FSnet Aug. 20/08 -- II SWEDISH two-year-old dies from E. coli: officials CHINA: Rimmer progresses despite illness Listeriosis outbreak in ONTARIO ONTARIO: Health Hazard Alert - Certain ready-to-eat deli meat products produced at establishment 97B may contain Listeria monocytogenes ONTARIO: Maple Leaf broadens product recall from Toronto plant as a precautionary measure ONTARIO: Maple Leaf expands recall of packaged meats, temporarily closes plant BLOG: DeLauro - FDA hopelessly out of touch KENTUCKY: LCDH Department reports inspections ALASKA: Interior Alaska Fish Processors of Fairbanks recalls salmon how to subscribe SWEDISH two-year-old dies from E. coli: officials 20.aug.08 AFP http://health.bloglicio.us/2008/08/20/swedish-two-year-old-dies-from-ecoli-officials/ http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/08/articles/e-coli/e-coli-kills-2yearold-swedish-girl/index.html STOCKHOLM -- A two-year-old girl has died in Sweden after contracting the lethal enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) bacteria, the Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control said Tuesday. “No one has yet identified the source of the contamination,” institute spokeswoman Aase Sten told AFP, adding that the case was being investigated. The girl had fallen ill during a visit to Mora in central Sweden on June 29 and had died a few days later at a hospital in Stockholm, the Dagens Nyheter daily reported. According to the Institute for Infectious Disease Control, Sweden’s last deadly case of EHEC occurred in 2005. “That case concerned the infection of a single person and not an outbreak. From what we have seen so far, this case too concerns a single incident,” the agency said in a statement. While most strains of E. coli are harmless, EHEC bacteria can produce nausea, diarrhoea and potentially lethal kidney problems, particularly threatening people with weak immune systems such as the elderly and small children. One hundred cases of non-deadly EHEC infections have been reported in Sweden so far this year, according to statistics from the disease control agency.   top CHINA: Rimmer progresses despite illness 20.aug.08 The Press Association http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5i0VWvS7ahuHrYdyr7sy7P2znLCAg Britain's Michael Rimmer overcame a bout of food poisoning to book his place in the semi-finals of the 800metres at the Olympic Games in Beijing. Rimmer won his heat in a time of one minute 47.61 seconds, battling hard to the line to ensure qualification with only the first two in each heat guaranteed to advance. Rimmer was quoted as saying, "I felt quite rough. I think it was a mix between the food poisoning and nerves. I am over it but I felt a little flat out there. The thought of going out in a heat is horrible. I want to feel the plane ticket was worth the money and show I am worthy of being here."   top Listeriosis outbreak in ONTARIO 20.aug.08 Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Mark Nesbitt http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/August2008/20/c5713.html TORONTO -- Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health is advising the public that there is an outbreak of Listeriosis in the province. Listeriosis is a rare but potentially serious food-borne illness that can severely affect the elderly, pregnant women and individuals with weakened immune systems. It is caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. In July 2008, routine surveillance conducted by the Ministry detected a marked increase in cases of Listeriosis being reported by Ontario health units. As of yesterday, there have been 29 cases associated with the outbreak across 17 health units. Of these, 13 are confirmed cases, and the rest are probable and suspect cases which are under investigation by the local health units. Outbreak associated cases of Listeriosis have also been reported in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Quebec. Ontario is working with the Public Health Agency of Canada and the other provinces in the investigation. THE CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Maple Leaf Consumer Foods are warning the public through their standard food recall system not to serve or consume specified lots of ready-to-eat deli meats because of possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. These products have been distributed primarily to food service institutions such as restaurants, hospitals and nursing homes. A complete list of the products affected by the recall is available on the CFIA website. The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has asked all public health units to contact hospitals, long-term care facilities and daycare centres to ensure these products are not served or consumed. QUOTES "I strongly advise the public, especially those at high risk for Listeriosis, such as the elderly, pregnant women and those with weak immune systems, to make sure they avoid consuming these products," said Dr. David C. Williams, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health. "I have also asked all public health units to advise emergency rooms in their jurisdictions to be on alert for cases. All suspect and confirmed cases of Listeriosis must be reported immediately to local public health units and in turn to the Ministry within one business day of notification of report." QUICK FACTS Listeriosis is a reportable disease under Ontario Regulation 569 of the Health Protection and Promotion Act. The incubation period for Listeriosis is from three to seventy days with an average incubation period of three weeks.   top ONTARIO: Health Hazard Alert - Certain ready-to-eat deli meat products produced at establishment 97B may contain Listeria monocytogenes 19.aug.08 Canadian Food Inspection Agency Maple Leaf Consumer Foods OTTAWA -- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Maple Leaf Consumer Foods are warning the public not to serve or consume the ready-to-eat deli meat products described below because these products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The following ready-to-eat meat products bearing an Est. # 97B are affected by this alert. (View the complete list at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2008/20080819e.shtml ) These products have been distributed nationally, primarily to food service institutions such as restaurants, hospitals and nursing homes. In addition, these products may also be sold at retail and deli counters. A number of the affected products described above are part of a listeriosis outbreak investigation. The investigation is ongoing and no direct link has been made between the affected products and human illness. However, the manufacturer, Maple Leaf Consumer Foods, has initiated a voluntary recall of all products that may be implicated in the outbreak investigation. The CFIA is working with the Public Health Agency of Canada and provincial public authorities to confirm the source of the illnesses. Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with this bacteria may cause listeriosis, a foodborne illness. Listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Infected pregnant women may experience only a mild, flu-like illness, however, infections during pregnancy can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth. The manufacturer, Maple Leaf Consumer Foods, Burlington, ON, is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall. For more information, consumers and industry can call one of the following numbers: Maple Leaf Consumer Foods at 1-800-568-5801; CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).   top ONTARIO: Maple Leaf broadens product recall from Toronto plant as a precautionary measure 20.aug.08 Maple Leaf Foods, Inc. Linda Smith http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/August2008/20/c5519.html TORONTO -- Maple Leaf Foods today announced it is voluntarily expanding a recall of packaged meat products manufactured at its Bartor Road (Establishment No. 97B) facility in Toronto, as a precautionary measure, as they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may cause listeriosis, a foodborne illness. Elderly, the very young, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. A small number of Sure Slice packaged meat products produced at the Company's Bartor Road, Toronto facility, predominantly for foodservice customers, have tested positive to contain (sic – dp) low levels of listeria monocytogenes. The Company has initiated a voluntary recall of these products, and as a precautionary measure expanded the recall to include all products produced on the two manufacturing lines involved from June 2nd (the earliest affected production date) to present. The Company is also temporarily closing the plant in order to fully reassess all aspects of its food safety procedures at this facility, including supplementary sanitation of equipment and validation of our testing protocols. "We believe it is important to take these broader preventative actions to respond to this situation promptly, comprehensively, and in the best interests of our consumers," said Maple Leaf Consumer Foods President Rick Young. "We have a strong culture of food safety that these incidents do not uphold, and we are taking every step required to maintain our very high standards." Sure Slice Roast Beef and Sure Slice Corned Beef products were involved in a recall announced on Sunday, August 17 (sic – dp). Additional products now being recalled include the following, and were largely distributed to foodservice institutions such as restaurants, hospitals and nursing homes and may also be sold at deli counters supplied by foodservice distributors. The retail products affected were distributed nationally. The products being recalled all carry Establishment No. 97B and have a best before date up to and including those identified in the table below. Up to and including Product Package Best Before Code Description Size Date 26365 Sliced Cooked Turkey Breast 470 g SE 30 02106 Schneiders Bavarian Smokies 1 kg OC 28 02126 Schneiders Cheddar Smokies 1 kg OC 28 21333 Sure Slice Roast Beef 1 kg SE 30 21388 Sure Slice Combo Pack 1 kg SE 30 60243 Deli Gourmet Roast Beef slices 1 kg SE 30 02356 Seasoned Cooked Roast Beef 500 g OC 07 42706 Roast Beef, Seasoned and Cooked 500 g OC 07 21334 Sure Slice Turkey Breast Roast 1 kg OC 14 21444 Sure Slice Corned Beef 1 kg OC 14 44938 Montreal Style Corned Beef 500 g OC 14 21440 Sure Slice Black Forest Style Ham 1 kg OC 21 21447 Sure Slice Salami 1 kg OC 21 21331 Sure Slice Smoked Ham 1 kg OC 21 48019 Schneiders Deli Shaved Corned Beef 200 g OC 21 48020 Schneiders Deli Shaved Smoked Meat 200 g OC 21 48016 Schneiders Deli Shaved Smoked Ham 200 g OC 21 48018 Schneiders Deli Shaved Smoked Turkey Breast 150 g OC 21 48017 Schneiders Deli Shaved Fully Cooked Smoked Honey Ham 200 g OC 21 21360 Burns Bites Pepperoni 500 g 09 JA 01 99158 Turkey Breast Roast 1 kg SE 30 71330 Roast Beef Cooked, Seasoned 2.5 kg SE 30 71331 Corned Beef, Smoked Meat 2.5 kg SE 30 No other Maple Leaf products are affected. For further information, please contact the Company's Consumer Affairs hotline at 1-800-568-5801 or visit the Maple Leaf website at www.mapleleaf.com.   top ONTARIO: Maple Leaf expands recall of packaged meats, temporarily closes plant 20.aug.08 The Canadian Press http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5heXs7HAkAhuZOIY_xQDwx3ey6H-w TORONTO -- Maple Leaf Foods is expanding a recall of its packaged meats and temporarily closing a Toronto plant that prepares the products. A number of the affected products are part of a listeriosis outbreak investigation. No direct link has been made between the affected products and illnesses, though the Public Health Agency of Canada and provincial public authorities are trying to confirm the source of the illnesses. Maple Leaf is recalling all products prepared at the plant since June 2 and says it is temporarily closing the factory to re-evaluate its food safety procedures.   top BLOG: DeLauro - FDA hopelessly out of touch 19.aug.08 Fresh Talk Blog Tom Karst http://freshtalk.blogspot.com/2008/08/delauro-fda-hopelessly-out-of-touch.html Just slid across the inbox, from Rep. Rosa DeLauro: New Haven, CT – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3), chairwoman of the Agriculture, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Subcommittee, issued the following statement amid reports that jalapenos, which have been connected to the recent Salmonella outbreak that sickened 1,400 people, have been a source of repeated problems. In fact peppers and chilies were the top Mexican crop rejected by border inspectors for the last year. These recent revelations regarding the salmonella investigation will be raised during a food safety oversight hearing to be held by the Agriculture –FDA Appropriations Subcommittee when Congress returns in September. The hearing will also analyze the critical components that are necessary for an effective food safety system. “Through the course of this salmonella outbreak and subsequent investigation, we continue to witness the systemic problems within the FDA that causes the agency to ignore crucial evidence that could have minimized or prevented this particular outbreak. We have seen the same issues arise in previous food-borne illness outbreaks, and it demonstrates that the FDA lacks the agility to anticipate and adeptly respond to incidents, and it fails to follow-through when presented with critical findings. “Based on this recent information involving pepper shipments from Mexico being rejected at the border, the agency's leadership appears to lack accountability and is hopelessly out-of-touch. Despite the pepper shipments being repeatedly sent back because of filth and disease and dried peppers being included in a 2006 list of high-risk foods deserving greater attention, the FDA just last week indicated that peppers are not typically problematic. Since the start of 2008, ten percent of the 88 shipments turned away were contaminated with salmonella and eight percent of the 158 intercepted shipments had salmonella. Instead of acting on this information, the FDA chose to ignore it. “This outbreak reinforces why we must urgently reform our food safety system to include traceback procedures, cooperative arrangements between public health officials, and mandatory recall authority, with the ultimate goal of creating a single food safety agency.”   top KENTUCKY: LCDH Department reports inspections 20.aug.08 Commonwealth Journal http://www.somerset-kentucky.com/local/local_story_233090238.html 85-100 — pass inspection. 70-84 — must be re-inspected within 30 days. Under 70 — a suspension of permit notice is sent to owner; if owner doesn’t reply in 10 days, the permit is revoked and the restaurant is closed. The following establishments were recently inspected by the Lake Cumberland District Health Department: BACKYARD BURGERS 535 North U.S. 27 Rating Score: 96 VIOLATIONS: Soda nozzles at drive-thru are unclean; leak around mop sink; pooled water on floor around soda station and in storage room. McDONALD’S 131 South U.S. 27 Rating Score: 97 VIOLATIONS: Cups in storage area under soda machine are unclean (discarded); outside dumpster area is unclean. TAKE THE CAKE DECOR 520 North Main St. Rating Score: 100 No violations at time of inspection. DINNER BELL RESTAURANT 123 University Drive Rating Score: 82 VIOLATIONS: Food not protected in storage (coolers and food preparation); lights not shielded above sink coolers, inside coolers; cooler unclean; utensils stored in unclean containers; equipment unclean, cabinets and fan; floor in poor repair and unclean; no hot water in women’s restroom; no cold water in men’s; microwave unclean; not washing, rinsing and sanitizing. EL RANCHITO 370 South U.S. 27, Suite 25 Rating Score: Food Service: 94 Retail Food: 98 VIOLATIONS: Spray bottles not labeled (store and restaurant, corrected); potentially hazardous foods above ready-to-eat foods; utensils not stored properly. GOLD STAR CHILI 3305 South U.S. 27 Rating Score: 95 VIOLATIONS: Box of food containers stored on floor (corrected); employee drinks stored in food preparation area (corrected); inside of ice machine is in poor repair; onion dicer is unclean. ARBY’S 4470 South U.S. 27 Rating Score: 99 VIOLATIONS: Employee drinks stored in food preparation area (corrected, designated drink area established); splash guard beside soda machine is not smooth, easily cleanable or non-absorbent. PANCHO VILLA MEXICAN GRILL 8100 South U.S. 27 Rating Score: 95 VIOLATIONS: Potentially hazardous foods stored above ready-to-eat foods; ice scoops not stored properly; scoop without handles in use. WOODSTOCK GROCERY 11680 Ky. 39 Rating Score: Food Service: 97 Retail Food: 100 VIOLATIONS: Potentially hazardous foods stored above ready-to-eat foods; utensils stored in unclean container (must be handles up). HARBOR RESTAURANT 451 Lee’s Ford Dock Rating Score: 99 VIOLATIONS: Leak at mop sink. HILL TOP REST HOME 2391 West Ky. 635, Science Hill Rating Score: 85 VIOLATIONS: Product out of original container not properly labeled; milk dispenser nozzle is not cut at a 45-degree angle and is longer than 1 inch; can opener is unclean; utensil drawer is unclean – debris and dead insects; insects in shelves and drawers throughout kitchen; light above stove is not shielded or shatter proof; wash in soapy water, rinse in plain water, sanitize in bleach water, 50-100 ppm and air dry; excessively warm in kitchen – no ventilation. LAKE CUMBERLAND OUTDOORS 2234 Ky. 90 Rating Score: Food Service: 100 Retail Food: 100 No violations at time of inspection. EASY STOP PLACE 2400 Ky. 790 Rating Score: Food Service: 100 Retail Food: 98 VIOLATIONS: Potentially hazardous foods stored next to ready-to-eat foods. CAMP CANAAN 1320 Roberts Port Road Rating Score: 100 VIOLATION: Can’t have open drinks in food preparation area. WEST 80 SHELL 100 West Ky. 80 Rating Score: Food Service: 83 (follow-up) 93 Retail Food: 97 VIOLATIONS: Lights not shielded above ice machine; ice machine in poor repair; spray bottles not labeled – corrected; cabinets unclean in food preparation; potentially hazardous foods stored with ready-to-eat foods; wiping cloths not stored in sanitizer; employee drink in food preparation area (corrected); hot foods, 140 degrees; cold foods, 40 degrees. KOUNTRY KORNER 9249 West Ky. 80 Rating Score: 100 No violations at time of inspection. SOUTHERN EXPRESS #1 6337 South U.S. 27 Rating Score: Retail Food: 99 VIOLATIONS: No light shields in dairy coolers. SLATE BRANCH SUPER STOP 22 Hidden Creek Drive Rating Score: Food Service: 99 Retail Food: 97 VIOLATIONS: Lights not properly shielded at reach-in milk cooler; food products must be stored 6 inches off floor; coffee stirs sticks not properly dispensed.   top ALASKA: Interior Alaska Fish Processors of Fairbanks recalls salmon 20.aug.08 Daily News-Miner http://www.newsminer.com/news/2008/aug/20/interior-alaska-fish-processors-fairbanks-recalls-/ FAIRBANKS -- Interior Alaska Fish Processors of Fairbanks is recalling about 150 pounds of its Santa’s Smokehouse smoked keta salmon because of potential contamination. A test by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation detected listeria monocytogenes in the batch of salmon, which can cause serious infections in young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. The recalled product was sold in random weight portions and packaged in clear plastic vacuum-sealed bags with the Santa’s Smokehouse “teriyaki-style smoked keta salmon” on it. Only batch No. 637 is subject to the recall. The product was distributed through the company’s local retail store and through Internet gift packs between December 2007 and July 2008. No complaints or illness reports have been received, the company reported. The company also recalled 163 pounds of smoked silver salmon in June for listeria contamination. Interior Alaska Fish Processors owner Virgil Umphenour said the company has participated in the recalls, but said independent tests have shown the fish is not contaminated. He said DEC officials have been unwilling to consider outside tests as valid.   top FSnet is produced by the International Food Safety Network at Kansas State University, and is supported at the Gold Fork level by: Marler Clark. 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For information on collaboration or fee-for-service opportunities, please contact Dr. Doug Powell: dpowell@ksu.edu To subscribe to the html version of FSnet, send mail to: (subscription is free) listserv@listserv.ksu.edu leave subject line blank in the body of the message type: subscribe fsnet-L firstname lastname i.e. subscribe fsnet-L Doug Powell (replace fsnet-L with fsnettext to subscribe to the text version) To unsubscribe to the html version of FSnet, send mail to: listserv@listserv.ksu.edu leave subject line blank in the body of the message type: signoff fsnet-L (replace fsnet-L with fsnettext to unsubscribe from the text version) For more information about the FSnet research program, please contact: Dr. Douglas Powell associate professor dept. diagnostic medicine/pathobiology Kansas State University Manhattan, KS 66506 cell: 785-317-0560 fax: 785-532-4039 dpowell@ksu.edu http://www.foodsafety.ksu.edu archived at http://archives.foodsafety.ksu.edu/fsnet-archives.htm