Category Archives: microbial contamination

Canada – Public Health Notice: Outbreak of Salmonella illnesses linked to contact with pig ear dog treats

Posted on October 1, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Biospace

OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 29, 2020 /CNW/ – Original Notice

Why you should take note

The Public Health Agency of Canada is collaborating with provincial and territorial public health partners to investigate an outbreak of Salmonella infections occurring in British Columbia, Alberta, and Yukon.

Based on the investigation findings to date, exposure to pig ear dog treats has been identified as a likely source of the outbreak. Some of the individuals who became sick reported feeding their dog Paws Up! and Western Family brands of pig ear dog treats before their illnesses occurred. These brands are sold at Canadian Tire and Save-On-Foods. The outbreak investigation is ongoing and it is possible that additional products may be identified.

 

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Posted in Animal Feed, Bacteria, bacterial contamination, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Salmonella, Salmonella Dog Food

Italy – AZ. AGR. ARMANNI ANGELO – TREVIOLO (BG) – Raw Milk Cheese – Stracchino – STEC E.coli -eae

Posted on October 1, 2020 by | Leave a comment

MDS

Brand : AZ. AGR. ARMANNI ANGELO – TREVIOLO (BG)

Name : raw milk cheese – stracchino

Reason for reporting : Recall due to microbiological risk

Publication date : 30 September 2020

Documentation

Documentation

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, Bacterial Toxin, E.coli, food contamination, 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 Testing, Food Toxin, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Shigatoxin, STEC, STEC E.coli

Spain – Firm Fined 2000 Euros for Spain’s Worst Listeria Outbreak

Posted on September 30, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Diario de Sevilla

A fine of 2,000 euros now , two years after the Magrudis company caused the largest outbreak of listeriosis in the history of Spain. The Seville City Council has sanctioned the Magrudis company with this amount for various irregularities detected in the license granted at the time for the production of La Mechá brand products, whose infection with the bacterium listeria monocytogenes has caused four deaths and six abortions , in addition to more than 200 injured by the consumption of these products.

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food death, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, 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, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiology

Belgium – Leader Price – Gorgonzola 150g. – Listeria monocytogenes.

Posted on September 30, 2020 by | Leave a comment

AFSCA

Product Image Link

In agreement with the AFSCA, LEADER PRICE is withdrawing Gorgonzola 150g from sale and is recalling it to consumers because of the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

LEADER PRICE asks its customers not to consume this product and to return it to the point of sale where it was purchased for reimbursement.

Product description

– Product name: Gorgonzola 150g
– Brand: LEADER PRICE
– Use-by date (DLC): 01/10/20
– Batch number (s): P230006
– Type of packaging: plastic tray
– Weight: 150g

The product was sold through Leader Price stores in Belgium

– 219, CHAUSSEE DE PHILIPPEVILLE, 6010 COUILLET CHARLEROI
– 1, ANGLE RUE DU SEWAGE / CONCORDE, 4100 SERAING
– BD ERNEST SOLVAY, 4040 HERSTAL
– 5, RUE EMILE BRONCHAIN, 6180 COURCELLES
– RUE LAGUESSE 13, 4460 GRACE HOLLOGNE
– RTE DE CHARLEROI 160, 7134 BINCHE
– RUE DU MONS 280, 7301 HORNU BELGIQUE
– 31, AVENUE DE L’INDUSTRIE, 4500 TIHANGE
– 787 CHAUSSEE DE CHARLEROI, 6220 FLEURUS

For any further information , you can contact the consumer service by dialing the Freephone number: 0033 800 35 00 00 (service and free calls) Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 6 pm

 

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

Belgium – Sequoia – Le Picoreur organic free-range chicken thighs. -Salmonella

Posted on September 30, 2020 by | Leave a comment

AFSCA

Product Image Link

In agreement with the AFSCA, Sequoia is withdrawing from sale the product Le Picoreur organic free-range chicken thighs and is recalling it to consumers because of the presence of Salmonella.

Sequoia asks its customers not to consume this product and to return it to the point of sale where it was purchased, with proof of purchase for reimbursement.

Product description
– Product name: BLC organic free-range chicken thigh
– Brand: Le picoreur
– Use-by date (DLC) (“To be consumed until”): 27, 28 and 30/09/20
– Lot number : 25801101
– Health stamp: FR 85.223.001 CE
– Sales period: from 09/15/20 to 09/29/20
– Type of packaging: plastic

The product was sold via:
Sequoia Stockel – 101, rue de l’Église, 1150 Woluwe-Saint-Pierre
Sequoia Jourdan – 2, rue Gray, 1040 Etterbeek

For any further information , contact:
Sequoia
info@sequoia.bio

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, food contamination, 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, Salmonella in Chicken

Denmark – Denmark investigates Shigella outbreak with 40 sick

Posted on September 30, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Shigella - kswfoodworld

Image CDC

More than 40 people are sick and almost a third have needed hospital treatment as part of a foodborne Shigella outbreak in Denmark.

From the end of August, 42 people have been registered with shigellosis in the country.

The outbreak is being investigated to try to pinpoint the source of infection and help stop it with experts doing final traceback investigations ahead of plans to reveal results next week.

From Aug. 25 to Sept. 10, 42 cases of shigellosis were reported to the Statens Serum Institut (SSI).

 

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, Bacterial Toxin, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, 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, Food Toxin, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Shigatoxin, Shigella

Research – Small produce farm environments can harbor diverse Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria spp. populations

Posted on September 29, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Journal of Food Protection

A comprehensive understanding of foodborne pathogen diversity in pre-harvest environments is necessary to effectively track pathogens on farms and identify sources of produce contamination. As such, this study aimed to characterize Listeria diversity in wildlife feces and agricultural water collected from a New York State produce farm over a growing season. Water samples were collected from a pond (N=80) and stream (N=52). Fecal samples (N=77) were opportunistically collected from areas <5m from the water sources; all samples were collected from a <0.5km2 area. Overall, 41% (86/209) and 24% (50/209) of samples were positive for Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria spp. (excluding L. monocytogenes), respectively. For each positive sample, one L. monocytogenes or Listeria spp. isolate was speciated by sequencing the sigB gene, which allowed for additional characterization based on the sigB allelic type (AT). The 86 L. monocytogenes and 50 Listeria spp. isolates represented 8 and 23 different ATs, respectively. A subset of L. monocytogenes isolates (N=44) from pond water and pond-adjacent feces (representing a ~5,000m2 area) were further characterized by PFGE; these 44 isolates represented 22 PFGE types, which is indicative of considerable diversity at a small spatial scale. Ten PFGE types were isolated more than once, suggesting persistence or re-introduction of PFGE types in this area. Given the small spatial scale, the prevalence of L. monocytogenes and Listeria spp., as well as the considerable diversity amongst isolates, suggests traceback investigations may be challenging. For example, traceback of finished product or processing facility contamination with specific subtypes to pre-harvest sources may require collection of large sample sets, and characterization of a considerable number of isolates. Our data also support the adage, “absence of evidence does not equal evidence of absence” applies to L. monocytogenes traceback efforts at the pre-harvest level.

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiology

Belgium – Louis Bechoux Snacks SA – Roasted Meatballs (12x135g and 12x100g). – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on September 29, 2020 by | Leave a comment

AFSCA

Reminder Louis Bechoux Snacks SA
Product: Roasted Meatballs (12x135g and 12x100g).
Problem: Possible presence of Listeria Monocytogens.

In agreement with the AFSCA, Louis Bechoux Snacks is withdrawing from sale the “Roasted meatballs” products (12x100g and 12x135g) and are recalling them to consumers following a possible presence of Listeria Monocytogens.
Louis Bechoux Snacks asks its customers not to consume these products and to bring them back to the point of sale where they were purchased, where they can be reimbursed.

Product description– 

Product name: Roasted meatballs (12x100g and 12x135g)
– Brand: Louis Bechoux Snacks
– Use-by date (DLC) (“To be consumed until”): 10/10/2020
– Lot number: 080920
– Sale period: from 09/10/2020 to 09/23/2020
– Type of packaging: Transparent plastic packaging with two compartments containing 12 meatballs.
– Weight: 1,620kg (for 135g meatballs), 1,200kg for 100g meatballs

The products were distributed by:

Delisalades, Route de Neufchâteau 48A, 6800 Libramont
Carry Geron, Avenue de l’Independence 31, 4020 Wandre
Deli Snacks SA (VD Horeca), Route de Marche 6, 5377 Baillonville

For any further information , contact:

Madame Louise Hogge
084 / 47.72.27 or qualite@bechouxsnacks.be

Link for images below

   

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Posted in afsca, Bacteria, bacterial contamination, food contamination, 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

Research – Lessons Learned from a Decade of Investigations of Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli Outbreaks Linked to Leafy Greens, United States and Canada

Posted on September 29, 2020 by | Leave a comment

CDC

Abstract

Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) cause substantial and costly illnesses. Leafy greens are the second most common source of foodborne STEC O157 outbreaks. We examined STEC outbreaks linked to leafy greens during 2009–2018 in the United States and Canada. We identified 40 outbreaks, 1,212 illnesses, 77 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome, and 8 deaths. More outbreaks were linked to romaine lettuce (54%) than to any other type of leafy green. More outbreaks occurred in the fall (45%) and spring (28%) than in other seasons. Barriers in epidemiologic and traceback investigations complicated identification of the ultimate outbreak source. Research on the seasonality of leafy green outbreaks and vulnerability to STEC contamination and bacterial survival dynamics by leafy green type are warranted. Improvements in traceability of leafy greens are also needed. Federal and state health partners, researchers, the leafy green industry, and retailers can work together on interventions to reduce STEC contamination.

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, Bacterial Toxin, E.coli, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, Food Testing, Food Toxin, HUS, microbial contamination, Microbiology, STEC, STEC E.coli, STX 1, STX 2

Canada – Updated and Corrected Food Recall Warning – Provigo brand and Metro brand ground beef products recalled due to E. coli O157

Posted on September 29, 2020 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

Advisory details

Ottawa, September 28, 2020 – The food recall warning issued on September 27, 2020 has been updated to include additional product information. The food recall warning issued on September 27, 2020 has also been amended to correctly identify the affected products. The corrections for these products are marked by an asterisk (*). This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation.

JBS Food Canada ULC is recalling raw, fresh, lean ground beef due to possible E. coli O157 contamination. This product was further processed by other companies into raw ground beef products. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.

The following products have been sold exclusively at Provigo Hull, 1 du Plateau, Gatineau, Quebec and Metro (Marché Kelly), 910 Maloney boulevard east, Gatineau, Quebec.

Recalled product

Brand Product Size UPC Codes
Provigo Medium ground beef club pack Variable Starts with
0 213026		 All Best Before dates from 23.SE2020 up to and including 28.SE 2020 *
Provigo Medium ground beef Variable Starts with
0 214117		 All Best Before dates from 23.SE2020 up to and including 28.SE 2020
Provigo Lean ground beef club pack Variable Starts with
0 217334		 All Best Before dates from 23.SE2020 up to and including 28.SE 2020 *
Provigo Lean ground beef Variable Starts with
0 217331		 All Best Before dates from 23.SE2020 up to and including 28.SE 2020
Metro Lean ground beef Variable Starts with
0 201020		 All  « pkgd on » dates from 24.SE 2020 up to and including 26.SE 2020
Metro Lean ground beef fam. pack Variable Starts with
0 201710		 All  « pkgd on » dates from 24.SE 2020 up to and including 26.SE 2020

What you should do

If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, call your doctor.

Check to see if you have the recalled products in your home. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased.

Food contaminated with E. coli O157 may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, mild to severe abdominal cramps and watery to bloody diarrhea. In severe cases of illness, some people may have seizures or strokes, need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis or live with permanent kidney damage. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

Background

This recall was triggered by the company. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings.

The CFIA is verifying that industry is removing the recalled products from the marketplace.

Illnesses

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

Related alerts

2020-09-27 – Provigo brand ground beef products recalled due to E. coli O157

Product photos

Printer ready version of photos

  • Provigo - Medium ground beef club pack
  • Provigo - Medium ground beef
  • Provigo - Lean ground beef club pack
  • Provigo - Lean ground beef
  • Provigo - Lean ground beef - Nutrition facts
  • Provigo - Medium ground beef - Nutrition facts
  • Metro - Lean ground beef
  • Metro - Lean ground beef fam. pack

Public enquiries and media

Public enquiries
Toll-free: 1-800-442-2342 (Canada and U.S.)
Telephone: 1-613-773-2342 (local or international)
Email: cfia.enquiries-demandederenseignements.acia@canada.ca
Media relations
Telephone: 613-773-6600
Email: cfia.media.acia@canada.ca

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, Bacterial Toxin, Biotoxin, CFIA, E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food contamination, 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 Testing, Food Toxin, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pathogen, STEC, STEC E.coli