Japan – 34 fall ill on flights from Guam to Japan; food poisoning suspected

Japan Today

A total of 34 passengers on two flights carrying a group of high school students from Guam to Japan fell ill with symptoms of suspected food poisoning, local emergency service officials said Friday.

According to the Narita airport office and the authorities from Chiba Prefecture, 16 were on Japan Airlines Flight 942 and 18 were on United Airlines Flight 873, which both landed at Narita airport Thursday night.

Among the passengers affected by symptoms such as vomiting, 14 needed to be taken to hospital after landing.

Some passengers reported feeling sick before boarding the flight, and Japan Airlines told airport officials it did not believe inflight meals to be the cause.

Research – Germany sees outbreaks decline, but cases increase

Food Safety News

Germany has reported a decline in outbreaks for 2023, but more people were sick than in the previous year.

In 2023, the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) and the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) received 190 reports of foodborne outbreaks that caused 2,248 illnesses, 283 hospitalizations, and 13 deaths.

In 2022, 211 outbreaks were recorded. At least 1,488 illnesses, 268 hospitalizations, and eight deaths were linked to them.

Sweden – Salmonella Typhimurium ST 36 (Sweden, August 2024–)

Folkhalsomyndigheten

An increase in cases of Salmonella typhimurium sequence type 36 is being investigated.

From August to October, 81 cases from 18 regions have contracted Salmonella typhimurium of sequence type 36 (ST 36). The cases, which have all been infected in Sweden unless information about the country of infection is missing, are infected with one of about ten different genetically related bacterial variants that have caused cases of illness from August to October (figure).

During September 2024, an outbreak investigation of cases infected with a specific variant of Salmonella Typhimurium of the ST 36 type was initiated.

Netherlands – Safety warning Nats Rawline Raw cakes chocolate & hazelnut – Salmonella

NVWA

Safety warning Nats Rawline Raw cakes chocolate & hazelnut
Udea warns about Nats Rawline Raw cakes chocolate & hazelnut. The product may contain salmonella. Do not eat the raw cakes.
See the Udea website
Which product are you referring to?
Product: Nats Rawline Raw cakes chocolate & hazelnut
Item number: 5015742
Barcode: 5407005641392
Best before (BBD): 19-05-2025
Lot code: 21224
Kind regards,
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA)

USA – Product Standards and the Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products

FSIS USDA

FSIS is hosting two virtual public meetings to give stakeholders an opportunity to present their views on the Salmonella Framework for Raw Poultry Products proposed rule and proposed determination. This first meeting will focus on the proposed final product standards under Component Three of the proposed Framework.

FSIS is holding these public meetings to solicit stakeholder views on the proposed Salmonella Framework and to facilitate dialogue among stakeholders.

Attendees must pre-register to attend the meetings. The meetings will hosted on Microsoft Teams. The link to join will be provided by email after you register to attend.

Quebec – Warning not to consume carrot cream in a glass jar sold by the company La Petite Ferme Locale – Clostridium botulinum

Quebec

QUEBEC CITY , Nov. , 2024 /CNW/ – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ) is warning the public not to consume the product listed in the table below because it has not been stored in a way that ensures its safety. This product could promote the proliferation of the bacteria  Clostridium botulinum . 

Product name

Format 

Target lot

CARROT CREAM

Unitary 

Units sold on

November 2nd and 3rd

2024

The lot that is the subject of this warning was offered for sale by the company La Petite Ferme Locale, only, on November 2 and 3, 2024, at the Maison Trestler Christmas market , located at 85, chemin de la Commune, in Vaudreuil-Dorion . The product was packaged in a glass jar with a metal lid and sold at room temperature.

MAPAQ is issuing this warning as a precautionary measure. In addition, people who have this product in their possession are advised not to consume it and to throw it away.

Even if the affected product does not show signs of spoilage or have a suspicious odor, it could be a breeding ground for  Clostridium botulinum bacteria . Food contaminated with the toxin from this bacteria can cause the following symptoms when ingested: facial paralysis, unreactive or fixed pupils, difficulty swallowing, drooping eyelids, and impaired vision and speech. In severe cases, the illness can be fatal.

It should be noted that no cases of illness associated with the consumption of this food have been reported to MAPAQ to date.

Canada – Possible Salmonella Typhi Exposure at Domino’s in Saskatchewan

Food Poisoning Bulletin

There has been a possible Salmonella typhi exposure at a Domino’s Pizza location in Martensville in Saskatchewan, Canada, according to the Saskatchewan Health Authority. That Domino’s restaurant is located at 717 Centennial Drive South in that city. Anyone who ate products from that restaurant from October 11, 2024 to October 19, 2024 may have been exposed to the pathogen. The press release did not state whether or not any illnesses have been reported as a result of this exposure.

USA- CIBUS Fresh, is Recalling CIBUS Fresh Products Containing Glenview Farms Spreadable Brie, 2/3lb Due to Supplier Notification of a Possible Listeria monocytogenes

FDA

CIBUS Fresh, Noblesville, Indiana, is recalling CIBUS Fresh products containing Glenview Farms Spreadable Brie, 2/3lb due to supplier notification of a possible Listeria monocytogenes (products are listed below). Product was distributed under the following labels: CIBUS Fresh, Jack & Olive, and Sprig and Sprout.

CIBUS Fresh has ceased producing and distributing products containing Glenview Farms Spreadable Brie, 2/3lb.

Use or consumption of products contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes 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.

The product was distributed to six states: Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee.

Product Name Item Number /
Code
Item UPC Expiration Date
CF/ Autumn Turkey
Sandwich 9.65oz
79616 00810028251915 11/02/24 to 11/09/24
J&O Autumn Turkey
Sandwich 9.65oz
79615 00810028251915 11/02/24 to 11/09/24
S&S Autumn Turkey
Sandwich 9.65oz
84408 00810028251915 11/03/24 to 11/09/24

No other CIBUS Fresh products are affected or are involved in this recall.

Food safety remains a top priority for CIBUS Fresh and we have full confidence that all appropriate steps are being taken to protect our consumers. CIBUS Fresh has informed the FDA of this recall and is working with customers to ensure the impacted product is removed from store shelves and is no longer distributed.

If consumers believe they have purchased a recalled item, they should dispose of the product and not consume it or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. For further information regarding the Brie Recall Consumers can learn more at: https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/savencia-cheese-usa-announces-expanded-voluntary-recall-select-soft-ripened-cheeses?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Please contact Chelsea Mascari by email at chelseam@freshedgefoods.com or by phone at 317-981-3460 for any questions related to this matter.

USA – Yu Shang Food Inc. Recalls Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

FSIS USDA

Yu Shang Food, Inc, a Spartanburg, SC, establishment, is recalling approximately 4,589 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat and poultry products out of an abundance of caution. These products may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The ready-to-eat meat and poultry items were produced from October 21 to October 27, 2024. These products have “used by” dates ranging from 21-AUG-2025 through 27-AUG-2025. View full product listView labels.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “P-46684” or “EST. M46684” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide and available for purchase online.

The problem was discovered after FSIS performed routine testing and follow-up activities of finished product produced by Yu Shang Food, Inc. on October 21, 2024, that confirmed the product was positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

Consumption of food contaminated with L. 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. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ refrigerators/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.

Media and consumers with questions regarding the recall can send an email to yushangchicken@gmail.com or contact Ling Li, Yu Shang Food, Inc. Plant Manager, at 408-857-0901.

Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 888-MPHotline (888-674-6854) or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.

Product Images

Research – Identification of Bacterial Pathogens in Organic Food of Animal Origin in Poland

MDPI

Abstract

The consumption of organic food has increased in recent years. In organic rearing animals are exposed to outdoor conditions, which may increase their risk of infection from various pathogens. In the present study the occurrence of the most significant foodborne pathogenic bacteria in organic meat and ready-to-eat organic meat products was assessed. Out of 100 raw organic meat samples tested, 72 were contaminated with bacterial pathogens. The highest percentage of contaminated samples was observed in poultry meat (92.5%) followed by pork meat (66.7%). Furthermore, 50.0% of beef origin samples were positive for the bacteria tested. L. monocytogenes was found in 39.0% of samples, S. aureus was identified in 37.0%, Campylobacter in 20.0%, Salmonella in 8.0% and Shigatoxin-producing E. coli in 4.0% of raw meat samples. In 31.0% of samples a co-occurrence of two (83.9%) or three (16.1%) pathogens was observed. Among 100 samples of organic meat products tested, only L. monocytogenes was found in 5.0% of samples. The result of the present study indicated that organic food may be a source of harmful microorganisms that may pose foodborne infections to consumers.