFT cheeses are labeled as either Latin-style or Mexican-style cheeses. Well-known examples of QFT cheeses include Oaxaca, Asadero, Queso Blanco, Queso Fresco, Requeson, and Panela, amongst others [1],[2].

What are some concerns with soft Queso Fresco-type cheeses?

The pathogen of primary concern among soft QFT cheeses is Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes), a type of disease-causing bacteria that specifically causes the infection listeriosis. Outbreaks of listeriosis have been linked with soft QFT cheeses made from raw milk or those that contain ingredients that were contaminated somewhere during the cheese-making process.  Historical outbreaks of listeriosis have been associated with QFT made from unpasteurized milk, but recent outbreaks have been caused by cheeses made from pasteurized milk that was contaminated during the cheese-making process. The soft QFT cheeses linked to past outbreaks were often manufactured by smaller-scale producers. These outbreaks have often affected a higher proportion of pregnant Hispanic women and their newborns. Listeriosis infections in pregnant women can result in serious illness, miscarriage, or even stillbirth. Older adults, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems are also at higher risk for developing serious symptoms associated with listeriosis. In addition to the risk of listeriosis linked to soft QFT cheese, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported multiple outbreaks linked to other pathogenic bacteria in these products, including SalmonellaCampylobacter jejuni, and Brucella [3],[4].

USA – Raw milk bill requires Hawaii Legislature to choose between health risks or food security

Food Safety News

Hawaii House Bill 521 reads like another attempt to weaken the regulation of raw milk until you notice that the year 3000 is currently listed as the effective date. That might be a long wait for those who want to legalize raw milk and raw milk products in the Aloha State including the bill’s powerful author.

Nevertheless, HB521 is getting serious consideration from Hawaii’s legislative committee. The bill has already been heard by the House Finance Committee and the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce. Those two committees agree that the purpose of HB 521 is to:

1) Authorize and decriminalize the sale of raw milk and raw milk products directly to consumers for human consumption, subject to certain conditions; and

(2) Authorize the sale of raw goat milk for pet consumption, subject to certain conditions.

USA – What you should know about Hepatitis A during an Outbreak and Recall

Food Poison Journal

What is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is the only common vaccine-preventable foodborne disease in the United States. It is one of five human hepatitis viruses that primarily infect the human liver and cause human illness. Unlike hepatitis B and C, hepatitis A doesn’t develop into chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis, but in rare cases infection with hepatitis A virus can lead to a more rapid onset of liver failure and death.

How do you contract Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a contagious disease that is transmitted by the “fecal – oral route,” either through person-to-person contact or contaminated food or water. Food-related outbreaks are usually traced to food that has been contaminated by an infected food handler. Fresh produce contaminated during cultivation, harvesting, processing, and distribution has also been a source of hepatitis A.

What are the signs and symptoms of Hepatitis A?

Symptoms typically begin about 28 days after infection but can begin as early as 15 days or as late as 50 days after exposure. Symptoms may include headache, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, fatigue, joint pain, dark urine, clay colored bowel movements, and fever. Jaundice, a yellowish discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes, occurs in most cases. Hepatitis A may cause no symptoms at all when it is contracted, especially in children. Those infected usually recover fully within 2 to 6 months.

What to do if you become infected with Hepatitis A:

Infection is determined by a blood test. If you know you have been exposed to hepatitis A, immune globulin shots or a hepatitis A vaccine can reduce your chance of infection by up to 90%.

Read more at  the link above.

Nigeria – Public Alert No:007/2023 – Kawasho Foods USA Inc. Announces a Voluntary Recall Of A Single Lot Of GEISHA Medium Shrimp 4oz. Because Of Possible Health Risk

NAFDAC

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is notifying the public that Kawasho Foods USA Inc. of New York, NY, is voluntarily recalling one lot of canned GEISHA Medium Shrimp 4oz. because of reported swelling, leaking, or bursting cans.

There is a possibility that the product has been under processed, which could lead to the potential for spoilage organisms or pathogens.

The Product was distributed to retail stores in USA (Walmart, Associated Food Stores, Stater Bros Markets, Safeway, Albertsons) in California, Utah, Arizona, and Colorado.

Recalled Product Details

Brand Name Pack Size Expiry Date Lot no UPC No
GEISHA Medium Shrimp 4oz. metal can May 12/2026 LGC12W12E22 071140003909

Product Photo

Although the products are not in NAFDAC database, importers, distributors, retailers, and consumers are advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid the importation, distribution, sale, and use of the recalled lot of canned GEISHA Medium Shrimp.

Consumers should not use this product, even if it does not look or smell spoiled. No illnesses or other adverse consequences have been reported to date in connection with this product.

Consumers are advised to report any suspicion of substandard and falsified medicines to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC on 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng

Sweden – Dava Foods recalls eggs – may contain Salmonella

Livsmedelsverket

2023-03-17

Dava Foods Sweden AB is recalling eggs because they may contain salmonella. The eggs have been sold in Ica stores.