Category Archives: Uncategorized

USA – If its not Cyclospora then it must be Hepatitis A – Whats happening in the USA?

Posted on July 25, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Journal

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is investigating a case of hepatitis A in a food service worker that could have led to possible exposure for restaurant customers.

An employee of Los Encinos Mexican Grill (132 W. Main Street) in Calhoun City, MS has been diagnosed with hepatitis A virus, and patrons who ate at the restaurant from July 5 to July 23 might have been exposed.

“The risk of transmission is likely low, but anyone who dined at the restaurant during that time period should consider getting a hepatitis A vaccination from their healthcare provider, pharmacy or any county health department, if they have not been previously immunized” said MSDH State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers.

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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, Hepatitis A, Uncategorized, Virus

Canada – Ryki brand Gouda Cheese Slices recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on July 25, 2019 by | Leave a comment

CFIA Ryki brand Gouda Cheese Slices

Recall details

Ottawa, July 23, 2019 – Polish Trade Center Ltd. is recalling Ryki brand Gouda Cheese Slices from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below.

Recalled products

Brand Name Common Name Size UPC Code(s) on Product
Ryki Gouda Cheese Slices 4.76 oz 5 902208 000859 C29N / 290351

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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, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Uncategorized

UK – Class 2 Medicines Recall: Bisacodyl 5mg Gastro-Resistant tablets batch 25074A (MDR 34-04/19) – Recalled Moulds

Posted on July 25, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Gov UK

Chanelle Medical is recalling the above batch because a small number of packs have been found to contain tablets which are stuck together, with mould observed on some tablets. The mould has been identified as a Penicillium species. It is unlikely that affected tablets will have got to patient level as the sticking is noticeable on opening the pack.

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, microbial contamination, Microbiology, mold, Moulds, Pharmaceutical Recall, Pharmaceutical Testing, Uncategorized

Research – E. coli superbug strains can persist in healthy women’s guts

Posted on July 25, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Science Daily

A study of over 1,000 healthy women with no urinary tract infection symptoms showed nearly 9% carried multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli strains in their guts. Additional findings highlight likely reasons behind the pandemic of resistant E. coli strains. They show the value of checking a patients’ carrier-status to predict resistant infections, and the need to re-think the clinical significance of bacteria in the urine without symptoms, because pandemic strains can be highly pathogenic to the urinary system and treatment resistant.

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Posted in E.coli, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, microbial contamination, Uncategorized

USA – Two Major Cyclospora Outbreaks – Cases Increasing

Posted on July 25, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

The Boston cyclospora outbreak has now sickened more than 100 people, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Those reports of illness have come in since May 1, 2019. In a typical year in that state, about 18 to 33 people are infected with this parasite.

Food Poisoning Bulletin

A cyclospora outbreak in Northern Virginia and the Arlington area has sickened at least 55 people, according to the Virginia Department of Health. This is a significant increase in cases reported since mid June 2019.

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

Canada – Gaia Garden Herbal Dispensary brand Gaia Balancing Tea recalled due to Salmonella

Posted on July 24, 2019 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

Recall details

Ottawa, July 23, 2019 – Gaia Garden Herbals Inc. is recalling Gaia Garden Herbal Dispensary brand Gaia Balancing Tea from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below.

Consumers who are unsure if they have purchased the affected product are advised to contact their retailer.

Recalled products

Brand Name Common Name Size UPC Code(s) on Product
Gaia Garden Herbal Dispensary Gaia Balancing Tea Variable weight None None – Sold from June 12, 2019 to July 22, 2019, inclusive

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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 – Salmonella Recall – Fennel Seeds

Posted on July 23, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

Mountain Rose Herbs (MRH) of Eugene, Oregon is recalling all sizes ranging from 4 oz. to 50 lbs. of its Fennel Seed Whole, Lot #25031, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

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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 -Elevation Foods Recalls Packaged Egg Salad, Tuna Salad, Thai Lobster Salad, and Archer Farms Deviled Egg Sandwiches Because of Possible Health Risk

Posted on July 23, 2019 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Company Announcement

Elevation Foods is voluntarily recalling containers of Archer Farms-brand egg salad; Freskëtbrand egg salad, tuna salad, and Thai lobster salad; and Archer Farms-brand deviled egg sandwiches produced on June 18, 2019 due to possible contamination with 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.

We believe fewer than 1,087 cases of product have been directly shipped to retailer warehouses throughout the United States.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

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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

UK – Tesco recalls 4 flavours of Tesco Finest Fruit Presse because of fermentation

Posted on July 23, 2019 by | Leave a comment

FSA

Tesco recalls 4 flavours of Tesco Finest Fruit Presse because of fermentation

ALERT TYPE

FOOD ALERT
22 July 2019
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Tesco is recalling four flavours of Tesco Finest Fruit Presse because fermentation has occurred in some of the bottles. This is causing spoilage of the products, and may also cause the bottles to explode.

Product details

Tesco Finest Sparkling Valencia Orange & Passion Fruit Presse
Pack size 750ml
Batch code All batches
Best before end: March 2020
Finest Sicilian Lemon & Mint Presse
Pack size 750ml
Batch code All batches
Best before end: March 2020
Finest Raspberry & Pomegranate Presse
Pack size 750ml
Batch code All batches
Best before end: March 2020
Finest Apple & Elderflower Presse
Pack size 750ml
Batch code All batches
Best before end: March 2020

No other Tesco products are known to be affected.

Risk statement

Spoilage of the products. The products potentially present a risk to health because they have fermented and as a result pressure may have built up in the bottles which could cause them to explode.

Action taken by the company

Tesco is recalling the above products. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling these products. These notices explain to customers why the products have been recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought them. Please see the attached notice.
Customer notice: Tesco Finest Fruit Presse

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

Research – Mycotoxins put dried fruit and nuts at risk

Posted on July 23, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Fresh Plaza

Dried fruit and nuts are the two segments affected by mycotoxins, along with cereal, flours and wine. This is why nut importers and dried fruit processors must perform multiple analyses on their products.

“Europe issues warnings almost every day and keeps seizing contaminated batches, so companies must perform regular analyses and screenings to avoid considerable economic losses,” explains Luca Rustignoli from Sicural.

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