Category Archives: Pathogen

Research – Irrigation Water – Coliforms – E.coli

Posted on June 10, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Ingenta ConnectWaterfall

Irrigation water is considered a potential source of preharvest pathogen contamination of vegetables. Hence, several organizations have recommended microbiological standards for water used to irrigate edible plants. The purpose of this study was to determine the strength of association between microbial quality indicators (coliforms and Escherichia coli) in irrigation water and on irrigated vegetables. Data analyzed included original results from a cross-sectional study conducted in the Midwestern United States during summer 2009 and information presented in two previously published studies performed in France and Portugal to investigate microbial quality of irrigation water and watered produce. In the cross-sectional study, repetitive PCR (rep-PCR) was used to characterize genetic relatedness of E. coli isolates from water and vegetables. No significant correlations were found between fecal indicators on leafy greens (lettuce and parsley, n = 91) or fruit (tomatoes and green peppers, n = 22) and those found in irrigation water used in the cross-sectional study (P > 0.40) or in the previously published data sets (data set 1: lettuce and waste irrigation water, n = 15, P > 0.40; data set 2: lettuce and irrigation water, n = 32, P = 0.06). Rep-PCR banding patterns of E. coli strains were all distinguishable among the pairs of E. coli isolates recovered from produce and irrigation water on the same farm. From the available data, the concentration of indicator organisms based on a single measure of irrigation water quality was not associated with the presence of these indicators on produce. In the absence of additional information, the use of a single microbial water quality parameter as an indicator of produce safety is of limited value for predicting the safety of the produce.

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Posted in Bacteria, Coliforms, E.coli, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research, Water

Australia – Supplier of Eggs Under Scrutiny – Salmonella

Posted on June 10, 2013 by | Leave a comment

The Age

A Victorian egg supplier is under investigation and one person has ongoing  health issues following Canberra’s largest salmonella outbreak, which has left  health professionals ”struck by the severity” of the symptoms and high  infection rate.

The outbreak, which affected 140 people and hospitalised 15 in mid-May, was  traced back to raw egg mayonnaise served at the Copa Brazilian restaurant in  Dickson. But ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Paul Kelly confirmed on Wednesday that  the focus had  turned to an egg producer in Victoria who supplied eggs to the  Copa.

 

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Pathogen, Salmonella

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USA – FDA – Foodborne Illness: Especially Dangerous for the Vulnerable

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FDAFDA

If you’ve ever become sick after eating a food contaminated with disease-causing bacteria, it’s not an experience you want to repeat.

But if you’re part of what is called an “at-risk” or “vulnerable” population, a foodborne illness can be extremely dangerous. Symptoms—such as vomiting, diarrhea and fever—can intensify and the illness can become life-threatening.

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Posted in Bacteria, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Illness, Laboratory, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research

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USA – CDC Vital Signs Website – Listeria Information

Posted on June 10, 2013 by | 3 comments

CDC Vital SignsE.coli O157

Many germs can be spread through food. Some, like Listeria, can be deadly. Listeria strikes hard at pregnant women and their newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Listeria can cause miscarriage and meningitis. Most people found to have Listeria infection require hospital care and about 1 in 5 people with the infection die. Outbreak investigations tell us what foods make people sick and what needs to change to make food safer and save lives. We have made some progress against Listeria, which is the third leading cause of death from food poisoning. However, we can do more to protect people at higher risk for food poisoning and make food safer for everyone.

If you, or someone you make food for, are pregnant, 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system, you must be especially careful when selecting, preparing, and storing foods.

  • Know your risk of food poisoning.
  • Select, prepare, and store food safely.
  • Follow the safe food guidelines – Clean, Separate, Cook, Chill – at www.FoodSafety.gov

CDC

New CDC Vital Signs: Listeria Food Poisoning Striking Hard at Nation’s Most Vulnerable

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Posted in Bacteria, CDC, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Illness, Laboratory, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, Research

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New Zealand – Listeria Deaths – Charges Brought

Posted on June 10, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety Newslisteria-hp

Bay Cuisine, a New Zealand food company, will face charges in the Napier District Court for a Listeria outbreak last year that killed one woman and contributed to the death of another, the Dominion Post reports.

Bay Cuisine was the sole supplier of ready-to-eat meats to Hawke’s Bay Hospital, where the two victims were patients. The outbreak strain of Listeria was isolated from the meats and found at Bay Cuisine’s facilities.

The outbreak sickened four. A 60 year-old woman died as a direct result of her infection, while the bacteria contributed to the death of an 81 year-old woman.

Earlier this week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a new report finding that Listeria monocytogenes killed roughly one in five Americans infected in recent years.

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, FSANZ, Hygiene, Laboratory, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen

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USA – Frozen Berries Outbreak – 79 Cases – Hepatitis A Virus

Posted on June 10, 2013 by | 1 comment

Food Safety News

The hepatitis A outbreak linked to a frozen berry mix sold at Costco and Harris Teeter stores has now sickened 79 people, 30 of whom were hospitalized, federal health officials reported Friday.

Cases have been reported in eight western states, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Washington, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The illnesses have been linked to an organic mix of frozen berries and pomegranate seeds distributed by Oregon’s Townsend Farms. The berry blend was sold at Costco under the Townsend Farms brand and at Harris Teeter under the Harris Teeter brand.

To date, no cases have been reported on the East Coast, where Harris Teeter stores are located. CDC confirms that no cases have been linked to berries bought at Harris Teeter.

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Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Hygiene, Illness, Laboratory, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen

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USA – Is Raw Milk Good for You ? – Recall E.coli

Posted on June 7, 2013 by | Leave a comment

E.coli BlogEcoli Istock

Raw milk products from Pure Éire dairy in Othello are being recalled due to the possibility of E. coli contamination.

Dairy owner Richard Smith said the company is voluntarily recalling its organic raw milk products dated June 8 and later. The recalled milk is sold in half-gallon glass and plastic containers and one-gallon plastic containers.

Settler’s Country Market is the only retailer in Grant and Adams counties that sells the recalled milk products

 

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Posted in E.coli, Food Hygiene, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

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FDA – Reportable Food Registry Annual Report Third Annual Report: September 8, 2011 – September 7, 2012

Posted on June 7, 2013 by | Leave a comment

FDA

This is the third annual report that measures our success in receiving early warning on problems with food and feed. The Reportable Food Registry (RFR) has already proven itself an invaluable tool to help prevent contaminated food from reaching the public.

By providing early warning about potential public-health risks from reportable foods, the Registry increases the speed with which the FDA, its state- and local-level partners, and industry can remove hazards from the marketplace.

The RFR data also is providing valuable data to help meet requirements under the Food Safety Modernization Act. For example, we can use the data to identify hazards associated with products for which we have not previously made such an association and thus identify foods for which preventive controls may be needed. The data are also being used to help target inspections, plan work, identify and prioritize risks and develop guidance for industry. The FDA will continue working closely with the food and feed industries to enhance this important and beneficial tool.
Michael R. Taylor Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine

FDA

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Posted in Aflatoxin, Allergens, Allergic Reaction, Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Laboratory, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Mycotoxin, Norovirus, Pathogen, Recall, Research

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Canada – Research Into E.coli O157 XL Outbreak 2012

Posted on June 6, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety

The Panel members were appointed by the Governor in Council to undertake an independent review of the beef recall that occurred at XL Foods Inc.‘s plant at Brooks, Alberta between September and October 2012, and to submit a report to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

We were asked to establish how the contamination occurred and, moreover, how the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA, or Agency), its food safety partners, and XL Foods Inc. responded to the situation. Lastly, we were tasked with providing recommendations that would address any findings or conclusions that we had made regarding these matters. We note that such findings or conclusions do not address civil or criminal liability; the standards that we are applying are not legal ones.

Over the course of several weeks, the Panel met with dozens of stakeholders. These included beef producers and processors, health authorities and academics, the retail industry, and union representatives for both the company and the Agency.

In this regard, we were left with a single overarching impression: everyone we interviewed expressed a keen desire to ensure that the food Canadians eat is safe. And they all wanted to be considered partners in the pursuit of that goal.

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Posted in Bacteria, CFIA, E.coli, E.coli O157, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Hygiene, Illness, Laboratory, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, Research

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Food Poisoning Bulletin – Hepatitis A – Killing

Posted on June 6, 2013 by | Leave a comment

FPB

Hepatitis A is hard to kill.  The virus is normally transmitted when an infected person doesn’t wash his or her hands properly after going to the bathroom and then touches food or objects where it can live for a month or more.

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Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Laboratory, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research

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