The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Shah Trading Co. Ltd. are warning the public, distributors and food service establishments not to consume, sell, serve or use the Spice Kingdom brand dried Egyptian Basil described below because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella.
The Arizona Republic reports that four state prison inmates were hospitalized with suspected botulism poisoning Friday after apparently drinking homemade prison alcohol, authorities said.
This is not the first time that prison inmates have been diagnosed with botulism following what is suspected to be an attempt at making homemade alcohol.
In 2011, 12 inmates at the Utah State Prison in Draper developed botulism after drinking a concoction made from fruit, potatoes, bread, water and sugar.
In 2004, four California inmates were hospitalized after contracting botulism from a two-gallon batch of prison-made alcohol.
Reichel Foods, Inc. of Rochester, Minnesota is voluntarily recalling a limited amount of Dippin’ Stix Sliced Apples & Caramel with Peanuts and Armour Active Packs Cheese Pizza Lunch Kits because they have 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. 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.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Shah Trading Co. Ltd. are warning the public, distributors and food service establishments not to consume, sell, serve or use the Spice Kingdom brand dried Egyptian Basil described below because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella.
The affected product, Spice Kingdom brand BASIL – EGYPTIAN, 30M, Whole, Fancy, bearing Lot No. 4685/E, was sold in bulk 25 kg (55 lbs) bags to cash & carry outlets, restaurants, bakeries and food service establishments in Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba.
There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.
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Kolkata, July 31 (IANS) Two children died of food poisoning and over 400 people have been hospitalised after consuming food at an Iftar party in West Bengal, an official said Tuesday.
The party was held in Dum Dum in Nort 24-Parganas district Sunday night.
“A six-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy died today while more than 400 people have been hospitalised after consuming food at an Iftar party,” said Shyama Prasad Mitra, superintendent of the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Beliaghata where the sick are admitted.
He said a team of 15 more doctors had been requisitioned to meet the contingency.
He said patients had been flowing in since Sunday and the two children who died were admitted early Tuesday morning.
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District today issued a health warning to patrons of a food outlet in the Sydney CBD following the diagnosis of Hepatitis A in a food preparation employee.
Public Health Director at South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Professor Mark Ferson advised that people who ate food from Sumo Salad in Westpac Place, Kent Street, Sydney between Thursday 19 July and Thursday 26 July may need to receive a hepatitis A vaccine.
Patrons who ate food from the Sumo Salad from Wednesday 11 July to Wednesday 18 July are still at risk of hepatitis, but as the vaccine is only effective within 2 weeks of exposure, these people are not recommended to have vaccine, but should visit their GP if they develop symptoms.
Although the risk of infection to patrons is probably low, as a precaution a clinic providing a free hepatitis A vaccine will be available at Sydney Hospital, Macquarie Street Sydney. The clinic will also provide customers of Sumo Salad with an opportunity to speak to a nurse about possible exposure and any potential health risk.
The clinic will be open between 3pm and 7pm on Thursday, 2 August 2012 at Sydney Hospital’s general outpatient department, north block, entrance from Macquarie Street.
“Hepatitis A is a viral infection of the liver. The virus is spread by the faecal-oral route, including contaminated food or water or direct contact with an infected person,” Professor Ferson said.
Hepatitis A symptoms develop two to seven weeks after infection and include fever, feeling unwell, poor appetite, abdominal discomfort, jaundice (which is yellowing of the skin and eyes) and dark urine.
“There is no specific treatment for hepatitis A but the illness resolves after several days or weeks.
Professor Ferson said while a safe and effective vaccine is available against hepatitis A, it only prevents infection if given within 2 weeks of exposure. It will not protect those people who were exposed to the virus more than 2 weeks prior to vaccination.
“We urge anyone who may have been exposed to these food products to receive a Hepatitis A vaccination as quickly as possible to develop some protection from developing the infection,” he said.
”People who have already received hepatitis A vaccine or have had the disease would already be immune and will not need an injection.”
People can also contact the NSW Health Information Line 1300 066 055 for more information during business hours.
Further information on hepatitis A is available at: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/infectious/hepatitisa.html
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Posted in Bacteria, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, RASFF, Recall, Salmonella
FDA – Publix Publix Super Markets is issuing a voluntary recall for custom sub sandwiches that contain onions because they may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes. Publix received notification from their supplier, who receives sliced onions from Gills Onions LLC. This recall involves any custom made sub sandwich with onions sold from the Publix Deli department between July 7, 2012 through July 26, 2012 in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina. Publix stores in Florida are not involved with this recall.
FDA – Kens Foods The manufacturer of Golden Corral Tartar Sauce, Dickey’s BBQ Bean Sauce, Lee’s Cole Slaw Dressing, Fatz Tartar Sauce, Ken’s Tartar Sauce. These items contain onions from Gills Onions, which may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems.
FDA – Garden Fresh Foods Garden-Fresh Foods is initiating a voluntary recall on various ready-to-eat salads, slaw, salsa, bean and dip products sold under various brands and code dates (see attachment). The products may contain onions from Gills Onions, which may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that 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.
FoodWorld 