Category Archives: Hygiene

France – Gorgonzola PDO 150g from Castelli France

Oulah

Product recall: Gorgonzola PDO 150g from Castelli France

ENCOUNTERED PROBLEM

Presence of Listeria monocytogenes

PROPOSED SOLUTION

Those in possession of this product are asked not to consume it and to return it to the point of sale where it was purchased for reimbursement.

People who have consumed this product and who have a fever, isolated or accompanied by headaches, are invited to consult their attending physician, notifying them of this consumption.
Pregnant women should pay special attention to these symptoms, as well as immunocompromised people and the elderly. These symptoms may suggest listeriosis, a disease that can be serious and can take up to eight weeks to incubate.

FURTHER INFORMATION

▸ Presentation
tray of approximately 150g

▸ Barcode
2 449 187 XXX XXX

▸ DLC
02/10/2020

▸ Lot
P231005

▸ Sanitary stamp
IT 01 532 CE

▸ Consumer service contact
CASTELLI FRANCE SA is available to consumers to answer their questions on the toll-free number: 0805 805 950 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.).

▸ Source
https://www.carrefour.fr/


RASFF Alert – Foodborne Outbreak -Norovirus – Frozen Tellins (Donax trunculus)

European Food Alerts

RASFF

foodborne outbreak suspected to be caused by and norovirus (GI, GII) in frozen tellins (Donax trunculus) from Turkey in Spain

USA – Vibrio Vulnificus in Connecticut: Unusual number of infections prompt warning

Outbreak News today

Food Illness

Connecticut state health officials have issued a warning for the public in shoreline areas about the potential dangers of exposure to salt or brackish water along Long Island Sound, due to an unusually high number of Vibrio vulnificus infections.

Since July, five cases of Vibrio vulnificus infections have been reported to the Department of Public Health (one infection in July, four in August).  The patients are from Fairfield (1), Middlesex (1), and New Haven (3) counties and are between 49 – 85 years of age (median 73); 4 are male, 1 female.

Two patients had septicemia (infection of the bloodstream) and three had serious wound infections. All five cases patients were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

All five cases reported exposure to salt or brackish water during activities such as swimming, crabbing, and boating.  All five patients had pre-existing wounds or sustained new wounds during these activities which led to the Vibrio infections.

Lithuanian – Lithuanian officials seize poultry meat due to Salmonella

Lithuanian authorities have seized more than 40 tons of imported poultry meat due to potential Salmonella contamination in the space of three months.

From June to August of this year, the State Food and Veterinary Service (VMVT) banned the placing on the market of 10 batches of poultry meat imported to Lithuania from Poland, Hungary, and Romania.

More than half of the non-compliant meat (25 tons or seven batches) was imported from Poland. A total of 12 tons, or two lots, originated in Hungary and three tons, or one lot, came from Romania.

Lithuanian officials seize poultry meat due to Salmonella

Denmark – Burger buns with risk of Mold

DVFA

Nordthy is recalling Quickbury Mega Burger Buns, due to the risk of mold. Risk of mold makes the product unfit for human consumption. (Updated 08-09-2020, with new points of sale)

Recalled Foods , Published: August 28, 2020

Modified September 8, 2020
(Updated 08-09-2020, with new outlets)
What food:
Quickbury Mega Burger Buns ( see photo )
Net weight: 300 grams
Best before dates: 04.12.20, 11.12.20 and 12.12.20
This only applies to Lot / batch numbers with end numbers: “64”
EAN barcode: 4028491401065
Sold in:

Net stores throughout the country

SPAR ÅKIRKEBY, TORVET 1, 3720 AAKIRKEBY
MENU MARIBO, BROVEJEN 19, 4930 MARIBO
SPAR DALVANGSVEJ, DALVANGSVEJ 52, 2600 GLOSTRUP
MENU HIMMELEV, SOGNEVEJ 95, 4000 ROSKILDE
MY MERCHANT Halvrimmen, AALBORGVEJ 14, 9460 BROVST
MENU BOGENSE, VESTRE ENGVEJ 2, 5400 BOGENSE
LETKØB HYLKE, HYLKEVEJ 52, 8660 SKANDERBORG
SPAR KOLDBY, LIMFJORDSGADE 15, 7752 SNEDSTED
MY MERCHANT GADBJERG, LANGGADE 35, 7321 GADBJERG
LETKØB- ØRTING HANDELSPL., HORSENSVEJ 121, 8300 ODDER
SPAR HADERSLEV, LYØVEJ 10, 6100 HADERSLEV
SAVE NYKØBING MORS, FRUEVEJ 37-41, 7900 NYKØBING M
MY MERCHANT DAUGÅRD, GL. VEJLEVEJ 51  8721 DAUGÅRD
MY MERCHANT VEJRUP, MØLLEVEJ 1, VEJRUP, 6740 BRAMMING
Menu Hadsund, Hadsundvej 1 – Als, 9560 Hadsund
Spar Brovst, JERNBANEGADE 2, 9460 Brovst
SPAR THURØ, BERGMANNSVEJ 112 THURØ, 5700 SVENDBORG
Letkøb Fjelstrup, Fjelstrup Nørrevej 3.6100 Haderslev
SPAR ÅRSLEV, STATIONSVEJ 124, 5792 ÅRSLEV
LETKØB – RØMØ, KØBMANDEN, HAVNEBYVEJ 25,6792 RØMØ
SPAR HVIDBJERG KØBMANDSGÅ NÆSSUNDVEJ 358, 7960 KARBY
MY MERCHANT ENGESVANG, GL. KONGEVEJ 62, 7442 ENGESVANG
MY MERCHANT NYKØBING MORS, FÆLLEDVEJ 17, 7900 NYKØBING M
MY MERCHANT BEVTOFT, KRYGERSVEJ 38, 6541 BEVTOFT
802-MENU RUGGARDSVEJ, RUGGAARDSVEJ 211, 5210 ODENSE NV
MY MERCHANT NIM  PRÆSTEVÆNGET 13, 8740 Brædstrup
MY MERCHANT ODENSE SØ, HOLLUFGÅRDSVEJ 219, 5220 ODENSE SØ
SPAR WANDALSVEJ, WANDALLSVEJ 10, 5700 SVENDBORG
SPAR AGERSKOV, HOVEDGADEN 14, 6534 AGERSKOV
SPAR GØRDING ApS, NØRREGADE 1, 6690 GØRDING
MY MERCHANT TROLDHED, NO. VIUMVEJ 1 A,  6920 VIDEBÆK
MENU OTTERUP APS, STRANDVEJEN 1  5450 OTTERUP
SPAR EBBERUP EBBERUPVEJ 75, 5631 EBBERUP
SAVE HOPTRUP, HOPTRUP HOVEDGADE 53 6100 HADERSLEV
MY MERCHANT BOVRUP, BOVRUP STOREGADE 20-BOVRUP  6200 AABENRAA
SAVE HUMBLE HOVEDGADEN 24, 5932 HUMBLE
MY MERCHANT SENNELS SENNELSVEJ 81, 7700 THISTED
SAVE ESBJERG BØNDERGÅRDSVEJ 1 6700 ESBJERG
MY MERCHANT HAASTRUP, BYGADEN 10, HÅSTRUP 5600 FAABORG
SPAR ERSLEV, PRÆSTBROVEJ 144, 7950 ERSLEV
Company recalling:
Nordthy, Rubinvej 61, 7700 Thisted
Cause:
Mold has been found on the underside of the buns 
Risk:
Risk of mildew makes the product unsuitable as food.
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.

Research – A new method may make tomatoes safer to eat

Science Daily

When vegetable farmers harvest crops, they often rely on postharvest washing to reduce any foodborne pathogens, but a new University of Georgia study shows promise in reducing these pathogens — as well as lowering labor costs — by applying sanitizers to produce while it is still in the fields.

Salmonella, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes are major causes of foodborne diseases and of public health concern in the U.S. Tomato-associated Salmonella outbreaks reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have increased in frequency and magnitude in recent years, and fresh produce accounted for 21% of E. coli outbreaks reported to the CDC over a 20-year span.

Initially researchers were going to study the use of a nonchlorine-based sanitizer made of two food additives approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration — levulinic acid and sodium dodecyl sulfate — as a postharvest wash solution. However, at the suggestion of a producer involved in the study — Bill Brim of Lewis Taylor Farms in Tifton, Georgia — they designed the study using the solution in a preharvest spray, said Tong Zhao, associate research scientist with the Center for Food Safety on the UGA Griffin campus.

Research – Mycotoxins: A Threat To Poultry Sector

Technology Times

Campylobacter kswfoodworld

Wheat, maize, barley and peanuts are different sources of mycotoxins. If toxins invade crops before harvesting these are called as field fungi. If it invades post- harvest, they are called storage fungi. Mycotoxins cause heavy economic losses. These are common in tropical and sub-tropical countries in and around Asia.The highest occurring mycotoxin in Asia was FUM (fumonisins), detected in 85% of the samples at an average concentration of 1,354 ppb(parts per billion) .

The highest occurrence of FUM in Asia was detected in a Chinese corn sample (169,500 ppb). DON (deoxynivalenol) prevalence and average concentration in Asia were 77% and 735 ppb, respectively. ZEN (Zearalenone) was the third highest occurring mycotoxin in Asian samples, detected in 49% of tested samples at an average concentration of 201 ppb. In Asia, the highest ZEN value was detected in a Chinese grass sample (8,113 ppb). Aflatoxin was found in 38% of the samples at the highest average concentration worldwide (58 ppb).

USA – Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Enteritidis: Bagged Peaches (August 2020)

FDA

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections potentially linked to bagged peaches sold at ALDI stores in multiple states. The peaches are in Wawona-brand 2-pound, clear plastic bags sold in ALDI stores from June 1, 2020 until present. Based on information collected from ill persons, CDC has identified bagged peaches from ALDI stores as a likely source of Salmonella Enteritidis infections. As of August 19, 2020, CDC is reporting a total of 68 cases across 9 states.

FDA’s traceback investigation is ongoing to determine the full scope of product distribution and source of contamination. More information will be shared when it is available.

As of August 19, 2020, ALDI has voluntarily recalled all of Wawona-brand bagged peaches from select ALDI stores in multiple states and is continuing to participate in FDA investigation efforts to determine the source of contamination.

Recommendations

Advice for consumers, restaurants, and retailers: Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve Wawona-brand bagged peaches from ALDI stores in multiple states. Consumers who purchased Wawona-brand bagged peaches from ALDI stores from June 1, 2020 to present and may still have them in their house should not eat the peaches and should throw them away. Consumers who purchased Wawona-brand bagged peaches from ALDI stores from June 1, 2020 to present and froze them should throw them away.

Consumers who purchased bagged peaches from ALDI stores from June 1, 2020 to present and cannot identify the brand, should throw the peaches away.

FDA recommends that anyone who received Wawona-brand bagged peaches from ALDI use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with the produce to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. This includes cutting boards, slicers, countertops, refrigerators, and storage bins.

Consumers who have symptoms of Salmonella infection should contact their health care provider. Most people with salmonellosis develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. More severe cases of salmonellosis may include a high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine or stool, and in some cases may become fatal.

Suppliers and Distributors: Suppliers, distributors and others in the supply chain should not use, ship or sell Wawona-brand bagged peaches from ALDI. Suppliers and distributors that re-packaged Wawona-brand bagged peaches from ALDI from June 1, 2020 to present should use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and storage areas that may have come into contact with Wawona-brand bagged peaches from ALDI stores. If there has been potential cross contamination or mixing of peaches from other sources with these products, then comingled products should be discarded.

Investigation Update

August 19, 2020

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteriditis infections. State officials from the Minnesota Department of Health reportedExternal Link Disclaimer that many of the people sick with the same strain of Salmonella Enteritidis, confirmed by Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), had purchased Wawona-brand bagged peaches from ALDI prior to becoming ill.

In response to FDA investigators, ALDI reported to FDA that potentially affected bagged peaches were shipped to CT, IA, IL, KY, MA, MI, MN, ND, NH, NY, OH, RI, SD, VT, WI, and WV. ALDI also reported to FDA that the sole supplier of the bagged peaches to stores reported by cases during the timeframe of interest was Wawona Packing Company, LLC. FDA’s traceback investigation is ongoing to identify the source of this outbreak and to determine if potentially contaminated product has been shipped to additional retailers.


Product Images

Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Enteritidis: Bagged Peaches Product Image (August 2020)

Case Count Map Provided by CDC

Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Enteritidis in Bagged Peaches (August 2020) - Case Count Map from CDC for August 19, 2020

U.S. Distribution Map of Recalled Peaches

Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Enteritidis in Bagged Peaches (August 2020) - U.S. Distrobution Map of Recalled Peaches (August 19, 2020)

This map includes confirmed distribution information from companies; products could have been further distributed and sent to additional retailers and states.

Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 68
Hospitalizations: 14
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset Date: August 3, 2020
States with Cases: IA, MD, MI, MN, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WI
Product Distribution*: CT, IA, IL, KY,  MA, MI, MN, ND, NH, NY, OH,  RI, SD, VT, WI, WV
*Distribution has been confirmed for states listed, but product could have been distributed further, reaching additional states

 

USA – Crackers Recall – Salmonella

Food Safety News Salm

Glutino, a division of GFA Brands Inc. based in Paramus, NJ, is voluntarily recalling Glutino Rosemary and Olive Oil Snack Crackers because the seasoning supplier, Kerry Ingredients, recalled the seasoning blend due to possible Salmonella contamination.

The recalled Glutino Rosemary and Olive Oil Snack Crackers were distributed nationally through retail and warehouse club stores. The product affected is sold in a 4.25-ounce and a 20-ounce opaque white box with a “Best By” date of Oct. 26, 2014, stamped on the top of the box.

No illnesses have been reported to date with consumption of this product.

Australia/New Zealand – Proposal P1017 – Criteria for Listeria monocytogenes – Microbiological Limits for Foods

FSANZ FSANZ3

This Proposal seeks to update Standard 1.6.1 with regards to criteria for Listeria monocytogenes limits in ready-to-eat foods; aligning with international (Codex) standards, Food Safety and Primary Production and Processing Standards and associated FSANZ guidance material.

Full information and documents from the link above.