Category Archives: Food Temperature Abuse

RASFF Alerts – Aflatoxin – Dried Figs – Organic Peanut Kernels – Roasted and Salted Watermelon Seeds

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 81 µg/kg – ppb) in dried figs from Spain in Spain

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 54; Tot. = 64 µg/kg – ppb) in organic peanut kernels from Egypt in the Netherlands

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 13.7 mg/kg – ppm) and ochratoxin A (11.4 mg/kg – ppm) in roasted and salted watermelon seeds from Turkey in Germany

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 36; Tot. = 90 µg/kg – ppb) in organic dried figs from Turkey in the Netherlands

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 53; Tot. = 55 µg/kg – ppb) in dried figs from Turkey in France

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 17; Tot. = 18 µg/kg – ppb) in dried figs from Turkey in France

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 17; Tot. = 22 µg/kg – ppb) in dried figs from Turkey

RASFF

aflatoxins (B1 = 48; Tot. = 109 µg/kg – ppb) in dried figs from Turkey in France

Germany – Delicious dried figs, 250g – Ochratoxin A

LMW

Warning type: Food
Date of first publication:December 24, 2020
Product name:

Delicious dried figs, 250g

Product pictures:

Product image.JPG

Company Eurogroup Germany GmbH

Manufacturer (distributor): Company Eurogroup Deutschland GmbH, 40764 Langenfeld Sales through branches of the REWE Group
Reason for warning:

Detection of ochratoxin A

Packaging Unit: 250 g
Durability: 04/16/2021
Lot identification: OA350020356 / 2 – 11 – 443
Further information:

Products with different best-before
dates and batches are not affected by this measure .

Further information can be found in the enclosed consumer information.

Contact to the responsible authorities:

Hesse:Schnellwarnung@rpda.hessen.de

North Rhine-Westphalia:poststelle@mulnv.nrw.de
Rhineland-Palatinate:Poststelle.Referat22@lua.rlp.de
Saxony-Anhalt:poststelle@ms.sachsen-anhalt.de
Thuringia:LM-Ueberendung@tlv.thueringen.de
Press releases and information
title Attachment or web link
Consumer information

Research – Citrinin in Foods and Supplements: A Review of Occurrence and Analytical Methodologies

MDPI

Citrinin (CIT) deserves attention due to its known toxic effects in mammalian species and its widespread occurrence in food commodities, often along with ochratoxin A, another nephrotoxic mycotoxin. Human exposure, a key element in assessing risk related to food contaminants, depends upon mycotoxin contamination levels in food and on food consumption. Commercial supplements, commonly designated as red rice, usually used in daily diets in Asiatic countries due to their medicinal properties, may pose a health problem as a result of high CIT levels. In addition to the worldwide occurrence of CIT in foods and supplements, a wide range of several analytical and detection techniques with high sensitivity, used for evaluation of CIT, are reviewed and discussed in this manuscript. This review addresses the scientific literature regarding the presence of CIT in foods of either vegetable or animal origin, as well as in supplements. On what concerns analytical methodologies, sample extraction methods, such as shaking extraction and ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE), clean-up methods, such as liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), solid phase extraction (SPE) and Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuECHERS), and detection and quantification methods, such as thin layer chromatography (TLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), capillary electrophoresis (CE), biosensors, and ELISA, are also reviewed.

Canada – Kandy brand Tuna Dry Fish recalled due to Histamine

CFIA

Recall / advisory date:
December 2, 2020
Reason for recall / advisory:
Chemical
Hazard classification:
Class 2
Distribution:
Ontario
Extent of the distribution:
Retail
Reference number:
14125

Affected products

Brand Name Common Name Size UPC Code(s) on Product
Kandy Tuna Dry Fish 200 g 4 796000 574936 Date of Manufacture: 12.10.2020
Date of Expiry: 11.10.2021
Batch No. HP/CA010/2020

Public enquiries and media

Public enquiries
Toll-free: 1-800-442-2342 (Canada and U.S.)
Telephone: 1-613-773-2342 (local or international)
Email: cfia.enquiries-demandederenseignements.acia@canada.ca
Media relations
Telephone: 613-773-6600
Email: cfia.media.acia@canada.ca

Research – Aspergillus-Derived Mycotoxins in the Feed and Food Chain

Frontiers in Microbiology

kswfoodworld

Image CDC

Aspergillus-produced mycotoxins can enter the feed and food chain at many points in both pre-harvest and post-harvest. Although current climate changes seem to speed up the world-wide spread of mycotoxigenic fungi including the Aspergilli and also facilitate the production of these harmful secondary metabolites the factors governing these disadvantageous global processes are only partly understood or even have remained completely hidden until now. This Research Topic summarizes our knowledge on Aspergillus-derived mycotoxins especially focusing on three major areas of on-going research: (i) toxicological, medical, veterinary aspects, prevalence, detection, risk assessment, control strategies, (ii) ecology and biological control of mycotoxigenic Aspergilli in the fields, and (iii) pre-harvest and post-harvest management of mycotoxigenic Aspergilli and their mycotoxin production. We hope that the wealth of information generously provided by the Aspergillus mycotoxin research community will help the hard work of all those experts, who are active in this important field, and the papers collected here will be instructive and illuminating readings for students and the public as well.

USA – Dole Fresh Vegetables Announces Limited Recall of Organic Romaine Hearts – STEC E.coli

FDA

Dole Fresh Vegetables, Inc. is voluntarily recalling a limited number of cases of organic romaine hearts. The products being recalled are Dole™ Organic Romaine Hearts 3pk (UPC 0-71430-90061-1), combined English/French packaging, with Harvested-On dates of 10-23-20 and 10-26-20, and Wild Harvest Organic Romaine Hearts (UPC 7-11535-50201-2), with Harvested-On dates of 10-23-20 and 10-26-20.  The recall is being conducted due to a possible health risk from E. coli in the two products.  Dole Fresh Vegetables is coordinating closely with regulatory officials. No illnesses have been reported to date in association with the recall.

Pathogenic E. coli can cause diarrhea, severe stomach cramps and vomiting.  Most people recover within a week, but some illnesses can last longer and can be more severe.

The Harvested-On sticker is located on the upper right corner of each bag and the UPC code is located on the bottom right corner of the back of each bag. The Dole package contains three organic romaine hearts and the Wild Harvest product is packaged in a 12oz bag. The impacted products were distributed in AZ, HI, IA, IL, IN, KS, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND and VA. These products were harvested and packed nearly 4 weeks ago and should no longer be in commerce.  Consumers are advised to check product they have in their homes and discard any product matching the production description, UPC codes and Harvested-On dates listed above.

This precautionary recall notification is being issued due to an isolated instance in which a package of Dole™ Organic Romaine Hearts – 3pk yielded a positive result for pathogenic non-O157 E.coli STEC in a routine sample collected at a retail store by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. There is no indication at this time that this positive result is related to any illnesses nor consumer complaints and it is not associated with the strains connected to the ongoing outbreaks currently under regulatory investigation.

No other Dole products are included in the recall. This voluntary recall does not apply to any bagged or clamshell salad romaine product. Only the specific Organic Romaine Hearts listed, with the exact UPC codes and Harvested-On dates identified above, are included in the recall. Consumers who have any remaining product with these UPC codes and Harvested-On dates should not consume it, but rather discard it. Retailers and consumers with questions may call the Dole Consumer Center at 1-800-356-3111, which is open 24 hours a day.


Company Contact Information

Consumers:
Consumer Center
 1-800-356-3111
Media:
William Goldfield
 1-818-874-4853
 William.Goldfield@Dole.com

Product Photos

New Zealand – Auckland health officials warn of scombroid poisoning

Outbreak News Today

Auckland health officials are advising people to seek medical advice from their GP if they have severe or persistent allergic reactions from eating fish.

They have had reports of people who have eaten fish from a ready meal service becoming ill with histamine poisoning, also known as scombroid poisoning.

Medical Officer of Health Dr Jay Harrower says the symptoms are often a combination of an allergic reaction and gastroenteritis.

USA – FDA – Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

FDA

The following is a list of outbreaks investigations being managed by FDA’s CORE Response Teams. The investigations are in a variety of stages, meaning that some outbreaks have limited information, and others may be near completion.

public health advisory will be issued for outbreak investigations that have resulted in specific, actionable steps for consumers to take to protect themselves. Please direct your attention to those pages for the most up to date information on the investigation and for consumer protection information.

Belgium – Marinated boar steak 300g from the Belgian Quality brand – Salmonella

AFSCA

PRODUCT RECALL
 Printable version   |   Last updated on18.11.2020
11/18/2020
Recall of Aldi
Product: Marinated boar steak 300g from the Belgian Quality brand.
Problem: presence of Salmonella.


An analysis by our supplier has shown the presence of Salmonella in the product “Marinated boar steak 300g”.

ALDI has therefore decided, in consultation with the AFSCA, to withdraw this product from the market and to recall it to consumers.

Other ALDI products are not affected by this product recall.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Name: Marinated boar steak 300g
EAN code: 20070 3000992 6
Brand: Belgian Quality
Type of packaging: Transparent skin pack type
Expiration dates (DLC): 27/11/2020 and 28/11/2020
Numbers number of lots: 20315 in 20317
Sales period: from 11/13/2020 to 11/18/2020
Points of sale: ALDI stores

DESCRIPTION OF THE RISK

Possible symptoms of salmonella poisoning are: fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea, within 12 to 48 hours of consuming the contaminated food. The risk of infection is higher in the elderly, children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.

People who have consumed these products and who present this type of symptoms are invited to consult their doctor without delay, notifying him of this consumption.

ADVICE FOR CONSUMERS

Please do not consume these products and bring them back to the store.
The returned products will be reimbursed (also without receipt).
For any further information, you can contact ALDI via customercareFR@aldi.be .

RASFF Alert – Histamine – Frozen Yellowfin Tuna Loins

European Food Alerts

RASFF

histamine in frozen yellowfin tuna loins and sakus (Thunnus albacares) from Vietnam, via Belgium in the UK