Category Archives: Uncategorized

FSN – Coriander Powder Recalled for Possible Salmonella Contamination

FPB – Stores That Sold Whole Hogs Recalled for Salmonella

FPJ – The Salmonella outbreak linked to pork products has grown to 134 cases in 10 counties around the state. Consumers are advised to cook pork thoroughly

FSA –

Atkins International BV has recalled the above batch of the product on a precautionary basis. The potentially affected batch is only sold in Tesco stores in the UK. Tesco will be displaying point-of-sale recall notices in stores. These notices tell customers about the recall and advise them of what actions to take if they have bought the product. A copy of the point-of-sale recall notice can be found at the link below. No other Atkins International BV products are known to be affected.

Food Safety News 

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA’s Panel on Biological Hazards and ECDC concluded that food-producing animals such as pigs, veal calves and broiler chickens often carry without symptoms a specific strain of MRSA called CC398. However, while food may be contaminated by MRSA there is currently no evidence that eating or handling contaminated food can lead to an increased health risk for humans. The report also noted that people in contact with live animals that carry the CC398 strain of MRSA could be at risk of infection. This specific strain of MRSA has been associated, albeit rarely, with serious skin and soft tissue infections, pneumonia and blood poisoning in humans. Pet animals can also be infected with MRSA, where the bacteria first pass from humans to pets and then back to humans. The document noted the importance of basic hygiene measures, especially hand washing before and after contact with animals, and if possible, avoiding direct contact with nasal secretions, saliva and wounds.

The report concluded that as animal movement and contact between live animals and humans are likely to be important factors in the transmission of MRSA, the most effective control measures will be at farm level.

In a parallel review, the European Medicines Agency looked at the risk of colonisation or infection of livestock and companion animals with MRSA in the context of the authorisation and the use of antimicrobial veterinary medicines. The Committee for Medicinal Products for Veterinary Use (CVMP) found that MRSA is resistant to virtually all antibiotics from the beta-lactam group[1], and very often also to other antimicrobials. Prudent use of antimicrobials in animals should remain a key measure and the CVMP recommended monitoring of animal consumption of antimicrobials to identify any sources of unnecessary use. The Committee also recommended that medicines of last resort for MRSA treatment in humans should be avoided in animals, so as to ensure their continued efficacy in humans.

MRSA infections are widespread in hospitals in many EU Member States and are a major cause of hospital-acquired infections which can lead to severe illness and in some cases fatalities. In recent years a link has also been established between MRSA in animals and human MRSA infections. In the areas of the EU where MRSA is found amongst food producing animals, people in contact with these animals, such as farmers, veterinarians and their families, are at risk of acquiring an MRSA infection. Given the severity of some MRSA infection, ECDC is supportive of measures to ensure prudent use of antibiotics in food producing animals. Through the European Antibiotic Awareness Day initiative, ECDC is actively engaged in initiatives to raise awareness about the risks associated with inappropriate use of antibiotics and how to use antibiotics responsibly.

BBC – Lancashire water supplies declared safe

People in Lancashire who had been boiling their drinking water have been told supplies are back to normal.

Up to 300,000 homeowners could not drink tap water for more than three weeks after cryptosporidium, a microbial parasite, was discovered.

Supplies to the last 50,000 homes have now been declared safe to drink and residents no longer have to boil their water, United Utilities said.

The bug was found at a treatment works near Preston on 6 August.

FSANZ –

JL King & Co has recalled their Gourmet Salads Fried Rice from Foodland in South Australia and IGA stores in Victoria due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Consumers should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Listeria may cause illness in pregnant women and their unborn babies, the elderly and people with low immune systems. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice.

FSAI – Recall of Tesco Free From Belgian Chocolate Wafers Due to Possible Presence of Salmonella

FSAI – Recall of Fresh Mussels Due to Presence of DSP (Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning) Toxins

FSA -Tesco recalls its ‘Tesco Free From 5 Belgium Chocolate Wafers’ due to possible presence of Salmonella

CFIA – Oysters harvested from British Columbia (BC) coastal waters on or before August 18, 2015 may be unsafe for raw consumption due to Vibrio parahaemolyticus

CFIA – Heinz Pear Green Bean Mango recalled due to potential for spoilage

CFIA – Field cucumbers and various in-store produced products that contain cucumbers purchased from Safeway recalled due to Salmonella

FSA – Müller Wiseman Dairies pasteurised Double Cream recalled due to the detection of low levels of Listeria monocytogenes

FSA – Iceland recalls Double Cream because low levels of Listeria monocytogenes have been found in the product

FSA -Sainsbury’s recalls SO Organic British Double Cream due to the detection of low levels of Listeria monocytogenes

FSA – Aldi recalls McCallums Scottish Double Cream because low levels of Listeria monocytogenes have been found in the product

HPS