Category Archives: Uncategorized

Denmark – Campylobacter outbreak from chicken continues in Denmark

Posted on January 16, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News 

Almost 90 people are part of an outbreak in Denmark from Campylobacter after eating chicken meat from one slaughterhouse.

Statens Serum Institut (SSI), the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (Fødevarestyrelsen) and DTU Food – National Food Institute investigated the Campylobacter jejuni outbreak.

As part of a project this past year involving the Clinical Microbiology Department (KMA) in Aalborg, Danish Veterinary and Food Administration and SSI; Campylobacter isolates from patients diagnosed in Aalborg beginning in March 2019 were collected, sent to SSI and whole genome sequenced.

Between February 2019 and Jan. 9, 2020, 88 patients with the same type of Campylobacter have been identified. Among the sick were 35 women and 53 men aged 2 to 91 years old. The outbreak appears to be declining with fewer infections toward the end of 2019.

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Posted in Campylobacter, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Uncategorized

Information – Food Safety – People At Risk

Posted on January 16, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety.gov

Food poisoning or foodborne illness can affect anyone who eats food contaminated by bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins, or other substances, but certain people are more likely to get sick or to have a serious illness.

Know whether you’re in a group of people who are more likely to get food poisoning, and make safer choices to reduce your risk for foodborne illness.

People at risk include:

If you or someone you care for are included in one of these groups, follow our four basic steps to food safety and the additional tips included below.

Clean: Wash hands and surfaces often.

Separate: Separate raw meat and poultry from ready-to-eat food.

Cook: Cook food to the right temperature.

Chill: Chill raw meat and poultry, as well as cooked leftovers, promptly (within 2 hours).

Click on the link above for more information.

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Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Uncategorized

Information – Food Safety Charts – Food Safety During Power Outage

Posted on January 16, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety.gov

Refrigerated Food and Power Outages: When to Save It and When to Throw It Out

As the USDA notes in Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency, your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to 4 hours during a power outage. Keep the door closed as much as possible. Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers after 4 hours without power.

After a power outage never taste food to determine its safety. You will have to evaluate each item separately—use this chart  in the link above as a guide.

When in Doubt, Throw it Out!

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Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Temperature Abuse, Food Testing, Uncategorized

UK – Happy Hounds recalls frozen raw dog food products due to the presence of Salmonella

Posted on January 16, 2020 by | Leave a comment

FSA

 

Happy Hounds is recalling certain types of frozen raw dog food because salmonella has been found in the products.

Product details

Frozen Chicken & Beef Sleeve Dog Food
Pack size 1kg
Batch code 1205
Best before 3 September 2020
Frozen Chicken Mince Sleeve Dog Food
Pack size 1kg
Batch code 1205
Best before 3 September 2020
Frozen Chicken Mince Dog Food
Pack size 2.5kg (bag of 4)
Batch code 1205
Best before 3 September 2020

Risk statement

The presence of salmonella in the products listed above. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause illness in humans and animals. The product could therefore carry a potential risk because of the presence of salmonella, either through direct handling of the pet food, or indirectly, for example from pet feeding bowls, utensils or contact with the faeces of animals.

In humans, symptoms caused by salmonella usually include fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. Infected animals may not necessarily display signs of illness, but symptoms can include diarrhoea.

Action taken by the company

Happy Hounds 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.

Our advice to consumers

Our advice to pet owners: If you have bought any of the above products do not use them. Instead, return them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund. When handling and serving raw pet food it is always advised to clean utensils and feeding bowls thoroughly after use. Consumers should wash hands thoroughly after handling raw pet food, bowls, utensils or after contact with the faeces of animals. Raw pet food should be stored separately from any food (especially ready to eat foods). Care should be taken when defrosting to avoid cross contamination of foods and surfaces.

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, fsa, microbial contamination, Microbiology, raw pet food, Salmonella, Salmonella Dog Food, Uncategorized

Malaysia – Fried noodles at Johor school suspected to be the cause of food poisoning of 120 students

Posted on January 15, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Channel News Asia

JOHOR BAHRU: Fried noodles served at a Johor school are suspected to have caused 120 students to go down with food poisoning on Monday (Jan 13) with symptoms of stomach ache, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, headache and fever.

The Johor Government Religious Secondary School (SMAKJ) near Kluang, where 474 students are enrolled, had served the fried noodles for breakfast at the dining hall.

The food suspected to have caused the incident was fried noodles served at breakfast, but further investigation was still being conducted by the health office to determine the actual cause.

Clinical samples had been sent to the laboratory for analysis and the dormitory kitchen has been examined by the food safety and quality unit, Dr Aman added.

“The hostel kitchen has been ordered to temporary close under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 for the purpose of disinfection of premises and further investigation.”

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Uncategorized

France – More than 1,000 sick in France from contaminated raw shellfish

Posted on January 15, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

The number of people in France who have become ill after eating contaminated raw shellfish has jumped to more than 1,000. The outbreak has spurred international recalls.

A total of 1,033 people have been sickened and 21 needed hospital treatment, according to Santé publique France. A previous update listed the number of illnesses at 668.

Sweden, Italy and the Netherlands have all also reported outbreaks linked to live oysters from France. Products have been recalled due to a risk of norovirus contamination in Luxembourg, Switzerland, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Mats Lindblad, a communicable disease coordinator at Livsmedelsverket (National Food Agency of Sweden), said 31 people are sick in the country.

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

USA -Unlicensed Yolo restaurant fined over $100K after allegedly poisoning UC Davis students

Posted on January 15, 2020 by | Leave a comment

sacbee

An unlicensed restaurant that served college students through a Chinese app has been ordered to pay more than $100,000 after its food reportedly caused several people to fall ill.

The Yolo County District Attorney’s Office settled with Xin Jiang, owner of Anna’s Kitchen, for $106,997 in total costs and penalties on Dec. 18, according to a news release distributed Monday afternoon. Jiang will owe an additional $90,000 if he’s found operating a retail food operation without a valid county permit again.

Anna’s Kitchen targeted University of California, Davis students from China through the immensely popular Chinese app WeChat. It became the subject of a Yolo County Environmental Health Division investigation after multiple complaints from students who became sick after eating food from Anna’s Kitchen, according to the release.

The investigation found Jiang delivered hundreds of meals that weren’t kept at county-mandated hot or cold temperatures, putting customers at risk for food-borne illnesses.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Uncategorized

Canada- Food Recall Warning – Alkanater brand Tahina recalled due to Salmonella

Posted on January 15, 2020 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

Recall details

Ottawa, January 14, 2020 – Phoenicia Group Inc. is recalling Alkanater brand Tahina from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below.

The following product has been sold in Quebec and Ontario and may have been distributed in other provinces and territories.

Recalled product

Brand Product Size UPC Codes
Alkanater Tahina 454 g 6 92551 00002 0 PRO: 08/20/2018
EXP: 08/20/2020
LOT: TT4N-180820

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 product in your home. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased.

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

p>This recall was triggered by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) test results. 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 product from the marketplace.

Illnesses

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

Product photos

Printer ready version of photos

  • Alkanater - Tahina - 454 g - front
  • Alkanater - Tahina - 454 g - back

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Posted in CFIA, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Salmonella, Uncategorized

USA – Lipari Foods Issues Voluntary Recall Expansion on Additional Sandwiches Due to Potential Contamination of Listeria Monocytogenes

Posted on January 15, 2020 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Company Announcement

Lipari Foods has issued a voluntary recall expansion of additional Premo and Fresh Grab sandwiches due to potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism, which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The product was distributed exclusively by Lipari Foods in Warren, Michigan to food service and retail stores throughout Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The affected product can be identified by:

Brand Product Lipari # Size Best By Date Lot # UPC
Fresh Grab Breakfast Muffin Sandwich 252153 6 oz. 1/23/2020 03202001 612510003039
Fresh Grab Chicken & Swiss Sandwich 252204 5 oz. 1/23/2020 03202001 612510003213
Fresh Grab Turkey & Swiss Sandwich 251694 6 oz. 1/23/2020 03202001 612510001042
Premo Meat Lover’s Sub 970844 7 oz. 1/21/2020 03202001 612510093832
Premo Pub Burger 207970 5 oz. 1/23/2020 03202001 612510003015
Premo Turkey & Cheese on Pretzel Sub 996428 7 oz. 1/23/2020 03202001 612510094037
Premo Turkey & Swiss Sandwich 915537 6 oz. 1/23/2020 03202001 612510001042
Premo Turkey & Garlic Mayo Sandwich 207455 5 oz. 1/21/2020 03202001 612510088494

This recall was brought to our attention by JLM, who is expanding their recent recall to include additional sandwiches due to potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. No illnesses have been reported in relation to this recall.

Lipari Foods began shipping this product on January 3, 2020.

Consumers who have purchased these recalled products should not consume them. Consumers should discard the products or return them to the point of purchase. Consumers with questions should call Customer Service at 800-729-3354, 8:15 am – 4:30 pm, EST, Monday through Friday.

Original Recall

Product Photos

  • fresh grab Breakfast Muffin Sandwich
  • fresh grab Chicken & Swiss Sandwich
  • fresh grab Turkey & Swiss Sandwich
  • PREMO BRAND Meat Lover’s Sub
  • PREMO BRAND Pub Burger
  • PREMO BRAND Turkey & Cheese on Pretzel Sub
  • PREMO BRAND Turkey & Swiss Sandwich
  • PREMO BRAND Turkey

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Posted in FDA, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Uncategorized

Viet Nam -101 hospitalized during school trip with food poisoning

Posted on January 14, 2020 by | Leave a comment

VN Express

101 secondary school students and teachers from Tay Ninh Province traveling to neighboring HCMC were hospitalized with food poisoning on Sunday.

After picked up at 5:30 a.m., students of Chu Van An Secondary School, upon traveling to Dam Sen amusement park in HCMC, received a box of chicken sticky rice provided by the hosting travel agency.

At around 9:30 a.m., 71 students started to experience nausea, and were immediately sent to the emergency room at HCMC’s Children’s Hospital 1.

At noon, another 30 cases, including both students and teachers, were sent to HCMC’s District 11 Hospital, with similar symptoms.

In the late afternoon, 22 cases at District 11’s Hospital were released home, while the rest, including one teacher, remained.

HCMC’s health department has collected the food sample to determine the cause of the accident.

Food poisoning occurs

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Uncategorized