Tag Archives: science

USA – Recall – Cold Smoked Salmon – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on December 16, 2012 by | Leave a comment

FDAFDA

Ocean Beauty Seafoods LLC is voluntarily recalling 371 cases of ready-to-eat cold smoked salmon products because of possible contamination by Listeria monocytogenes.

The recalled products, “Nathan’s Brand 3oz Cold Smoked Atlantic Salmon” (Product of Chile) and “LASCCO Cold Smoked Nova Atlantic Salmon 4 oz” (Product of Chile) were distributed to various retailers and distribution centers in WA, OR, CA, AZ, TX, CO, MA, NH, CT, RI, NJ, and NY from 11/20/2012 through 12/12/2012.

Potentially affected product is limited to packages bearing the following codes:

BRAND ITEM UPC PACK CODE VOLUME
Lascco 4 oz Nova Salmon 0 72840 01751 7 285 96 cases
Nathan’s 3oz Nova Salmon 0 73030 80368 2 285 275 cases

Ocean Beauty Seafoods has notified the retailers and distributors who may have received the affected product listed above, and is taking this action as a precautionary measure in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. No other Ocean Beauty products are included in this action. There have been no complaints or illnesses reported in association with this recall.

The potential for contamination was noted after internal testing by the company revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in samples of the specific code dates identified above.  Nathan’s and Lascco brand products that do not have the specific package code identified above are not affected.

Consumers can identify if they have purchased an impacted product by looking at the package code date located in the back, top left corner of the package. Consumers who have affected product with the package codes identified above should not eat the product. Consumers should discard any open packages of affected product and should return unopened packages to the place of purchase for a refund.

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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, Parasite, Pathogen, Recall

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Winter Vomiting- Cruise Ships – Hospitals – Christmas Parties – Restaurants

Posted on December 14, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Billings Gazette

CASPER, Wyo. — The Golden Corral restaurant in east Casper is closed until at  least dinnertime Friday after a suspected foodborne virus outbreak at the  location affected more than 150 people, according to David Giesen, president of  franchisee Golden DBL Inc. of Denver.

The restaurant was closed Thursday afternoon. Giesen said the shutdown is  voluntary while staff members clean and disinfect the restaurant and the Natrona  County Health Department continues its investigation.

Natrona County Health Department Director Bob Harrington said Thursday that  167 people have reported being ill after eating at the restaurant this past  week.

Norway Christmas

At least 170 people have become ill after having been at a Christmas party at Klækken hotels on Ringerike the weekend. Possible virus.

CDC

Noroviruses are responsible for more than half of all reported outbreaks of gastroenteritis (vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping caused by inflammation of the stomach and intestines). While the vast majority of norovirus illnesses are not part of a recognized cluster, outbreaks provide important information on how the virus spreads and, therefore, how best to prevent infection.

Norovirus outbreaks occur throughout the year. But, over 80% of the outbreaks occur from November to April. Also, when there are new strains of norovirus, the number of outbreaks tends to increase periodically. This occurred in the winter of 2006 to 2007 with the Minerva strain. However, a new strain that appeared in 2009 (New Orleans) did not lead to more outbreaks.

Most outbreaks are caused when norovirus is spread from infected people to others. But, the virus can also spread by consuming contaminated food or water and touching things that have the virus on them. People can get norovirus illness many times during their lifetime. Outbreaks can affect people of all ages and in a variety of settings.

The Guardian

A dream Christmas cruise has turned into the holiday from hell, according to passengers who claim as many as 400 travellers have been struck down with the norovirus winter vomiting bug.

One traveller aboard the P&O liner Oriana, which is on a 10-night Baltic cruise out of Southampton visiting Christmas markets, said people felt like they were sailing on a “plague ship”.

 

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Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Illness, Microbiology, Norovirus, outbreak, Pathogen, Virus

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US – Another Romaine Lettuce Recall – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on December 14, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning BulletinSalmonella

Taylor Farms is recalling 10 oz packages of  Hearts of Romaine lettuce  for possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The company, based in Salinas, Cailif.,  is recalling 110 cases of the bagged salad greens distributed in Florida and California with the expiration date of  December 13, 2012.

The recall has been issued because a single, finished package tested for  Listeria monocytogenes in  random sample testing conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). No other Taylor Farms products are included in this recall.

No illnesses have been reported in association with this recall.

FDA Link

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

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Research – Norovirus v Dishwashers

Posted on December 12, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

What do norovirus and baked-on lasagna have in common? Both can survive the dishwasher.

Researchers at Ohio State University have made a discovery that may help to explain why restaurants have a hard time controlling the spread of norovirus, the leading cause of food poisoning worldwide. About half of all foodborne illness outbreaks in the US are caused by norovirus, most of them, about 80 percent, happen between November and April, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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Posted in CDC, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hygiene, Illness, Microbiology, Norovirus, Pathogen, Research

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USA – Another Raw Milk Recall – Possible Food Poisoning

Posted on December 11, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Raw milk produced by Kimberton Farms Dairy and sold at the Kimberton Whole Foods co-sops in Pennsylvania has been removed from store shelves after a number of illnesses were reported by consumers who drank the milk,  according to the Chester County Health Department. Those sickened have reported food poisoning symptoms that include bloody diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal cramping.

Kimberton Farms Dairy, of Kimberton, Pa., also known as Camp Hill Village or Kimberton Hills supplied the milk to  Kimberton Whole Foods co-op which sold the product at its Kimberton and Downingtown stores. The product has been removed from those locations.

Raw milk, milk that has not been pasteurized, can carry many types of disease-causing germs such as Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella, Yersinia, and Brucella. These bacteria can cause severe illness with symptoms listed above. Sometimes hospitalization is required. Those most at risk include small children, pregnant women, and others with compromised immune systems. For more information, see the fact sheet produced by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Or, check out the raw milk information compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

 

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Recall

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Research – E.coli O157 Testing in Water

Posted on December 10, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Science Direct

The performances of three chromogenic agars were evaluated for the recovery of Escherichia coli O157:H7 from spiked de-chlorinated tap, ground and surface water, and treated drinking water samples. The chromogenic agars: ChromAgar O157 (CHROM), Rainbow Agar O157 (RB) and HiCrome EC O157 (HC) were compared to cefixime-tellurite Sorbitol MacConkey (CT-SMAC), commonly used for the isolation of E. coli O157:H7. Confirmation of suspect E. coli O157:H7 colonies were performed by colony real-time PCR (C-RTi-PCR) based on the presence of Shiga-toxin genes (stx1 and stx2). Recovery of inoculated E. coli O157:H7 from de-chlorinated tap water indicated that RB and CHROM agars demonstrated improved recovery when compared to HC or CT-SMAC. There was a significant drop in recovery on all agars tested after 120 hours (day 5). Twenty de-chlorinated tap and/or treated drinking water samples were inoculated with a pure culture of E. coli O157:H7 (ATCC 43894), and a mixed culture of E. coli O157:H7 (ATCC 43894), E. coli strain K-12, and Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 063589). After a 48 hour holding time, the recovery using CHROM (99 %) and HC (12 %) from samples contaminated with the pure culture were found to be significantly different (p < 0.05). Recovery results using CHROM (39 %) and CT-SMAC (32 %) from samples contaminated with the mixed culture after 48 hour holding time were not significantly different (p > 0.05). Analysis by C-RTi-PCR of forty five environmental water samples (surface, sewage, and final effluents) which were negative for E. coli O157:H7 showed an incidence of false suspect positive colonies of 38 % (CHROM), 53 % (RB), 58 % (HC), and 91 % (CT-SMAC). Further analysis of eight of the environmental samples inoculated with E. coli (ATCC 43894) showed 100% recovery when utilizing CHROM, 50% when using RB and 40 % when using HC. In addition, the C-RTi-PCR positive confirmation rate was 100% for CHROM and HC and 65% for RB. CHROM demonstrated improved recovery of E. coli O157:H7 over RB, HC, and CT-SMAC in terms of sensitivity and specificity.

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O157, Methods, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research

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Research – New study sheds light on how Salmonella spreads in the body

Posted on December 8, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Eureka Alert

Findings of Cambridge scientists, published today in the journal PLoS Pathogens, show a new mechanism used by bacteria to spread in the body with the potential to identify targets to prevent the dissemination of the infection process.

Salmonella enterica is a major threat to public health, causing systemic diseases (typhoid and paratyphoid fever), gastroenteritis and non-typhoidal septicaemia (NTS) in humans and in many animal species worldwide. In the natural infection, salmonellae are typically acquired from the environment by oral ingestion of contaminated water or food or by contact with a carrier.  Current vaccines and treatments for S. enterica infections are not sufficiently effective, and there is a need to develop new therapeutic strategies.

Dr Andrew Grant, lead author of the study from the University of Cambridge, said: “A key unanswered question in infectious diseases is how pathogens such as Salmonella grow at the single-cell level and spread in the body.  This gap in our knowledge is hampering our ability to target therapy and vaccines with accuracy.”

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Posted in Bacteria, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research

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RASFF/European Alerts – Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on December 4, 2012 by | Leave a comment

RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes (presence /25g) in gorgonzola and mascarpone cheese cake from Italy.

Switzerland – Food safety and public warning: Listeria in goat cheese “The Capriglânois”

Greece – The EFET, namely the Regional Directorate of Western Greece Within the framework of implementation of official control programs for food safety and quality control on bottled water and in cooperation with the State General Laboratory, found that there unsafe product – natural mineral water – which detected the bacterium Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

 

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

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Canada – Three Recall Walnuts / Hazelnuts/ Mixed Nuts – Salmonella

Posted on December 4, 2012 by | Leave a comment

CFIA CIFA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Compass Food Sales are warning the public not to consume Compass brand in-shell California Walnuts described below because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The following walnuts, product of USA, are affected by this alert:

Brand Product Size UPC Best Before
Compass California Walnuts (in-shell) 300 g 0 68297 20121 0 07MA2014

This product has been distributed nationally.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause salmonellosis, a foodborne illness. In young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, salmonellosis may cause serious and sometimes deadly infections. In otherwise healthy people, salmonellosis may cause short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

The importer / packer, Compass Food Sales, Aurora, ON is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

CFIA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Loblaws Companies Ltd. are warning the public not to consume the in-shell filberts (hazelnuts) described below because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The affected filberts, product of USA, were sold in 454 g bags bearing UPC 7 75636 10004 1 and in bulk bins.

This product was distributed nationally in Loblaws banners – Real Canadian Super Store, Fortinos, Freshmart, Loblaws, No Frills, Valu-Mart, Your Independent Grocer, Zehrs, Dominion, Red & White, Save Easy, Cash and Carry, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, AXEP, Group Distribution, Intermarché, Maxi & Cie, Maxi, Presto, Club Entrepôt, Provigo, Extra Foods, Shop Easy, Super Valu, Westfair.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.

CFIA

The public warning issued earlier on December 2, 2012has been updated to include additional products containing filberts (hazelnuts).

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Loblaw Companies Ltd. are warning the public not to consume the in-shell Mixed Nuts described below because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

The following mixed nuts, products of USA, are affected by this alert:

Product Size UPC
Mixed Nuts 454 g 6 28721 20678 7
Mixed Nuts 1.36 kg 0 33383 70401 2

These products were distributed nationally in Loblaw banners – Real Canadian Super Store, Fortinos, Freshmart, Loblaws, No Frills, Valu-Mart, Your Independent Grocer, Zehrs, Dominion, Red & White, Save Easy, Cash and Carry, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Maxi & Cie, Maxi, Presto, Club Entrepôt, Provigo, Extra Foods, Shop Easy, Super Valu, Westfair, Affiliated Independents, Quick Mart.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

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Posted in Bacteria, CFIA, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, Salmonella

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Research – Safer Spinach Combined Microbiological Control

Posted on November 28, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Science Direct

University of Illinois scientists have found a way to boost current industry capabilities when it comes to reducing the number of E. coli 0157:H7 cells that may live undetected on spinach leaves.

“By combining continuous ultrasound treatment with chlorine washing, we can reduce the total number of foodborne pathogenic bacteria by over 99.99 percent,” said Hao Feng, a U of I professor of food science and human nutrition.

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Posted in E.coli O157, Food Hygiene, Food Testing, Methods, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research

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