Research – EFSA – Crunch time for insects?

Posted on March 21, 2023 by | Leave a comment

EFSA

What’s your idea of a tasty snack? Fruit, biscuits, bread and jam perhaps? What would you say if you were offered something more adventurous – fried crickets or grasshoppers? Popular in some countries such as Thailand and Mexico, they are often eaten with chili and lime. In Europe, reactions are mixed! Our expert Ermolaos Ververis explains how EFSA’s novel foods team assesses whether foods such as insects are safe, and he makes us rethink what we know as staple foods in Europe. Come join us for this episode of Science on the Menu, where we even put these questions to the test.

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, EFSA, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk

USA – Resources for the Control of Listeria monocytogenes for Manufacturers of Soft Fresh Queso Fresco-type CheesesUSA –

Posted on March 21, 2023 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Summary of FDA’s Strategy to Help Prevent Listeriosis Outbreaks Associated with Soft Fresh Queso Fresco-Type Cheeses

This fact sheet is intended to help Queso Fresco-type soft cheese manufacturing groups further their understanding of possible food safety risks that can occur in production and the resources available to help them consistently produce safe food.

What are soft Queso Fresco-type cheeses?

Soft Queso Fresco-type (QFT) cheeses are fresh, unripe cheeses that do not go through a significant aging process. These types of cheeses are white/off-white in color and very moist. They also have a low salt and acid content, which gives them a shorter shelf life compared to that of other aged cheeses. This also means soft QFT cheeses must always be refrigerated. Depending on the country of origin, some of the more popular fresh, soft QFT cheeses are labeled as either Latin-style or Mexican-style cheeses. Well-known examples of QFT cheeses include Oaxaca, Asadero, Queso Blanco, Queso Fresco, Requeson, and Panela, amongst others [1],[2].

What are some concerns with soft Queso Fresco-type cheeses?

The pathogen of primary concern among soft QFT cheeses is Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes), a type of disease-causing bacteria that specifically causes the infection listeriosis. Outbreaks of listeriosis have been linked with soft QFT cheeses made from raw milk or those that contain ingredients that were contaminated somewhere during the cheese-making process.  Historical outbreaks of listeriosis have been associated with QFT made from unpasteurized milk, but recent outbreaks have been caused by cheeses made from pasteurized milk that was contaminated during the cheese-making process. The soft QFT cheeses linked to past outbreaks were often manufactured by smaller-scale producers. These outbreaks have often affected a higher proportion of pregnant Hispanic women and their newborns. Listeriosis infections in pregnant women can result in serious illness, miscarriage, or even stillbirth. Older adults, newborns, and people with weakened immune systems are also at higher risk for developing serious symptoms associated with listeriosis. In addition to the risk of listeriosis linked to soft QFT cheese, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported multiple outbreaks linked to other pathogenic bacteria in these products, including Salmonella, Campylobacter jejuni, and Brucella [3],[4].

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Safety, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, food safety training, Listeria, Listeria in Cheese, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk

USA – Raw milk bill requires Hawaii Legislature to choose between health risks or food security

Posted on March 21, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Hawaii House Bill 521 reads like another attempt to weaken the regulation of raw milk until you notice that the year 3000 is currently listed as the effective date. That might be a long wait for those who want to legalize raw milk and raw milk products in the Aloha State including the bill’s powerful author.

Nevertheless, HB521 is getting serious consideration from Hawaii’s legislative committee. The bill has already been heard by the House Finance Committee and the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce. Those two committees agree that the purpose of HB 521 is to:

1) Authorize and decriminalize the sale of raw milk and raw milk products directly to consumers for human consumption, subject to certain conditions; and

(2) Authorize the sale of raw goat milk for pet consumption, subject to certain conditions.

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Safety, Food Safety Management, food safety training, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Raw Milk, Raw Milk Cream

France – Motte d’Antan with Guérande sea salt 250G – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on March 21, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Feed
  • Product subcategory Milk and dairy products
  • Product brand name The Gall
  • Model names or references Motte d’Antan with Guérande sea salt 250G
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Batch Date
    3252920011797 037 Date of minimum durability 04/27/2023
  • Marketing start/end date From 02/17/2023 to 02/27/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark EN 29.232.093 EC
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Whole France
  • Distributors AUCHAN, CARREFOUR, INTERMARCHE, LECLERC, SAMADA

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall Detection of Listeria Monocytogenes.
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Listeria monocytogenes (causative agent of listeriosis)

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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 monocytogenes

France – Organic compote gourds without added sugar 4x90g – Mycotoxin – Patulin

Posted on March 21, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Feed
  • Product subcategory Sweet products
  • Product brand name In BIO
  • Model names or references Organic strawberry apple gourds without added sugar 4x90g Apricot apple gourds without added sugar 4x90g Apple gourds without added sugar 4x90g Apple gourds without added sugar 12x90g
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Lot Date
    3256226396817 L9450 Date of minimum durability 31/10/2023
    3256226396848 L9423 Date of minimum durability 31/10/2023
    3256226396831 L9282 Date of minimum durability 31/10/2023
    3256226396862 L9283 Date of minimum durability 31/10/2023
  • Packaging Gourds 90 g
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark EMB84080E
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Whole France
  • Distributors Magasins U

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall Physico-chemical risk
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Patulin

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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 Poisoning, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Mold Toxin, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, Patulin

UK – Update 1: The Old Cheese Room extends recalls of Baronet, Baby Baronet and Mini Baronet Soft Cheese because of the presence of Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on March 21, 2023 by | Leave a comment

FSA

The Old Cheese Room is extending its recall of Baronet, Baby Baronet and Mini Baronet Soft Cheeses because Listeria monocytogenes has been found in some batches of these products. This PRIN is an update to include further dates and batch codes and replaces earlier PRINs.

Product details

Baronet Soft Cheese
Pack size 1kg
Best before 21 March 2023 11 April 2023 12 April 2023 18 April 2023
Baby Baronet Soft Cheese
Pack size 200g
Best before 22 March 2023 04 April 2023 10 April 2023 16 April 2023
Mini Baronet Soft Cheese
Pack size 270g
Best before 22 March 2023 10 April 2023 18 April 2023

Risk statement

The presence of Listeria monocytogenes in some batches of the products listed above.

Symptoms caused by this organism can be similar to flu and include high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea. However, in rare cases, the infection can be more severe, causing serious complications, such as meningitis.

Some people are more vulnerable to listeria infections, including those over 65 years of age, pregnant women and their unborn babies, babies less than one month old and people with weakened immune systems.

Action taken by the company

The Old Cheese Room is recalling the above products. Point of sale notices will be displayed where the products were sold. These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the products. Please see the attached notice.

Customer Notice: Baronet, Baby Baronet and Mini Baronet soft cheeses (220.57 KB)

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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, fsa, Listeria, Listeria in Cheese, Listeria monocytogenes

France – Butter with salt crystals 250g – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on March 20, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Feed
  • Product subcategory Milk and dairy products
  • Product brand name KER ARGOET
  • Model names or references Butter with salt crystals 250g
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Batch Date
    3701002403598 All lots Use-by date 04/17/2023
  • Marketing start/end date From 02/21/2023 to 03/15/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark EN 22.232.093 EC
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Whole France
  • Distributors LARGE FRESH, FRESH, My Market

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall detection of Listeria Monocytogenes.
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Listeria monocytogenes (causative agent of listeriosis)

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

France – Reblochon de Savoie PDO – Staphylococcus aureus

Posted on March 20, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Feed
  • Product subcategory Milk and dairy products
  • Product brand name Val d’Arly cooperative
  • Model names or references Val d’Arly cooperative
  • Identification of products
    Batch Date
    331128 Date of minimum durability 01/04/2023
  • Packaging FILM PAPER
  • Marketing start/end date From 01/02/2023 to 06/02/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark FR 73 114 001 CE
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Departments: BOUCHES-DU-RHONE (13), ILLE-ET-VILAINE (35), RHONE (69), HAUTE-SAVOIE (74), ESSONNE (91), VAL-D’OISE (95)
  • Distributors Wholesalers for catering professionals

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall Possible presence of Staphylococci (precautionary principle)
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Staphylococcus aureus (causative agent of staphylococcal poisoning)

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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 Poisoning, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Staphylococcal Toxin, Staphylococcus aureus

USA – Two pet food companies warned after Salmonella and Listeria found in finished products

Posted on March 20, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

As part of its enforcement activities, the Food and Drug Administration sends warning letters to entities under its jurisdiction. Some letters are not posted for public view until weeks or months after they are sent. Business owners have 15 days to respond to FDA warning letters. Warning letters often are not issued until a company has been given months to years to correct problems.

Primal Pet Foods
Fairfield, CA

An animal food firm in California is on notice from the FDA for serious violations of the FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Food for Animals regulation, including Listeria found in the finished product. Pathogens in pet food can make people as well as pets sick.

Arrow Reliance Inc.
Tukwila, WA

An animal food firm in Washington is on notice from the FDA for not being in compliance with FDA regulations due to adulterated animal food, including finished products with Salmonella. Pathogens in pet food can make people as well as pets sick.

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Posted in Animal Feed, Animal Feed Salmonella, Animal Feed Testing, FDA, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Pet Food, Pet Food Salmonella, Pet Food Testing

Research – A Bit(e) of History of Hepatitis A and Frozen Fruits and Vegetables

Posted on March 20, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Marler Blog

Another Hepatitis A outbreak appears to be brewing in the US linked to imported frozen strawberries. Here is a bit(e) of a compilation of past outbreaks.

Hepatitis A outbreaks associated with fresh, frozen, and minimally processed produce worldwide from 1983 to 2022—adapted and expanded from Sivapalasingam et al., 2004 and Fiore, 2004. Italics indicate instances where the food was locally sourced with respect to the cases. The implicated foods were raw unless listed otherwise.

Hepatitis A outbreaks associated with fresh, frozen, and minimally processed produce, worldwide, from 1983 to 2022 see the table at the link above.

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Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Virus