Category Archives: Pathogen

Hepatitis A – 2011 Two Outbreaks in Europe

Posted on February 15, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Eurosurveillence

In October 2011, two primary cases of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection with identical HAV genotype IB strains to those seen in other outbreaks associated with semi-dried tomatoes were reported in England. Both cases had consumed semi-dried tomatoes. Epidemiological investigations revealed two additional cases of genotype IB strains with different sequences who also reported having consumed semi-dried tomatoes. In November, five cases of HAV infection with closely related strains were identified in the Netherlands. A foodborne multiple-strain outbreak is suspected.

Euroserveillance

In November 2011, a cluster of initially five cases of hepatitis A infection with closely related strains was identified in the Netherlands. England reported possibly related cases. Strains with identical sequences had been involved in previous outbreaks linked to semi-dried tomatoes. Investigation of the Dutch cluster suggested a link with ready-to-eat salads including those containing semi-dried tomatoes. Despite trace-back, a source was not identified. Vigilance is needed, and rapid sharing of data may help source-tracing.

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Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen

Vaccine For Salmonella?

Posted on February 14, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

A vaccine against Salmonella may be one step closer, according to a research team led by a University of California, Davis immunologist.
 
In a study to be published this week in the early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers say they have paved the way toward an effective vaccine by identifying eight antigens — molecules in the invading bacteria that trigger an immune response — common in mice and human infections.
 
In working toward a vaccine, the UC Davis-led research team said it created an array, or collection, of 2,700 proteins — about 60 percent of all proteins produced by Salmonella bacteria. The researchers found that 117 of those proteins behaved as antigens when mixed with blood serum from Salmonella-infected mice, triggering an immune response to defend against the bacteria.

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Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Technology, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Salmonella

Hot Water Bath for Washing Cantaloupes – Eliminates Pathogens

Posted on February 14, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

The 2011 outbreak of Listeria monocytogenesis in cantaloupe sparked a heightened level of interest in efforts to make cantaloupe safer, with fruit and produce trade associations developing safety guidelines and California cantaloupe growers pushing to set safety goals.
 
Bassam Annous, Ph.D., a microbiologist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, might just have the solution the cantaloupe industry seeks. Since 2005, Annous has been developing a cost-effective treatment to kill pathogens on cantaloupe rinds by submerging the melons in hot water. 

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

Controlling Toxoplasma in Pork

Posted on February 13, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Meating Place.com

This the second article in a five-part series analyzing the most prevalent pathogen-food combinations in the United States. Using CDC and USDA data, researchers at the University of Florida’s Emerging Pathogens Institute identified – for the first time – which pathogens and which foods cause the most illness in the United States. The series is exploring the following five pathogen-food combinations: campylobacter in poultry; toxoplasma in pork; toxoplasma in beef; listeria in deli meats; and salmonella in poultry. Each article offers strategic insights into the food safety issue of each of those five combinations, identifying what makes them such a threat – and offering solutions to combat them.

It doesn’t carry the regulatory weight of E. coli, and it hasn’t grabbed headlines the way Salmonella has, but Toxoplasma in pork – and the illness Toxoplasmosis – is a growing threat, the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness worldwide. A parasite with properties similar to Trichinella spiralis (trichinae), it can cause havoc in certain processed meats that have little thermal processing, but it is particular a threat to fresh meats.

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Posted in Campylobacter, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Toxoplasmosis

Food Safety Issues – Spices in India

Posted on February 13, 2012 by | 2 comments

Business Standard 

Indian spice traders and producers are facing challenges like food safety, sustainability and traceability. Food safety regulations are affecting spice exports especially to the countries like Germany, France, England, Japan and Australia. India is biggest producer and exporter of spices in the world. As the regulations varies from country-to-country, it is becoming hard to maintain all the required standards.

Geemon Korah, CEO, Kancor Ingredients Ltd said, “These regulations are badly hitting our export markets. Therefore sustainability is a major issue.

The maximum containers are rejected from European countries, Japan and Australia. We are largest exporter of chilli and ginger to these countries.”

Among the major spices exported from India, chilli contributes 132,500 tonnes occupies the first place. Other major spices that are exported from India include turmeric (58,000 tonnes), Cumin (26,500 tonnes), Coriander (18,200 tonnes), Pepper (17,000) , Fenugreek (14,700 tonnes), Ginger (11, 250 tonnes) , Fennel (5,100 tonnes ), Nutmeg & mace (2,550 tonnes), celery (2,450 tonnes) , Cardamom small (3,100 tonnes) and Cardamom Large (475 tonnes), Garlic (1075 tonnes).

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Posted in EU2073, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Technology, Food Testing, Hygiene, Microbiology, Pathogen

More US Norovirus – Cheeleaders and Subway

Posted on February 13, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Cheerleaders

Health officials confirmed Friday that a fast-acting gut bug known as norovirus is responsible for an outbreak of illness that sickened more than 200 people gathered for a cheerleading championship in Washington state last weekend.

Results of state laboratory tests showed that that the nasty group of viruses caused the short-but-severe vomiting and diarrhea that affected some people who participated in and attended the state championship and Salute to Spirit cheerleading, dance and drill team event held in Everett, Wash. Norovirus is typically spread through person-to-person contact.

Subway

Most of the 100-plus people infected with norovirus last month had eaten at a local Subway franchise.

But an investigation by the Blackford County Health Department was unable to determine whether a customer or an employee spread the virus, also known as a stomach bug and food poisoning.

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

Chinese Food Safety Violations – Stiff Sentances in 2011

Posted on February 10, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Production Daily

Almost 300 people who violated Chinese food safety laws were handed sentences including life imprisonment and the death penalty in 2011, according to a Chinese news agency.

Bloomberg

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang called for harsh punishments against food-safety violations as officials removed eggs that a shopper claimed were fake in southern China’s Guangzhou city.

Li said China faces a grave situation in ensuring food supplies are kept safe and authorities should take a proactive approach to deter violations.

GovCN

Sources with the State Council’s Food Safety Committee said on Thursday that a total of 286 people in more than 5,200 food safety cases last year were handed sentences, including life imprisonment and suspended death penalties.

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Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, Recall

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Hepatitis A – Dallas Mexican Food Outlet

Posted on February 10, 2012 by | Leave a comment

WFAA

The Dallas County Health and Human Services Department is investigating a case of hepatitis A at a Dallas Mexican food restaurant.

The agency is working to alert medical care providers to be on the lookout for any customers who may have been infected. Dr. Chung said the risk that the infection has spread is very low.

“The vast majority who may contract hepatitis A will recover just fine without any serious problems,” Chung noted.

Hepatitis A is an infection that attacks the liver. Symptoms include fever, nausea, vomiting, and — in some cases — yellowing of the skin.

“It’s very important, in terms of preventing the spread of hepatitis A, to engage in extremely good hand-washing,” Chung said.

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Posted in Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Microbiology, Pathogen

650 ill After Mexican Rally – Foodborne Agent Not Known

Posted on February 10, 2012 by | 1 comment

Courier Mail

OFFICIALS of a Mexican political party are apologising to 650 indigenous people who suffered food poisoning after attending a campaign rally in southern Mexico.

Authorities in the indigenous town of Chilapa had to open an auditorium on Wednesday to treat people who became sick after eating rice tacos and eggs handed out by former mayor Sergio Dolores, who is running for congress.

Guerrero state civil protection officials said adults and children were fainting, throwing up and suffering from diarrhoea.

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Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, outbreak, Pathogen

E.coli O157 Outbreak Canada – Beef

Posted on February 8, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

One person has been confirmed infected with E. coli O157:H7 linked to ground beef now being recalled in Canada.
 
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and New Middleast Supermarket of Ottawa, ON are warning the public not to consume finely ground beef used for kibbeh that was sold by the stores on Dec. 28 and 29, 2011.
 
Kibbeh is a Middle Eastern dish of minced meat shaped into balls or patties.
 
The ground beef, which may still be in home freezers, was served from the supermarket’s fresh meat counter in plastic bags wrapped with paper. The packages may be unlabeled.

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Posted in CIFA, E.coli, E.coli O157, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall