The Legionella bacteria exist in a significant number of commercial compost products, a study conducted at the University of Strathclyde has found.
The research, the first substantial analysis of Legionella in UK composts, suggests that the bacteria are a common part of the microflora found within the composts tested.
It is widely recognised that Legionella bacteria are commonly present in the environment and the researchers have found that compost could be a potential source of infection.
RASFF – Salmonella Montevideo (presence /25g) in frozen poultry sausages made with mechanically separated meat from France
RASFF –Salmonella spp. (positive /25g) in bovine halfe from Germany
RASFF-Salmonella spp. (presence /25g) in pate from France
RASFF -Salmonella spp. (presence /25g) in baby spinach and rucola salad with raw material from Italy, packaged in Sweden
RASFF -Salmonella spp. (presence /25g) in frozen turkey meat preparation from Brazil
The Food Standards Agency, with Public Health England and local authorities, is investigating an outbreak of a particular strain of salmonella, called Salmonella Gold-coast, which is known to have caused 18 cases of illness.
The investigation has identified potential links between the outbreak and the consumption of whelks from independent shops, market stalls and mobile seafood vans, largely in the East Anglia area. As part of this investigation, Lynn Shellfish Ltd of King’s Lynn (formally known as Heiploeg or Heiploeg and Lynn Shrimpers) has issued a recall of all batches of frozen and chilled whelks.
With the harvest underway, it’s important to keep a watchful eye out for mycotoxin-producing molds. These species include Aspergillus flavus, which causes Aspergillus ear rot and produces the carcinogenic toxin aflatoxin, as well as species of Fusarium molds. These toxins can lead to production losses as grain may be rejected, as well as leading to illness in humans or animals that consume the toxin in significant quantities. Here’s a quick primer on some molds of concern and the toxins they produce. For more information and regulatory thresholds for toxins, please see Neogen’s Mycotoxin Handbook.
Posted in Aflatoxin, Animal Feed, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Spoilage, Food Technology, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Laboratory, Microbiology, Moulds, Mycotoxin, Ochratoxin, Pathogen, Poisoning, Toxin
Tagged climate, environment, health, science
New England Journal of Medicine
It has been thought that Clostridium difficile infection is transmitted predominantly within health care settings. However, endemic spread has hampered identification of precise sources of infection and the assessment of the efficacy of interventions.
Over a 3-year period, 45% of C. difficile cases in Oxfordshire were genetically distinct from all previous cases. Genetically diverse sources, in addition to symptomatic patients, play a major part in C. difficile transmission.
As a precautionary measure, Loch Duart Artisan Smokehouse is recalling two batches of a further product due to detection of Listeria monocytogenes, which may pose a risk to health. Listeria monocytogenes can cause illness in certain groups of people, such as pregnant women, unborn and newborn babies, and anyone with reduced immunity, particularly the over-60s.
Loch Duart Artisan Smokehouse has recalled two further batches of its Oak Roasted Flaky Salmon, because Listeria monocytogenes has been detected in them and may pose a health risk. If you have bought this product with the batch code listed, do not eat it. The Agency has issued a Product Recall Information Notice.
As of September 20, 2013, 162 people have been confirmed to have become ill from hepatitis A after eating ‘Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend’ in 10 states: Arizona (23), California (79), Colorado (28), Hawaii (8), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (1), New Mexico (11), Nevada (6), Utah (3), and Wisconsin (2). [Note: The cases reported from Wisconsin resulted from exposure to the product in California, the cases reported from New Hampshire reported fruit exposure during travel to Nevada, and the case reported in New Jersey was a household contact of a confirmed case from Colorado.] Currently, 6 of the confirmed cases are household contacts of confirmed cases (secondary cases).
In response to cases of hepatitis A infections in an employee and four customers at New Hawaii Sea restaurant, located at 1475 Williamsbridge Road in the Bronx, the New York City Health Department is urging customers who ate at the restaurant, either in-store, through catering or delivery, between September 7th and September 19th to receive hepatitis A vaccine as soon as possible. Any leftover food from this restaurant should also be discarded. Any person who ate at New Hawaii Sea, either in-store, through catering or delivery, between September 7th and September 19th is considered at risk and is recommended to receive hepatitis A vaccine as soon as possible. Any person who ate food from this restaurant before September 7th should be evaluated if they have symptoms suggestive of infection. The Health Department is working with the restaurant to ensure that all the food handlers are vaccinated.
Weis Markets, Inc., the Sunbury, PA-based supermarket chain with 162 stores in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, West Virginia and Maryland, is recalling Weis Quality salads for possible Listeria contamination.
No illnesses have yet been associated with the recall, which Weis announced Monday on its Facebook page. The Weis brand salads are made by Milwaukee-based Garden Fresh Foods.
Ottawa, September 23, 2013 – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Ippolito Fruit and Produce Ltd., are warning the public not to consume the Frisco’s, Queen Victoria and Metro brands spinach described in the link because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.
These products have been distributed in Ontario and Quebec. These products may also have been distributed to other provinces.
There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.
The manufacturer, Ippolito Fruit and Produce Ltd., Burlington, Ontario, is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.
