Category Archives: Food Toxin

Scotland – Food Standards Scotland issues warning over Shiga-toxi E.coli bug

Herald Scotland

FOOD safety inspectors have warned that even trace amounts of an E. coli bacteria can post a danger to human health.

The updated guidance from Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has been published today following a joint report by the World Health Organisation and United Nations which urged vigilance in relation to Shiga Toxin-producing E. coli (STEC).

Professor Norval Strachan, Independent Chief Scientific Adviser for FSS, said: “STEC, or Shiga Toxin-producing E. coli, are a group of different types of E. coli bacteria found in the guts of animals such as cattle and sheep, which can make their way into the food chain via the animals’ faeces.

Mongolia – Mongolia to suspend KFC outlets for inquiry after food poisoning reports

Reuters

ULAANBAATAR (Reuters) – A Mongolian regulator said it will suspend operations at KFC restaurants temporarily to conduct inquiries, as 42 people were hospitalized and hundreds showed food poisoning symptoms after eating at one of the outlets of the fast-food chain.

The incident occurred at the Zaisan outlet in Ulaanbaatar last week due to its contaminated water supply, the city’s Metropolitan Professional Inspection Agency said, adding that 247 people had reported symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting.

USA – Smoked Alaska Seafoods, Inc. Recalls 6.5 oz Jars & Cans of Smoked Silver Salmon Because of Possible Health Risk

FDA Front Label - WILD ALASKA, SMOKED SILVER SALMON

Smoked Alaska Seafoods, Inc. of Wasilla, AK is recalling all jars and cans of Smoked Silver Salmon in 6.5 oz. containers with the production code of AL81111133 on the bottom of the jar/can because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Consumers are warned not to use the product even if it does not look or smell spoiled.

Botulism, a potentially fatal form of food poisoning, can cause the following symptoms: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention.

The Smoked Silver Salmon was sold to distributors throughout the state of Alaska primarily in gift stores in the Anchorage and Fairbanks area.

Smoked Alaska Seafoods, Inc. produces several species of smoked salmon in flexible retortable pouches, glass jars and black two-piece metal cans.  The flexible retortable pouches are not affected by this recall.

No illnesses have been reported to date. The recall was initiated as a result of an independent audit paid for by Smoked Alaska Seafoods, Inc.  A review of the thermal processing records determined the recalled lot did not receive the prescribed thermal process and was therefore underprocessed.  Consumers should destroy the product, return it to the place where purchased for a refund or contact Smoked Alaska Seafoods, Inc. for a refund or replacement.

This recall is being made with the knowledge of US Food and Drug Administration and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.

Consumers who have purchased this product and have questions or need additional information should call the company at (907) 355-5533 from 8:00 AM to 8:00PM Alaska time.

Research – Prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence genes of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from pork meat in retail outlets in India

Wiley Online

Abstract

Isolation of Staphylococcus aureus was carried out in a total of 120 retail pork samples and the overall prevalence of S. aureus in retail pork meat was 76.67%. All the isolates were resistant to both Ampicillin and Tetracycline (100%) followed by Cefoxitin, Oxacillin, Erythromycin, Amoxicillin, and Novobiocin. The multiple antibiotic resistance index of majority of the isolates were 0.3 and above. Methicillin resistance based on polymerase chain reaction revealed that 76.09% carried either mecA or mecC. The prevalence of enterotoxigenic S. aureus in pork was 82.61% and of the various toxin genes sei was the major gene followed by segsebsej, sed, seh, sec, and sea in decreasing order. The prevalence of multidrug resistant and virulent S. aureus carrying enterotoxin genes in retail pork meat is a clear indication of the potential of these isolates in causing foodborne intoxication under favorable conditions to the consumers.

Practical application

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a well‐known opportunistic pathogen widely present in a broad host range, including human beings and food producing animals, such as pigs, cows, goats and chickens. It has the potential to contaminate animal products and they gain entry in to the food chain, during processing, preparation and storage. The wide use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of multi drug resistant strains, particularly Methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA). The present study highlights the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance with special reference to MRSA and enterotoxin gene profile of S. aureus isolated from retail pork meat. The results will provide the insights of the existing situation of antimicrobial resistance in pork meat in India.

Research – Evaluation of the effects of temperature on processed coffee beans in the presence of fungi and ochratoxin A

Wiley Online

Abstract

The coffee bean is sensitive to contamination with ocratoxigenic fungi; temperature influences the growth, and germination of these fungi, as well as the fungal toxins produced. The objectives of this study were to assess the distribution of toxigenic species, analyze the concentration of ochratoxin A (OTA) in Arabica coffee beans, and aplicate a mathematical model that considers the influence of actual temperature to predict the effects of projected temperature increase on OTA production. This toxin was, however, not detected in any of the coffee bean species analyzed here. The species with the highest incidence were Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus ochraceus. The results of the mathematical model demonstrated the influence of temperature on the production of the toxin. This information indicates the distribution of toxigenic fungal species in the regions of coffee cultivation in Minas Gerais, and thus, will assist the producers in adopting preventive measures.

Practical applications

Brazil is the largest coffee producer and exporter, which makes it a leader in the global coffee market; the state of Minas Gerais is responsible for 50% of this production. Following the global trend, Brazil has regulated the maximum permissible limit for ochratoxin A in coffee beans. This has led to a great interest in monitoring fungi and toxin production, mainly during the postharvest stage in the coffee cultivation regions of Brazil. Preventive measures can aid in the safe production of coffee beans, and the use of mathematical models capable of predicting the growth and production of fungal toxins are fundamental to informing the producers of the most favorable conditions in terms of temperature, as well as increases in ambient temperature, in specific regions of interest

USA – FDA Report on E. Coli O157 Outbreak in Romaine Lettuce Points to “Significant” Finding of Strain in Sediment of Water Reservoir

Food Safety Tech 

The November 2018 outbreak of E.coli O157:H7 infections linked to romaine lettuce caused 62 illnesses across 16 states. The FDA zeroed in on the Central Coast growing regions of northern and Central California as being responsible for the contamination. The outbreak was declared over on January 9 and yesterday FDA released the report, “Factors Potentially Contributing to the Contamination of Romaine Lettuce Implicated in the Fall 2018 Multi-State Outbreak of E.Coli O157:H7”, which provides an overview of the investigation.

The report states that a sediment sample coming from an on-farm water reservoir in Santa Maria (Santa Barbara County, California) tested positive for the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7. Although this particular farm was identified in several legs of the Fall 2018 traceback investigations that occurred in the United States and Canada, as well as being a possible supplier of romaine lettuce in the 2017 traceback investigations, the FDA said that the farm is not the single source of the outbreak, as there is “insufficient evidence”. The traceback suggests that the contaminated lettuce could have come from several farms, because not all tracebacks led to the farm on which the contaminated sediment was found.

 

RASFF Alert – Aflatoxin – Hazelnuts – Blanched Groundnuts – Groundnuts – Pistachios – Organic Muesli

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RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 21; Tot. = 22 µg/kg – ppb) in hazelnuts from Turkey in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 6.7; Tot. = 7.7 µg/kg – ppb) in blanched groundnuts from the United States in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 23; Tot. = 26 µg/kg – ppb) in blanched groundnuts from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 10; Tot. = 15 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 33.5; Tot. = 36.9 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts in shell from Egypt in Italy

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

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 2.7 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 16.93; Tot. = 19.09 µg/kg – ppb) in roasted and salted pistachios in shell from Turkey in Germany

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 2.2 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 18; Tot. = 60 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 4.9; Tot. = 5.6 µg/kg – ppb) in blanched groundnuts from the United States in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 7.6 µg/kg – ppb) in blanched groundnuts from the United States in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 36; Tot. = 40 µg/kg – ppb) in blanched groundnuts from the United States in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 5.7; Tot. = 8.8 µg/kg – ppb) in organic muesli from Belgium in Belgium

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 46.87; Tot. = 56.11 µg/kg – ppb) in pistachio nuts without shell from Iran, via Turkey in Italy

RASFF Alert – Norovirus – Live Oysters

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RASFF – norovirus (GI and GII /2g) in live oysters (Crassostrea gigas) from Portugal in the Netherlands

RASFF Alerts – Ochratoxin A – Green Coffee

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RASFF – ochratoxin A (>15 µg/kg – ppb) in green coffee from Vietnam in Spain

RASFF – ochratoxin A (13.81 µg/kg – ppb) in green coffee from Vietnam in Spain

RASFF Alert – Histamine – Frozen Cooked Tuna Loins

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RASFF – histamine (359 mg/kg – ppm) in frozen cooked tuna loins from Thailand in France