EFSA – Tracing of food items in connection to the multinational hepatitis A virus outbreak in Europe in May 2103
Science Direct – Effect of quantity of food residues on resistance to desiccation of food-related pathogens adhered to a stainless steel surface
Sporadic or outbreak cases of Salmonella Enteritidis reported by Austria, France, Germany and the United Kingdom, in addition to one case reported in Luxembourg in a patient residing in France, appear to be linked by time of symptom onset and microbiological characteristics of isolates. Cases in Austria, France and Germany share an epidemiological link to the same egg packaging centre in southern Germany. Isolates from contaminated eggs identified in France originating from the implicated German egg packaging centre share similar molecular characteristics to the human cases. Isolates from a sample of a Salmonella-contaminated strawberry cake, identified in Germany through an investigation unrelated to this outbreak, also share similar molecular characteristics to the human cases. Additional microbiological and environmental investigations could further strengthen evidence to support or discard the hypothesis of all cases being part of the same outbreak, and being infected after consumption of the same food (i.e. contaminated eggs produced in southern Germany). This is particularly unclear with regard to the outbreak cases in the United Kingdom. Investigations and actions taken by the food sector have supposedly stopped the distribution of the suspected contaminated food to the market. However, due to the delay in case reporting, it is still possible that more cases will be notified. ECDC will continue to closely monitor the occurrence of human cases through EPIS-FWD and Member States could consider enhancing their surveillance activities for this Salmonella serovar and specifically for the phage type 14b. It is noticeable that Salmonella Enteritidis-contaminated eggs have been able to reach the market, in spite of the strict regulations applying to table eggs for human consumption, and the success in reducing human and animal infections in recent years within the EU. EPIS-FWD and RASFF have been confirmed to be excellent tools for sharing information, identifying potential cross-border threats and linking independent investigations simultaneously occurring in different Member States.
The 38 human cases of monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium detected recently in six Member States are likely to be part of the same cluster, a joint EFSA/ECDC report has found. Based on limited available information from food investigations, meat is the suspected vehicle of infection.
A previous rapid outbreak assessment published by EFSA and ECDC at the end of August found that outbreaks and sporadic cases of Salmonella Enteritidis in Austria, France, Germany and the United Kingdom, as well as one case reported in Luxembourg, appear to be connected. The cases in Austria, France and Germany share an epidemiological link to the same egg packaging centre in southern Germany, the report found.
Tracking an Escherichiacoli O157:H7–Contaminated Batch of Leafy Greens through a Pilot-Scale Fresh-Cut Processing Line
Growth and Survival of Enterobacteriaceae and Inoculated Salmonella on Walnut Hulls and Maturing Walnut Fruit
Predicting Survival of Salmonella in Low–Water Activity Foods: An Analysis of Literature Data
Investigation of Listeria, Salmonella, and Toxigenic Escherichia coli in Various Pet Foods
V&T Meat and Food, Calgary, Alberta and Hiep Thanh Trading, Edmonton, Alberta, are recalling certain raw pork products from the marketplace due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. Consumers, food service establishments, retailers, distributors and manufacturers in Alberta, should not consume, serve, use, or sell certain raw pork products sold by these two retailers/distributors because the raw pork products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.
All raw pork products sold from these locations, during the identified time periods, are affected by this recall.
| Company name | Address | City | Affected Selling Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| V&T Meat and Food | 3012-17 Avenue SE, #6 | Calgary, AB | Between July 14, 2014 and September 2, 2014, inclusively |
| Hiep Thanh Trading | 10718-98 Street NW | Edmonton, AB | Between July 10, 2014 and September 3, 2014, inclusively |
These raw pork products may have been sold by other retailers. Consumers who are unsure if they have the affected products are advised to check with their retailer.
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Alberta, Calgary, Edmonton, food service establishments, Hiep Thanh Trading, raw pork products
Vinh Fat Food Products is recalling frozen pork spring rolls, pork buns and pork wontons from the marketplace due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.
The following frozen pork products have been sold exclusively from Vinh Fat Food Products, 10630-97th Street, Edmonton, Alberta.
| Brand Name | Common Name | Size | UPC | Additional Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | Pork Spring Rolls | Variable | None | Affected Selling Dates: Between July 10, 2014 and September 5, 2014, inclusively |
| — | Pork Buns | Variable | None | Affected Selling Dates: Between July 10, 2014 and September 5, 2014, inclusively |
| — | Pork Wontons | Variable | None | Affected Selling Dates: Between July 10, 2014 and September 5, 2014, inclusively |
The Food Standards Agency has today confirmed its plans for publishing the quarterly results from its survey of campylobacter on shop-bought chicken. The FSA will name retailers, alongside campylobacter levels, when it releases its next set of results in November.
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged campylobacter, food standards agency, fsa, quarterly results
Tullia’s is recalling Italian Meatless Pasta Sauce code 530140. This recall has been initiated because a records review by the Washington State Department of Agriculture revealed that one batch of sauce produced with the 530140 code had a pH level high enough to allow the growth of Clostridium botulinum. If present, this organism can cause botulism, a serious and potentially fatal foodborne illness.
Recalled sauce is packaged in 16 OZ. and 32 OZ. clear glass bottles with white caps. The code can be found on the label and is in blue ink. The only code of Tullia’s Italian Meatless Pasta Sauce recalled is 530140.
Tullia’s has made the decision to recall this product to ensure the safety of their customers. The company has not been notified of any illness associated with their products.
Seoul Trading Inc. has removed frozen South Korean oysters from the marketplace in some counties in Washington state because they may be contaminated with norovirus. The oysters were sold in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties.
Food establishments and restaurants that received the oysters include H-Mart locations in Federal Way, Lynnwood, and Lakewood; Asian Pacific Market in Kent; Blue Fin Buffet in Seattle; and Lam Seafood in Seattle.
Strawberries are soft fruit that are not recommended to have a post-harvest wash due to quality concerns. Escherichia coli O157:H7 has been linked to outbreaks with strawberries but little is known about the survival of E. coli during the growth cycle of strawberries. The survival of E. coli on strawberry plants during growing under greenhouses conditions was evaluated. Soil, leaves, and strawberries (if present) were artificially contaminated with an E. coli surrogate either at the time of planting, first runner removal (4 wk), second runner removal (8 wk), or one week prior to harvest. At harvest E. coli was recovered from the leaves, soil, and strawberries regardless of the contamination time. Time of contamination influenced (P < 0.05) numbers of viable E. coli on the plant. The highest survival of E. coli (P < 0.0001) was detected in soil that was contaminated at planting (4.27 log10 CFU g soil−1), whereas, the survival of E. coli was maximal at later contamination times (8 wk and 1 wk prior to harvest) for the leaves (4.40 and 4.68 log10 CFU g leaves−1) and strawberries (3.37 and 3.53 log10 CFU strawberry−1). Cross contamination from leaves to fruit was observed during this study, with the presence of E. coli on strawberries which had not been present at the time of contamination. These results indicate that good agricultural best practices to avoid contamination are necessary to minimize the risk of contamination of these popular fruit with enteric pathogens. Practices should include soil testing prior to harvest and avoiding contamination of the leaves.
V&T Meat and Food, Calgary, Alberta and Hiep Thanh Trading, Edmonton, Alberta, are recalling certain raw pork products from the marketplace due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. Consumers, food service establishments, retailers, distributors and manufacturers in Alberta, should not consume, serve, use, or sell certain raw pork products sold by these two retailers/distributors because the raw pork products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.
All raw pork products sold from these locations, during the identified time periods, are affected by this recall.
| Company name | Address | City | Affected Selling Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| V&T Meat and Food | 3012-17 Avenue SE, #6 | Calgary, AB | Between July 14, 2014 and September 2, 2014, inclusively |
| Hiep Thanh Trading | 10718-98 Street NW | Edmonton, AB | Between July 10, 2014 and September 3, 2014, inclusively |
These raw pork products may have been sold by other retailers. Consumers who are unsure if they have the affected products are advised to check with their retailer.
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Alberta, Edmonton, food service establishments, Hiep Thanh Trading, raw pork products
