FSnet Aug.
14/08 -- II
FRANCE: Confirmation of botulism originating
from food and the extension of a recall of
products
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BARFBLOG: When football and food safety collide
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NEBRASKA Firm expands recall of beef products
due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination
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ONTARIO: E. coli outbreak over, Mercer says
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ONTARIO: Girl vacationing in Southampton
battling E-coli
![]()
UK: Nursery given the all-clear after kids
contract E. coli bug
![]()
Unilever UK recalls certain batch codes of
Bovril Beef Extract due to the presence of
salmonella
![]()
GEORGIA Ag routine sampling leads to FDA Import
Alert
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MASSACHUSETS expands tuna salad recall on
listeria concerns
![]()
SOUTH KOREA: KFDA to expand public trust in food
safety
![]()
MISSOURI: Conference here tackles food safety
![]()
ILLINOIS: Restaurant report card
![]()
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FRANCE: Confirmation of botulism originating
from food and the extension of a recall of
products
13.aug.08
Ministry of agriculture and fisheries
Ministry of health, youth, sports and community
life
Ministry of economy, industry, and employment
http://agriculture.gouv.fr/sections/presse/communiques/confirmation-botulisme-d
Thanks to FSnet's France correspondent for
alerting us to this outbreak and to Amy Hubbell
for the translation; check out her barfblog post
at
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/08/articles/food-safety-communication/botulism-in-companeros-enchiladas-in-france/index.html
Paris -- Today the national center of reference
has informed the health and veterinary
authorities that samples from a Mexican dish
"chicken enchiladas" from the Companeros brand,
taken following the hospitalization of two
people from the same family this weekend. They
both presented a very high level of botulinum
toxin. These two people are still in serious but
stable condition.
As a result the concerned medical professional,
along with the health and veterinary authorities
proceeded to recall all "enchilada" and "fajita"
products from the Companeros brand, regardless
of the expiration date.
Thus, products with the lot number 08/190 with
an expiration date of August 7, 2008 are not the
only lots concerned by this recall.
Health authorities remind the public that the
concerned products must in no case be consumed
or kept. They should not, however, be discarded.
Rather, they should be returned to the place of
sale to allow further analysis.
Botulism is most often caused by the ingestion
of a toxin produced by the Clostridium botulinum
bacteria. There is no inter-human transmission.
On average there is a 6 to 36 hour (and maximum
of 15 day) delay between the consumption of the
contaminated product and the appearance of
digestive or visual problems.
If you notice the appearance of abdominal pains,
vomiting, digestive or visual problems within 48
hours following consumption of these products,
you must quickly consult a doctor.
BARFBLOG: When football and food safety collide
15.aug.08
barfblog
Ben Chapman
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/08/articles/culture-of-food-safety/when-football-and-food-safety-collide/
I love it when two of my favorite things,
football and food safety, intersect. Last year
it was pigeon poop in stadiums
(http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2007/09/articles/ifsn-oped/nfl-discusses-poop/).
This year it's about changing culture. USA Today
published a profile of 4 new NFL head coaches
(http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2008-08-12-new-coaches_N.htm)
and one spoke specifically about changing the
losing culture of a team.
Mike Smith of the Atlanta Falcons said: "When
you change the culture, you have to change
people's behaviors. And when you change
behaviors, you change their habits."
I think this philosophy should be the same in
fields, packing sheds, processing facilities,
retail stores and kitchens: Leadership that
values food safety should have a goal of
changing the culture of an organization,
resulting in behavior and habit changes on on
the front-lines. And the organization doesn't
have to be complicated or large, it could be an
independent restaurant with 4 staff members or a
church dinner committee with 20 volunteers.
Places I want to eat at or buy food from should
be able to say that handling and producing food
safely is what we do. Just like Smith wants his
team to have a shared belief that winning is
what they do.
NEBRASKA Firm expands recall of beef products
due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination
14.aug.08
USDA Food Safety and Inspection Services
Laura Reiser
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_029_2008_Expanded/index.asp
Clarification: This recall affects only certain
products produced at the Nebraska Beef Ltd.
company, located in Omaha. It does not relate,
implicate, or otherwise affect beef in the State
of Nebraska. Please note this important
distinction.
WASHINGTON -- Nebraska Beef, Ltd., an Omaha,
Neb., establishment, is clarifying information
from and expanding its recall announced on Aug.
8 of primal cuts, subprimal cuts and boxed beef
to include such products bearing the company
name "Nebraska Beef Ltd" that may be
contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S.
Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and
Inspection Service announced today.
*Primal cuts, subprimal cuts and boxed beef
produced on June 24, whose shipping containers
and labels bear the establishment number "EST.
19336" inside the USDA mark of inspection and
the company name "Nebraska Beef Ltd" The
products may or may not bear a green sticker.
*Primal cuts, subprimal cuts and boxed beef
produced on July 8, whose shipping containers
and labels bear the establishment number "EST.
19336" inside the USDA mark of inspection, the
company name "Nebraska Beef Ltd." as well as a
2-inch plain, circular green sticker on one side
of the shipping box.
Poundage of products bearing the green sticker
were included in the 1.2 million pounds
originally recalled, but were not identified in
the product description with the company name
"Nebraska Beef Ltd." in the Aug. 8 announcement.
FSIS has concluded that the production practices
employed by Nebraska Beef, Ltd., on June 24 were
insufficient to effectively control E. coli
O157:H7. The products subject to the expansion
may have been produced under insanitary
conditions. The expansion was not prompted by
foodborne illness investigations.
These products were sent to establishments and
retail stores nationwide for further processing
and will likely not bear the establishment
number "EST. 19336" on products available for
direct consumer purchase.
Consumers with questions about the recall should
contact company Vice President of Administration
James Timmerman at 402-733-0456. Media with
questions about the recall should contact
company representative William Lamson at (402)
397-7300.
The problem prompting the recall announced on
Aug. 8 was discovered through a joint
investigation with state departments of health
and agriculture, the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention and FSIS. As of Aug. 11, there
were 26 culture-confirmed cases in 10 states and
1 culture-confirmed case in Canada identified as
part of this outbreak. This count is based on
continuing testing, analysis and investigation.
FSIS is continuing its investigation into any
products that may be contaminated with E. coli
O157:H7 or that are associated with illnesses
and will take appropriate action when necessary.
E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly
bacterium that can cause bloody diarrhea,
dehydration, and in the most severe cases,
kidney failure. The very young, seniors and
persons with weak immune systems are the most
susceptible to foodborne illness. Anyone with
signs or symptoms of foodborne illness should
consult a medical professional.
ONTARIO: E. coli outbreak over, Mercer says
14.aug.08
GuelphMercury.com
http://news.guelphmercury.com/News/BreakingNews/article/367390
GUELPH -- Dr. Nicola Mercer, medical officer of
health WDG Public Health, has declared the E.
coli outbreak at the University of Guelph over.
"We have waited two incubation periods and there
have been no new exposures", Dr. Mercer states.
"The incubation period is the maximum amount of
time that you can develop symptoms after
exposure to the E. coli bacteria. The incubation
period for E. coli is up to 10 days with the
average being three to four days."
Analysis of information collected by Public
Health during the outbreak supports the theory
that the contamination occurred during the week
of July 20.
"We are still waiting for lab results for some
people who experienced symptoms related to
possible exposure during that period of time.
The number of confirmed cases could change but
the outbreak remains over unless new exposures
are found."
ONTARIO: Girl vacationing in Southampton
battling E-coli
14.aug.08
CKNS am920
http://www.am920.ca/news.php?artID=26581
We expect to hear more this morning from
Grey-Bruce Health authorities about a 9 year-old
girl who became critically ill while holidaying
with her family at a cottage in Southampton.
Health Unit spokesman Drew Ferguson confirms its
ecoli and the girl was airlifted to a London
hospital with serious kidney complications.
A preliminary investigation points to food as
the source of the e-coli.
Ferguson says a brother of the girl was also
disagnosed with ecoli but did not come down with
the kidney problems that often affect children
who come in contact with the potentially deadly
bacteria.
A canvas of local eating establishments has
turned up nothing suspicious.
And no one outside the family has reported
symptoms.
UK: Nursery given the all-clear after kids
contract E. coli bug
14.aug.08
The Southern Reporter
http://www.thesouthernreporter.co.uk/news/Nursery-given-the-allclear-after.4387117.jp
A private Earlston nursery was closed for
several days after an outbreak of E. coli last
week.
Two children, understood to be under four years
old, are at home recovering as investigators try
to establish the source of the E. coli O157.
Childminder Mrs Brennan, a member of the
Scottish Childminding Association who also
chairs the village's youth project, said: "I
have no comment to make. I've been told to refer
you back to NHS Borders."
Precautionary measures set up last week are
still in place. Children and staff who had been
at the nursery in the last two weeks have been
contacted and tested, and results have come back
clear so far. And children will be asked to
submit samples again before they return to the
childminder.
Consultant in public health medicine Dr Alan
Mordue said: "Both children are currently doing
well and are at home, under the care of their
GP."
He said the two affected children had been in
frequent social contact outside the nursery.
The disease was discovered after the concerned
parents took their children to the doctor.
Director of public health Dr Andrew Riley said:
"This outbreak first came to light thanks to the
vigilance – of both the parents and the GP who
promptly sought advice – and investigation of
persistent symptoms.
"All possible sources and modes of spread are
being considered although no cause has so far
been identified. It is not uncommon for the
source not to be identified, but investigations
are ongoing."
Local councillor John Paton-Day said: "Mrs
Brennan works really hard and is involved in
lots of things in the village. The place is
spotless. I'm not a qualified person, but I
would be surprised if it comes from there. But
these things happen – we live in a farming area.
It could happen to anyone, but it's unfortunate
children are involved.
"I'm sure all the necessary precautions are
being taken."
Unilever UK recalls certain batch codes of
Bovril Beef Extract due to the presence of
salmonella
14.aug.08
Food Standards Agency (UK)
http://www.food.gov.uk/enforcement/alerts/2008/aug/salmonellainbovril
Unilever UK has recalled certain batch codes of
Bovril Beef Extract due to the presence of
salmonella.
Unilever UK has undertaken a product recall of
the affected batches. Product recall notices
will appear in the national press on 14 August
2008 and point-of-sale notices will be displayed
at all retail outlets. These notices will alert
customers to the recall and advise them of what
actions to take if they have purchased the
products.
The products being recalled are:
Bovril Beef Extract
Product weight: 250g (glass jar)
Best before end: January 2010
Batch codes:
L8201XX795
L8206XX795
L8207XX795
L8208XX795
Bovril Beef Extract
Product weight: 600g (plastic tub)
Best before end: January 2010
Batch code: L8207XX795
A copy of the product recall notice is attached
to this food alert.
No other Unilever UK products are known to be
affected.
GEORGIA Ag routine sampling leads to FDA Import
Alert
14.aug.08
Georgia Department of Agriculture
http://media-newswire.com/release_1070711.html
(Media-Newswire.com) -- The Georgia Department
of Agriculture ( GDA ) food labs have confirmed
Listeria monocytogenes in a chicken salad kit
shipped from Canada and used in Publix stores,
Commissioner Tommy Irvin said today.
"Publix has been very cooperative and
voluntarily pulled all of the product and these
kits from all of their stores as soon as our lab
confirmed the presence of Listeria in the salad
and before further sampling determined the
source," Irvin said.
GDA notified the Food and Drug Administration of
the confirmed positive for Listeria
monocytogenes in the kit and FDA issued an
Import Bulletin on the kits from Tiffany Gate
Foods, Toronto, Canada.
No illnesses associated with the salad have been
reported.
GDA Consumer Protection Division inspectors
first pulled samples of the chicken salad made
with the Country Club Salad kits and Publix's
rotisserie chicken as part of the routine target
sampling protocol. As part of the procedure, the
GDA food labs then did follow-up testing on the
salad. The labs then performed separate tests on
the individual kit ingredients and the
rotisserie chicken.
"Our inspectors will continue to verify that all
of the salad and kits have been pulled from all
stores that may have been using the kit," Irvin
said.
MASSACHUSETS expands tuna salad recall on
listeria concerns
14.aug.08
Boston.com/Associated Press
http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2008/08/14/mass_expands_tuna_salad_recall_on_listeria_concerns/
Massachusetts health officials are broadly
expanding the recall of a ready-to-eat tuna
salad that may be contaminated with
listeriosis-causing bacteria. Consumers are
asked to throw out any deli-prepared tuna salad
sold between July 26 and Aug. 10, due to a
possible contamination of listeria in tuna salad
manufactured by Home Made Brand Foods in
Newburyport. This week Stop & Shop pulled the
tuna salad from its supermarkets. No cases of
listeriosis have been reported. (AP)
SOUTH KOREA: KFDA to expand public trust in food
safety
14.aug.08
KBS WORLD Radio
http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/newsview_sub.php?menu=5&key=2008081414
The Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA)
says it will expand its public participation
system by increasing the number of civilian
observers from 20 to 100.
The public participation system allows civilians
to observe and express their opinions during
meetings of food sanitary review committees
related to food safety.
The KFDA will invite the public to apply for
observer positions on its Web site from August
25th to 29th. There are no necessary
qualifications for interested applicants.
The administration added that it is seeking to
improve public trust in its food safety
policies.
MISSOURI: Conference here tackles food safety
14.aug.08
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Georgina Gustin
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/B72E3BD661350DDC862574A50011A0D4?OpenDocument
St. Louis -- More than 200 food safety experts
from around the country are meeting here this
week to tackle problems with the country's
increasingly complicated and potentially
dangerous food supply.
Lab scientists, epidemiologists and regulators
from 50 states and U.S. territories are
discussing how to bolster a sweeping "Food
Protection Plan" launched last fall by the Food
and Drug Administration in the wake of a series
of food-borne outbreaks. The plan would be the
nation's first comprehensive effort to address
what critics say is an incoherent national food
safety system.
David Acheson, the agency's associate
commissioner for foods, who headed the meeting
in downtown St. Louis, was quoted as saying, "We
have had a series of high-profile outbreaks. We
have to recognize there has been a drop in
consumer confidence."
"With all the recent outbreaks they've been
having, I think they're realizing they let a lot
of things slip through the cracks," said Chris
Waldrop of the Consumer Federation of America.
"They have to create a better atmosphere for
communications, and that's something that's been
lacking."
The recent outbreak, officials say, underscores
the increasing complexities of the American food
system, and the challenge of finding the source
of a food-borne illness when a growing
percentage of the country's food is imported,
then shuttled to consumers through a web of
producers, packers and distributors.
Adding to the challenge, they say, are an aging
population that's more susceptible to food-borne
illnesses and changing consumer demands for
convenience, choice and nutrition — bagged
salads and cut fruit, for instance.
"We're in a unique position to try and build on
some of the momentum," Acheson said. "…
Everybody is asking questions about food
safety."
"Everything just goes one way to Washington, and
it never comes back," said Joe Hainline, of the
Jefferson County Department of Public Health,
which investigated a cluster of salmonella cases
in Missouri connected to the recent outbreak.
"There's a problem in communication."
ILLINOIS: Restaurant report card
14.aug.08
The News-Sun
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/1107535,5_1_WA14_RESTINSPECT_S1.article
The News-Sun report on Lake County Health
Department restaurant inspections for the week
of July 28 to Aug. 1. The total number of
inspections for the week was 61.
The following facilities failed inspections due
to violations deemed critical by the Health
Department. *denotes repeat violation.
Travel Centers of America , 16650 Russell Road,
Wadsworth. Routine inspection July 30. Sour
cream at 45 degrees. Split pea soup at 77
degrees being improperly cooled. Raw chicken
juice in metal pan stored above bread. No
certified manager present at time of the
inspection.*
Luke's of Wauconda , 386 W. Liberty St.,
Wauconda. Routine inspection July 28.
Handwashing sink blocked with utensils. No
certified manager present at time of the
inspection.*
For more information on the inspection process,
visit: www.co.lake.il.us/health/ehs/food.asp.
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