FSnet Aug. 24/08 -- II
BARFBLOG:
McCain apologizes for Maple Leaf listeria; excellent risk
communication, will the management of the risk stand
scrutiny?
BARFBLOG:
Michael McCain of Maple Leaf: Should pregnant women eat deli
meats?
CANADA: Maple
Leaf expands product recall from Toronto plant as a
precautionary measure
CANADA:
Expanded health hazard alert: Meat products produced at
establishment 97B may contain Listeria monocytogenes
BARFBLOG:
Listeria recall: We've got pictures, Maple Leaf doesn't
ONTARIO:
Extent of health crisis won't be known for weeks, minister
says
WASHINGTON,
DC: Irradiation step doesn't quiet debate on FDA moves
TEXAS: Are we
nuking our nutrition?
NEW ZEALAND:
NZFSA takes a walk on the wild side
FRANCE:
Monoprix Gourmet recalls sausage and duck breasts
BARFBLOG:
Pregnant humans and cats can co-mingle
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BARFBLOG:
McCain apologizes for Maple Leaf listeria; excellent risk
communication, will the management of the risk stand
scrutiny?
24.aug.08
barfblog
Doug Powell
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/08/articles/food-safety-communication/mccain-apologizes-for-maple-leaf-listeria-excellent-risk-communication-will-the-management-of-the-risk-stand-scrutiny/index.html
If your products kill and sicken people, it’s a good idea to
say sorry. Many people think that saying sorry is an
admission of guilt and will be used in court. Lawyer Bill
Marler says that is not the case. To me, saying sorry is an
expression of empathy. It’s a basic human response.
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/08/articles/food-safety-communication/20-sick-with-e-coli-at-guelph-doesnt-anyone-say-theyre-sorry-anymore/
Michael McCain, president and CEO of Maple Leaf Foods, took
not only to the airwaves but to the Intertubes to convey his
empathy and resolve at fixing the listeria situation. It’s
an excellent piece of risk communication.
But communicating effectively about risks like listeria is
never enough. Eventually, journalists and juries will start
asking some tough questions about who knew what when. The
Odwalla 1996 outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 in unpasteurized
juice was also textbook risk communication, but the company
was eventually revealed to have cut corners and ignored
warning signs.
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/link-between-listeriosis-outbreak-strain/story.aspx?guid=%7B7FB1EB56-D239-4129-BD03-
This is a tough situation that I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
Oh, and the critics who say that food produced locally would
result in fewer illnesses are statistically challenged: to
make a fair comparison between small and big producers, the
number of illnesses per meals consumed is the true measure,
and no one has offered that up; further, outbreaks involving
local producers may never get picked up by the surveillance
system.; and the big folks have the resources to invest in
food safety. McCain says Maple Leaf has a culture of food
safety. Maybe. The evidence will be laid out over the weeks
and months to come.
If you go to the youtube post, you can see the comments,
which already include,
“I just had further look at your recent earnings for the
last quarter....if you are truly sorry, the families of
those who lost loved ones should never have to work another
day in their life. Whether you pay the victim’s families the
millions of dollars that you can afford or not will tell if
you are truly sorry.”
There will be more harsh words. McCain and Maple Leaf
deserve praise for their risk communication efforts: how the
risk was managed – who knew what when and what actions were
taken – remains to be seen.
BARFBLOG:
Michael McCain of Maple Leaf: Should pregnant women eat deli
meats?
24.aug.08
barfblog
Doug Powell
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/08/articles/listeria-1/michael-mccain-of-maple-leaf-should-pregnant-women-eat-deli-meats/index.html
There’s been an outbreak of babies amongst the food safety
stalwarts in my lab. Katija delivered in June, Ben’s gonna
be a daddy next month, and me, trying to keep up with the
cool kids, at the end of November.
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/06/articles/food-safety-communication/bastards-bullshit-and-babies/
Michael McCain, the president and CEO of Maple Leaf Foods,
seems sincere enough. He said yesterday that listeria is
"pervasive" adding that,
"It (Listeria) is virtually impossible to eradicate in its
entirety. It exists in plants, in supermarkets, potentially
in your kitchen.”
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/08/articles/food-safety-communication/mccain-apologizes-for-maple-leaf-listeria-excellent-risk-communication-will-the-management-of-the-risk-stand-scrutiny/index.html
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080823.wmapleleaf0823/BNStory/Front/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20080823.wmapleleaf0823
That’s true. And deli meats and other refrigerated
ready-to-eat foods like smoked salmon are particularly good
sources of listeria.
Back in May, U.K. environmental health officers from 42
local authorities purchased 1,127 samples of
sliced-at-the-counter cooked meats from food retailers
including butchers, delicatessens, market stalls and
supermarkets.
Laboratory tests found that 15 per cent of the samples were
contaminated with low numbers of listeria on the day of
purchase, while 7.3 per cent were contaminated with Listeria
monocytogenes, the more serious form of listeria.
Although these were within European Food Safety Standards,
when the contaminated samples were tested again after
storage for 48 hours in a refrigerator, the L. monocytogenes
in some of the contaminated samples had multiplied to unsafe
levels.
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/05/articles/listeria-1/deli-meats-sliced-at-the-deli-counter-should-be-consumed-within-2-days/index.html
In July, 2008, health types in Ireland warned pregnant women
to avoid ready-to-eat, refrigerated and processed foods,
such as soft cheeses, cold cuts of meat, pates and smoked
fish after an increase in pregnancy-related listeriosis.
http://www.irishhealth.com/?level=4&id=13921
A Dec. 2007 review of listeria in pregnancy states,
“One of the most important changes during pregnancy is the
down-regulation of the cellular immune system. Because the
fetus is genetically different from the mother, the body
treats it as a graft. To prevent the maternal immune system
from rejecting the fetus, cell-mediated immunity must
therefore be suppressed during pregnancy. This is favored by
high levels of progesterone. However, reduced cell-mediated
immune function leads to increased susceptibility of the
woman and her fetus to infections by intracellular pathogens
such as Listeria monocytogenes. That is why pregnant women
are 20 times more at risk of contracting listeriosis than
are other healthy adults. Pregnant women account for 30% of
all cases of listeriosis and 60% of cases among persons 10
to 40 years of age.
“Typically, systemic infection occurs most frequently after
ingestion of food contaminated with L monocytogenes. The
bacteria cross the mucosal barrier of the intestine,
probably aided by active endocytosis of organisms by
epithelial cells. Once in the bloodstream, bacteria spread
to different sites, but they have a particular affinity for
the central nervous system or placenta. While circulating,
the bacteria are internalized by macrophages and other
plasma cells and are thereafter spread cell-to-cell through
phagocytosis. As a result, antibodies, complement, and
neutrophils become unable to protect the host.”
http://www.nursingcenter.com/library/JournalArticle.asp?Article_ID=760950
And that’s why 6-months pregnant Amy hasn’t touched a deli
product in over six months.
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/08/articles/listeria-1/1-dead-dozens-sickened-in-canadian-listeria-outbreak-some-questions/
But most women don’t know this. Neither do a lot of doctors
or health professionals. During one of our prenatal visits,
I asked the aid if there were any foods pregnant Amy should
be avoiding.
She said, “no, not really.”
I specifically asked about deli meats.
She said, “Get the deli meat from the counter cause it’s
fresher than the pre-packaged stuff.”
She didn’t know about listeria. Most people don’t.
Researchers reported in the Australian and New Zealand
Journal of Health that in a survey of 586 women attending
antenatal clinics in one private and two major public
hospitals in New South Wales between April and November
2006, more than half received no information on preventing
Listeria.
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2007/10/articles/culture-of-food-safety/pregnant-women-not-receiving-food-safety-info/index.html
So, Michael McCain, I know what I’d tell my wife or any
other pregnant woman. What would you tell a pregnant woman
about deli meats? Would you be willing to put a health
advisory on the back of the package?
CANADA: Maple
Leaf expands product recall from Toronto plant as a
precautionary measure
24.aug.08
Maple Leaf Foods
http://investor.mapleleaf.ca/phoenix.zhtml?c=88490&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1189869&highlight=
Maple Leaf Foods announced on Saturday, August 23, 2008 that
it voluntarily expanded its recall of products manufactured
at its Bartor Road (Establishment No. 97B) facility in
Toronto, as a precautionary measure.
Yesterday, Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Public Health
Agency of Canada investigation concluded that the strain of
Listeria bacteria, which is linked to the illness and death
of several consumers, matches the Listeria strain identified
in some Maple Leaf food products in two cases. Scientific
analysis and information will be made available today
through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
"From our standpoint this is the right thing to do. If there
is any question in the consumers' mind about any product
from that plant, then the onus is on us, and the CFIA, to
act decisively and swiftly to restore consumer confidence,"
said Michael H. McCain, president & CEO, Maple Leaf. "Our
actions are guided by putting public health first."
Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
may cause Listeriosis, a food borne illness. The elderly,
the very young, pregnant women and people with weakened
immune systems are particularly at risk.
To date, Maple Leaf has been advised that only product
produced on production lines 8 and 9 have shown positive
test results for Listeria monocytogenes. There is no
evidence of Listeria contamination in product beyond the
production lines originally under investigation. However, we
decided given current information, to place public health
interests first and recall 100 per cent of all the product
produced at this facility as the most conservative approach
possible. We expect this expanded recall to be implemented
swiftly. A list of specific products and codes of the
affected products is available on the Company website at
www.mapleleaf.com.
This weekend the Company's Bartor Road plant remains closed
and is anticipated will reopen on Tuesday, August 26, 2008.
Maple Leaf Foods Inc. is a leading Canadian food processing
company committed to delivering quality food products to
consumers around the world. Headquartered in Toronto,
Canada, the Company employs approximately 23,000 people at
its operations across Canada and in the United States,
Europe and Asia. The Company had sales of $5.2 billion in
2007.
CANADA:
Expanded health hazard alert: Meat products produced at
establishment 97B may contain Listeria monocytogenes
24.aug.08
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/expanded-health-hazard-alert-meat/story.aspx?guid={5AF028A3-6547-4505-AA46-FFD92C49C088}&dist=hppr
OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- Audio clips available at
www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/relations/indexaude.shtml.
The public warning issued on August 19, 2008 has been
expanded to include additional products.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Maple Leaf
Consumer Foods are warning the public not to serve or
consume meat products from Establishment 97B because these
products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Maple Leaf Consumer Foods Inc., is voluntarily recalling all
products manufactured at its 150 Bartor Road facility
located in Toronto, Ontario.
The affected products can be identified by the Establishment
number that appears on the packages. The products made at
this facility bear Establishment number (Est) 97B. The
establishment number is located near the Best Before or
Packed On dates. We will be updating product description
information as it becomes available.
These products have been distributed nationally to retail
stores and food service institutions such as restaurants,
hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutional cafeterias
or kitchens. These products may also be sold at deli
counters. If the original product identity and Best Before
code is not evident, consumers are advised to check with
their retailer to determine if the product is included in
the list of recalled products.
Laboratory results have established a link between recalled
meat products and an outbreak strain of listeriosis
currently confirmed in four provinces. While these results
are highly significant, the investigation is not complete.
Nevertheless, the manufacturer, Maple Leaf Consumer Foods,
has initiated a voluntary recall of all products made at
Establishment 97B. The CFIA continues to work with the
Public Health Agency of Canada and provincial public
authorities to investigate the possible sources of the
outbreak.
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 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).
For information on Listeria monocytogenes, visit the Food
Facts web page
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/causee.shtml.
For information on receiving recalls by e-mail, or for other
food safety facts, visit our website at
www.inspection.gc.ca.
BARFBLOG:
Listeria recall: We've got pictures, Maple Leaf doesn't
24.aug.08
barfblog
Ben Chapman
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/08/articles/culture-of-food-safety/listeria-recall-weve-got-pictures-maple-leaf-doesnt/
Maple Leaf's CEO Michael McCain says his company has a
culture of food safety. I've written about the food safety
culture concept
(http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/08/articles/culture-of-food-safety/when-football-and-food-safety-collide/)
and believe that a big part of it is being ready for
outbreaks and recalls. They happen. A lot.
I'm not sure what Mr. McCain and his team has done in
preparation for this outbreak, but in March I wrote about
Quaker Oats handling of a recall due to Salmonella in some
of their Aunt Jemima products
(http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/03/articles/salmonella/aunt-jemima-mix-recall-due-to-salmonella/):
"Quaker Oats has great information on their website already
[less than 4 hours after the recall] with a nice graphic on
how to handle the recall.... Especially love that people can
sign-up for ongoing info -- good preparation on Quaker Oats'
part."
It looked like they were ready for a problem, and already
had the resources in place to get information out to their
customers.
The thing I liked the most about Quaker Oats' Aunt Jemima
situation was that they had pictures of the recalled
product. A company with a culture of food safety is ready
for a recall, has a website with pictures and
consumer-friendly information ready to go in anticipation,
like Quaker Oats did.
Maple Leaf has a big list of recalled products (220, check
it out here:
http://www.mapleleaf.com/pdf/BartorRdProductRecallList.pdf)
but they don't have any pictures of them. It's not a
superficial request to have some nice pictures to show folks
what this stuff looks like, and where you can find the
sometimes elusive codes/dates/establishment code. It's just
good communication. The FDA realized this, and earlier last
year started including pictures on their recall notices for
products that they have deemed to be high health risks
(after the Castleberry's chili sauce recall:
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/tags/castleberry/).
Sometimes I buy lunch meat. Sometimes I even get the
prepackaged stuff. I don't always know what brand it is, and
I don't know all the intricacies of the food system and get
mixed up as to which parent company makes Shopsy's. The list
system is confusing.
The Globe and Mail
(http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080824.wrecall25/BNStory/National/home)
is reporting tonight that:
Maple Leaf is working with distributors to track down all
220 products from the Toronto site, which Mr. McCain told
reporters could be anywhere in Canada. That could take as
long as three to five days, he said during a news conference
at the firm's Toronto head office.
At about 7:50pm this evening I thought I'd take a look at
whether I could find any of these recalled products at the
grocery store and get some pictures to demonstrate where the
codes can be found.
I found some.
About 2 minutes after entering Ultra Food and Drug in
Guelph, I was able to find the recalled Maple Leaf's EZee
Sub Dagwood products, with the establishment code (denoted,
I assume, by the "EST. 97B" still on the shelves. That's the
bad news.
The good news is that I can use a real example of what one
of the recalled products looks like and where the
establishment code is. Something that Maple Leaf hasn't
done.
ONTARIO:
Extent of health crisis won't be known for weeks, minister
says
24.aug.08
Globe and Mail/Healthone/Canwest News Service
Elizabeth Church and Omar El Akkad
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080824.wrecall25/BNStory/National/home
Betsy Powell
http://healthzone.ca/health/article/484765
Jack Spearman and Linda Nguyen
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=41de4fd1-24f0-4632-b134-8ec3b8bc600a
TORONTO and OTTAWA -- The full extent of a nationwide health
crisis linked to tainted deli meats will not be known for
weeks, the federal health minister advised Sunday, as the
number of confirmed cases and deaths continues to rise and
Maple Leaf Foods, the company at the centre of the outbreak,
extended its product recall.
“We expect that both the numbers of suspected cases and
confirmed cases will increase as this investigation
continues and samples continue to be received from
provincial, territorial and federal partners,” Health
Minister Tony Clement said Sunday.
The health minister added that because symptoms of
listeriosis can occur for months after food is consumed, it
may be several weeks before this outbreak completes its
course.
Maple Leaf chief executive Michael McCain took steps over
the weekend to contain the damage to his firm's reputation
and halt the continued spread of the illness, speaking to
the media and to consumers directly with an apology posted
on YouTube and a television ad.
“We know this has shaken your confidence in us,” he says in
the spots that began to air Sunday in Ontario and the rest
of the country Monday.
Maple Leaf is working with distributors to track down all
220 products from the Toronto site, which Mr. McCain told
reporters could be anywhere in Canada. That could take as
long as three to five days, he said during a news conference
at the firm's Toronto head office, urging individual
consumers to scour their refrigerators for sliced meat with
97B printed next to the best-before date on the package –
the code for the Toronto plant.
He put the cost of the crisis to his firm at $20-million –
10 times more than initial estimates – but stressed his
first priority is personal costs, not corporate ones.
“Going through the crisis there are two advisers I've paid
no attention to,” Mr. McCain said. “The first are the
lawyers, and the second are the accountants. It's not about
the money or the legal liability, this is about our being
accountable for providing consumers with safe food.”
Mr. McCain said the company expects to reopen the Toronto
plant, one of 23 run by the company, as early as tomorrow.
In Duncan, B.C., a 64-year-old patient died on July 29 –
before the meat recall – at Cowichan District Hospital after
he was served meat that was tainted.
Suzanne Germain, a spokeswoman for the Vancouver Island
Health Authority, said Sunday the cause of death has not yet
been determined, but confirmed that the patient had
listeriosis and the hospital had infected meat. “It's highly
likely that the hospital meat was related to the death,” she
said.
The patient, whose name has not been released, was in
palliative care and had been in and out of the hospital on
several occasions in the weeks before he died.
As a massive recall of an additional 220 Maple Leaf Foods
products continues across the country, Canadian consumers
are being urged to check their kitchens and return any
packages to retailers marked 97B, the "establishment" number
that identifies the north Toronto plant where it was
produced.
"We expect this additional recall to be implemented
swiftly," CEO and president Michael McCain told a news
conference this afternoon at Maple Leaf’s Toronto
headquarters.
McCain said Maple Leaf is also convening a team of world
experts on listeria to review the company’s sanitization
processes and to advise it on ways it could reduce the risks
posed by listeria.
McCain said, however, it’s unlikely that the source of the
contamination linked to the outbreak will ever be known
because the bacteria is “so pervasive.”
“Listeria is commonly found in our environment,” said
McCain. ``There’s a large, relatively meaningful percentage
of the population that walk around as carriers of listeria.
It exists in our environment, in your environment.”
He said recalls related to listeria aren’t rare, though the
Maple Leaf Foods recall is unique in its magnitude.
"This is not about money," McCain insisted. "It's about
public health." Later he added: (Compensation) is just not
what we've paid attention to."
"From our standpoint this is the right thing to do. If there
is any question in the consumers' mind about any product
from that plant, then the onus is on us, and the CFIA, to
act decisively and swiftly to restore consumer confidence,"
McCain said.
McCain said the company has contacted all of its
distributors and he is confident that there has been a "very
high level" of product taken off shelves. But he admitted
that the company has no way of reaching into the kitchens of
Canada so that some of recalled products could still be out
there.
A full list of recalled products is available at
http://files.newswire.ca/464/RecallList.pdf
WASHINGTON,
DC: Irradiation step doesn't quiet debate on FDA moves
25.aug.08
Chicago Tribune
Stephen J. Hedges
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-irradiateaug25,0,2630975.story
WASHINGTON -- After two years of nearly constant food-borne
illness outbreaks and recalls of everything from tainted
peanut butter to tons of hamburger meat the Food and Drug
Administration's decision last week to allow the irradiation
of lettuce and spinach to kill dangerous bacteria didn't
surprise anyone in the food industry.
Nor did it solve a long-simmering debate over whether the
agency's penchant for prescribing such technical fixes to
biological problems makes sense. There are strong feelings
on both sides of the argument, and the lettuce/spinach
decision brought them once again to the surface.
Zapping spinach and iceberg lettuce with a tiny shot of
radiation is an effective way to prevent deadly outbreaks of
E. coli, according to the FDA, which says that it's safe.
But not everyone agrees.
"It's the latest in a series of PR moves designed to mislead
the public from the fact that the government is asleep at
the wheel here," said Ronnie Cummins, national director of
the Organic Consumers Association, an organic food watchdog
group.
Randy Huffman, president of the American Meat Institute
Foundation, which favors irradiation of food, holds a
different view.
"Any group that is opposed to a proven, safe technology that
enhances food safety is misguided," Huffman said.
The FDA's irradiation decision is the latest attempt to find
a technical fix to what has become a near-epidemic food
safety problem.
•In 2000, the FDA approved the use of irradiation on meat, a
practice that has not gained widespread consumer acceptance.
• In July 2004, the agency OKd the application of carbon
monoxide gas to preserve the red color of packaged meat.
•In January more controversy was stirred when the FDA
approved the sale of meat and dairy products from cloned
cows.
Whether consumers will accept irradiated lettuce and spinach
is an open question. Irradiated meat, for example, is hard
to find in most stores.
Meat, however, isn't the only irradiated food now available.
Some imported produce is irradiated, as are some spices. And
irradiated food has to carry a label explaining that is was
treated.
Advocates contend that irradiation doesn't change the flavor
of the food. They argue that irradiation adds an important
final "kill step" to the food production chain.
"Hopefully there'll be some manufacturers that will take
that step," said Bill Marler, a Seattle attorney who
represents food contamination victims. "Hopefully the public
will be less concerned about it. All the evidence suggests
that there's not a risk."
TEXAS: Are we
nuking our nutrition?
24.aug.08
Dallas Morning News
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/letters/stories/sunletters14.170bbdf.html
John D. Zeigler writes regarding, "Radiation of lettuce gets
green light – Treatment said to kill E. coli, salmonella but
also nutrients,"
(http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/082208dnnatirradiate.42d89bd.html)
to say that the FDA's recent OK to irradiate lettuce and
spinach is but another step to degrade the nutritional value
of our food. This process of irradiation represents the
refusal of the FDA to properly manage, inspect and guarantee
a safe, wholesome and nutritious product on our grocers'
shelves.
The obvious solution is to require that irradiated foods be
so labeled, to go back to growing our own as much as
possible and ensure that the appropriate agricultural
practices are in place to make our food supply as safe as
humanly possible.
NEW ZEALAND:
NZFSA takes a walk on the wild side
19.aug.08
New Zealand Food Safety Authority
Hunting and gathering wild food is an important part of Kiwi
life and a new range of educational resources from the New
Zealand Food Safety Authority aims to keep this practice
safe.
A study commissioned by NZFSA and carried out by the
Institute of Environmental and Scientific Research Ltd (ESR)
to look at the chemical and microbial risks in wild food
showed that wild foods do not present a huge risk concerning
poisons and bacterial contamination. However, the study did
identify a lack of reliable information on how to safely
harvest and eat wild foods.
To address this lack of information, NZFSA has developed a
Wild Food Safety DVD and two complementary booklets, Food
Safety for Hunters and Food Safety for Seafood Gatherers,
with information for the growing number of Kiwis who either
hunt, fish or gather food from the wild. These resources
will help them minimise the risks posed by wild foods and
make safe decisions about how to catch, store and eat foods
such as wild game, ducks and other game birds, and seafood.
The comprehensive source of information covers everything
from the preparations you need to make before leaving home;
how to handle your catch when you're in the bush or on the
boat; keeping it clean and fresh while transporting it home;
packaging it for the fridge or freezer; and how to cook it
safely for you and your family to enjoy.
The Wild Food Safety DVD will be widely distributed to
hunters and gatherers through the Hunting & Fishing
Catalogue in early September. The DVD and booklets are also
available from NZFSA by phoning the consumer helpline on
0800 NZFSA1 (0800 693 721).
FRANCE:
Monoprix Gourmet recalls sausage and duck breasts
21.aug.08
Relaxnews
http://pourelles.bienpublic.com/Monoprix-Gourmet-rappelle-du.html
The Monoprix Gourmet brand is recalling its 60g packages of
sliced seafood sausages bearing the lot number 370615, after
having remarked the presence of listeria monocytogenes.
Consumers are asked to return the products for full
reimbursement or to call 0-800-77-38-00. A batch of sliced
and dried duck breasts (lot number 81620026) contaminated
with salmonella is also subject to a recall. Clients should
call 0-810-08-4000, as indicated by the UFC-Que Choisir
website.
Listeria Monocytogenes can cause fever and headache. In the
event that symptoms are present, it is recommended that
pregnant women, immuno-depressed people and the elderly
consult their doctor.
Last May, 2,112 batches of smoked sliced duck breast from
Monoprix Gourmet were recalled due to salmonella.
Original text:
Monoprix Gourmet rappelle du saucisson et des magrets de
canard
(Relaxnews) - L’enseigne Monoprix Gourmet rappelle ses
saucissons du marin tranché 60g portant le numéro de lot
370615, après avoir constaté la présence de listeria
monocytogènes. Les consommateurs sont invités à ramener les
produits pour remboursement intégral ou contacter le 0 800
77 38 00. Un lot de magrets de canard tranché séché
(n°81620026) contaminé par la salmonelle fait également
l’objet d’un rappel. Les clients doivent contacter le 0 810
08 4000, précise le site de l’UFC-Que Choisir.
La listeria monocytogène peut provoquer de la fièvre et des
maux de tête. En cas de symptômes présents, il est
recommandé de consulter son médecin, sur les femmes
enceintes, les personnes immunodéprimées et les personnes
âgées.
En mai dernier, 2.112 lots de magret de canard tranché fumé
Monoprix Gourmet avaient déjà fait l’objet d’un rappel pour
cause de salmonelles.
BARFBLOG:
Pregnant humans and cats can co-mingle
24.aug.08
barfblog
Doug Powell
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2008/08/articles/wacky-and-strange-but-true/pregnant-humans-and-cats-can-comingle/index.html
My friend and OK hockey player Scott Weese seems to be
having fun with his Worms and Germs blog. It’s a great
resource for pet ownership, especially aspects of zoonotic
disease.
http://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/
Yesterday, Scott asked, are pregnancy and cats compatible?
Amy, who’s six months pregnant, and I share our Manhattan
home with two dogs and two cats (the cats are from
Walkerton, Ontario, and made the trip to Kansas with me).
Scott writes, and I didn’t know about the 24-hour infectious
bit, that,
“Cats are the only animal species that can spread Toxoplasma
in their stool. Shedding rates in cats are quite low, but
can be higher in cats that go outside, hunt or are fed raw
meat. However, it takes 24 hours or more for Toxoplasma in
stool to be infectious (that means that fresh stool cannot
spread Toxoplasma). That key point greatly reduces the risk
of transmission from cats.”
http://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2008/08/articles/animals/cats/are-pregnancy-and-cats-compatible/
Sure, if you clean the litter box regularly. That’s Amy with
Crystal.
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