Category Archives: Microbiology

RASFF Alerts – Animal Feed – Salmonella – Pet Food – Dog Chew – Chicken Legs – Chicken Feet

Posted on November 30, 2018 by | Leave a comment

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RASFF-Salmonella enterica ser. Derby (presence /25g) and Salmonella enterica ser. Infantis (presence /25g) and high count of Enterobacteriaceae (54000, 5200, 69000, 950 CFU/g) in pet food from Poland in Austria

RASFF-Salmonella enterica ser. Indiana (present /25g) and too high count of Enterobacteriaceae (up to 72000 CFU/g) in dog chew from Poland in Austria

RASFF-Salmonella enterica ser. Gold Coast (presence /25g) and too high count of Enterobacteriaceae (670 CFU/g) in chicken legs from Poland, via Denmark in Austria

RASFF-Salmonella enterica ser. Amsterdam (presence /25g) and Salmonella enterica ser. Cerro (presence /25g) in raw material for pet food from the Czech Republic in Italy

RASFF-Salmonella enterica ser. Münster (present /25g) in chicken feet from Germany in Austria

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Posted in Animal Feed, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pet Food, RASFF, Salmonella, Salmonella Dog Food, Uncategorized

Pakistan – Food poisoning sends 18 Islamabad madrassa students to hospital

Posted on November 28, 2018 by | Leave a comment

SAMAA TV

As many as 18 madrassa students in Islamabad were hospitalised after eating stale food for breakfast. 

The students have been admitted at the PIMS Hospital.

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Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Uncategorized

Singapore – NEA suspends TungLok Catering at Singapore Expo indefinitely after 190 people fell ill eating catered bento boxes

Posted on November 27, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Mothership

The catering arm of restaurant group TungLok had its licence at the Max Atria at Singapore Expo suspended on Friday, Nov. 23.

This was after hundreds of cases of gastroenteritis has been traced to the consumption of food from TungLok Catering at 1 Expo Drive.

Investigation underway

The National Environment Agency (NEA) is working with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) to investigate the cases.

NEA said the suspension of TungLok Catering’s licence will be until further notice.

A total of 190 people had reported symptoms of gastroenteritis as of Friday. None has been hospitalised.

Gastroenteritis is an intestinal condition. Symptoms including vomiting and diarrhoea.

It can be caused by a virus or a bacterial infection.

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Uncategorized

Research – Prevalence, genotyping, serotyping, and antibiotic resistance of isolated Salmonella strains from industrial and local eggs in Iran

Posted on November 26, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Wiley Online Library

Abstract

This present study aimed to evaluate prevalence and characterization of serotypes, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and genotypic profiles of Salmonella isolates in industrial and local eggs from Zanjan province of Iran. A total of 120 egg samples were collected and processed according to bacteriological analytical manual to isolate Salmonella strains from both eggs surface and contents. PCR method and genotyping were used to verify, identification and classification of isolates by screening invA genes and 16 s‐rRNA gene sequencing. Salmonella contamination rate in eggshell and contents of industrial and local eggs were 0% and 1.66%, respectively. High degree of AMR was observed to nalidixic acid and erythromycin. Gene sequencing for each isolates showed more similarity with Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium strains.

Practical applications

Salmonella contamination in eggs and the role of healthy chickens as reservoir and distributer of Salmonella in poultry farms can be a common food safety concern for public health. Therefore, Continuous monitoring of presence Salmonella and their antimicrobial resistance is of critical importance. Present study gives an insight of the current statues of egg’s contamination with Salmonella isolates, their antimicrobial resistance, genotupic profile, and epidemiological relationship in Iran.

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Posted in Antibiotic Resistance, Antimicrobials, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Salmonella, Uncategorized

USA – Norovirus outbreak reported on Holland America’s ‘Volendam’ by News Desk

Posted on November 23, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today Norovirus Food Safety kswfoodworld

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a norovirus outbreak onboard a recent voyage of Holland America’s cruise ship, Volendam.

According to officials, 77 passenger and crew were sicked during the November 3-18 voyage.

Specimens have been collected, tested onboard, and found to be positive for norovirus. The specimens will be sent to CDC for genome sequencing.

Holland America Group and the crew aboard the ship took the following actions to limit the outbreak to include increased cleaning and disinfection, making announcements to notify onboard passengers and crew of the outbreak, encourage case reporting, and encourage good hand hygiene and sending a team to assist the onboard management with infection control response plans.

The vessel arrived in Ft Lauderdale on Nov. 18.

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Posted in Food Microbiology, Food Virus, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Norovirus, Uncategorized, Virus

RASFF Alerts – Animal Feed – Enterobacteriaceae – Raw Pet Food – Frozen Raw Pet Food

Posted on November 23, 2018 by | Leave a comment

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RASFF-too high count of Enterobacteriaceae (>15000 CFU/100g) in raw pet food (chicken) from the Netherlands in Belgium

RASFF-too high count of Enterobacteriaceae (5300 CFU/g) in frozen raw petfood from the Netherlands in Belgium

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Posted in Animal Feed, Enterobacteriaceae, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pet Food, Uncategorized

RASFF Alerts – Animal Feed – Salmonella – Meat Meal – Soybean Meal – Extruded Rapeseed Meal – Dog Chews (Lambs Ears)

Posted on November 23, 2018 by | Leave a comment

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RASFF-Salmonella enterica ser. Infantis (presence /25g) in mixed meat meal for petfood from Ireland in Italy

RASFF-Salmonella (presence /25g) in soybean meal from Italy in Germany

RASFF-Salmonella enterica ser. Montevideo (present /25g) in extruded rapeseed meal from the Czech Republic in the Czech Republic

RASFF-Salmonella ( c = 1, O:3,10,15) in dog chew (lamb ears) from Turkey in Germany

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Posted in Animal Feed, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pet Food, Salmonella, Salmonella Dog Food, Uncategorized

Research – Insect antibiotic provides new way to eliminate bacteria

Posted on November 22, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Science Daily

An antibiotic called thanatin attacks the way the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria is built. Researchers at the University of Zurich have now found out that this happens through a previously unknown mechanism. Thanatin, produced naturally by the spined soldier bug, can therefore be used to develop new classes of antibiotics.

The global emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria is posing a growing threat to human health and medicine. “Despite huge efforts from academic researchers and pharmaceutical companies, it has proven very difficult to identify effective new bacterial targets for antibiotic discovery,” says John A. Robinson from the Department of Chemistry at UZH. “One of the major challenges is identifying new mechanisms of antibiotic action against dangerous Gram-negative bacteria.” This group of bacteria includes a number of dangerous pathogens, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which causes life-threatening lung infections, and pathogenic Escherichia coli strains.

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Posted in E.coli, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Gram Negative Bacteria, Microbiology, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, thanatin, Uncategorized

Research – Bursting bubbles launch bacteria from water to air

Posted on November 22, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Science Daily

Wherever there’s water, there’s bound to be bubbles floating at the surface. From standing puddles, lakes, and streams, to swimming pools, hot tubs, public fountains, and toilets, bubbles are ubiquitous, indoors and out.

A new MIT study shows how bubbles contaminated with bacteria can act as tiny microbial grenades, bursting and launching microorganisms, including potential pathogens, out of the water and into the air.

In the study, published in the journal Physical Review Letters, the researchers found that bacteria can affect a bubble’s longevity: A bacteria-covered bubble floating at the water’s surface can last more than 10 times longer than an uncontaminated one can, persisting for minutes instead of seconds. During this time, the cap of the contaminated bubble thins. The thinner the bubble, the higher the number of droplets it can launch into the air when the bubble inevitably bursts. A single droplet, the researchers estimate, can carry up to thousands of microorganisms, and each bubble can emit hundreds of droplets.

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Microbiology, Research, Uncategorized, water microbiology

UK – England – The Raw Factory recalls various raw pet food products containing tripe and/or pork as they contain Salmonella

Posted on November 19, 2018 by | Leave a comment

FSA kswfoodworld salmonella

The Raw Factory Ltd is recalling various raw pet food products containing tripe and/or pork because they contain salmonella. See the full list at the link above.

Risk statement

The presence of salmonella in the products listed. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause food poisoning in humans and animals. The product could therefore carry a potential risk, either through direct handling of the pet food, or indirectly for example from food bowls or utensils or contact with the faeces of infected animals. In humans, symptoms caused by salmonella usually include fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.

Action taken by the company

The Raw Factory Ltd is recalling the above products. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling these products. These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the products. Please see the attached notice.
Customer notice: The Raw Factory various products

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Posted in Animal Feed, Food Microbiology Blog, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pet Food, Salmonella, Salmonella Dog Food, Uncategorized