Category Archives: Salmonella

USA – Salmonella Sickens 80 – Las Vegas Restaurant

Posted on May 3, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning BulletinSalmonella

The Southern Nevada Health District is investigating a Salmonella outbreak associated with Firefly Tapas Restaurant and Bar at 3900 Paradise Road in Las Vegas. Public health officials believe more than 80 people have been sickened in this outbreak. The health department closed Firefly on April 26, 2013 after reports of illness began coming into the office.

The health department has identified the cause of the outbreak as Salmonella. The symptoms of salmonellosis, the illness associated with a Salmonella infection, include diarrhea, which can be bloody, fever, abdominal cramps, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, and sometimes vomiting. People usually get sick 6 to 72 hours after infection. Investigators do not know what food is the source of the outbreak.

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

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RASFF Alerts – Salmonella

Posted on May 2, 2013 by | Leave a comment

RASFF – Salmonella enterica (presence /25g) in frozen chicken meat from Brazil in the Netherlands

RASFF – Salmonella enterica (presence /25g) in poultry meat preparation from Brazil in the Netherlands

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, RASFF, Recall, Salmonella

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USA – Recall – Salmonella – Tahini Paste

Posted on May 2, 2013 by | Leave a comment

SalmonellaFood Posioning Bulletin

Krinos Foods of New York is recalling Tahini sesame paste because it may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. Healthy people infected with Salmonella can experience fever, diarrhea which may be bloody, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of this product.

The recalled Tahini is in 1 pound and 2 pound glass jars. The UPC code of the 1 pound jar is 0-75013-28500-3 and the UPC code of the 2 pound jar is 0-75013-28510-2. The recalled lots have a expiration date code on the lid between “EXP OCT 16 – 2014″ up to and including “EXP MAR 15 – 2015″. The Michigan Department of Agriculture conducted routine sampling and found the contamination.

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, Salmonella

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Research – Foodborne Illness Outbreaks from Microbial Contaminants in Spices, 1973-2010

Posted on May 1, 2013 by | 2 comments

Science Direct

This review identified fourteen reported illness outbreaks attributed to consumption of pathogen-contaminated spice during the period 1973-2010. Countries reporting outbreaks included Canada, Denmark, England and Wales, France, Germany, New Zealand, Norway, Serbia, and the United States. Together, these outbreaks resulted in 1946 reported human illnesses, 128 hospitalizations and two deaths. Infants/children were the primary population segments impacted by 36% (5/14) of spice-attributed outbreaks. Four outbreaks were associated with multiple organisms. Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica was identified as the causative agent in 71% (10/14) of outbreaks, accounting for 87% of reported illnesses. Bacillus spp. was identified as the causative agent in 29% (4/10) of outbreaks, accounting for 13% of illnesses. 71% (10/14) of outbreaks were associated with spices classified as fruits or seeds of the source plant. Consumption of ready-to-eat foods prepared with spices applied after the final food manufacturing pathogen reduction step accounted for 70% of illnesses. Pathogen growth in spiced food is suspected to have played a role in some outbreaks, but it was not likely a contributing factor in three of the larger Salmonella outbreaks, which involved low-moisture foods. Root causes of spice contamination included contributions from both early and late stages of the farm-to-table continuum.

 

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Posted in Bacillus, Bacillus cereus, Bacteria, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, Research, Salmonella

Research – Antibiotic-Free Turkey Less Likely to Harbor Resistant Bacteria

Posted on May 1, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Ground turkey from birds raised without antibiotics is less likely to be contaminated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria than conventional ground turkey, according to a new study published by Consumer Reports today.

The group tested 257 samples of raw ground turkey meat and patties, purchased from major retailers nationwide, for Enterococcus, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, and Campylobacter and then looked at what portion of these bacteria were resistant to antibiotics. They found high levels of bacteria overall – 90 percent of samples tested positive for one of the five – and more than half were resistant to three or more classes of antibiotics. But the bugs found in products labeled “no antibiotics,” “organic,” or “raised without antibiotics” were resistant to fewer antibiotics than their conventional counterparts.

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Posted in Bacteria, Campylobacter, E.coli, Enterococcus, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Technology, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus

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Research – Food Safety – Irradiation

Posted on April 29, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Iotron Industries – CanadaIotron

When electron beam technology is used to process food, it is called food irradiation. Food Irradiation, like pasteurization, can prevent countless infections because it destroys the pathogens than cause the illness.

Food borne illness is one of the most common preventable public health problems in the world today. Several measures can be taken in processing plants to help mitigate the problems, but none have the potential to be more effective than irradiation processing. Common pathogens such as e.coli and salmonella are easily destroyed when irradiated.

Today, 38 countries, including the United States, have approved the use of irradiation processing for a wide variety of food items. Test market studies have shown that the general public accepts irradiated items and actually prefers them over non-irradiated items when educational materials are available at point of purchase.

Media scrutiny about e.coli outbreaks and salmonella poisonings are becoming a common occurrence. People are becoming more aware of these very real concerns. In time, the general public will readily accept this valuable technology. With all the endorsements and proof that irradiated foods are 100% safe to consume, how could they not?

In today’s world, we have the proven technology that is capable of eliminating common food borne diseases.

These diseases cause sickness and death to countless numbers of people the world over.

 

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Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Technology, Food Testing, Irradiation, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research, Salmonella

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USA – Salmonella Outbreak in Cucumbers

Posted on April 26, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

At least 73 people in 18 states have fallen ill with Salmonella Saintpaul infection thought to be connected to imported cucumbers, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Fourteen of the patients were hospitalized.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration placed the firms Daniel Cardenas Izabal and Miracle Greenhouse of Culiacán, Mexico on import alert on April 24. Those cucumbers are no longer believed to be on the market.

The number ill by state is as follows: Arizona (9), California (28), Colorado (1), Idaho (2), Illinois (3), Louisiana (1), Massachusetts (1), Maryland (1), Minnesota (8), Nevada (1), New Mexico (2), North Carolina (1), Ohio (1), Oregon (2), South Dakota (2), Texas (6), Virginia (2) and Wisconsin (2).

Illness onset dates ranged from January 12, 2013 to April 6, 2013. The ill range in age from less than 1 year to 80 years old, with a median age of 23. Sixty percent are female.

Cucumbers are historically not associated with foodborne illness outbreaks. During a massive German E. coli outbreak in the summer of 2011, cucumbers were briefly suspected as the source before the blame was ultimately blamed on fresh sprouts.

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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, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, Recall, Salmonella

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USA – Recall – Queso Fresco Cheese – Salmonella

Posted on April 25, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Salmonella in unpasteurized Mexican-style cheese called queso fresco has sickened at least 13 people in Minnesota who all got it from the same private home, according to state health officials. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and health officials from the City of Minneapolis are investigating the outbreak and searching for the source of the raw milk used to make the cheese. The sale of raw milk is not legal in Minnesota unless it is purchased on the farm where it was produced.

Eleven people were diagnosed with confirmed cases of infection from the same strain of Salmonella Typhimurium. Eight of them were hospitalized.  Additional illnesses, among family members of those with confirmed cases, were also reported but not confirmed through testing. Two of those people were hospitalized. All of the those who were sickened have recovered

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

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Research – China Shellfish – Virus – Fresh Cut Salad Quality – Seasonal Campylobacter – Salmonella Control

Posted on April 24, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Wiley Online

Prevalence of Human Enteric Viruses and a Potential Indicator of Contamination in Shellfish in China.

Science Direct

Influence of working conditions and practices on fresh-cut lettuce salads quality

Cambridge Journals

Identifying the seasonal origins of human campylobacteriosis

University of Cambridge

Researchers plan to use data collected to develop vaccines to control Salmonella in animals and humans

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Posted in Bacteria, Campylobacter, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Technology, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Illness, Methods, Microbiology, Norovirus, outbreak, Pathogen, Research, Salmonella, Virus

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USA – Salmonella Outbreak – Baby Ducklings

Posted on April 24, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning BulletinSalm

An outbreak of salmonellosis in Minnesota has been linked to ducklings purchased from the Tractor Supply Company store in Inver Grove Heights, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. The cases are associated with a multistate outbreak that is being investigated by the CDC.

The patients range in age from 18 to 60 years. All three cases are caused by Salmonella Infantis. The illness onset dates range from late March through early April 2013.

MDH State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Joni Scheftel said that anyone who handles ducklings, chicks, or other birds should wash their hands thoroughly after contact. “Chicks and ducklings can be a great attraction for children and families this time of year, but they can also be a source of illness. That is why it is so important for people handling them to take steps to prevent infection.”

Young children are more at risk for these infections and are also more likely to develop serious complications from a Salmonella infection. The Salmonella bacteria is carried in the intestines of animals and is shed into the environment. Live birds are a recognized source of Salmonella. The birds can shed the pathogenic bacteria even when they look healthy.

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

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