Foodborne diseases, such as norovirus, are as big a threat to the Olympics as terrorist groups like Al-Qaeda, according to a Home Office risk assessment.
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Category Archives: Pathogen
Vaccinating Chickens – Campylobacter
A vaccine could be developed to prevent Campylobacter being carried in chickens. This approach could drastically cut the number of cases of food poisoning, saving the UK economy millions each year, says an American scientist presenting his work at the Society for General Microbiology’s Spring Conference in Dublin.
Scientists at Washington State University are studying the maternal antibodies that are passed from hens to their chicks. “These antibodies protect chicks from becoming colonized by Campylobacter in the first week of life,” explained Professor Michael Konkel who is leading the research. “Our group has now identified the bacterial molecules that these antibodies attack, which has given us a starting point for a vaccine against Campylobacter,” he said. “We have already found that chickens injected with these specific molecules – found on the surface of Campylobacter jejuni – produce antibodies against the bacterium. This response partially protects them from colonization.”
A vaccine could be a powerful weapon to help control food-borne illness. “Preventing contamination of poultry at slaughter has not been effective at reducing illness in humans. It has been shown that about 65% of chickens on retail sale in the UK are contaminated with Campylobacter,” explained Professor Konkel. “Ideally, the best way to prevent contamination is to stop chickens on the farm from becoming colonized with this microorganism in the first place, which could be achieved by vaccination. Our goal within the next 6 months is to test a vaccine for chickens that will reduce Campylobacter colonization levels. There’s still a long way to go, but I’m confident our lab and others are moving in the right direction.”
Posted in Bacteria, Campylobacter, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Pathogen
Tagged health
Ripeness of Product Could Affect Pathogen Growth
The ripeness of fruit could determine how food-poisoning bacteria grow on them, according to scientists presenting their work at the Society for General Microbiology’s Spring Conference in Dublin this week. Their work could lead to new strategies to improve food safety, bringing many health and economic benefits.
A wide range of fresh produce has been linked to outbreaks of Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica including melons, jalapeño and serrano peppers, basil, lettuce, horseradish sprouts and tomatoes. Researchers at Imperial College London are looking at how these bacterial pathogens latch onto fruits and vegetables and establish themselves in the first place.
US – Jalepeno Chillies – Recall – Salmonella
Newport, Kentucky-based Castellini Produce has issued an unclassified recall for fresh jalapenos in packs of two, 10 and 40.
The recalled jalapenos reached five divisions of Rosemont,IL-based US Foods (formerly U.S. Foodservice) between March 9 and 24, according to the food distribution company.
While no illnesses have yet been associated with the recall, routine test results showed possible presence of Salmonella.
The recalled product may be identified by packaging bearing the name Professional Produce of Florida/South Florida Produce and may include the following lot numbers:
1977434, 1977911, 1978565, 1976393, 1976549, 1976551, 1977220, 1977514, 1977845, 1978122, 1978125, 1978930, 1976774, 1976786, 1977289, 1977310, 1977906, 1977913, 1978563, 1978574, 1979025, 1979034, 1976509, 1977743, 1978618, 280104C07
Formed in 1896, Castellini is one of the largest distributors of fresh produce in the United States with more than 2,500 fruits, vegetables and floral items in its product line.
US – E.coli O157 Alert in Imported Canadian Products
Sysco Seattle Inc. is recalling approximately 16,800 pounds of ground beef patties distributed to restaurants in Colorado, Arizona, Texas and Washington because of possible E. coli contamination according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
The producer, New Food Classics of Burlington, Ontario, notified Sysco Seattle of the possible contamination earlier this month.
The following products are subject to recall:
•10 lb. boxes of PRIME RIB BEEF PATTIES 8 oz, with product code 55317, and production code 11 NO 22.
•10 lb. boxes of PRIME RIB BEEF PATTIES 71g, with product code 55391 and bearing a production code of 11 SE 01 or 12 JA 04.
Canada – Salmonella Found in Caterers Products
According to CBC News, Salmonella was found in ground beef and Halal chicken samples from The Lunch Lady Catering service in Ottawa, Canada.
This links the caterer to the Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 50 people. One dozen schools and a day care center have been the epicenter of the outbreak.
Salmonella Typhimurium was found in frozen uncooked ground beef, and Salmonella Heidelberg was found in raw Halal chicken.
California Announces Raw Milk Recall – Campylobacter
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) today announced a recallof “raw milk, raw nonfat milk and raw cream produced by Claravale Farm of San Benito County.”
The action was based on results of testing that revealed the presence of Campylobacter bacteria in the company’s raw cream.
US – Update – E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak
The CDC reports as of March 21, 2012, 58 persons infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 were reported from 9 states. The number of ill persons identified in each state was as follows: Arizona (1), Arkansas (2), Illinois (9), Indiana (2), Kansas (2), Kentucky (1), Minnesota (2), Missouri (38), and Nebraska (1). Two cases were removed from the case count because advanced molecular testing determined that they were not related to this outbreak strain. Among persons for whom information was available, illnesses began from October 9, 2011 to November 7, 2011. Ill persons ranged in age from 1 to 94 years, with a median age of 28 years. Fifty-nine percent were female. Among the 49 ill persons with available information, 33 (67%) were hospitalized, and 3 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). No deaths were reported
Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, E.coli O157, EHEC, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, Recall, STEC
Tagged science
US – Salmonella Outbreak Live Chicks
Are you thinking of getting some chicks so you can produce your own eggs? Have the recalls of eggs from Daizen Farms, Michael Foods Inc., and the huge outbreak of foodborne illness from Wright County Eggs in 2010have you forgoing eggs at the grocery store?
Your own hatchery may not be the answer. The CDC just released a study of an outbreak of Salmonella Altona and Salmonella Johannesburg infections linked to chicks and ducklings from a mail order hatchery last year.
Two clusters of human Salmonella infections from baby chicks were identified in 2011 through pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). From February 25, 2011 to October 10, 2011, 68 cases of Salmonella Altona and 17 cases of Salmonella Johannesburg had contact with live poultry the week before their illness developed
Texas Firm Recalls Beef Sausage Products Due To Possible Listeria Contamination
WASHINGTON, March 21, 2012 – Southside Market & BBQ, an Elgin, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 2,373 pounds of ready-to-eat beef sausage products that may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The following products are subject to recall:
- 16 oz. packages of “Southside Market & BBQ Original Beef Sausage,” Lot # 065-E
- 16 oz. and 48 oz. packages of “Southside Market & BBQ Original Beef Sausage,” Lot #’s 065-A, 065-B, 065-C, and 065-D
- 16 oz. packages of “Southside Market & BBQ 1882 Hot Recipe Beef Sausage,” Lot # 065-D
FSIS and the company have received no reports of illness due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.
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