Category Archives: pathogenic

Research – Effect of antibacterial treatments and natural chemicals on the quality and safety of marinated raw crab paste during storage at −20°C

Posted on August 26, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Wiley Online

The effects of antibacterial treatments and several natural chemicals on the quality and safety of crab paste during storage at −20°C were investigated. All antibacterial treatments significantly reduced the bacterial total viable count (TVC) of swimming crabs, with sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) combined with ultrasonic cleaning having the best effects. Four chemicals significantly inhibited the increase in TVC, pH, and the accumulation of total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N) compared to controls, and their combined treatment had synergistic effects. The L 9 (3 4 ) orthogonal experiment showed that the optimum combination was A 1B 3C 3D 2 (i.e., 0.1 g kg−1 nisin, 0.4 g kg−1 ε‐polylysine hydrochloride, 0.3 g kg−1 tea polyphenol, and 0.5 g kg−1 citric acid). The TVC, TVB‐N concentration, and pH in A 1B 3C 3D 3‐treated samples remained far below the maximum acceptable limit for good‐quality marinated, raw, aquatic animal product after 12 months of frozen storage at −20°C. Furthermore, the combined treatment (A 1B 3C 3D 3) significantly inhibited the reproduction of foodborne pathogenic bacteria and spoilage bacteria. The antibacterial treatments and natural chemicals reduced foodborne pathogenic bacteria and inhibited microbial spoilage, and therefore maintained the quality and safety of crab paste during frozen storage. Antibacterial treatments and natural chemicals could be commercially utilized to maintain the quality and safety of crab paste.

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pathogen, pathogenic, Research, Uncategorized

USA – Public Health declares Salmonella outbreak after 13 cases confirmed

Posted on August 21, 2020 by | Leave a comment

CBC

Public Health says outbreak is not related to recent onion recall in the U.S.

New Brunswick Public Health has declared a salmonella outbreak after discovering 13 confirmed cases in the province and two that are still under investigation.

Bruce Macfarlane, a spokesperson for the Department of Health, said the cases were founded in the north and eastern regions of the province but wouldn’t elaborate where in those regions.

The cases were confirmed between June 16 and July 27, the Department of Health said in a news release.

The Department of Health doesn’t know what caused the outbreak.

Macfarlane said the cases were not related to the more than 300 Canadians who became ill from salmonella, which have been linked to a recall of U.S. grown onions.

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pathogen, pathogenic, Salmonella

UK – Outbreak investigation finds different Salmonella strain in chicken nuggets

Posted on August 21, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak investigation finds different Salmonella strain in chicken nuggets

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Technology, Food Testing, Pathogen, pathogenic, Public Health England, Salmonella, Salmonella in Chicken

Belgium – Loué brand whole white chicken

Posted on August 20, 2020 by | Leave a comment

AFSCA

As part of a control carried out by our supplier, the presence of Salmonella Thyphimurium was detected in:

Whole white chicken of the Loué brand
Barcode: 3238990478326
Brand: Loué (LDC Group)
Batch number: 2020036427 Use by
date ( DLC): 08/18/2020 and 08/20/2020

The product was distributed via the Cora stores in Chatelineau (6200), Hornu (7301), Rocourt (4000) en Messancy (6780).

CORA has decided, in agreement with the AFSCA (Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain), to withdraw these products from sale.

Customers who have purchased this product are asked not to consume it and return it to the point of sale, where they will be reimbursed.

People who have consumed the product mentioned above and who have gastrointestinal disturbances, diarrhoea, vomiting or abdominal pain are invited to consult their doctor, notifying him of this consumption. The incubation period can range from 6 to 72 hours.
The risk of infection is higher in the elderly, children, pregnant women and the immuno-compromised.

In the meantime, the product has been withdrawn from the store shelves and a ‘Customer reminder’ poster is displayed in these outlets .

We sincerely apologise to our customers for this inconvenience and assure them of taking the most effective measures to avoid this type of incident.

Any customer wishing aAdditional information can be addressed to our Quality Department and contact the number 071.699.524 or by email at the address: ALERTES-RETRAITS@CORA.BE .

CORA Quality Department

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Posted in afsca, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pathogen, pathogenic, Salmonella, Salmonella in Chicken

USA – Urgent Onion Recall Notification

Posted on August 20, 2020 by | Leave a comment

FDA

HelloFresh has been informed by one of its ingredient suppliers that it is conducting a voluntary recall of its onions due to the potential presence of salmonella bacteria. Please discard all onions received from May 8 through July 31, 2020.

We recommend disposing of all onions received during the specified time period. For further information on whether you have been impacted, please check the product codes, located on the bottom square of your box shipping label. Please see the photo provided below as reference for locating the product code.

Production Week

Production Week Start Date

HelloFresh Product Codes*
*Number sequence may vary

Everyplate Product Codes*
*Number sequence may vary
20 5/08 2-3-5-6-17 81-82-84-86-92-94
21 5/15 2-8-15-19 82-86-83-93
22 5/22 2-5-6-9-20 87-88-89-93-90-94
23 5/29 6-8-9-15-B- 3-5-20 82-84-86-87-89-91-92-95
24 6/5 6-8-17- B 82-84-86-89-90-95-83-93
25 6/12 3-4-10-15-18-17-19-20 82-87-88-95-82-87-88-95
26 6/19 2-3- 8-12 88-89-84-93
27 6/26 5-17- 4-15-18-20 82-87-89-90-91- 84-92-93
28 7/3 3-9-10-12-15-17- 6 85-86-90-91
29 7/10 3-20-7-21 82-88-89-90-92-96
30 7/17 4-19-21 82-84-89-94-96- 83-95
31 7/24 2-3-4-19-7-8-16 82-92- 81-84-87-89-94-96-98

As noted above, customers should immediately discard all onions received. We also recommend extra caution in disinfecting and sanitizing surfaces and containers that may have come in direct contact with these products, as recommended by the FDA. In the event that the onions have been consumed, please note that thoroughly cooking the product to 165ºF/74ºC, as instructed by the recipe, will kill the salmonella bacteria.

If you are experiencing any symptoms, including but not limited to, fever, diarrhea, or nausea, please contact your healthcare provider immediately. Click here for more information from the FDA about this supplier recall and the potentially related symptoms.

We sincerely apologize for this supplier-related incident. Your safety is our highest priority and we have taken immediate steps to ensure our onions are no longer sourced from this supplier. All HelloFresh facilities are SQF (Safe Quality Food) certified, which is the highest level of food safety certification and our teams follow a rigorous process to maintain the safety and quality of our meal kits. If you have any additional questions, please contact HelloFresh at hello@hellofresh.com.

Company Contact Information

Consumers:
HelloFresh

Product Photos

  • Label example

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Posted in FDA, food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pathogen, pathogenic, Salmonella, Salmonella in Onions

USA – FDA advises consumers not to use goldenseal root powder distributed by Maison Terre

Posted on August 17, 2020 by | Leave a comment

FDA

FDA advises consumers and health care professionals not to use goldenseal root powder repackaged and distributed by Maison Terre, Little Rock, Arkansas, due to microbial contamination.

FDA laboratory analysis found the product is contaminated with high counts of various bacteria, including multiple pathogens. Use of these contaminated products can cause serious infections with severe outcomes, including death, especially in vulnerable patients with compromised immune systems and infants. FDA is aware of one infant death associated with use of this product on the umbilical cord stump.

On August 5 and August 14, 2020, FDA recommended that Maison Terre recall their goldenseal root powder product. To date, the company has not taken action to remove these dangerous products from the market.

Consumers who use goldenseal root powder sold by Maison Terre and have concerns should contact their health care professional.

FDA encourages health care professionals and patients to report adverse events or quality problems experienced with the use of any medication to FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program:

  • Complete and submit the report online; or
  • Download and complete the form, then submit it via fax at 1-800-FDA-0178

 

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Posted in FDA, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Pathogen, pathogenic, Uncategorized

Jordan – Second mass food poisoning cases up to 118, intensive inspection campaign continues

Posted on August 4, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Roya News

All patients are in a stable condition, most of whom have been discharged except for a few who remain under observation.

The General Director of the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA), Nizar Mhaidat, said three types of dangerous bacteria have been found in the samples of shawarma.

The samples were taken from the chicken in the meat supplier’s warehouses, which results showed was not suitable for human consumption.

Approximately 90 field visits were conducted over the past 24 hours as part of the government’s intensive inspection campaign, said Mhaidat.

Six facilities were shut down, 33 warnings were issued and 12 food establishments were banned from operating, he added.

More than 247kg of food was disposed of during inspection visits.

The JFDA inspected all facilities that prepare and shred chicken meat for shawarma restaurants — 11 facilities in Amman, 10 in Zarqa, and one in Irbid.

Shawarma restaurants were also inspected — 27 restaurants in Amman, four in Zarqa, 22 in Irbid, and 14 in Karak.

Inspection teams are still conducting field visits — four in Amman, two teams in Irbid, one in Karak, and two in Zarqa.

Violations include apparent signs of rotten raw chicken and non-compliance with freshness requirements, according to JFDA guidelines.

Other violations involve worker health measures, including personal hygiene and wrong practices, food handling and preserving requirements, health practices regarding insect and pest control, and public hygiene measures in facilities.

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Poisoning Death, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Pathogen, pathogenic, Uncategorized

Research – Researchers identify biofilm hotspots, document danger zones

Posted on July 26, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Scientists in Austria have investigated where biofilms hide and what bacteria can be found in them.

Biofilms are proven sources of contamination in the food industry. They can cause additional costs in production and can be a danger to consumer health.

Researchers at the unit of food microbiology at Vetmeduni Vienna looked at biofilms in an Austrian meat processing environment that included pork, poultry and beef. Knowledge gained on presence and composition, published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology, could help to prevent and reduce biofilm formation within food processing environments.

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Posted in Biofilm, Contaminated water, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pathogen, pathogenic, Research, Uncategorized, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

USA -Fresh Express’s cyclospora outbreak now spans eight states and three provinces

Posted on July 10, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

A troublesome Cyclospora outbreak continues to grow in North America with 37 confirmed cases in Canada added to 206 in the midwest United States. Cyclospora is a coccidian parasite that causes diarrheal disease in humans called cyclosporiasis.

The update today involves an outbreak of Cyclospora infections traced to Fresh Express bagged garden salad products containing lettuce, carrots, and red cabbage.

As of July 8 there are 37 confirmed cases of Cyclospora illness linked to this outbreak in three Canadian provinces: Ontario (26), Quebec (10) and Newfoundland and Labrador (1).  Canadians became sick between mid-May and mid-June.  One Canadian has been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Individuals who became ill are between 21 and 70 years of age. The majority of cases, 76 percent, are female.

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Posted in Cyclospora, Cyclosporiasis, food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Parasite, Pathogen, pathogenic, Uncategorized

USA – Jewel-Osco Voluntarily Recalls Bagged Signature Farms Garden Salad Due to Possible Cyclospora Contamination

Posted on July 4, 2020 by | Leave a comment

FDA Cyclospora_LifeCycle201

A previous version of this press release issued on June 19, 2020 stated that product bearing the facility code “S5417” and that code is incorrect.   The only product bearing the product code “S5424” is subject to recall and it was made at a facility in Streamwood, IL.

In cooperation with the Fresh Express recall of bagged salads potentially linked to an outbreak of Cyclospora infections in the Midwest.  Jewel-Osco is voluntarily recalling bagged Signature Farms Garden Salad, net wt. 12 oz., sold in its stores in Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa.

The recalled Signature Farms Garden Salad, UPC code of 21130 98135, was sold in 12-ounce bags in the Produce section.  The recalled products have BEST IF USED BY dates of May 16 through July 4 (5-16-20 through 7-04-20). The BEST IF USED BY date and the product code are printed on the top right corner of the front of the package.  The affected product with the product code is subject to recall.

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a microscopic parasite of humans. This parasite, when it contaminates food or water and is then ingested, can cause an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis. Most people infected with Cyclospora develop diarrhea. Other common symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps/pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Vomiting, body aches, headache, fever, and other flu-like symptoms may be noted. Some people who are infected with Cyclospora do not have any symptoms. If not treated, the illness may last from a few days to a month or longer. Symptoms may seem to go away and then return one or more times.

Consumers are asked to check their refrigerators for the recalled product. Consumers who have purchased the product are asked to discard or return it to the place of purchase for a refund. Customers who have questions about the recall can contact Jewel-Osco at 1-877-723-3929.

CORE’s Announcement

Company Contact Information

Consumers:
Jewel-Osco
 1-877-723-3929

Product Photos

  • Image – Package Front of Signature Farms Garden Salad

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Posted in Cyclospora, Cyclosporiasis, FDA, food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Parasite, pathogenic, Uncategorized