Tag Archives: environment

UK- FSA – Updates Recalled Loch Arthur Creamery Criffel Unpasteurised Cheese

Posted on February 20, 2013 by | Leave a comment

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Listeria monocytogenes has been detected in the product below following sampling by Dumfries & Galloway Council.

Product name: Criffel Brand name: Loch Arthur Creamery Type of product: Full fat semi-soft unpasteurised cheese Production date: 7 January 2013, 9 January 2013

FSA

Further batches of Loch Arthur Creamery cheese are being recalled because of confirmation that they contain high levels of Listeria monocytogenes. The Food Standards Agency is issuing an updated Product Recall Information Notice.

Loch Arthur Creamery is recalling production date codes of 7 January 2013 and 9 January 2013, following sampling by Dumfries and Galloway Council. Listeria monocytogenes is a food-poisoning bacteria.

 

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USA Recall – FDA- Smoked Salmon – Listeria monocytogenes –

Posted on February 20, 2013 by | Leave a comment

FDAlisteria-hp

MKG Provisions of Miami, FL is recalling Atlantic Smoked Salmon Batch# 1768
consisting of several brands of products listed below which have 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.

 

 

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

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Hong Kong – Norovirus

Posted on February 15, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Dept Health Hong Kong

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (February 14) reminded members of the public and management of institutions to maintain personal and environmental hygiene to prevent gastroenteritis.

The appeal was made following the CHP’s investigation into an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis at an elderly home in North District involving 20 female residents and three female staff members.

The affected residents, aged between 77 and 96, together with three staff members, presented with symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, including vomiting, fever and diarrhoea, since February 4.

Two of them were admitted to North District Hospital. All the 23 affected persons are in stable condition.

Rectal swabs of three patients tested positive for norovirus. Investigations are continuing.

Officers of the CHP have visited the institution and provided health advice to the staff concerning proper disinfection, disposal of vomitus, and personal and environmental hygiene.

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Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Virus, Hand Washing, Hygiene, Microbiology, Norovirus, Pathogen, Virus

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USA – Recall RTE Roast Beef – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on February 15, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Listeria Bloglisteria-hp

Perfect Pasta Inc., an Addison, Ill. establishment, is recalling approximately 315 pounds of ready-to-eat roast beef products due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The following product is subject to recall:

  • 5-lb. packages of “GINA FULLY COOKED ROAST BEEF WITH SEASONED JUICE” with a lot code number of “040615RB” and a pack date of “02-06-13.”

The products subject to recall bear the establishment number “EST. 19829” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products were produced on February 6, 2013, and distributed to institutions in Chicago.

The problem was discovered by FSIS through microbiological testing by the Agency. After the company received a positive sample for Listeria monocytogenes, most of its products were held but a portion may have been cross-contaminated as a result of equipment not being cleaned between production shifts and shipped into commerce. FSIS and the company have not received reports of illnesses due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, FSIS, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, USDA

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Research – FDA Risk Assessment of Listeria monocytogenes in Cheese

Posted on February 10, 2013 by | 2 comments

FDA FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a draft quantitative assessment of the risk of listeriosis from soft-ripened cheese consumption in the United States and Canada. The risk assessment is a joint effort between FDA and Health Canada. View the Federal Register Notice for the assessment.

The new FDA/Health Canada draft risk assessment found that the risk of listeriosis from soft-ripened cheeses made with raw milk is estimated to be 50 to 160 times higher than that from soft-ripened cheese made with pasteurized milk. This finding is consistent with the fact that consuming raw milk and raw milk products generally poses a higher risk from pathogens than do pasteurized milk and its products.

While raw milk and raw milk products put all consumers at risk, the bacteria they may contain can be especially dangerous to people with weakened immune systems, older adults, pregnant women and children. View guidelines for avoiding illness by choosing milk and milk products carefully.

FDA invites comments that can help FDA and Health Canada improve:

  • the approach used;
  • the assumptions made;
  • the modeling techniques;
  • the data used; and
  • the clarity and transparency of the draft quantitative risk assessment documentation.

To submit comments electronically, go to docket FDA-2012-N-1182 on regulations.gov. The comment period opens February 11, 2013 for 75 days.

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Posted in Bacteria, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Technology, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Methods, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research

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Research – Flash Drying Poultry Cages – Reduces Campylobacter Levels

Posted on February 10, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin Campylobacter

Campylobacter is a bacteria that is commonly found in the intestines of poultry and shed  in their feces. During slaughter, these bacteria sometimes make their way onto cuts of meat, posing a health threat to consumers.

Sometimes these bacteria are spread from infected birds to healthy ones during transport. For example, a healthy bird may be placed in a poultry cage whose previous occupant was infected, or the healthy bird’s poultry cage may be placed beneath an infected bird’s cage on a truck. Despite the risk to consumers, there hasn’t been much progress in reducing the presence of the pathogen in poultry, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

A few years ago, researchers discovered that drying the cages for 24-48 hours after washing them, cut down and even eliminated Campylobacter levels in poultry cages. But these drying times were found to be overly long and impractical by the industry. So  microbiologists Mark Berrang and Richard Meinersmann at the US Department of Agriculture’s  Agricultural Research Service and their colleague Charles Hofacre at the University of Georgia in Athens researched a shorter drying time with a blast of hot air.

They found that flowing hot air for 15 minutes on cages that had been spray washed with water “lowered the numbers of Campylobacter to an undetectable level,” according to a report of their study published in the January 2013 edition of Agricultural Research, a USDA publication. No word  yet on how the poultry industry views the breakthrough.

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Posted in Bacteria, Campylobacter, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Technology, Methods, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research

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RASFF- Alerts – Norovirus – Salmonella – Histamine – Moulds – E.coli

Posted on February 9, 2013 by | Leave a comment

RASFF – Salmonella in Bovine Meat in Sweden sourced in Ireland

RASFF – Salmonella in Chilled Beef in Sweden sourced in Ireland

RASFF – Moulds in Soft Toffee in Czech Republic sourced in Poland

RASFF– Histamine in Tuna in Italy sourced in Spain

RASFF – E.coli in Live Bivalve Molluscs in the Netherlands sourced in Denmark

France – Norovirus warning for the English Channel

Due to poisonings related to collective consumption of shellfish, fish and shellfish all marketing from one of the main production areas of Lower Normandy oysters in an area about 5 kilometers Blainville-sur-Mer , in the English Channel, is prohibited. Products shipped since January 28 are recalled to be destroyed, said Thursday the prefecture of Manche.

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Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Technology, Food Testing, Food Virus, Histamine, Microbiology, Moulds, Norovirus, Pathogen, RASFF, Recall, Salmonella, Virus

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UK – FSA – Cheese Recall Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on February 8, 2013 by | Leave a comment

FSAfood_standards_agency_logo

Listeria monocytogenes, a food-poisoning bacteria, has been found in some batches of Loch Arthur Creamery cheese following sampling by Dumfries and Galloway Council. Loch Arthur Creamery is recalling all date codes up to and including to 11 February 2013 and the Food Standards Agency is issuing a Product Recall Information Notice.

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Standards Agency, Food Testing, Listeria, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

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USA – Trader Joe’s Recall Organic Pea Shoots – Possible Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on February 8, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Trader Joe’s

We have been alerted by our supplier of Trader Joe’s Organic Pea Shoots SKU 92756 with “Best By” dates through 02/16 sold only in our Oregon and Washington stores that there is a possibility that the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

In accordance with our stringent health and safety standards, and as an extreme precaution, all of the potentially affected product has been removed from sale and destroyed. To date, we have received no reports of illness related to this product.

Customers who have purchased this item are urged to not eat it, and to dispose of it or return it to any Trader Joe’s for a full refund.

Customers with questions may contact Trader Joe’s Customer Relations at (626) 599-3817 [Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time].

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Pathogen, Recall

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USA – FDA Expanded Recall Sprouted Seeds – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on February 8, 2013 by | Leave a comment

FDAEurofins

Sprouters Northwest is voluntarily recalling all varieties of sprouts products, wheatgrass and pea shoots due to the potential contamination 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. There have been no illnesses reported to date.

All varieties of sprouts products including 3-Bean Munchie, Alfalfa, Bean, Broccoli, Brocco Sandwich sprouts, Clover, Deli, Spicy; Wheatgrass and Pea Shoots that were distributed through 1/30/2013 in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia, Canada through retail stores and food service distribution chain.

The affected products are sold under the Sprouters Northwest, LifeForce and Brassica brand names and are packaged in plastic clamshell containers, plastic cups, plastic trays in 3 oz., 4 oz., 5 oz., and in plastic 1 lb. 2lb, or 5lb. bags. The Best by Dates are including all and up to 2/17/2013. Trader Joe’s Organic Pea Shoots (SKU 92756), packaged in a 4 oz. clamshell offered only in Oregon and Washington state are also affected. The Best by Dates are through 02/16/13. The Best by Date sticker is located in the top right hand corner, front of the package.

The problem was identified through surveillance finished products samples collected at retail locations and at the firm by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. Sprouters Northwest is working with WSDA and the Food & Drug Administration on this recall.

Consumers who have purchased a specific lot of items mentioned above are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of it. Consumers with questions may contact the Sprouters Northwest at 1-253-872-0577 from 7AM to 2PM PST.

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

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