Category Archives: Uncategorized

RASFF-too high count of Escherichia coli (400 MPN/100g) in live clams from France in France

RASFF-too high count of Escherichia coli (490 MPN/100g) in live mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from Spain in Italy

RASFF-shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (O157/H7 eae+ stx2+) in minced sheep meat from Spain in France

RASFF-Listeria monocytogenes (<40 CFU/g) in smoked salmon from France  in France

RASFF-Listeria monocytogenes (630 CFU/g) in chilled smoked salmon from Poland in the Czech Republic

African Journal of Microbiology

Mobile phones are increasingly being used by all people in day to day life. However, they are found suitable breeding grounds for various pathogenic microorganisms. This study was aimed to determine the growth potential and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Salmonella species and Staphylococcus aureus isolated from mobile phones of food handlers and health care workers in Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia. Collection of mobile phone cotton swab samples and laboratory based microbiological analysis was used as the study design. A total of 188 mobile phones were sampled from food handlers and health care workers. The growth potential of Salmonella spp. and S. aureus isolated from mobile phones was assessed in various food items. The results have shown that Salmonella spp. and S. aureus isolated from mobile phones of food handlers and health care workers were found growing to their infective dose within 12 to 18 h in the sampled food items. Regarding the antimicrobial susceptibility test patterns, Salmonella spp. isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, gentamycin, chloramphenicol, and kanamycin, though they were highly resistant to ampicillin and nalidixic acid. On the other hand, S. aureus isolates were susceptible to gentamycin, chloramphenicol, amikacin, ciprofloxacin, streptomycin, and kanamycin. In multidrug resistance patterns, 5 and 6 drugs resistance were observed in Salmonella spp. and S. aureus, respectively. This indicates that mobile phones could play a significant role in spreading drug resistant infectious agents within the community. Therefore, the outmost care should be taken in using mobile phones.

Food Processing

Did you know that Australia currently has more Salmonella outbreaks than any other country? 73 cases per 100,000 people, or just over 17,000 cases were recorded in 2015, according to the CSIRO, which has taken a closer look at the troublesome bacteria in the wake of the recent contamination of leafy greens.

Salmonella is the second highest cause of bacterial foodborne gastroenteritis in Australia, after Campylobacter. Along with Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella is responsible for more deaths in Australia than any other foodborne disease, each accounting for about 15 deaths per year.

It’s difficult to tell whether foodborne illnesses overall are on the rise or not, but certainly detection, tracing and reporting systems have all improved, and social media enables more people to hear about outbreaks easily and quickly.

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Chipotle Mexican Grill restaurant in Billerica, Massachusetts was closed today because an employee tested positive for norovirus. A spokesman for the restaurant said that four of their employees were feeling sick, so the facility closed for a “full sanitization.” The statement from Chipotle added that “no customers’ illnesses are connected to this restaurant.” They added that any sick employees should not come to work until they are well.

NSW Government

The NSW Food Authority advises:

Passage Foods Pty Ltd has recalled its Street Kitchen Thai Curry Kits (Yellow/Red/Green) sold at Woolworths stores nationally.

The recall is due to microbial (pathogenic bacteria) contamination. Food products contaminated with pathogenic bacteria may cause illness if consumed.

Details are:

• Street Kitchen Yellow Thai Curry, 285g, 3 sachets in cardboard wrap around,
  All best before dates.
• Street Kitchen Red Thai Curry, 285g, 3 sachets in cardboard wrap around,
  All best before dates.
• Street Kitchen Green Thai Curry, 285g, 3 sachets in cardboard wrap around,
  All best before dates.

Consumers should not eat this product. Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice. Customers should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund.

For more information contact Passage Foods Pty Ltd on 03 9580 3344.

FSANZ

FDA

LOST HILLS, Calif. Wonderful Pistachios announced that it is voluntarily recalling a limited number of flavors and sizes of in-shell and shelled pistachios due to a risk of Salmonella contamination. Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention some of our products may be linked to an outbreak of Salmonellosis. The products, which were distributed through several retailers nationwide and Canada, can be identified by a 13-digit lot code number that can be found on the lower back or bottom panel of the package. The specific products and lot codes are:

Consumers may return these products to Wonderful Pistachios for a refund by sending the product back or bottom portion of the package that contains the lot code (see photo below) to Wonderful Pistachios, 13646 Hwy 33, Lost Hills, CA 93249. If consumers prefer, they may return the product to the store from which it was purchased for a refund. Consumers should discard the nuts prior to returning the entire package or lot code panel to their retail store.

Consumers with questions are encouraged to contact (844) 505-3844, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Food Poisoning Journal

WKYT reports today that the Estill County Judge Executive says the state has identified what they believe the source of a Salmonella outbreak that left nearly 100 in the county sick.

Judge Executive Wallace Taylor says the state’s investigation found that an employee at Eagle’s Roost had contracted the illness, most likely without knowing they had it.

State officials told Taylor that they believe that is what led to the spread which they say left nearly 100 sick in the county.

Food Poisoning Bulletin

The Dayton Daily News is reporting that the Salmonella outbreak linked to Lucky’s Taproom & Eatery in Dayton, OH may have been caused by homemade mayonnaise. The Dayton and Montgomery County Health Department says that the house-made mayonnaise tested positive for Salmonella. The number of people who have been sickened in that outbreak increased to 77 from 60 since Friday March 4, 2016. Five people were admitted to hospitals as a result of their illnesses. Officials do not know if anyone who was sickened is still in the hospital.