Category Archives: Food Toxin

Spain – Mycotoxin update on the Hazard Map

Posted on January 13, 2021 by KSW | Leave a comment

In the Hazard Map database, we have updated all the sheets corresponding to the mycotoxins of the chemical hazards block:

Aflatoxins
Ochratoxins
Zearalenone
Deoxynivalenol
Fumonisins
Trichothecenes T-2 and HT2
Patulin

Mycotoxins are products of fungal metabolism and their ingestion, inhalation or skin absorption can cause disease or death in animals and people. The most important mycotoxins are produced by molds of the genera Aspergillus , Penicillium and Fusarium .

Among the most common mycotoxins are aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, patulin, fumonisins, zearanelone, deoxynivalenol, and T-2 and HT-2 toxins.

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Posted in Aflatoxin, Aspergillus, deoxynivalenol, Food Hazard, Food Hazrd, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Toxin, Fumonsins, Fusarium Toxin, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Mold Toxin, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, Ochratoxin, Patulin, Penicillium brevicompactum, Trichothecenes, Zearalenone

France – Product recall: Carrefour brand basmati rice 1kg bag – Ochratoxin A

Posted on January 12, 2021 by KSW | Leave a comment

Oulah

Product recall: Carrefour brand basmati rice 1kg bag

ENCOUNTERED PROBLEM

Presence of ochratoxin A.

PROPOSED SOLUTION

Do not consume and return to the point of sale for reimbursement

Ochratoxin A is a mycotoxin produced by several microscopic fungi (genera Penicillium and Aspergillus) and is naturally present in many plant products around the world, such as grains, coffee beans, cocoa and dried fruits.
Only a large quantity of contaminated products can lead to health problems.

FURTHER INFORMATION

▸ Barcode
3560070837984

▸ Lot
07/01/2022

▸ DLC
07/01/2022

▸ Consumer service contact
For any additional information, you can contact the Carrefour consumer service by dialing N ° Cristal 09 69 39 7000 – non-surcharged call from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm.

▸ Source
https://www.carrefour.fr/

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Posted in 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 Testing, Food Toxin, mold, Mold Toxin, Mould Toxin, Moulds, Mycotoxin, Ochratoxin

USA – FDA Alert: Certain Lots of Sportmix Pet Food Recalled for Potentially Fatal Levels of Aflatoxin – 70 Dog Deaths

Posted on January 12, 2021 by KSW | Leave a comment

FDA

As of January 11, FDA has been made aware of more than 70 dogs that have died and more than 80 that are sick after eating Sportmix pet food. Not all of these cases have been officially confirmed as aflatoxin poisoning through laboratory testing or veterinary record review.

Fast Facts

FDA is alerting pet owners and veterinary professionals about certain Sportmix pet food products (see list below) manufactured by Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc. in their Oklahoma plant that may contain potentially fatal levels of aflatoxins.
As of January 11, 2021, FDA is aware of more than 70 pets that have died and more than 80 pets that are sick after eating Sportmix pet food. Not all of these cases have been officially confirmed as aflatoxin poisoning through laboratory testing or veterinary record review. This count is approximate and may not reflect the total number of pets affected.
This is an ongoing investigation. Case counts and the scope of this recall may expand as new information becomes available.
Aflatoxins are toxins produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus, which can grow on corn and other grains used as ingredients in pet food. At high levels, aflatoxins can cause illness and death in pets.
Pets experiencing aflatoxin poisoning may have symptoms such as sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice (yellowish tint to the eyes or gums due to liver damage), and/or diarrhea. In severe cases, this toxicity can be fatal. In some cases, pets may suffer liver damage but not show any symptoms.
Pet owners should stop feeding their pets the recalled products listed below and consult their veterinarian, especially if the pet is showing signs of illness. The pet owner should remove the food and make sure no other animals have access to the recalled product.
FDA is asking veterinarians who suspect aflatoxin poisoning in their patients to report the cases through the Safety Reporting Portal or by calling their local FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinators. Pet owners can also report suspected cases to the FDA.

What is the Problem?

On December 30, 2020, Midwestern Pet Foods, Inc. announced a recall of certain lots of Sportmix pet food products after FDA was alerted about reports of at least 28 dogs that died and eight that were ill after consuming the recalled Sportmix pet food. Multiple product samples were tested by the Missouri Department of Agriculture and found to contain very high levels of aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are toxins produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus and, at high levels, can cause illness and death in pets. The toxins can be present even if there is no visible mold.

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Posted in Aflatoxin, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Toxin, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Mold Toxin, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, Pet Food, Pet Food Testing

Iceland – Mould in pasta

Posted on January 11, 2021 by KSW | Leave a comment

MAST

Matvælastofnun warns consumers about two types of La Pasta di Alessandra pasta: Tortellini con ripieno di carne and Tortellini con ripieno di formaggio, due to mold. The company Aðföng, which imports pasta, has stopped selling and recalled the products.

The recall only applies to the following batches:

Brand: La Pasta di Alessandra
Product name: Tortellini with cornstarch
Best before date: 16-10-2021
Bar code: 8001195333005
Net amount: 1000 g
Producer: Nuovo Pastificio Italiano Srl
Country of manufacture: Italy

Brand: La Pasta di Alessandra
Vöruheiti: Tortellini con ripieno di formaggio
Best before date: 16-10-2021
Bar code: 8001195333029
Net amount: 1000 g
Producer: Nuovo Pastificio Italiano Srl
Country of manufacture: Italy

Distribution: In Bónus’ stores

Recalled pasta

Customers who have purchased the products are advised not to consume them and dispose of them, but they can also be returned to the store where they were purchased for a full refund. Further information can be obtained from Aðfang’s quality manager by phone 530 5600 or via the email address gaedastjori at adfong.is.

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Posted in 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 Testing, Food Toxin, MAST, mold, Mold Toxin, Mould Toxin, Moulds, Mycotoxin

Research – Project confirms growing threat in Europe from toxins created by microalgae

Posted on January 11, 2021 by KSW | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

gam

A project looking at the risk of ciguatera poisoning in Europe has finished work after almost five years.

An international scientific meeting was held in October for the EuroCigua project which began in April 2016 and ends this month.

Ciguatera is a type of food poisoning associated with consumption of fishery products that contain toxins produced by a microalgae called Gambierdiscus toxicus. The toxin does not affect the appearance, odor or taste of the fish and is not destroyed by cooking, refrigeration or freezing.

It causes an estimated 10,000 to 50,000 cases per year worldwide and outbreaks have been reported in Spain and Portugal. From 2012 to 2018, four European countries reported 23 ciguatera outbreaks and 167 cases.

Results confirmed the appearance of ciguatera in the European Union, having identified native species of fish with ciguatoxins in Macaronesia, Madeira and the Canary Islands. The presence of Gambierdiscus in the Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus and Greece was also detected, as well as the first finding in the Balearic Islands.

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Posted in Algal Blooms, Algal Toxin, Ciguatera, Ciguatera Poisoning, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Gambierdiscus, Research

Denmark – Ochratoxin A in licorice root powder

Posted on January 11, 2021 by KSW | Leave a comment

DVFA

Midsona Danmark A / S is recalling licorice root powder. An excessive content of the fungal poison Ochratoxin A. has been found.

Recalled Foods , Published: January 8, 2021

What food:
Urtekram Licorice root
Best before date: 09.23.2022
EAN: 5765228750483

Sold to:
supermarket, Bilka, Kvickly, SuperBrugsen, Meny, Spar, My Grocery, ABC low, LetKøb, Løvbjerg, Super Land, Liva Stormarked, Strynø Købmand, Magasin Kgs. Nytorv, Søstrene Grene, Helsam, Med24 and various online health food stores.

Company recalling:
Midsona Danmark A / S

Cause:
An analysis has shown an excessive content of Ochratoxin A in the product. Ochratoxin A is a fungal toxin that is formed due to fungal growth in the product.

Risk:
As the level of ochratoxin A is above the limit, it can pose a health risk.

Advice for consumers: The Danish
Veterinary and Food Administration advises consumers to deliver the product back to the store where it was purchased or to discard it.

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Posted in DVFA, 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 Testing, Food Toxin, Mold Toxin, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, Ochratoxin

Canada – Food Recall Warning – Belle Grove brand Whole White Mushrooms recalled due to potential presence of dangerous bacteria – Clostridia botulinum

Posted on January 11, 2021 by KSW | Leave a comment

CFIA

Recall details

Ottawa, January 9, 2021 – Monaghan Mushrooms Ltd. is recalling Belle Grove brand Whole White Mushrooms from the marketplace because they may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum. Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below.

Recalled product

Brand	Product	Size	UPC	Codes
Belle Grove	Whole White Mushrooms	227 g	8 87462 00000 3	Best Before 15 Jan

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 product in your home. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased.

Food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick.

Symptoms in adults can include facial paralysis or loss of facial expression, unreactive or fixed pupils, difficulty swallowing, drooping eyelids, blurred or double vision, difficulty speaking, including slurred speech, and a change in sound of voice, including hoarseness.

Symptoms of foodborne botulism in children can include difficulty swallowing, slurred speech, generalized weakness and paralysis. In all cases, botulism does not cause a fever. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

Background

This recall was triggered by the company. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings.

The CFIA is verifying that industry is removing the recalled product from the marketplace.

Illnesses

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

Product photos

Printer ready version of photos

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

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Posted in Bacterial Toxin, CFIA, Clostridium, Clostridium botulinum, 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 recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, microbial contamination, Microbiology

Belgium – Watermelon Seeds, Roasted & Salted – Aflatoxin – Ochratoxin A

Posted on January 8, 2021 by KSW | Leave a comment

AFSCA

Following a notification via the RASFF system (European Food and Feed rapid alert system), the AFSCA withdraws from sale and recalls the following product to consumers: watermelon seeds “watermelon seeds, roasted & salted” of the brand Ciloglu due to a too high content of aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A.

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 Category: Watermelon Seeds
• Product Name: watermelon seeds, roasted & salted
• Brand: Ciloglu
• Date of Minimum Durability (DDM)
: 09/28/2021
• Lot: NTX591477 • Weight: 200g

Ce product was sold through several points of sale 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, afsca, 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 Testing, Food Toxin, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Mold Toxin, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, Ochratoxin

USA – Sushi related outbreak stumps health officials; more than 150 sickened

Posted on January 8, 2021 by KSW | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Public health officials in North Carolina have concluded their investigation of a foodborne illness outbreak linked to sushi, saying they were unable to determine the specific cause behind the illnesses of more than 150 people.

Only a handful of ill people who ate the suspect sushi sold at two Harris Teeter grocery stores agreed to provide samples for pathogen testing, according to the Cabarrus Health Alliance environmental health director. Officials also tested one sample of sushi.

All patient samples and the product specimen were tested for a broad range of pathogens in an attempt to identify the agent responsible for the illnesses.