Category Archives: Uncategorized

RASFF-Salmonella (present /750g) in egg white powder from Denmark in Estonia

RASFF-Salmonella (in 2 out of 5 samples /25g) in sesame seeds from Sudan in Greece

RASFF-Salmonella (presence /25g) in salted chicken from Thailand in the Netherlands

RASFF-Salmonella enterica ser. Newport (present /25g) in poultry kebab from Poland in Poland

RASFF-Salmonella (presence /25g) in halva with pistachio nuts from unknown origin, via the Netherlands in Germany

RASFF-Salmonella (in 1 out of 5 samples /25g) in frozen salted chicken half breasts from Brazil in the UK

RASFF-Salmonella enterica ser. Heidelberg (2 out of 5 samples /25g) in frozen salted chicken half breast fillets from Brazil in Belgium

RASFF-Salmonella (in 1 out of 5 samples /25g) in frozen salted chicken half breasts from Brazil in the UK

RASFF-Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (presence /25g) in frozen chicken fillets with added water from Thailand in the UK

RASFF-bacterial contamination (Streptococcus dysgalactiae) of frozen dog food from Germany in Germany

Science Direct

Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. dysgalactiae (GCSD) has gained special interest of aquatic health experts throughout the past few years due to its interesting veterinary and public health importance. Increasing records of GCSD infections in farmed fishes have been documented through diverse worldwide aquatic habitats in Japan, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan and Brazil. Despite the intraspecies/interspecies dynamic spread of fish GCSD, yet, the genetic basis of its virulence remains unknown. This gap in knowledge is the main reason behind inability to develop a competent vaccine to control the disease in aquatic animals. However, the authors have concluded that the virulence of GCSD is mainly based on its cell surface properties such as high hemagglutination and hydrophobic properties which determine the main adhesive/invasive pathogenic mechanism of the pathogen where GCSD isolates were able to adhere to and invade fish epithelial cell line in vitro. Most recently, the molecular pathogenesis investigations have revealed that, serum opacity factor [SOF], superantigen and streptolysin S genes might be the most important virulence factors that have contributed to the swift propagation of streptococcal infection among aquatic and mammalian species. In conclusion, the current research based review has emphasized the current knowledge gap in epidemiology and control of fish GCSD. To bridge this current gap, a swift future development of high tech/accurate molecular research is highly needed to better understand the pathogenic mechanisms of GCSD.

RASFF-rye ergot (Claviceps purpurea) (1300 mg/kg – ppm) in rye from Latvia in Spain

Science Direct – Claviceps pururea

CFIA

Recall details

Ottawa, February 1, 2018 – The food recall warning issued on January 27, 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.

Imperial Caviar & Seafood is recalling Imperial Caviar & Seafood brand and VIP Caviar Club brand Whitefish and Salmon Roe from the marketplace because they may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.

Reuters

PARIS (Reuters) – Twenty-five babies were infected between 2006 and 2017 with the same strain of salmonella linked to a factory of dairy group Lactalis and that led to three dozen babies falling ill late last year, a French health research institute said on Thursday.

The Institut Pasteur, which is France’s reference center for monitoring salmonella, said the 25 cases were in addition to 38 cases in late 2017 and 141 in 2005 that were contaminated by “Salmonella Agona”, a bacteria found in baby milk produced by a Lactalis factory in northwest France.

The dairy company’s chief executive said in a newspaper interview on Thursday that Lactalis could have been producing salmonella-tainted baby milk since 2005, without confirming cases.

Lactalis has recalled 12 million tins in France and around the world after babies were taken ill last year after drinking salmonella-contaminated milk from the Craon factory.

Image CDC

Image CDC

ImagesCDC

CDC 

December 15, 2017

• IFSAC held a webinar to describe its method for developing foodborne illness source attribution estimates for 2013 using outbreak data for Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157, Listeria monocytogenes, and Campylobacter.
• Watch the webinar^* |  Presentation transcript[PDF – 18 pages](https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/pdfs/Transcript_IFSAC-Webinar-Dec15-2017-508.pdf) | Presentation slides[PDF – 46 pages](https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/pdfs/IFSAC-Webinar-Dec2017-Slides-508.pdf)

^*This webinar was recorded live and real-time closed captioning was provided. Viewers of the recorded webinar will notice some errors in the closed captioning of the presentations, which is to be expected during a live event. The written transcript is the official record of the webinar.

National Restaurant Associated Panel in Washington, DC
October 16, 2017

• “The Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration (IFSAC): An Overview,” oral presentation

National Meeting on Poultry Health, Processing, and Live Production in Ocean City, MD
September 26, 2017

• “Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration (IFSAC): Introduction and Strategic Plan 2017-2021,” oral presentation

UGA Industry Safe Foods Forum in Atlanta, GA
September 20, 2017

• “Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration (IFSAC): New Strategic Plan and Projects,” oral presentation

International Life Sciences Institute North America Mid-Year Meeting in Arlington, VA
July 18, 2017

• “Estimating outbreak-based foodborne illness source attribution for four priority pathogens,” oral presentation

Strategic Plan and Future Directions
May 31, 2017

• IFSAC discussed its new strategic plan for 2017–2021, provided project updates, and answered questions from the audience.
• Watch the webinar   | Presentation transcript[PDF – 15 pages](https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/pdfs/Transcript_IFSAC-Webinar-May31-2017_508.pdf) | Presentation slides[PDF – 43 pages](https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/pdfs/PresentationSlides_IFSAC-Webinar-May31-2017_508.pdf)

Food Safety News

The owner of Scotland’s Errington Cheese Ltd. told a court this week that her business did not test its products for a harmful strain of E.coli that claimed the life of a 3-year-old child during a 2016 outbreak.

Selina Cairns said her firm did not carry out spot checks on the raw milk used in its cheeses to detect E.coli 0157. The company was linked to the 2016 outbreak that also sickened 25 other people, but the Crown Office declined to pursue criminal proceedings because of a lack of evidence linking the firm to the death of the girl from Dunbartonshire.

No traces of E.coli 0157 were found in cheeses made by Errington, but other types of the bacteria were, which led food safety agencies to name the firm’s as the source of the outbreak.

The company makes a range of products from unpasteurized milk on its farm in Carnwath, Lanarkshire. Environmental workers seized batches of its Lanark Blue and Corra Linn cheeses as a result of the 2016 outbreak.

Now, the firm is locked in a battle with South Lanarkshire Council, which is attempting to have cheese produced by the manufacturer declared unfit for human consumption and destroyed. At a civil hearing at Hamilton Sheriff Court, Cairns said there was conflicting guidance about the need to test for the bug, and that she had been advised it was not necessary, according to a report in The Scotsman newspaper.

Outbreak News

In a follow-up to the multidrug-resistant Campylobacter outbreak linked to contact with puppies sold through Petland stores, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Tuesday that the investigation is over. The last illness began on January 7, 2018.

total of 113 people with laboratory-confirmed infections or symptoms consistent with Campylobacter infection from 17 state were the final numbers reported, this is up 16 cases since last month.Ohio, Florida and Illinois all reported double digit number of cases.

However, officials also note that illnesses could continue to occur because people may be unaware of the risk of Campylobacter infections from puppies and dogs.

Outbreak News Today 

Iowa health officials say that norovirus is behind several outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness in recent weeks across the state prompted officials to advise the public to stay home if ill, not prepare food and wash hands.

Anyone with diarrhea or vomiting should not be handling any food items, regardless of how well they wash their hands,” said IDPH Medical Director, Dr. Patricia Quinlisk. “That rule is important no matter if you’re cooking for two or 200, whether it’s a regular family meal or at a restaurant.” Anyone with symptoms of norovirus should stay home from school, daycare, work or other events to help stop the spread to others. It’s also important that anyone who has been sick with symptoms of norovirus not prepare food for others for two days after their symptoms have gone away, since this virus can spread even after you start feeling better.

The Hindu

As many as 20 students were admitted to government community hospital in Itchapuram on Monday due to food poisoning in the early hours of Monday.

The students of BC welfare hostel of Bellupada village suffered from vomiting and other problems after reportedly having meal in a local function. With the absence of warden, other students struggled to take them to the hospital. Senior doctor Srinivasa Rao provided first-aid and said they were out of danger. Parents rushed to the hospital and enquired about their condition. They sought action against the warden and other staff.