Category Archives: Hygiene

FSA Scotland Food Survey Report

Posted on September 20, 2012 by | Leave a comment

FSAS

The results from the analysis of food samples collected from Scottish businesses in 2011 have shown a slight increase in the levels of satisfactory samples in comparison with the previous year.

The report has shown that 80% of samples collected in 2011 by local authorities in Scotland and submitted to the UK Food Surveillance System (UKFSS) were satisfactory, a rise of 3% on 2010. Areas where improvements could be made in relation to food handling practices in retail and catering businesses were also identified in the report (see attached).

During 2011, almost 9,200 food samples were collected from Scottish businesses and analysed by the Public Analyst Laboratories in Scotland. More than 5,000 samples were examined microbiologically and a further 4,188 underwent chemical analysis, including tests for contaminants, additives and labelling inaccuracies.

As in previous years, the results of sampling in 2011 show that there were very few issues relating to foodborne pathogens (illness causing organisms). The majority of failures in microbiological testing (83%) were due to the elevated levels of hygiene indicators (bacteria that can be used as indicators of general hygiene practices in food premises) and total bacterial counts (total number of bacteria on a food sample). These are not inherently a hazard but can indicate poor hygiene practices during food preparation and handling.

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Spoilage, Food Standards Agency, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Illness, Microbiology, Research

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US – Products Containing Mangoes – Salmonella Risk

Posted on September 20, 2012 by | Leave a comment

FDA

United Salad Co. is initiating a voluntary, precautionary recall on various products it distributes to retail supermarkets that contain Mangoes associated with  the Food Source Tomorrow’s Tropical recall with the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

There have been no reported illnesses attributed to the recalled items. United Salad Co. is issuing this voluntary recall linked to the supplier’s Tropical Mangoes recall to minimize risk to the public health.

The recalled products were distributed to retailers and supermarkets from 09/01/12 to 09/17/12 in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.  A list of recalled products is listed in the attached table.

The company has directly notified all customers who received the recalled product and requested removal from store shelves.

Anyone who has the recalled product in their possession should not consume it and should destroy or discard it. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-547-5536 Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific Time).

FDA

In cooperation with the FDA’s warning to not consume mangoes from Agricola Daniella, FreshLine / Caito Foods Service of Indianapolis, Indiana, is initiating a voluntary recall of a limited quantity of expired products that contain fresh-cut mangoes and are distributed to retail supermarkets due to the potential risk that the mangoes may contain Salmonella. This is associated with FoodSource’s (Edinburg, TX) recall of mangoes sourced from Agricola Daniella. The FDA has placed Agricola Daniella on the Import Alert Listing.

There have been no reported illnesses attributed to the items listed in this recall.

FDA

GHSW, LLC of Houston, Texas is initiating a voluntary recall of a limited quantity of expired products that contain fresh-cut mangoes and are distributed to retail supermarkets due to the potential risk that the mangoes may contain Salmonella. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

This recall is associated with Food Source’s recall of mangoes sourced from Agricola Daniella. The FDA has issued an Import Alert and advised consumers not to eat mangoes from Agricola Daniella.

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Hygiene, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, Salmonella

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UAE – One Death Food Poisoning

Posted on September 18, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Kaleej Times

A Pakistani man died and 15 people, including 10 children, were hospitalised due to food poisoning in two difference cases.

The condition of the victims who were rushed to Al Qasimi and Al Kuwaiti hospitals have been described to be between serious and minor. The victims ate food from two different places, including an Asian traditional food joint and a fast food outlet at one of the shopping centres in Sharjah.

Dr Yousif Al Serkal, Director of Al Kuwaiti Hospital, said four patients with suspected food poisoning were received at the emergency room of the hospital and were provided necessary treatment. But, despite the efforts of the medical staff, one of the patients, aged 40, died. The other three are still receiving treatment at the hospital and their condition are stable.

The ages of the patients range between 40 and 55 years and all are from Pakistan. The hospital management notified the authorities concerned, including the police and the municipality, for action against the Asian food outlet.

In the second incident, Dr Khalid Khalfan bin Sabt, Deputy Technical Director of Al Qasimi Hospital, said the hospital received 12 food poisoning cases on Friday, including 10 children of ages ranging from five to 13 years, and two men — a 38-year-old Arab and a 30-year-old Asian.

They ate at a fast food joint in one of the shopping centres. Six patients were discharged after they received necessary treatment and six are under medical supervision, but their condition is not critical except that of a little child who is five years old.

Officials at the municipality said inspectors were sent to the particular restaurant and food samples have been collected and are being analysed at the central food laboratory.

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen

FDA – Cheese Recall – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on September 18, 2012 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Peterson Company is recalling Ricotta Salata Frescolina brand cheese that came from its supplier Forever Cheese of Long Island City, NY. Forever Cheese recalled this cheese product due to possible Listeria monocytogenescontamination, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The cheese was sold to distributors, retailers and restaurants in Washington and Oregon states between July 17 and September 10, 2012.

The cheese is Ricotta Salata Frescolina brand, cut into 7 ounce pieces, with manufacturer codes 7022, 7212, 7272 and 7432. There is a total of 390 pounds in distribution.

The potential for contamination was noted after an illness was reported in connection with eating the cheese. Each and every distributor, retailer and restaurant has been contacted in an effort to recall any and all remaining product in the marketplace.

If you believe that you have purchased any of this cheese please contact your distributor or retailer for a full refund. If you have any questions please call Peterson Company 253-249-2453, contact Scott Williams or Kelly Beale Monday through Friday 9 am – 5pm PST and mention Recall, or email Recall@petersoncheese.com.

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

CFIA Recall Ground Beef Products – E.coli O157

Posted on September 17, 2012 by | Leave a comment

CFIA –

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public, distributors and food service establishments not to consume, sell, or serve the ground beef products described below because the products may be contaminated with E. coliO157:H7.

The following products, made from beef voluntarily recalled by XL Foods (Est. 38), are affected by this alert:

Brand Product Size UPC Codes / Dates Distribution
Calahoo Meats 4/1 B.B. Burgers 4.54 kg Item 0200525 Lot 2244 Alberta
Kirkland Signature Lean ground beef 15% fat or less Various Starts with 2 21927 Pack On  Dates between 12AU30 and 12SE15 National
Kirkland Signature Lean ground beef patties / 15% fat or less Various Starts with 2 52733 Pack On Dates between 12AU30 and 12SE15 National
Kirkland Signature Ground beef tube 86% lean full case / Manual weight Various Starts with 2 97420 Pack On Dates between 12AU30 and 12SE15 National
Safeway Ground Beef Regular Various Starts with 201637 EST 573
Best Before or Freeze By dates between 12SE09 and 12SE23		 Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
Safeway Ground Beef Lean Various Starts with 201670 EST 573
Best Before or Freeze By dates between 12SE09 and 12SE23		 Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
Safeway Ground Beef Lean Large Pack Various Starts with 201654 EST 573
Best Before or Freeze By dates between 12SE09 and 12SE23		 Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
Safeway Lean Ground Beef Patties Fresh Various Starts with 201650 EST 573
Best Before or Freeze By dates between 12SE09 and 12SE23		 Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
Safeway Medium Ground Beef Chuck Various Starts with 201730 EST 573
Best Before or Freeze By dates between 12SE09 and 12SE23		 Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
Safeway Ground Beef Extra Lean Various Starts with 201681 EST 573
Best Before or Freeze By dates between 12SE09 and 12SE23		 Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
Safeway Ground Beef Extra Lean Large Pack Various Starts with 201661 EST 573
Best Before or Freeze By dates between 12SE09 and 12SE23		 Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
Safeway MS Lean Ground Beef Patties Sundried Tomato & Asiago Cheese Various Starts with 209544 Best Before dates between 12AU29 and 12SE19 Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
Safeway MS Lean Beef Patties Cheddar Cheese Various Starts with 209553 Best Before dates between 12AU29 and 12SE19 Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
Safeway MS Lean Ground Beef Meatloaf Various Starts with 209289 Best Before dates between 12AU29 and 12SE19 Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
Safeway MS Lean Ground Beef Sliders Various Starts with 209893 Best Before dates between 12AU29 and 12SE19 Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
Safeway MS Meatballs – Made from lean ground beef and pork Various Starts with 209241 Best Before dates between 12AU29 and 12SE19 Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
Safeway MS Beef Lean Ground Stuffed Peppers Various Starts with 209628 Best Before dates between 12AU29 and 12SE19 Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
Safeway MS Ground Sirloin Patties Various Starts with 201674 Best Before dates between 12AU29 and 12SE19 Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan
Safeway Lean Ground Beef Various Starts with 221643 Best Before dates between 12AU29 and 12SE19 Alberta, British Columbia
Safeway Extra Lean Ground Beef Various Starts with 221670 Best Before dates between 12AU29 and 12SE19 Alberta, British Columbia
Safeway Regular Ground Beef Various Starts with 221634 Best Before dates between 12AU29 and 12SE19 Alberta, British Columbia
Safeway Ground Chuck Various Starts with 201637 Best Before dates between 12AU29 and 12SE19 Alberta, British Columbia
None Regular Ground Beef 454 g
1 lb		 0 27182 04350 2 EST 128
Sep/17/12
Sep/18/12
Sep/20/12		 Walmart stores in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan
None Medium Ground Beef 1.36 kg
3 lb		 0 27182 04367 0 EST 128
Sep/18/12		 Walmart stores in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan
None Lean Ground Beef 454 g
1 lb		 0 27182 04373 1 EST 128
Sep/17/12
Sep/20/12		 Walmart stores in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan
None Beef Bearpaw Burger 5oz 5.10 kg 6 26957 83655 6 EST 128
Pack Date
Sep 07, 2012		 Alberta

Consumers who are unsure if they have affected products are advised to check with the store(s) where they were purchased.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

This voluntary recall is part of an ongoing food safety investigation. The CFIA is working with the recalling firms and distributors to identify and verify all affected products. If additional affected products are confirmed, this table will be updated on the CFIA website.

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Posted in Bacteria, CFIA, E.coli, E.coli O157, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Hygiene, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

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European Alerts – Listeria, Salmonella, Lactic Acid Bacteria

Posted on September 15, 2012 by | Leave a comment

RASFF –  Listeria in Processed Pork in France sourced in Belgium

Germany – Listeria in Salmon

Denmark – Salmonella in Seasame Paste sourced in the Lebanon

Denmark – Lactic Acid Bacteria in Remoulade

 

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Testing, Hygiene, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Pathogen, RASFF, Recall, Salmonella

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UK – E.coli O157 Cases Confirmed -Not Food Based

Posted on September 15, 2012 by | Leave a comment

BBC News

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) is investigating a string of E. coli cases among visitors to a West Midlands park.

Seven people have been infected by the 0157 strain of E. coli at Sutton Park in Sutton Coldfield over July and August.

Five of the cases involved children under eight years old, the HPA said. All patients have since recovered.

Posters and leaflets have been issued, but the HPA said parents may want to use other parks for the time being.

Dr Roger Gajraj, a consultant with the HPA’s West Midlands East Health Protection Unit (HPU) said: “E. coli O157 can be very serious in young children and can in some instances cause kidney failure.”

The HPA said E. coli O157 was often associated with contact with animals and rural areas that may have been contaminated by animal faeces.

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Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, E.coli O157, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, HPA, Hygiene, Illness, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen

US Fresh Fruit Salad (Cantaloupe) – Salmonella

Posted on September 15, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

A Minnesota-based company is recalling sits fresh cut fruit products because they contain cantaloupes that may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Cut Fruit Express, Inc. of Inver Grove Heights, MN issued a voluntary recall of products distributed through September 5, 2012, because they were made with cantaloupes recalled by Fresno, CA-based DFI Marketing Thursday after a federal testing program revealed the presence of the bacteria in a sample.
 
The fresh cut fruits subject to this recall were sold in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
 
As many as half a million cantaloupes are included in the DFI recall.
 
Only products with certain use-by dates are subject to this recall, according to the company, however those dates are not currently listed in the recall notice.  
 
Customers with questions are encouraged to call the company at 651-438-8834. 
 
Symptoms of Salmonella infection usually begin between 6 and 48 hours after infection and include fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
 
If you think you may have contracted a Salmonella infection, contact your healthcare provider. 

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Illness, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, Salmonella

Multistate Outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Newport Infections Linked to Cantaloupe

Posted on September 14, 2012 by | Leave a comment

CDC

  • A total of 270 persons infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Typhimurium (240 persons) and SalmonellaNewport (30 persons) have been reported from 26 states.
    • The number of ill persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium identified in each state is as follows: Alabama (16), Arkansas (6), California (2), Florida (1), Georgia (9), Iowa (10), Illinois (26), Indiana (24), Kentucky (70), Massachusetts (2), Maryland (1), Michigan (6), Minnesota (5), Missouri (15), Mississippi (7), Montana (1), New Jersey (2), North Carolina (7), Ohio (6), Oklahoma (1), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (5), Tennessee (8), Texas (2), and Wisconsin (6).
    • The number of ill persons infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Newport identified in each state is as follows: Illinois (8), Indiana (9), Michigan (1), Missouri (6), Ohio (3), Virginia (1), and Wisconsin (2)
    • 101 ill persons have been hospitalized. Three deaths have been reported in Kentucky

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Posted in Bacteria, CDC, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Illness, Microbiology, outbreak, Recall, Salmonella

US – Listeria Tainted Cheese – At Least One Death

Posted on September 13, 2012 by | Leave a comment

CBS News

Federal health officials say ricotta cheese tainted with listeria bacteria is linked to 14 illnesses including at least one death.

 The imported Italian ricotta salata cheese distributed by Forever Cheese Inc. of New York is linked to illnesses in 11 states and the District of Columbia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Forever Cheese issued a recall of one lot — 800 wheels of ricotta salata, or roughly 4,800 pounds — on Monday.

The cheese was distributed to retail stores and restaurants in California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington between June 20 and Aug. 9.

It was not immediately clear how many deaths were caused by the listeria outbreak. The CDC said listeriosis contributed to “at least one” of two deaths in New York and Nebraska but did not elaborate. A spokeswoman for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said Wednesday the department was investigating a death linked to the listeria and a spokeswoman for the Nebraska Department of Health said the same strain had contributed to the death of a woman in her 80s.

 A third deceased person in Minnesota was infected with listeriosis linked to the cheese but that was not thought to be the primary cause of the person’s death, a spokesman for the Minnesota Department of Health said.

 Three people from Maryland reported becoming ill from the strain of listeria linked to the ricotta. One person each from California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia also reported an illness. Two of the illnesses were in newborn babies, the CDC said.

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Listeria, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, Recall

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