Category Archives: Food Toxin

RASFF Alerts – Animal Feed – Aflatoxin – Rice Bran

Posted on January 7, 2022 by | Leave a comment

RASFF

Aflatoxins in rice bran from the Netherlands, with raw material from Pakistan in Belgium

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Posted in Aflatoxin, Animal Feed, Animal Feed Mould Toxin, Animal Feed Testing, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Toxin, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Mold Toxin, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, RASFF

UK – Estimating deaths from foodborne disease in the UK for 11 key pathogens

Posted on January 6, 2022 by | Leave a comment

NCBI

Objective

To estimate the number of deaths from foodborne disease in the UK from 11 key pathogens.

Design

Four different models were developed using data from a range of sources. These included enhanced surveillance, outbreaks, death certificates and hospital episode statistics data. For each model, median estimates were produced with 95% credible intervals (CrI). The results from the different models were compared.

Results

The estimates for foodborne deaths for each pathogen from the different models were consistent, with CrIs largely overlapping. Based on the preferred model for each pathogen, foodborne norovirus is estimated to cause 56 deaths per year (95% CrI 32 to 92), foodborne Salmonella 33 deaths (95% CrI 7 to 159), foodborne Listeria monocytogenes 26 deaths (95% CrI 24 to 28), foodborne Clostridium perfringens 25 deaths (95% CrI 1 to 163) and foodborne Campylobacter 21 deaths (95% CrI 8 to 47). The considerable overlap in the CrIs means it is not possible to make any firm conclusions on ranking. Most of these deaths occur in those aged over 75 years. Foodborne deaths from Shigella, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, adenovirus, astrovirus and rotavirus are all rare.

Conclusions

We estimate that there are 180 deaths per year in the UK (95% CrI 113 to 359) caused by foodborne disease based on these 11 pathogens. While this is a small fraction of the estimated 2.4 million cases of foodborne illness per year it still illustrates the potential severity of these illnesses demonstrating the importance in continuing efforts to reduce these infections.

Keywords: infectious disease, Campylobacter, Salmonella

Summary box

What is already known about this subject?

  • Foodborne disease is a common illness in the UK.

  • Previous research has estimated that there are 566 000 cases, 74 000 general practitioner presentations and 7600 hospital admissions related to foodborne disease from 13 known pathogens in UK; no estimate was made for deaths.

  • Campylobacter and norovirus are the most common foodborne pathogens in the UK.

  • Other common foodborne pathogens include Clostridium perfringens and Salmonella.

What are the new findings?

  • This study provides updated estimates of deaths for each of the 11 key foodborne pathogens considered; in total, these 11 pathogens cause 180 deaths per year in the UK (95% credible interval (CrI) 113 to 359).

  • Among them, Campylobacter, C. perfringens, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella and norovirus pathogens are responsible for over 98% of these deaths.

  • Ranking between these five is difficult due to overlapping CrIs.

How might it impact on clinical practice in the foreseeable future?

  • This highlights the potential severity of Salmonella, L. monocytogenes, C. perfringens, Campylobacter and norovirus, particularly in comparison with other infectious intestinal diseases that have a food source.

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Posted in Adenovirus, Astrovirus, Campylobacter, Clostridium, Clostridium perfringens, Cryptosporidium, Death, food contamination, food death, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Poisoning Death, Food Safety, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Food Virus, foodborne disease, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Giardia, Illness, Listeria monocytogenes, Norovirus, Pathogen, pathogenic, Research, Rotavirus, Salmonella, Shigella

USA – Dangerous E. Coli O157 Found in Ground Beef Sold at Kroger and Fred Meyer Supermarkets

Posted on January 6, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Consumer Reports

Kroger-brand ground beef purchased at a Fred Meyer supermarket in Seattle and tested by Consumer Reports was found to have a deadly strain of E. coli called O157:H7. The tested package of 93 percent lean ground beef is marked with an “Establishment” (EST) number of 965, representing the plant where the meat was processed, and a “use or freeze by date” of 1/11/2022. (See the product label below.)

At this time, there is no recall of this ground beef, and no illnesses have been linked to the product. But CR’s food-safety experts warn consumers who might have purchased Kroger-branded 93 percent lean ground beef from any Kroger-owned grocery store to check their packages and to throw away the product if it contains that establishment number and “use or freeze by” date. Those stores include Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, Ralphs, Dillons, and several other supermarkets. (See a complete list of Kroger-owned grocery stores.) Consumers also should not buy ground beef with those markings from any of those stores.

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Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, 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

Belgium – Ground Ginger – Aflatoxin –

Posted on January 5, 2022 by | Leave a comment

AFSCA

Recall of the AFSCA
product Product: ground ginger of the TRS Asia’s Finest Food brand.
Problem: too high aflatoxin content.

The AFSCA is today recalling consumers of “Ginger Powder” ground ginger from the TRS Asia’s Finest Food brand.

This recall follows a RASFF concerning an excessively high aflatoxin content. It was therefore decided to withdraw this product from sale and to recall it to consumers.

Product: Ginger Powder
Brand: TRS Asia’s Finest Food
Expiration date (DDM):
02/28/2022 Lot: GGR 20060 – 38251
Weight: 100g

This product has been marketed through various stores in Belgium.

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

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Posted in Aflatoxin, food contamination, Food Hazard, 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 Testing, Food Toxin, Mold Toxin, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin

Belgium – “Sankhal” (millet couscous) from the La Vivière brand- Aflatoxin

Posted on January 4, 2022 by | Leave a comment

AFSCA

01/04/2022 (update 12/16/2021)
AFSCA recall
Product: “Sankhal” (millet couscous) from the La Vivière brand.
Problem: too high aflatoxin content.

Following a notification via the RASFF system (European Food and Feed rapid alert system), the AFSCA is withdrawing from sale the product “Sankhal” (millet couscous) of the La Vivière brand and is recalling it to consumers because too high aflatoxin content.

The AFSCA asks not to consume this product and to bring it back to the point of sale where it was purchased.

Product Description

• Product name: “Sankhal” (millet couscous)
• Brand: La Vivière
• Lots and expiry dates:
            L21-08067 – DDM:
06/30/2023 L21-08078 – DDM: 07/30/2023
• Weight: 400g

This product was sold in Belgium via various general food stores including:
– Bilal and Laiba Sprl., Boulevard Paul Janson 10, 6000 CHARLEROI
– Fezan Voeding, leemput str. 14, 8000 BRUGGE
– Best Pilorijnstraat 4 9000 GHENT
– Oriental Exotic Langestr. 21 1730 ASSE

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

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Posted in Aflatoxin, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, 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 Testing, Food Toxin, Mold Toxin, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin

Canada – Certain Save on Foods brand combo meals recalled due to Salmonella

Posted on January 4, 2022 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

Summary

Product
Certain combo meals
Issue
Food » Microbial Contamination » Salmonella
What to do

Do not consume the recalled products

Affected products
Brand Product Size UPC Codes
Save on Foods Lemon chicken combo meal 450 g 0 056364 901057 Packed on 2021.DE.29
Best Before 2022.JA.02

Packed on 2021.DE.28
Best Before 2022.JA.01

Packed on 2021.DE.27
Best Before 2021.DE.31
Save on Foods Sweet & sour pork meal 450 g 0 056364 901064 Packed on 2021.DE.29
Best Before 2022.JA.02

Packed on 2021.DE.28
Best Before 2022.JA.01

Packed on 2021.DE.27
Best Before 2021.DE.31
Save on Foods Ginger beef combo meal 450 g 0 056364 901071 Packed on 2021.DE.29
Best Before 2022.JA.02

Packed on 2021.DE.28
Best Before 2022.JA.01

Packed on 2021.DE.27
Best Before 2021.DE.31
Save on Foods Honey garlic chicken combo meal 450 g 0 280155 908998 Packed on 2021.DE.29
Best Before 2022.JA.02

Packed on 2021.DE.28
Best Before 2022.JA.01

Packed on 2021.DE.27
Best Before 2021.DE.31

Issue

Save-on-Foods is recalling certain Save on Foods brand combo meals from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination.

The recalled products have been sold in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Yukon.

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
  • Do not consume the recalled products
  • Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased

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Posted in CFIA, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, 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, Food Toxin, Salmonella

USA – Alaska hit with 2 E. coli illnesses linked to Simple Truth Organic Power Greens and Nature’s Basket Organic Power Greens – E.coli O157

Posted on December 31, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

As of December 29, 2021, 13 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 have been reported from six states. Illnesses started on dates ranging from November 27, 2021, to December 9, 2021.

Sick people range in age from 4 to 79 years, with a median age of 54, and 92% are female. Of 12 people with information available, four have been hospitalized and one person developed a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). No deaths have been reported.

State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of 12 people interviewed, all reported eating packaged salads. Of 10 people who provided brand information, 6 ate or bought Simple Truth Organic Power Greens and 1 ate Nature’s Basket Organic Power Greens. Both Organic Power Greens salads have the same mix of leafy greens: organic spinach, mizuna, kale, and chard. Several sick people reported using these salads in smoothies.

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Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, 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, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, STEC, STEC E.coli

USA – Seven sickened by Simple Truth Organic Power Greens from QFC and Fred Meyer stores in Washington – E.coli O157

Posted on December 31, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) confirmed today that the state is part of an E. coli outbreak affecting six states. The seven cases of E. coli O157:H7 found so far in Washington are likely linked to Simple Truth Organic Power Greens purchased at QFC and Fred Meyer stores in Washington state. Consumers with Simple Truth Organic Power Greens with best-by dates through December 20, 2021, should discard them to prevent further illnesses.

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Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food contamination, Food Hazard, 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

France – dry sausage, dry sausage, dry sausage fourme, mini rosette, rosette, dry jesus – Salmonella

Posted on December 31, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

Identifying information for the recalled product

  • Product category Food
  • Product sub-category Meats
  • Product brand name salted meats from the royats
  • Names of models or references dry sausage dry sausage dry sausage four me mini rosette rosette dry jesus
  • Product identification
    GTIN Lot Dated
    24461310 3445021 Recommended consumption date 02/15/2022
    24461300 3445021 Recommended consumption date 02/15/2022
    24461330 3445021 Recommended consumption date 02/15/2022
    24003700 3445021 Recommended consumption date 02/15/2022
    24003710 3445021 Recommended consumption date 02/15/2022
  • Products List List_of_products_concerned.pdf Attachment
  • Start date / End of marketing From 12/15/2021 to 12/18/2021
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored at room temperature
  • Geographical sales area Regions: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
  • Distributors simply market, intermarché, super u, butcher, independent trader

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall risk of toxin infection Salmonellosis
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Salmonella spp (causative agent of salmonellosis)

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Salmonella

RASFF Alert – EIEC Outbreak – Spring Onions

Posted on December 31, 2021 by | Leave a comment

RASFF

Spring onions from Egypt suspected to be the source of an outbreak of EIEC in Denmark

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Posted in Bacterial Toxin, E.coli, EIEC, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, 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, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, RASFF, Toxin