Category Archives: Microbial Spoilage

Research Dry-surface foodborne pathogens under scrutiny at Purdue

Posted on October 28, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Purdue Edu

Maintaining sanitary conditions without using water presents special challenges

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – During 2021 and 2022, national news reported on four infants being hospitalized and two dying after consuming infant formula tainted with Cronobacter sakazakii. The reports sparked the prolonged shutdown of a production plant that produced large quantities of the formula, leading to a monthslong nationwide shortage of infant formula.

The incident motivated Purdue University’s Haley Oliver to launch a project to improve the safety of low-moisture food-processing facilities. Oliver, a professor of food science, will collaborate with Old Dominion University’s Rishi Drolia on the project, which will target the C. sakazakii pathogen.

“It was a massive-scale food safety challenge that led to a food security challenge,” Oliver said.

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbial Spoilage, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Pathogen, pathogenic

RASFF Alerts – Mold/Mould – Pasta – Brown Rice – Butter

Posted on October 20, 2023 by | Leave a comment

RASFF

Mold in pasta product from Belgium in the Netherlands

RASFF

Mold, musty odor and possibly yeast in Brown rice from The Netherlands in Belgium

RASFF

Mold in single portion of butter from Italy in Croatia

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Posted in Food Spoilage, Microbial Spoilage, mold, Mould/Mold, RASFF, Visible Mould/Mold

Taiwan – Over 20 Taiwanese elementary students suffer food poisoning from school lunches

Posted on October 16, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Taiwan News

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — As of Saturday (Oct. 14) night, more than 20 elementary students in Keelung City were admitted to the hospital due to food poisoning from school food.

The students, who all attend Shen-Mei Elementary School in Xinyi District, began reporting symptoms of vomiting Friday (Oct. 13) night, with students being admitted to emergency rooms the following day, reported UDN. Investigators suspect that a spoiled milk product served on Friday is responsible for the food poisoning.

Samples of milk, yogurt, and other food items served at the school have been taken for testing to determine the precise origin of the foodborne illness.

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, Foodborne Illness, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbial Spoilage, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Poisoning

India – 16 students hospitalised due to suspected food poisoning at BMC-run school

Posted on October 16, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Hindustan Times

16 students of a civic-run school in Mumbai were hospitalized due to suspected food poisoning after eating a midday meal provided by Shantai Mahila Industrial Co-operative Society. The affected students are now in stable condition and the food supply operation has ceased.

D Gangadharan, joint commissioner (education), BMC along with Kankal and other officials, visited the hospital to inspect the students’ well-being. Gangadharan said, “We examined the school premises to assess the situation. A sample of the food supplied at the school and other materials that were used in the kitchen has been sent to the BMC laboratory in G/North for testing, and the analysis report is expected shortly.”

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbial Spoilage, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Poisoning

Research – Pathogenic E. coli in the Food Chain across the Arab Countries: A Descriptive Review

Posted on October 12, 2023 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Abstract

Foodborne bacterial infections caused by pathogens are a widespread problem in the Middle East, leading to significant economic losses and negative impacts on public health. This review aims to offer insights into the recent literature regarding the occurrence of harmful E. coli bacteria in the food supply of Arab countries. Additionally, it aims to summarize existing information on health issues and the state of resistance to antibiotics. The reviewed evidence highlights a lack of a comprehensive understanding of the extent to which harmful E. coli genes are present in the food supply of Arab countries. Efforts to identify the source of harmful E. coli in the Arab world through molecular characterization are limited. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have conducted few surveys specifically targeting harmful E. coli in the food supply. Despite having qualitative data that indicate the presence or absence of harmful E. coli, there is a noticeable absence of quantitative data regarding the actual numbers of harmful E. coli in chicken meat supplies across all Arab countries. While reports about harmful E. coli in animal-derived foods are common, especially in North African Arab countries, the literature emphasized in this review underscores the ongoing challenge that harmful E. coli pose to food safety and public health in Arab countries.

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, E.coli, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbial Spoilage, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Research

Research – New publication about microbiological hazards in fresh fruits and vegetables

Posted on October 10, 2023 by | Leave a comment

FAO

Fresh fruits and vegetables contaminated with foodborne pathogens (bacteria, viruses, protozoa, helminths, etc.) have resulted in numerous outbreaks of foodborne illness, made headlines and caused trade disruptions around the world. To better understand these hazards, and how to prevent and mitigate the risks, FAO and WHO convened a meeting of scientific experts to identify and evaluate commodity-specific interventions used to reduce the risk of microbiological hazards in fresh fruit and vegetable production – from primary production to post-harvest activities, transportation, point of sale and preparation for consumption. A new report is now available and provides guidance, taking into consideration the effectiveness, practicality and suitability of the various approaches used in fruit and vegetable safety.

Prevention and control of microbiological hazards in fresh fruits and vegetables – Part 4: Specific commodities, which is volume 44 in the FAO/WHO Microbiological Risk Assessment Series, is the report of the meeting convened by the Secretariat of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA). It addresses four commodity groups:  leafy vegetables and herbs, berries and tropical fruits, melons and tree fruits, and seeded and root vegetables.

This assessment updates and expands previous JEMRA work on the safety of fruits and vegetables and supports work being conducted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission on the development of guidelines for the control of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in leafy vegetables and in sprouts.

Download the report

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, Food Hazard, Food Hazrd, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbial Spoilage, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk

Nearly 900 get food poisoning at ‘nagashi somen’ restaurant – Campylobacter

Posted on October 9, 2023 by | Leave a comment

ASAHI

KANAZAWA—Close to 900 people suffered from food poisoning after eating at a “nagashi somen” restaurant in Tsubata, Ishikawa Prefecture.

Nagashi somen is a practice in which customers use chopsticks to try to scoop up thin somen noodles as they flow down a bamboo chute filled with running water.

The Ishikawa prefectural government announced on Oct. 6 that 892 people were certified with food poisoning after dining at the restaurant between Aug. 11 and 17, during the Bon holiday season. While none suffered serious symptoms, 22 were hospitalized.

Many complained of diarrhea and a fever, and 611 were treated at hospitals.

The prefectural government said 1,298 customers submitted complaints, of whom the 892 were certified. They came from 18 prefectures around Japan, including Ishikawa, Toyama, Tokyo, Osaka and Aichi.

Customers who ate the nagashi somen, salt-grilled mountain trout or shaved ice came down with the symptoms, leading the prefectural government to check on the springwater the restaurant used. Officials found campylobacter, a type of bacteria that causes diarrhea, in the water.

The prefectural government ordered the restaurant to suspend operations.

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Posted in Campylobacter, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbial Spoilage, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak

Canada – Sunrise Farms brand Young Turkey with giblets recalled due to possible spoilage

Posted on October 9, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Gov Canada

Summary

Product
Young Turkey with giblets
Issue
Food – Microbial Contamination – Non harmful (quality or spoilage)
What to do

Do not use, sell, serve or distribute the affected product.

Audience
Retail
Distribution
Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
Saskatchewan

Sunrise Farms brand Young Turkey with giblets recalled due to possible spoilage.

The recalled product has been sold in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Research, Food Quality, food recall, Food Spoilage, Food Testing, Microbial Spoilage