Category Archives: Food Standards Agency

USA -Zakah Life Recalls Kratom Because Of Possible Health Risk – Salmonella

Posted on August 16, 2018 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Zakah Life, LLC of Ankeny, Iowa, is recalling the following Kratom products (Super Green Maeng Da Premium Kratom powder, Powerful Red Vein Bali Premium Kratom powder, Super Green Maeng Da Premium Kratom capsules, and Powerful Red Vein Bali Premium Kratom capsules) with expiration dates prior to 01/01/2023 because they have the potential of being contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurisms), endocarditis, and arthritis.

The recalled Kratom products were distributed nationwide in retail stores and through mail orders.

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Posted in FDA, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Standards Agency, Salmonella, Uncategorized

Australia/New Zealand – Proposal P1017 – Criteria for Listeria monocytogenes – Microbiological Limits for Foods

Posted on May 27, 2014 by | Leave a comment

FSANZ FSANZ3

This Proposal seeks to update Standard 1.6.1 with regards to criteria for Listeria monocytogenes limits in ready-to-eat foods; aligning with international (Codex) standards, Food Safety and Primary Production and Processing Standards and associated FSANZ guidance material.

Full information and documents from the link above.

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Standards Agency, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, FSANZ, Hygiene, Laboratory, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research

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UK – FSA – Consultation on Virus

Posted on March 24, 2014 by | Leave a comment

FSA Virusds

The Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF) is a scientific advisory committee that provides the FSA with independent expert advice. This helps the FSA ensure that policy development and consumer advice in relation to the microbiological safety of food are based upon sound science and relevant practical experience and expertise. The Committee’s terms of reference are to assess the risk to humans from microorganisms that are used or occur in or on food and to advise the FSA on any matters relating to the microbiological safety of food.

Since the publication of the 1998 ACMSF report on foodborne viral infections, with the exception of minor risk assessment work carried out on hepatitis E and avian influenza, no formal review has been carried out on foodborne viruses.

At the March 2010 ACMSF meeting the FSA asked the Committee to consider whether it was timely to carry out a review of foodborne viral infections, assessing the risk to consumers and highlighting any research and surveillance gaps.

The Committee agreed that an ad hoc group should be set up to revisit the issue of foodborne viruses in light of the significant developments in this area, so that an updated risk profile could be produced based on the findings.

The group met 13 times from November 2010 to July 2013 to assess the extent of viral foodborne infection in the UK.

The group considered information on all foodborne viruses including new and emerging viral pathogens and identified that the most important viruses associated with foodborne infection were norovirus, hepatitis A virus, and hepatitis E virus. These viruses are the focus of the group’s report, which concentrates mainly on viral foodborne infection in the UK. The report also gives consideration of two recent comprehensive reviews of viruses in food that have been published by WHO (2008) and EFSA (2011). The report provides key information that will be used to inform Risk Assessments and Risk Management on foodborne viruses across government.

The group’s draft report has now been approved by the full Committee and is attached for comment.

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Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Standards Agency, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis E, Laboratory, Microbiology, Norovirus, Pathogen, Research, Rotavirus, Toxin, Virus

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RASFf Alerts – Salmonella – Paan Leaves – Poultry – Rucola – Frozen Clams

Posted on December 17, 2013 by | Leave a comment

RASFF -Salmonella spp. (presence /25g) in frozen clams from Vietnam in Portugal

RASFF -Salmonella spp. in frozen clams (Meretrix spp.) from Vietnam in Portugal

RASFF -Salmonella spp. (presence /25g) in frozen clams (Meretrix spp.) from Vietnam in Portugal

RASFF -Salmonella infantis and Salmonella Mbandaka in chilled boneless chicken thighs from Poland in Italy

RASFF -Salmonella spp. in paan leaves from Bangladesh in the UK

RASFF -Salmonella spp. (presence /25g) in frozen basted chicken breast from Poland

RASFF -Salmonella Newport (present /25g) in frozen turkey meat from Poland in Denmark

RASFF -Salmonella enterica in frozen turkey meat preparation from Brazil in the Netherlands

RASFF -Salmonella infantis (in 5 out of 12 /25g) in chilled chicken breasts from Italy in Denmark

RASFF -Salmonella spp. (presence /25g) in frozen poultry meat preparations from Brazil in the Netherlands

RASFF -Salmonella szentes (present /25g) in rucola from Spain in Sweden

RASFF -Salmonella Heidelberg (presence /25g) in frozen salted chicken breast fillets (Gallus gallus) from Brazil in the Netherlands

RASFF -Salmonella (presence /25g) in paan leaves from Bangladesh in the UK

RASFF -Salmonella (present/25g) in paan leaves from India in the UK

RASFF -Salmonella spp. (presence /25g) in paan leaves from Bangladesh in the UK

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Standards Agency, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, RASFF, Recall, Salmonella

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UK – Food Standards Agency Recall – Possible Clostridium Issue

Posted on December 12, 2013 by | Leave a comment

FSAfood_standards_agency_logo

Village Park Meats Ltd recalls batches of its vacuum packed, cooked, sliced meats due to inadequate controlling factors to prevent growth of Clostridium botulinum.

During an inspection it was established that an extended shelf-life was being applied to all vacuum packed cooked meats, despite the fact that production records indicated a 10-day shelf-life was being applied.  Due to inadequate controlling factors to prevent growth and toxin production of Clostridium botulinum, a recall is being carried out as a precautionary measure. Village Park Meats Ltd has recalled all affected batches detailed in the link above.

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Posted in Bacteria, Clostridium botulinum, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Standards Agency, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

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UK – FSA – Call For Tender – Effectiveness of Surface Treatment in Reducing Microbiological Contamination

Posted on December 10, 2013 by | Leave a comment

FSAfood_standards_agency_logo

The Food Standards Agency is inviting tenders to carry out research on the effectiveness of surface treatment in reducing microbiological contamination of meat. This project only applies to meat intended for the production of raw or lightly cooked food.

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Standards Agency, Food Technology, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research

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UK – FSA – Recall Mussels/Calms – Possible Illness

Posted on December 2, 2013 by | Leave a comment

FSAfood_standards_agency_logo

Following a small number of illness reports in the UK, as a precaution while investigations are taking place, Marks & Spencer has removed from sale and recalled three Marks & Spencer branded mussel-based products.

M&S – Mussels in Garlic
Unique code: 00604819 and 00929189

M&S – Mussels in White Wine
Unique code: 00720618

M&S – Mussels and Clams
Unique code: 00667104

‘Use by’: all date codes

Marks & Spencer has recalled the affected products from consumers. Point-of-sale notices have been displayed in stores advising consumers of the recall and the actions they can take if they have bought an affected product.

A copy of the company’s product recall notice is attached to this notification.

 

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Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Standards Agency, Food Technology, Food Testing, Microbiology, Recall

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UK – Research – Livestock Associated with MSRA

Posted on November 27, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety NewsStaphylococcus

The U.K. Department of Health (DH) has identified the presence of livestock-associated MRSA in turkeys and chickens on a farm in East Anglia. (MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.)

The BBC reports that it’s the first case of LA-MRSA in poultry in the U.K., and that two-thirds of the turkeys on the unnamed farm were infected. Hundreds of turkeys may have already been sold to local retail outlets.

GOV.UK

The Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) has identified the presence of Livestock-Associated Meticillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) in poultry on a farm in East Anglia.

LA-MRSA is not the same as those that cause the healthcare associated infections that affect people. The risk of getting LA-MRSA from eating poultry meat is very low if the meat is handled hygienically and cooked thoroughly to kill any bacteria. The risk of the general public catching LA-MRSA from an animal is also very low.

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Standards Agency, Food Testing, Laboratory, MRSA, Pathogen, Research

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UK – FSA Recall – Christmas Puddings Mould Growth

Posted on November 22, 2013 by | Leave a comment

FSAfood_standards_agency_logo

As a precautionary measure, Matthew Walker is recalling several date codes of Edna May Brand Christmas Puddings due to signs of mould growth.

FSA

Matthew Walker is recalling, as a precautionary measure, some of its Edna May brand Christmas puddings because of signs of mould growth. The FSA has issued a Product Recall Information Notice.

If you have bought one of the products listed in this link, do not eat it. Instead, return it to the store or supplier you bought it from for a full refund.

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Standards Agency, Food Testing, Moulds, Recall

UK – FSA Recall Plum Baby Foods Recall

Posted on November 12, 2013 by | Leave a comment

FSA

Plum Baby Foods is recalling some ready-to-eat baby food products that have been found to be bloated. This is thought to have been caused by packaging defect and food spoilage. As a precautionary measure, Plum Baby Foods is recalling the batches of the products affected. The FSA is issuing a Product Recall Information Notice.

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Spoilage, Food Standards Agency, Food Testing, Hygiene, Laboratory, Microbiology, Recall

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