All recalls that resulted from this investigation are listed on FDA’s cantaloupe recall website. Recalled cantaloupes are no longer available for sale and the use-by dates have passed.
Recalled whole and pre-cut cantaloupes and recalled product containing pre-cut cantaloupes were sold or distributed from September to early December 2023 and should be past shelf-life. Consumers who froze cantaloupe products should check if they are part of the recalls. If you are unsure of where your cantaloupes are from, you should discard them.
Recalled whole cantaloupe from the following brands:
Recalled pre-cut cantaloupe and products containing pre-cut cantaloupes (products made from recalled whole cantaloupes) can be found on the Major Recalls Page.
Illness usually occurs within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food and usually lasts four to seven days. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Children younger than five, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections.
Ended
Product category
Food
Product subcategory
Milk and dairy products
Product brand name
SHEPHERDS OF UPPER BEARN
Model names or references
TOMME
Product identification
Batch Date
282 Minimum durability date 01/17/2024
Start/end date of marketing
From 12/30/2023 to 01/16/2024
Storage temperature
Product to keep in the refrigerator
Further information
Cheese sold in the Traditional section cut at the customer’s request
Geographical sales area
Anet
Distributors
LOCAL TRADITIONS
Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria France, Listeria in Cheese, Listeria monocytogenes
Posted in Campylobacter, Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbial Spoilage, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Research
Campylobacter is a significant foodborne pathogen that leads to global outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) usually affecting less than 30 individuals. Human sapovirus (HuSaV) is an enteric virus responsible for sporadic cases and outbreaks of AGE worldwide. In a study conducted in Beijing, HuSaV detection ranked second after norovirus.
What is added by this report?
We present a discussion of the first large-scale outbreak of AGE caused by both Campylobacter coli (C. coli) and HuSaV. The outbreak involved a total of 996 patients and exhibited two distinct peaks over a period of 17 days. Through case-control studies, we identified exposure to raw water from a secondary water supply system as a significant risk factor. Among 83 patients, 49 samples tested positive for C. coli, 39 samples tested positive for HuSaV, and 27 samples tested positive for both pathogens using real-time polymerase chain reaction detection. Furthermore, whole-genome sequencing of 17 C. coli isolates obtained from 17 patients revealed that all isolates belonged to a highly clonal strain of C. coli.
What are the implications for public health practice?
Outbreaks of AGE resulting from multiple pathogen infections warrant increased attention. This report emphasizes the significance of ensuring the safety of drinking water, particularly in secondary supply systems.
Vibrio metschnikovii is an emergent pathogen that causes human infections which may be fatal. However, the phylogenetic characteristics and pathogenicity determinants of V. metschnikovii are poorly understood. Here, the whole-genome features of 103 V. metschnikovii strains isolated from different sources are described. On phylogenetic analysis V. metschnikovii populations could be divided into two major lineages, defined as lineage 1 (L1) and 2 (L2), of which L1 was more likely to be associated with human activity. Meanwhile, we defined 29 V. metschnikovii O-genotypes (VMOg, named VMOg1-VMOg29) by analysis of the O-antigen biosynthesis gene clusters (O-AGCs). Most VMOgs (VMOg1 to VMOg28) were assembled by the Wzx/Wzy pathway, while only VMOg29 used the ABC transporter pathway. Based on the sequence variation of the wzx and wzt genes, an in silico O-genotyping system for V. metschnikovii was developed. Furthermore, nineteen virulence-associated factors involving 161 genes were identified within the V. metschnikovii genomes, including genes encoding motility, adherence, toxins, and secretion systems. In particular, V. metschnikovii was found to promote a high level of cytotoxicity through the synergistic action of the lateral flagella and T6SS. The lateral flagellar-associated flhA gene played an important role in the adhesion and colonization of V. metschnikovii during the early stages of infection. Overall, this study provides an enhanced understanding of the genomic evolution, O-AGCs diversity, and potential pathogenic features of V. metschnikovii.
An outbreak of likely Clostridium perfringens was investigated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Jefferson County Public Health starting on August 22, 2023. That day, a school nurse at Evergreen County Day School reported 40 or so illnesses following a school event on August 21, 2023. The outbreak was given the state ID “2023-30-129.”
A cheese producer that recalled products after a possible E. coli risk has said tests on 60 batches have shown no evidence of the bacteria.
Four types of Mrs Kirkham’s cheese were withdrawn in December as part of an investigation into cases involving a lesser-known strain of E. coli.
The Lancashire-based company said it had undergone a full dairy inspection.
An investigation to identify the cause of the outbreak by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) continues.
In a statement, Mrs Kirkham’s said the Preston company “closely follow controls to eliminate pathogen contamination and growth”.
Posted in food recall, fsa, product recall, Recall, STEC, STEC E.coli
Listeria monocytogenes (in the meat, fish and seafood, dairy and fruit and vegetable sectors), Salmonella enterica (in the feed, meat, egg and low moisture food sectors) and Cronobacter sakazakii (in the low moisture food sector) were identified as the bacterial food safety hazards most relevant to public health that are associated with persistence in the food and feed processing environment (FFPE). There is a wide range of subtypes of these hazards involved in persistence in the FFPE. While some specific subtypes are more commonly reported as persistent, it is currently not possible to identify universal markers (i.e. genetic determinants) for this trait. Common risk factors for persistence in the FFPE are inadequate zoning and hygiene barriers; lack of hygienic design of equipment and machines; and inadequate cleaning and disinfection. A well-designed environmental sampling and testing programme is the most effective strategy to identify contamination sources and detect potentially persistent hazards. The establishment of hygienic barriers and measures within the food safety management system, during implementation of hazard analysis and critical control points, is key to prevent and/or control bacterial persistence in the FFPE. Once persistence is suspected in a plant, a ‘seek-and-destroy’ approach is frequently recommended, including intensified monitoring, the introduction of control measures and the continuation of the intensified monitoring. Successful actions triggered by persistence of L. monocytogenes are described, as well as interventions with direct bactericidal activity. These interventions could be efficient if properly validated, correctly applied and verified under industrial conditions. Perspectives are provided for performing a risk assessment for relevant combinations of hazard and food sector to assess the relative public health risk that can be associated with persistence, based on bottom-up and top-down approaches. Knowledge gaps related to bacterial food safety hazards associated with persistence in the FFPE and priorities for future research are provided.
Source Unknown
• Total Cases: 147
• Shigella Species Type:
– 101 (68.7%) sonnei
– 5 (3.4%) flexneri
– 41 (27.9%) species not yet available.
• Severity of Disease:
– 67 (45.6%) of the cases have been hospitalized due to shigella.
– 1 (0.7%) death has been attributed to shigella.
FoodWorld 