Tag Archives: transportation

RASFF -Aflatoxin – Ochratoxin -Groundnuts – Peanuts – Pistachio -Raisins

Posted on April 29, 2013 by | Leave a comment

RASFF – Ochratoxin A (18.8 µg/kg – ppb) in dried red Kiishmishi raisins from Afghanistan in the UK

RASFF – Aflatoxins (B1 = 18.1; Tot. = 20.5 / B1 = 1.0; Tot. = 1.5 µg/kg – ppb) in pistachio nuts with shell from Iran in France

RASFF – Aflatoxins (B1 = 12; Tot. = 15 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from China in the Netherlands

RASFF – Aflatoxins (B1 = 2.6; Tot. = 10 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Brazil in the Netherlands

RASFF – Aflatoxins (B1 = 6.1 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Egypt in the Netherlands

RASFF – Aflatoxins (B1 = 2.9; Tot. = 13 µg/kg – ppb) in peanut kernels from China in Greece

RASFF – Aflatoxins (B1 = 4.2; Tot. = 15 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Argentina in the Netherlands

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Europe – Norovirus Ongoing Outbreak in Frozen Berries Report -Hepatitis A

Posted on April 26, 2013 by | Leave a comment

EurosurvaillanceClose up 3d render of an influenza-like virus isolated on white

A food-borne outbreak of hepatitis A in Denmark was notified to other countries on 1 March 2013. A case–control study identified frozen berries eaten in smoothies as potential vehicle. In the following weeks, Finland, Norway and Sweden also identified an increased number of hepatitis A patients without travel history. Most cases reported having eaten frozen berries at the time of exposure. By 17 April, 71 cases were notified in the four countries. No specific type of berry, brand or origin of berries has yet been identified.

As of 17 April 2013, 36 cases, of whom 15 were confirmed, have been identified in Finland, Norway and Sweden, giving a total of 71 cases in the four countries (Table 1). Finland and Norway have reported confirmed cases with sequence 1 and 2. In Sweden, two of the eight confirmed cases have an HAV IB sequence with 2% difference to sequence 1 and 1% difference to sequence 2 (called sequence 3).
The overall median age for cases and the median age for confirmed cases is 25 years (range: 3–78 years); 43 cases are female. In Norway and Sweden (but not Finland), more women are affected than men. The distribution of cases by month and HAV sequence type is shown in Figure 1. As of 17 April 2013, Sweden is the only country with cases with symptom onset in April. An increased number of travel-related hepatitis A patients in the same time period (Table 1) may be explained in part by patients infected in Egypt [1].

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Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Technology, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Hygiene, Illness, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, Research, Virus

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USA – Salmonella Outbreak in Cucumbers

Posted on April 26, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

At least 73 people in 18 states have fallen ill with Salmonella Saintpaul infection thought to be connected to imported cucumbers, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Fourteen of the patients were hospitalized.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration placed the firms Daniel Cardenas Izabal and Miracle Greenhouse of Culiacán, Mexico on import alert on April 24. Those cucumbers are no longer believed to be on the market.

The number ill by state is as follows: Arizona (9), California (28), Colorado (1), Idaho (2), Illinois (3), Louisiana (1), Massachusetts (1), Maryland (1), Minnesota (8), Nevada (1), New Mexico (2), North Carolina (1), Ohio (1), Oregon (2), South Dakota (2), Texas (6), Virginia (2) and Wisconsin (2).

Illness onset dates ranged from January 12, 2013 to April 6, 2013. The ill range in age from less than 1 year to 80 years old, with a median age of 23. Sixty percent are female.

Cucumbers are historically not associated with foodborne illness outbreaks. During a massive German E. coli outbreak in the summer of 2011, cucumbers were briefly suspected as the source before the blame was ultimately blamed on fresh sprouts.

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

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RASFF Alerts – Mould – E.coli – Norovirus – Hepatitis A – Aflatoxin

Posted on April 20, 2013 by | Leave a comment

RASFF – Foelie from Indonesia infested with moulds in the Netherlands

RASFF – High count of Escherichia coli (between 130 and 980 CFU/g) in fresh peppermint from Cambodia in Norway

RASFF – Hepatitis A virus (ongoing investigations) in mussels (Mitylus galloprovincialis) from Slovenia in Italy

RASFF – Norovirus (presence) in clams from Portugal in Spain

RASFF – Aflatoxins (B1 = 5.5 µg/kg – ppb) in satay sauce from Sweden

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Posted in Aflatoxin, Bacteria, Clams, E.coli, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hand Washing, Hepatitis A, Hygiene, Microbiology, Moulds, Mycotoxin, Pathogen, RASFF, Recall

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Canada – Recall – Clostridium botulinum – Smoked Fish

Posted on April 13, 2013 by | Leave a comment

CFIAClost

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the smoked fish products described in the link above because they may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum.  Toxins produced by these bacteria may cause botulism, a life-threatening illness.

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

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Posted in Bacteria, Clostridium botulinum, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

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Canada – Extended Recalls – Eggplants Clostridium botulinum and Nut Mix Salmonella

Posted on April 11, 2013 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Osmat Imports are warning the public not to consume the Osmat Imports brand Stuffed Eggplants product described below because it may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. Toxins produced by these bacteria may cause botulism, a life-threatening illness. The affected product, Osmat Imports brand Stuffed Eggplants, was sold in 2 kg jars (4.4 lbs) bearing UPC 8 37770 00009 7 and Best Before: Lot 6 EXP JA 14. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product. The importer, Osmat Imports, North Vancouver, BC is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

CFIA

The public warning issued on April 4, 2013 has been updated to include an additional product because this product may be contaminated with Salmonella. Previously identified products included in this recall can be found on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Trophy Foods Inc. are warning the public not to consume Trophy brand Nut Mix In Shell because they may be contaminated with Salmonella. This product has been distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and may have been distributed to other provinces. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product. The manufacturer, Trophy Foods Inc., Calgary, Alberta is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

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Posted in Bacteria, CFIA, Clostridium botulinum, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, Toxin

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Canada – Recalls – Expanded Smoked Salmon – Listeria – Lobster – Clostridium Botulinum

Posted on April 7, 2013 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

The public warning issued on April 3, 2013 has been expanded to include additional products because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Previously identified products included in this recall can be found on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Central-Epicure Food Products Ltd. are warning the public not to consume the Central-Epicure brand Smoked Atlantic Salmon products described below because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Consumers who may have purchased Smoked Atlantic Salmon from these locations, and are unsure if they have the affected product, are advised to check with the store to determine if their product is being recalled.

These products are distributed in Ontario.

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

The manufacturer, Central-Epicure Food Products Ltd., Toronto, Ontario, is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace.  The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

CFIA

The public warning issued on March 23, 2013 has been updated to include an additional product because this product may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. Previously identified products included in this recall can be found on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the bottled Lobster described below because it may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. Toxins produced by these bacteria may cause botulism, a life-threatening illness.

This product has been distributed in New Brunswick and may have been distributed in other provinces.

The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

 

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Posted in Bacteria, CFIA, Clostridium botulinum, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

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Canada – CIFA Recall – Hazelnuts – Salmonella

Posted on April 5, 2013 by | Leave a comment

CIFAEurofins

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Trophy Foods Inc. are warning the public not to consume Trophy brand Hazelnuts In Shell because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

This product has been distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and may have been distributed to other provinces.

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

The manufacturer, Trophy Foods Inc., Calgary, Alberta is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace.  The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

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Posted in Bacteria, CFIA, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall, Salmonella

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RASFF Alerts – E.coli – Enterobacteria – Aflatoxins – Mussels – Beef – Duck Meal – Maize

Posted on March 30, 2013 by | Leave a comment

RASFF – High count of Escherichia coli (330 MPN/100g) in chilled mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis from Spain in italy

RASFF – Shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli in chilled boneless beef (Bos taurus) from Argentina in Germany

RASFF – Too high count of Enterobacteriaceae (<10; <10; <10; 5000;<10 CFU/g) in duck meal from France in Belgium

RASFF – Aflatoxins (B1 = 32.1 µg/kg – ppb) in maize from Ukraine in the Netherlands

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Posted in Aflatoxin, Bacteria, E.coli, Enterobacteriaceae, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Hygiene, Methods, Microbiology, Pathogen, RASFF, Recall

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USA – CDC Confirms Multistates E.coli O121 Outbreak

Posted on March 30, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety NewsEcoli Istock

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service has posted a distribution list of where affected products were sent. That list includes Wal Mart stores nationwide, Winn-Dixie stores in Florida, and a variety of retailers in Michigan.

At least 24 people in 15 states have fallen ill with E. coli O121 in an outbreak traced back to Farm Rich brand frozen pizzas, quesadillas, philly cheese steaks and mozzarella bites, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed, following initial reports Thursday evening.

Seven people have been hospitalized in connection to the products, which were sold nationwide. One patient has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome.

CDC

  • A total of 24 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Shiga       toxin-producing Escherichia coli O121 (STEC O121) have been       reported from 15 states.
    • 78% of ill persons are 21 years of age or younger.
    • 33% of ill persons have been hospitalized. One ill        person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney        failure, and no deaths have been reported.
  • CDC and state public health officials are interviewing ill persons to       obtain information regarding foods they might have eaten and other       exposures in the week before illness.
    • Information available to date indicates that        consumption of Farm Rich brand frozen food products is one likely source        of infection for the ill persons in this outbreak.
  • Testing conducted by the New York State Department of Health,       Wadsworth Center Laboratory, identified the outbreak strain of STEC O121       in an open package of Farm Rich brand frozen chicken quesadillas       from an ill person’s home.

 

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Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, E.coli O121, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Methods, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen

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