Tag Archives: U.S. Food and Drug Administration

USA – Recall – Sabra Recalls 30,000 Cases of Classic Hummus for Possible Listeria monocytogenes Risk

Posted on April 9, 2015 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Sabra Dipping Co. LLC of White Plains, NY, has recalled 30,000 cases of Sabra Classic Hummus due to the possible presence of Listeria monocytogenes.

After routine inspections at a Kroger outlet in Port Huron, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development officials reportedly learned about the risk of contamination in the prepackaged product. The department then informed the company and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Only certain lots of the Classic Hummus are being recalled, and no other Sabra products are affected. There are no reported cases of illnesses to date.

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized

Tagged , , , , , ,

Research – FDA Advice on Eggs

Posted on April 8, 2015 by | Leave a comment

FDA EGGS

What You Need to Know

Fresh eggs must be handled carefully to avoid the possibility of foodborne illness, often called “food poisoning.” Even eggs with clean, uncracked shells may occasionally contain bacteria called Salmonella that can cause an intestinal infection.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates that 142,000 illnesses each year are caused by consuming eggs contaminated with Salmonella. FDA has put regulations in place to help prevent contamination of eggs on the farm and during shipping and storage. But consumers play a key role in preventing illness associated with eggs. In fact, the most effective way to prevent egg-related illness is by knowing how to buy, store, handle and cook eggs — or foods that contain them — safely. Follow these safe handling tips to help protect yourself and your family

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized

Tagged , , , , ,

Research – Dairy Products are Most Common Source of Listeria Outbreaks

Posted on February 25, 2015 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Dairy products were the most common source of Listeria outbreaks that occurred between 1998 and 2012, according to a new federal study by the Food Safety Analytics Collaboration of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The study was conducted to provide information that can be used to develop better food poisoning prevention measures.

Of the 952 outbreaks attributed to one pathogen during the 14-year study period, 24 were Listeria outbreaks. Dairy products were the source of half them. Turkey was the source of four; pork and sprouts each caused two; and beef, chicken, fruit and row crop vegetables each caused one. The fruit outbreak, the cantaloupe Listeria outbreak of 2011, sickened 147 people and killed 35.

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized

Tagged , , , , ,

Research – FDA Issues Update on Jerky Pet Treat Investigation

Posted on February 23, 2015 by | Leave a comment

FDA 260px-YellowLabradorLooking_new

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an update today on its ongoing investigation into pet illnesses and deaths in animals that ate jerky pet treats. This update includes the latest information about complaints of illnesses, testing findings, and measures taken by the agency to identify the cause of the illnesses and deaths.

As of September 30, 2014, the FDA has received approximately 5,000 complaints of illness associated with consumption of chicken, duck, or sweet potato jerky treats, most of which involve products imported from China. The reports involve more than 5800 dogs, 25 cats, three people, and include more than 1,000 canine deaths.

These numbers include approximately 270 complaints received since the FDA’s last update in May 2014. This is a significant decrease from the previous period (October 2013 to May 2014), in which the FDA had received 1,800 complaints.

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized

Tagged , , ,

Research – Listeria Control

Posted on February 18, 2015 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety Magazine

Over the last several years, published guidance has been made available to industry professionals regarding recommended procedures for controlling Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) operations. Examples include the 2008 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) document on controlling Listeria in fresh and frozen RTE products,[1] FDA’s Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards of Fresh-Cut Fruits and Vegetables,[2] the United Fresh Guidance on Environmental Monitoring and Control of Listeria for the Fresh Produce Industry[3] and fresh-cut workshops available to the industry that address produce safety and quality.[4] Without a doubt, safeguarding our products and our consumers from exposure to Listeria in our fresh-cut RTE products is on the forefront of necessity. While there is no guarantee that these practices will “eliminate” Listeria in the fresh-cut environment, there is evidence that they will help control and greatly reduce its spread.

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized

Tagged , , , , ,

USA – Listeria Outbreak in Bean Sprout Report

Posted on February 2, 2015 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

The investigation of the deadly bean sprout Listeria outbreak began with a routine inspection by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The outbreak, which began last summer was, was linked to bean sprouts from Wholesome Soy in Chicago. Five people in Michigan and Illinois were sickened. Two of them died.

On August 12, the FDA went to Wholesome Soy’s Chicago facility for a routine inspection that would last through September 3, 2014. They found Listeria in sprouts  and in irrigation water. After whole genome sequencing tests revealed that the Listeria strains found at Wholesome Soy were highly related to the strain isolated from five people who became ill, FDA investigators returned to the plant.

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized

Tagged , , ,

Thailand – Listeriosis-associated apple detected in Thailand

Posted on January 19, 2015 by | Leave a comment

NNT 

BANGKOK, 17 January 2015 (NNT) – Thai authorities have confirmed the existence of Listeriosis-associated apples imported from the United States to Thailand, advising the public to thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before consumption.

The Director-General of the Department of Medical Science (DMSC) Apichai Mongkol have addressed the warning issued from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about the recall of the apples from Bidart Bros. as the FDA have confirmed a contamination of Listeriosis outbreak in the apples. Health effects from the consumption or physical contact can result in death.

He has said that the FDA has issued a warning to Thailand that some of the affected produce were transported to Thailand and the neighbouring countries and might cause harm to the public.
– See more at: http://thainews.prd.go.th/centerweb/newsen/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNSOC5801170010038#sthash.wBFWOnkx.dpuf

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized

Tagged , , , , ,

Pet Treats from China – Animal Deaths

Posted on January 7, 2015 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin 260px-YellowLabradorLooking_new

Petco has become the first national pet specialty retailer to end sales of pet treats made in China. The decision was prompted by continuing reports of illness and deaths associated with the products.

Between 2007 an 2014, at least 5,600 dogs illnesses and 1,000 dog deaths were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The chicken, duck, or sweet potato jerky treats have also sickened 24 cats, and three people

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized

Tagged , , , ,

USA – Paprika Recall – Salmonella

Posted on July 28, 2014 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

TJX Companies Inc. is recalling “ecoato” Sweet Paprika Powder products as they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The potential for contamination was noted after spot testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed the presence of Salmonella in some samples of the product.

While no illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this issue, consumers who have purchased a product under this lot of “ecoato” Sweet Paprika Powder are urged to return it to any T.J. Maxx, Marshalls or HomeGoods store for a full refund.

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized

Tagged , , , ,

USA – Recall – Black Pepper – Salmonella Duisberg

Posted on June 7, 2014 by | Leave a comment

Food Posioning Bulletin

Salmonella may be in some packages of Costco pepper. Over the last 24 hours, the company has been calling the 140,000 of its customers who may be affected by the potentially contaminated product, according to NBC News. The company has not issued a recall or posted product safety information on its website.

The product in question is Kirkland Signature Coarse Ground Malabar Black Pepper with a “best before” date of March 2017. During routine testing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discovered a rare strain, Salmonella Duisburg, in some of the samples, according to NBC.

Leave a comment

Posted in Uncategorized

Tagged , , , , ,