Category Archives: Food Toxin

USA – Cargill Expands Previously Announced Voluntary Recall of Select Southern States® Feed Due to High/Excessive/or Elevated Aflatoxin Levels

FDA

Company Announcement

Cargill’s animal nutrition business is expanding its voluntary recall of select Southern States® feed due to aflatoxin levels that exceed FDA’s action levels. This is an expansion of the recall initiated May 6, 2019 and is the result of Cargill’s internal investigation that identified additional products containing an ingredient provided from the same supplier referenced in the May 6, 2019 recall announcement. The expansion includes products manufactured between October 31, 2018 and March 1, 2019.

Livestock, horses, and poultry exposed to elevated levels of aflatoxin are at risk of exposure to several health effects. Aflatoxicosis has the same acute and chronic adverse effects and health consequences across all species and age classes (immature and mature). Immature animals are more sensitive to aflatoxins. Acute aflatoxicosis may result in generalized hemorrhage, bloody diarrhea and death in 1-3 days. In addition, aflatoxin toxicity can cause reduced feed intake, reduced weight gain, liver damage, jaundice, and eventually death.

Cargill has received a small number of adverse event reports. These reports are currently being investigated to determine if they are related to the recalled feed. Cargill is voluntarily expanding the scope of this recall.

The following affected products were manufactured at Cargill’s Cleveland, North Carolina, facility and are being recalled from retail outlets and distributors in the Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia markets.

Consumers with animals who have consumed products referenced in the table and are exhibiting these symptoms, should contact their veterinarian. Consumers and other end users who have any of the affected lots in their possession should return remaining product to their local dealer or retailer for a replacement or full refund. For more information, call the Customer Service line at 833-224-2003, which is available 24×7.

USA – ALDI Bakers Corner Flour E. coli O26 Outbreak Sickens 17

Food Poisoning Bulletin

The ALDI Bakers Corner Flour E. coli O26 outbreak has sickened 17 people in 8 states, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Three of those patients have been hospitalized because they are so sick. The notice did not state whether or not any patients have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure that is a complication of this type of infection.

ALDI Bakers Corner Flour E. coli O26 Outbreak Sickens 17

Research – Rapid detection of single viable Escherichia coli O157:H7 cells in milk by flow cytometry

Wiley Online

kswfoodworld E.coli O157

Image CDC

 

Abstract

Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E coli O157:H7) is a highly virulent bacterial strain that is present in food, and as few as 10 cells can cause severe diseases. Rapid and sensitive bacterial detection is urgently required. In this study, we report a flow cytometry (FCM)‐based method for detecting E coli O157:H7 at the single‐cell level. Single E coli O157:H7 cells were obtained by a flow cytometric cell sorter and then artificially added to milk. Next, using BHI for 6.5 hr of enrichment, isolation of target cells, and dual staining, this method could be applied to detect single viable E coli O157:H7 cells in 25 mL of milk. The time to results (TTR) of the FCM‐based method was 7 hr.

Practical applications

The plate‐based method is the currently recommended method for detection of single E coli O157:H7 cells in milk because of the ease of operation. However, this method is time‐consuming, requiring enrichment of the target organism to attain quantifiable levels. Accordingly, rapid detection of microorganisms in milk would be of great benefit to public health. Flow cytometry (FCM) is a sensitive technique that can be used to rapidly analyze foodborne pathogens. Unfortunately, little attention has been paid to single‐cell detection in milk. This study provides a rapid method for detection of single viable E coliO157:H7 cells in milk. This method has the potential to provide effective protection against E coli O157:H7 contamination and is required for rapid detection of microorganisms in dairy products.

RASFF Alert – Histamine – Canned Tuna

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RASFF – histamine (587; 110 mg/kg – ppm) in canned tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) from Ecuador in Germany

RASFF Alert -Vibrio vulnificus – Frozen Shrimps

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RASFF – Vibrio vulnificus (presence /25g) in frozen shrimps (Penaeus vannamei) from Honduras in the Netherlands

RASFF Alerts – Ochratoxin A – Raisins – Sweet Paprika – Liquorice Roots

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RASFF – ochratoxin A (17 µg/kg – ppb) in raisins from Turkey in France

RASFF – ochratoxin A (30 µg/kg – ppb) in sweet paprika from unknown origin, packaged in Italy, via Spain in Italy

RASFF – ochratoxin A (107.4 µg/kg – ppb) in liquorice roots from Azerbaijan in Ireland

RASFF Alerts- Aflatoxin – Basmati Rice – Groundnuts -Hazlenuts

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RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 4.49 µg/kg – ppb) in basmati rice from Italy in France

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 22.9; Tot. = 25.6 µg/kg – ppb) in unshelled groundnuts from Egypt in Italy

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 102.1; Tot. = 115.4 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts in shell from Egypt in Italy

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 4.1 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 41.6; Tot. = 46.8 µg/kg – ppb) in hazelnut kernels from Turkey in the Czech Republic

Ireland – Recall of a Batch of Holland and Barrett Lucky Liquorice Roots Due to Ochratoxin A

FSAI

Summary
Category 2: For Information
Alert Notification: 2019.19
Product: Holland & Barrett good stuff lucky liquorice root, pack size: 100g
Batch Code: 130567, ‘best-before’ end: January 2020
Country Of Origin: Azerbaijan

Message:

A high level of ochratoxin A was detected in the above batch of liquorice roots. Ochratoxin A is a toxin which is produced by fungi growing on the plant material. Consumers who have the implicated batch should dispose of it or return it to Holland & Barrett.

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Argentina -Argentina reports two Clostridium botulism cases linked to hummus

Outbreak News Today

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Image CDC

Two people from Villa Urquiza have contracted botulism and health officials have linked it to consumption of hummus, according to a Perfil report (computer translated).

According to the report, the packaged hummus was from a a firm that marketed -without any type of authorization- vegan products in its Buenos Aires neighborhood of Palermo.

The two female patients, aged 25 and 32, presented Thursday with symptoms compatible with botulism: blurred vision, difficulty in swallowing, muscle weakness, muscle fatigue, among others. Both are hospitalized in the intensive care unit of Sanatorium Güemes.

The Buenos Aires Ministry of Health began an epidemiological investigation and prevention and control measures were implemented. It was determined that the cases of intoxication were associated with the product: “Hummus, organic chickpea, Tsuki Macro Vegan brand”.

Philippines – Food poisoning sickens 100s at Bukidnon event

Outbreak News Today

Philippines officials are reported an outbreak of suspected food poisoning in Bukidnon province in the  Northern Mindanao region.

It is reported that 233 delegates of the 8th National Youth Convention held by the Seventh Day Adventists at the Center of Ecological Development and Recreation (CEDAR) in Impasog-ong experienced vomited and loose-bowel movements with fever.

Some patients were transported to hospitals in Malaybalay for treatment, while others were locally by the Rural Health Unit.

A Department of Health response team was sent to the area.