Tag Archives: science

India – Food Poisoning 56 University Students

Posted on June 21, 2013 by | Leave a comment

The New Indian Expressimages

Around 56 students of  the women’s hostel of the Kerala University’s Kariavattom campus had to be taken to Medical College hospital after suspected food poisoning.

According to Medical College Hospital authorities,  none of the students is in a serious condition.

The students developed uneasiness and some of them vomited after having dinner, reportedly rice and fish curry, served at the hostel mess.

The hostel was shifted to a new building two weeks ago and students allege that the mess was not being run in hygienic conditions.  Most of the students were discharged from the hospital after being administered first aid.

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Illness, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen

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USA – Salmonella in Pet Food

Posted on June 19, 2013 by | 1 comment

Food Poisoning BulletinSalmonella

Natura Pet Products is recalling some lots of dry pet food because it may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. Pets can become ill after eating this food, and human beings can become ill just by touching it and then not thoroughly washing their hands. Pets with Salmonella can have lethargy and have diarrhea, which may be bloody, fever, and vomiting. Pets that appear perfectly healthy can be carriers of Salmonella bacteria.

The recalled products were packaged in one production facility. A single lot tested positive for Salmonella during routine FDA testing. No illnesses have been associated with these products to date. Natural is recalling all expiration dates before June 10, 2014.

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Laboratory, Microbiology, Pathogen, Pet Food, Recall, Salmonella

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USA – More Than Just Burgers and Beer – Campylobacter

Posted on June 18, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Campylobacter BlogCampylobacter

Bacterial contamination was being blamed Monday for an outbreak of foodborne illness following the popular Burger & Beer Bash in Westchester County earlier this month.

The county Health Department said Monday that the campylobacter bacterium was to blame for the outbreak at the June 6 outdoor food festival at the Kenisco Dam in Valhalla.

The bacterium was identified through tests on samples from several people who got sick at the event. The department did not specify exactly how many people were sickened.

But health officials have not determined the source of the bacteria, since most attendees ate food from many of the 30 different vendors at the event, the department said. The department has launched an investigation and has been interviewing people in an effort to trace the source.

 

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Posted in Bacteria, Campylobacter, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen

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Canada – Updated Alfalfa Sprouts May Contain Salmonella bacteria

Posted on June 16, 2013 by | Leave a comment

CFIAEurofins

The public warning issued on June 12, 2013 has been updated to include additional distribution information.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Sunsprout Natural Foods are warning the public not to consume the Sunsprout and SproutsAlive brand alfalfa sprouts described below because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

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

The manufacturer, Sunsprout Natural Foods, Brantford, Ontario, is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace.  The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

 

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, Salmonella

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Research – STEC E.coli Survival in Water

Posted on June 14, 2013 by | 1 comment

HACCP EuropaE__Coli_0157

A toxin dangerous to humans may help E. coli fend off aquatic predators, enabling strains of E. coli that produce the toxin to survive longer in lake water than benign counterparts, a new study from researchers from the University at Buffalo and Mercyhurst University finds.

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Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, E.coli O157, Food Hygiene, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research, STEC, Toxin

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Hong Kong – 19 Diners Sick with Cigutera Poisoning

Posted on June 14, 2013 by | Leave a comment

South China Morning Post

Health authorities are launching an investigation into food poisoning case in which 19 people fell ill after eating coral reef fish at a Lamma Island eatery on Saturday.

Fourteen men and five women, aged 23 to 71, had eaten fish at the seafood restaurant, and had fallen ill with symptoms of the potentially lethal ciguatera poisoning three to 19 hours later, the Centre for Health Protection said.

The restaurant in question was the Wai Kee Sea Food Restaurant in Sok Kwu Wan.

Symptoms can include numbness of the mouth and limbs, heart palpitations fatigue, vomiting, diarrhoea and flushes. Excessive consumption can also affect the circulatory and nervous systems.

Six of the diners had sought medical help and at least one person was admitted to hospital. All are in now in stable condition, the CHP said.

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Posted in Ciguatera, Ciguatera Poisoning, Food Chemistry, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Pathogen, Poisoning, Toxin

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Australia – Recall Corned Beef – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on June 14, 2013 by | Leave a comment

FSANZ

Pendle Ham and Bacon has recalled Cooked Corned Beef from their deli store in
Pendle Hill, NSW due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Food
products contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may cause illness in
pregnant women and their babies, the elderly and people with low immune systems.
Consumers should not eat this product. Any consumers concerned about their
health should seek medical advice.

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, FSANZ, Laboratory, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Miscarriage, Pathogen, Recall

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USA Recall Sunflower Seeds – Salmonella

Posted on June 13, 2013 by | 1 comment

Listeria BlogSunflower_Seeds_Kaldari

A Michigan company is recalling its sunflower seeds and snack mixes made with the seeds because these products have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria.

Lipari Foods of Warren, MI — located north of Detroit — issued a voluntary recall of its Raw Sunflower Seeds, Roasted Sunflower Seeds and Snack Mixes Wednesday after sampling by the Michigan Department of Agriculture revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in raw sunflower seeds sold at retailers.

Products subject to the recall include 52 items that were distributed between April 5 and June 11, 2013 to manufacturers and retailers in nine states in the Midwest and East, including Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

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Research in Germany – Listeria in Ready to Eat Foods

Posted on June 12, 2013 by | Leave a comment

BfR

As part of an EU-wide baseline study, the BfR has investigated the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in smoked and gravad fish, soft and semi-soft cheese and also in heat-treated meat products. These foods are known to be potential carriers of elevated quantities of listeria. Overall, study results show that the prescribed microbiological criteria for Listeria monocytogenes are not always strictly adhered to in ready-to-eat foods. When limits are exceeded there is a risk of consumers contracting a Listeria monocytogenes infection. It is therefore imperative for food producers to ensure that the regulations are consistently met.

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Laboratory, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Research

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USA – CDC Vital Signs Website – Listeria Information

Posted on June 10, 2013 by | 3 comments

CDC Vital SignsE.coli O157

Many germs can be spread through food. Some, like Listeria, can be deadly. Listeria strikes hard at pregnant women and their newborns, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. Listeria can cause miscarriage and meningitis. Most people found to have Listeria infection require hospital care and about 1 in 5 people with the infection die. Outbreak investigations tell us what foods make people sick and what needs to change to make food safer and save lives. We have made some progress against Listeria, which is the third leading cause of death from food poisoning. However, we can do more to protect people at higher risk for food poisoning and make food safer for everyone.

If you, or someone you make food for, are pregnant, 65 or older, or have a weakened immune system, you must be especially careful when selecting, preparing, and storing foods.

  • Know your risk of food poisoning.
  • Select, prepare, and store food safely.
  • Follow the safe food guidelines – Clean, Separate, Cook, Chill – at www.FoodSafety.gov

CDC

New CDC Vital Signs: Listeria Food Poisoning Striking Hard at Nation’s Most Vulnerable

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Posted in Bacteria, CDC, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Illness, Laboratory, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, Research

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