Category Archives: Uncategorized

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 28 µg/kg – ppb) in peanuts from the United States

Food Poisoning Bulletin

The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment has posted a “health alert” for Par’s Pueblo Green Chili Sauce for possible Clostridium botulinum contamination. No adverse reactions or illnesses have been received to date, according to the notice.

The product in question is Par’s Natural Foods Pueblo Green Chili Sauce in 16 and 32 ounce glass containers. The notice on the Colorado government’s web page is very brief and doesn’t mention where the product may have been sold. There is no mention of this alert on the company’s web site.

If you bought this product, do not eat it. Throw it away in a sealed package or secure garbage can, or take it back to the store where you bought it.

CFIA

Ottawa, June 27, 2017 – The food recall warning issued on June 23, 2017 has been updated to include additional product information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation.

Industry is recalling certain pie shells and tart shells due to possible E. coli O121 contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.

Montreal Gazette 

Image CDC

Food made from a bad batch of frozen raspberries are being recalled by Quebec’s ministry of agriculture, fisheries and food.

Several cases of illness associated with the consumption of these products have been reported to the ministry from Montreal and elsewhere in Quebec.

These products are likely contaminated with Norovirus, an infection spread through food or water that can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea. The bad batch of raspberries that is the likely culprit has been recalled by the Canadian Food Inspection agency.

A number of Quebec companies have recalled products. People who have already purchased these products are told to avoid eating them, and either to discard or return them to the store where they were bought.

FDA

Publix Super Markets is issuing a voluntary recall for Publix Tropical Medley Mix because it may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes. Publix received notification of the potential contamination from our supplier of dried apricot, The 5.7oz clear plastic containers of the mix were sold from Publix retail produce departments in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and North Carolina with a UPC of 41415088586. All use by dates are being recalled.

FSA

Sainsbury’s is recalling a number of their products because Listeria monocytogenes has been found in some of the products.

Outbreak News Today 

Hong Kong health officials reported  a sporadic case of necrotizing fasciitis due to Vibrio vulnificus infection affecting a 49-year-old male with underlying illnesses.

He presented with bilateral feet and ankles pain and malaise since June 5. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of a public hospital on June 6 and was admitted on the same day. The clinical diagnosis was necrotizing fasciitis.

Excisional debridement of left foot was performed. Specimens of blood and left foot fluid collected on June 6 grew Vibrio vulnificus. His current condition was stable.

Epidemiological investigation revealed that the patient did not have recent travel history. There was no history of wound or injury. He lived with his wife and mother-in-law who remained asymptomatic. Investigation is ongoing.

Vibrio vulnificus can cause disease in those who eat contaminated seafood or have an open wound that is exposed to warm seawater containing the bacteria. Ingestion of Vibrio vulnificus can cause vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Vibrio vulnificus can also cause an infection of the skin when open wounds are exposed to warm seawater; these infections may lead to skin breakdown and ulcers.

Biharprabha

Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh), June 25 (ANI): More than fifty children got food poisoning in Moradabad district of Uttar Pradesh. Villagers said after coming from the work, a number of children complained of uneasiness and started vomiting. They said that they were shocked to see other children in the neighbourhood also complained of the same. They were rushed to the hospital where children are undergoing treatment.

Food Safety News 

Pubic health officials in California are praising the “swift and decisive action” of the Souplantation chain, which temporarily closed a restaurant in Camarillo in the midst of a shigellosis outbreak this week.

At least eight people have been infected with Shigella bacteria, according to Ventura County Public Health officials. The public health department received notification of the outbreak Thursday, the same day Souplantation officials closed the restaurant.

Food Poisoning Journal

Bloomberg News reported today that Target began removing all of Hampton Creek Inc.’s products from its stores.According to Bloomberg, a Target spokeswoman said the company received allegations of food safety concerns as well as accusations of manipulation and adulteration of Hampton Creek’s products. She said one concern involved reports of pathogens found in a manufacturing facility used by Hampton Creek. Target also received allegations that Hampton Creek products had tested positive for Salmonella and Listeria.