Category Archives: Food Testing

UK – Holland & Barrett recalls several of its products because of the possible presence of salmonella

Posted on August 29, 2020 by | Leave a comment

FSA

Holland & Barrett has taken the precautionary step of recalling several of its products containing Brazil nuts because they may contain salmonella.

Product details

Broken Brazil Nuts
Pack size 100g, 300g, 400g
Batch code 145450, 145765, 145571, 145816, 146021, 146807, 146125, 146569,147201, 145506
Best before March 2021, May 2021
Healthy Heart
Pack size 200g
Batch code 146936
Best before March 2021
Mixed Nuts and Raisins
Pack size 200g
Batch code 145118, 146049
Best before October 2020, February 2021
Mixed Nuts and Raisins
Pack size 1kg
Batch code 145968, 146070, 146871, 147011
Best before December 2020, March 2021

Risk statement

The products listed above may be contaminated with salmonella. Symptoms of salmonella usually include fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.

Action taken by the company

Holland & Barrett is recalling the above products. Point-of-sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling these products. These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the above products.
Customer notice: Holland and Barrett(Opens in a new window)

Our advice to consumers

If you have bought the above products, do not eat them. Instead, return them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund.

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Posted in food contamination, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Standards Agency, Food Testing, Salmonella

Research – Effectiveness of edible coatings to inhibit browning and inactivate foodborne pathogens on fresh‐cut apples

Posted on August 27, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Wiley Online

Multiple formulations of edible coating solutions were developed and evaluated for their ability to maintain the quality and minimize populations of foodborne bacteria on fresh‐cut apples. Fresh‐cut apples were artificially inoculated with Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes , and dip‐treated with coating solutions. Changes in populations of pathogens and molds and yeasts (M&Y) were evaluated after solution treatments and during storage at 4°C for 35 days. Changes in color, texture firmness, and weight loss during storage were also determined. Among the formulations, the solution containing 1% of three organic acids (acetic, lactic, and levulinic acids), 2% N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine or L‐cysteine with 0.5% chitosan demonstrated the best effectiveness for the simultaneous reduction of pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms, control of browning, and maintenance of the quality of fresh‐cut apples. The treated apple slices had nondetectable pathogens and M&Y (<1 log CFU) and the least quality changes for 35‐day storage. The developed solutions can be used at processing plants, retail stores, or homes to protect fresh‐cut apples or other fresh‐cut fruits and vegetables from microbiological and quality deterioration.

 

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Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Testing, Listeria monocytogenes, Pathogen, pathogenic, Research, Salmonella, Uncategorized

Research – Incidence of aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, zearalenone, and deoxynivalenol in food commodities from Turkey

Posted on August 23, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Wiley Online

Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, and Alternaria species which produce toxic metabolites, create a big problem in terms of the production of reliable human food and animal feeds. This study was conducted to determine the mycotoxin contents of foodstuff collected uniformly in each year of 2017, 2018, and 2019 in Şebinkarahisar, Turkey by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The highest total aflatoxin, and aflatoxin B1 were determined in red pepper in 2018 with 6.47 ± 0.07 and 4.58 ± 0.01 μg kg−1, respectively while the highest ochratoxin amount was obtained again in the red paper in 2019 with 7.97 ± 0.57 μg kg−1. Contrarily, the highest incidence of zearalenone and deoxynivalenol was determined in wheat and corn flour with 12.49 ± 0.3 and 397.6 ± 7.34 μg kg−1, respectively. Weather changes have also been found to affect the incidence of mycotoxin. But, determined mycotoxin values do not pose a risk according to the Turkish Food Codex Contaminants Regulation.

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Safety, Food Technology, Food Testing

Canada – Fresh imported peaches recalled by Prima Wawona may be unsafe due to Salmonella

Posted on August 23, 2020 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

Ottawa, August 22, 2020 – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume and retailers, distributors, manufacturers, and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals, and nursing homes not to serve, use, or sell the products described below.

Prima Wawona, located in Fresno, California, has recalled fresh peaches with various brand names due to possible Salmonella contamination. Various importers in Canada are conducting a recall of the affected products.

Peaches with the same PLU numbers and that are Product of Canada are not affected.

Recalled Products

Brand Product Size UPC Codes Additional information
Harvest Sweet
Sweet 2 Eat
Prima
Sweet Value
Wawona		 Yellow Peaches Variable PLU 4037 All peaches sold from June 1, 2020 up to and including August 22, 2020. These peaches may have been sold loose or in bulk, with or without a brand name. These peaches may have been repackaged into a variety of formats.
Harvest Sweet
Sweet 2 Eat
Prima
Sweet Value
Wawona		 Yellow Peaches Variable PLU 4038 All peaches sold from June 1, 2020 up to and including August 22, 2020. These peaches may have been sold loose or in bulk, with or without a brand name. These peaches may have been repackaged into a variety of formats.
Harvest Sweet
Sweet 2 Eat
Prima
Sweet Value
Wawona		 Yellow Peaches Variable PLU 4044 All peaches sold from June 1, 2020 up to and including August 22, 2020. These peaches may have been sold loose or in bulk, with or without a brand name. These peaches may have been repackaged into a variety of formats.
Harvest Sweet
Sweet 2 Eat
Prima
Sweet Value
Wawona		 White Peaches Variable PLU 4401 All peaches sold from June 1, 2020 up to and including August 22, 2020. These peaches may have been sold loose or in bulk, with or without a brand name. These peaches may have been repackaged into a variety of formats.
Sweet 2 Eat
Sweet O		 Organic Yellow Peaches Variable PLU 94037 All peaches sold from June 1, 2020 up to and including August 22, 2020. These peaches may have been sold loose or in bulk, with or without a brand name. These peaches may have been repackaged into a variety of formats.
Sweet 2 Eat
Sweet O		 Organic Yellow Peaches Variable PLU 94038 All peaches sold from June 1, 2020 up to and including August 22, 2020. These peaches may have been sold loose or in bulk, with or without a brand name. These peaches may have been repackaged into a variety of formats.
Sweet 2 Eat
Sweet O		 Organic Yellow Peaches Variable PLU 94044 All peaches sold from June 1, 2020 up to and including August 22, 2020. These peaches may have been sold loose or in bulk, with or without a brand name. These peaches may have been repackaged into a variety of formats.
Sweet 2 Eat Organic White Peaches Variable PLU 94401 All peaches sold from June 1, 2020 up to and including August 22, 2020. These peaches may have been sold loose or in bulk, with or without a brand name. These peaches may have been repackaged into a variety of formats.
Wawona Peaches 907 g /
2 lbs		 0 33383 32200 1 All packages sold from June 1, 2020 to August 22, 2020, inclusively. None
Wegmans Peaches 907 g /
2 lbs		 0 77890 49048 8 All packages sold from June 1, 2020 to August 22, 2020, inclusively. None
Extrafresh Peaches 907 g /
2 lbs		 0 33383 02071 6 CPO3148, CPO3164, CPO3163, CPO3186, CPO3207, CPO3213, CPO3228, CPO3265, CPO3281, CPO3302, CPO3328, CPO3354, MPO0500, MPO0503, MPO0524, MPO0671, MPO0678, MPO0689, MPO0693, MPO0703, MPO0716, MPO0725, MPO0730, MPO0767, MPO0795. None

What you should do

If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, call your doctor.

Check to see if you have the recalled products in your home or establishment. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased. If you are unsure of the source of the peaches, check with your place of purchase.

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections. Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

Background

This advisory was triggered by a recall in the United States by Prima Wawona located in Fresno, California. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through a Food Recall Warning.

Illnesses

The Public Health Agency of Canada is investigating an outbreak of human illness.

Product photos

Printer ready version of photos

  • Wawona - Peaches
  • Wawona - Peaches - upc
  • Wegmans - Peaches

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

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Posted in CFIA, 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, Illness, Salmonella

UK – Hand2Mouth Ltd recalls various products containing Brazil nuts because of the possible presence of salmonella

Posted on August 23, 2020 by | Leave a comment

FSA

Hand2Mouth Ltd is recalling various products containing Brazil nuts because they may contain salmonella. This recall is linked to FSA-PRIN-37-2020 and FSA-PRIN-38-2020.

Product details

Eat Natural fruit & nut bar brazil & sultana with peanuts and almonds
Pack size 35g bar
Best before August 2020 to June 2021
Eat Natural fruit & nut bar brazil & sultana with peanuts and almonds
Pack size 50g bar
Best before August 2020 to June 2021
Eat Natural fruit & nut bars brazil & sultana with peanuts and almonds
Pack size 4x35g multipack
Best before August 2020 to June 2021
Eat Natural fruit & nut bars brazil & sultana with peanuts and almonds
Pack size 3x50g multipack
Best before August 2020 to June 2021
Eat Natural fruit & nut bars brazil & sultana with peanuts and almonds
Pack size 12x50g counter pack
Best before August 2020 to June 2021
Eat Natural 20 assorted fruit & nut bars brazil & sultana with peanuts and almonds
Pack size 20x50g assorted mix pack
Best before August 2020 to June 2021
HEMA Natural Bar Fruit & Nut
Pack size 50g bar
Best before 31 August 2020, 30 November 2020, 28 February 2021, 31 March 2021
HEMA Natural Bar Fruit & Nut
Pack size 16x50g bar
Best before 31 August 2020, 30 November 2020, 28 February 2021, 31 March 2021

Risk statement

The products listed above may be contaminated with salmonella. Symptoms caused by salmonella usually include fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.

Action taken by the company

Hand2Mouth Ltd is recalling the above products. Point-of-sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling these products. These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the products. Please see the attached notices.
Customer notices: Hand2Mouth recalls products containing Brazil nuts(Opens in a new window)

Our advice to consumers

If you have bought any of the above products do not eat them. Instead, return them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund.

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Posted in 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 Standards Agency, Food Testing, fsa, Salmonella

UK – The Paleo Foods Co. recalls Cocoa & Hazelnut Grain-Free Granola because of the possible presence of salmonella

Posted on August 23, 2020 by | Leave a comment

FSA

The Paleo Foods Co. is recalling Cocoa & Hazelnut Grain-Free Granola containing Brazil nuts because they may contain salmonella.

Product details

Paleo Foods Cocoa & Hazelnut Grain-Free Granola
Pack size 285g pack
Best before August 2020, September 2020, October 2020, November 2020, January 2021, February 2021, March 2021
Paleo Foods Cocoa & Hazelnut Grain-Free Granola
Pack size 6x285g pack
Best before August 2020, September 2020, October 2020, November 2020, January 2021, February 2021, March 2021

Risk statement

The products listed above may be contaminated with salmonella. Symptoms caused by salmonella usually include fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.

Action taken by the company

The Paleo Foods Co. is recalling the above products. Point-of-sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling these products. These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the products. Please see the attached notices.
Customer notice: Paleo Foods Cocoa & Hazelnut Grain-Free Granola(Opens in a new window)

Our advice to consumers

If you have bought any of the above products do not eat them. Instead, return them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Standards Agency, Food Testing, fsa

USA – Public Health declares Salmonella outbreak after 13 cases confirmed

Posted on August 21, 2020 by | Leave a comment

CBC

Public Health says outbreak is not related to recent onion recall in the U.S.

New Brunswick Public Health has declared a salmonella outbreak after discovering 13 confirmed cases in the province and two that are still under investigation.

Bruce Macfarlane, a spokesperson for the Department of Health, said the cases were founded in the north and eastern regions of the province but wouldn’t elaborate where in those regions.

The cases were confirmed between June 16 and July 27, the Department of Health said in a news release.

The Department of Health doesn’t know what caused the outbreak.

Macfarlane said the cases were not related to the more than 300 Canadians who became ill from salmonella, which have been linked to a recall of U.S. grown onions.

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pathogen, pathogenic, Salmonella

USA – Target Recalls Peaches – Salmonella Outbreak

Posted on August 21, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Target recalls peaches after being linked to Salmonella outbreak

Target is recalling peaches because of possible Salmonella contamination.

Minnesota state health and food safety officials are warning Minnesota consumers not to eat fresh, whole peaches supplied by Wawona Packing Company and purchased at retail locations including Aldi and Target after linking Salmonella infections to the produce.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), along with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections linked to consumption of peaches supplied by Wawona Packing Company.

According to the MDH, ill people have reported purchasing peaches from Aldi, Target, and possibly other retail locations. On August 19, Aldi announced a recall of peaches from Wawona Packing Company, including both loose and bagged peaches.

 

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Temperature Abuse, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Salmonella

USA – Aldi Voluntarily Recalls Assorted Peaches from Wawona Packing Company LLC Due to Possible Salmonella Enteritidis Contamination

Posted on August 21, 2020 by | Leave a comment

FDA 

Packaged: Peaches Organic 2 lb.

As a precautionary measure, ALDI is voluntarily recalling assorted peaches received from its supplier, Wawona Packing Company, due to possible Salmonella contamination.

ALDI has removed the affected peaches from select ALDI stores in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin and West Virginia. The items were also available for purchase through the company’s partnership with Instacart, a grocery delivery service.

The affected products and UPC codes can be found below:

Product Packaging UPC Code Select Stores in These Affected States
Wawona Peaches 2 lb. 2 lb. bag 033383322001 Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin and West Virginia
Peaches Organic 2 lb. 2 lb. bag 849315000400 Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin and West Virginia

ALDI takes the safety and integrity of the products it sells seriously. If customers have product affected by this voluntary recall, they should discard it immediately or return it to their local store for a full refund.

Customers with additional questions can contact Wawona Packing Company LLC Customer Service at 1-877-722-7554.

ALDI sincerely regrets any inconvenience and concern this voluntary recall may cause.

About ALDI U.S.

One of America’s fastest growing retailers, ALDI operates nearly 2,000 stores across 36 states. Since 1976, ALDI has offered a unique shopping experience that is designed to save customers money on the groceries they want most while never having to compromise on quality or selection. For more information about ALDI, visit aldi.us.

Outbreak Investigation

Company Contact Information

Consumers:
Wawona Packing Company LLC Customer Service
 1-877-722-7554

Product Photos

  • Packaged: Peaches Organic 2 lb.
  • Packaged: Wawona Peaches 2 lb.

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

USA – An Outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis Linked with Peaches Emerges Across Various States in the U.S.

Posted on August 21, 2020 by | Leave a comment

An Outbreak of 68 Salmonella Enteritidis Cases in Nine States has been Traced to Wawona Peaches

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced yet another Salmonella outbreak. The FDA has declared an ongoing investigation in regards to the numerous confirmed cases of Salmonella Enteritidis found across multiple states. The initial cases were traced back through epidemiological methods. Health officials discovered a likely connection between the Salmonella Enteritis cases and bagged peaches sold by ALDI’s. The peaches of concern were sold by ALDI’s between June 1, 2020 and August 19, 2020, when ALDI issued a voluntary recall on their Wawona-brand 2 pound, bagged peaches sold in clear plastic bags. An image of the bagged peaches and their packaging can be viewed here.

On August 19, 2020, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that there are a total of 68 cases of illness, 14 hospitalizations, and 0 deaths, due to the Salmonella Enteritidis Outbreak. The 9 states with confirmed cases are IA, MD, MI, MN, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WI. The following states have been confirmed to have also had the recalled peaches shipped to various grocery and retail locations; CT, IA, IL, KY,  MA, MI, MN, ND, NH, NY, OH,  RI, SD, VT, WI, and WV.

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