Category Archives: Uncategorized

USA – SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM OUTBREAK ASSOCIATED WITH RESTAURANT ‘A’ ELKO, NEVADA

Posted on October 9, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

Between Friday, March 8, 2019 and Monday, March 11, 2019 OPHIE received 12 Salmonella positive laboratory reports from Hospital A in Elko. Case interviews were conducted to obtain symptomology, onset dates, potential exposures, incubation period and other information. EHS was notified of the increasing frequency of Salmonella reports. By 3:00 PM on March 11, 2019 five (5) interviews had been completed revealing that all five (5) cases had dined at Restaurant A in Elko and reported consuming “sunny side up” eggs. EHS inspectors were notified of the findings and subsequently inspected Restaurant A on the same day.

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

USA -Coconut product from The Philippines recalled for Salmonella

Posted on October 9, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Hayward, CA-based Global Commodities Corporation, has recalled one lot of Buenas Brand frozen grated coconut, a product of The Philippines.

California Department of Public Health testing found Salmonella may be contaminating the coconut product. Northern California retail locations received the coconut starting in February 2018.

Global Commodities ordered the recall in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Here’s the identifying information for the recalled product:

PRODUCT NAME: GRATED COCONUT

BRAND NAME: BUENAS, DESCRIPTION: FROZEN GRATED COCONUT,

UPC: 4806514650443,

LOT NUMBER: 10BAAGA; 16 oz.

PACKAGING: PLASTIC BAG,

ORIGIN: PRODUCT OF THE PHILIPPINES.

Retailers should remove the recalled product from their shelves and return it to Global for property credit.

Salmonella is an organism that can cause severe and sometimes fatal infections especially in young children, frail or older adults, and others with weakened immune systems

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

USA – Lipari Foods Issues Recall of Ham & Cheese Wedge Sandwiches Due to Potential Contamination of Listeria Monocytogenes

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FDA Premo Ham and Cheese Sandwich Wedge

Lipari Foods has issued a voluntary recall of Premo Ham & Cheese Wedge Sandwiches and Fresh Grab Ham & Cheese Wedge 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, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The affected product can be identified by:

Brand

Product

Lipari #

Pack / Size

Best By Date

Lot #

UPC
Premo Wedge Ham & Cheese On Wheat 915509 4 / 5 oz. 10/17/19 24201909 612510002001
Fresh Grab Wedge Ham & Cheese On Wheat 252646 56 / 5 oz. 10/17/19 24201909 612510002001

Lipari Foods is expanding its recall from 10/2/19 to include one lot of Ham & Cheese Wedge Sandwiches produced by JLM Manufacturing due to potential contamination of Listeria monocytogenes. The potential for contamination of this particular lot was brought to our attention during an FDA investigation of the previous recall. No illnesses have been reported to date in relation to this recall.

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

Malaysia – 21 still warded after food poisoning at Malay Dignity Congress

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Malay Mail

SHAH ALAM, Oct 7 — Twenty One of the 197 university students who suffered food poisoning at the Malay Dignity Congress here yesterday are still being treated at hospitals.

Selangor Health director Datuk Dr. Khalid Ibrahim said 20 students were treated at Tuanku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital, Klang while another was in Serdang Hospital.

“The rest of the students were allowed to return home and they were in stable condition.

“Before this, the students were treated at the Emergency Department of Tuanku Rahimah Hospital in Klang, Shah Alam Hospital, Serdang Hospital and KPJ Selangor Specialist Hospital,” he said in a statement today.

He said initial investigations found the first case of food poisoning broke out at 10 am yesterday and the last case was reported at 3pm yesterday believed to be due to eating contaminated nasi lemak.

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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 Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Uncategorized

Canada – Updated Food Recall Warning – Ryding-Regency Meat Packers Ltd. brand raw beef products recalled due to E. coli O157:H7

Posted on October 9, 2019 by | Leave a comment

CFIA CIFA

Recall details

Ottawa, October 8, 2019 – The food recall warning issued on October 4, 2019 has been updated to include additional product information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation.

Ryding-Regency Meat Packers Ltd. (EST. 99) is recalling Ryding-Regency Meat Packers Ltd. brand raw beef products from the marketplace due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. Food service establishments, retailers, distributors and manufacturers should not serve, use, or sell the recalled products described in the link above.

Background

This recall was triggered by the CFIA’s inspection activities. 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

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

Related recalls

2019-10-07 – Various raw beef and raw veal products recalled due to E. coli O157:H7

2019-10-06 – The Beef Boutique Ltd. brand raw beef products recalled due to E. coli O157:H7

2019-10-04 – Ryding-Regency Meat Packers Ltd. brand raw beef products recalled due to E. coli O157:H7

2019-10-03 – Ryding-Regency Meat Packers Ltd. brand raw beef products recalled due to E. coli O157:H7

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Posted in CFIA, 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, Uncategorized

Canada – Updated Food Recall Warning – Certain chicken products recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on October 9, 2019 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

Recall details

Ottawa, October 8, 2019 – The food recall warning issued on October 4, 2019 has been updated to include additional product and distribution information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation.

Industry is recalling certain products containing diced chicken from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination of the diced chicken used to make these products. Consumers should not consume and distributors, retailers and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals and nursing homes should not sell or use the recalled product described below.

Recalled products

Brand Name Common Name Size UPC Code(s) on Product Additional Info
The Kitchen – Prepared for Longo’s Chicken Caesar Penne Salad 300g 7 76393 55958 5 2019 OC 09
2019 OC 15		 Distribution
Ontario

Background

This recall was triggered by the CFIA’s surveillance activities following an investigation into a foodborne illness outbreak. 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

Imported diced chicken used in these products has been associated with an outbreak investigation, however, at this time, there have been no confirmed illnesses associated with the products identified in this Food Recall Warning.

Related recalls

2019-10-04 – Certain chicken products recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

2019-10-03 – Certain products containing diced chicken recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

2019-10-02 – Certain sandwiches and in-store made chicken salads recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

2019-10-01 – Various Gordon Choice brand frozen, diced chicken products recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

2019-10-01 – Certain Quality Fast Foods brand Sandwiches recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

2019-10-01 – Certain Sandwiches recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

2019-10-01 – Certain Deli Chef brand Sandwiches recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

2019-09-30 – Various imported cooked diced chicken meat products recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

2019-09-27 – Various cooked diced chicken meat products recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

2019-08-23 – Rosemount brand cooked diced chicken recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

2019-08-21 – Reuven International Ltd brand Natural Proportion Cooked Chicken Meat (Diced) and Sysco brand Natural Proportions Cooked Shredded Chicken recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

2019-08-18 – Rosemount brand cooked diced chicken meat recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

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

USA – Update: Tip Top Poultry, Inc. Recalls Ready-To-Eat Poultry Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

Posted on October 9, 2019 by | Leave a comment

USDA USDA

Editor’s Note, Oct. 8, 2019: This release is being updated to alert consumers that the recalled ready-to-eat poultry products were used in additional products. Some of the products may have been served from the deli counter in grocery stores. A list of retailers can be found in the linked spreadsheet. Additional labels have also been made available here.  FSIS will update the retailer list and labels as more information becomes available. Some products that may have been affected by this recall are listed on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) website at https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts.

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

Research – Fate of Spoilage and Pathogenic Microorganisms in Acidified Cold-Filled Hot Pepper Sauces

Posted on October 8, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Journal of Food Protection

ABSTRACT

Consumption of spicy foods and hot sauces is currently a popular trend worldwide. Shelf-stable acidified sauces are commonly hot-filled to ensure commercial sterility, but cold-fill-hold processes might also be suitable if microbial safety and stability are ensured. For this study, model acidified hot pepper sauces were developed and characterized. The effects of sauce pH and of two different organic acids on the survival of Pichia manshurica and Lactobacillus curvatus isolated from contaminated commercial hot sauces and on pathogenic Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enterica, and Listeria monocytogenes were assessed. Full factorial designs with three levels for pH (3.2, 3.5, and 3.9) and two for organic acid (citric and acetic) were used to determine the effects of these factors and their interactions on the survival of the microorganisms. Commercially sterile sauces were independently inoculated and kept at ambient temperature. Microbial counts were determined at different sampling times, depending on the treatment evaluated. Sauces acidified to pH 3.2 with citric or acetic acid were inoculated with cocktails of five strains or serotypes of the three pertinent pathogens, and inactivation curves were determined. Trials were performed in triplicate. A greater than 5-log reduction of P. manshurica and L. curvatus was achieved in less than 6 h in sauces adjusted to pH 3.2 with acetic acid. Greater than 5-log reductions of pathogenic bacteria were achieved 0.5 h after inoculation in sauces acidified to pH 3.2 with acetic acid. In contrast, at least 48 h was required to guarantee the same inactivation for the most tolerant pathogen when citric acid was used. Thus, a cold-fill-hold process may be a suitable alternative for acidified hot pepper sauces. Based on survival of the microorganisms evaluated in this study, microbial safety and stability can be achieved by adjusting the pH to 3.2 or less by the addition of acetic acid.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • pH and acidifier influence safety and stability of cold-filled acidified sauces.

  • Safe and stable cold-filled sauces were obtained at pH 3.2 with acetic acid.

  • Results help establish science-based conditions for cold-filled products.

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Technology, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Research, Salmonella, Technology, Uncategorized

Canada -Updated Food Recall Warning – Various raw beef and raw veal products recalled due to E. coli O157:H7

Posted on October 8, 2019 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

Recall details

Ottawa, October 7, 2019 – The food recall warning issued on October 6, 2019 has been updated to include additional product information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation.

Industry is recalling various raw beef and raw veal products from the marketplace due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. Consumers should not consume and distributors, retailers and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals and nursing homes should not sell or use the recalled products described in the link above.

Background

This recall was triggered by the CFIA’s inspection activities. 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

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

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Posted in CFIA, E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food contamination, 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, Uncategorized

USA -The J. M. Smucker Company Issues Voluntary Recall of Specific Lots of Robin Hood® All Purpose Flour Distributed and Sold in the U.S. Only

Posted on October 8, 2019 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Company Announcement

Out of an abundance of caution, The J. M. Smucker Company today announced a voluntary recall of specific lots of Robin Hood® All Purpose Flour distributed and sold in the U.S. due to possible E. coli contamination. This recall does not impact any Robin Hood® items sold in Canada.

No other items manufactured by The J. M. Smucker Company, including other Robin Hood® products distributed and sold in the U.S. or Canada, are impacted by this issue. No illnesses related to this issue have been reported to date.

The impacted products are as follows:

Product Name

UPC Code – Case

UPC Code – Item

Lot Codes

Best if Used By Dates
Robin Hood® All Purpose Flour (5 lb) 0 51500 18010 2 0 51500 18010 5 8350 513
8351 513
8354 513
8355 513		 6/16/2020
6/17/2020
6/20/2020
6/21/2020

These products were distributed by The J. M. Smucker Company to a variety of retailers in the U.S.

Consumers who have impacted product should stop using the products and should dispose of them. If consumers have questions or have products covered by this recall, they should email the Company by completing this formExternal Link Disclaimer or calling 888-569-6728, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET.

The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O26, FDA, 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, Uncategorized