Category Archives: Food Toxin

A high risk of mycotoxin contamination in this year’s forage is posing a challenge for many producers and could be responsible for struggling milk yields and excessive feed waste and underutilisation, experts warn.

According to a press release, Bob Kendal, regional sales manager at Alltech U.K. says, while many producers have lots of forage available this year due to a bumper harvest, we have had a record number of mycotoxin related enquiries, and a number of silage test results have shown high levels of penicillium.

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Posted in Animal Feed, food contamination, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Toxin, microbial contamination, Microbiology, mold, Mould Toxin, Moulds, Mycotoxin, Penicillium brevicompactum, Penicillium citrinium, Research, Uncategorized

USA – Sprouts Unlimited Inc. is Recalling Clover Sprouts in 4-ounce Packages Due to a Possible Health Risk – STEC E.coli O103

Posted on December 30, 2019 by KSW | Leave a comment

FDA

Sprouts Unlimited of Marion IA is recalling clover spouts in 4 oz packages because it may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O103 bacteria (E. coli O103). E. coli O103 causes a diarrheal illness often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly. The condition can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.

The affected batches of clover sprouts were distributed to Hy Vee Food stores, Fareway Food Stores and Jimmy John’s restaurants in Iowa.

The sprouts available at retail were packaged in in pint containers from Sprouts Unlimited Inc. with a blue label on the lid. The UPC code 7 32684 00013 6 is stamped on the bottom right side of the label.

Sprouts Unlimited Inc. became aware of the potential contamination after receiving information from the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, Des Moines, IA that a cluster of E. coli O103 illnesses epidemiologically linked to clover sprouts from Sprouts Unlimited Inc. An investigation and further tests are being conducted to determine the source.

If consumers have affected product in their home, they should discontinue use of the product immediately and return any product to the retail store for a full refund. If you have any questions, please call Bill Beach at Sprouts Unlimited Inc. at 319-360-4586.

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O103, FDA, 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, Uncategorized

Research – Effects of edible coating containing Williopsis saturnus var. saturnus on fungal growth and aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus in peanuts

Posted on December 28, 2019 by KSW | Leave a comment

Wiley Online

Abstract

Production of aflatoxin by Aspergillus flavus in peanuts is both a health hazard and major problem. This study investigated the ability of a whey protein concentrate (WPC)‐based edible coating containing Williopsis saturnus var. saturnus to prevent growth of A. flavus and aflatoxin production in peanuts. WPC with/without W. saturnus (7 log colony‐forming unit [CFU]/g) or W. saturnus alone was sprayed on peanuts inoculated with A. flavus (3 log CFU/g) and stored for 84 days at 25°C. Application of coating with W. saturnus reduced both growth of A. flavus and aflatoxin level by 82 and 69.5% compared with the control, respectively. Thiobarbituric acid values were around 60% lower in peanuts coated with WPC compared with the control. Sensory and chemical properties of peanuts were not significantly affected by coating treatment (p < .05). Based on results, coating with W. saturnus appears useful in preventing both growth of A. flavus and aflatoxin production in peanuts.

Practical Applications

Improved WPC based coating containing W. saturnus can be applied on surface of roasted peanuts to prevent growth of A. flavus and aflatoxin production.

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Posted in Aflatoxin, Aspergillus, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Technology, Food Toxin, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, Research, Technology, Uncategorized

RASFF Alerts – Aflatoxin – Groundnuts – Hazelnut Kernels – Pistachios – Brazil Nuts – Dried Figs

Posted on December 27, 2019 by KSW | Leave a comment

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 11; Tot. = 11 µg/kg – ppb) in shelled groundnuts from the United States in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 55; Tot. = 69 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Egypt in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 12; Tot. = 13 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from the United States in Denmark

RASFF – aflatoxins (Tot. = 91.2 µg/kg – ppb) in hazelnut kernels from Turkey in the UK

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 20; Tot. = 21 µg/kg – ppb) in pistachios from Turkey in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 6.8; Tot. = 6.8 / B1 = 16; Tot. = 18 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from the United States in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 4.1; Tot. = 4.1 / B1 = 10; Tot. = 13 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from the United States in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 80; Tot. = 92 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from the United States in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 11; Tot. = 13 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 36.6; Tot. = 77.2 µg/kg – ppb) in organic Brazil nuts from Bolivia, via the Netherlands in Germany

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 23.96; Tot. = 26.42 µg/kg – ppb) in dried figs from Turkey in Germany

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 9.6; Tot. = 11 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts in powder from Paraguay in Portugal

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Posted in Aflatoxin, 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, Mould Toxin, RASFF, Toxin, Uncategorized

USA – Investigation of Scombrotoxin Fish Poisoning Linked to Yellowfin/Ahi Tuna, Fall 2019

Posted on December 27, 2019 by KSW | Leave a comment

FDA

Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 50
Hospitalizations: 1
Deaths: 0
Last illness onset: November 24, 2019
States with Cases: DE (6), MA (2), MD (4), MN (2), NJ (2), NY (6), OH (11), PA (6), RI (3), VT (7), WV (1)

December 26, 2019

FDA has determined that recalls of yellowfin tuna supplied by Truong Phu Xanh Co., LTD have not effectively removed potentially harmful products from the market. FDA recommends that importers, suppliers, distributors, restaurants, and retailers who purchased tuna from one of the importers listed should confirm that it was not tuna supplied by Truong Phu Xanh Co., LTD with a production date in 2019. If it was it should be destroyed or discarded. These firms are being named to effectuate the removal of product from the market due to the reporting of additional illnesses linked to product from Truong Phu Xanh Co., LTD. The following companies imported tuna from Truong Phu Xanh Co., LTD:

Mical Seafood Inc. (Davie, FL)
Northern Fisheries LTD. (Little Compton, RI)
Alfa International Seafood Inc. (Medley, FL)
Aquabest Seafood LLC (Miami, FL)
Gamma Seafood Corporation (Medley, FL)
J. DeLuca Fish Company, Inc. (San Pedro, CA)
Sym-Pac International Inc. (Corona, CA)
Worldwide Seafood Products LLC (Perth Amboy, NJ)

Recommendations

Yellowfin tuna from Truong Phu Xanh Co., LTD with a production date in 2019 should not be consumed because it may have the potential to cause scombrotoxin fish poisoning. Tuna from this supplier could have been sold thawed or frozen; and could have been sold as ground tuna meat, poke cubes, steaks, or loins; this product could still be within its shelf life. Anyone who received tuna from this supplier should not sell, serve, or consume it and should discard it. If you purchased tuna from one of the importers listed above you should confirm that it was not tuna supplied by Truong Phu Xanh Co., LTD with a production date in 2019.

Scombrotoxin fish poisoning occurs when fish is not properly chilled or preserved and begins to spoil, resulting in increased histamine levels. Histamine cannot be destroyed by freezing or cooking.

Importers, Suppliers, and Distributors:

Importers, suppliers, and distributors should not use and should discard or destroy any yellowfin tuna imported from Truong Phu Xanh Co., LTD with a production date in 2019.

Restaurants and Retailers:

Restaurants and retailers should contact their suppliers to confirm the source of their yellowfin tuna because not all product was distributed in packaging that identifies Truong Phu Xanh Co., LTD. Yellowfin tuna imported from this company with a production date in 2019 should not be used, served, repacked, or sold; and should be discarded.

Consumers:

While restaurants and retailers should have removed yellowfin tuna with a production date in 2019 from the Vietnamese supplier Truong Phu Xanh Co., LTD, consumers should ask if the yellowfin tuna being served or sold was imported from the Vietnamese supplier Truong Phu Xanh Co., LTD and has a production date in 2019.