Ceredigion, Wales, U.K.-based pet food company Homeland By Products Ltd. has recalled three batches of its frozen raw pet food in 500-gram package sizes, all with the best before date May 2020, after Salmonella was found in the products
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Malaysia – EC apologises for food poisoning incident affecting Balik Pulau Polytechnic students
BALIK PULAU: The Election Commission (EC) has extended its apologies to the 87 students who came down with food poisoning during a voter educational programme at the Balik Pulau Polytechnic on Wednesday (July 24).
EC chairman Azhar Azizan Harun said the state Health Department was investigating the incident.
USA – CDC: Domestically acquired Cyclospora spikes to 580 ill
What’s the connection? Some clusters linked to restaurants and some clusters linked to basil.
The number of reported cases of domestically acquired cyclosporiasis has increased from the previous month and remains elevated in the United States since May 1, 2019.
As of July 23, 2019, 580 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis were reported to CDC by 30 states, District of Columbia and New York City in people who became ill since May 1, 2019 and who had no history of international travel during the 14-day period before illness onset.The median illness onset date was June 24, 2019 (range: May 3—July 13, 2019).
At least 38 people were hospitalized; no deaths were reported.
Research (USA) – Leafy Greens With Listeria Sold at Major Supermarkets
A new Consumer Reports test of 284 samples of fresh greens—such as lettuce, spinach, and kale—found six samples tainted with Listeria monocytogenes, a potentially deadly bacteria. The samples were purchased at several grocery store chains including Acme, Costco, Hannaford, and Whole Foods.
Two of these samples were packaged, prewashed greens—a spinach and an organic spinach-spring mix. The other four were loose heads or bunches of green kale, green leaf lettuce, red leaf lettuce, and spinach.
“While it may not be surprising to find listeria in a small percentage of leafy green products that are tested, it is always concerning to find bacteria that can make people sick in foods that aren’t meant to be cooked,” says Karen Wong, M.D., medical officer in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Enteric Diseases Epidemiology Branch.
CR’s study represents a snapshot of the market and was not large enough to draw conclusions about the safety of specific brands or retailers.
USA – Minnesota Cyclospora Outbreak: Three Restaurants Named by MDH
The Minnesota Department of Health has identified 35 lab-confirmed cases of cyclospora that are associated with three Minnesota restaurants in different areas of the state. Basil is implicated in these illnesses, according to Doug Schultz, Information Officer for the DOH. This Minnesota cyclospora outbreak may be linked to the multistate cyclospora outbreak announced by the FDA yesterday, but we don’t know for sure. In the multi-state outbreak, 132 people in 11 states are sick.
This parasite is endemic to tropical and sub-tropical regions around the globe. People usually get sick when they visit those areas. But the parasite has made its way to the U.S. through contaminated produce. Previous outbreaks have been linked to raspberries, mesclun, cilantro, and basil.
USA – Animal Feed Recalled Due to Aflatoxin Test Results Exceeding FDA Action Levels
In May, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted information about one company’s voluntary recall of 14 animal feed products produced in late 2018 and early 2019. The products were produced for consumption by everything from cows and horses to sheep and poultry.
According to the recall notice, the feed manufacturer first learned of the issue when it received notification from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture of test results showing that a single lot of a specific product contained elevated levels of aflatoxin. The recall involved products manufactured and sold in the eastern United States. These products were removed from retail shelves earlier this year and the company reports no adverse health effects to animals had been reported at the time of the recall notice.
USA – Maryland reports 37 cyclospora cases in past two weeks
Maryland state health officials report investigating an increase in Cyclospora cases in recent weeks from areas across the state. Thirty-seven of the 42 lab-confirmed cases reported between Jan.1 and July 20 have been reported over the last two weeks, part of an overall recent rise in reported cyclosporiasis cases in other parts of the U.S.
The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) is working with local, state and federal health officials to investigate the increase. No specific source for these cases has been identified.
USA – 10 Sick in Chesterfield Legionnaires’ Disease Outbreak
Image CDC
A press release from the Virginia Department of Health announced that 10 people are sick in Chesterfield, Virginia in a Legionnaires’ Disease outbreak. The 10 confirmed illnesses are more cases then the county sees during the summer, which is usually 3 cases. Due to this outbreak, a Chesterfield school was forced to close. The health department is working with the CDC to identify the outbreak source.
USA – Taco Spice recalled over Salmonella
Williams Foods LLC has initiated a voluntary and precautionary recall of the following items:
| Item number | Product Name | Package Size | Product UPC | Product dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 564829444 | Great Value Mild Taco Seasoning Mix | 1 oz | 0 78742 24572 0 | Best if used by 07/08/21 Best if used by 07/09/21 |
| 050215 | HEB Taco Seasoning Mix Reduced Sodium | 1.25 oz | 0 41220 79609 0 | Better by 07/10/21 Better by 07/11/21 Better by 07/15/21 |
These items contain cumin spice involved in a recall initiated by our supplier, Mincing Spice Co. Mincing has issued a recall for a specific lot of cumin they produced because a sample from that lot was tested by one of Mincing’s customers and was found to be potentially contaminated with Salmonella.
USA – FDA Suspends Topway/Kazy’s Gourmet Food Facility Registration
Last week Food Poisoning Bulletin told you about the FDA warning retailers in Texas and Louisiana to stop selling Topway/Kazy’s Gourmet salmon and tuna for sushi for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. On July 22, 2019, the FA suspended the food facility registration of the company, after seizure sanitation issues were found at that venue. Inspectors found Listeria monocytogenes bacteria in that facility.
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