Category Archives: Uncategorized

USA -Cheese recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on October 8, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

Consider Bardwell Farm has reported Listeria contamination in its raw milk cheese.

Consider Bardwell Farm reported to state and federal authorities that it had found Listeria monocytogenes,

E.B. Flory, the dairy section chief at the state Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets said Oct. 7 that the contamination was found through routine testing and none of the contaminated cheese reached any market.

Consider Bardwell sells its raw cow and goat milk cheese at several stores in New York City, and at stores in Dorset and West Pawlet. Whole Foods markets issued its own recall notice for the company’s Dorset cheese for its stores in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Maine, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. The FDA said the products were also distributed in California and Texas.

Consider Bardwell, which makes the cheese on its 300-acre farm in Vermont and New York, said in a statement that it was working to recall and account for all Dorset, Slyboro and Experience cheeses aged in the farm’s washed rind cave.

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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

Research – Hepatitis E virus genotype 3 strains and a plethora of other viruses detected in raw and still in tap water

Posted on October 8, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Science Direct

In this study, next generation sequencing was used to explore the virome in 20L up to 10,000L water from different purification steps at two Swedish drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs), and in tap water. One DWTP used ultrafiltration (UF) with 20 nm pores, the other UV light treatment after conventional treatment of the water. Viruses belonging to 26 different families were detected in raw water, in which 6–9 times more sequence reads were found for phages than for known environmental, plant or vertebrate viruses. The total number of viral reads was reduced more than 4-log10 after UF and 3-log10 over UV treatment. However, for some viruses the reduction was 3.5-log10 after UF, as for hepatitis E virus (HEV), which was also detected in tap water, with sequences similar to those in raw water and after treatment. This indicates that HEV had passed through the treatment and entered into the supply network. However, the viability of the viruses is unknown. In tap water 10–130 International Units of HEV RNA/mL were identified, which is a comparable low amount of virus. The risk of getting infected through consumption of tap water is probably negligible, but needs to be investigated. The HEV strains in the waters belonged to subtypes HEV3a and HEV3c/i, which is associated with unknown source of infection in humans infected in Sweden. None of these subtypes are common among pigs or wild boar, the major reservoirs for HEV, indicating that water may play a role in transmitting this virus. The results indicate that monitoring small fecal/oral transmitted viruses in DWTPs may be considered, especially during community outbreaks, to prevent potential transmission by tap water.

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Posted in Contaminated water, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Virus, Hepatitis E, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Uncategorized, Virus, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

Europe -E. coli and Listeria concerns prompt cheese recall in five countries

Posted on October 8, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Raw cow’s milk cheese distributed to at least five European countries has been recalled due to possible E. coli and Listeria contamination.

A warning was issued by German authorities about E. coli O26:H11 and Listeria monocytogenes in the raw cow’s milk Bethmale cheese from France. There have been no illnesses linked to the recall.

Affected cheese has also been distributed to Austria, Belgium, Spain and Switzerland, according to the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF).

Recalled Moulis cremier cheese

The French company Le Moulis SAS recalled products with the names “Moulis vache, Moulis vache prestige” and “Bethmale de marterat” due to Listeria. The items have lot numbers 19163112, 19170119, 19177126, 19184103, 19191110, 19199118 and 19205124 plus best before dates Nov. 29, Dec. 1, 5, 8, 13, 20 and 22, 2019. They have the product code FR 09.214.001.CE.

The firm, based in Luzenac, Moulis in France, also recalled “Moulis vache and Moulis vache prestige” with batch number 19228116 and dates Dec. 20 and 27, 2019 due to Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) concerns. The items can be identified by the number FR 09.214.001 CE on the pack.

Spanish authority’s warning

The Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) issued an alert on certain batches of the raw cow’s milk cheese.

Recalled Le Moulis cheese

Distribution in Spain includes “Moulis cremier” with lot number 19163112 and expiry date Dec. 1, 2019; “Moulis Vache” with lot number 19199118 and expiry date Dec 5, 2019 and “Bethmale de Marterat Vache” with lot number 19199118 and expiry date Dec. 20, 2019.

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Posted in E.coli O26, 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, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Uncategorized

Canada – E.coli outbreak reported in Newfoundland and Labrador

Posted on October 7, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today ecoli

Health officials in Newfoundland and Labrador are reporting an E. coli outbreak in the province. The Department of Health and Community Services advises that there have been 22 confirmed cases of E.coli in the province this week, and Public Health officials within the department, as well as the regional health authorities are working with Service NL to investigate.

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Posted in E.coli, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Uncategorized

USA – E. coli Outbreak at Acapulco Mexican Restaurant in Andover, MN

Posted on October 7, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

CDC E.coli

Image CDC

An E. coli outbreak at the Acapulco Mexican Restaurant in Andover, Minnesota has been confirmed by Doug Schultz, Information and Communications Officer for the Minnesota Department of Health. He said, “We are investigating a cluster of STEC cases that ate at the Andover location.” That restaurant is located at 13753 Ibis St NW in Andover.

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Posted in E.coli, food bourne outbreak, 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, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Uncategorized

Singapore – King Arthur Flour Unbleached All-Purpose Flour due to the potential presence of E. coli O26

Posted on October 7, 2019 by | Leave a comment

SFA

Recall of King Arthur Flour Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
The United States of America Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has
published an alert on the recall of King Arthur Flour Unbleached All-Purpose Flour due
to the potential presence of E. coli O26.
2 As there is import of the implicated product into Singapore, the Singapore Food
Agency (SFA) has directed the sole importer, Cold Storage, to recall the product. The
recall is completed.
3 Consumers who have purchased the affected product should not consume it.
They may contact Cold Storage at 1800 8918 100 for enquiries or exchange of the
product.

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

USA – Hepatitis A “hat trick” – food service workers in Virginia, Indiana and Georgia putting patrons at risk

Posted on October 7, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

Virginia: According to the Peninsula Health District, people who consumed food from Mr. C’s Pizza & Subs, located at 493 Wythe Creek Road, between September 12 through 21, September 30 and October 1 may have been exposed to the disease.

The PHD said risk to the public from this exposure is low, and there is no indication of any food products at this restaurant being the source of the infection.

If you have not been previously vaccinated and have never had hepatitis A, you are susceptible to the disease, and may be at risk if you ate anything from Mr. C’s Pizza & Subs on the dates mentioned above. Hepatitis A vaccines are available at various urgent care clinics and pharmacies and can be received at the PHD for free or at a reduced cost.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Uncategorized, Virus, Virus Vaccination

USA – Four Sick with Scombroid After Eating Mical Seafood Tuna Products

Posted on October 7, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Four people are sick since 10/01/2019 with scombroid poisoning after eating Mical Seafood tuna. The company is voluntarily recalling frozen, wild-caught yellowfin tuna poke cubes, tuna loins, tuna ground meat, and 6 ounce tuna steaks because they may have elevated histamine levels. This is the third time in about the last month that yellowfin tuna products have been associated with scombroid poisoning.

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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 Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Histamine, Scombroid, scombroid poisoning, Uncategorized

USA – Cornerstone Premium Foods Voluntarily Recalls Frozen Blackberries Due to Possible Health Risk of Norovirus

Posted on October 7, 2019 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Cornerstone Premium Foods of Syracuse, New York is recalling a specific lot of product containing frozen blackberries (noted below) due to the potential of being contaminated with Norovirus. FDA testing of frozen blackberries was reported to have tested positive for Norovirus.

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus. Consumption of product contaminated with Norovirus may cause acute onset of symptoms of gastroenteritis including severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Less common symptoms are low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. Although most symptoms end within 48 hours, the elderly, young children and immunocompromised persons may develop prolonged, or more severe symptoms.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this recall. Impacted retailers have removed these products from store shelves. The FDA and the company continue to investigate the source of the issue.

Specific lot information is as follows:

Product

UPC Code

Lot Number

Expiry Date

Distribution Dates
16 oz Cornerstone Frozen Blackberries 8 55104 00765 9 GC 1 1092 9 April, 2021 4/2/2019-8/7/2019

Consumers who have purchased the products are urged to destroy or urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Cornerstone Premium Foods at 1-800-333-0949, Monday – Friday, 8:00AM – 5:00PM EST.

This product was sold to various retailers in NY, MA, PA, ME, FL, AL, WI, CT, and WV.

Label, Cornerstone Frozen Blackberries

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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, Food Virus, Norovirus, Uncategorized, Virus

Canada – Food Recall Warning – President’s Choice brand Lower Iron milk based powdered infant formula recalled due to Cronobacter spp.

Posted on October 7, 2019 by | Leave a comment

CFIA 

Recall details

Ottawa, October 6, 2019 – Loblaw Companies Limited is recalling President’s Choice brand Lower Iron milk based powdered infant formula from the marketplace due to possible Cronobacter spp. contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below.

Recalled products

Brand Product Size UPC Codes
President’s Choice Lower Iron milk based powdered infant formula 900 g 0 60383 69839 3 EXP 2021 AU 29

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 Cronobacter may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Although Cronobacter is not commonly linked to human illness, in rare cases it can cause serious or fatal infections. Cronobacter can cause rare bloodstream and central nervous system infections and has been associated with severe intestinal infection (necrotizing enterocolitis) and blood poisoning (sepsis), especially in newborns.

Background

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

  • President's Choice: Lower Iron milk based powdered infant formula - 900 grams

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Posted in CFIA, Cronobacter sakazakii, 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