Category Archives: Microbiology

Belgium – Recall of HOEBREGTS BV – Peanuts for nature birds & Super Mix – Aflatoxin B1

Posted on October 22, 2020 by | Leave a comment

AFSCA

In agreement with the AFSCA, HOEBREGTS BV is withdrawing from sale the products “Peanuts for nature birds” and “Super Mix (fatty and energizing mixture for birds of nature)” and recalls them to consumers because of the presence of Aflatoxin B1

HOEBREGTS BV asks its customers not to give these items to animals and to take them back to the point of sale where they were purchased.

Product description

Peanuts for birds plain
– Date of minimum durability (DDM) (“
Best before (or end)”) : 08/18/2021 – Lots: P005989 and BVG385
– Weight: 5kg and 20kg

Super Mix (fatty and energizing mixture for nature birds)
– Date of minimum durability (DDM) (“Best before (or end)”) and lots: 25/08/2021 and 24/09/2021
– Weight: 5kg and 20kg

The products were distributed by

HOEBREGTS BV, Klein-Gelmenstraat 12, 3870 Heers

For any further information, contact:

Nico Hoebregts
011/481888
Nico.hoebregts@skynet.be

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Posted in Aflatoxin, Animal Feed, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Mold Toxin, Mould Toxin, Moulds, Mycotoxin

Belgium – Recall of Bio-Planet – Preparations made from chicken fillet – Salmonella

Posted on October 22, 2020 by | Leave a comment

AFSCA

During microbiological checks at the supplier, the presence of Salmonella was observed in a raw material used in several preparations made from chicken fillet. The use-by date for these products is: 10/21/2020.

In consultation with the AFSCA, Bio-Planet has therefore decided to withdraw the products concerned from sale.

Customers who have purchased these products are advised not to consume them and to bring them back to the store, where they will be reimbursed. In the meantime, all stores have removed the affected products from the shelves.


Description of the products:

• Chicken
gyros • Plain chicken brochettes • Chicken
fillets • Marinated chicken fillets
•
Diced chicken fillets
• Chicken fillets in slices
• Chicken fillets in strips
• Chicken breasts
• Best before date (Best before date): 10/21/2020
• Sales period: from 10/13/2020 to 10/19/2020

Check the date consumption limit for chicken fillets that you purchased from Bio-Planet between 10/13/2020 and 10/19/2020.

These products were sold in the butcher’s department of certain Bio-Planet stores:
Bio-Planet in Wilrijk, Turnhout, Mechelen, Dilbeek, Gent, Nossegem, Leuven, Kortrijk, Mons, Mol, Destelbergen, Jambes, Brugge and Antwerpen.

Possible symptoms of Salmonella poisoning

The possible symptoms of poisoning caused by Salmonella are: fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. These symptoms usually appear within 12 to 48 hours after ingestion.

Symptoms usually last 4 to 7 days, and most people recover without specific treatment. Young children, pregnant women, the immunocompromised and the elderly are among the groups at risk. In these people, the symptoms can be severe enough to require hospitalization of the patient.

People who have consumed these products and who present this type of symptoms are invited to consult their doctor, notifying him of this consumption.

For more information, customers can contact Colruyt Group Customer Service
on 0800 99 124 .

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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, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Uncategorized

France – Product recall: Roast chicken brand Poultry Offer – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on October 22, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Oulah

Product recall: Roast chicken brand Poultry Offer

ENCOUNTERED PROBLEM

Possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes

PROPOSED SOLUTION

Those in possession of 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

▸ Weight
around 1.2 kg

▸ Barcode
3263856894712

▸ Lot
A077142

▸ DLC
01/11/2020

▸ Health
stamp FR 56.017.001 CE

▸ Consumer service contact
For any further information, you can contact customer service by dialing the telephone number: 09 70 17 10 00 (non-surcharged call) from Monday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 10 pm or by e-mail at the contact address @ franprix.fr

▸ Source
https://www.franprix.fr/

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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, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiology

France – Product recall: Roast chicken in a microwave safe bag, L’Etal du poulailler – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on October 21, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Oulah

Product recall: Roast chicken in a microwave safe bag, L'Etal du poulailler

ENCOUNTERED PROBLEM

Presence of Listeria monocytogens

PROPOSED SOLUTION

People who hold this product are asked not to consume it and to return it to the point of sale where it was purchased for reimbursement even without presentation of the receipt.

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
4334035331744

▸ DLC
03/11/2020

▸ Lot
A077142

▸ Health
stamp FR 56.017.001 CE

▸ List of LIDL supermarkets concerned
Click here

▸ Marketing date
from 10/14/2020 to 10/20/2020

▸ Consumer service contact
The LIDL consumer service is also available at the following telephone number: 0 800 900 343 from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday.

▸ Source
https://www.lidl.fr/fr

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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, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiology

USA – Salmonella Paratyphi B outbreak linked to Woodbury, Minnesota juice bar

Posted on October 21, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today

Food Poisoning Salmonella

Minnesota health officials report investigating an outbreak of salmonellosis associated with NéktƏr Juice Bar in Woodbury. Nine Minnesotans so far have been sickened with a specific variant of Salmonella Paratyphi B infections.

The nine cases identified as part of this outbreak range in age from 20 to 82 years, but with a median age of 26. The cases became ill between Aug. 27 and Sept. 21. Two cases have been hospitalized; all are recovering. All of the cases live in or visited East metro counties.

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, 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 recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, microbial contamination, Microbiology, outbreak, Salmonella

Belgium – Delfood Recall – American kind of 350g LOUIS brand – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on October 20, 2020 by | Leave a comment

AFSCA

As a precautionary measure and in agreement with Afsca, the firm DELFOOD is withdrawing from sale the 350g plain American trays of the LOUIS brand bearing the batch number 8404220 – DLC 20/10/2020 .

This recall action only concerns the aforementioned product, in very limited quantities, for the batch number communicated.
No other product in the LOUIS range is affected.

We ask that you return the suspicious product (s) you purchased from your store. They will be fully refunded.

The products were marketed at the following points of sale:
Louis Delhaize – JAN BIJLSTRAAT, 17- 9300 AALST
Louis Delhaize – Stuiverstraat, 327- 8400 Oostende
Louis Delhaize – GONTRODE HEIRWEG, 25 -9090 MISS
Louis Delhaize – Margote 18- 9260 WICHELEN
Louis Delhaize – Bellestraat, 16 – 9100 SINT NIKLAAS
Louis Delhaize – PLACE OF GUILLEMINS 2B2- 4000 LIEGE
Louis Delhaize – VILVOORDELAAN, 92 – 1930 ZAVENTEM
Louis Delhaize – PASTOOR VENDELMANSTRT 22 – 1600 SINT-PIETERS-LEEUW
Louis Delhaize – RUE BELLIARD, 141- 1040 BRUSSELS
Louis Delhaize – RUE REPEN VREREN 53 – 1020 LAEKEN
Louis Delhaize – RUE DE L’EGLISE 2 – 5060 MOIGNELEE
Louis Delhaize – PLACE SIMONIS, 2 -1081 KOEKELBERG
Louis Delhaize – RUE DU CROISEAU, 151- 1460 ITTRE
Louis Delhaize – CHAUSSE D’ENGHIEN, 248 -1480 SAINTES
Louis Delhaize – CHAUSSEE DE CHARLEROI, 172 -1060 SAINT-GILLES
Louis Delhaize – DORP 45 -9860 OOSTERZELE
Louis Delhaize – QUAI DES PENICHES, 59 – 1000 BRUXELLES

For any further information , you can contact us on 071/204228 or the quality department of GHL group on 087/680210.

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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 Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pathogen, pathogenic

Spain – Presence of Listeria monocytogenes in Goat Cheese from the Netherlands

Posted on October 20, 2020 by | Leave a comment

ACSA

The Public Health Agency of Catalonia has been informed by the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) through the Coordinated System for Rapid Information Exchange (SCIRI) of the presence of the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes in the Rulo de Cabra Cheese product , made in the Netherlands and marketed from Germany.

The German company JERMI, which packages and markets the product, has detected Listeria monocytogenes in the course of its self-tests in the goat cheese cheese product, which has been sold exclusively to Lidl.

Of all the batches and expiration dates of the affected product, only lot 412 with an expiration date of 11/06/2020 has been distributed in Lidl establishments in Spain. The affected product is being withdrawn from the marketing market.

With the information available , no case associated with this alert has been confirmed in Spain.

It is recommended that people who have products affected by this alert at home, refrain from consuming them and return them to the point of purchase.

You can consult the information that the Lidl company has passed on to consumers and in which it requests the return of the product “Jermi goat cheese roll”, at the following link:

https://www.lidl.es/es/devolucion-del-pr

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Posted in ACSA, 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

USA – Listeria in pet food manufacture facility results in FDA warning letter

Posted on October 19, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

As part of its enforcement activities, the Food and Drug Administration sends warning letters to entities under its jurisdiction. Some letters are not posted for public view until weeks or months after they are sent. Business owners have 15 days to respond to FDA warning letters. Warning letters often are not issued until a company has been given months to years to correct problems.

A pet food company in Oregon is on notice from the FDA after inspectors found Listeria monocytogenes in the manufacturing facility. This warning letter serves as a reminder that pet food products can contain dangerous pathogens and should be handled as carefully as other products.

Consumers should beware of cross contamination from pet food on surfaces, such as kitchen counters. Contamination in pet food can make people sick when cross contamination occurs or when good handwashing and other hygiene practices are not followed.

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pet Food, Pet Food Testing

UK – Precautionary advice on cooking frozen raw breaded chicken products following link to cases of Salmonella

Posted on October 19, 2020 by | Leave a comment

FSA

The Food Standards Agency and Public Health England are reminding people to take care when handling and cooking frozen raw breaded chicken products at home, such as nuggets, goujons, dippers, poppers and kievs.

This comes as we investigate a rise in cases of two particular strains of Salmonella Enteritidis (a food poisoning bug) linked to frozen raw breaded processed chicken products. Two product recalls have been undertaken, however further investigations are ongoing.

Nick Phin, Deputy Director of PHE’s National Infection Service, said:

‘From January 2020 there have been 390 cases of Salmonellosis caused by two strains of Salmonella Enteritidis linked to frozen, raw, breaded chicken products.

‘Salmonella generally causes a mild illness, although vulnerable groups like children under five years, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems may experience more severe illness. Symptoms of a Salmonella infection include diarrhoea, stomach cramps and sometimes vomiting and fever. Anyone who is concerned about symptoms should contact their GP or out of hours service in the first instance.’

Further information on Salmonella can be found on the NHS choices website.

Colin Sullivan, Chief Operating Officer, FSA said:

‘You should always check the cooking instructions on food packaging, as different brands of the same product might have different instructions. Cooking food at the right temperature and for the correct length of time will ensure that any harmful bacteria are killed.

‘We’re not asking you to make changes to the food you buy, but we are asking you to always follow good hygiene practices to help reduce the risk of food poisoning to you and your family.’

Top food hygiene tips:

  • Always carefully check the advice on food packaging and follow the cooking instructions provided
  • If the packaging advises the product should be thawed/defrosted before cooking, follow the instructions
  • Consume or freeze food by its use-by date
  • Wash your hands with soap and water after touching raw chicken products and before you handle ready-to-eat food
  • Avoid cross-contamination by cleaning any surface, plate or utensil that has been in contact with raw meat

Salmonella is a common bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Salmonella can be found in raw meat (processed and unprocessed), undercooked poultry and unpasteurised milk. Inadequate cooking and cross-contamination in the kitchen during food preparation can lead to Salmonellosis.

The following recalls are linked to this Salmonella outbreak:

Aldi recalls Roosters Southern Fried Poppin’ Chicken and Roosters Breaded Poppin’ Chicken because of the possible presence of salmonella

Iceland recalls Chip Shop Curry Chicken Breast Toppers and Southern Fried Chicken Popsters because of the presence of salmonella

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Posted in 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, Pathogen, pathogenic, Salmonella

Research – Quaternary ammonium compound resistance as a persistence marker for L. monocytogenes

Posted on October 17, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Journal of Food Protection

Persistent contamination of food manufacturing environments by Listeria monocytogenes is an important public health risk because such contamination events defy standard sanitization protocols, for example, the application of quaternary ammonium compounds such as benzalkonium chloride (BC), providing a source for prolonged dissemination of the bacteria in food products. We performed whole-genome sequence (WGS) analyses of 1279 well-characterized L. monocytogenes isolates from a variety of foods and food manufacturing environments and identified the bcrABC gene cassette associated with BC resistance in 41.5% of isolates. Of particular interest was the finding that all but one of 177 clonal complex (CC) 321 isolates, representing one of the most commonly occurring CCs found in foods and food-production environments, harbored the intact bcrABC cassette. Thirty-nine (38.6) percent of isolates recovered from foods representing 67 different CCs, and 59.2% of strains from food-manufacturing environmental samples representing 26 different CCs, were found to harbor the intact bcrABC cassette. A representative set of 69 isolates with and without bcrABC was assayed for the ability to grow in the presence of BC, and 34 of 35 isolates harboring the bcrABC cassette were resistant to BC. Determination of bcrABC in colony isolates could be achieved using both polymerase chain reaction and whole genome sequencing techniques, providing food testing laboratories with options for the characterization of isolates. The ability to detect bcrABC provides risk managers with a valuable tool to assess the potential for persistent contamination of the food manufacturing environment, which in turn may indicate the need for more targeted surveillance to ensure the efficacy of mitigation actions.

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Research