USA -How disease detectives’ quick work traced deadly E. coli outbreak to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders

6ABC

Scientists at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who worked with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to investigate the latest E. coli outbreak and nail down its cause say the fact that these cases were linked and solved so quickly makes it a noteworthy win.

As part of an outbreak investigation announced by the CDC and the US Food and Drug Administration on October 22, 90 cases of STEC infection from 13 states have been linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders. More than two dozen people have been hospitalized, and one has died.

Read More at the Link Above

New Zealand – Mass student sickness at Canterbury University after suspected food poisoning

Stuff

Canterbury University is investigating after students at two halls of residence fell sick in the middle of the exam period following a case of suspected food poisoning.

Paul O’Flaherty, executive director of people, culture and campus life, said some students at University Hall and Ilam Student Accommodation had become unwell overnight.

“This is of course concerning to us, and we are working closely with the National Public Health Service to investigate the cause of the illness, which includes a visit by Public Health staff to University Hall to test a small sample of students.”

France – “We are very worried about my father”: new case of botulism, a 65-year-old man hospitalized after eating canned pâté

Ladepeche

A simple box of pâté sends him to the hospital. A 65-year-old man is currently hospitalized in intensive care at the Grenoble University Hospital after eating a pork terrine. The Pasteur Institute’s tests detected the presence of botulinum toxin. “We are very worried about my father,” his son explained to the Dauphiné Libéré . ​​”We hope that he will recover quickly and that he will not have any after-effects.”

The 65-year-old man had consumed a pork terrine produced on the farm by EARL Les Peupliers in Mottier in Isère. As soon as the results were known, the Isère prefecture ordered the recall of the cans of pork terrine. A few dozen cans are said to be affected. “The production conditions do not guarantee the sterilization of the jars,” the prefecture said.

USA – Savencia Cheese USA Announces Voluntary Recall of Select Soft Ripened Cheeses

FDA

NEW HOLLAND, Pa. (Nov. 2, 2024) – Savencia Cheese USA is recalling select soft ripened cheeses manufactured in our Lena manufacturing facility because it has 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.

The following products are affected by this recall:

Description

Best Buy Date

GTIN

UPC-A

UPC-B

Emporium Selection Brie, 12/8oz Brie 12/24/2024 10041498111325 004149811132 041498111328
Supreme Oval 7oz, 6/7oz 12/24/2024 10071448504211 007144850421 071448504214
La Bonne Vie Brie, 6/8oz 12/24/2024 10820581678538
La Bonne Vie Camembert, 6/8oz 12/24/2024 10820581678613
12/8oz Industrial Brie 12/24/2024 10077901005226 077901005229
Market Basket Brie 6/8oz 12/24/2024 10049705666309 004970566630 049705666302

The only products being recalled are those in the table above. You can identify these products by reviewing the UPC and the best buy date on the product labels. These products had limited regional distribution in the United States. The few retailers that received the product have been informed of this possible contamination and are in the process of removing products from shelves. Consumers that have any of the recalled products listed in the table above should refrain from consuming them and return them to their place of purchase for a full refund.

At this time, there have been no confirmed reports of adverse health events due to consumption of these products.

Through routine testing, it was identified that processing equipment at the site may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. While finished product testing has not identified contaminated product, we have initiated a voluntary recall to retrieve the potentially affected product.

This voluntary recall is being conducted in coordination with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Consumers with questions regarding the recall can contact Consumer Relations at (800)-322-2743 or email sc.customer.service@savencia.com.

Media Contact:
Kriston Ohm
kriston.ohm@savencia.com

Product Photos

Food Microworld Blog and LinkedIn.

I notice that my WordPress link to LinkedIn had broken yet again. I am keeping the present link until the end of the week after that point I will not be using the LinkedIn link anymore and therefore posts from my Blog will not appear directly on LinkedIn.
This will probably be a relief to some of you especially with the number of recalls and alerts coming from France at the moment.
For those of you that find the alerts useful and/or interesting you can subscribed directly to the blog with RSS feed or email via the front page of the Blog site on the right hand side if you would like to keep receiving them
https://kswfoodmicro.com/

France – Fresh and matured cheese – Listeria monocytogenes

Gov France

Product Category
Food
Product subcategory
Milk and dairy products
Product brand name
EARL the low boards
Model names or references
Crottins, log, barrel, medallion, little creamy
Product identification
Batch Date
288 fresh cheese Minimum durability date 07/11/2024
289 fresh cheese Minimum durability date 07/11/2024
290 matured cheese Minimum durability date 11/24/2024
291 matured cheese Minimum durability date 11/24/2024
292 matured cheese Minimum durability date 11/24/2024
293 fresh cheese Minimum durability date 07/11/2024
294 fresh cheese Minimum durability date 07/11/2024
295 fresh cheese Minimum durability date 07/11/2024
List of products
List_of_products.pdfAttachment
Packaging
stretch film
Start/End of marketing date
From 10/24/2024 to 10/25/2024
Storage temperature
Product to be kept in the refrigerator
Health mark
FR 14-635-001
Additional information
raw milk farmhouse goat cheese
Geographic area of ​​sale
Whole France
Distributors
Grocery store and shop

Denmark – Mold/Mould into mini muffins

Foedevarestyrelsen

Conaxess Trade Denmark A/S is recalling mini muffins, as there may be mold in the product, which makes the product unsuitable as food. If you have the product, you should discard it or return it to the store where it was purchased.

Update 04.11; Adding a variant of the product (Mrs. Muffins Mini White Chocolate Chips).

2 bags of muffins, a classic version and one with white chocolate chips
Image of mini muffins. 2 variants

Which food is recalled

Mrs. Muffin mini muffins classic
Net weight: 225 g
Best before date: 18.01.2025
Lot number: L-204
EAN code: 8411037884754

Mrs. Muffin mini muffins with white chocolate chips
Net weight: 225 g
Best before date: 23.11.2024
Lot number: L-148
EAN code: 8411037884785

Where is the product sold

The product is sold in: Bilka and Netto stores throughout the country, as well as online at Nemlig.dk.

Mrs. Muffin mini muffins with white chocolate chips are sold in: Bilka, Løvbjerg and Menubutikker all over the country, as well as online at Nemlig.dk.

Why is the product being recalled?

Mold has been found in the product. The presence of mold makes the product unsuitable as food.

Read more about spoilage bacteria, yeasts and molds here

What should you do as a consumer?

If you have the product, you should discard it or return it to the store where it was purchased. 

Who recalls the product

Conaxess Trade Denmark A/S
Stamholmen 151, 4th floor
2650 Hvidovre

Denmark – Suspicion of Listeria in fish patties

Foedevarestyrelsen

Insula Fersk Fisk A/S is recalling fish meatballs due to the discovery of Listeria in the production environment at the producer.

If you have the products, you should discard them or return them to the store where they were purchased.

Which foods are recalled

Glyngøre Ready-fried Fish Meatballs
EAN 5715030200034
Net weight 390 grams 
All best before dates from 30-10-2024 to 10-11-2024. 

Where are the products sold?

The products are sold in; MENU, SPAR, Min Købmand, Løvbjerg, Wolt market, SuperBrugsen, Kvickly, Brugsen, Dagli’ Brugsen and 365 Discount stores

Why are the products being recalled?

The bacterium Listeria monocytogenes has been detected in the production environment at the manufacturer and there is therefore a suspicion of Listeria in the products.

Infection with Listeria bacteria can cause flu-like symptoms, fever and headache and, in rare cases, gastrointestinal problems.

Read more about Listeria in food here

What should you do as a consumer?

The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration advises consumers to return the products to the store where they were purchased or to discard them. 

If you experience symptoms in connection with consuming the products, you should contact your own doctor.

Who recalls the products

Insula Fresh Fish A/S
Constantiavej 29
9900 Frederikshavn

Research -Authorities find source of STEC – E. coli outbreak in Iceland

Food Safety News

Health officials in Iceland have found the source of a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) outbreak that sickened more than 20 children.

Officials found the handling of ground meat during cooking at a kindergarten was insufficient.

Affected children are from the Mánagarði kindergarten in the Vesturbær district of Reykjavík. More than 100 children attend the center. Landlaeknir (The Directorate of Health) reported that 23 pupils have fallen ill and two are in the intensive care unit.

France – Organic flour T80 – Ergot Alkaloids – Mycotoxin

Gov France

Product Category
Food
Product subcategory
Cereals and bakery products
Product brand name
Minetorie TROTTIN own brand
Model names or references
SA5KG80 ORGANIC BAG T 80 5kg
Product identification
GTIN Batch Date
3700676300479 39-24-05 Minimum durability date 03/20/2025
Packaging
5kg
Start/End of marketing date
From 10/07/2024 to 10/31/2024
Storage temperature
Product to be stored at room temperature
Geographic area of ​​sale
Whole France
Distributors
Sales to individuals on site and in bakeries