Category Archives: Food Testing

EU – EU project uses phages to tackle Campylobacter in poultry

Posted on November 10, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

A European project has developed a way to help with the biocontrol of Campylobacter and reduce its prevalence in the poultry sector.

Work focuses on the development of a bacteriophage-based solution to be used as a natural antimicrobial in the farm (pre-harvest), at slaughter, and in processing facilities (post-harvest). Standard control measures at the farm level rely upon the use of antibiotics.

The project, called Campylobacter-Specific Nullification via Innovative Phage-mediated Enteropathogen Reduction (C-SNIPER), is led by AZTI, a technology center in Spain. It received funding from EIT Food, part of the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.

Poultry is the most widely consumed meat in the EU with Poland, Italy, Spain, and Germany as major producers. However, the consumption of poultry products is also considered the main route for campylobacteriosis, the most frequently reported foodborne illness in Europe.

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Posted in Bacteriophage, Campylobacter, food contamination, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Technology, Food Testing, Research

USA – Fresh Express Inc – Div of Chiquita Brands – FDA Warning Letter

Posted on November 10, 2020 by | Leave a comment

FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA ) inspected your bagged salad operation located at 1109 East Lake Street, Streamwood, IL 60107, from June 25, 2020 through July 23, 2020. The inspection was initiated as part of an investigation of a multistate foodborne outbreak of cyclosporiasis (human infections with the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis). As of September 23, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that at least 701 people from 14 states have been infected with Cyclospora cayetanensis. Based on epidemiological and traceback evidence, CDC and FDA have determined that bagged salad mixes containing iceberg lettuce, carrots, and red cabbage manufactured at your Streamwood, IL facility were the source of this multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak. On June 19, 2020, you recalled bagged salad mix containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots, because they had the potential to be contaminated with Cyclospora. The Public Health Agency of Canada is also investigating an outbreak of cyclosporiasis infections occurring in three Canadian provinces in which Fresh Express brand salad products containing iceberg lettuce, carrots, and red cabbage have been identified as the likely source of the outbreak. This is the second outbreak of cyclosporiasis linked to Fresh Express product. In 2018, a multistate foodborne outbreak of cyclosporiasis involving 511 confirmed cases from 15 states was linked to salads sold at a fast food restaurant and manufactured at your Streamwood, IL facility.

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Posted in Cyclospora, Cyclosporiasis, FDA, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak

Belgium – Goat cheese from the Bettine, Delhaize, Centurion and Carrefour brands – Listeria monocytognes

Posted on November 10, 2020 by | Leave a comment

AFSCA

Following a notification via the RASFF system (European Food and Feed Rapid Alert System), the presence of Listeria monocytogenes was detected in goat cheeses of the Bettine, Delhaize, Centurion and Carrefour brands .

The AFSCA has therefore decided to withdraw these products from sale and to recall them to consumers.

The FASFC also asks not to consume these products and to bring them back to the point of sale where they were purchased.

Product description

Ripened goat cheese from the Bettine brand
– Product name: geitenkaas gerijpt 200g
– Brand: Bettine
– Use-by date (DLC): from 10/28/2020 to 12/30/2020
– Item number: 5020060
– EAN code: 8712023011292
– Weight: 200g

The product was sold via Sligro (Ottergemsesteenweg Zuid 720, 9000 Gent)

White goat cheese from the brand Bettine
– Product name: geitenkaas wit 450g
– Brand: Bettine
– Use by date ( DLC): from 10/28/2020 to 12/30/2020
– Article number: 5010434
– EAN code: 8712023020089
– Weight: 450g

The product was sold via Sligro (Ottergemsesteenweg Zuid 720, 9000 Gent), Ramhoreca (zoning du Brûlé 79, 7390 Quaregnon) and via La petite folie (Place de la resistance 9, 7711 Dottignies).

Bûche Sainte Maure (200g) from the brand Delhaize
– Product name: Bûche Sainte Maure 200g
– Brand: Delhaize
– Use by date (DLC): 6/11/2020, 10/11/2020, 11/11/2020, 17/11/2020, 19/11/2020, 24/11/2020, 26 / 11/2020, 1/12/2020, 8/12/2020, 15/12/2020 and 23/12/2020
– Weight: 200g

The product was sold through Delhaize stores.

Centurion brand goat log
– Product name: 25% goat cheese log
– Brand: Centurion
– Lots and use-by dates (DLC):
            o Product sold at Match:
                        – DLC = 15/11/2020 with lot number = EG020EGE
                        – DLC = 04/11/202 with lot number = E305E34
                        – DLC = 08/11/2020 with lot number = E8008E8A
                        – DLC = 11/11/2020 with lot number = EG009EGE
            o Product sold at Cora:
                        – Lot = E7017E7A with DLC = 7/11/2020
                        – Lot = E9009EAA with DLC = 10/11/2020
                        – Lot = EG009EGE with DLC = 14/11/2020
                        – Lot = F0007F0A with DLC = 17/11/2020
                        – Lot = F0007F24 with DLC = 17/11/2020
– Weight: 150 g and 200 g

The product was sold through the Match and Cora stores .

Chèvre Bûche (150g) from the Carrefour brand
– Product name: Chèvre Bûche (150g)
– Brand: Carrefour
– Lots and expiration dates (DDM):
            o DDM = 13/11/2020 with lot number = E9009EAA, EE004EE4, EE013EEA
            o DDM = 14/11/2020 with lot number = EA009EFA
            o DDM = 15/11 / 2020 with batch number = EA009EFA, EE013EE4, EE013EG4, EG023EGA
            o DDM = 16/11/2020 with batch number = EG023EGA
            o DDM = 11/19/2020 with batch number = EG023EH4, EG023EGA, F0007F0A
            o DDM = 20/11/2020 with lot number = F0007F0A

The product was sold via Carrefour Market Groupe Mestdagh stores and via Carrefour stores.

For any additional information, you can contact the AFSCA contact point for consumers: 0800 / 13.550 or pointdecontact@afsca.be .

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Posted in afsca, Bacteria, bacterial contamination, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes

France – Product recall: Reghalal brand mini turkey nems – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on November 10, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Oulah

Product recall: Reghalal brand mini turkey nems

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 doctor, notifying him 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

▸ Barcode
3366760037456

▸
260g packaging

▸ Lot
20/30

▸ DLUO / DLC
11/25/2020

▸ Consumer service contact
Reghalal consumer service: 02 97 60 33 88 (working hours)

▸ Source
https://www.auchan.fr/

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Oulah

Belgium – Recall of Norenca nv – Ardennes logs – Salmonella

Posted on November 10, 2020 by | Leave a comment

AFSCA

During microbiological checks, the presence of Salmonella was observed in the Ardennes logs.

In consultation with the AFSCA, Norenca nv has therefore decided to withdraw the products concerned from the sale.
Customers who have purchased these products are advised not to consume them and to bring them back to the store, where they will be reimbursed.

Product description: Product

name
: bûches ardennaises Lot: 2045310
Expiration date ( BBD = use-by date): 12/11/2020
Sale period: 11/06/2020 and 11/12/2020

        Label Carrefour Label Metro Makro Label Spar

The product was distributed via:

YVECA BV (Spar) NIEUWSTRAAT 22 8980 BESELARE
GEE SPRL (Spar) RUE DU JOLI BOIS 44/1 6900 AYE
DE LINDE BV (Spar) MARKTSTRAAT 19 9990 MALDEGEM
FALIANGA SPRL

(Spar)

  

AVENUE DE LA STATION

  

35

  

6790

  

AUBANGE
MAKRO DEURNE

(Makro)

  

KRIJGSBAAN

  

1A

  

2100

  

DEURNE
MAKRO EKE

(Makro)

  

SAVAANSTRAAT

  

1

  

9810

  

EKE
NACHTERGAELE BV

(Spar)

  

OUWEGEMSESTEENWEG

  

30 A

  

9750

  

OUWEGEM (ZINGEM)
GLOBE RETAIL BV

(Spar)

  

GEELSEBAAN

  

30

  

2430

  

VORST LAAKDAL
EASY COOL STORE

BV (Carrefour Market)

  

 

KERKSTRAAT

  

 

12

  

 

2350

  

 

VOSSELAAR
WALLO BV (Spar) RIJKSWEG 185 8710 WIELSBEKE
Spar Pi-One (Spar) OOSTERZELSESTEENWEG 9 9230 OOSTERZELSESTEENWEG
Huldenberg Foods

(Spar)

  

ELZASSTRAAT

  

16

  

3040

  

ELZASSTRAAT
Sparadiso NV (Spar) MEENSEWEG 30 8900 MEENSEWEG
Berjan BV (Spar) KERKSTRAAT 90 9255 KERKSTRAAT
Wens (Spar) KERKHOFLAAN 24 1910 KERKHOFLAAN
IMAVO BV (Spar) KLEINE STEENWEG 5 2221 KLEINE STEENWEG

Possible symptoms of Salmonella infection

Possible symptoms of Salmonella poisoning are fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. These symptoms usually appear within 12 to 48 hours of ingestion.

People who have consumed these products and who present this type of symptom are invited to consult their doctor, notifying him of this consumption.

For more information, customers can contact Norenca via info@norenca.be or 014 / 56.45.11.

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Posted in afsca, Bacteria, bacterial contamination, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Salmonella, Uncategorized

New Zealand – HelloFresh brand Trevally Fillets – Histamine

Posted on November 10, 2020 by | Leave a comment

MPI

HelloFresh New Zealand Ltd is recalling specific batches of its HelloFresh brand Trevally Fillets as the product contains an elevated level of histamine.

Product identification
Product type Fresh fish fillets
Name of product (size)
  • HelloFresh brand Trevally Fillets (280g)
  • HelloFresh brand Trevally Fillets (560g)
Date marking Use by dates: 10.11.2020, 11.11.2020, 12.11.2020, and 13.11.2020

The batches were delivered in HelloFresh customer deliveries between 7 November to 11 November 2020.
Package size and description The product is sold in 280g and 560g plastic packages as part of a HelloFresh meal box.
Distribution The product is sold online through:

HelloFresh

and is available throughout New Zealand.
Notes This recall does not affect any other HelloFresh brand products.

Consumer advice

Customers are asked to check the use by date mark on the product label.

Affected product should not be consumed. There have been reports of illness in New Zealand. If you have consumed any of this product and have any concerns about your health, seek medical advice. Report your or your families illness to your District Health Board’s Public Health Unit.

Public Health Unit contact details – Ministry of Health

Customers are advised to discard the product if not already consumed.

Increased levels of histamine causes scombroid poisoning.

Find out more about shellfish and scombroid fish

Who to contact

If you have questions, contact HelloFresh New Zealand Ltd:

  • Phone: (09) 886 9589
  • Address: 2/59 Walls Road, Penrose, Auckland.

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Spoilage, Food Temperature Abuse, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Histamine

USA – Consumer Advisory: Romaine lettuce grown by Tanimura & Antle tests positive for E. coli

Posted on November 9, 2020 by | Leave a comment

MDARD

Romaine lettuce

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is advising consumers not to eat Tanimura & Antle brand romaine lettuce packed as single heads due to food safety concerns.

A routine sample of the lettuce collected at a Walmart in Comstock Park, MI, and tested by MDARD’s Laboratory Division confirmed positive for E. coli 0157:H7. Further analysis conducted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services laboratory determined that the strain of E. coli recovered from the product sample is highly related genetically to E. coli causing two recent illnesses in Michigan.

The lettuce was sold in a zip-top clear plastic bag with a blue label and white lettering.  It has the UPC number 0-27918-20314-9 and a white sticker indicating it was packed in Salinas, California on October 15, 2020.

Consumers should discard this product or return it to the place of purchase. If you think you or a family member have become ill from consuming any of these products, please seek immediate medical attention.

E. coli can cause serious or life-threatening illness in some individuals. Symptoms of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infection vary for each person, but often include severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), and vomiting. Some people may have a fever, which usually is not very high (less than 101˚F/38.5˚C). Most people get better within 5 to 7 days. Some infections are very mild, but others are severe or even life-threatening. People usually get sick from Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) 2 to 8 days (average of 3 to 4 days) after ingesting the bacteria. Some people with a STEC infection may get a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). E. coli infection is usually diagnosed by testing a stool sample.

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, Bacterial Toxin, E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, STEC, STEC E.coli

Spain – Alert for Salmonella spp in sweet paprika from Spain

Posted on November 9, 2020 by | Leave a comment

ACSA

Packaged paprika

The Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) has been informed by the competent authorities of Aragon, through the Coordinated System of Rapid Information Exchange (SCIRI), of the presence of Salmonella spp in red pepper of the Vera dulce, after obtaining the results of an analysis of the product in which the presence of Salmonella spp.

The affected product is:

  • Product name: Pimentón de la Vera dulce
  • Brand: HACENDADO
  • Lot: L150719 272020
  • Bar code: 8480000341020
  • Preferred consumption: October 2021
  • Presentation: Small metal containers with plastic lid with a net weight of 75g

The company Mercadona has proceeded to remove the affected product and has informed its consumers requesting the return of the product.

This information has been transferred by AESAN to all the Autonomous Communities through the SCIRI, in order to verify the withdrawal of the affected products from the marketing channels.

With the information available, no case associated with this alert has been confirmed in Spain.

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Posted in ACSA, Bacteria, bacterial contamination, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing

Scotland – The risk of STEC contamination in wild venison

Posted on November 6, 2020 by | Leave a comment

FSS

Summary

We have published this report to address knowledge gaps and better understand the risk of STEC (Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli) contamination of wild venison.

The report is based on three core objectives to:

  • map the venison industry in Scotland
  • assess STEC prevalence in wild deer faeces in Scotland
  • review cross-contamination risks in the slaughter and processing stages of wild deer from the field to larder

Although the prevalence of STEC O157 in wild deer is low, the report found that when discovered, it is the strain associated with the most severe forms of human disease. Therefore, adherence to strict hygiene practices from cull to final product are strongly recommended within the report.

The venison industry continues to take a cooperative and responsible approach to STEC O157 when found, working to better understand the risks in the sector and how to mitigate them in the interest of public health protection.

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, E.coli, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Research, STEC, STEC E.coli

Canada – 9 in hospital after restaurant Salmonella outbreak

Posted on November 6, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Mississauga

Public health authorities say a Salmonella outbreak linked to a restaurant in southwestern Ontario has sent nine people to hospital.

Lambton County’s public health unit says there are 33 confirmed cases related to the outbreak at Barakat restaurant in Sarnia, Ont., while about 170 people say they have experienced symptoms.

Dr. Sudit Ranade, the health unit’s medical officer of health, says the owners have voluntarily closed the restaurant and are co-operating with the public health investigation.

Ranade says those who ate at Barakat restaurant between Oct. 21 and Oct. 29 and have symptoms of Salmonella infection should report the illness to Lambton Public Health.

Salmonella infection is a foodborne illness that spreads by ingesting food or water contaminated by feces or through contact with infected persons.

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Salmonella