Category Archives: Salmonella

Research – Spanish study finds organic produce contamination

Food Safety News

Early findings from researchers in Spain has found organic produce can be contaminated with a range of bacteria.

The study suggests that amoebas that live on organic leafy vegetables can shelter human pathogens like Pseudomonas, Salmonella, and Helicobacter.

Details are based on a poster presentation at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) in Lisbon, Portugal, from April 23 to 26. All abstracts were peer reviewed by a congress committee. There is no paper yet, but the research has been submitted to a medical journal for publication.

However, other scientists warned that while conclusions are interesting, the fact that data has not yet been peer reviewed means they cannot be put into context.

Israel – The Ministry of Health’s Clarification Following the Series of Recalls of Strauss-Elite Products – Salmonella

GOV IL

Salmonella bacteria usually cause mild and short symptoms and in most cases the patient makes a full recovery within a couple of days.

Special care is required when immunosuppressed individuals and older adults are concerned.

Therefore, in otherwise healthy individuals who have consumed the products, they should seek medical attention if they experience significant side effects of the gastrointestinal system – diarrhea accompanied by bloody stool or fever. In immunosuppressed individuals and older adults, they should also seek medical attention in case of milder side effects.

The Ministry of Health wishes to clarify the sequence of events:

  • On 19.4.22 initial findings were received from the manufacturer. These findings have been received as part of routine testing and shown traces of salmonella in the manufacturing area but not in the food products sampled in the factory that have not been shipped yet. Consequently, the manufacturer has been instructed to conduct more extensive tests on the manufacturing area, the products and the raw materials.
  • On 21.4.22, during the evening hours, reports were received of non-final findings indicative of salmonella contamination in the raw material. These findings were the result of a rapid test rather than a full laboratory test that takes about 5 days. Therefore, the manufacturer was not required to issue a recall.
  • Yesterday, Sunday (24.422), in the afternoon, the manufacturer turned to the Ministry of Health with the final test results, indicative of salmonella contamination in the manufacturing area and in the raw material.
  • Following the reception of final test results from both the raw materials and the manufacturing area, the manufacturer has issued a voluntary recall in coordination with the Food Service in the Ministry of Health for all chocolate products manufactured since early February.
  • It should be noted that final test results have not been received yet for the sampled chocolate products currently sold in stores. That is to say: These recalls come as an added precaution, until final results are received for chocolate products tomorrow (27.4.22).
  • Following the recall by Strauss-Elite, additional food manufacturers that use the same raw materials as Strauss-Elite in their products are issuing additional recalls.

Furthermore, a wide array of additional products is being sampled for testing, in coordination with our Ministry.
Our Ministry has ordered the manufacturer to file a report of the investigation into the cause of this incident and to take corrective actions to prevent such incidents from reoccurring in the future.
The resumption of routine manufacturing activities will be possible after the completion of the investigation of this incident, the completion of corrective actions for the prevention of such incidents from reoccurring, the cleaning and sanitization of the manufacturing lines and following inspection and the reception of normal test results by our Ministry.
Consumer guidance is according to the recall announcements communicated in the media and in the Ministry of Health’s website.

The Ministry of Health continues to closely monitor and investigate this incident, and additional actions will be taken according to the findings of the investigation.

The Ministry of Health will continue to take all the actions at its disposal in order to maintain the products’ safety and the Israeli public’s health.

USA – Custard apple pulp recalled over Salmonella concerns

Food Safety News

Vadilal Industries USA Inc. is recalling Vadilal Quick Treat brand Custard Apple Pulp because of possible Salmonella contamination, according to a recall notice posted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration..

The product was also recalled in New Zealand in February.

Recalled product:

Vadilal

Quick Treat

Custard Apple Pulp Net Wt, 1kg/35.27-oz. Product code FPEP44302 UPC:8901777282168 Best Before September 2023

F-0815-2022

KWHO Best before Sept 2023 KRQO Best before Sept 2023

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

France – Pork Cheek – Salmonella

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Meats
  • Product brand name kermen
  • Model names or references pork cheek
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Batch Date
    3266110044274 21542555 Use-by date 04/05/2022
  • Products List posterappealrecalling_pork_cheek_a_simmer.pdf Enclosed
  • Packaging filmed tray
  • Marketing start/end date From 04/16/2022 to 04/21/2022
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Further information product ordered from kermene packed in our workshop
  • Geographic area of ​​sale LECLERC SAPIAC
  • Distributors LECLERC SODIBAG 82000 MONTAUBAN

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall presence of salmonella
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Other risk

Kinder Chocolate Salmonella Outbreaks hits 151 – mostly children – now 1 ill in United States

Food Poison Journal

On 27 March 2022, WHO was informed by the IHR National Focal Point of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the United Kingdom) of a widely distributed cluster of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) with an unidentified source. Molecular typing confirmed isolation of the bacteria S. Typhimurium sequence typing (ST) 34 and epidemiological evidence has subsequently linked the outbreak to chocolate products from Belgium, which, as of 25 April 2022, have been found to be distributed to at least 113 countries and territories1 across all WHO Regions

Monophasic S. Typhimurium matching the human outbreak cases were identified in buttermilk tanks at the Ferrero Corporate plant in Arlon, Belgium in December 2021 and January 2022. After implementing hygiene measures and negative Salmonella testing, the implicated products (all Kinder products manufactured at the implicated facility (Arlon) including Kinder Surprise, Kinder Mini Eggs, Kinder Surprise Maxi 100g and Kinder Schoko-Bons) were distributed across Europe and globally.

According to the analyses of the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the outbreak strain is resistant to six types of antibiotics: penicillins, aminoglycosides (streptomycin, spectinomycin, kanamycin, and gentamycin), phenicols, sulfonamides, trimethoprim, tetracyclines.

As of 25 April 2022, a total of 151 genetically related cases of S. Typhimurium suspected to be linked to the consumption of the implicated chocolate products have been reported from 11 countries (Figure 1): Belgium (26 cases), France (25 cases), Germany (10 cases), Ireland (15 cases), Luxembourg (1 case), the Netherlands (2 cases), Norway (1 case), Spain (1 case), Sweden (4 cases), the United Kingdom (65 cases) and the United States of America (1 case).

Israel – Strauss expands recall as 10-year-old hospitalised with Salmonella

Jpost

Strauss has expanded a recall announced earlier this week to all Elite, Energy, gum and toffee products after traces of salmonella were found on production lines.

An expanding crisis

All Elite chocolates, cakes and wafers, Energy cereal bars and chocolate-covered rice cakes and all Strauss chewing gum and toffees will be removed from store shelves regardless of the expiration date.

Strauss said it would reset the operations at its confectionery factory and restart operations after the issues are fixed. The company found two samples that are suspected of being salmonella from two chocolate products that were returned as part of the recall, out of 270 samples taken.

On Wednesday, a 10-year-old boy was diagnosed with salmonella after being hospitalised with severe dehydration as a result of extensive vomiting and diarrhoea.

USA – FDA Core Investigation Table Update

FDA

What’s New

  • For the investigation with a reference number 1064, the total adverse event reports have increased to 446.
  • For the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak in a not yet identified food (reference #1040), the case count has increased to 19 cases.
  • The investigation has closed for the Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak in an unidentified food.
  • For the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak in a not yet identified food (reference #1057), the case count has increased to 17 cases.
Date
Posted
Ref Pathogen or
Cause of Illness

Product(s)
Linked to
Illnesses

(if any)
Total
Case Count

Status
Outbreak
Status
4/20/

2022

1064 Not Yet
Identified
Dry Cereal 446

adverse
event

reports

Active Ongoing
See Advice
4/13/

2022

1057 Listeria
monocytogenes
Not Yet
Identified
17 Active Ongoing
See Advice
4/6/

2022

Not App Norovirus* Raw Oysters See
CDC Alert
Active Ongoing
See
Safety Alert
3/30/

2022

1060 Not Yet
Identified
Meal Replace

ment
Drink

6

adverse
event

reports

Active Ongoing
See Advice
3/16/

2022

1055 Salmonella
Saintpaul
Not Identified 60 Closed Ended
See Advice
2/17/

2022

1056 Cronobacter
sakazakii
Powdered
Infant
Formula
See
Advisory
Active Ongoing
See
Advisory
2/9/

2022

1040 Listeria
monocytogenes
Not Yet
Identified
19 Active Ongoing
See Advice
2/2/

2022

1054 Enteroinvasive
E. coli
O143:H26
Not
Identified
16 Closed Ended
See Advice
1/10/

2022

1050 E. coli
O121:H19
Romaine 4 Closed Ended
12/29/

2021

1052 E. coli
O157:H7
Packaged
Salad
See Outbreak
Advisory
Closed Ended
See Outbreak
Advisory
12/20/

2021

1039 Listeria
monocytogenes
Packaged
Salad
See Outbreak
Advisory
Closed Ended
See Outbreak
Advisory
12/15/

2021

1048 Listeria
monocytogenes
Packaged
Salad
See Outbreak
Advisory
Closed Ended
See Outbreak
Advisory

*Outbreaks associated with shellfish are managed by the FDA Division of Seafood Safety, not CORE Response Teams. This outbreak is included here for the convenience of the consumer and will be removed once the outbreak is over and the investigation is closed.

New Zealand- Elite brand confectionery products -Salmonella

MPI

Logo of Elite brand

28 April 2022: Benedikt Imports Pty Ltd is recalling all batches, all dates, all packaging, or size and all flavour variations of Elite branded confectionery products, including Elite chocolate, Elite cakes, Elite wafers, Energy grain snacks, Energy chocolate rice cakes, gum and toffee candies due to the possible presence of Salmonella.

Product identification
Product type Confectionery products
Name of product (size) All packaging, or size and all flavour variations of Elite brand confectionery products, manufactured by Elite-Strauss, Israel are affected by this recall, including:

  • Elite brand chocolate
  • Elite brand cakes
  • Elite brand wafers
  • Elite brand Energy grain snacks
  • Elite brand Energy chocolate rice cakes
  • Elite brand gums
  • Elite brand toffee candies
Batch and date marking All batches and all dates
Package size and description The products are sold in various weights in various packaging variations.
Distribution The products are sold at the below ethnic grocery stores and may have been provided to community groups:

  • Chabad New Zealand Hebrew Charitable Trust, 788 Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland
  • The Greys Ave Deli or The Kosher Deli, 108 Greys Avenue Auckland Central, Auckland and online – The Kosher Deli 
  • Wellington Kosher Co-Operative, 80 Webb Street, Te Aro, Wellington

The products were sold as part of the ‘Home Away From Home Gift Box’ from The Greys Ave Deli or The Kosher Deli in Auckland and online via the company’s website. Only the Elite brand confectionery products in the gift box are affected by this recall and should not be consumed.

The products have not been re-exported.

Notes This recall does not affect any other Elite brand products, or any other products imported by Benedikt Imports Pty Ltd.

If you are a retailer of any of the Elite brand products listed in this recall notice, you need to download a copy of the below Point of Sale notice and display in your store for one month:

Point of sale notice [PDF, 45KB]

Consumer advice

Customers are asked to check the brand of products before consumption.

Affected products should not be consumed. There have been cases of illnesses in Israel reportedly linked to Elite brand confectionery products, manufactured by Elite-Strauss Group, Israel. There have been no confirmed cases of illnesses in New Zealand, however if you have consumed any of these products and have any concerns about your health, seek medical advice.

Customers should return the products to their retailer for a full refund.

Who to contact

If you have questions, contact Benedikt Imports Pty Ltd:

International outbreak of salmonellosis in young children linked to the consumption of Kinder brand products. Update on April 27, 2022.

Sante Publique

Update on 04/27/22 following the recall of several Kinder range products manufactured in a factory in Belgium due to suspected contamination by  Salmonella Typhimurium .

Following the investigations carried out by the Belgian health authorities, together with their English, European and in particular French counterparts, the company Ferrero proceeded on April 5, 2022 to the recall of several Kinder range products manufactured in a factory in Belgium due to suspected contamination by Salmonella Typhimurium . On April 8, 2022, the recall finally affected all Kinder products from this factory, regardless of their expiry date. On April 14, 2022, an update of the recalled products, including the 2021 Christmas Advent Calendars, was released.

Case of salmonellosis in France: update on April 27, 2022

In total, as of 04/27/2022: 59 cases of salmonellosis with a strain belonging to the epidemic have been identified by the National Reference Center (CNR) for salmonella at the Institut Pasteur in France. 

The 59 cases are spread over 11 regions (Ile-de-France (11 cases), Grand-Est (10 cases), Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (9 cases), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (7 cases) , Hauts-de-France (6 cases), Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (4 cases), Normandy (4 cases), New Aquitaine (3 cases), Brittany (2 cases), Occitanie (2 cases), and Corsica ( 1 case)), with a median age of 3 years, and involved 29 boys and 30 girls.

Forty-two cases were able to be questioned by Public Health France. All the cases report, before the onset of their symptoms (which occurred between 20/01 and 31/03/2022), the consumption of chocolates of the brand cited here. Seventeen people were hospitalized for their salmonellosis, all since discharged. No deaths were reported.

Public Health France is continuing its investigations with the families of cases recently reported by the CNR. 

The successive withdrawals and recalls of the Kinder brand products concerned, produced by the Belgian factory with its closure by the Belgian authorities, should limit the occurrence in France of new cases of salmonellosis in the coming days/weeks. 

To find out the list of products concerned by the withdrawal-recall: https://rappel.conso.gouv.fr/

People who have consumed the products mentioned above and who present symptoms (gastrointestinal disorders, fever within 72 hours of consumption), are invited to consult their doctor without delay, notifying him of this consumption.

In order to limit person-to-person transmission (especially in households with young children), it is recommended to wash your hands well with soap and water after using the toilet, after changing your child, and before to cook.

International situation

See the previous points

RASFF Alert – Traceability related to the foodborne outbreak suspected (Salmonella Typhimurium monophasic) to be caused by chocolate products from Belgium

RASFF

 Albania (d) Andorra (d) Argentina (d) Armenia (d) Australia (d) Austria (d)(ffa) Azerbaijan (d) Belarus (d) Belgium (n)(o)(d)(op)(ffa) Bosnia and Herzegovina (d) Bulgaria (d)(ffa) Canada (d) Chile (d) Costa Rica (d) Croatia (d)(ffa) Cyprus (d)(ffa) Czech Republic (d)(ffa) Denmark (d)(ffa) Dominican Republic (d) Egypt (d) El Salvador (d) Estonia (d)(ffa) Ethiopia (d)Faeroe Islands (d) Finland (d)(ffa) France (d)(ffa) French Guiana (d) French Polynesia (d) Georgia (d) Germany (d)(ffa) Greece (d)(ffa) Guadeloupe (d) Guatemala (d) Honduras (d) Hong Kong (d) Hungary (d)(ffa)INFOSAN (ffa) Iceland (d)(ffa) India (d) Iraq (d) Ireland (d)(ffa) Israel (d) Italy (d)(ffa) Jordan (d) Kazakhstan (d)Kosovo (d) Kuwait (d) Kyrgyzstan (d) Latvia (d)(ffa) Lebanon (d) Lithuania (d)(ffa) Luxembourg (d)(ffa) Madagascar (d) Malaysia (d) Malta (d)(ffa) Mauritius (d) Mayotte (d) Mexico (d)Moldova (d) Mongolia (d) Montenegro (d) Morocco (d) Netherlands (d)(ffa) New Caledonia (d) New Zealand (d) Nicaragua (d) Norway (d)(ffa) Oman (d) Panama (d) Paraguay (d) Poland (d)(ffa) Portugal (d)(ffa) Qatar (d)Republic of North Macedonia (d) Romania (d)(ffa)Russia (d) Réunion (d) San Marino (d) Saudi Arabia (d) Serbia (d) Singapore (d) Slovakia (d)(ffa) Slovenia (d)(ffa) Spain (d)(ffa) Sweden (d)(ffa) Switzerland (d)(ffa)Syria (d)Taiwan (d) Tajikistan (d) Tunisia (d) Turkey (d) Turkmenistan (d) Ukraine (d) United Arab Emirates (d) United Kingdom (d) United States (d) Uruguay (d) Uzbekistan (d)Vatican City (d)

(n) Notifying | (o) Origin | (d) Distribution | (op) Operator
(ffup) Flagged for Follow-Up | (ffa) Flagged For Attention