Category Archives: Microbiology

Research- New Listeria Strains Discovered from the US Canteloupe Outrbreak 2011

Posted on December 31, 2012 by | 2 comments

Food Safety Newscatalopue

After analyzing four of the five types of Listeria implicated in last year’s deadly cantaloupe outbreak, scientists have discovered that a new outbreak strain was among those that contributed to the nearly 150 illnesses and 33 deaths caused by contaminated melons.

The researchers, an international team of government and university scientists, also compared the strains involved in the 2011 outbreak to those that had caused other outbreaks or been collected from other food facilities. By doing this, they identified two new sets of “epidemic clones” –  strains isolated in different times and places that appear to have common ancestors.

Only five epidemic clones, or ECs, of Listeria had been identified prior to this study, which raises that number to seven.

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Methods, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, Research

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Research – Hot Water and Chlorine Treatments – Bean Sprout

Posted on December 31, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Science DirectEurofins

Abstract

The majority of bean sprout-related outbreaks have been associated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella, and an effective method to inactivate these organisms on seeds prior to sprouting is important to avoid foodborne pathogen diseases. We have previously tested treatment with a combination of hot water and chlorine, and a high bactericidal effect without decreases in the germination ratio was observed on mung bean seeds produced in China. To evaluate the versatility of this treatment, the present study confirmed whether our disinfection treatment can be applied to mung bean seeds produced in another country (Myanmar). A more than 5.0 log CFU/g reduction of E. coli O157:H7 was achieved when the mung bean seeds were treated with hot water at 85 °C for 10–40 s, followed by soaking in a 2000 ppm chlorine solution for 2 h; the hot water treatment at 85 °C for 40 s followed by the chlorine treatment completely eliminated E. coli O157:H7 from the mung bean seeds. Additionally, a more than 5.0 log CFU/g reduction was obtained for Salmonella after the hot water treatment at 85 °C followed by the chlorine treatment. These treatments did not significantly affect the viability and germination of the mung bean seeds, and a sufficient yield for commercial uses was obtained.

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Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, E.coli O104, E.coli O157, EHEC, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Technology, Food Testing, Hygiene, Methods, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

USA – Leftover Food Storage Tips Chart

Posted on December 31, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety.gov

These short but safe time limits for home-refrigerated foods will keep them from
spoiling or becoming dangerous to eat. The guidelines for freezer storage are
for quality only. Frozen foods remain safe indefinitely.

Food Safety.gov Egg Products

Egg Safety Information

USDA Tips on Thawing and Re-Heating

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Methods, Microbiology, Research

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USA – Norovirus Updates

Posted on December 31, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning BulletinNorovirus

A suspected norovirus outbreak has been declared at the Stateville Correctional Facility in Illinois. Illinois Department of Corrections spokesperson Melaney Arnold told Food Poisoning Bulletin that approximately 144 inmates reported becoming ill after Christmas. No patients have been hospitalized.  Food testing is underway to try to determine the source of the outbreak.

The Department of Corrections and the Illinois Department of Public Health are working on the outbreak investigation and control efforts. Samples have been sent to the state laboratory, and public health officials are waiting for results.

CalCoast

A new strain of a stomach virus has caused at least three outbreaks in San Luis Obispo County within the past month, according to local health officials.

All three outbreaks, two of which occurred in restaurants and one in a long-term care facility, were caused from a new strain of the Norovirus from Australia, GII strain. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and body aches.

The highly contagious virus is spread through contact with infected people, consuming infected foods or touching infected surfaces. Health officials are asking those who are infected to stay home as they are still contagious for a time after symptoms have subsided.

Each Year Norovirus infections cause an estimated 21 million illnesses in the United States, and 70,000 hospitalizations.

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Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Food Virus, Microbiology, Norovirus, Pathogen, Virus

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UK – FSA Recall – Salted Peanuts – Aflatoxins

Posted on December 28, 2012 by | Leave a comment

FSAAflatoxin

Budgens, Londis  and SuperValu have recalled some of their SuperValu Salted Peanuts, because one batch of the product has been found to contain aflatoxins at levels higher than the regulatory limits. The levels of aflatoxins found are not considered a safety risk. However, if you have bought any of the product do not eat it. The Agency has issued a Product Recall Information Notice.

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Posted in Aflatoxin, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Standards Agency, Microbiology, Moulds, Mycotoxin, Recall, Toxin

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UK – FSA – Update on Tofu Recall – Bacillus cereus

Posted on December 28, 2012 by | Leave a comment

FSABacillus_cereus_01

Heads of Environmental Health and Directors of Trading Standards will wish to be aware of this update to Food Alert for Action 07/2012 issued on 20 December 2012 concerning the recall associated with rose bean curd tofu and chilli bean curd tofu originating from China via The Netherlands. The Agency has now received further information confirming that other lots of tofu from the same Chinese producer are contaminated with high levels of Bacillus cereus. Based on the findings, the Dutch importer Liroy B.V. is recalling all the tofu products they have imported this year from the Chinese producer.

The affected products have been distributed widely throughout the UK.

The Dutch importer will contact all their customers regarding withdrawing all other rose bean curd tofu and chilli bean curd tofu as a precaution.

Identification of the affected products:

1. Koon Yick Wah Kee – Rose Bean Curd (Tofu) 454g Best Before Date 30.06.14 Lot number 023424

2. Koon Yick Wah Kee – Chilli Bean Curd (Tofu) 454g Best Before Date 30.06.14 Lot Number 023421

(Photo Courtesy of the CDC via Wiki)

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Posted in Bacillus, Bacillus cereus, Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Standards Agency, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, Uncategorized

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Culture Better Than Rapid?

Posted on December 28, 2012 by | Leave a comment

The Packer

Tests for foodborne pathogens in which a culture is not grown in a lab may be necessary for produce companies, but they can’t replace traditional culture tests, industry leaders and government officials say.

Nonculture diagnostic tests have been around since the early 1980s, said David Gombas, senior vice president of food safety and technology for the Washington D.C.-based United Fresh Produce Association.

But there has been a recent push, Gombas said, to use them to replace culture tests that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and other agencies and organizations rely on to accurately diagnose cases of salmonella, E. coli and other foodborne illnesses.

That trend was highlighted in a recent article in Scientific America magazine, which found that many clinics and state-run labs are turning to nonculture tests, which are faster than culture tests.

They’re faster, but are they better?

“Right now, the answer is no,” Gombas said. “CDC, FDA, and those in the produce industry I talk to — they want a live bug.”

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Safety, Food Testing, Methods, Microbiology, Research

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USA – Walmart Recall – Listeria monoctyogenes in Smoked Salmon

Posted on December 28, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Listeria Blog

Multiexport Foods, Inc of Miami, FL is expanding the voluntary recall that it launched Saturday, December 22nd, 2012 of cold smoked salmon, 12 oz Twin Pack and the 1.25 lb Pack under the “Paramount Reserve”, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. The recall is being expanded to include additional lot-sublot-batch codes.

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Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

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Canada Salmonella –

Posted on December 27, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Le Journal de Montreal

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) has warned the public not to consume ardelenesc sausage ready to eat, as it may contain Salmonella.

This notice is issued in conjunction with the Charcuterie Transilvania, located boulevard Curé-Labelle, Laval, which makes this product. The affected lots are for all ardelenesc sausages sold from December 12 at the hotel. The product was sold only Charcuterie Transilvania, and the company is voluntarily recalling its sausages.

No illnesses associated with the consumption of this food has not been reported so far MAPAQ.

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, Salmonella, Uncategorized

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All I Want for Christmas is Norovirus !

Posted on December 27, 2012 by | Leave a comment

CBC News Canadanorovirus-2(1)

The Thunder Bay District Health Unit confirmed Friday that it was the Norovirus that caused an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness that affected dozens of people.

Maltese Grocery had shut down its catering operations temporarily after 85 people became sick after eating food at three events the company had catered the previous week. They’ve since resumed, but with additional precautions.

Senior Public Health Inspector Abby Mackie said clinical specimens submitted to a lab confirmed the Norovirus to be the source of the outbreak.

USA – Colorado

DENVER— The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is reporting widespread gastrointestinal illness (norovirus) throughout Colorado, including in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, schools and child care centers. Everyone is encouraged to increase simple prevention measures to stop further spread of illness in the community. Symptoms of the illness include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramping.

Alicia Cronquist, epidemiologist at the department, said, “We believe the illness is being caused by a virus germ called norovirus. This infection is very common this time of year.

Japan Times

MIYAZAKI — Six patients have died of gastroenteritis caused by a norovirus outbreak at Shunkokaihigashi Hospital in Nichinan, Miyazaki Prefecture, hospital officials said Sunday.

The victims — all men aged between 78 and 88 — were among 44 patients and staff who came down with symptoms of the illness, including vomiting and diarrhea, the officials said. All six were bedridden.

The health ministry has issued a nationwide warning about the norovirus because infections are approaching the record high set in 2006.

The China Post

TAIPEI–Health experts said Tuesday that an unusually high number of diarrhea cases have been reported this winter due to norovirus outbreaks and it warned that the peak season is yet to come.//

About 10,108 patients sought treatment for watery diarrhea at emergency departments across the country last week, which was a five-year high, said Chuang Jen-hsiang, director of the Epidemic Intelligence Center at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

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Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Foodborne Illness, Hand Washing, Hygiene, Illness, Microbiology, Norovirus, outbreak, Pathogen

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