Research – Risk assessment of norovirus and hepatitis A virus in strawberries imported into China

Posted on October 14, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Wiley Online

Abstract

Norovirus (NoV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) pose a considerable health risk worldwide. In recent years, many cases of virus infection caused by virus-contaminated strawberries have occurred worldwide. This study applied a critical control point system to analyze the main hazards during the production and marketing of strawberries imported into China and explore the key control points in the whole process. To further evaluate the risks in the supply chain, the established quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) was used to determine the probability that residents would be infected with viruses after consuming imported strawberries. It was found that the risk of virus contamination from imported strawberries was low, and the virus contamination mainly results from water resources and personnel. This research helps the regulatory authorities formulate strategies to ensure the long-term microbial safety of imported strawberries. In addition, the methods may prove useful in evaluating the risks of other agricultural produce.

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations

France – Raclette – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on October 13, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Milk and dairy products
  • Product brand name Baechler
  • Model names or references Fenugreek batch 23 0471 and 23 0473 expiry date 12/26/2023 to 01/02/2023 Wild garlic batch 23 034 8 and 23 044 8 expiry date 09/27/23 to 12/28/2023 Green pepper Pink berries lot 23 0324 expiry date of 04/01/2024
  • Product identification
    Batch
    see product list in attachment
    see product list in attachment
  • Products List liste_rappel_conso.pdf Attachment
  • Packaging self-service portions or packaged by the cut
  • Start/end date of marketing From 09/27/2023 to 10/12/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to keep in the refrigerator
  • Health mark Suspicion and presence of listeria
  • Further information in the cutting or self-service department
  • Geographical sales area Whole France
  • Distributors Antonin, ASLG, Basse, CNF, Comtal, Disfrais, Duroux, Elsadis, FF Auvergne, FF Rhone Alpes, Fromagerie des neiges, Laiterie Gilbert, Lodi produced, Losfeld, OF Eulalie, Ouest frais, Prestisud, Thomas Export, Traditions terroirs, Valserine

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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 Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria France, Listeria in Cheese, Listeria monocytogenes

France – natural mineral water – Pseudomonas

Posted on October 13, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Waters
  • Product brand name PERLYNE
  • Model names or references PERLYNE BOTTLE 1.5L
  • Product identification
    GTIN Batch Date
    3770004468003 L23271-1 Use-by date 09/28/2025
  • Packaging 6 x 1.5 liters
  • Start/end date of marketing From 03/10/2023 to 07/10/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored at room temperature
  • Geographical sales areaWhole France
  • Distributors Match Bavay Intermarché Le Cateau Carrefour Gommegnies

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Posted in Contaminated water, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Spoilage, Food Testing, Pseudomonas, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

USA – FDA – Core Outbreak Table

Posted on October 13, 2023 by | Leave a comment

FDA

What’s New

  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Thompson (ref #1190) linked to a not yet identified product, the case count has increased from 64 to 67 and FDA has initiated traceback.
  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Newport (ref #1179), the outbreak has ended, and the FDA investigation is closed. Based on CDC’s epidemiological investigation, ill people reported eating watermelon and/or cantaloupe before becoming sick and a majority of illnesses were geographically grouped in the Midwest. Investigators were unable to determine a specific product or source of contamination while the outbreak was still considered ongoing. Currently, there is no risk to the public, as all product is no longer on the market. As part of this investigation, samples were collected and analyzed. Three environmental samples collected from farms in the Southwest Indiana growing region were reported as positive and matched the strain of Salmonella Newport that caused illnesses in this outbreak. Additionally, samples collected from a farm of interest and surrounding areas were reported as positive for Salmonella and also matched strains that have caused previous outbreaks, including those discussed in the 2022 Outbreak Investigation Report of Salmonella Typhimurium Illnesses Potentially Linked to Cantaloupe. This year’s findings indicate continued presence of food safety concerns  linked to melons from the Southwest Indiana growing region.

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Posted in FDA, Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, outbreak, Salmonella

USA – Raw milk identified as cause of Campylobacteriosis outbreak in Utah

Posted on October 13, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Public health officials in Salt Lake County are investigating an outbreak associated with raw, unpasteurized milk.

The Salt Lake County Health Department has confirmed 14 people with infections from campylobacter. All but two of the patients reported drinking raw milk before becoming sick, according to a notice from the department.

The department reported that the patients range from 2 to 73 years old. One of them was hospitalized.

As of Wednesday, Oct. 11, the health department reported that the source of the raw milk had not been determined. The department is urging people only to drink milk that has been pasteurized.

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and most state and local health departments also recommend against consuming unpasteurized raw milk and its products. Raw dairy products can contain pathogens like Listeria, E. coli, campylobacter, Salmonella, and hepatitis A.

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Posted in Campylobacter, campylobacter coli, Campylobacter jejuni, food bourne outbreak, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Raw Milk

New Zealand – Public health warning: shellfish biotoxin alert for East Cape region

Posted on October 13, 2023 by | Leave a comment

MPI

New Zealand Food Safety is advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from near Tolaga Bay due to the presence of toxins.

“Routine tests on mussels from Tolaga Bay have shown levels of paralytic shellfish toxins over the safe limit,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle. “The warning extends from Tatapouri Point just north of Gisborne, up to Koutunui Point in Tokamaru Bay.

“Please do not gather and eat shellfish from this area because anyone doing so could get sick.

“Cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxin, so shellfish from this area should not be eaten.”

See a map of the warning

Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning usually appear within 10 minutes to 3 hours of eating and may include:

  • numbness and a tingling (prickly feeling) around the mouth, face, hands, and feet
  • difficulty swallowing or breathing
  • dizziness and headache
  • nausea and vomiting
  • diarrhoea
  • paralysis and respiratory failure and, in severe cases, death.

Pāua, crab, and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed, its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.

New Zealand Food Safety has had no notifications of associated illness.

If anyone becomes ill after eating shellfish from an area where a public health warning has been issued, phone Healthline for advice on 0800 61 11 16, or seek medical attention immediately. You are also advised to contact your nearest public health unit and keep any leftover shellfish in case it can be tested.

“New Zealand Food Safety is monitoring shellfish in the region and will notify the public of any changes to the situation,” says Mr Arbuckle.

Commercially harvested shellfish – sold in shops and supermarkets or exported – is subject to strict water and flesh monitoring programmes by New Zealand Food Safety to ensure they are safe to eat.

A public health warning remains in place in the Queen Charlotte Sound due to high levels of Diarrhetic Shellfish Toxins.

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Posted in Biotoxin, food recall, Lipophilic Marine Biotoxin, Marine Biotoxin, paralytic shellfish poisoning, product recall, Recall, Shellfish, shellfish toxin

India – 13 Hospitalised in Vizag for Suspected Food Poisoning

Posted on October 13, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Deccan Chronicle

Visakhapatnam: Thirteen youngsters, who dined at a restaurant in Gajuwaka on Sunday, had to be hospitalised after they complained of severe vomiting and stomach ache.

According to Gajuwaka inspector L. Bhaskar Rao, a group of friends had gathered at the restaurant on Sunday evening for a meal that included chicken biryani and barbeque chicken wings. However, they woke up on Monday morning with symptoms of vomiting and stomach ache, consistent with food poisoning.

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France – Pepper and pepper sheep cheese – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on October 13, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Milk and dairy products
  • Product brand name Kukulu, Les Saloirs d’Espelette, Antonin, Tomme d’Espelette, Kalaka
  • Model names or references Sheep’s cheese pepper chili format 4kg
  • Product identification
    Batch Date
    BP61223 BP61323 BP70323 Minimum durability date between 01/24/2024 and 03/20/2024
  • Packaging Whole Tomme
  • Start/end date of marketing From 07/27/2023 to 09/22/2023
  • Storage temperatureProduct to keep in the refrigerator
  • Health markFR64213100CE
  • Geographical sales area Whole France
  • Distributors Supermarkets, Wholesales

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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 Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria France, Listeria in Cheese, Listeria monocytogenes

Czech Republic – WHOLE GRAIN RYE FLOUR – Mycotoxin – Ergot Alkaloids

Posted on October 13, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Potravinynapranyri

Illustrative photo #1

Place of inspection:
Mírová pod Kozákovem ( Dubecko 1, 511 01 Mírová pod Kozákovem )
ID: 86688472
Food group: Milled cereal products / Flour and semolina

WHOLE GRAIN RYE FLOUR
Category: Dangerous foods
Invalid parameter:

sum of ergot alkaloids

The legislative limit for the contaminating substance – ergot alkaloids was exceeded several times in the food.

Food is not considered safe if it is contaminated with foreign substances.

Best before date: 01-10-2023
Packaging: PAP bag with label
Quantity of the product in the package: 1 kg
Manufacturer: Michal Zuna, Under the Green Road 1768, Turnov
Country of origin:  Czechia
Date of sample collection: 6/21/2023
Reference number: 23-000727-SZPI-CZ
The sample was detected by the official control of the State Agricultural and Food Inspection.

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Posted in Ergot, Ergot Alkaloids, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, mold, Mold Toxin, Mould/Mold, Mycotoxin, Potravinynapranyri, Rye Ergot

France -Provençal charcuterie salad – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on October 13, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

  • Product category Food
  • Product subcategory Prepared meals and snacks
  • Product brand name SALFADIS
  • Model names or references Provençal charcuterie salad
  • Product identification
    GTIN Batch Date
    2322634025722 0668323733373323 Use-by date 05/10/2023
  • Packaging In bulk
  • Start/end date of marketing From 02/10/2023 to 05/10/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to keep in the refrigerator
  • Health mark FR83.107.002.CE
  • Further information Charcuterie salad sold in the traditional delicatessen/catering section.
  • Geographical sales area Departments: TARN-ET-GARONNE (82)
  • Distributors Super U Montauban

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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 Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Listeria, Listeria France, Listeria monocytogenes