MoIE_April 2013



Monitoring of Emerging Food Safety Issues Newsletter April 2013

Microbiological Outbreaks

Salmonella

Multistate Salmonella outbreak linked to imported cucumbers

73 people in 18 states in the US have fallen ill with Salmonella Saintpaul infection thought to be connected to imported cucumbers. 14 of the patients were hospitalized.

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Homemade queso fresco sickens 12 in US

Twelve people in Minnesota have fallen ill with Salmonella poisoning after eating unpasteurized, homemade queso fresco, a Mexican-style cheese

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E. coli

E. coli O121 outbreak associated with Farm Rich

A total of 35 persons infected with the outbreak strain of Shiga toxin-producing E.coli O121 have been reported from 19 states. 2 of those have developed the kidney-damaging hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), but no deaths have been reported. The recall of affected products comes as reports estimate that up to 300,000 pounds may have been served in school lunches.

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E. coli outbreak in Guatemala kills 4

At least 96 people have been hospitalized and 4 have died in an E. coli outbreak in the town of Santo Domingo Xenacoj in South Central Guatemala has been linked to fresh fruit and vegetables.

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Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A outbreak in Nordic countries linked to frozen berries

A hepatitis A outbreak has sickened at least 71 people in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden is believed to be linked to frozen berries served in smoothies.

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Surveillance, Monitoring & Evaluation

FDA to Investigate Safety of Added Caffeine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration have announced that they will reexamine the safety of caffeine added to foods

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Majority of coloured foods in India illegal

Researchers are calling for a review of food colours in India after finding that the majority found in popular products exceed legal limits and almost a fifth of products contain illegal colours.

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UK standards agency files latest figures on furan and acrylamide

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has released its latest update on the levels of acrylamide and furan in foods, adding that their findings do not increase concern about the risk to human health.

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Labelling

US proposal would require labelling on genetically modified foods

A decades-long push to require the labelling of foods containing genetically modified ingredients in the US received a significant boost when bipartisan bills on the issue were simultaneously proposed in the House and Senate.

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Emerging Science

Red meat and heart disease: L-carnitine linked to increased risk

High intakes of red meat repeatedly have been linked to heart disease, but new research suggests that along with saturated fat and certain preservatives, l-carnitine is another red meat constituent that may contribute to cardiovascular risk.

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Nanomaterials knowledge gaps highlighted

The possibility of a ‘Trojan Horse Effect’ of nanomaterials needs more research, according to a study identifying knowledge gaps in the risk assessment of the substance.

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New Publications

Consumer Reports study finds antibiotic-free turkey less likely to harbor resistant bacteria

Ground turkey from birds raised without antibiotics is less likely to be contaminated with antibiotic-resistant bacteria than conventional ground turkey

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Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) publishes guide to meat and poultry safety

CSPI has published a study on risky meat which ranked 12 categories of meat and poultry based on their outbreak reports and the likelihood of hospitalizations associated with pathogens.

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WHO outlines variety of salt reduction strategies across Europe

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released a new report outlining European salt reduction strategies

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Australian & New Zealand Issues

FSANZ approves irradiation application

FSANZ has approved an application to allow irradiation for fresh tomatoes and capsicums. Irradiated food must be labeled and notices placed at sales areas or on menus.

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Food Recalls

USA – Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Tortellini recalled for undeclared ingredients

Smart & Final has recalled La Romanella tri-color cheese tortellini because it may contain undeclared wheat, eggs and milk.

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Ice Cream recalled because of undeclared ingredients

Maple View Farm has voluntarily recalled pint containers of Cookies & Cream, Carolina Crunch and Cookie Dough ice cream because the products contain wheat, soy, almonds and peanuts which were not declared on labels.

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Popcorn recalled due to undeclared milk

ConAgra Foods, Inc. has voluntarily recalled packages of its Orville Redenbacher’s Classic Kettle Korn flavor ready-to-eat popcorn which may contain undeclared milk.

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Cookies recalled for undeclared ingredients

7th Heaven Bakeries has recalled their oatmeal raisin cookies because they may contain undeclared dry eggs, soy lecithin, and whey solids.

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Vegan candy bar products recalled due to health risk

Go Max Go Foods LLC has Voluntary recalled Snap!, Cleo's, Jokerz, Twilight, Buccaneer, Thumbs Up and Mahalo brand vegan candy bars due to the products being manufactured on shared equipment and in shared facilities where trace amounts of dairy are present due to cross contact, and may be harmful to those sensitive to dairy.

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Fish recalled due to Listeria risk

Prime Food USA has recalled their Latis Brand herring fillet, salmon fillet slices and herring fillet in oil due to contamination with Listeria Monocytogenes.

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Dip recalled due to unlisted ingredients

Wegmans Food Markets has recalled approximately 1,100 affected units of Wegmans Food Roasted Red Pepper Dip, because the tubs may have an incorrect ingredient label that does not list milk and eggs.

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Enchiladas recalled due to undeclared milk

Cedarlane Natural Foods, Inc. has voluntarily recalled one specific lot of O Organics black bean enchiladas because they contain undeclared milk due to the wrong product being packed in to the enchilada box.

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Warehouse raided after FDA investigation

A New York based warehouse used to both manufacture and distribute kosher food products has been raided by US marshals after the FDA found widespread rodent infestation.

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Juice recalled due to health risks

Winn-Dixie has announced a voluntary recall Winn-Dixie organic apple juice as a precaution because it could have levels of “patulin” that exceeds FDA limits.

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Pies recalled due to undeclared anchovies

Centerville Pie Company has voluntarily recalled all clam pies because they contain undeclared anchovies which are an ingredient in the Worcestershire sauce used in the clam pie recipe.

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Fish recalled due to risk of Clostridium

Little Mermaid Smoke House has recalled their smoked herring and pickled herring fish because the products were found to be uneviscerated, and have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum.

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USA – Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS)

Cooked meat products recalled for possible Listeria contamination

Manda Packing Company has recalled 20,166 pounds of cooked roast beef and further expanded their recall to include approximately 468,000 pounds of roast beef, ham, turkey breast, tasso pork, ham shanks, hog head cheese, corned beef, and pastrami due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

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Chicken products recalled due to mislabelling

Tyson Foods Inc. has recalled approximately 127,000 lbs. of uncooked breaded chicken tenderloins and uncooked chicken tenderloin fritter products because of it may contain soy which is not declared on the label.

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Frozen meals recalled for possible E.Coli contamination

Rich Products Corporation has recalled their frozen mini meals and snack items of approximately 10.5 million pounds of product because they may be contaminated with E. coli O121.

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Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CIFA)

Popcorn products recalled for undeclared milk

Hevy D's Old Fashioned Kettle Korn and Co-Op Gold brand popcorn have been recalled due to undeclared milk.

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Seedless raisins recalled for undeclared sulphites

Golden Sun brand seedless raisins have been recalled due to undeclared sulphites.

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Macaroni and potato salad products recalled for undeclared mustard

Arbutus Ridge Farms Ltd. has recalled their macaroni and potato salad products that may contain mustard which is not declared on the label.

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Nuts recalled due to possible Salmonella contamination

Trophy Foods Inc. has recalled their Trophy brand nut mix in shell because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

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Stuffed eggplant recalled due to Clostridium contamination

Osmat Imports have recalled their Stuffed Eggplants product because it may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum.

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Salmon recalled due to possible Listeria contamination

Central-Epicure Food Products Ltd. has recalled their smoked Atlantic salmon products described below because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

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Coffee mix recalled for undeclared milk

Wycen Foods (Canada) Inc. has voluntarily recalled their Coffeeking brand 3 In 1 coffee mix from Singapore due to the product containing milk which was not declared on the label.

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Baking mixes recalled for undeclared milk

Heartland Gourmet have recalled their gluten and dairy free baking mixes because they may contain undeclared milk.

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Australia – Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ)

Lamingtons recalled due to undeclared gluten

Metcash Trading Ltd has recalled their gluten free lamington squares due to undeclared gluten.

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Ravioli recalled due to undeclared soy

Australasian Fresh has recalled their Alligator brand veal ravioli due to undeclared soy.

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Frozen vegetarian snacks recalled for possible contamination

Woolworths has recalled their vegetarian roasted vegetable, split pea and spinach bites because they may be contaminated with metal foreign matter.

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New Zealand - The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)

Peanut Butter recalled due to health risk

Progressive Enterprises Ltd has recalled their Homebrand crunchy peanut butter due to product testing finding aflatoxins at levels higher than the regulatory limits.

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FSANZ makes the material in this newsletter available on the understanding that users exercise their own skill, care and judgement with respect to its use. Before relying on the material, users should carefully evaluate the accuracy, completeness and relevance of the information for their purposes, and should obtain appropriate expert advice relevant to their particular circumstances.

Links to external web sites are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute endorsement of any information, product or services at those sites. FSANZ makes no representations or warranties regarding, the source, quality, accuracy or completeness of the materials on any website to which a hyperlink is provided above. [pic]

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