Category Archives: Microbiology

Listeria Research – Growth Dynamics on Produce

Posted on May 23, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Online LibertyPub 

Several Listeriosis outbreaks have been linked to the consumption of fresh or processed produce in recent years. One major determinant of the Listeriosis risk is the ability of a food to support growth of Listeria monocytogenes during storage. However, data regarding the ability to support growth of L. monocytogenes are scarce or no existing for many produce commodities. Here we synthesize the available data regarding growth behaviour of L. monocytogenes on produce, compare the growth data with Listeriosis outbreak data, and evaluate the adequacy of the data for predictive modelling. Growth rates and maximum L. monocytogenes population densities differed markedly among produce commodities, and post-harvest processing had a considerable effect on growth dynamics for certain commodities such as tomatoes. However, data scarcity prevented reliable estimation of growth rates for many commodities. Produce outbreaks seemed frequently associated with processed produce and often involved storage under suboptimal conditions (e.g., at room temperature for several hours or for several months in the refrigerator) or environmental cross-contamination after processing. However, no clear associations between high growth rates of L. monocytogenes on fresh produce and outbreaks were detected. In conclusion, produce commodities differ in the supported growth rate of L. monocytogenes, the maximum attainable L. monocytogenes population density, and possibly in the impact of post-harvest processing, but data are currently insufficient to predict growth behaviour, and the Listeriosis risk appears to be also governed by additional factors.

Leave a comment

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

US – Baby Spinach Recall – Salmonella

Posted on May 23, 2012 by | Leave a comment

FDA 

Taylor Farms Retail, Inc. is initiating a voluntary recall of Organic Baby Spinach with the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella following a random test conducted on a finished package of spinach by USDA.

There have been no reported illnesses attributed to the recalled items. The “Best By” Code Date for the recalled products can be located on the lower right portion of the front label. These recalled items were distributed from Taylor Farms Retail, Inc. on May 9, 2012 and May 10, 2012.

No other products or code dates are affected by this recall. The company is cooperating with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) regarding this recall.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, FDA, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, Salmonella

Tagged ,

Listeria – Flash Pasteurisation

Posted on May 22, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Quality News

Using flash pasteurisation in tandem with antimicrobial lauric-arginate-ester (LAE) can curb the growth of Listeria monocytogenes (LM) on frankfurter sausages for up to 12 weeks, according to new US Government research.

Flash Pasteurisation

Leave a comment

Posted in Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Technology, Food Testing, Microbiology, Research, Technology

Tagged , , ,

Cruise Ship “HMS Holby City”- Norovirus

Posted on May 22, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Mail Online

Scores of passengers on board a luxury cruise liner have had their £2,000 holidays ruined by a sickness outbreak. Around 170 passengers on the Boudicca were hit by the suspected norovirus during its 13-night trip to the Canary Islands. The virus, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea, is highly contagious and those infected were quarantined during the doomed voyage.

The ship, carrying around 828 passengers and 348 crew, was greeted by NHS staff and ambulance crews when it docked in Greenock, Scotland last night.

One passenger told the Daily Mirror: ‘We started calling the ship HMS Holby City.

‘There were two nurses wandering around all the time visiting people, most of them elderly.

‘Half the facilities were shut down and we were even told not to swap quiz sheets to stop the bug spreading.

‘Passengers were offered £150 discounts on their next cruise. We don’t know anyone who accepted.

Leave a comment

Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Norovirus, outbreak, Pathogen

Tagged ,

US Ground Beef Recall – E.coli Risk

Posted on May 21, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News 

Lancaster Frozen Foods and G&W Incorporated are recalling about 6,908 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli, according to the South Carolina meat and poultry inspection department.
 
Lab testing by the meat and poultry inspection department confirmed a positive result for E.coli in a ground product at Lancaster Frozen Foods. That lot was held by the company, but additional ungroud product from the same lot had been used in other production lots resulting in the recall.
 
No illnesses have been reported.

Leave a comment

Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, E.coli O157, EHEC, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

Tagged , , ,

USDA Food Microbiology Guidelines for Laboratories

Posted on May 21, 2012 by | Leave a comment

USDA 

The Guidebook contains current protocols for analytical tests required by FSIS regulatory activities on meat, poultry and egg products.1 Specifically, microbiological methods are presented for sample preparation, isolation and identification of the major foodborne pathogenic microorganisms and their toxins, meat tissue species identification, and the detection of extraneous materials and antimicrobial residues. Media and reagent formulations, and Most Probable Number Tables are contained in an appendix.

Leave a comment

Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research, USDA

Tagged , , ,

Bagged Salads Recall Expanded – US and Canada – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on May 21, 2012 by | 1 comment

Food Safety News

The California Department of Public Health warned California residents not to eat certain bagged salads manufactured by River Ranch Fresh Foods, LLC due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes on Friday. 

According to a news release from CDPH, Salinas, California-based River Ranch Fresh Foods initiated a voluntary recall of bagged salads after routine sampling detected Listeria monocytogenes in two packages of shredded iceberg lettuce purchased from retail locations in California and Colorado. The recalled salad products were distributed nationwide to retail and foodservice outlets under various sizes and packaged under the brand names of River Ranch, Farm Stand, Hy-Vee, Marketside, Shurfresh, The Farmer’s Market, Cross Valley, Fresh n Easy, Promark, and Sysco.  

Although the bagged salads being recalled are no longer available for sale, CDPH issued a news release to warn consumers that they may have the recalled products in their homes.  The agency published a list of all recalled products to aid consumers in identifying recalled products.

CIFA – Recall

The public warning issued on May 19, 2012has been expanded to include new products and Best Before date codes.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public as well as various importers, distributors, retailers and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeteria, hospitals and nursing homes not to serve or consume various salads described below because these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

This is a part of the larger recall of retail and foodservice salads initiated by River Ranch Fresh Foods, LLC, California, USA with distribution in Canada.
Anyone who finds recalled lettuce should discard it or return it to the point of purchase for a refund. 

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

1 Comment

Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

Tagged

RASFF Reports –

Posted on May 19, 2012 by | Leave a comment

RASFF – Mould in German Hazlenuts

RASFF – Enterobacteria in German dried bovine meat

RASFF – Salmonella Montivideo in Netherlands lamb meal.

RASFF – Histamine in frozen Indonesian tuna,

Leave a comment

Posted in Bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Technology, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Histamine, Microbiology, Moulds, Pathogen, RASFF, Recall, Salmonella

Tagged , , ,

Canadian Recalls – Listeria- Salads and Onions

Posted on May 19, 2012 by | Leave a comment

CIFA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Sobeys Inc. are warning the public not to consume Compliments brand salads and prepared foods described below because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

CIFA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the Gills Onions brand Fresh Diced Red Onions described below because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The affected product, Gills Onions brand Fresh Diced Red Onions, Product of U.S.A., is sold in 198 g packages, bearing UPC 6 43550 00045 0, Best Before date 05/17/12, and lot code 51RDA1A2119. This product is known to be distributed in Ontario and may have been distributed nationally.

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

Leave a comment

Posted in Bacteria, CIFA, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

Tagged , , ,

US – Bagged Salads Recall – Listeria monocytognes

Posted on May 19, 2012 by | Leave a comment

FDA

River Ranch Fresh Foods, LLC of Salinas, CA is initiating a voluntary recall of retail and foodservice bagged salads, because they have the potential of being contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes following routine random retail salad finished product tests conducted in the marketplace by the Food & Drug Administration.

Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Retail salad products under this recall were distributed nationwide under various sizes and packaged under the brand names of River Ranch, Farm Stand, Hy-Vee, Marketside, Shurfresh, and The Farmer’s Market.

There have been NO reported illnesses associated with this recall.

Leave a comment

Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

Tagged ,