Category Archives: Uncategorized

RASFF Alert – Mycotoxin – Rye Ergot – Rye Flour

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RASFF – rye ergot (Claviceps purpurea) (755 µg/kg – ppb) in rye flour from Austria in Slovenia

RASFF Alert – STEC E.coli 026- Frozen Meat for Minced Meat –

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RASFF – shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (stx1+ stx2+ eae+ O26:H11 /25g) in frozen meat for minced meat from Ireland in France

RASFF Alerts – Salmonella – Chilled Turkey Breast – Egg White Liquid Products -Black Pepper -Chicken Drumsticks – Turkey Breasts – Eggs – Dried Sausages – Chicken Fillets – Turkey – Whitish Sesame Seeds – Chicken Aiguillettes

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RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Kentucky (presence /25g) in chilled turkey breast from Poland in the Czech Republic

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in chilled egg white liquid mix products from Ukraine in Latvia

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in black pepper from Brazil in the Netherlands

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Infantis (in 5 out of 5 samples /25g) in chilled chicken drumsticks from Poland in Slovakia

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Bredeney (presence /25g) in frozen turkey breasts from Poland in Italy

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (presence /25g) in eggs from the Netherlands in Germany

RASFF – Salmonella (present /25g) in dried sausages (boerenbijter) from Germany in the Netherlands

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Infantis (presence /25g) in chilled seasoned portioned chicken fillets from the Netherlands in the Netherlands

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (presence /25g) in frozen chicken aiguillettes from Poland in France

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium (presence /25g) in turkey escalope from Poland in France

RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium (presence /25g) in chilled poultry meat from France in France

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in whitish sesame seeds from Nigeria in the Netherlands

UK – Homeland By Products Ltd recalls Frozen Raw Beef, Tripe and Turkey Pet Food due to the presence of Salmonella

FSA

Homeland By Products Ltd is recalling three batches of frozen raw pet food because salmonella has been found in the products

Product details

Frozen Raw Beef

Pack size 500 grams
Batch code 1510
Best before May 2021
Frozen Raw Turkey

Pack size 500 grams
Batch code 1513
Best before May 2021
Frozen Raw Tripe

Pack size 500 grams
Batch code 1518
Best before May 2021

No other Homeland By Products Ltd products are known to be affected.

Risk statement

The presence of salmonella in the products listed above. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause illness in humans and animals. The product could therefore carry a potential risk, because of the presence of salmonella, either through direct handling of the pet food, or indirectly, for example from pet feeding bowls, utensils or contact with the faeces of animals. In humans, symptoms caused by salmonella usually include fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. Infected animals may not necessarily display signs of illness, but symptoms can include diarrhoea.

Action taken by the company

Homeland By Products Ltd is recalling the above products from their customers.

Our advice to consumers

If you have bought any of the above products do not use them. Instead, return them to the store from where they were bought for a full refund. When handling and serving raw pet food it is always advised to clean utensils and feeding bowls thoroughly after use. Consumers should wash hands thoroughly after handling raw pet food, bowls, utensils or after contact with the faeces of infected animals. Raw pet food should be stored separately from any food (especially ready to eat foods). Care should be taken when defrosting to avoid cross contamination of foods and surfaces.

UK – P & B Foods recalls Heera Chilli Powder Extra Hot because of the presence of Salmonella

FSA

P & B Foods Ltd is recalling Heera Chilli Powder Extra Hot because salmonella has been found in the product.

Product details

Heera Chilli Powder Extra Hot

Pack size 6 x 1kg
Batch code PB9446M/4
Best before end: April 2021

No other P & B Foods Ltd products are known to be affected.

Risk statement

The presence of salmonella in the product listed above. Symptoms caused by salmonella usually include fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.

Action taken by the company

P & B Foods Ltd is recalling the above product. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling this product. These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product. Please see the attached notice.

RASFF Alert – Mycotoxin T-2/HT-2 – Wheat Flour

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RASFF – T-2 toxin (106.7 µg/kg – ppb) and HT-2 toxin (346 µg/kg – ppb) in wheat flour from Belgium in Belgium

Abstract

T-2 toxin (T2) and HT-2 (HT2) toxin are trichothecenes, which form part of the group of Fusarium mycotoxins. Food and feed samples used to estimate human dietary and animal exposure were reported either as the individual results for T2 and/or, HT2, and/or as the sum of the two. The highest concentrations were reported in oats and oat-containing commodities. Very high levels were reported in a small number of data on specific plant- and herb-based dietary supplements. In humans, the mean chronic dietary exposure to the sum of T2 and HT2 was highest in‘Toddlers’and‘Infants’, with maximum upper bound (UB) estimates of 64.8 and 62.9 ng/kg body weight (bw) per day, respectively.The 95th percentile dietary exposure was highest in‘Infants’with a maximum UB estimate of 146 ng/kgbw per day. UB estimations were on average four fold higher than lower bound (LB) estimations. Average acute exposure ranged from a minimum of 13.4 ng/kg bw per day, estimated in‘Elderly’,up to a maximum of 64.7 ng/kg bw per day estimated in‘Toddlers’. The highest 95th percentile acute dietary exposure was estimated for a dietary survey within the age class‘Infants’(170 ng/kg bw per day).Overall, among processed foods the main contributors were cereal flakes,fine bakery wares and, for acute exposure, also bread and rolls. In the elderly and very elderly, dietary supplements made an important contribution. Exposure to the sum of T2 and HT2 in farm and companion animals varied according to the animal species. Exposures considering mean concentration scenarios varied between 0.03–0.08 (LB–UB)lg/kg bw per day in beef cattle and 1.13–1.47lg/kg bw per day in milking goats. Forhigh concentration scenarios, exposures varied between 0.12–0.16lg/kg bw per day and 2.37–2.58lg/kg bw per day in the same species. In the absence of data, potential modified form were not included.

©2017 European Food Safety Authority.EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority

 

RASFF Alerts – Animal Feed Salmonella – Processed Animal Protein – Rapeseed Meal -Raw Pet Food

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RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Brandenburg (presence /25g) in processed animal protein from the Netherlands in Belgium

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in rapeseed meal from Germany in Germany

RASFF – Salmonella (presence /25g) in raw pet food from Germany in Germany

USA – Outbreak of Salmonella Infections Linked to Karawan brand Tahini

CDC

This outbreak appears to be over, but recalled tahini products have a long shelf life and may still be in people’s homes. Consumers unaware of the recall could continue to eat these products and potentially get sick. Visit the FDA websiteexternal iconfor a full list of recalled products.

Final Outbreak Information
Illustration of a megaphone.
  • As of June 26, 2019, this outbreak appears to be over.
  • A total of 6 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Concord were reported from 3 states.
    • Illnesses started on dates ranging from March 9, 2019, to May 2, 2019.
    • One hospitalization and no deaths were reported.
  • Epidemiologic, traceback, and laboratory evidence indicated that Karawan brand tahini products were the likely source of this outbreak.
  • Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled tahini that is labeled as Karawan Tahini, El-Karawan Tahin,i or SoCo Tahini. Do not eat, sell, or serve products made with recalled tahini, such as hummus.
  • This outbreak was not related to another recent multistate outbreak of Salmonella Concord infections linked to tahini. Ill people in the previous outbreak were infected with a different outbreak strain of Salmonella Concord.

Research -Insights into Psychrotrophic Bacteria in Raw Milk: A Review

Journal of Food Protection

ABSTRACT

Supply of high-quality dairy products is the goal of every dairy producer throughout the world. However, psychrotrophic bacteria in raw milk, generally comprising bacterial species of the genera Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Aeromonas, Serratia, Bacillus, Lactococcus, Microbacterium, and Staphylococcus, are of special concern to the dairy industry because they can produce heat-stable enzymes. These enzymes may withstand various heat treatments during dairy processing, causing quality defects over the product storage period. The levels and diversity of psychrotrophic bacteria in raw milk are tightly linked to natural habitats, milking practices, and hygiene practices of farms in different countries. Most psychrotrophic bacteria can form biofilms on various milk storage and processing equipment, which serve as persistent sources of microbial contamination due to their biotransfer potential. A comprehensive review of the diversity of psychrotrophic bacteria in raw milk, the spoilage potential of these bacteria, the specific technological problems caused by biofilms and heat-resistant enzymes, and potential strategies for controlling dairy spoilage starting at the farm level is needed for improving our understanding of these spoilage bacteria.

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Levels of psychrotrophic bacteria in raw milk are affected by to habitats and farm hygiene.

  • Biofilms formed by psychrotrophic bacteria are persistent sources of contamination.

  • Heat-stable enzymes produced by psychrotrophic bacteria compromise product quality.

  • Various strategies are available for controlling dairy spoilage caused by psychrotrophic bacteria.

USA – Norovirus sickens dozens in outbreak linked to bar drinks

Outbreak News Today norovirus-1080x655

Officials with the Benton-Franklin Health District in Kennewick, WA reported on the investigation of a norovirus outbreak linked to a local restaurant.

According to the timeline, health officials received the first reports over President’s Day weekend and at the conclusion of the investigation, 26 patrons of 3 Eyed Fish, a wine bar and restaurant in Richland were reported as infected.

In addition, the investigation revealed that drink garnishes were sometimes handled with bare hands, after interviewing bartenders.The outbreak was linked to poor food handling practices by an infectious bartender. During the investigation, it was noted that the infectious employee who worked the night most ill patrons ate, returned to work less than 12 hours after they had an episode of diarrhea that same weekend.