Category Archives: Uncategorized

Canada – Updated Food Recall Warning – Red, yellow, white, and sweet yellow onions grown by Thomson International Inc. and imported from the USA recalled due to Salmonella

CFIA

Recall date:
August 7, 2020
Reason for recall:
Microbiological – Salmonella
Hazard classification:
Class 1
Company / Firm:
Industry
Distribution:
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Possibly National, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon
Extent of the distribution:
Retail

Recall details

Ottawa, August 7, 2020 – The food recall warning issued on August 1, 2020 has been updated to include additional distribution information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation.

Industry is recalling red, yellow, white, and sweet yellow onions grown by Thomson International Inc., Bakersfield, California, and imported from the USA from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below or foods containing these raw onions. Retailers, distributors, manufacturers, and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals, and nursing homes should not serve, use, or sell the recalled products described below.

These products may also have been purchased on-line or through various restaurant locations. They may also have been sold in bulk or in smaller packages with or without a label and may not bear the same brand or product names as described below. The CFIA will continue its investigation into other possible importers and additional recalls may follow.

Ongoing investigation

See complete list of recalled products associated with this ongoing investigation.

Recalled product

Brand Product Size UPC Codes Additional information
  • El Competidor
  • Imperial Fresh
  • Onions 52
  • Tender Loving Care
  • Thomson International
  • Thomson International Premium
  • Thomson Premium
  • Yellow Onions
  • Red Onions
  • White Onions
  • Sweet Yellow Onions
All sizes including bulk Variable All products imported since May 1, 2020
  • Mesh Sack
  • Carton
  • Box

What you should do

If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, call your doctor.

Check to see if you have the recalled products in your home or establishment. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased. If you are unsure of the identity of the onions in your possession, check with your place of purchase.

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections. Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

Background

This recall was triggered by the CFIA during its investigation into a foodborne illness outbreak followed by a recall in the United States by Thomson International Inc. located in Bakersfield, California. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings.

The CFIA is verifying that industry is removing the recalled products from the marketplace.

Illnesses

The Public Health Agency of Canada is investigating an outbreak of human illness. Please refer to the Public Health Notice for further details on this active outbreak investigation.

Product photos

Printer ready version of photos

  • El Competidor Onions
  • Tender Loving Care Onions
  • Thomson International Fresh Onions – 4.54 kg
  • Thomson International Premium Onions – 2.27 kg
  • Thomson International Premium Onions 1
  • Thomson International Premium Onions 2
  • Thomson International Premium Onions 3
  • Thomson International, Inc.

UK – Sainsbury’s recalls by Sainsbury’s semi-skimmed UHT milk because of possible microbiological contamination

FSA

Sainsbury’s has taken the precautionary step of recalling by Sainsbury’s semi-skimmed less than 2% fat 1 litre UHT milk because of possible microbiological contamination that could lead to spoilage. This may make the product unsafe to consume.

Product details

by Sainsbury’s semi-skimmed less than 2% fat UHT milk
Pack size 1 litre
Best before 28 December 2020 and 29 December 2020

Risk statement

Possible microbiological contamination may make the product unsafe to consume.

Action taken by the company

Sainsbury’s is recalling the above product. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling this product. These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product. Please see the attached notice.

Our advice to consumers

If you have bought any of the above product do not consume it. Instead, return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund when next visiting for groceries and other essentials. Alternatively contact Sainsbury’s careline on 0800 636262.

Research – Antimicrobial efficacy of cinnamaldehyde, chitosan and high pressure processing against Cronobacter sakazakii in infant formula

Wiley Online

This study investigated the antimicrobial efficacy of trans‐cinnamaldehyde (TC) and chitosan (CH) along with high pressure processing (HPP) against Cronobacter sakazakii in infant formula. HPP, with or without TC, and CH, was applied to reconstituted powdered infant formula with C. sakazakii . Microbiological and sensory analyses, pH, protein oxidation, and emulsion stability of each sample were determined. C. sakazakii was totally inactivated by HPP (600 MPa for 5 min), TC (0.05%) and CH (1%) combination after 4, 6, and 2 weeks of storage at 7, 23, and 45°C, respectively. All HPP treatments exhibited a minimum of 5.5 log CFU/ml reduction while the highest reductions with non‐HPP treatments were 2.1, 1.1, and 3.7 log CFU/ml at 7, 23, and 45°C storage, respectively. Although TC exhibited a cinnamon‐like taste, overall sensory attributes were not significantly different from the control samples. Remarkable deformation and damage in C. sakazakii cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy after the application of HPP and bioactive compounds.

Research – New technology creates hard metal surfaces that kill bacteria

Food Safety News

A treatment to infuse hardened metal surfaces with naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides has been developed by researchers at Purdue University.

In other words, the Purdue research team’s technology can create hard metal surfaces that kill bacteria trying to attach to it.

David Bahr, team leader and professor of materials engineering at Purdue, said this technology applies primarily to food processing and cutting surfaces, which can be especially vulnerable to bacteria growth because of the materials and surface designs.

This technology can reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Cross-contamination is the transfer of harmful bacteria to food from other foods, cutting boards, utensils, etc. This is especially true when handling raw meat, poultry, and seafood, as placing them on the same hard surface as already cooked or ready-to-eat foods and fresh produce can spread harmful bacteria.

Legionella – What Landlords Need to Know About Legionella

Legionella Control 

This article provides a compilation of the most frequently asked questions we receive from landlords about the control of legionella in their properties and what they need to do to comply with the law. It covers a range of popular questions with comprehensive answers from our experts, along with a number of free downloads (full versions) for key guides produced by the Health and Safety Executive dealing with the control of legionella including their ACOP L8 and HSG274 Parts 1, 2 and 3.

Taiwan – Over 100 people fall ill with suspected food poisoning at Yilan hotel

Focus Taiwan

Taipei, Aug. 6 (CNA) More than 100 people who dined at a hotel buffet in Yilan County have fallen ill with suspected food poisoning, but source of the contamination has not yet been identified, the county’s Public Health Bureau said Thursday.

As of 3:30 p.m., 121 visitors who had eaten at Hotel Royal Chiao Hsi had reported symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, with 77 of them seeking medical attention, the bureau said.

The problem was first reported Aug. 1 by a group of hotel guests on a company trip, but public health officials were not informed until three days later, according to the bureau.

After an inspection of the hotel restaurant on Aug. 4, the public health officials sent kitchen utensils and water samples to the Food and Drug Administration for testing, the bureau said, adding that the results will become available in few days’ time.

Kenya – Kebs raises concern on high levels of aflatoxin in maize

Daily Nation 

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) and consumers have raised concern on high levels of aflatoxin in maize, the staple food for most Kenyan households.

The complaints come even as processors experience acute shortage of the produce.

The millers say their stocks were exhausted two months to the harvest of this season’s crop in the North Rift, the country’s grain basket.

Many millers in western Kenya are getting maize from schools and other learning institutions that were closed in March to stop the spread of coronavirus.

 

Nigeria – Expert cautions over rise of Aflatoxin bacteria in locally – grown maize

Interesting article but Aflatoxin is not a bacteria but a toxin produced by mould.

Naija 247 News

Lagos, Aug. 6, 2020 An agriculture expert, Mr Ismail Olawale has raised alarm on the increasing rate of Aflatoxin bacteria infection in locally grown maize.

Olawale, a fellow at the Nigerian Agriculture and Extension Liaison Service (NAERLS) made the call in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Lagos.

NAN reports that Aflatoxins are poisonous carcinogens and mutagens that are produced by certain moulds which grow in soil, decaying vegetation, hay, and grains.

They are a family of toxins produced by certain fungi that are found on agricultural crops such as maize (corn) peanuts, cottonseed, and tree nuts.

The expert said research has shown that the presence of Aflatoxin in locally cultivated maize and its subsequent consumption has led to certain illnesses and early mortality.

“We have to consider the issue of Aflatoxin bacteria found in locally produced maize. It usually affects the maize through the soil.

“An academic research by post-graduate students of the University of Ibadan in an area in Ekiti, discovered that early mortality in the area was closely linked to Aflatoxin bacteria found in corn pap they consume regularly.

“From researches , it has been discovered that the accumulation of Aflatoxin bacteria in local maize can lead to life threatening illnesses and diseases.

 

USA – Which Stores Sold Onions Recalled For Possible Salmonella?

Food Poisoning Bulletin

The newest Salmonella Newport outbreak has sickened at least  396 people in 34 states and has hospitalized 59. The outbreak is potentially linked to red onions sold by Thomson International. Those onions were recalled last week. But which stores sold the onions recalled for possible Salmonella contamination? And are products made with those onions recalled?

According to recall notices posted on their web sites, ALDI, Food Lion, Giant Eagle/Market District, Kroger, Publix, Stop & Shop/Giant Food Stores, Smiths, Fry’s, Fred Meyer, and Walmart allegedly sold these onions under various store names and brand names, and some were used to make other products such as salads and stir fries.

USA – Giant Eagle Voluntarily Issued August 1st Recall of Onions and Prepared Foods Using Onions as an Ingredient Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination

FDA

Company Announcement

After receiving notification from onion supplier, Onion 52, that the vendor had sourced onions affected by the recent salmonella-related Thomson International, Inc. onion recall for Giant Eagle, the company pulled all impacted product on Saturday, August 1.

Giant Eagle recalled red, yellow and white onions sold in produce departments across Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana and Maryland. The recall also includes select prepared foods items that included the affected onions as ingredients sold across the same five states. The recall announcement is regarding potential salmonella contamination of the onions.

Out of an abundance of caution, Giant Eagle promptly removed these products on Saturday, August 1, from its produce and prepared foods departments as soon as it became apparent that some of its onion product may have been affected by the ongoing salmonella outbreak investigation by the FDA and CDC. Three are no reported illnesses among Giant Eagle customers to date associated with this recall.

Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, can cause salmonellosis. Salmonellosis is one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses, and some symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps and a fever anywhere between 12 to 72 hours after consumption. This illness can last between four to seven days.

Recalled Onions Sold in Giant Eagle Produce Departments

Giant Eagle has recalled all bulk and bagged red, yellow and white onions sold in its produce department since June 6, 2020.

Customers who have purchased the affected product and are still in possession of it should dispose of it. Customers may also bring in the qualifying receipt to their local Giant Eagle or Market District location to receive a refund on their purchase of the impacted product.

For questions, customers may contact Onions52 at (801) 773-0630 or by email at customerservice@onions52.com.

Recalled Prepared Foods Items with Onion as Ingredient

Giant Eagle’s onion recall also included select prepared foods items purchase since July 25, 2020 that include onion as an ingredient.  Items listed in the link above.