Category Archives: Microbiology

Research – Antibacterial activity of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) juice extract on selected bacteria

AJMR

Plants have potentials to be developed into many new drugs yet to be discovered because of the countless chemical compositions in them. The investigation is targeted at the antibacterial activity of sweet orange juice extract on some bacteria using ethanol and ethyl ethanoate solvent to extract juice. Ditch method was used for the sensitivity testing against Escherichia coliStaphylococcus aureusKlebsiella pneumoniae and Neisseria gonorrheae with a dilution factor of 10-10 for inoculation from pure culture of each selected bacteria. Disc method was used to test streptomycin, ciprofloxacin, gentamycin and penicillin G against test organisms as positive controls. There was no significant difference in the effect of different concentrations of the same extract on test organisms. However, there was a significant difference in the ethyl ethanoate and alcohol extracts. The ethyl ethanoate extract showed minimum inhibitory concentration at 300 mg/ml on E. coli (31.5 ± 0.5 mm); Ngonorrheae (21 ± 0.0 mm) at 200 mg/ml; Saureus (22 ± 0.0 mm) and Kpneumoniae (37 ± 3.0 mm) at 100 mg/ml; while ethanol extract at 100 mg/ml on E. coli (23.5 ± 1.5 mm) and Kpneumoniae (25 ± 5.0 mm);  N. gonorrheae (13.5 ± 1.0 mm) and S. aureus (12.5 ± 2.5 mm) at 300 mg/ml and 200 mg/ml respectively. The zones of inhibition exhibited by streptomycin ranges from Ngonorrheae (14-24 mm) E. coli; ciprofloxacin varies from 15- 21 mm on K. pneumoniae and S. aureus respectively. Gentamycin ranges from 14-20 mm on N. gonorrheae and S. aureus respectively; and penicillin G on N. gonorrheae (14 mm) and Saureus (28 mm). It can be concluded that sweet orange juice of ethyl ethanoate extract was more effective than the ethanol extract and the positive control.

USA – Nationwide recall of Guan’s Enoki Mushrooms because of potential Listeria

Food Safety News

Guan’s Mushroom Co. of Commerce, CA, is recalling all cases of its 200g/7.05-ounce packages of Enoki Mushroom because of potential contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

The recalled products were distributed to retail stores nationwide from California, New York and Pennsylvania through produce distributors or wholesalers.

The recall was initiated after routine testing by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in a 200g package of Enoki.

 

 

Research – Looking at edible insects from a food safety perspective

FAO

While the subject of edible insects inherently encompasses a vast array of topics, from insect ecology to various rearing practices and processing methods, the primary objective of this publication is to provide an overview of the potential food safety issues associated with the production and consumption of insects . The farming of insects for food and feed is relatively recent and brings with it both benefits and challenges, some of which this publication explores .The regulatory frameworks that govern edible insects in various regions are discussed . In addition, the document highlights some of the other challenges, such as research gaps and scaling up production, that the insect sector will need to overcome if it is to have a more global reach . The intended audiences for this publication are food safety professionals, policymakers, researchers, insect producers, as well as consumers .

France – Product recall: Chabichou du Poitou without brand – Listeria monocytogenes

Oulah

Product recall: Chabichou du Poitou without brand

ENCOUNTERED PROBLEM

Presence of Listeria monocytogenes

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 have a fever, isolated or accompanied by headaches, are invited to consult their doctor, 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
• 3483130000183
• 3483130003429

▸ Lot
• 2114521
• 2114522

▸ DDM
05/15/2021

▸ Start / end date of marketing
From 04/06/2021 to 04/19/2021

▸ Health mark
FR44087045CE

▸ Distributors
Beillevaire points of sale – Market Hour signs – dairy

▸ Geographical sales area
CHARENTE-MARITIME (17), COTES-D’ARMOR (22), FINISTERE (29), GIRONDE (33), ILLE-ET-VILAINE (35), INDRE-ET-LOIRE (37), LOIRE -ATLANTIQUE (44), MAINE-ET-LOIRE (49), MORBIHAN (56), ORNE (61), PARIS (75), YVELINES (78), DEUX-SEVRES (79), VENDEE (85), VAL-DE -MARNE (94), VAL-D’OISE (95)

▸ Consumer service contact
0240023398

▸ Source
https://rappel.conso.gouv.fr/

Sweden – Axfood recalls Eldorado Wafers Chocolate 415g -Salmonella

Livsmedelsverket

Axfood is recalling Eldorado Wafers Chocolate 415 grams, after it was found that a batch of the product contains salmonella. The recall applies to Eldorado wafers chocolate 415 g with best before date 2021-09-15 and batch number 350.3 E400: 56. The recalled product has been sold in most of Axfood’s stores and is now stopped.

Australia – Naturally Good Super Paleo Breakfast Biscuits 150g – increase in moisture which may lead to microbial growth

FSANZ

Naturally Good Super Paleo Breakfast Biscuits 150g   

​Date published: 22 April 2021

Product information

Naturally Good Products Pty Ltd is conducting a recall of Naturally Good Super Paleo Breakfast Biscuits. The affected flavours are Lemon Chia, Maple Hemp and Vanilla Flax. The products have been available for sale at independent food retailers including IGA & health food stores in NSW, ACT, Qld, Vic, Tas, NT and SA.

Date markings

All best before dates from 26-08-2021 up to and including 15-03-2022

Naturally Good Super Paleo Breakfast Biscuits Lemon Chia, Maple Hemp and Vanilla Flax 

Problem

The recall is due to potential for an increase in moisture which may lead to microbial growth.

Food safety hazard

Food products may cause illness if consumed.

Country of origin

Australia

What to do​

Consumers should not eat this product and should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund.

For further information please contact:

Naturally Good Products Pty Ltd
(03) 9460 8050
http://www.naturallygoodproducts.com.au

Related links:

Research – Salmonella, Food Safety and Food Handling Practices

MDPI

kswfoodworld salmonella

Salmonellosis is the second most reported gastrointestinal disorder in the EU resulting from the consumption of Salmonella-contaminated foods. Symptoms include gastroenteritis, abdominal cramps, bloody diarrhoea, fever, myalgia, headache, nausea and vomiting. In 2018, Salmonella accounted for more than half of the numbers of foodborne outbreak illnesses reported in the EU. Salmonella contamination is mostly associated with produce such as poultry, cattle and their feeds but other products such as dried foods, infant formula, fruit and vegetable products and pets have become important. Efforts aimed at controlling Salmonella are being made. For example, legislation and measures put in place reduced the number of hospitalizations between 2014 and 2015. However, the number of hospitalizations started to increase in 2016. This calls for more stringent controls at the level of government and the private sector. Food handlers of “meat processing” and “Ready to Eat” foods play a crucial role in the spread of Salmonella. This review presents an updated overview of the global epidemiology, the relevance of official control, the disease associated with food handlers and the importance of food safety concerning salmonellosis. View Full-Text

UK – Northern Ireland – Consultation on the rationalisation of official control shellfish biotoxin and phytoplankton monitoring points in Carlingford Lough

FSA

Northern Ireland specific
Consultation seeking stakeholders’ views on the proposed rationalisation of biotoxin and phytoplankton monitoring in Carlingford Lough and the implementation of Representative Monitoring Points (RMPs) and Associated Harvesting Areas (AHAs).

Who will this consultation be of most interest to?

Carlingford Lough shellfish harvesters, enforcement authorities, official control sampling officers, official control testing laboratories and other interested stakeholders.

Consultation subject

A proposal by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to rationalise the number of official control monitoring points for biotoxin and phytoplankton monitoring in Carlingford Lough and introduce Representative Monitoring Points (RMPs) and Associated Harvesting Areas (AHAs) .

Purpose of the consultation

To seek comments from industry, enforcement authorities, and other interested stakeholders on the proposed rationalisation of biotoxin and phytoplankton monitoring in Carlingford Lough and the implementation of RMPs and AHAs.

Consultation Pack

How to respond

Responses to this consultation should be emailed or posted to the addresses below:

Email: executive.support@food.gov.uk

Postal address:

Food Standards Agency in Northern Ireland
Executive Support Unit
10a-c Clarendon Road, Belfast
Co Antrim
BT1 3GB

Ireland – Recall of Dunnes Stores Sharing Breaded Irish Chicken Goujons and Sharing Sweet Chilli Irish Chicken Wings due to the Possibility of Undercooked Chicken

FSAI

Tuesday, 20 April 2021

Summary
Category 2: For Information
Alert Notification: 2021.33
Product: Dunnes Stores Sharing Breaded Irish Chicken Goujons, pack size: 250g; Dunnes Stores Sharing Sweet Chilli Irish Chicken Wings, pack size: 450g
Batch Code: All batch codes, all best before dates.
Country Of Origin: Ireland

Message:

Dunnes Stores is recalling all batches of its Sharing Breaded Irish Chicken Goujons and Sharing Sweet Chilli Irish Chicken Wings, as the batches may have been possibly undercooked by the producer. Point-of-sale recall notices will be displayed in stores supplied with the implicated batches.

Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batches.

Dunnes Stores Chicken Goujons and Wings

USA – At Least 16 Customers Are Sick After Eating At This Popular Sandwich Chain

Eat This

A new case of suspected food poisoning at a major fast-food chain is being investigated in Illinois. According to the latest reports, several customers have fallen ill after eating at a Jimmy John’s location in Bloomington.

Food Safety News reports that there have been at least 16 cases of illness, 15 of which were student athletes from Illinois State University’s lacrosse team. According to iwaspoisoned.com, a website used for reporting cases of food poisoning, several of them required hospital treatment for fluid replacement because of severe vomiting and diarrhea.