Category Archives: Microbiology

Research – Insights into Bacterial Milk Spoilage with Particular Emphasis on the Roles of Heat-Stable Enzymes, Biofilms, and Quorum Sensing

Journal of Food Protection Raw Milk Food Safety KSW Foodworld

Milk spoilage caused by psychrotrophic bacteria and their heat-stable enzymes is a serious challenge for the dairy industry. In many studies, spoilage has been explored based on the simplistic view of undesirable enzymes produced by planktonic cells. Recently, biofilms and quorum sensing (QS) have been suggested as important factors in the deterioration of milk, which opens new avenues for investigation of the processes and challenges. Production and heat stability of enzymes are enhanced in biofilms, mainly because of inherent differences in physiological states and protective shielding by extracellular polymeric substances. QS plays a key role in modulating expression of hydrolytic enzymes and biofilm formation. To date, few studies have been conducted to investigate the complex interplays of enzyme production, biofilm formation, and QS. This review provides novel insights into milk spoilage with particular emphasis on the roles of biofilms and QS and summarizes potential effective strategies for controlling the spoilage of milk.

RASFF Alerts – Animal Feed – Salmonella – Enterobacteriaceae – Dog Chews and Pet Food

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RASFF -Salmonella (present /25g) and high count of Enterobacteriaceae (<1030 CFU/g) in dog chews from Turkey in Germany

RASFF-Salmonella (present /25g) in dog chews from India in Germany

RASFF-Salmonella (presence /25g) and high count of Enterobacteriaceae (1400 CFU/g) in pet food from the Netherlands in Belgium

USA – BioLyte Laboratories Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall Due to the Voluntary Nationwide Recall initiated by King Bio Inc. (a Raw Material Supplier) for NeoRelief for Muscle Cramping and Restlessness Topical Gel Due to Possible Microbial Contamination

FDA

BioLyte Laboratories is voluntarily recalling lot numbers 1138, 1139, 1146, and 1160 of NeoRelief for Muscle Cramping and Restlessness Topical Gel to the retail and consumer level. King Bio Inc., a manufacturer of some of the active ingredients in this product, has been found to have some water contamination issues that potentially could have affected this product. King Bio has issued a recall of these active ingredients in BioLyte’s lot specific product. To date, there have been no reports of illness or injury due to the use of this product.

The administration or use of drug products with microbial contamination could potentially result in increased infections that may require medical intervention and could result in infections that could be life threatening to certain individuals.

Lot Number Expiry UPC Size Package type
1138 1/31/2020 358368002021 2 oz white airless pump bottle
1139 1/31/2020 358368002021 2 oz white airless pump bottle
1146 3/29/2020 358368002045 4 ml 4” x 2” mylar foil pack
1160 10/10/2019 358368002021 2 oz white airless pump bottle

NeoRelief for Muscle Cramping and Restlessness (package examples are attached)

BioLyte Laboratories is notifying its retail partners, distributors and customers by letter and is arranging for return and replacement of the recalled product.

RASFF Alert – Animal Feed – Salmonella – Pea Fibres

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RASFF-Salmonella (present /25g) in pea fibres from Belgium in Belgium

RASFF Alert- Animal Feed – Enterobacteriaceae – Raw Pet Food

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RASFF-too high count of Enterobacteriaceae (30000 CFU/g) in raw pet food from the Netherlands in Belgium

RASFF Alerts – Animal Feed – Aflatoxin – Groundnuts

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RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 260 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts kernel from Sudan in the Netherlands

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 310; Tot. = 570 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from the Gambia in the Netherlands

USA – Beaumont Bio Med, Inc. Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of all their Homeopathic Aqueous/Alcohol-Based Medicines due to the Nationwide Recall by the Contract Manufacturer, King Bio, of all their Aqueous-Based Products due to Possible Microbial Contamination

FDA

Beaumont Bio Med, Inc. is voluntarily recalling its entire aqueous/alcohol-based product line for human use, within expiry, to the consumer level. All products manufactured by the contract manufacturer, King Bio, have been recalled due to possible microbial contamination.

Risk Statement: The administration or use of drug products with microbial contamination could potentially result in increased infections that may require medical intervention, and could result in infections that could be life threatening to certain individuals. To date, Beaumont Bio Med has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall.

Nigeria – Over 1000 infected in new Nigeria diarrhea outbreak

Outbreak News Today

The Nigerian government says 1,068 people have been infected following an outbreak of Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) in at least 10 local government areas of Borno State.

Borno State Commissioner for Health Haruna Mshelia said the disease was becoming an epidemic, with at least 25 critically ill patients admitted at three cholera treatment centres in the state.

“To prevent outbreaks of diarrhea and other water borne diseases, like cholera, there must be public awareness on personal hygiene and sanitation. They are critical in preventing such diseases, which claimed 61 lives last year in the state,” Mshelia said.

Samples from the suspected cases have been are being tested in local laboratories and reported for monitoring purposes to the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

USA – Living Well Remedies, LLC Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Weight Away Remedy, Lot # 111417LWL614, Due To Microbial Contamination

FDA bacillus

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Franklin Lakes, NJ, Living Well Remedies, LLC is voluntarily recalling Weight Away Remedy lot# 111417LWL614 to the consumer level. The independent manufacturing facility that produced this lot reported it to be out of specification for microbial testing.

Administration or use of drug products with microbial contamination, could potentially result in increased infections that may require medical intervention, and could result in infections that could be life threatening to certain individuals. Living Well Remedies, LLC has not received any consumer complaints or reports of adverse events related to this recall.

Weight Away Remedy is a homeopathic spray that can help with weight loss and is packaged in a 2 oz spray bottle. Weight Away Remedy lot # 111417LWL614 was purchased over the internet by 101 consumers and should be discarded.

Living Well Remedies, LLC has already notified these 101 consumers and is arranging for refund or replacement.

Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Living Well Remedies, LLC by email at CustomerCare@LivingWellRemedies.com, or at 1-800-249-7705, M-F 9AM-3PM EST. Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this product.

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

USA – FDA alerts consumers, pet owners not to use products manufactured by King Bio, including Dr. King’s label, homeopathic drug and pet products – Microbial Contamination

FDA

The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers and pet owners not to use drug products, including homeopathic drug products, made by King Bio Inc., Asheville, N.C., and labeled as Dr. King’s, as these products may pose a safety risk to people (especially infants, children, pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems), as well as pets due to high levels of microbial contamination identified at the manufacturing site. King Bio has expanded its voluntary recall for a second time to include all water-based (aqueous) drug products marketed for human and animals. The FDA recommends that consumers stop using and dispose of these products immediately.

King Bio manufactures a range of products including those for children, adults and pets. Products that are part of the recall include Dr. King’s Children’s Cough Relief, Dr. King’s Chicken Pox Symptom Relief, Dr. King’s Children’s Ear Relief Formula, Dr. King’s Children’s Appetite Enhancer, Dr. King’s Attention and Learning Enhancement For Kids, Dr. King’s Cold Sore treatment, Dr. King’s Wart Freeze, and pet products for urinary incontinence and digestion relief. The full list of products is listed on the King Bio websitedisclaimer icon.

Consumers and pets who use these products could have an increased risk of serious infection, that could require medical attention, due to the high levels of microbial contamination. An infection could be a life-threatening event for immunocompromised patients. Consumers and pet owners who have purchased these products should contact their health care professional if they have concerns or observe signs of an infection after use of these products.