Category Archives: Microbiology

Canada and USA – Cherry Tomato Recalls – Salmonella

CIFA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the cherry tomatoes and store-made party trays containing cherry tomatoes described below because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The following products are affected by this alert:

Brand Product Size UPC Dates sold
Krown Cherry tomatoes 551 ml 0 33383 65520 8 November 13 to 21, 2012, inclusive
None – Sold at Safeway stores Various store-made party trays containing cherry tomatoes Various Various November 14 to 21, 2012, inclusive

These products have been distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, North West Territories and Yukon and may have been distributed nationally.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

FDA

Rio Queen Citrus, Inc. of Mission, TX is recalling 840 cartons of 12/1 Dry Pints of Mexican cherry tomatoes in “Karol” brand boxes, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonellacan result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The “Karol” cherry tomatoes were distributed through retail stores in the states of Texas & South Carolina.

The product was originally distributed in a bulk container of 12/1 Dry Pints in boxes labeled “Karol” with the Lot No. “01W45” stamped in the upper, right-hand corner on the face of the box. The box states “Distributed by Interstate Fruit & Vegetable”, which is an affiliated business of Rio Queen Citrus, Inc. These packages were distributed at the retail level between November 10th & November 19th, 2012. At the retail level, the tomatoes may have been packaged in an alternative container depending on the area and retailer.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

European Alerts – Salmonella, E.coli, Aflatoxin, Mould, Histamine

RASFF – E.coli in Mussles in Italy sourced in Spain.

RASFF – Salmonella in Frozen Snails in France sourced in Greece

RASFF – Aflatoxin in Maize in Italy sourced in Spain

RASFF – Mould in Hazlenuts in UK from Turkey

RASFF – Histamine in Tuna in Ireland sourced in Thailand

UK – FSA – Sunland and USA Peanut Butter Outbreak Hits UK

FSA

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is warning consumers not to eat certain peanut butter and peanut-based products which have been imported from the US because of possible contamination with salmonella. Salmonella is a bacterium that causes food poisoning. The Agency has issued a Food Alert for Action.

An outbreak of a strain of salmonella called Salmonella Bredeney in the US has been linked to peanut butter produced by a company called Sunland Inc. As a result, the manufacturer is recalling a wide range of peanut butter and peanut-based products. Other products containing nuts and seeds are also being recalled.

USA – CDC – Multistate Outbreak of E.coli O157:H7 – Spinach

CDCE.coli O157

A total of 28 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coliO157:H7 (STEC O157:H7) have been reported from five states, with most cases in New York.

42% of ill persons have been hospitalized. Two ill persons have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure, and no deaths have been reported.

The outbreak was initially in New York. More recently, more ill persons in other states have been reported, and the investigation has expanded.

UK/Germany/Netherlands – Increase in Cryptosporidium Notifications in 2012

ECDC

An increase in Cryptodsporidim notifications has been observed in the UK, Netherlands and Germany since August 2012 that is likely to be real and not due to surveillance or notifcations artifacts.

The available information from investigations in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany indicates that there is not a single, common source, but rather a combination of several causes. These may include climatic drivers, such as the increased rainfall in the summer of 2012 in these countries or a widely distributed commonly consumed product. There is however no evidence for it at this stage and further investigations are ongoing.

 The overall threat for the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) is considered to be low.

 EU/EEA Member States should be alert to an increase in cases as observed in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Germany, particularly in relation to immunocompromised and other at-risk groups as they may present with a more severe manifestation of cryptosporidiosis.

 

Canada – Pumpkin Butter – Clostridium botulinum

CFIA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Birtch Farms and Estate Winery are warning the public not to consume the Birtch Farms and Estate Winery brand Pumpkin Butter because it may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. Toxins produced by these bacteria may cause botulism, a life-threatening illness.

The affected product, Birtch Farms and Estate Winery brand Pumpkin Butter, was sold in 110 ml and 250 ml jars. All lot codes are affected by this alert.

This product has been distributed in Ontario.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

Food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with the toxin may cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, headache, double vision, dry throat, respiratory failure and paralysis. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

The manufacturer, Birtch Farms and Estate Winery, Woodstock, ON, is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

Methods – 3M Clean-TraceTM Water – Total ATP – New Advanced

3M’s Food Safety business has announced its current 3MTM Clean-TraceTM Water – Total ATP test device will move to an advanced, innovative formulation allowing for improved temperature stability and test result accuracy.

The test gives an objective indication of cleanliness in water samples in seconds.  By working in real time, food & beverage producers can rinse test waters after each CIP cycle and re-clean immediately if “fail” results are obtained.

For further information on the new and improved 3MTM Clean-TraceTM Water Plus – Total ATP test please call 01509 613859.

European Alerts – Salmonella-Listeria-Pseudomonas and Ciguatera

Denmark – Salmonella in Fresh Turkey Breast

RASFF – Salmonella in Frozen Octopus in Italy sourced in Indonesia

RASFF – Suspicion of ciguatera poisoning caused by fresh red snapper fillets in Czech Republic, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom sourced in India. FDA – Ciguatera

France – Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Hand Gel recall

Switzerland – Listeria in Shoulder Ham

 

 

 

 

Canada – Another Peanut Butter Product Recall

CFIA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume, sell or serve the food product described below because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella.

These recalls are part of an ongoing food safety investigation. This recall of peanut butter products in Canada is related to the expanding peanut butter product recall in the USA by Sunland Inc. due to possible Salmonella Bredeney contamination.

The following product is affected by this alert:

Brand Product Size UPC Lot Code Distribution
Sunland Inc. Organic Dark Chocolate Creamy Peanut Butter 375 g 0 48687 89829 9 100326 QC, possibly national

There have been no illnesses reported in Canada associated with the consumption of these peanut butter products. However, there are confirmed Salmonella Bredeney illnesses in multiple states in the United States.

USA – Weekend Recalls – Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes

Food Poisoning Bulletin – Salmonella in Peanut  Pet and Wild Bird Seed

Food Poisoning Bulletin – Publix Super Markets is recalling forty-five various cake products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

FDA – Tony’s Imports and Exports of Clovis CA, is warning consumers, food distributors and food processors not to consume or purchase certain containers of AL-RABIH Tahineh (Sesame Paste) because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella