RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 104 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Zambia in the UK
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 30.1 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts for birdfeed from Zambia in the UK
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Category Archives: Uncategorized
RASFF Alerts – Animal Feed – Aflatoxin – Groundnuts
Posted in Aflatoxin, Animal Feed, Pet Food, RASFF, Uncategorized
Research – Study: Low-level antibiotics can produce high-level resistance
A new study by scientists in Sweden indicates that bacteria exposed to small concentrations of antibiotics over time can become highly resistant, a finding the authors say provides an example of how low levels of antibiotics present in many environments may potentially contribute to antibiotic resistance.
In the study, published this week in Nature Communications, researchers from Uppsala University demonstrated that Salmonella exposed repeatedly to an amount of streptomycin that was not strong enough to kill the bacteria or inhibit growth still evolved high-level resistance. The resistance was caused by genetic mutations that haven’t been typically associated with antibiotic resistance and were different from those that develop when the bacteria is exposed to lethal amounts of the drug.
“These results demonstrate how the strength of the selective pressure influences evolutionary trajectories and that even weak selective pressures can cause evolution of high-level resistance,” the authors write.
Posted in Antibiotic Resistance, Salmonella, Uncategorized
Information – Food Recall Strategies
You’ve heard the horror stories of product recalls: The Peanut Corporation of America in 2009, Blue Bell ice cream in 2015, and Darwin’s Raw Pet Foods this year. Beyond the nightmare scenario, the truth is that food recalls are common—even for companies that take food safety seriously, train effectively and keep excellent records. Yet all of these things, when done properly and efficiently, go a long way to reduce the impact and severity of a recall.
Unfortunately, many food manufacturers, although required to have a written recall plan, aren’t ready for the challenge. Without the proper systems in place, businesses needlessly risk their customers, reputation, revenue and future.
Risks Of Inadequate Recall Strategies
Resolving a recall can take years and potentially millions of dollars in fines, product shipping and disposal cost, production line downtime, lawsuits, and lost market share as consumers lose trust in the company. But there are two strategic errors that can amplify these consequences—and they both have to deal with traceability.
The first problem we frequently see is lot codes not being specific enough. Rather than breaking up production into discrete lot codes so the scope of recalls can be as limited as possible, some facilities just run the same lot code for many production runs. The record we have seen so far is three years! When a recall occurs,this results in a recall of massive scope that can easily bankrupt a company.
The second problem that is even more common is a lack of dynamic documentation. Assembling transactions using disconnected records from different departments can be time-consuming and error-prone. When you’re under pressure from regulators or auditors to connect the dots between an ingredient and customers through complex, multi-stage production processes using such a record system, it can cause stress and potential audit failures.
These two missing pieces make recalls larger, more time-consuming, and more expensive than necessary due to a lack of precise traceability. Let’s take a look at the two ways you can fill these gaps in your system and mitigate the consequences of recalls.
See link above for the full text
Posted in Uncategorized
USA – Bronx: Legionnaires’ disease cases being investigated in Co-op City
New York City health officials announced Wednesday that they are investigating three Legionnaires’ disease cases in three connected buildings at Co-op City in the Bronx. One person has died and to others in connecting buildings have been treated and released from the hospital.
Health officials urged residents of these buildings to seek treatment if they experience symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease. In addition, residents who are over 50 or have underlying medical conditions should avoid showering until the investigation is completed.
“We are in the process of undertaking an examining the water system, a process we take very seriously”, a top health officials noted.
Legionnaires’ disease is the cause of pneumonia where a non productive cough is typical. In addition, it is typified by headache, fever, body aches and occasionally abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Legionella bacteria are widely distributed, and normally grow best in warm water environments. They have been found in creeks and ponds, water taps (primarily hot water taps), hot water tanks, cooling towers and evaporative condensers, whirlpool spas, and decorative fountains.
USA – GAO asks USDA to further cut pathogens in meat, poultry
Over the past several years the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has taken important steps to establish pathogen standards for some meat and poultry, but some commonly consumed products such as turkey breasts and pork chops don’t have standards, and it’s not clear how the agency decides which products to consider for new standards, a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report said this week.
The request for the GAO’s investigation into the pathogen standards came from members of a Senate committee. Though the US food supply is considered safe, the GAO cited a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that foodborne pathogens cause about 9 million illnesses each year, 2 million of them from Salmonella and Campylobacter.
Three main recommendations
To explore pathogen standards, GAO investigators analyzed regulations and documents, interviewed federal officials, and talked to several stakeholders.
The GAO made three recommendations to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS):
- Documenting the process for deciding which products to consider for new pathogen standards
- Setting time frames for determining what standards or updates are needed for beef carcasses, ground beef, pork cuts, and ground pork
- Including information on effectiveness of on-farm practices in final guidance on controlling Salmonella for hog producers.
The USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services reviewed a draft of the GAO report, and the USDA agreed with the three recommendations and described steps to address them.
Ireland – Willowbrook Foods is Recalling Various Salad Products Containing Bacon due to the Possible Presence of Listeria monocytogenes
| Category 2: | For Information |
| Alert Notification: | 2018.15 |
| Product: | Please refer to below table. |
| Batch Code: | Please refer to below table. |
| Country Of Origin: | United Kingdom |
Message:
As a precautionary measure, Willowbrook Foods Newtownards Northern Ireland is initiating a recall of various salad products containing bacon, due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes. The implicated batches were sold in Aldi, Lidl and SuperValu stores. Point-of-sale recall notices will be displayed in the stores which sold the affected batches advising customers not to eat these batches.
USA – Two Businesses in Arkansas Had Food Handlers Work While Infected with Hepatitis A
If you have eaten at these establishments, it’s crucial that you get a vaccination against this pathogenic virus within two weeks of exposure. The shots are only good within that time frame.
The first business is the Flash Market/Subway at 105 North Missouri Avenue in Corning. That person worked between March 30 and April 17, 2018. If you ate there before April 11, it’s too late for a shot. All you can do is monitor yourself for the symptoms of this illness and see your doctor if they appear.
So far this year, 12 cases of hepatitis A infections have been reported in Clay County. Four of those cases were in food service workers. So the ADH recommends that all food service workers in that area be vaccinated against the illness.
The second business is the Doublebee’s gas station at 1003 Highway 63 in Walnut Ridge. That person worked between April 7 and April 18, 2018. If you ate there before April 11, it’s too late for a vaccination. Watch yourself for the symptoms of a hepatitis A infection and see your doctor if you get sick.
USA – Update Multistate Outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Romaine Lettuce
What’s New?
- Thirty-one more ill people from 10 states were added to this investigation since the last update on April 18, 2018.
- Three more states have reported ill people: Colorado, Georgia, and South Dakota.
- The most recent illness started on April 12, 2018. Illnesses that occurred in the last two to three weeks might not yet be reported because of the time between when a person becomes ill with E. coli and when the illness is reported to CDC.
Posted in CDC, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, food death, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Uncategorized
UK – Willowbrook Foods recalls salad products with bacon due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes
Willowbrook Foods has taken the precautionary step of recalling certain salad products with bacon because they might contain Listeria monocytogenes. The products are sold in Budgens, Supervalu, Centra, Mace, Nisa, Lidl and Spar retail stores.
Product details
| Pack size | 150g |
| Use by description | 25 April 2018 |
| Pack size | 150g |
| Use by description | 25 April 2018 |
| Pack size | 205g |
| Use by description | 25 and 26 April 2018 |
| Pack size | 220g |
| Use by description | 28 and 29 April 2018 |
| Pack size | 150g |
| Use by description | 25 April 2018 |
No other Willowbrook Foods products are known to be affected.
Risk statement
The presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the products listed above.
The products listed above might be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Symptoms caused by this organism can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea.
Some people are more vulnerable to listeria infections, including those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one month old and people with weakened immune systems.
The products listed above might be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Symptoms caused by this organism can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea.
Some people are more vulnerable to listeria infections, including those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one month old and people with weakened immune systems.
Action taken by the company
Willowbrook Foods 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 are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product. Please see the attached notices.
Canada – Updated Food Recall Warning – Certain K&K Foodliner brand pork products recalled due to E. coli O157:H7
Recall details
Ottawa, April 25, 2018 – The food recall warning issued on April 24, 2018 has been updated to include additional product information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation.
K&K Foodliner is recalling certain pork products from the marketplace due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. Consumers should not consume and food service establishments, such as restaurants, should not sell or use the recalled products described in the link above.
