Category Archives: Uncategorized

Canada – CFIA – Updated Meat Recall E.coli O157 – Updated Salad Recall Listeria monocytogenes

CFIAEurofins Food Testing UK

– The public warning issued on October 8, 2013 has been  updated to include an additional product.

The Canadian  Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Belmont Meats Ltd. (Est. 112) are warning the  public not to consume the uncooked lean ground beef in the link above because it may  be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

This recall is the result of an ongoing food  safety investigation initiated as a result of a recent outbreak investigation.  There may be recalls of additional products or best before dates as the food  safety investigation at this facility continues.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of  this product.

The manufacturer,  Belmont Meats Ltd., Toronto, Ontario, is voluntarily recalling all affected  product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the  recall.

CFIA

The public warning issued on October 5, 2013 has been updated to include an additional product.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Reser’s Fine Foods Inc. are warning the public not to consume certain Reser’s Fine Foods brand Cheesy Macaroni salad, in the link above, because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

This product has been distributed in Walmart stores.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

The manufacturer, Reser’s Fine Foods Inc., Beaverton, Oregon, USA, is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace.  The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

Research – Listeria Attachment to Fresh Produce

American Societ of Microbiology

A study to determine the attachment of L. monocytogenes serotype 4b strain F2365 on vegetables and fruits was conducted. In an initial study, we screened 32 genes encoding surface  proteins and lipases of the strain to find highly expressed genes on lettuce leaves. The results showed that transcription                levels of LMOf2365_0413, LMOf2365_0498, LMOf2365_0859, Of2365_2052, and LMOf2365_2812 were significantly upregulated on lettuce leaves. In silico analysis showed that LMOf2365_0859 contains a putative cellulose binding domain. Thus, we hypothesized that this gene may  be involved in an attachment to vegetables, and named it lcp (gene encoding Listeria cellulose binding protein [LCP]). lcp mutant (Δlcp) and lcp complement (F2365::pMAD::cat::lcp) strains were generated by homologous recombination. The abilities of a wild-type (WT) strain, the Δlcp strain, and the complemented strain to attach to lettuce leaves were evaluated, which indicated that the attachment of the   Δlcp strain to lettuce was significantly less than that of the WT and the complemented strains. Similar results were observed for baby spinach and cantaloupe. Fluorescence microscopy and field emission scanning microscopy analysis further supported  these findings. The binding of L. monocytogenes to cellulose was determined using cellulose acetate-coated plates. The results showed that a binding ability of the Δlcp strain was significantly lower than that of the wild type. Combined, these results strongly suggest that LCP plays an important  role in an attachment to vegetables and fruits

RASFF Alerts – Bacillus Toxin in Food Supplement

RASFF -Bacillus cereus diarrheal enterotoxin (11000 CFU/g) in food supplement from the United States in  Finland

 

RASFF Alerts – Aflatoxins -Groundnuts – Dried Figs – Peanut Butter – Pistachios

RASFF -aflatoxins (B1 = 9.6; Tot. = 26 / B1 = 9.6; Tot. = 44 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from the United States in the Netherlands

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 11.5 µg/kg – ppb) in dried figs from Turkey in France

RASFF -aflatoxins (B1 = 6.8; Tot. = 8.8 / B1 = 6.9; Tot. = 7.9 µg/kg – ppb) in peanut buter from India in Germany

RASFF -aflatoxins (B1 = 32; Tot. = 35 µg/kg – ppb) in roasted pistachios from Turkey in France

RASFF -aflatoxins (B1 = 11.33; Tot. = 12.56 µg/kg – ppb) in pistachio nuts with shell from Syria, via Turkey in Spain

Europe – Surveillance of Six Priority Food- and Waterborne Diseases in the EU/EEA 2006 -2009

ECDC

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is an EU agency [1] with a mandate to operate surveillance networks and to identify, assess, and communicate current and emerging threats to human health from communicable diseases. The agency became operational in 2005. Initially, data were collected for 49 diseases (2008), with three more added in 2012. All data are entered in ECDC’s database system, known as the European Surveillance System (TESSy). Epidemiological overviews of all diseases are provided in the ECDC’s Annual Epidemiological Report. The surveillance of salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis and Shiga toxin/verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC/VTEC) infection was carried out until 2007 by an EU-funded dedicated surveillance network, Enter-net, which was hosted by the Health Protection Agency in the United Kingdom. In October 2007, the coordination of Enter-net was transferred to ECDC and Enter-net is now under the auspices of the Programme of Food- and Waterborne Diseases and Zoonoses (FWD). After the transfer, the scope was broadened to also cover listeriosis, yersiniosis and shigellosis. For the six priority diseases, surveillance was developed further in close collaboration with nominated disease experts, epidemiologists and microbiologists. This report is the first dedicated epidemiological report on these six diseases, offering a detailed analysis for the years 2006 to 2009. The intended readership includes public health and food safety professionals, policymakers, scientists, and the general public.

USA – Federico’s – E.coli Outbreak

Food Poisoning BulletinEcoli Istock

The recent burst of  food poisoning cases from a single Federico’s restaurant west of Phoenix has eclipsed the Farm Rich frozen food outbreak as the biggest toxic E. coli outbreak of 2013 and is among the largest domestic E. coli outbreaks of the past few years, according to E. coli information kept by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Public health officials have had to go back to 2011 to find an E. coli outbreak with nearly as many confirmed case patients as the 68 people counted as victims in the current spread of E. coli illnesses in Arizona

USA – FDA Recall – Salmonella in Pet Food

FDASalm

The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) has voluntarily recalled specific lots of dry pet food because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. These lots were distributed in the United States and represent roughly one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) of annual production. No Salmonella-related illnesses have been reported to date in association with these product lots.

Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

This issue is limited to the specific dry pet food lot codes listed below. This affects roughly one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) of total annual production. The affected product was distributed to select retailers across the United States. These products were made during a 10 day window at a single manufacturing site. P&G’s routine testing determined that some products made during this timeframe have the potential for Salmonella contamination. As a precautionary measure, P&G is recalling the potentially impacted products made during this timeframe. No other dry dog food, dry cat food, dog or cat canned wet food, biscuits/treats or supplements are affected by this announcement.

USA – Cyclospora Update now >500 Cases.

CDC

 

outbreak-map-annotated

Food Poisoning Bulletin

With more than 200 cases, Texas is the state hardest hit by the Cyclospora outbreak. Does it hold the key to outbreak investigation?

 

 

RASFF Alerts – Salmonella in Curcuma

RASFF – Salmonella Kentucky (presence /25g) in curcuma from Belgium in the Netherlands

RASFF Alerts – Campylobacter in Poultry – Bacillus cereus in Tuna Salad

RASFF -Campylobacter coli (presence /25g) in chilled poultry meat from Germany in Italy

RASFF -Bacillus cereus ( > 150000 CFU/g) in tuna salad from Belgium in Luxembourg