Category Archives: Microbiology

Vietnam Bean Sprout Warning

Vietnam News

HA NOI (VNS)— Up to 40 per cent of tested bean sprout samples sold in Ha Noi’s markets are infected with harmful bacteria, including E.coli, prompting national food safety officials to call for tightened controls on raw vegetables.

Head of the Plant Protection Department Nguyen Xuan Hong announced the result at a meeting yesterday following a test conducted on 50 bean sprout samples to check their Arsenic and bacteria levels.

Hong said the test proved the samples were safe from metalloid, but the high amount of micro-organisms on the product raised concern.

The micro-organisms, namely E.coli, Salmonella and Listeria, were found to be at an unsafe lavel for raw vegetables, which can lead to food poisoning.

RASFF Alerts – Salmonella, Listeria, Coliforms

RASFF – Salmonella in Chicken Breast Fillets in Denmark sourced in Poland

RASFF – High Coliforms in Chilled Mussels in Netherlands sourced in Denmark

RASFF – Salmonella in Pet Food in Belgium

RASFF – Listeria in Herring Fillets in Poland

FDA Reort Multi State Outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes in Cheese

FDA

The FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state and local public health officials are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to imported Marte brand Frescolina Ricotta Salata cheese distributed by Forever Cheese Inc. of Long Island City, New York. 

Forever Cheese has initiated a voluntary recall of this cheese which may be identified with a lot number (T9425) and/ or a production code (441202).
 

The FDA has placed the maker of the recalled cheese,Fattorie Chiarappa S.R.L.of Conversano, Italy, on Import Alert1. This means that Fattorie Chiarappa cheese will be denied admission into the United States unless the importer shows that the cheese is not contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, such as by using private laboratories to test the cheese.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a total of 14 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes from 11 states and the District of Columbia. Nationwide, 14 persons have been hospitalized. Three deaths have been reported. The CDC2 says that listeriosis contributed to at least one of those deaths. 

 The investigation into this outbreak continues, in order to determine whether there are other possible sources of the outbreak.

US Chicken Product Recall – Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria Blog

Lunds and Byerly’s have recalled some chicken products because of a potential for contamination with a dangerous strain of listeria, the grocery chain reported Thursday.

Listeria monocytoges was found in a recent supply of poultry used to make marinated chicken breasts, chicken kabobs and chicken meal kits, prompting the grocery chain to alert the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

The recall is strictly a cautionary measure, the company said. No illnesses have been reported.

FSANZ – Call for Submissions on Listeria monocytogenes in RTE

FSANZ

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today called for submissions on a proposal to review existing limits for Listeria monocytogenes  in the Food Standards Code.

FSANZ Chief Executive Officer Steve McCutcheon said that since the limits were first set, preventative food safety requirements had been introduced and new limits had been established internationally.

“These changes mean it’s time for FSANZ to review the limits in the code to ensure we are providing a nationally consistent approach and where possible, harmonising our standards with those set by international standard-setting bodies,” Mr McCutcheon said.

“FSANZ is also exploring what tools would need to be developed to help industry and enforcement agencies apply any new approach.”

L. monocytogenes causes the serious illness, listeriosis, in some people. People particularly at risk of listeriosis include pregnant women, their unborn and newborn babies, the elderly, and other people whose immune systems have been weakened by illness or immuno-suppressant drugs.

The review of the limits for L. monocytogenes is the first stage of a broader review of microbiological limits in the Code.

The closing date for submissions on Proposal P1017 is 16 November 2012.

USDA – Recall Raw Boneless Beef Trim – E.coli O157

USDAE.coli O157

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing a Public Health Alert for raw boneless beef trim products imported from Canada that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

FSA Scotland Food Survey Report

FSAS

The results from the analysis of food samples collected from Scottish businesses in 2011 have shown a slight increase in the levels of satisfactory samples in comparison with the previous year.

The report has shown that 80% of samples collected in 2011 by local authorities in Scotland and submitted to the UK Food Surveillance System (UKFSS) were satisfactory, a rise of 3% on 2010. Areas where improvements could be made in relation to food handling practices in retail and catering businesses were also identified in the report (see attached).

During 2011, almost 9,200 food samples were collected from Scottish businesses and analysed by the Public Analyst Laboratories in Scotland. More than 5,000 samples were examined microbiologically and a further 4,188 underwent chemical analysis, including tests for contaminants, additives and labelling inaccuracies.

As in previous years, the results of sampling in 2011 show that there were very few issues relating to foodborne pathogens (illness causing organisms). The majority of failures in microbiological testing (83%) were due to the elevated levels of hygiene indicators (bacteria that can be used as indicators of general hygiene practices in food premises) and total bacterial counts (total number of bacteria on a food sample). These are not inherently a hazard but can indicate poor hygiene practices during food preparation and handling.

North American Ground Beef Recall – E.coli O157 Expanded

CFIA

The public warning issued on September 18, 2012 has been expanded to include additional ground beef products because the products may be contaminated with E. coliO157:H7.

The CFIA is warning the public, distributors and food service establishments not to consume, sell, or serve the ground beef products described in the link above because the products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

FDA – Recall Spinach – Listeria

FDA

The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR) Family of Stores in 15 states is asking customers to check their refrigerators for certain Kroger Fresh Selections Tender Spinach 10 ounce packages (UPC: 0001111091649) with a “best if used by” date of September 16.

This product, supplied by NewStar Fresh Foods LLC, is being recalled because the product may contain Listeria monocytogenes. Customers should return the items to stores for a full refund or a replacement. Customers can visit www.kroger.com/recall1 for more information.

Stores under the following names in 15 states are included in this recall:

  • Kroger stores in Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, central and eastern Tennessee, and Michigan.
  • Kroger, Jay C, Owen’s, Pay Less, Scott’s and Food 4 Less stores in Indiana, Illinois and eastern Missouri.
     
  • Dillons, Baker’s, and Gerbes stores in Kansas, Missouri,and Nebraska.

Stores the company operates under the following names are not included in this recall: Fry’s, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, QFC, Smith’s, King Soopers, City Market and Food 4 Less/Foods Co. in California.

US – Products Containing Mangoes – Salmonella Risk

FDA

United Salad Co. is initiating a voluntary, precautionary recall on various products it distributes to retail supermarkets that contain Mangoes associated with  the Food Source Tomorrow’s Tropical recall with the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

There have been no reported illnesses attributed to the recalled items. United Salad Co. is issuing this voluntary recall linked to the supplier’s Tropical Mangoes recall to minimize risk to the public health.

The recalled products were distributed to retailers and supermarkets from 09/01/12 to 09/17/12 in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.  A list of recalled products is listed in the attached table.

The company has directly notified all customers who received the recalled product and requested removal from store shelves.

Anyone who has the recalled product in their possession should not consume it and should destroy or discard it. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-547-5536 Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific Time).

FDA

In cooperation with the FDA’s warning to not consume mangoes from Agricola Daniella, FreshLine / Caito Foods Service of Indianapolis, Indiana, is initiating a voluntary recall of a limited quantity of expired products that contain fresh-cut mangoes and are distributed to retail supermarkets due to the potential risk that the mangoes may contain Salmonella. This is associated with FoodSource’s (Edinburg, TX) recall of mangoes sourced from Agricola Daniella. The FDA has placed Agricola Daniella on the Import Alert Listing.

There have been no reported illnesses attributed to the items listed in this recall.

FDA

GHSW, LLC of Houston, Texas is initiating a voluntary recall of a limited quantity of expired products that contain fresh-cut mangoes and are distributed to retail supermarkets due to the potential risk that the mangoes may contain Salmonella. Salmonella is 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 Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

This recall is associated with Food Source’s recall of mangoes sourced from Agricola Daniella. The FDA has issued an Import Alert and advised consumers not to eat mangoes from Agricola Daniella.