Category Archives: Food Toxin

Germany – Semi-hard cheese: “House brand nature”, “House brand fenugreek seeds” -STEC E.coli

Posted on September 27, 2023 by | Leave a comment

LMW

Alert type:

Groceries

Date of first publication:

September 26, 2023

Product name:

Semi-hard cheese: “House brand nature”, “House brand fenugreek seeds”

Manufacturer (distributor):

Achim Uhl Mobile cheese dairy Hartensteiner Straße 105 OT Oberdorf 09366 Stollberg DE SN 10682 EG

Reason for warning:

The above-mentioned products are classified as harmful to health due to the detection of verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli in the brine and lubricating water used for production.

Packaging Unit:

1.7 – 2 kg/piece, 5 – 6 kg/piece (large)

Durability:

House brand nature: October 1st, 2023/ October 5th, 2023/ October 12th, 2023/ October 22nd, 2023; House brand fenugreek seeds: October 1st, 2023/ October 5th/6th/ October 7th/ October 8th, 2023/ October 12th, 2023/ October 14th, 2023/ October 19th, 2023/ October 22nd, 2023; House brand with fenugreek seeds (large): October 6th, 2023/ October 12th/ October 13th, 2023.

Additional Information:

An illness with verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli usually manifests itself within a week of infection with diarrhea and abdominal cramps. In particular, infants, small children, seniors and people with weakened immune systems can develop more severe illnesses with bloody diarrhea. Rarely, especially in small children, acute kidney failure can occur in a second attack a few days after the onset of diarrhea. People who have eaten this food and develop severe or persistent symptoms should seek medical attention and report a possible EHEC infection.

The above-mentioned cheeses may also have been sold differently from the manufacturer by other distributors (possibly partly direct marketers) and possibly also with different cheese names, so that identification should be carried out in particular using the identification mark (DE SN 10682 EG), or this can be done by the be asked from sellers.

Customers should definitely pay attention to the recall and not consume the affected products.

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Posted in EHEC, 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 Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Food Toxin, STEC, STEC E.coli, VTEC

Germany – Semi-hard cheese: “House brand dill”, “House brand cumin”, “House brand black cumin”, “House brand pumpkin seeds”, “House brand caraway”, “House brand chives”, “House brand garlic” – STEC E.coli

Posted on September 27, 2023 by | Leave a comment

LMW

Alert type:

Groceries

Date of first publication:

September 26, 2023

Product name:

Semi-hard cheese: “House brand dill”, “House brand cumin”, “House brand black cumin”, “House brand pumpkin seeds”, “House brand caraway”, “House brand chives”, “House brand garlic”

Manufacturer (distributor):

Achim Uhl Mobile cheese dairy Hartensteiner Straße 105 OT Oberdorf 09366 Stollberg DE SN 10682 EG

Reason for warning:

The above-mentioned products are classified as harmful to health due to the detection of verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli in the brine and lubricating water used for production.

Packaging Unit:

1.7 – 2 kg/piece, 5 – 6 kg/piece (large)

Durability:

House brand Dill: October 1st, 2023, October 12th, 2023, October 19th, 2023, October 22nd, 2023; House brand with dill (large): October 12, 2023; House brand cumin: October 19, 2023; House brand black cumin: October 5th, 2023/ October 12th, 2023; House brand pumpkin seeds: October 12, 2023; House brand Kümmel: October 12, 2023; House brand chives: October 12, 2023; House brand garlic: October 14, 2023.

Additional Information:

An illness with verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli usually manifests itself within a week of infection with diarrhea and abdominal cramps. In particular, infants, small children, seniors and people with weakened immune systems can develop more severe illnesses with bloody diarrhea. Rarely, especially in small children, acute kidney failure can occur in a second attack a few days after the onset of diarrhea. People who have eaten this food and develop severe or persistent symptoms should seek medical attention and report a possible EHEC infection.

The above-mentioned cheeses may also have been sold differently from the manufacturer by other distributors (possibly partly direct marketers) and possibly also with different cheese names, so that identification should be carried out in particular using the identification mark (DE SN 10682 EG), or this can be done by the be asked from sellers.

Customers should definitely pay attention to the recall and not consume the affected products.

Leave a comment

Posted in E.coli, EHEC, 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 Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Food Toxin, STEC, STEC E.coli

Czech Republic – Judas’ ear – Bacillus cereus

Posted on September 27, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Potravinynapranyri

Illustrative photo #2

Place of inspection:
Prague (building no. XB2b/4) ( Libušská 319/126, 142 00 Prague (building no. XB2b/4) )
ID: 04936035
Invalid parameter:

Bacillus Cereus

The presence of the pathogenic bacterium Bacillus Cereus was detected in the food  . The food was assessed as unfit for human consumption. 

Best before date: HSD 01 04 25
Packaging: PE + weld
Quantity of the product in the package: 1 kg
Distributor: Vihafood s.r.o., Novodvorská 95/42, Lhotka 142 00 Prague
Country of origin:  Vietnam
Date of sample collection: 24. 7. 2023
Reference number: 23-000610-SZPI-CZ
The sample was detected by the official control of the State Agricultural and Food Inspection.

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Posted in Bacillus, Bacillus cereus, 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 Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Potravinynapranyri

Hong Kong – CFS urges public not to consume a kind of prepackaged cheese sauce imported from Netherlands suspected to be contaminated with Bacillus cereus

Posted on September 26, 2023 by | Leave a comment

CFS

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (September 25) urged the public not to consume a kind of prepackaged cheese sauce imported from the Netherlands due to possible contamination with Bacillus cereus. The trade should stop using or selling the affected batches of the product immediately if they possess it.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: DIP NACHO CHEESE STYLE
Brand: Santa Maria
Place of origin: The Netherlands
Net weight: 250 grams
Batch code: 2329019 and 2329231
Best-before date: June 7, 2025 and June 20, 2025
Importer: Pear & Carrot Limited

“The CFS received a notification from the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed of the European Commission that the above-mentioned batches of product might have been contaminated with Bacillus cereus and are being recalled. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted the concerned local importer for follow-up. A preliminary investigation found that the above-mentioned importer had imported into Hong Kong and ordered the affected batches of the product concerned,” a spokesman for the CFS said.

The importer concerned has stopped sales, has removed the imported affected product from shelves and has initiated a recall according to the instructions of the CFS. Enquiries about the recall can be made to the importer’s hotline at 3616 0248 during office hours. The CFS will also mark and seal the product ordered by the importer upon its arrival to Hong Kong and ensure that the product will not enter the local market.

“Bacillus cereus is commonly found in the environment. Unhygienic conditions in food processing and storage may give rise to its growth. Consuming food contaminated with excessive Bacillus cereus or its heat-stable toxins may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea,” the spokesman said.

The spokesman urged consumers not to consume the affected product if they have bought any. The trade should also stop using or selling the product concerned immediately if they possess it.

The CFS will alert the trade to the incident, and will continue to follow up and take appropriate action. The investigation is ongoing.

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Posted in Bacillus, Bacillus cereus, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Food Toxin

USA – Safeway Fresh Foods Recalls Sunnyside Farms Organic Butternut Squash Because of Possible Health Risk – STEC E.coli

Posted on September 26, 2023 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Sunnyside Farms Organic Butternut Squash label Item number and best by code

Company Announcement

Safeway Fresh Foods of Vineland, NJ, is recalling its 32-oz. Diced Organic Butternut Squash product as it has the potential to be contaminated with Escherichia coli O45. E. coli O45 causes a diarrheal illness often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people 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 32-oz. diced Butternut was distributed only to Costco in the following states, Washington DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virgina

Consumers who specifically purchased Costco item 20522, UPC 040232244124, 32-oz. diced Organic Butternut Squash between September 7, 2023, and September 15, 2023, with a use by date of 09/19/2023 date code are urged to return this item to your local Costco. If you have any product with this date code remaining, do not consume.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the company detected the presence of E. coli O45.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-856-692-7200 Monday to Friday 8:00am ET to 4:00pm ET.

Company Contact Information

Consumers:
Safeway Fresh Foods
 1-856-692-7200

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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 Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Food Toxin, O45, STEC, STEC E.coli

Iceland – Bacillus cereus in prepared sauces

Posted on September 25, 2023 by | Leave a comment

MAST

The FDA warns against consuming certain Best before dates of Santa Maria’s Dip Nacho Cheese Style and Cheddar Cheese Sauce because of Bacillus cereus microorganisms, which were detected in the company’s own monitoring of one production batch. Bacillus cereus food poisoning can cause vomiting or diarrhea. There have been no reports of people getting sick from the product. The Swedish Food Agency received information about the product through the RASFF European rapid alert system for food and feed.

The distribution companies in cooperation with the Reykjavík Health Authority and the Suðurnesja Health Authority have stopped distribution and recalled the product, which only applies to the following production batches:

  • Product name: Santa Maria Dip Nacho Cheese Style
  • Weight: 250 g
  • Barcode: 7311312007223
  • Best for dates: are in the format year-month-day on packaging
    01/06/2025 to 31/08/2025
  • Country of manufacture: The Netherlands
  • Distribution:
    Supplies: All stores Bonus and Hagkaup
    Samkaup: The product was not distributed.
  • Product name: Santa Maria Cheddar Cheese Sauce 
  • Weight: 3 kg
  • Best for dates: 01/06/2024 to 31/08/2024
  • Country of manufacture: The Netherlands
  • Distribution:
    OJ&K-ÍSAM ehf: Several large kitchens.

Consumers are advised not to consume the product and can return it for a refund to the store where it was purchased.

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Posted in Bacillus, Bacillus cereus, Bacterial Toxin, food recall, Food Toxin, product recall

Belgium – Sauces – Cheddar Cheese Sauce (3 kg) et Dip Nacho Cheese Style (250g) de la marque Santa Maria.- Bacillus cereus

Posted on September 25, 2023 by | Leave a comment

AFSCA

The FASFC withdraws the Sauces products – “Cheddar Cheese Sauce (3 kg)” and “Dip Nacho Cheese Style (250g)” of the Santa Maria brand from sale and recalls them from consumers due to the possible presence of Bacillus cereus .

You are asked not to consume these products and to return them to the point of sale where they were purchased.

Product description

– Name of the products: Cheddar Cheese Sauce (3 kg) and Dip Nacho Cheese Style (250g)
– Brand: Santa Maria
– Minimum durability dates (MBD) (“Best before”):
           Cheddar Cheese Sauce (3 kg): from 06/01/2024 to 08/31/2024
           Dip Nacho Cheese Style (250g): from 06/01/2025 to 08/31/2025
– Batch numbers: all batches are affected
– Nature of packaging: plastic pots

The products were distributed through different points of sale.

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 afsca, Bacillus, Bacillus cereus, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Temperature Abuse, Food Testing, Food Toxin

Denmark – Bacillus cereus in cheese dip

Posted on September 25, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Foedevarestyrelsen

Paulig Denmark A/S is recalling Santa Maria Dip Nacho Cheese Style, as Bacillus cereus bacteria have been found in the product. The product should be discarded or returned to the store where it was purchased.

Image of the product

Which food is recalled

Santa Maria Dip Nacho Cheese Style
Net content: 250g
Best before dates: From 01.06.2025 to 31.08.2025

Where is the product sold

The product is sold in grocery stores throughout the country.

Why is the product being recalled?

The bacterium Bacillus cereus has been detected in the product. The symptoms of infection with the bacteria are typically vomiting or diarrhea.

What should you do as a consumer?

The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration advises consumers to return the product to the store where it was purchased, or discard it.

If you experience symptoms in connection with consuming the product, you should contact your own doctor.

Who recalls the product

Paulig Denmark A/S
Ringager 2A
2605 Brøndby

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Posted in Bacillus, Bacillus cereus, 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 Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Temperature Abuse, Food Testing, Food Toxin

Norway – Santa Maria recalls Cheddar Cheese Sauce and Dip Nacho Cheese Style after discovery of food poisoning bacteria – Bacillus cereus

Posted on September 25, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Matportalen

Santa Maria is recalling Cheddar Cheese Sauce and Dip Nacho Cheese Style due to the discovery of the food poisoning bacteria Bacillus Cereus. The recall includes Cheddar Sauce with best before dates from 01/06/24 to 08/31/2024, and Dip Nacho Cheese Style with best before before dates from 01/06/2025 to 31/08/2025.

Cheddar Cheese Sauce is sold to the large household market, while Dip Nacho Cheese Style is sold to Coop Norge, NorgesGruppen and Rema 1000 stores.

Santa Maria Norway asks consumers who have purchased the product to throw it away, or return it to the store where it was purchased for a refund.

Food poisoning caused by Bacillus cereus can cause both vomiting and diarrhoea. Bacillus cereus is a commonly occurring bacterium in soil. The bacterium is most often found in foods where the raw materials are eggs, milk, meat, rice or cereal products. The bacteria can survive cooking because it forms spores.

Vomiting is caused by a toxin produced by the bacteria in the food, while diarrhea is caused by toxins produced in the intestine after the bacterium has established itself there.

Contact:
Santa Maria Norway: Press contact Stian Hvaal Møller, tel.: 91 55 69 69

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Posted in Bacillus, Bacillus cereus, 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 Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Food Toxin

Research – Determination of mycotoxins in nuts, cereals, legumes, and coffee beans and effectiveness of a selenium-based decontamination treatment

Posted on September 24, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Wiley Online

Abstract

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used for the rapid quantification of multiple mycotoxins, specifically aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2), ochratoxin A (OTA), deoxynivalenol (DON), and zearalenone (ZEN), in walnuts, pistachios, peanuts, coffee beans, rice, and chickpeas from various countries. Total counts of fungi, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus parasiticus were also assessed, along with the effectiveness of a decontamination treatment with inorganic selenium to reduce mycotoxin levels. Of the 78 samples tested, 69% were contaminated with mycotoxins. ZEN, the predominant mycotoxin contaminant, was detected in all the contaminated samples in concentrations often exceeding the maximum level, followed by AFG1 (28% of the contaminated samples), DON (22%), AFG2 (11%), and AFB1 (5.5%). The occurrence of aflatoxins was associated with high proportions of A. flavus and A. parasiticus. Complete removal of AFB1 from walnuts and DON from roasted coffee beans was achieved by treatment with aqueous selenium, while the levels of ZEN and AFG1 were respectively lowered by 65% to 89% depending on the commodity and by about 56% in roasted coffee beans. While this novel treatment is a promising approach for mycotoxin decontamination, it is not intended to replace safe practices upstream.

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Posted in Aflatoxin, Animal Feed Mould Toxin, Aspergillus Toxin, deoxynivalenol, DON, Food Microbiology Research, Food Toxin, Fusarium Toxin, Mold Toxin, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, Ochratoxin, Ochratoxin A, Pet Food Aflatoxin, Research, Zearalenone