Category Archives: Uncategorized

Research – Application of natural plant extracts as colorants, preservatives, and anti‐listerial agents in processed fish products

Posted on April 18, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Wiley Online

Abstract

The anti‐listerial activity of various plant extracts was investigated, qualitatively and quantitatively against Listeria monocytogenes strains. The extracts of Punica granatum peels (PPE) and Hibiscus sabdariffa calyxes (RCE) exhibited the most potent antibacterial activity. The application of PPE and RCE, as colorant, preservative, and antimicrobial agents, was conducted for the manufacturing of fish products (burger and surimi). The two extracts could effectively enhance the microbial, sensory, and shelf life attributes of prepared fish products. The combination of the extracts at their inhibitory concentrations lead to complete inhibition of inoculated L. monocytogenes cells, enhancing the sensory attributes of treated fish products and increasing panelists’ preference.

Practical applications

Foodborne pathogens’ transmission via fish products, for example, L. monocytogenes, is hazardous and must be overcome efficiently and safely. The substitution of synthetic and chemical food additives and preservatives with natural agents is a general request from all. Results of study supported the practical application of powerful anti‐listerial plant extracts, for example, pomegranate peels and rosella calyxes, for the control of L. monocytogenes, coloring and improving sensorial attributes of processed fish products, burger and surimi.

Leave a comment

Posted in Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Research, Uncategorized

USA – Kentucky Recommends Everyone get a Hepatitis A Vaccine

Posted on April 18, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

Due to an ongoing outbreak of Hepatitis A, the Department for Public Health (DPH) within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), is recommending vaccination for everyone residing in Jefferson, Bullitt, Hardin, Greenup, Carter and Boyd counties.To date, 214 cases have been reported in the Jefferson County/Louisville area. Bullitt, Hardin, Greenup, Carter and Boyd counties have each reported 5 or more cases for a total 311 cases associated with the outbreak. One death has been reported.

Leave a comment

Posted in Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Hepatitis A, Uncategorized

Research – Viable-but-Nonculturable Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica Serovar Thompson Induced by Chlorine Stress Remain Infectious

Posted on April 18, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Mbio

The microbiological safety of fresh produce is monitored almost exclusively by culture-based detection methods. However, bacterial food-borne pathogens are known to enter a viable-but-nonculturable (VBNC) state in response to environmental stresses such as chlorine, which is commonly used for fresh produce decontamination. Here, complete VBNC induction of green fluorescent protein-tagged Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica serovar Thompson was achieved by exposure to 12 and 3 ppm chlorine, respectively. The pathogens were subjected to chlorine washing following incubation on spinach leaves. Culture data revealed that total viable L. monocytogenes and Salmonella Thompson populations became VBNC by 50 and 100 ppm chlorine, respectively, while enumeration by direct viable counting found that chlorine caused a <1-log reduction in viability. The pathogenicity of chlorine-induced VBNC L. monocytogenes and Salmonella Thompson was assessed by using Caenorhabditis elegans. Ingestion of VBNC pathogens by C. elegans resulted in a significant life span reduction (P = 0.0064 and P < 0.0001), and no significant difference between the life span reductions caused by the VBNC and culturable L. monocytogenes treatments was observed. L. monocytogenes was visualized beyond the nematode intestinal lumen, indicating resuscitation and cell invasion. These data emphasize the risk that VBNC food-borne pathogens could pose to public health should they continue to go undetected

Leave a comment

Posted in Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Research, Uncategorized

Research – Study finds pathogenic bacteria, resistance genes in apartment mice

Posted on April 18, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Cidrap 

The house mouse is one of the most common rodent pests found around the world, particularly in urban areas, and has long been known for its ability to spread infectious diseases to humans. Now, a new study by researchers at Columbia University indicates that the unwelcome house guest also carries several species of pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes.

In a study today in mBio, the researchers report that a genetic analysis of droppings collected from house mice in New York City detected several types of bacteria capable of causing gastrointestinal disease, including Shigella, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Clostridium difficile. They also found genes that confer resistance to fluoroquinolones, beta-lactam antibiotics, and methicillin.

Overall, more than a third of mice carried at least one potentially pathogenic bacterium, and nearly a quarter carried at least one antibiotic resistance gene.

Leave a comment

Posted in Clostridium difficile, Research, Uncategorized

USA – Recalled: Vital Essentials Beef Toppers and Beef Entrée – Salmonella

Posted on April 18, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Petful

Maker: Carnivore Meat Company
Cause: Potential for salmonella
Announcement: Customer email dated April 16, 2018
What was recalled: The following 2 varieties and dates of Vital Essentials:

  • Freeze-Dried Beef Toppers (for dogs and cats), 6 oz. packages, Lot #13815, Best by June 4, 2019 or June 20, 2019
  • Frozen Beef Chub Entrée for Dogs, 5 lb. chubs, Lot #13816, Best by Dec. 27, 2018

Leave a comment

Posted in food recall, Pet Food, Recall, Salmonella, Salmonella Dog Food, Uncategorized

USA – Buffalo Wild Wings now Linked to Hepatitis A Outbreaks

Posted on April 18, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

The Macomb County Health Department has confirmed a case of hepatitis A in a food service worker at a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant in Warren.The restaurant at 29287 Mound was inspected Tuesday, according to a release from the health department. The eatery has been approved to operate, and management worked with the health department in the investigation.

The health department is advising anyone who ate at the restaurant from March 24 through April 9 to watch for symptoms of hepatitis A, which include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dark urine, fever, chills and yellow skin and eyes or jaundice.

Symptoms can develop anywhere from 15 and 50 days after exposure, the health department said. People developing these symptoms should get medical care.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Food Illness, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Uncategorized, Virus

Canada – Updated Food Recall Warning – Roast beef products recalled by Erie Meat Products Ltd. due to Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on April 18, 2018 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

Recall details

Ottawa, April 17, 2018 – The food recall warning issued on April 9, 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.

Erie Meat Products Ltd. is recalling roast beef products from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Consumers should not consume and distributors, retailers and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals and nursing homes should not sell or use the recalled products described below.

The following products have been sold in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador, and may have been distributed to other provinces or territories. These products may have been portioned and sold without a label, coding or under a different brand. Consumers who are unsure if they have purchased an affected product are advised to contact their retailer.

Recalled products

Brand Name Common Name Size Code(s) on Product UPC
Butcher’s Selection Seasoned Cooked Roast Beef Round 300 g All Best Before dates up to and including 2018JN06 8 29810 91630 7
Chicago 58 Seasoned Cooked Roast Beef Variable weight All Best Before dates up to and including 2018JN06 None
Deli Classic Seasoned Cooked Roast Beef Round Variable weight All Best Before dates up to and including 2018JN06 None
Deli Classic Seasoned Cooked Roast Beef Brisket Variable weight All Best Before dates up to and including 2018JN06 None
Druxy’s Seasoned Cooked Roast Beef Variable weight All Best Before dates up to and including 2018JN06 None
None – Prepared for European Quality Meats & Sausages Cooked Roast Beef Seasoned Rubbed with Caramel 2 x 2 kg All Best Before dates up to and including 2018JN06 None
None – Prepared for European Quality Meats & Sausages Sliced Cooked Seasoned Roast Beef 2.00 kg All Best Before dates up to and including 2018JN06 10623392122173

Leave a comment

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

Hong Kong – Eggs imported from US suspected to be contaminated with Salmonella

Posted on April 18, 2018 by | Leave a comment

CFS logo

Issue Date 17.4.2018
Source of Information The Food and Drug Administration of the United States
Food Product Poultry eggs
Product Name and Description Poultry eggs produced by a plant (Plant No. P – 1065) of Rose Acre Farms’ Hyde County farm in Hyde County, North Carolina, the United States (US)
Reason For Issuing Alert
  • The Centre for Food Safety (CFS), through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted a notice issued by the Food and Drug Administration of the US about a recall of eggs produced by the above-mentioned plant as they might have been contaminated with Salmonella.
  • The CFS contacted the major local importers and retailers for follow-up. Preliminary investigation found that five Hong Kong importers, namely General Hero Ltd, Shun Hing Hoo, Tai Cheong Eggs Company Ltd, Luen Tai Hong and Maxim’s Caterers Ltd, had imported in different batches a total of about 6,000 cartons of the affected products into Hong Kong.
  • According to the information provided by them, except for Maxim’s Caterers Ltd which has all the affected products stored in the warehouse without any entering the market, the remaining four have distributed all the affected products. The four importers have initiated a recall according to the CFS’ advice. Maxim’s Caterers Ltd will dispose of all affected products.
Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety
  • For the sake of prudence, the CFS has immediately suspended the import into and sale in Hong Kong of the poultry eggs produced by the plant concerned.
  • The CFS is tracing the distribution of the affected products.
  • The CFS has contacted the US authorities concerned over the incident. It will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing.
Advice to the Trade
  • Stop using or selling the affected products.
Advice to Consumers
  • Consumers, particularly the elderly, infants and pregnant women, should avoid eating raw or inadequately cooked eggs and egg products. Eggs should be thoroughly cooked until the yolk and white are firm.
  •  Consumers should choose pasteurised eggs or egg products or dried egg powder to prepare dishes not requiring heat treatment.
Further Information
  • The CFS press release
  • Members of the public may call the importers’ hotlines at 2381 9138 (General Hero Ltd), 2543 4655 (Shun Hing Hoo), 2546 1834 (Tai Cheong Eggs Company Ltd) and 2857 9389 (Luen Tai Hong) during office hours to enquire about the recall.

Leave a comment

Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Recall, Salmonella, Uncategorized

South Africa -Listeriosis: Four more killed, death toll approaches 200

Posted on April 18, 2018 by | Leave a comment

The South African

More than 16 months after this listeriosis outbreak began, the disease is still claiming lives across South Africa.

Although the amount of deaths per week is on the decline, listeriosis remains a highly dangerous threat. On 4 March, the source of the outbreak was traced back to Enterprise Foods’ Polokwane facility.

Full product recalls were issued for all ready-to-eat foods produced by both Enterprise Foods and Rainbow Chicken.

How many people has Listeriosis killed?

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) released a report over the weekend which now places the death toll at 193 – that’s four more fatalities in the last week.

The disease particularly affects elderly citizens and neo-natal infants – babies aged 28 days or less. A staggering 81 deaths attributed to this outbreak have been of newborns.

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Death, food bourne outbreak, food death, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, outbreak, south africa, Uncategorized

USA – Police: Seized Bootleg Makeup Tests Positive For Poop and Bacteria

Posted on April 17, 2018 by | Leave a comment

CBS Local

LOS ANGELES (CNN) — Buyers beware! Sometimes when you spot a good makeup deal, it’s too good to be true.

The Los Angeles Police Department says it confiscated counterfeit makeup that tested positive for high levels of bacteria and animal waste.

The department seized $700,000 worth of bootleg cosmetics on Thursday after raiding 21 locations in Santee Alley, a Los Angeles fashion district, said LAPD Capt. Marc Reina.

“Those feces will just basically somehow get mixed into the product they’re manufacturing in their garage or in their bathroom — wherever they’re manufacturing this stuff,” Detective Rick Ishitani told CNN affiliate KABC.

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized