Category Archives: Pathogen

RASFF- Alerts – Norovirus – Salmonella – Histamine – Moulds – E.coli

RASFF – Salmonella in Bovine Meat in Sweden sourced in Ireland

RASFF – Salmonella in Chilled Beef in Sweden sourced in Ireland

RASFF – Moulds in Soft Toffee in Czech Republic sourced in Poland

RASFF– Histamine in Tuna in Italy sourced in Spain

RASFF – E.coli in Live Bivalve Molluscs in the Netherlands sourced in Denmark

France – Norovirus warning for the English Channel

Due to poisonings related to collective consumption of shellfish, fish and shellfish all marketing from one of the main production areas of Lower Normandy oysters in an area about 5 kilometers Blainville-sur-Mer , in the English Channel, is prohibited. Products shipped since January 28 are recalled to be destroyed, said Thursday the prefecture of Manche.

USA – Research – Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria Found in Retail Meat

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The National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) has just released its annual meat report detailing the bacteria found on meat sold at the retail level. The report states that there are increases in antibiotic-resistant bacteria found on ground turkey and chicken.

Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY), a microbiologist, released a press statement about the report. She said, “we are standing on the brink of a public health catastrophe. The threat of antibiotic-resistant disease is real, it si growing and those most at risk are our seniors and children. We can help stop this threat by drastically reducing the overuse of antibiotics in our food supply, and Congress should act swiftly to do so today.” Rep. Slaughter is the author of the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (PAMTA), which would phase out the use of medically important antibiotics in healthy food-producing animals.

UK – FSA – Cheese Recall Listeria monocytogenes

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Listeria monocytogenes, a food-poisoning bacteria, has been found in some batches of Loch Arthur Creamery cheese following sampling by Dumfries and Galloway Council. Loch Arthur Creamery is recalling all date codes up to and including to 11 February 2013 and the Food Standards Agency is issuing a Product Recall Information Notice.

Canada – CFIA Recall Hummous – Listeria monocytogenes

CFIACIFA

Reference Number: 7796 Recalling Firm: GNG FOOD SERVICE INC. Date of Recall: 2/5/2013 Recall Classification: 1 Distribution : Ontario Extent of the Product Distribution : Hotel/Restaurant/Institutional

Product List

Brand Name Common Name Size Codes(s) on Product UPC Reason for Recall:
GNG FOOD SERVICE INC. HUMMOUS 5 kg Production Date: 20 January, 2013   Expiry Date: 04 February, 2013; Production Date: 24 January, 2013  Expiry Date: 08 February, 2013; Production Date: 28 January, 2013  Expiry Date: 12 February, 2013 None / Aucun Microbiological – Listeria
GNG FOOD SERVICE INC. HUMMOUS 11 kg Production Date: 20 January, 2013   Expiry Date: 04 February, 2013; Production Date: 24 January, 2013  Expiry Date: 08 February, 2013; Production Date: 28 January, 2013  Expiry Date: 12 February, 2013 None / Aucun Microbiological – Listeria

USA – Trader Joe’s Recall Organic Pea Shoots – Possible Listeria monocytogenes

Trader Joe’s

We have been alerted by our supplier of Trader Joe’s Organic Pea Shoots SKU 92756 with “Best By” dates through 02/16 sold only in our Oregon and Washington stores that there is a possibility that the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

In accordance with our stringent health and safety standards, and as an extreme precaution, all of the potentially affected product has been removed from sale and destroyed. To date, we have received no reports of illness related to this product.

Customers who have purchased this item are urged to not eat it, and to dispose of it or return it to any Trader Joe’s for a full refund.

Customers with questions may contact Trader Joe’s Customer Relations at (626) 599-3817 [Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time].

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.

European Epdiemiological Report into the Salmonella Stanley Outbreak 2012

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In July 2012, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) initiated a Europe-wide investigation on a Salmonella Stanley outbreak, together with the affected Member States, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Reference Laboratory for Salmonella (EURL Salmonella). Cases were associated with strains showing an indistinguishable PFGE pattern not previously reported in Europe.

Between July and September 2012, ECDC encouraged European Union (EU) and other European Economic Area (EEA) Member States to perform Xbal-PFGE typing on all S. Stanley human isolates. The image profile of the outbreak strain was shared with all EU countries. ECDC collected and analysed molecular typing data on S. Stanley from EU/EEA Member States to explore potential sources of infection within the food production chain in this multi-country outbreak.

Full report at the link above.

USA – FDA Expanded Recall Sprouted Seeds – Listeria monocytogenes

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Sprouters Northwest is voluntarily recalling all varieties of sprouts products, wheatgrass and pea shoots due to the potential contamination 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. 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. There have been no illnesses reported to date.

All varieties of sprouts products including 3-Bean Munchie, Alfalfa, Bean, Broccoli, Brocco Sandwich sprouts, Clover, Deli, Spicy; Wheatgrass and Pea Shoots that were distributed through 1/30/2013 in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, Canada through retail stores and food service distribution chain.

The affected products are sold under the Sprouters Northwest, LifeForce and Brassica brand names and are packaged in plastic clamshell containers, plastic cups, plastic trays in 3 oz., 4 oz., 5 oz., and in plastic 1 lb. 2lb, or 5lb. bags. The Best by Dates are including all and up to 2/17/2013. Trader Joe’s Organic Pea Shoots (SKU 92756), packaged in a 4 oz. clamshell offered only in Oregon and Washington state are also affected. The Best by Dates are through 02/16/13. The Best by Date sticker is located in the top right hand corner, front of the package.

The problem was identified through surveillance finished products samples collected at retail locations and at the firm by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Sprouters Northwest is working with WSDA and the Food & Drug Administration on this recall.

Consumers who have purchased a specific lot of items mentioned above are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of it. Consumers with questions may contact the Sprouters Northwest at 1-253-872-0577 from 7AM to 2PM PST.

RASFF – European Alerts – Listeria monocytogenes – Salmonella – STEC E.coli – Ochratoxin

RASFF – Ochratoxin in Coffee from Belgium

RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes in Chilled Smoked Salmon in Italy via Denmark and Austria

RASFF – STEC E.coli in Chilled Beef in the Netherlands sourced in the USA

RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes in Gorgonzola in Switzerland sourced in Italy

RASFF – Salmonella in Minced in Sweden with raw material sourced in Irleand.

Research – Killing Pathogens on Seeds

Science Direct

Farmers treat seeds chemically in order to rid them of pest infestation. Now researchers have developed a method that kills pathogens without harming the environment. Pioneering seed suppliers are already implementing the procedure commercially.

The scientists of the Fraunhofer Institute for Electron Beam and Plasma Technology FEP in Dresden, Germany have developed an environmentally friendly method for removing germs from seeds. They treat the seeds with electrons, which within milliseconds destroy the DNA of the harmful organisms. Due to a special device setup, the elementary particles only act on the surface and in seed coat. The embryo in the interior of the seed is not affected so that the ability of the seeds to germinate is not impaired.

The scientists from the FEP are confident that, in the long term, the treatment with electrons will prove to be a success story. There is some support for this: Starting in 2015, farmers must prove that they are trying to reduce their CO2 footprint and lower the use of chemical pesticides. “With our unit, we are able to contribute significantly to this,” says Rögner. Should the treatment with electrons gain greater acceptance, the scientists from FEP could license their process to plant construction companies.

The scientists are currently promoting their activities abroad. The FEP is endeavoring to introduce the electron treatment process into the Chinese and Indian markets. “Due to the large amounts of seed produced, we see good opportunities there,” says Rögner.

USA – Walmart Cheese Recall – Salmonella

Food Poisoning Bulletin Salmonella

Walmart is recalling Stallings Head Cheese which has been linked to a cluster of Salmonella Uganda  illnesses in Louisiana.  Stallings, which is based in Houston, issued a recall for 4,700 pounds of the product on January 24 after health officials had discovered the link to the illnesses.