Category Archives: Uncategorized

USA – Kale Chicken Caesar Pasta Sold at Fresh Market Recalled

Posted on October 4, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

The Fresh Market is recalling Kale Chicken Caesar Pasta that is sold by the pound in their full service deli case, and pre-packaged in the self-service deli case for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. This recall was prompted by a supplier recall of one of the ingredients used in this product. The supplier is Freshway Foods. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this issue.

All of the products have been removed from stores and destroyed, but consumers probably purchased this product before the recall was issued and may have it in their home refrigerator or freezer.

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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

Singapore -SFA recalls live mussels from France due to high E. coli bacteria levels

Posted on October 4, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Straits Times

 

Live mussels from France have been taken off the shelves due to high levels of bacteria found in them.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said in a statement on Wednesday (Oct 2) that the European Commission Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed has recalled Moule Bouchot “morisseau”, which are live mussels, because of a high count of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria.

As the mussels were imported from France into Singapore, SFA directed the importer, Elite Fine Food, to recall the product.

 

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Posted in E.coli, 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

Europe – Epidemiological update: Multi-country outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections linked to Polish eggs

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ECDC

Since the joint ECDC-EFSA rapid outbreak assessment ’Multi-country outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections linked to Polish eggs’ published on 12 December 2017, 15 EU/EEA countries (Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Sweden and United Kingdom) have reported 336 confirmed, 94 probable and 3 new historical-confirmed cases associated with this ongoing multi-country outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis in the EU/EEA. In the same period, seven historical probable cases were reclassified as excluded.

Overall, 1 412 cases have been found associated with this outbreak: 532 confirmed and 166 probable cases since 1 February 2017 and 343 historical-confirmed and 367 historical-probable cases between 2012 and 31 January 2017. In addition, no dates have been reported for four outbreak-confirmed cases, so they are unclassifiable as current or historical cases (Table 1).

Table 1. Distribution of cases by case classification and country, EU/EEA, February 2012 to November 2018 (n=1 420; 4 cases missing date of onset or sampling or receipt at reference laboratory), as of 12 November 2018

Reporting country Confirmed cases Probable cases Historical-confirmed cases Probable-confirmed cases Total number of cases
Belgium 0 46 14 127 187
Croatia 0 0 4 0 4
Czech Republic 0 6 0 3 9
Denmark 16 0 6 2 24
Finland 0 0 0 1 1
France 21 0 8 0 29
Greece 0 0 0 2 2
Hungary 0 29 0 5 34
Ireland 12 0 4 4 20
Ireland 1 0 0 0 1
Italy 0 12 1 19 32
Luxembourg 4 0 5 0 9
Netherlands 8 25 90 164 287
Norway 22 18 11 32 83
Poland 25 0 0 0 25
Slovenia 0 7 3 0 10
Sweden 11 20 12 2 45
United Kingdom 412 3 185 6 606
Total 532 166 343 367 1408
              698                 710

 

Most outbreak cases were reported during the summer months (Figure 1). Due to reporting delays, additional cases are expected to be reported with onset in recent months.

A total of 112 confirmed or historical-confirmed cases were reported with travel history in an EU country during the incubation period and therefore were likely infected there. Countries where infections likely took place were Poland (25 cases identified from 2016 to 2018), Bulgaria (22 cases from 2015 to 2018), Cyprus (14 cases in 2016 and 2018), Portugal (11 cases from 2015 to 2017) and Hungary (10 cases from 2016 to 2018). Additional travel-associated cases were also reported (<10 cases per country) with travel history to Austria, Belgium, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia and Spain.

Figure 1. Distribution of cases by month of onset* and case classification (n=1 412; 4 cases missing any date of report), EU/EEA, January 2012 to October 2018, as of 12 November 2018

Salmonella Enteritidis - Distribution of cases by month of onset* and case classification (n=1 412; 4 cases missing any date of report), EU/EEA, January 2012 to October 2018, as of 12 November 2018
 *: month of sampling or month of receipt by the reference laboratory if month of onset is not available.

The 2016 and 2017 European outbreak investigations identified eggs originating from Poland as the vehicle of infection in this outbreak (ECDC/EFSA rapid outbreak assessments published in March and December 2017). Outbreak-confirmed cases belong to four different WGS clusters.

Assessment

As reported in the previous ECDC/EFSA rapid outbreak assessment, in 2016 and 2017, evidence from epidemiological, microbiological, environmental and tracing investigations identified eggs originating from Poland as the vehicle of infections in this multi-strain outbreak. Control measures were implemented following these investigations. However, new outbreak cases were notified in 2017 and in 2018 with similar magnitude and temporal patterns. Based on the analysis of the travel-associated cases, it is likely that more countries where molecular typing is not performed routinely for human S. Enteritidis isolates are affected by the outbreak, including Bulgaria, Cyprus and Portugal.

Actions

ECDC monitors the occurrence of human cases associated with this threat and offers sequencing services for countries reporting probable cases of human S. Enteritidis isolates with MLVA profile 2-9-7-3-2 or 2-9-6-3-2 or
2-9-10-3-2 or 2-10-6-3-2 or 2-10-8-3-2 or 2-11-8-3-2. EU/EEA countries should consider interviewing new outbreak-confirmed cases.

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

USA – E.A. Sween Announces Product Recalls Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

Posted on October 4, 2019 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Company Announcement

E.A. Sween Company announced the recall of multiple products due to possible contamination of Listeria monocytogenes, 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.

Tip Top Poultry, Inc., initiated a recall and is an ingredient provider to two of E.A. Sween’s suppliers, The Suter Company, Inc. that provides chicken salad products and Baja Foods LLC that provides burritos, to the company. To date, we have not received any reported illnesses related to this organism.

Retailers have been instructed to remove affected products from store shelves and inventory immediately. Customer partners with questions are asked to call our Customer Service hotline at 1-800-328-8184 and select #6 for information and refund instructions.

Affected product could have been delivered in the Continental U.S., Hawaii and Guam through convenience stores and grocery and mass retail outlets. Consumers may return the affected product to the store where it was purchased for a full refund or exchange. If the product has been consumed, please call our Consumer Hotline, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CST at 1-800-328-8184 and select #5.

E.A. Sween is taking this action out of caution for the safety of our consumers.

Label, Deli Express Chicken Salad Wedge

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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

USA – Secondary Listeria Recalls Issued For Tip Top Chicken Products

Posted on October 4, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

A number of secondary recalls for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination have been made for consumer products made with Tip Top frozen diced cooked ready-to-eat chicken. That company recalled its products that were made between January 21, 2019 and September  24, 2019. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with any of these recalls.

We are collecting the recalls all in one place so you can stay informed and up to date. There is zero tolerance for Listeria monocytogenes bacteria in any ready-to-eat product in the United States. This pathogen can cause serious illness in the elderly, the very young, people with compromised immune systems, and pregnant women.

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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

Canada – Food Recall Warning – Certain sandwiches and in-store made chicken salads recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on October 4, 2019 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

Recall details

Ottawa, October 2, 2019 – Sobey’s Inc. is recalling certain sandwiches and in-store made chicken salads from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination of the diced chicken used to make these products.  Consumers should not consume the recalled products described in the link above.

The following chicken salad products have been sold in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Northwest Ontario.  The following Chicken & Bacon Caesar Tortilla product has been sold in Hudson News stores in airports in Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta only.

Background

This recall was triggered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) 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.

Product photos

Printer ready version of photos

  • None - Chicken & Bacon Caesar Tortilla
  • None - Chicken & Bacon Caesar Tortilla (1 unit)
  • IGA - Chicken Salad In-Store made

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

Canada – Updated Food Recall Warning – Certain Longo’s brand chicken gyros wrap sandwiches containing chicken recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on October 4, 2019 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

Recall details

Ottawa, October 2, 2019 – The food recall warning issued on September 30, 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.

Longo’s is recalling chicken gyros wrap sandwiches from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination of the chicken used to make these products.  Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.

Recalled products

Brand Name Common Name Size UPC Code(s) on Product
Longo’s Chicken Gyros Wraps (cold protein case) NA NA All codes up to and including BB OCT 04, 2019
Longo’s Chicken Gyros Wraps with two sides NA NA All codes up to and including BB OCT 04, 2019

Background

This recall was triggered by 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 products from the marketplace.

Illnesses

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

Related recalls

2019-09-30 – Glacial Treasure brand frozen chicken products 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 Microbiology Research, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Uncategorized

Research – Antifungal Activity of Selected Natural Preservatives against Aspergillus westerdijkiae and Penicillium verrucosum and the Interactions of These Preservatives with Food Components

Posted on October 3, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Journal of Food Protection

ABSTRACT

The present study examined the influence of primary food components on the antifungal activity of the essential oil of Origanum vulgare, carvacrol, thymol, eugenol, and trans-cinnamaldehyde against Penicillium verrucosum and Aspergillus westerdijkiae. The MIC was determined in food model media enriched with proteins (1, 5, or 10%), carbohydrates (1, 4, or 6%), or oil (1, 5, or 10%). Proteins increased the antifungal activity of O. vulgare essential oil, carvacrol, thymol, and eugenol, whereas the effect of trans-cinnamaldehyde decreased with increasing protein content. The presence of carbohydrates diminished the inhibitory effect of the natural preservatives on A. westerdijkiae; for P. verrucosum, their inhibitory effect increased with carbohydrates. Only the antifungal activity of trans-cinnamaldehyde did not depend on the carbohydrate content. The presence of oil had the strongest influence. At a concentration of 1% oil, the antifungal activity decreased significantly, and at 10% oil, almost no inhibition was observed. To investigate the effect of the antifungal agents on the morphology of the target molds, they were grown on malt extract agar containing carvacrol and trans-cinnamaldehyde and were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The hyphae, conidiophores, vesicles, and phialides were severely altered and deformed, and spore formation was clearly suppressed.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • The antifungal activity of natural preservatives is influenced by the food matrix.

  • Proteins increase the impact of O. vulgare EO, carvacrol, thymol, and eugenol.

  • Carbohydrates diminish the inhibition of natural preservatives on A. westerdijkiae.

  • In the presence of oil, natural inhibitors lose their antifungal effect.

  • Carvacrol and trans-cinnamaldehyde lead to distorted hyphae and loss of sporulation.

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Technology, microbial contamination, Microbiology, mold, Moulds, Research, Technology, Uncategorized

Research – Inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella enterica under High Hydrostatic Pressure: A Quantitative Analysis of Existing Literature Data

Posted on October 3, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Journal of Food Protection

ABSTRACT

High hydrostatic pressure processing (HPP) is a mild preservation technique, and its use for processing foods has been widely documented in the literature. However, very few quantitative synthesis studies have been conducted to gather and analyze bacterial inactivation data to identify the mechanisms of HPP-induced bacterial inactivation. The purpose of this study was to conduct a quantitative analysis of three-decimal reduction times (t3δ) from a large set of existing studies to determine the main influencing factors of HPP-induced inactivation of three foodborne pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella enterica) in various foods. Inactivation kinetics data sets from 1995 to 2017 were selected, and t3δ values were first estimated by using the nonlinear Weibull model. Bayesian inference was then used within a metaregression analysis to build and test several models and submodels. The best model (lowest error and most parsimonious) was a hierarchical mixed-effects model including pressure intensity, temperature, study, pH, species, and strain as explicative variables and significant factors. Values for t3δ and ZP associated with inactivation under HPP were estimated for each bacterial pathogen, with their associated variability. Interstudy variability explained most of the variability in t3δ values. Strain variability was also important and exceeded interstudy variability for S. aureus, which prevented the development of an overall model for this pathogen. Meta-analysis is not often used in food microbiology but was a valuable quantitative tool for modeling inactivation of L. monocytogenes and Salmonella in response to HPP treatment. Results of this study could be useful for refining quantitative assessment of the effects of HPP on vegetative foodborne pathogens or for more precisely designing costly and labor-intensive experiments with foodborne pathogens.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • A meta-analysis was performed to identify factors influencing HPP inactivation of pathogens.

  • Three-decimal reduction times following HPP were estimated from existing data.

  • Staphylococcus aureus is the most piezoresistant of the three pathogens studied.

  • These three foodborne pathogens are less HPP resistant in acidic products.

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Technology, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Research, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Technology, Uncategorized

Research – Culture-Independent Evaluation of Bacterial Contamination Patterns on Pig Carcasses at a Commercial Slaughter Facility

Posted on October 3, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Journal of Food Protection

ABSTRACT

Traditionally, the microbiological status of meat is determined by culture-based techniques, although many bacteria are not able to grow on conventional media. The aim of this study was to obtain quantitative data on total bacterial cell equivalents, as well as taxa-specific abundances, on carcass surfaces during pig slaughter using quantitative real-time PCR. We evaluated microbial contamination patterns of total bacteria, Campylobacter, Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus group, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and Pseudomonas species throughout slaughtering and on different carcass areas. In addition, we compared contamination levels of breeding sow carcasses with fattening pig carcasses, and we assessed the efficacy of carcass polishing machines under two water amount conditions. Our results demonstrate that relevant meat-spoilage organisms show similar contamination patterns to total bacteria. The highest bacterial load was detected in the stunning chute (4.08 × 105 bacterial cell equivalents per cm2) but was reduced by 3 log levels after singeing and polishing (P < 0.001). It increased again significantly by a 4.73-fold change until the classification step. Levels of Campylobacter, Lactobacillus, and Pseudomonas species and of E. coli followed a similar trend but varied between 0 and 2.49 × 104 bacterial cell equivalents per cm2. Microbial levels did not vary significantly between sampled carcass areas for any analyzed taxa. Running the polishing machine with a low water amount proved to be less prone to microbial recontamination compared with a high water amount (17.07-fold change, P = 0.024). In the studied slaughterhouse, slaughter of breeding sows did not produce microbiologically safe meat products (>104 cells per cm2) and the implementation of specific hazard analysis critical control point systems for the slaughter of breeding sows should be considered. A larger cohort from different abattoirs is needed to confirm our results and determine whether this is universally valid.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Spoilage bacteria maintain consistent populations throughout slaughtering.

  • Greater water volume during polishing creates higher bacterial populations on carcasses.

  • Microbial populations on breeding sows are higher compared with fattening pigs.

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Posted in Campylobacter, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Technology, lactic acid bacteria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pseudomonas, Research, Salmonella, Technology, Uncategorized