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CFIA

The food recall warning issued on September 28, 2016 has been updated to include additional product information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation.

Tre Rose Bakery is recalling sliced deli meat products from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.

The following products were sliced and sold at Tre Rose Bakery, 2098 Kipling Avenue, Toronto, Ontario from September 30, 2016 to October 4, 2016, inclusively and might also have been incorporated into sandwiches and other products made in-store by the retailer.

New Food Magazine

CDC Photo

CDC

It is thought the findings could have serious and damaging implications for human health, experts reported today. As the UK verges on the brink of another food safety scandal following the E. coli outbreaks that have plagued 2016, the findings present a fresh worry for the British market.

It is thought, as revealed by the Guardian in association with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (BIJ), a loophole in regulations is inviting MRSA CC398-infected live pigs to be imported from countries such as Denmark where the disease is widespread.

MRSA CC398, while less harmful than the deadly hospital bug that kills over 300 a year throughout the UK, it remains a potentially deadly bacteria which can be resistant to even the strongest of antibiotics.

FSIS USDA

Daily’s Premium Meats, LLC, a Salt Lake City, Utah establishment, is recalling approximately 170 pounds of ready-to-eat bacon products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The “Regular Ends Precooked Bacon” items were produced on September 22, 2016. The following products are subject to recall: [View Labels (PDF only)]

• 17 CASES of 2-5 lbs.  PACKAGES IN CARDBOARD BOXES, CONTAINING “48108 REGULAR ENDS PRECOOKED BACON NET WT. 10 lbs. 2/5 lbs.” with a packaging date of “9/22/16” and use by date of “6/19/17.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 6133” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to Associated Foods retail locations in Idaho and Utah.

The problem was discovered during the company’s routine internal third party testing when a product sample collected tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes (Lm).  There have been no confirmed reports of illness or adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.

FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

FSIS advises all consumers to reheat ready-to-eat product until steaming hot.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Barry VanderVeur, Vice President of Operations at (801)-707-6145. Media with questions regarding the recall can contact David Eaheart, Director of Communications and Marketing at (913)-302-9885.

CDC 

CDC worked with public health and regulatory officials in many states and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections.

Public health investigators used the PulseNet(https://www.cdc.gov/pulsenet/) system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. PulseNet, coordinated by CDC, is the national subtyping network of public health and food regulatory agency laboratories. PulseNet performs DNA fingerprinting on STEC bacteria isolated from ill people by using techniques called pulsed-field gel electrophoresis(https://www.cdc.gov/pulsenet/pathogens/pfge.html) (PFGE) and whole genome sequencing(https://www.cdc.gov/pulsenet/next-generation.html#next-gen) (WGS). CDC PulseNet manages a national database of these DNA fingerprints to identify possible outbreaks.

Sixty-three people infected with the outbreak strains of STEC O121 or STEC O26 were reported from 24 states. A list of the states and the number of cases in each can be found on the Case Count Map page(https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2016/o121-06-16/map.html). WGS showed that isolates from ill people were closely related genetically. This close genetic relationship means that people in this outbreak were more likely to share a common source of infection.

Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 21, 2015 to September 5, 2016. Ill people range in age from 1 year to 95, with a median age of 18. Seventy-six percent of ill people were female. Seventeen ill people were hospitalized. One person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure, and no deaths were reported.

Investigation of the Outbreak

Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback evidence indicated that flour produced at a General Mills facility in Kansas City, Missouri was the likely source of this outbreak.

In interviews, ill people answered questions about the foods they ate and other exposures in the week before they became ill. Twenty-eight (76%) of 37 people reported that they or someone in their household used flour in the week before they became ill. Nineteen (50%) of 38 people reported eating or tasting raw homemade dough or batter. Twenty-one (57%) of 37 people reported using Gold Medal brand flour. Three ill people, all children, reported eating or playing with raw dough at restaurants.

In an epidemiologic investigation(https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/outbreaks/investigating-outbreaks/investigations/hypotheses.html), investigators compared the responses of ill people in this outbreak to those of people of similar age and gender reported to state health departments with other gastrointestinal illnesses. Results from this investigation indicated an association between getting sick with STEC and someone in the household using Gold Medal brand flour.

Federal, state, and local regulatory officials performed traceback investigations using package information collected from ill people’s homes and records collected from restaurants where ill people were exposed to raw dough. These initial investigations indicated that the flour used by ill people or used in the restaurants was produced during the same week in November 2015 at the General Mills facility in Kansas City, Missouri, where Gold Medal brand flour is produced.

On May 31, 2016, General Mills recalled(https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2016/o121-06-16/advice-consumers.html) several sizes and varieties of Gold Medal Flour, Gold Medal Wondra Flour, and Signature Kitchens Flour due to possible E. coli contamination. The recalled flours were produced in the Kansas City facility and sold nationwide.

In June 2016, laboratory testing by FDA isolated STEC O121 in open samples of General Mills flour collected from the homes of ill people in Arizona, Colorado, and Oklahoma. WGS showed that the STEC O121 isolates from the flour samples were closely related genetically to the STEC O121 isolates from ill people. The flour collected in Oklahoma was not included in the initial General Mills recall. The other flour samples that were tested came from lots of flour included in the initial recall announced by General Mills. In July 2016, laboratory testing by General Mills and FDA isolated STEC O26 from a sample of General Mills flour. WGS showed that the STEC O26 isolated from the flour sample was closely related genetically to isolates from an ill person in the PulseNet database. The flour tested was not included in the earlier General Mills recalls. As a result of these findings, General Mills expanded its recall on July 1, 2016 and again on July 25, 2016 to include more production dates.

Although the outbreak investigation is over, illnesses are expected to continue for some time. The recalled flour and flour products have long shelf lives and may still be in people’s homes. Consumers who don’t know about the recalls could continue to eat the products and get sick. A list of the recalled products and how to identify them is available on the Advice to Consumers page(https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/2016/o121-06-16/advice-consumers.html).

This outbreak is a reminder that is it not safe to taste or eat raw dough or batter, whether made from recalled flour or any other flour. Flour or other ingredients used to make raw dough or batter can be contaminated with STEC and other germs that can make people sick.

CDC

CDC collaborated with public health officials in several states and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Reading and Salmonella Abony infections.

Public health investigators used the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may have been part of this outbreak. PulseNet, coordinated by CDC, is the national subtyping network of public health and food regulatory agency laboratories. PulseNet performs DNA fingerprinting on Salmonella bacteria isolated from ill people by using techniques called pulsed-field gel electrophoresis(http://www.cdc.gov/pulsenet/pathogens/pfge.html) (PFGE) and whole genome sequencing(http://www.cdc.gov/pulsenet/next-generation.html#next-gen) (WGS). CDC PulseNet manages a national database of these DNA fingerprints to identify possible outbreaks.

Thirty-six people infected with the outbreak strains were reported from nine states. Of those ill people, 30 were infected with Salmonella Reading, 1 was infected with Salmonella Abony, and 5 were infected with both.  A list of the states and the number of cases in each can be found on the Case Count Map page(http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/reading-08-16/map.html).

Illnesses started on dates ranging from May 21, 2016 to September 10, 2016. Ill people range in age from less than 1 year to 72, with a median age of 30. Fifty-six percent of ill people were female. Seven ill people reported being hospitalized, and no deaths were reported.

This outbreak can be illustrated with a chart showing the number of people who became ill each day. This chart is called an epidemic curve or epi curve(http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/reading-08-16/epi.html).

This outbreak appears to be over. However, sprouts are known to cause foodborne illness and outbreaks. More information about steps to reduce your risk of getting sick from eating sprouts is available on the Advice to Restaurants, Retailers, and Consumers page(http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/reading-08-16/advice.html).

Investigation of the Outbreak

Epidemiologic and traceback evidence indicated that alfalfa sprouts supplied by Sprouts Extraordinaire of Denver, Colorado were the likely source of this outbreak.

In interviews, ill people answered questions about the foods they ate and other exposures in the week before they became ill. Of the 31 ill people who were interviewed, 18 (58%) reported eating or possibly eating alfalfa sprouts in the week before illness started. This proportion is significantly higher than results from a 2006 survey(http://www.cdc.gov/foodnet/pdfs/fnexpatl03022011.pdf) of healthy people, in which 3% reported eating raw alfalfa sprouts on a sandwich in the week before they were interviewed. Ill people in the current outbreak reported eating raw sprouts on sandwiches from several restaurants.

Federal, state, and local health and regulatory officials performed a traceback investigation from five restaurants where ill people reported eating alfalfa sprouts. This investigation indicated that Sprouts Extraordinaire supplied alfalfa sprouts to all five of these locations.

On August 5, 2016, Sprouts Extraordinaire recalled its alfalfa sprout products from the market due to possible Salmonella contamination. These products were sold in boxes labeled “5-lb Living Alfalfa.” Read the Advice to Restaurants, Retailers and Consumers(http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/reading-08-16/advice.html).

This outbreak appears to be over. However, sprouts are known to cause foodborne illness and outbreaks.

Bangkok Post

The number of people hospitalised after after eating eclairs at branches of a big retail store in Nan township rose to 38 on Wednesday as health inspectors began a full inquiry.

The hospital believed there might be some irregularities in the ingredients and production process dessert , he said. If the dessert was contaminated with bacteria, consumers would develop symptoms in six hours to two days.

But most patients quickly fell ill after eating, suggesting that there might be some chemicals in the ingredients, said the hospital’s deputy director.

Food Standards Scotland

Connage Highland Dairy is recalling unpasteurised (raw milk) organic smoked Dunlop cheese as a precautionary measure. Product testing has detected E. coli O157 in a batch of unpasteurised Dunlop cheese not yet on the market.

Risk:

E. coli O157 is a bacteria that can cause serious illness. Infection may cause diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloody diarrhoea, and occasionally can result in haemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure and can be fatal.

Product details:

The following products are being recalled:

Connage Highland Dairy Smoked Organic Dunlop Cheese – Batch 126SD

Use by dates: from 04/11/16 to 28/11/16

Pre-packed 100 – 250g packs, or bought from a cheese wholesaler/counter

Connage Highland Dairy Smoked Organic Dunlop Cheese – Batch 133SD

Use by dates: from 08/11/16 to 06/12/16

Pre-packed 100 – 250g packs, or bought from a cheese wholesaler/counter

Products will have been dispatched between 16^th August and 14^th September 2016.

This recall relates to an unpasteurised (raw milk) Smoked Organic Dunlop cheese only.

No other Connage Highland Dairy products are known to be affected.

Action taken by the company:

Connage Highland Dairy is recalling the listed products from their customers and a Point of Sale Notice has been issued to them. These Notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled, and the actions to take if they have bought the products. A copy of the point of sale recall notice is attached to this notice.

Advice to consumers:

If you have bought one of the above products, do not eat it. Instead, return it to the supplier/ outlet purchased from, for a full refund.

Food Standards Scotland

Connage Highland Dairy is recalling unpasteurised (raw milk) Organic Smoked Dunlop Cheese as a precautionary measure after product testing detected E. coli O157 in a batch of unpasteurised Dunlop cheese not yet on the market.

As a precautionary measure customers who have purchased Smoked Organic Dunlop Cheese are advised not to consume it and return it to where they purchased it for a full refund.

View full details of the product recall information notice

The products being recalled are:

• Connage Highland Dairy Smoked Organic Dunlop Cheese – Batch 126SD – pre-packed 100-250g packs, or bought from a cheese wholesaler/counter, with the ‘Use by’ dates from 4 November 2016 to 28 November 2016

• Connage Highland Dairy Smoked Organic Dunlop Cheese – Batch 133SD – pre-packed 100-250g packs, or bought from a cheese wholesaler/counter, with the ‘Use by’ dates from 8 November 2016 to 6 December 2016

FSIS USDA 

Silver Springs Farms, Inc., a Harleysville, Pa. establishment is recalling approximately 740 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The ground beef items were produced on August 19, 2016. The following products are subject to recall: [Label]

• 20-lb cases containing 4 packages of 5-lb ground beef 80/20.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 4771” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to a distributor in Virginia.

The problem was discovered during a routine verification sampling performed by Silver Springs Farms, Inc. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.

FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of160° F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature, http://1.usa.gov/1cDxcDQ.

Media and consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Dan Fillippo, Owner, at (215) 256-4321.

Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem.

FDA

Graceleigh, Inc. d/b/a Sammy’s Milk is recalling all lots of Sammy’s Milk Baby Food because of possible presence of Cronobacter, a bacteria that can cause severe and sometimes fatal blood infections or meningitis in infants and it may not provide adequate nutritional levels of iron.

Sammy’s Milk was distributed in California to Mother’s Markets retailers and through nationwide direct delivery from http://www.SammysMilk.com

This product comes in a 12.84oz white plastic container for all lot numbers with expiration dates of 11/2016 – 8/2018.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

This recall is being conducted as a result of the FDA’s determination that Sammy’s Milk is being marketed as an Infant Formula, not manufactured in compliance with infant formula regulations and testing to confirm the absence of the Cronobacter bacteria was not performed.  Although Sammy’s Milk meets the FDA’s minimum requirement for iron content, there is no label warning that it contains low iron and supplementation may be necessary.

Consumers who have purchased Sammy’s Milk are urged to not consume and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.  Consumers with questions may contact the company at 949-646-4628, or email at recall@SammysMilk.com between 10am-5pm PST Monday through Friday.

CFS

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