Category Archives: Uncategorized

India -High Aflatoxin level in milk

Posted on November 26, 2019 by | Leave a comment

All About Feed

After a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s (FSSAI) report revealed a cancer-causing substance Aflatoxin M1 in milk samples, the government in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu decided to form a high-level committee that will look into this.

The committee comprising officials from the state food safety, health, and animal husbandry departments, Tamil Nadu Co-operative Milk Producers’ Federation Limited, Tamil Nadu Veterinary, and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) and some research agencies will study the report and will also take samples to find out the reasons and how the toxin managed to enter in the animal food chain.

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

Canada – Canada reports US Romaine Lettuce may have sickened at least one Citizen – E.coli O157

Posted on November 25, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal Eurofins Food Testing UK

Although an outbreak is not occurring in Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has identified one Canadian illness with a similar genetic fingerprint to illnesses reported in the U.S. investigation.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has confirmed that romaine lettuce from the affected areas reported in the U.S. investigation is imported to Canada at this time of year. The CFIA has taken measures to protect consumers and is implementing new actions at the border to ensure that any affected romaine lettuce products are no longer being imported into Canada.

As a result of the U.S. outbreak investigation and its link to product on the Canadian market, the Public Health Agency of Canada is advising Canadians to follow the U.S. CDC’s public health advice, which advises consumers to not eat, and retailers and food service establishments to not sell or serve, any romaine lettuce harvested from the Salinas, California growing region in the U.S. Romaine lettuce harvested in Canada is not affected by this advice.

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Posted in E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, STEC, STEC E.coli, Uncategorized

Hong Kong -Not to consume romaine lettuce produced in Salinas, California, US – E.coli O157

Posted on November 25, 2019 by | Leave a comment

CFS

Issue Date 23.11.2019
Source of Information US authorities
Food Product Romaine lettuce produced in the US
Product Name and Description Product name: baby spring mix
Brand: organicgirl
Place of origin: Salinas, California, US
Net weight: 5 ounces /142 grams
Reason For Issuing Alert
  • The CFS, through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted a notice from the US Food and Drug Administration about the investigation of an outbreak of E. coli infections that was likely linked to the consumption of romaine lettuce produced in Salinas, California, which was suspected to be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.
  • For the sake of prudence, the CFS has immediately suspended the import into and sale within Hong Kong of romaine lettuce produced in the area concerned.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety
  • CFS has informed the US authorities concerned of the import suspension and alerted the trade to the incident.
  • The Centre will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action.
Advice to the Trade
  • Stop using or selling the affected batches of the products immediately if they possess them.
Advice to Consumers
  • Not to consume the affected batches of the products if they have purchased any.
Further Information The CFS press release

Members of the public may call the hotline of the importer at 2299 1133 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, STEC, STEC E.coli, Uncategorized

USA – E. coli O103 illnesses in Tennessee prompt Ground Beef Recall

Posted on November 25, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

K2D Foods, doing business as (DBA) Colorado Premium Foods, a Carrolton, Ga. establishment, is recalling approximately 113,424 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O103, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The raw ground beef items were produced on March 26, March 29, April 2, April 5, April 10, and April 12, 2019.  The following products are subject to recall:

  • Two 24-lb. vacuum-packed packages in cardboard boxes containing raw “GROUND BEEF PUCK” with “Use Thru” dates of 4/14/19, 4/17/19, 4/20/19, 4/23/19, 4/28/19, and 4/30/19.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 51308” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the boxes. These items were shipped to distributors in Port Orange, Fla. and Norcross, Ga. for further distribution to restaurants.

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O103, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, FSIS, STEC, STEC E.coli, Uncategorized

France -Cryptosporidium outbreak reported in Alpes-Maritimes, France

Posted on November 25, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today 

The Agence régionale de santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (ARS Paca) is reporting (computer translated) a Cryptosporodium outbreak in Grasse and several surrounding municipalities of the Alpes-Maritimes.

Since October 7, at least 92 cases of diarrhea caused by a parasite. There is a suspicion of contamination in the Grasse sector, supplied with water by the Foulon canal (west of the Alpes-Maritimes), which could have been contaminated following heavy rainfall.

Officials recommended as a precaution to drink only bottled water or to boil the tap water before consume it or use it to prepare food.

 

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Posted in Boil Water Notice, Contaminated water, Cryptosporidium, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Uncategorized, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

USA – Norovirus – Air Force Academy

Posted on November 25, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Gazette Norwalk_Caspid

A stomach flu has laid low 1 in every 10 cadets at the Air Force Academy since late October, and the school’s medics are working with public health authorities and reinforcements from other bases to treat the sick.

The norovirus, famed for striking those in tight living confines from cruise ships to barracks, has caused the academy to cancel some events that include large gatherings and put its janitorial staff on overtime.

 

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

Chile -Salmonella outbreak sickens dozens in Maipú, Linked to sushi

Posted on November 25, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today

A salmonella outbreak in Maipú commune in Santiago Province has now affected 80 people.

This is up from 45 cases reported ill at the El Carmen Hospital with symptoms of Salmonella on Tuesday.

Health officials have linked to outbreak to the consumption of sushi at a Bokado sushi store.

“This is an important call for the preparation of these products, they must be cooked.  They must not use salmon or raw seafood, they  must use cooked products , ” said Health Seremi, Rosa Oyarce.

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

UK -Norovirus outbreak latest: 60 schools in England hit by winter vomiting bug

Posted on November 25, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Express norovirus-1080x655

NOROVIRUS outbreaks have been reported up and down the UK resulting in dozens of school and hospital closure. A new report reveals around 60 schools in the North of England have had pupils and staff off sick. Is the winter vomiting bug set to spread?

 

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

UK -Norovirus outbreak at Lego show in Bristol leaves over 40 people ill

Posted on November 25, 2019 by | Leave a comment

NY POST

Eurofins

Image CDC

Dozens of people in the UK have been suffering from Norovirus-like symptoms after attending a huge Lego event in Bristol over the weekend.

The organisers of the Bristol Brick show say they are “devastated” and an investigation has been launched by the city’s health authorities.

Nearly 4,000 people visited the Action Indoor Sports centre to celebrate Lego, but after the event, more than 40 attendees started experiencing sickness and diarrhoea.

One Lego fan, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was not happy with the cleanliness of the venue.

He said: “The state of the place left a lot to be desired.”

“The food wasn’t great and over the weekend, the toilets weren’t well maintained, the basins didn’t work well and there was no hand sanitiser and that sort of thing.”

 

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

USA – Virus Outbreak Shuts Down 46 Colorado Schools, Is It Norovirus?

Posted on November 25, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Forbes

Food Borne Illness - Norovirus -CDC Photo

Image CDC

When the virus may be norovirus, you can’t just ignore-a-virus. That’s why over 22,000 students in Colorado will have no class.

Well, at least for today and tomorrow. Diana Sirko, PhD, the Superintendent of Schools for Mesa County Valley School District 51, has announced the closing of the entire school district through the end of this school week. That’s all 46 schools in District 51.

The reason is that hundreds of students and teachers have already gotten ill with vomiting and diarrhea. Although the cause has not yet been clearly identified yet, this sounds suspiciously like norovirus. Yes, norovirus, the virus that Aron Hall, DVM, MSPH, DACVPM, of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has called the “perfect human pathogen.”

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