Do you know Staphylococci, Coliforms, Pseudomonads, Yeasts, intestinal bacteria and — yes — even fecal germs may be on your toothbrush? Appropriate toothbrush storage and care are important to achieving personal oral hygiene and optimally effective plaque removal. Appropriate toothbrush storage and care are important to achieving personal oral hygiene and optimally effective plaque removal
Scientists from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have identified a benign bacterium that shows promise in blocking Salmonella from colonizing raw tomatoes. Their research is published ahead of print in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.
When applied to Salmonella-contaminated tomato plants in a field study, the bacterium, known as Paenibacillus alvei, significantly reduced the concentration of the pathogen compared to controls.
As covered in last week’s blog, the 40,000 food plants worldwide are finding the running of in-plant food labs to be increasingly complex. Faced with FSMA and the possible requirement of lab accreditation, particularly for analysis of food safety compliance samples, more and more food companies are questioning the role and scope of their food plant labs (FPLs)—and considering alternatives.
One alternative is to utilize a food contract lab (FCL) for all compliance samples while continuing to analyze other food safety samples at the FPL. Another is to shut down the food plant lab entirely and utilize FCLs for all food safety test analysis. Yet a third is to have a food contract lab locate a ‘lab-in-a-box’ just outside the food plant or to have the FCL take over the food plant lab operations.
Anhing Corporation of Los Angeles, California is recalling Caravelle Chili Powder because it may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. No illnesses have been reported to date in association with the consumption of this product. The product was sold nationwide at the retail level.
The recalled product is Caravelle Chili Powder Hot in 8 ounce (227 gram) clear plastic tubs with a red lid. It was packed for Anhing Coporation of Los Angeles. The package states “Product of Thailand.” It also has Thai and Chinese wording. The package has an orange paper label. The UPC number is 080736115551, and the product will have one of two bar codes: 560916 or 570115 on the white label of the bottom of the plastic tub.
The recall was triggered by routine sampling by the state of Maryland.
Antimicrobial agents incorporated into edible films applied to foods to seal in flavor, freshness and color can improve the microbiological safety of meats.
Using films made of pullulan — an edible, mostly tasteless, transparent polymer produced by the fungus Aureobasidium pulluns — researchers evaluated the effectiveness of films containing essential oils derived from rosemary, oregano and nanoparticles against foodborne pathogens associated with meat and poultry.
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged antimicrobial agents, edible films, microbiological safety
Public Health England, environmental health officers from across Lancashire and officials from the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency are investigating a number of cases of gastrointestinal illness which have occurred following visits to a farm shop and outlet village in South Ribble, Lancashire.
To date we are aware of 11 laboratory confirmed cases of ‘E. coli O157’. Four people have been hospitalised with complications arising from the infection – one of whom has now left hospital and is recovering at home.
All cases had visited a lamb feeding event at Huntley’s Country Store, near Salmesbury in South Ribble over recent weeks. There is no longer any risk to the public as all contact between animals and the public at the premises has now ceased.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a new report on antibiotic resistance (ABR). It details resistance to antibacterial drugs in different parts of the world, along with resistance data on specific pathogens such as the resistance of E. coli bacteria to third-generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones. The report outlines the health and economic burden due to antibiotic resistance and looks specifically at antibiotic resistance in food-producing animals and the food chain.
While antibiotic resistance is growing around the world, WHO says there is no coordinated surveillance effort, which could help monitor the situation and provide clues to fix the problem. The report states that, “major gaps exist in surveillance and data sharing related to the emergency of ABR in foodborne bacteria and its potential impact on both animal and human health.”
Maison d’affinage Maurice Dufour Inc. is recalling Le Migneron de Charlevoix cheese from the marketplace because it contains the toxin produced by Staphylococcus. Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below.
| Brand Name | Common Name | Size | Code(s) on Product | UPC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maison Maurice Dufour | Le Migneron de Charlevoix | 140 g | Lot: 260294 Best Before: 30JL14 |
6 98822 00140 6 |
Check to see if you have recalled product in your home. Recalled product should be thrown out or returned to the store where it was purchased.
Food contaminated with Staphylococcus toxin may not look or smell spoiled. The toxin produced by Staphylococcus bacteria is not easily destroyed at normal cooking temperatures. Common symptoms of Staphylococcus poisoning are nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping and fever. In severe cases of illness, headache, muscle cramping and changes in blood pressure and pulse rate may occur.
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Maurice Dufour Inc., Staphylococcus, Staphylococcus bacteria
