Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Stanford Daily 

The Allen Discovery Center for Multiscale Systems Modeling of Macrophage Infection, a new center at Stanford, has received $10 million to research salmonella poisoning, according to a Food Safety News article.

Named after its benefactor Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, the Allen Discovery Center will examine processes through which salmonella bacteria infects immune cells. The center is one of several funded by the nonprofit Paul G. Allen Frontiers Group, which aims to incite groundbreaking research through partnerships with universities. The group’s centers, including one at Tufts University, are expected to receive $20 million each over eight years.

FDA

Fresh from Texas of San Antonio, Texas is voluntarily recalling multiple products containing sliced red apples which are identified below because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria Monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

No illnesses have been reported to date.
The product was sold by H-E-B stores in Texas.

Photographs of the recalled product are included below. Only the following products and production lots are affected:

The recall was the result of internal company testing which indicated the presence of Listeria Monocytogenes in two random samples of the same product. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

Customers who purchased the product can return the product to the store for a full refund. Customers with any questions or concerns may contact Fresh from Texas at (817) 690-2330 Monday- Friday 24 hours a day.

CFIA

Advisory details

Ottawa, April 6, 2016 – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the products described below due to Listeria monocytogenes.

CFIA

Recall details

Ottawa, April 6, 2016 – A. Bosa & Co. Ltd. is recalling Vegajardin brand Murcia al Vino Cheese from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled product described below.

Food Poisoning Bulletin

According to two letters sent to the FDA in mid-February, 2016, Blue Bell thinks they have identified where the Listeria monocytogenes bacteria were living in two of its plants last year. But the problem areas were redacted in the letters that the FDA published recently, to “protect trade secrets.” The company found the pathogenic bacteria in equipment at its Brenham, Texas plant and thinks it spread in the drainage system of the plant in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

Institute for Food Research

Research led by Dr Rob Kingsley from the Institute of Food Research has shown how Salmonella rapidly “microevolves” during an epidemic. It highlights how whole genome sequencing is important in tracking pathogenic bacteria.

World Poultry

A European research consortium tests commercial feed additives and combinations of products to reduce Campylobacter in broiler chickens prior to harvest. The mission of the Campybro project is to get the bug under control on farm. Results look promising.

Brisbane Times

Dozens of southeast Queenslanders have been affected by a suspected salmonella outbreak south of Brisbane.

Chinese restaurant Chin Chin at Springwood was closed by Logan City Council on Monday after people began presenting to hospitals with food poisoning symptoms.

Cambridge Journals

One of the largest and longest Salmonella outbreaks in Germany within the last 10 years occurred in central Germany in 2013. To identify vehicles of infection, we analysed surveillance data, conducted a case-control study and food traceback. We identified 267 cases infected with Salmonella Infantis with symptom onset between 16 April and 26 October 2013 in four neighbouring federal states. Results of our study indicated that cases were more likely to have eaten raw minced pork from local butcher’s shops [odds ratio (OR) 2·5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·1–5·8] and have taken gastric acid-reducing or -neutralizing medication (OR 3·8, 95% CI 1·3–13) than controls. The outbreak was traced back to contaminated raw pork products found in different butcher’s shops supplied by one slaughterhouse, to pigs at one farm and to an animal feed producer. Characterization of isolates of human, food, animal, feed, and environmental origin by phage-typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis confirmed the chain of infection. Insufficient hygiene standards in the slaughterhouse were the most probable cause of the ongoing transmission. We recommend that persons taking gastric acid suppressants should refrain from consuming raw pork products. Improving and maintaining adequate hygiene standards and process controls during slaughter is important to prevent future outbreaks.

The Sun

A YOUNG mum dad and daughter, who nearly died after contracting a devastating gastric bug on holiday in Egypt, are among holidaymakers who have won a massive pay out from Thomas Cook.