Mycotoxins are produced by fungi and are known to be toxic to humans and animals. Common mycotoxins include aflatoxins, ochratoxins, zearalenone, patulin, sterigmatocystin, citrinin, ergot alkaloids, deoxynivalenol, fumonisins, trichothecenes, Alternaria toxins, tremorgenic mycotoxins, fusarins, 3-nitropropionic acid, cyclochlorotine, sporidesmin, etc. These mycotoxins can pose several health risks to both animals and humans, including death. As several mycotoxins simultaneously occur in nature, especially in foods and feeds, the detoxification and/or total removal of mycotoxins remains challenging. Moreover, given that the volume of scientific literature regarding mycotoxins is steadily on the rise, there is need for continuous synthesis of the body of knowledge. To supplement existing information, knowledge of mycotoxins affecting animals, foods, humans, and plants, with more focus on types, toxicity, and prevention measures, including strategies employed in detoxification and removal, were revisited in this work. Our synthesis revealed that mycotoxin decontamination, control, and detoxification strategies cut across pre-and post-harvest preventive measures. In particular, pre-harvest measures can include good agricultural practices, fertilization/irrigation, crop rotation, using resistant varieties of crops, avoiding insect damage, early harvesting, maintaining adequate humidity, and removing debris from the preceding harvests. On the other hand, post-harvest measures can include processing, chemical, biological, and physical measures. Additionally, chemical-based methods and other emerging strategies for mycotoxin detoxification can involve the usage of chitosan, ozone, nanoparticles, and plant extracts. View Full-Text
Posted in Aflatoxin, Aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin m1, Citrinin, deoxynivalenol, Ergot, Ergot Alkaloids, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Toxin, Fumonsins, Fusarium Toxin, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Mold Toxin, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, Ochratoxin, Patulin, Research, Rye Ergot, Toxin, Trichothecenes, Zearalenone
Legionella is responsible for the life-threatening pneumonia commonly known as Legionnaires’ disease or legionellosis. Legionellosis is known to be preventable if proper measures are put into practice. Despite the efforts to improve preventive approaches, Legionella control remains one of the most challenging issues in the water treatment industry. Legionellosis incidence is on the rise and is expected to keep increasing as global challenges become a reality. This puts great emphasis on prevention, which must be grounded in strengthened Legionella management practices. Herein, an overview of field-based studies (the system as a test rig) is provided to unravel the common roots of research and the main contributions to Legionella’s understanding. The perpetuation of a water-focused monitoring approach and the importance of protozoa and biofilms will then be discussed as bottom-line questions for reliable Legionella real-field surveillance. Finally, an integrated monitoring model is proposed to study and control Legionella in water systems by combining discrete and continuous information about water and biofilm. Although the successful implementation of such a model requires a broader discussion across the scientific community and practitioners, this might be a starting point to build more consistent Legionella management strategies that can effectively mitigate legionellosis risks by reinforcing a pro-active Legionella prevention philosophy. View Full-Text
Posted in Contaminated water, Cooling Towers, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Legionella, Legionnaires’ disease, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Research, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety
The handling of fresh fruits and vegetables in reusable plastic crates (RPCs) has the potential to increase the sustainability of packaging in the fresh produce supply chain. However, the utilization of multiple-use containers can have consequences related to the microbial safety of this type of food. The present study assessed the potential cross-contamination of fresh cauliflowers with Salmonella enterica via different contact materials (polypropylene from RPCs, corrugated cardboard, and medium-density fiberboard (MDF) from wooden boxes). Additionally, the survival of the pathogenic microorganism was studied in cauliflowers and the contact materials during storage. The life cycle assessment (LCA) approach was used to evaluate the environmental impact of produce handling containers made from the different food-contact materials tested. The results show a higher risk of cross-contamination via polypropylene compared with cardboard and MDF. Another outcome of the study is the potential of Salmonella for surviving both in cross-contaminated produce and in contact materials under supply chain conditions. Regarding environmental sustainability, RPCs have a lower environmental impact than single-use containers (cardboard and wooden boxes). To exploit the potential environmental benefits of RPCs while ensuring food safety, it is necessary to guarantee the hygiene of this type of container. View Full-Text
Tipperary County Council is not aware if the source of the cryptosporidium that has affected Borrisokane water supply has been found, local councillors have been told.
Cllr Ger Darcy had also raised concerns as to whether the pollution could happen again.
Irish Water is installing a UV system to kill any bacteria in the supply and director of water services Jerry Robinson said that hopefully that would be done this month, but warned it was a “work in progress”.
He said the UV system should prevent issues in the future.
Sunshine Mills, Inc. is issuing a voluntary recall of certain dog food products because of the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. No illnesses, injuries or complaints have been reported to date. The potential for contamination was noted after the firm was notified by the distributor, Fleet Wholesale Supply Company, who was informed by Minnesota Department of Agriculture when a sample of 5 lbs. Sprout Sporting Dog Food product was collected and tested positive for Salmonella during routine surveillance.
Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.
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.
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 a recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
The best buy date and lot code can be found on the back of each package. The products identified below were distributed online and in retail stores:
| Product | Size | BB Date Code & Lot | UPC Code | States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sportsman’s Pride Professional Formula 30/20 Dog Food |
40 lb. | Best if used By 7 Oct 2021 | 7015510184 | MS, FL, TN, LA, VA, NC, TX |
| Lot: TI1 07/Oct/2020 | ||||
| Sprout Sporting Dog Food | 5 lb. | Best if used By 6 Oct 2021 | 7015505101 | MN, WI, IA, SD, ND |
| Lot: TE1 06/Oct/2020 | ||||
| 40 lb. | Best if used By 6 Oct 2021 | 7015505100 | ||
| Lot: TI3 06/Oct/2020 | ||||
| Intimidator Chicken & Rice Formula Dog Food 30/20 |
16 lb. | Best if used By 6 Oct 2021 | 7015541002 | TX, MS, FL, AL |
| Lot: TA1 06/Oct/2020 | ||||
| 40 lb. | Best if used By 6 Oct 2021 | 5216631214 | ||
| Lot: TA1 06/Oct/2020 | ||||
| FRM Gold Select High Performance Dog Food |
50 lb. | Best if used By 6 Oct 2021 | 1549905873 | GA, FL |
| Lot: TA1 06/Oct/2020 |
There are no other Sportsman’s Pride®, Sprout, Intimidator®, or FRM® Gold Select products or other lot codes of these products affected by this recall.
Retailers who received the recalled lots have been contacted and asked to pull these lots from their inventory and shelves Consumers who have purchased the recalled products should discontinue use of the product and may return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers may contact Sunshine Mills, Inc. customer service at (800) 705-2111 from 7AM to 4PM Central Time, Monday through Friday, or by email at customer.service@sunshinemills.com for additional information.
This is a voluntary recall being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Banner Smoked Fish, Inc. of Brooklyn, NY is voluntarily recalling its SMOKED FISH (product names and photos of labels are listed below) of all products within expiry, in all package sizes, all package types and all lots. The recall is because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, 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 recalled smoked fish were distributed through retails and distributions, also online purchasing in NY, NJ, IL, PA, CA, FL, NE, AZ, MA, MD, VA, NV, OR, WI, NC, SC, and GA area.
The product comes in various sizes in both air pack and vacuum packages. The lot number or sell by date are placed on the back of the package.
The products were found to be processed under unsanitary condition. The problem was discovered through FDA routine inspection. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.
Consumers who have purchased these items are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at (718) 449 – 1400 from 8 AM – 4 PM EST.
| Product name | |
|---|---|
| 1. | Barbeque Spiced Smoked Nova Salmon |
| 2. | Brook Trout |
| 3. | Center Sliced Smoked Norwegian Style Salmon |
| 4. | Everything Spiced Smoked Nova Salmon |
| 5. | Finest Sliced Salty Lox |
| 6. | Finest Sliced Smoked Nova Salmon |
| 7. | Irish Cured Smoked Salmon |
| 8. | Lox Trimmings |
| 9. | Mackerel |
| 10. | Naturally Smoked Nova Salmon |
| 11. | Noon Hour Smoked Salmon |
| 12. | Norwegian Style Smoked Salmon |
| 13. | Nova Atlantic Salmon |
| 14. | Nova Bits |
| 15. | Nova Homarus |
| 16. | Nova Lox |
| 17. | Nova Salmon |
| 18. | Nova Salmon Bagel Cuts |
| 19. | Pastrami Nova Atlantic Salmon |
| 20. | Pastrami Style Smoked Nova Salmon |
| 21. | Pepper Crusted Smoked Nova Salmon |
| 22. | Presliced Gravad Lox |
| 23. | Presliced Pastrami Style Salmon |
| 24. | Presliced Pastrami Style Salmon |
| 25. | Presliced Scotch Style Salmon |
| 26. | Presliced Scotch Style Salmon |
| 27. | Presliced Scotch Style Smoked Salmon |
| 28. | Presliced Smoked Atlantic Salmon |
| 29. | Sable |
| 30. | Sliced Gravlax |
| 31. | Sliced Pastrami Style Nova |
| 32. | Sliced Smoked Norwegian Style Salmon |
| 33. | Sliced Smoked Salmon |
| 34. | Sliced Smoked Scotch Style Salmon |
| 35. | Smoked Nova Bagel Cuts |
| 36. | Smoked Nova Lox |
| 37. | Smoked Nova Salmon |
| 38. | Smoked Sliced Nova Salmon |
| 39. | Smoked Trout |
| 40. | Somga |
| 41. | Trimmed Nova |
| 42. | Whitefish |
Mould in sunflower meal from Ukraine in Poland
Salmonella Havana in rapeseed meal from Germany in Denmark and the Netherlands
Salmonella enterica ser. Agona in rapeseed cake from Belgium in France
Salmonella Agona in toasted soy bean from Belgium in Belgium, Italy, Germany and Austria
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