Category Archives: Microbiology

Sweden – Salmonella sickens more than 50 in Sweden

Posted on October 18, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

More than 50 people have fallen ill in a national outbreak of Salmonella in Sweden with the source yet to be identified.

A total of 54 confirmed cases of Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported from 20 different regions in the country from Sept. 17 to Oct. 5.

Patients are aged between 8 and 86 years old; 31 of them are women.

Cases have been connected by whole genome sequencing of patient samples. This means they are suspected of having been infected by a common source, according to the Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten).

Local infection control units, the Swedish Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket) and Folkhälsomyndigheten are investigating the outbreak to identify the source of infection, which is suspected to be a food with wide distribution in Sweden.

Patient interviews to compile information about what those sick have eaten before falling ill are ongoing. Answers will be used to form a hypotheses about the source and compared to what people in a control group that are not part of the outbreak have eaten.

The incident doesn’t appear to be connected to a Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that is ongoing in Denmark. Officials believe the outbreak in Sweden is caused by a different source because the strains don’t cluster.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak, Salmonella

USA – Big Olaf’s Ice Cream Listeria Outbreaks stands at 25 sick with 24 hospitalized with 1 death

Posted on October 18, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

Epidemiologic Data

Since the last update on July 13, 2022, two more illnesses have been reported. As of August 2, 2022, a total of 25 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 11 states (see map). Thirteen sick people are residents of Florida and ten reported traveling to Florida before getting sick. Illnesses started on dates ranging from January 24, 2021, to June 24, 2022 (see timeline).

Sick people range in age from less than one to 92 years, with a median age of 72, and 56% are male. Of 25 people with information available, 24 have been hospitalized. One death in a person who was not pregnant has been reported from Illinois. Five people got sick during their pregnancy, and one person’s illness resulted in a fetal loss.

The true number of sick people in an outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Listeria. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.

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

USA – Michigan hit hardest in Falafel E. coli Outbreak

Posted on October 18, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

As of October 7 2022, 20 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O121 have been reported from 6 states (see map). Illnesses started on dates ranging from July 13, 2022, to September 13, 2022 (see timeline).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sick people range in age from less than 1 to 71 years, with a median age of 31, and 79% are female. Of 14 people with information available, 5 have been hospitalized, including 1 who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. No deaths have been reported.

The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for E. coli. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.

State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Among 18 people interviewed, 15 reported shopping at ALDI stores. Among these 15 ALDI shoppers, 6 reported eating Earth Grown brand frozen falafel purchased from ALDI in the week before getting sick.

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Posted in E.coli O121, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak

Denmark – Fermentation in damaged cans with kidney beans and white beans – Microbial Contamination

Posted on October 18, 2022 by | Leave a comment

DVFA

REMA Distribution A/S is recalling several lots of tins of kidney beans in brine and kidney beans in chilli sauce as well as white beans in tomato sauce.

Small perforations in the cans means that there is a risk of microbiological contamination of the contents and fermentation in the cans.

Recalled Foods , Published: October 14, 2022

Modified October 14, 2022

​​​​​​​Which food:
REMA1000 Kidney Beans in brine, 420g

Lot no: LU052../ LU053../ LU054../ LU055..

Best-before date: 30.11.2025

EAN barcode: 5705830004307

REMA1000 Kidney Beans in Chilli Sauce, 420g

Lot no: LU080../ LU081..

Best-before date: 30.11.2025

EAN barcode: 5705830004321

REMA1000 White Beans in Tomato Sauce, 420g

Lot no: LU089…/ LU090…/ LU091…/ LU159….

Best-before date: 30.11.2025

EAN barcode: 5705830004314

Sold in:
REMA1000 stores throughout the country

Company that is recalling:
REMA Distribution A/S

Reason:
An error occurred during the packaging of the products, which means that the cans may be perforated and thus contaminated. The products are therefore unsuitable as food.

Risk:
The small perforations in the cans create a risk that fermentation may occur in the products and that the contents of the cans may be exposed to microbiological contamination with e.g. bacteria. The perforation can also mean that the products can develop a different smell.

Advice to consumers:
The Danish Food and Food Administration advises consumers to return the products to the store where they were bought, or to discard them.

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Posted in bacterial contamination, cross contamination, Decontamination Microbial, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Spoilage, Food Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk

Denmark searches for source of Salmonella outbreak with 14 sick

Posted on October 14, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Danish officials are trying to find the source of a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 14 people in a month.

Between Aug. 15 and Sept. 16, more than a dozen cases with the same type of Salmonella Typhimurium have been registered at the Statens Serum Institut.

Patients are seven men and seven women aged between 4 and 84 years old, with a median age of 61. Ten cases were reported in one week. Six sick people live in Midtjylland, five in Hovedstaden and three in Syddanmark.

The Statens Serum Institut (SSI), Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (Fødevarestyrelsen) and DTU Food Institute are investigating the outbreak.

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

Research – Netherlands records more than 800 outbreaks in 2021

Posted on October 14, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

The number of foodborne outbreaks in the Netherlands passed 800 in 2021, according to the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).

A total of 838 outbreaks, affecting 3,517 people, were reported in 2021. This is an increase compared with 559 outbreaks in 2020 affecting 1,907 people and is also up from 735 outbreaks in 2018 and 756 in 2019.

Salmonella and Campylobacter were still responsible for most outbreaks and illnesses this past year. Norovirus was reported far less than in previous years for the second year in a row.

Figures come from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and Municipal Health Service (GGD).

Pathogen unknown for most outbreaks
Based on NVWA statistics, most outbreaks involved two to four and five to nine patients. Twenty or more sick people were registered in 13 outbreaks, with 71 and 79 patients in two norovirus incidents. More than 400 people were affected in one outbreak caused by an unknown pathogen. From GGD figures, in 28 outbreaks, four people died from listeriosis.

A pathogen was found in patients, food or environmental samples for only 28 of the 838 outbreaks. Experts said the percentage of outbreaks where a pathogen was identified continues to decrease but the reason for this is uncertain.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Norovirus, outbreak

Malawi bans sale of food in primary, secondary schools as cholera death toll hits 117

Posted on October 13, 2022 by | Leave a comment

China Org

LILONGWE, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) — Malawi has banned sale of food in primary and secondary schools ahead of the new school year, which starts Monday, as cholera outbreak continues with 117 cumulative deaths recorded as of Sunday.

Requesting parents to pack homemade food for students, the education ministry “is directing that selling of food in primary and secondary schools is banned with immediate effect until further notice,” said a statement signed by Secretary for Education Chikondano Mussa.

Universities and colleges are advised to ensure that food vendors and suppliers are oriented and adhere to the standard operating procedures issued by the ministry to all learning institutions.

Cholera has been spreading sporadically across the country since the first cases were recorded in the south-eastern border district of Machinga in March.

As of Sunday, 23 districts have reported cases with 17 districts coming on board in the past 14 days, bringing the caseload and death toll to 4,223 and 117 respectively. Enditem

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Poisoning, Food Poisoning Death, Foodborne Illness, Foodborne Illness Death, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak, Vibrio cholera, vibrio cholerae

Research – Straw Can Pose Mycotoxin Risk in Dairy Heifer Diets

Posted on October 9, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Dairy Herd

Straw is a common, high-fiber, low-energy ingredient in U.S. dairy heifer rations. While we normally monitor grain quality to watch for harmful mycotoxins, it turns out straw can carry its own mycotoxin risk, according to a recent feed quality evaluation by Alltech, Inc.

Each year, Alltech conducts comprehensive mycotoxin testing programs in the U.S., Canada, and Europe to assess the mycotoxin risk in newly harvested grain crops. For the first time this year, wheat and barley straw were added to the sampling in Europe.

Danish farmers were worried about the damaging effects of wet weather both pre- and post-harvest. Because excessive moisture delayed straw harvest, the crops lay in the field for extended periods, damaging quality and fueling mold contamination.

A total of 70 straw samples from Denmark were evaluated. Deoxynivalenol (DON) was identified in 84% of samples, and emerging mycotoxins were found in 70% of samples. All told, 95% of samples contained some form of mycotoxin, with 50% containing two or more.

According a bulletin on mycotoxins in forage shared by the University of Wisconsin, DON may be a marker for other mycotoxins in contaminated feeds. When young dairy animals consume mycotoxins, they can be at risk for feed refusals, diarrhea, and immunosuppression. Additionally, mycotoxin-induced outcomes may be vague, and include unthriftiness, rough haircoat, poor body condition, and reproductive problems.

Alltech technical advisor and veterinarian, Dr. Radka Boutova, DVM, suggested adding straw to the list of feedstuffs that are screened for mycotoxins if it is a commonly used ingredient in a young stock ration. This is particularly important if the straw crop was stressed and/or delayed in the field due to unfavorable weather conditions, or for any straw that shows visible signs of mold.

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Posted in Aflatoxin, Aflatoxin B1, Alternaria Toxin, Animal Feed, Animal Feed Mould Toxin, Animal Feed Testing, Aspergillus Toxin, Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Toxin, Fusarium Toxin, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Mold Toxin, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, Ochratoxin A, Pet Food Aflatoxin, Toxin

Research – Cultivation Conditions of Spinach and Rocket Influence Epiphytic Growth of Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on October 9, 2022 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Leafy vegetables are associated with Listeriosis outbreaks due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. To date, contradictory findings were reported on spinach, rocket, and kale, where some studies reported growth of L. monocytogenes, while others did not. Thus, the current study investigated the reason for conflicting findings by producing leafy vegetables, where cultivation factors were known for growth potential studies. Of all polytunnel produce, kale Nero di Toscana demonstrated the highest growth potential (2.56 log cfu g−1), followed by spinach F1 Cello (1.84 log cfu g−1), rocket Buzz (1.41 log cfu g−1), spinach F1 Trumpet (1.37 log cfu g−1), and finally rocket Esmee (1.23 log cfu g−1). Thus, plant species and variety influenced L. monocytogenes growth potentials. Moreover, significantly lower growth potentials of 0.3 log cfu g−1 were identified when rocket Buzz was cultivated in open fields (1.11 log cfu g−1) instead of a polytunnel. The opposite effect was observed for spinach F1 Trumpet, where growth potentials increased significantly by 0.84 log cfu g−1 when cultivated in open fields (2.21 log cfu g−1). Furthermore, a significant seasonality effect between batches was found (p < 0.05). This study revealed that spinach and rocket cultivation conditions are at least co-factors in the reporting of differing growth potentials of L. monocytogenes across literature and should be considered when conducting future growth potential studies.

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Research

Research – Effects of nonthermal dielectric barrier discharge plasma against Listeria monocytogenes and quality of smoked salmon fillets

Posted on October 8, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Wiley Online

The objective was to explore the effects of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma on bacterial reduction, physiological characteristics (pH and moisture), and sensorial quality against Listeria monocytogenes on the surface of smoked salmon. Reductions were treated with 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min with DBD plasma varied from 0.17, 0.25, 0.32, 0.70, 0.81, 1.05, and 1.25 log10 CFU/g, respectively. The R2 and D-value of L. monocytogenes was .98 and 49.01 min, respectively. However, moisture levels were significantly different after 30 and 60 min of treatment compared with the control but pH and the sensory qualities were not. This study found that treated with 60 min DBD plasma reduced L. monocytogenes by more than 90% without negatively affecting the smoked salmon. Based on these results, antibacterial treatment for smoked salmon, and this strategy could be explored in the seafood industry to increase food safety.

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Safety, Food Safety Management, food safety training, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk