Category Archives: microbial contamination

USA – Vitakraft Sun Seed Recall of Vitakraft Vita Smart Hedgehog Food Due to Possible Salmonella Health Risk

Posted on March 3, 2021 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Company Announcement

Vitakraft Sun Seed Inc. of Weston, OH, is voluntarily recalling one lot of Vitakraft Vita Smart Hedgehog Food because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Vitakraft Sun Seed was notified on February 19, 2021, by the Michigan Department of Agriculture that Salmonella was detected in an inspection sample of product from Lot Number 343422. The tests which discovered the bacteria were part of random testing performed by the State of Michigan on consumer products, and not prompted by any consumer concerns. To date there have been no reports of illness.

Products matching the specific lot number below are being recalled:

UPC # DESCRIPTION LOT EXP
0-51233-34792-9 Vitakraft Vita Smart Hedgehog Food, 25oz 343422 11/06/22

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Retailers and distributors who received the recalled lots have been contacted and asked to pull these lots from their inventory and shelves. Consumers who have purchased a product from the recalled lot should discontinue use of the product and may return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Customers who have further questions are welcome to contact Customer Service at 1-800-221-6175 Extension 123, Monday through Friday between 8:30am and 5:00pm EST.

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Posted in Animal Feed, Animal Feed Testing, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pet Food, Pet Food Testing, Salmonella

Switzerland – Public warning: Listerias detected in Anna’s Best Farmer salad, on sale at Migros

Posted on March 3, 2021 by | Leave a comment

BLV

Bern, 02.03.2021 – Internal controls have revealed the presence of listerias in corn used in the composition of Anna’s Best Saladbowl Farmer. As a health risk cannot be excluded, the Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (FSVO) recommends that the population not consume this product. Migros immediately removed it from its shelves and ordered a recall.

How can this product be dangerous?

An infection with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes most often causes mild symptoms, or even no symptoms at all, in people with an intact immune system. People who are immunocompromised can experience a variety of serious symptoms, the outcome of which can be fatal in certain circumstances. During pregnancy, an infection with listerias can lead to miscarriage or cause sepsis or meningitis in the child when it is born.

What is the affected product?

Anna’s Best Saladbowl Farmer

  •  Article No: 130331100000 
  • Use-by dates and batch number: 02.03.2021 (L11 / 26.02.21) and 04.03.2021 (L11 / 28.02.21)
  • On sale in Migros Vaud, Migros Valais, Migros Geneva cooperatives

What should affected consumers do?

FSVO recommends not to consume this product.

Address for sending questions

Consumers:
Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (
FSVO ) Infodesk
Tel. 058 463 30 33
info@blv.admin.ch

Journalists:
Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (FSVO)
Media Service
Tel. 058 463 78 98
media@blv.admin.ch

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiology

Belgium – Fine sliced ​​sausage 150g – Salmonella – Update of the product recall of 02/25/2021

Posted on March 2, 2021 by | Leave a comment

AFSCA

03/02/2021 (Update of the product recall of 02/25/2021)
Recall of Aldi
Product: Fine sliced ​​sausage 150g.
Problem: possible presence of Salmonella.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Name: Fine sliced ​​sausage 150g
EAN code: 270 6001 8
Brand: Délifin
Type of packaging: plastic
Batch codes and expiration dates: (update)

Lot codes Expiration dates
GUS164702 (1) 027 03/14/2021
GUS164702 (1) 029 03/14/2021
GUS164702 (1) 032 03/17/2021
GUS164702 (1) 034 03/17/2021
GUS164702 (1) 035 03/17/2021
GUS164702 (1) 039 03/20/2021
GUS164702 (1) 040 03/20/2021
GUS164702 (1) 041 03/20/2021
GUS164702 (1) 042 03/20/2021
GUS164702 (1) 043 21.03.2021

Points of sale: ALDI stores

NATURE OF THE PROBLEM

Salmonella has been detected in the product mentioned above.

ALDI has therefore decided, in consultation with the AFSCA, to withdraw this product from the market and to recall it to consumers.

Other ALDI products are not affected by this product recall.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RISK

Possible symptoms of salmonella poisoning are fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea, within 12 to 48 hours of consuming the contaminated food. The risk of infection is higher in the elderly, children, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems.

People who have consumed these products and who present this type of symptoms are invited to consult their doctor without delay, notifying him of this consumption.

ADVICE FOR CONSUMERS

Please do not consume these products and bring them back to the store.
The returned products will be reimbursed (also without receipt).
For any further information, you can contact ALDI via serviceclients@aldi.be .

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Posted in afsca, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Salmonella, Uncategorized

South Africa – Tiger Brands outbreak killed young mother, leaving her twin sisters to raise her daughter – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on March 1, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

South African Nthabiseng Zaza liked traveling and gospel music. She liked shoes, especially designer brands like Michael Kors. “She was the life of the party,” Matlhogonolo said, Nthabiseng’s 26-year-old sister.

Nthabiseng was a person who loved family above all else. She always wanted to have kids and was blessed with a daughter, Onthathile, who turns 5 this month. Matlhogonolo Chantell and her twin sister Michell Masego Zaza are raising their sister’s daughter.

Onthathile doesn’t remember much of her mother, who at the age of 35 died from listeriosis in Oct. 2018. Her death was part of a Listeria outbreak in South Africa that was traced to Tiger Brand’s polony — processed deli meat similar to baloney.

However, it wasn’t until 2020 that the family found out what had caused their Nthabiseng’s mysterious illness. They knew only that many people in the country were getting sick.

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Posted in Death, food bourne outbreak, food death, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, listeriosis, microbial contamination, Microbiology, outbreak, Research, south africa

Sweden – Yersinia (Sweden, January 2021–) – Increase in cases of yersinia infection.

Posted on March 1, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Folkhalsomyndigheten#

kswfoodworld.com

Since the second week of January, more than twice as many people have contracted yersinia infection as during the same period in the immediately preceding years. An increased number of patients has mainly been observed in the regions of Stockholm, Västra Götaland and Halland, which together account for 33 of the total of 48 disease cases reported since 11 January. Of the patients, a majority are aged 11-40 and most are women (figure). In the ongoing investigation, the Swedish Public Health Agency collaborates with the infection control units in the affected regions to try to identify the source of the infection through interviews of the cases and surveys.

As part of the outbreak investigation, the Swedish Public Health Agency also collects yersinia isolates from disease cases in the affected regions. The isolates are typed using whole genome sequencing (analysis of the genome of the bacterium) to clarify who has been affected by a common source of infection.

Figure. Distribution by age and sex of persons reported to be infected with yersinia infection 11 January – 2 February 2021.

Figure. Distribution by age and sex of persons reported to be infected with yersinia infection 11 January – 2 February 2021.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Yersinia, yersinia enterocolitica

Sweden – National outbreak with Salmonella Enteritidis identified.

Posted on March 1, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Folkhalsomyndigheten

Salm2

Twelve cases of Salmonella Enteritidis disease have been linked using whole genome sequencing (analysis of the bacterium’s genome). Eight of the twelve patients are children under the age of ten and the cases are resident in ten different regions. All cases except one have fallen ill on January 20 or later (figure). There are as many women / girls as men / boys who have fallen ill.

The affected infection control units and the Swedish Public Health Agency are jointly investigating the outbreak to identify the source of the infection.

Figure. Disease curve for outbreak cases with Salmonella Enteritidis (n = 12), 2021-02-23.

Diagram showing the disease curve for the outbreak cases with Salmonella Enteritidis (n = 12), 2021-02-23. The figure shows that eleven of the cases fell ill during week three or later.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, microbial contamination, Microbiology, outbreak, Salmonella

USA – J&J Distributing Recalls Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Salads and Wrap Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

Posted on March 1, 2021 by | Leave a comment

FSIS USDA

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2021 – J&J Distributing, a St. Paul, Minn., establishment, is recalling approximately 33 pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry salads and wrap products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm), the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The fully cooked, not shelf stable salads and wraps were produced and packaged on Feb. 23, 2021 and list a “Sell-by” date of Feb. 28, 2021 on the packaging label. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF Only)]:

  • 9-oz. plastic container of “COBB SALAD” on the product label.
  • 10-oz. plastic container of “Because life is delicious. tastebuds Bacon Lettuce Avocado Tomato Wrap” on the label.
  • 10-oz. plastic container of “Because life is delicious. tastebuds Turkey Ranch Club Wrap” on the label.
  • 10-oz. plastic container of “Because life is delicious. tastebuds Chicken Caesar Wrap” on the label.
  • 12-oz. plastic container of “Because life is delicious. tastebuds Southwest Style Chicken Salad” on the label.
  • 12-oz. plastic container of “Southwest Style Chicken Salad” on the label.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 38450” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The problem was discovered when the firm received confirmation from their third-party lab that a product contact surface sample returned positive for Lm.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumption of food contaminated with Lm can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Media and consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Jason Jaynes, J&J Distributing Owner, at (651) 292-3822.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or live chat via Ask USDA from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Consumers can also browse food safety messages at Ask USDA or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, FSIS, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiology, USDA

France – Product recall: Grated Comté from Les Croisés brand – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on March 1, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Oulah

Product recall: Grated Comté from Les Croisés brand

ENCOUNTERED PROBLEM

Presence of Listeria monocytogens

PROPOSED SOLUTION

People who may have this product are asked not to consume it and to return it to the point of sale where it was purchased.

People who have consumed this product and who present with fever, isolated or accompanied by headaches, are invited to consult their attending physician, notifying him 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

▸ Barcode
3564706619692

▸ Packaging
130g

▸ DDM
04/16/21

▸ Stamp
FR 25 601 003 CE

▸ Marketing
This product was marketed in the Self-Service department from 02/23/21.

▸ Consumer service contact
0 800 86 52 86 Service and free call

▸ Source
https://www.e.leclerc/

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiology

Austria – Investigators still looking for source of outbreak of E. coli infections in Austria

Posted on February 26, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Austrian authorities are investigating an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections that has affected a handful of people.

Between September and December 2020, six people fell ill with infections from E. coli O146:H28. Those sick live in five federal states. Two people needed hospital treatment.

As yet, there is no indication as to the source of the outbreak, according to the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES). It is understood other countries in Europe have not reported related infections.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, microbial contamination, Microbiology, outbreak, STEC, STEC E.coli

Germany – Florina with soft cheese – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on February 26, 2021 by | Leave a comment

LMW

Warning type:Food
Date of first publication:02/26/2021
Product name:Florina with soft cheese
Product pictures:

Produktbild.png
Manufacturer (distributor):Palatum Feinkost KG
Reason for warning:

Listeria monocytogenes were found in the article.

Packaging Unit:see attached press release
Durability:see attached press release
Production date:see attached press release
Lot identification:see attached press release
Further information:Reference is made to the attached press release from the food company.
Contact to the responsible authorities:

Bavaria:poststelle@lgl.bayern.de

Press releases and information
title Attachment or web link
Press release
20210225_11557_Florina_10416040.pdf

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiology