Category Archives: Uncategorized

RASFF Alerts – E.coli – Betel Leaves – Drumstick Leaves

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RASFF – Escherichia coli (1800 CFU/g) in betel leaves from Sri Lanka in the UK

RASFF – too high count of Escherichia coli (16000 CFU/g) in drumstick leaves (Moringa oleifera) from Sri Lanka in the UK

RASFF Alert – STEC E.coli – Minced Beef

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RASFF – shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (stx+ eae+ /25g) in minced beef from Belgium in Belgium

 

RASFF Alert – Listeria monocytogenes – Sliced Cheese

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RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes (up to 5300 CFU/g) in sliced cheese from Austria in Austria

Singapore – Recall of various flavours of “Primula’s Cheese Spread” due to contamination of Clostridium botulinum

SFA

The United Kingdom Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued a food recall
alert on various flavours of Primula’s Cheese Spread from the United Kingdom due to
contamination with Clostridium botulinum, a bacterium.
2 Under the Singapore Food Regulations, no food sold for consumption shall be
contaminated with any pathogenic microorganisms such as Clostridium botulinum. As
the implicated products were imported into Singapore, the Singapore Food Agency
has directed the importer, Atasco Pte Ltd, to recall the products. The recall is ongoing.
3 Clostridium botulinum produces lethal neurotoxins1
that can lead to an illness
called botulism. Botulism is typically associated with improper cooking and processing
which do not completely eliminate the bacteria and its toxins from the food.
4 Consumers who have purchased the affected products should not consume it.
Those who feel unwell may wish to seek medical attention, and may contact the
importer at 9766 9860 for enquiries and for exchange or refund of products.

Finland – Decline in foodborne outbreaks likely due to COVID-19 measures

Food Safety News

More than four times fewer suspected food and waterborne epidemics have been reported in Finland in the past few months.

Between March and May, four suspected foodborne outbreaks were reported, compared with an average of 18 in previous years, according to the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

The agency believes this is because of the coronavirus pandemic and associated limitations and recommendations. When hands are washed diligently and food is prepared for smaller groups, there are fewer epidemics, the THL reported.

Suspected pathogens in the four outbreaks are Campylobacter, Yersinia, and norovirus.

 

Research – Escherichia coli Biofilms

Springer Link ecoli

Escherichia coli is a predominant species among facultative anaerobic bacteria of the gastrointestinal tract. Both its frequent community lifestyle and the availability of a wide array of genetic tools contributed to establish E. coli as a relevant model organism for the study of surface colonization. Several key factors, including different extracellular appendages, are implicated in E. coli surface colonization and their expression and activity are finely regulated, both in space and time, to ensure productive events leading to mature biofilm formation. This chapter will present known molecular mechanisms underlying biofilm development in both commensal and pathogenic E. coli.

Australia – Simplot Australia Pty Ltd — Leggo’s Tuna Bake with Spinach & Garlic 500g

FSANZ

Photograph of Leggos Tuna Bake

The recall is due to the incorrect pH level being detected in the sauce, which has the potential for microbial growth.

What are the hazards?

Food products with microbial contamination may cause illness if consumed.

What should consumers do?

Do not consume this product and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

For further information, please contact Simplot’s Consumer Information Service on 1800 061 279.

Traders who sold this product

Coles
Woolworths
IGA
Independent grocers

Where the product was sold
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Online
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
Dates available for sale
  • 21 May 2020 – 15 June 2020

Recall advertisements and supporting documentation

Ireland – Recall of all Primula Cheese Spreads in Tubes due to Clostridium botulinum

FSAI

Summary
Category 1: For Action
Alert Notification: 2020.33
Product: Primula Cheese ’n’ Prawns (chilled); pack size: 150g;

Primula Cheese ‘n’ Ham (chilled); pack size: 150g;

Primula Original Cheese (chilled); pack size: 150g;

Primula Cheese ‘n’ Chives (chilled); pack size: 150g;

Primula Light Cheese (chilled); pack size: 150g;

Primula Smoky Cheese ‘n’ Paprika (chilled); pack size: 150g;

Primula Spicy Cheese ‘n’ Jalapeno (chilled); pack size 150g;

Primula Easy Squeezy! Original Cheese (ambient); pack size: 100g;

Primula Easy Squeezy! Cheese with Chive (ambient); pack size: 100g;

Primula Easy Squeezy! Cheese with Ham (ambient); pack size: 100g.

Batch Code: All batch codes and all expiry date codes.
Country Of Origin: United Kingdom

Message:

Primula Ltd. (UK) is recalling the above Primula Cheese Spreads in tubes as manufacturing controls that could potentially affect the safety of these products could not be demonstrated satisfactorily by the company.  A recall from consumers is being carried out as a precautionary measure because one product might contain Clostridium botulinum. Point-of-sale recall notices will be displayed in stores supplied with the implicated products.

Nature Of Danger:

The issue relates to controlling factors to prevent the growth of and toxin production by Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin may cause a rare but serious form of food poisoning that can cause paralysis and can be fatal.

Action Required:

Manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, caterers & retailers:

Retailers are requested to remove the implicated products from sale and to display a point-of-sale recall notice in stores where the affected products were sold.

Wholesalers/distributors are requested to contact their affected customers to advise them to recall the implicated products and provide a point-of-sale notice to their retailer customers.

Consumers:

Consumers are advised not to eat the implicated products.

Primula 1
Primula 2
Primula 3

UK – Primula updates recall of all Primula Cheese tubes because of Clostridium botulinum

FSA

Primula updates recall of all Primula Cheese tubes because of Clostridium botulinum

17 June 2020

Primula Ltd is recalling all Primula Cheese tubes, (chilled and ambient) because the products might be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum due to a production fault. They have taken the precautionary step of recalling all products because one product might contain Clostridium botulinum.
This is an update on the previous Product Recall Information Notice issued on 16 June 2020 which related to all ‘Best before’ dates of the affected Primula products.
Specific ‘Best before’ dates for the products listed below have been updated.

Product details

Primula Plain Original Cheese Spread

Pack size 150g
Best before From 25 December 2020 up to and including 28 January 2021
Primula Cheese Spread with Smoked Paprika

Pack size 150g
Best before From 25 December 2020 up to and including 28 January 2021
Primula Cheese Spread with Jalapenos

Pack size 150g
Best before From 25 December 2020 up to and including 28 January 2021
Primula Light Cheese Spread

Pack size 150g
Best before From 25 December 2020 up to and including 28 January 2021
Primula Cheese Spread with Ham

Pack size 150g
Best before From 25 December 2020 up to and including 28 January 2021
Primula Cheese Spread with Chives

Pack size 150g
Best before From 25 December 2020 up to and including 28 January 2021
Primula Cheese Spread with Prawns

Pack size 150g
Best before From 25 December 2020 up to and including 28 January 2021
Primula Original Cheese Spread (ambient)

Pack size 100g
Best before From 30 October 2020 up to and including 10 December 2020
Primula Cheese Spread with Ham (ambient)

Pack size 100g
Best before From 30 October 2020 up to and including 10 December 2020
Primula Cheese spread with Chives (ambient)

Pack size 100g
Best before From 30 October 2020 up to and including 10 December 2020

Risk statement

Manufacturing controls that could potentially affect the safety of the products listed above could not be demonstrated satisfactorily by the company.

The issue relates to controlling factors to prevent the growth and toxin production of Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin may cause a serious form of food poisoning called botulism and can be fatal.

A recall from customers is being carried out as a precautionary measure.

Action taken by the company

Primula Ltd is recalling the above products. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling these products. These notices explain to customers why the products are 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 products, do not eat them. Instead contact Primula on 0800 716 551 or primula@kavli.co.uk to arrange a refund. If customers are making an essential trip to the store from where it was bought, they can return the item in-store for a full refund.

Research – Home Canning and Botulism

Food Safety.gov

Home canning is an excellent way to preserve garden produce and share it with family and friends. But it can be risky—or even deadly—if not done correctly and safely.

It’s summertime and time to harvest the delicious produce you’ve been growing. You may be thinking about home canning as a way to preserve your garden goodies. But beware! If home canning is not done the proper way, your canned vegetables and fruits could cause botulism.

What is botulism?

Botulism is a rare but potentially deadly illness caused by a poison most commonly produced by a germ called Clostridium botulinum. The germ is found in soil and can survive, grow, and produce a toxin in certain conditions, such as when food is improperly canned. The toxin can affect your nerves, paralyze you, and even cause death.

You cannot see, smell, or taste botulinum toxin—but taking even a small taste of food containing this toxin can be deadly.