Category Archives: Uncategorized

Information – World Food Safety Day 2020

Posted on April 29, 2020 by | Leave a comment

WHO

The second World Food Safety Day (WFSD) will be celebrated on 7 June 2020 to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development.

Following the success of the first celebration in 2019, this year again WFSD reinforces the call to strengthen commitment to scale up food safety made by the Addis Ababa Conference and the Geneva Forum in 2019 under the umbrella of “The Future of Food Safety”.  WHO, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is pleased to facilitate Member States efforts to celebrate the World Food Safety Day.

Under the theme “Food safety, everyone’s business”, the action oriented campaign will promote global food safety awareness and call upon countries and decision makers, the private sector, civil society, UN organizations and the general public to take action.

Food safety is a shared responsibility between governments, producers and consumers.  Everybody has a role to play from farm to table to ensure the food we consume is safe and will not cause damages to our health.  Through the World Food Safety Day, WHO pursues its efforts to mainstream food safety in the public agenda and reduce the burden of foodborne diseases globally.

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Uncategorized

Interesting ?? – E.coli Earrings :)

Posted on April 29, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Giant Microbes

E. coli earrings cardboard back

 

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Posted in E.coli, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Microbiology, Uncategorized

Australia – Juicy Isle Pty Ltd — Pure Tassie Apple and Blackcurrant 1.5L – Patulin

Posted on April 29, 2020 by | Leave a comment

FSANZ

PRA No.
2020/18312
Date published
29 Apr 2020
Product description

Pure Tassie Apple and Blackcurrant Juice 1.5L
Plastic PET bottle

Best Before 06/10/2020

Photograph of Pure Tassie Apple Blackcurrant 1.5L

Identifying features

Best before date
6 October 2020
Other
EAN 9315251901190/ APN 09315251901206

What are the defects?

The recall is due to microbial (mycotoxin patulin) contamination.

What are the hazards?

Food products contaminated with mycotoxins (patulin) may cause illness if consumed.

What should consumers do?

Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice and should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.

For further information, please contact Juicy Isle Pty Ltd by phone on 03 6274 5999 or visit www.juicyisle.com.au

Supplier
Juicy Isle Pty Ltd
Traders who sold this product

NSW – Coles, IGA, Original Organic Juice
QLD – Coles, IGA
VIC – Coles, IGA
TAS – Hills Street Grocer, IGA Strahan, Port Cygnet Grocer, Macquarie
Supermarket, IGA Dover, Oyster Cove Fruit and Vegetable Store
SA – Coles, Drake’s, Foodland and On the Run stores
WA – IGA

Where the product was sold
International
New South Wales
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
Dates available for sale
  • 1 January 2020 – 23 April 2020

Recall advertisements and supporting documentation

Recall advertisement.pdf (24.14 KB)

Coordinating agency

Food Standards Australia New Zealand is the coordinating agency for this recall.

 

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, FSANZ, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, Patulin, Uncategorized

Australia – Kimchi Company Kimchi 600g and 300g – Recall –

Posted on April 28, 2020 by | Leave a comment

FSANZ

Product information

The Kimchi Company Pty Ltd is conducting a recall of The Kimchi Company Kimchi 600g and 300g jars.  The product has been available for sale at Harris Farm Markets in NSW.

Date markings

Exp Date 22.09.2020

Kimchi Company Kimchi

Problem

The recall is due to Potential microbial contamination due to under-allocation of salt.

Food safety hazard

Food products with the potential for microbial contamination may cause illness if consumed.

Country of origin

South Korea.

What to do​

Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice and should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund.

For further information please contact:

The Kimchi Company Pty Ltd
Ph: 0449 051 894
www.kimchicompany.com.au

Related links:

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Posted in Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, FSANZ, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Uncategorized

Research – Food Safety and Invasive Cronobacter Infections during Early Infancy, 1961–2018

Posted on April 28, 2020 by | Leave a comment

CDC

Abstract

Invasive Cronobacter infections among infants are associated with severe neurologic disabilities and death. Early Cronobacter reports typically featured hospitalized and preterm infants and recognized contaminated powdered infant formula (PIF) as a transmission vehicle. To clarify recent epidemiology, we reviewed all cases of bloodstream infection or meningitis among infants that were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and in the literature (1961–2018; n = 183). Most infants were neonates (100/150 [67%]); 38% (42/112) died, and 79% (81/102) had reported recent PIF consumption. In the final quarter of the study period (2004–2018), case counts were significantly higher (global average 8.7 cases/year); among US cases, significantly higher proportions occurred among full-term (56% [27/48]) and nonhospitalized (78% [42/54]) infants. PIF contamination, most commonly from opened containers, was identified in 30% (21/71) of investigations. Our findings reaffirm the need to promote safer alternatives for infant feeding, particularly among neonates.

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Posted in Cronobacter sakazakii, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Research, Uncategorized

Research – Multiple Cruise Ship Outbreaks of Norovirus Associated with Frozen Fruits and Berries — United States, 2019

Posted on April 27, 2020 by | Leave a comment

CDC norovirus-1080x655

From July to September 2019, cruise line X experienced sudden, unexplained outbreaks (>3% of the passenger population) of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) among passengers on 10 cruise ships sailing in Europe. The rapid onset of vomiting and diarrhea followed by recovery within 24 hours were consistent with norovirus infection. Investigations by the cruise line throughout the summer yielded no clear source of the outbreaks even after extensive food testing. On September 18, 2019, CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) was notified of an outbreak of AGE on cruise ship A of cruise line X, sailing into U.S. jurisdiction (defined as passenger vessels carrying ≥13 passengers sailing to the United States from a foreign port) from Germany to New York City (1). By the end of the 19-day voyage on September 23, a total of 117 of 2,046 (5.7%) passengers and eight of 610 (1.3%) crew members met the case definition for AGE (three or more loose stools within a 24-hour period or more than normal for the patient, or vomiting plus one other sign or symptom including fever, diarrhea, bloody stool, myalgia, abdominal cramps, or headache). Four stool specimens were collected and tested for norovirus at CDC’s National Calicivirus Laboratory; three tested positive for norovirus by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). No outbreak source was determined after a field investigation by a VSP team on September 22.

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Norovirus, Uncategorized, Virus

Research – New dual-action coating keeps bacteria from cross-contaminating fresh produce

Posted on April 27, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Science Daily

Over the course of their journey from the open fields to the produce displays at grocery stores, fresh vegetables and fruits can sometimes become contaminated by microorganisms. These items can then spoil other produce, spreading the contamination further and increasing the number of food items that can cause illnesses.

To prevent cross-contamination between fresh produce, researchers at Texas A&M University have created a coating that can be applied to food-contact surfaces like conveyor belts, rollers and collection buckets. In addition to being germicidal, the researchers have designed their coating to be extremely water-repellent. The researchers said without water, bacteria can’t stick or multiply on surfaces, thereby drastically curbing contamination from one piece of produce to another.

“Consuming contaminated raw foods causes hundreds of people to get sick annually, and so food contamination is not only a huge health concern but is also a significant economic burden,” said Mustafa Akbulut, associate professor in the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering. “In our study, we show that our new dual-function coating — one that can both repel and kill bacteria — can greatly mitigate bacterial spread, averting cross-contamination.”

The results of the study are in the February issue of the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Research, Uncategorized

Belgium – Ochratoxin A – Dried Figs

Posted on April 27, 2020 by | Leave a comment

AFSCA

Following a notification via the RASFF system (European rapid alert system Food and Feed), the AFSCA is withdrawing from sale the following product: “Kuru Incir” dried figs from the Marmara brand due to an overshoot of the ochratoxin standard A.

The AFSCA therefore decided to withdraw this product from sale and to recall it to consumers.

The AFSCA asks consumers not to consume this product and to contact the point of sale through which the product was purchased.


Product description

– Product category: dried figs
– Product name: Kuru Incir
– Brand: Marmara
– Weight: 700 g
– Date of minimum durability (DDM)
(“Consume preferably before (or end)”)
: 09/23/2020 – Lot: 090048474 / 2-11-728

This product is sold through various food stores in Belgium.

Ochratoxin A is a mycotoxin produced by molds which can be present in various products such as cereals, coffee, rice and raisins. Repeated consumption of ochratoxin A is harmful to health.

 

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, Ochratoxin, Uncategorized

Research – The Lactobacillus taxonomy change has arrived! What do you need to know?

Posted on April 27, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Microbiome Times 

Taxonomy is the branch of science that classifies and names organisms. Lactobacillus were first described in 1901 with Lactobacillus delbrueckii, a species indispensable in yogurt, and grew exponentially since the beginning of the 21stcentury thanks to new genetic sequencing methods, to 261 species in March 2020. Many scientific genetic analyses ran in the past few years have shown that the huge heterogeneity this has led to makes it no longer reasonable to group all these 261 species under the genus Lactobacillus (Zhenget al., 2015, Salvetti et al., 2018, Parks et al., 2018). For this reason, the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology (IJSEM) has released Wednesday 15 April 2020 a new classification scattering the species of the Lactobacillaceaefamily under Lactobacillus,Paralactobacillus, Pediococcus and 23 novel genera (Zheng et al., 2020), based on several genetic approaches and markers (average nucleotide identity, average aminoacid identity, core-gene aminoacid identity, core genome phylogeny, signature genes and metabolic or ecologic criteria), summarizing a titanic work to tidy up what has been referred to as a “huge pile of dirty dishes” by one of the authors.

While reclassifications have happened before, this is the first time it has such a dramatic reach and impact into the global market of food and food supplements – the probiotic supplement market is expected to reach nearly 70 billion USD value by 2023 according to Markets and Markets, and is largely composed of former Lactobacilli.

The objective is to create new genera with a better homogeneity that respects homogeneity rules between organisms – the International code of nomenclature of Prokaryotes includes 65 rules designated to assess the correctness of a microbial name! (Parker et al., 2015), is stable in the long term, and provides room for the accommodation of future species.

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Research, Uncategorized

Research -A review of outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis due to unpasteurized milk

Posted on April 26, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Spinger  raw

Abstract

Purpose

This review analysed outbreaks of human cryptosporidiosis due to raw milk. The objective of our study was to highlight and identify underestimated and underreported aspects of transmission of the parasite as well as the added value of genotyping Cryptosporidium isolates.

Methods

We conducted a descriptive literature review using the digital archives Pubmed and Embase. All original papers and case reports referring to outbreaks of Cryptosporidium due to unpasteurized milk were reviewed. The cross-references from these publications were also included.

Results

Outbreaks have been described in the USA, Australia, and the UK. Laboratory evidence of Cryptosporidium from milk specimens was lacking in the majority of the investigations. However, in most recent reports molecular tests on stool specimens along with epidemiological data supported that the infection was acquired through the consumption of unpasteurized milk. As the incubation period for Cryptosporidium is relatively long (days to weeks) compared with many other foodborne pathogens (hours to days), these reports often lack microbiological confirmation because, by the time the outbreak was identified, the possibly contaminated milk was not available anymore.

Conclusion

Cryptosporidiosis is generally considered a waterborne intestinal infection, but several reports on foodborne transmission (including through raw milk) have been reported in the literature. Calves are frequently infected with Cryptosporidium spp., which does not multiply in milk. However, Cryptosporidium oocysts can survive if pasteurization fails. Thus, pasteurization is essential to inactivate oocysts. Although cryptosporidiosis cases acquired from raw milk are seldom reported, the risk should not be underestimated and Cryptosporidium should be considered as a potential agent of contamination. Genotyping Cryptosporidium isolates might be a supportive tool to strengthen epidemiologic evidence as well as to estimate the burden of the disease.

 

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Posted in Contaminated water, Cryptosporidiosis, Cryptosporidium, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Raw Milk, Uncategorized, Water, water microbiology