Current date 05/20/2012
 
 

Food Safety Tip of the Week
More than two-thirds of respondents in a recent survey* believe that most recalled food has already been eaten by the  >>

The fact that there is as yet no evidence of a focused response from either the government or the private  >>

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton, said the Ministry intends to strengthen its programmes aimed at ensuring  >>

Managers and supervisors in small, medium or large catering, manufacturing or retail businesses. Particularly relevant for those who have to  >>

Food business operators are responsible for ensuring that adequate training in the application of HACCP principles is delivered to their  >>

For all Business owners, Chefs, Cooks, HACCP Team Members, Owners and Managers of Food Manufacturing, Processors, Catering and Hospitality Sectors.  >>

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Everyone involved in food production, processing, sale and service has a role in ensuring that the food that reaches consumers will not be a hazard to human health. Jamaica´s national food control systems are designed to ensure a safe food supply and to promote the good health of our population.

Access to a secure supply of safe food is a human right !






Poll

Food Safety Modernization Act
Are you aware of the Food Safety Modernization Act and it´s requirements ?


Microbial food safety in organic foods addressed
BY SARA SCHOENBORN, Organic versus conventionally-produced food is a polarized topic in today's world often causing a divide between not only consumers, but producers as well.  >>
 
U.S. Impacted by China Food Safety Concerns
WRITTEN BY DAVE BOHON WEDNESDAY, 04 JANUARY 2012 10:04 China has been hit once more by a food safety crisis, as officials in that country attempt to assure its own people, as well as consumers in the United States and elsewhere, that its products are safe.  >>
 
Safety Tips to Avoid Food Poisoning
By Bruce Goldfarb Maryland Poison Center urges safe food handling techniques. Don't let food poisoning spoil your holiday.Food poisoning is an illness--usually mild but potentially serious for the very young, the very old and those in poor health--that most commonly results from poor food handling techniques, according to the Maryland  >>
 
FDA NEWS URGENT Nationwide Egg Recall Eggs in Their Shells May Put Consumers at Risk for Salmonella
The current recall of eggs in their shells, or “shell eggs,” is part of an ongoing and intensive investigation by local, state, and federal officials into the cause of recent cases of Salmonella Enteritidis.  >>
 
RSS Feed  126 sick from the Old Barn in Thunder Bay; nostalgia no security when barfing
6:48 pm

People barfing because of crappy food safety don’t care if you’ve been doing things one way and never made anyone sick for millennia, dating back to your spaceship DNA founders visiting earth.
Instead, it’s, I’m barfing now because you can’t be bothered to learn something new.





RSS Feed  Young brothers hospitalized with E. coli in Kentucky
6:48 pm

The 1- and 2-year-old grandsons of Ray and Stephanie Bogucki have been in Children's Hospital in Cincinnati, Kentucky, since Monday, suffering from what appears to be a shiga-toxin producing E. coli.
Ray Bogucki told The Ledger Independent on Thursday, "It is important people know this can happen. …





RSS Feed  Raw is risky; 316 sushi eaters now sick with Salmonella
6:46 pm

A total of 316 persons infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Bareilly (304 persons) or Salmonella Nchanga (12 persons) have been reported from 26 states and the District of Columbia, up from 258 earlier this month.
Is raw really better?
I don’t know too many microbiologists who go in for the raw sushi, or raw anything.





RSS Feed  Not naming names creates problems
6:46 pm

Public disclosure avoids a lot of issues.
Luis Nunez, owner of two Corona Mexican restaurants in Spartanburg, South Carolina, told WSPA that health types should be transparent about which restaurant is linked to the E. coli outbreak.





RSS Feed  It’s not OK to swim with diarrhea; safe swimming in Utah after cryptosporidiosis outbreak, 2008–2009, 5,700 sickened
6:45 pm

It matters what’d done after people barf. Same if people have diarrhea – in a pool.
During the summer of 2007, almost 6,000 people in Utah started barfing from Cryptosporidium, transmitted via the barfblog fav, fecal-oral route





RSS Feed  Organic Pastures: Raw Milk = Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria
11:03 pm

rawmilkpastures.jpgAccording to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, raw milk products produced by Organic Pastures of Fresno County have been released from a statewide quarantine that began May 10. CDFA imposed the quarantine in response to the detection of campylobacter bacteria, and notification from the California Department of Public Health of reported campylobacter food-borne illnesses in persons consuming Organic Pastures raw milk. CDPH also isolated Campylobacter jejuni from six samples of the dairy’s raw cream, one sample of raw butter and four samples of cow manure from the milking herd.

From January through April 30, 2012, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reports that at least 10 people with campylobacter infection were identified throughout California and reported consuming Organic Pastures raw milk prior to illness onset. Their median age is 11.5 years, with six under 18. The age range is nine months to 38 years. They are residents of Fresno, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Luis Obispo and Santa Clara counties. None of the patients have been hospitalized, and there have been no deaths.

It is becoming a harder for Organic Pastures to defend raw milk so vehemently after the dairy has now been linked to 4 outbreaks and 6 recalls.

In 2006, three strains of E. coli O157:H7 were cultured from Organic Pastures' heifers' feces.  That same year, the dairy was quarantined after six children became ill with E. coli infections - two with hemolytic uremic syndrome - linked to its raw milk.

In 2007, fifty strains of Campylobacter jejuni plus Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter fetus, Campylobacter hyointetinalis, and Campylobacter lari were cultured from OPDC dairy cow feces after eight people were sickened.  See the state report here

In 2007, Listeria monocytogenes was cultured from Organic Pastures Grade A raw cream.

In 2008, Campylobacter was cultured from Organic Pastures Grade A raw cream.

In November 2011, a cluster of five young children with Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 infection with matching pulse-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns was identified. All five children reported drinking commercially available raw (unpasteurized) milk from a single dairy (Organic Pastures) and had no other common exposures. The epidemiological findings led to a quarantine and recall of all Organic Pastures products except cheese aged more than 60 days. Environmental samples collected at Organic Pastures yielded E. coli O157:H7 isolates that had PFGE patterns indistinguishable from the patient isolates.  




RSS Feed  16 Humans Sickened by Diamond Pet Food - How many Pets?
12:51 pm

Dry dog food manufactured in Diamond Pet Foods’ Gaston, South Carolina production plant has been linked to at least 15 cases of Salmonella Infantis infections in 9 states, according to a May 11, 2012 report from CDC. Confirmed outbreak cases have been documented in Alabama (1), Connecticut (1), Michigan (1), Missouri (3), North Carolina (3), New Jersey (1), Ohio (2), Pennsylvania (2), and Virginia (1). Five people were hospitalized. One Canadian – a resident of the province of Quebec – also was reported by the Public Health Agency of Canada to be a victim of this outbreak.

On May 18, 2012, Diamond Pet Foods expanded its earlier recalls to include Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula (samples, 6-lb and 18-lb bags; Manufactured Aug 26, 2011).

Diamond Pet Foods had previously recalled nine brands of dry pet food formulas that were manufactured in Gaston. All batches manufactured between December 9, 2011 and April 7, 2012 are affected.

Consolidated list of recalled dry pet food products (as of May 18, 2012)

  • Apex Chicken and Rice Dog (20-lb and 40-lb bags; Production code ACD0101B32; Best by date 24-Jan-2013)
  • Canidae Dog Dry Dog Food, All Life Stages (All packages sizes; Best before date between December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013; Production code must have the number “3″ in the 9th digit AND the letter “X” in the 10th or 11th digit)
  • Canidae Dog Dry Dog Food, Chicken Meal & Rice (All packages sizes; Best before date between December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013; Production code must have the number “3″ in the 9th digit AND the letter “X” in the 10th or 11th digit)
  • Canidae Dog Dry Dog Food, Lamb Meal & Rice (All packages sizes; Best before date between December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013; Production code must have the number “3″ in the 9th digit AND the letter “X” in the 10th or 11th digit)
  • Canidae Dog Dry Dog Food, Canidae Platinum (All packages sizes; Best before date between December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013; Production code must have the number “3″ in the 9th digit AND the letter “X” in the 10th or 11th digit)
  • Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul (All package sizes and formulas; Best before dates between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013; Production codes have a number “2″ or “3″ in the 9th digit and the letter “X” in the 10th or 11th digit)
  • Country Value (All package sizes and formulas; Best before dates between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013; Production codes have a number “2″ or “3″ in the 9th digit and the letter “X” in the 10th or 11th digit)
  • Diamond (All package sizes and formulas; Best before dates between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013; Production codes have a number “2″ or “3″ in the 9th digit and the letter “X” in the 10th or 11th digit)
  • Diamond Naturals (All package sizes and formulas; Best before dates between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013; Production codes have a number “2″ or “3″ in the 9th digit and the letter “X” in the 10th or 11th digit)
  • Diamond Naturals Small Breed Adult Dog Lamb & Rice Formula (Samples, 6-lb bags, 18-lb bags; Manufactured Aug 26, 2011; Production Code DSL0801; Best before 26-Aug-2012, 27-Sept-2012 (manufactured on Aug. 26, 2011 and packaged on Sept. 27, 2011), and 18-Oct-2012 (manufactured on Aug. 26, 2011 and packaged on Oct. 18, 2011))
  • Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Dog Lamb, Rice & Vegetable Formula (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013; Production codes have a number “3″ in the 9th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)
  • Kirkland Signature Super Premium Adult Dog Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Formula (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013; Production codes have a number “3″ in the 9th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)
  • Kirkland Signature Super Premium Mature Dog Chicken, Rice & Egg Formula (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013; Production codes have a number “3″ in the 9th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)
  • Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Dog Formulated with Chicken & Vegetables (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013; Production codes have a number “3″ in the 9th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)
  • Kirkland Signature Super Premium Maintenance Cat Chicken & Rice Formula (Best Before December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013; Production codes have a number “3″ in the 9th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)
  • Kirkland Signature Super Premium Healthy Weight Cat Formula (December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013; Production codes have a number “3″ in the 9th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)
  • Kirkland Signature Nature’s Domain Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato Formula for Dogs (December 9, 2012 through January 31, 2013; Production codes have a number “3″ in the 9th digit and the letter “X” in the 11th digit)
  • Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison Dog (5 lb bag; Best by December 12, 2012; December 13, 2012; March 13, 2013)
  • Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison Dog (15 lb bag; Best by December 12, 2012; December 13, 2012; December 14, 2012; March 5, 2013; March 6, 2013)
  • Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Venison Dog (28 lb bag; Best by December 12, 2012; December 13, 2012; December 14, 2012; March 5, 2013; March 6, 2013; March 7, 2013; March 8, 2013; March 12, 2013)
  • Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog (5 lb, 15 lb, and 28 lb bags; Best by December 10, 2012; December 21, 2012; December 22, 2012)
  • Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Bison Dog (5 lb bag; Best by December 17, 2012; December 18, 2012; December 28, 2012; December 29, 2012)
  • Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Bison Dog (15 lb and 28 lb bags; Best by December 9, 2012; December 17, 2012; December 18, 2012; December 28, 2012; December 29, 2012)
  • Natural Balance Vegetarian Dog (5 lb bag; Best by December 9, 2012)
  • Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Large Breed Bites (28 lb bag; Best by December 12, 2012; December 20, 2012; December 21, 2012)
  • Natural Balance Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Dog Small Breed Bites (5 lb and 12.5 lb bags; Best by December 21, 2012)
  • Premium Edge (All package sizes and formulas; Best before dates between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013; Production codes have a number “2″ or “3″ in the 9th digit and the letter “X” in the 10th or 11th digit)
  • Professional (All package sizes and formulas; Best before dates between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013; Production codes have a number “2″ or “3″ in the 9th digit and the letter “X” in the 10th or 11th digit)
  • 4Health (All package sizes and formulas; Best before dates between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013; Production codes have a number “2″ or “3″ in the 9th digit and the letter “X” in the 10th or 11th digit)
  • Solid Gold WolfKing Large Breed Adult Dog Food (4-lb pkg; Batch code starting with SGL1201A32X; Best before December 30, 2012; UPC 093766750050)
  • Solid Gold WolfKing Large Breed Adult Dog Food (15-lb bag; Batch code starting with SGL1201A32X; Best before December 30, 2012; UPC 093766750067)
  • Solid Gold WolfKing Large Breed Adult Dog Food (28.5-lb bag; Batch code starting with SGL1201A32X; Best before December 30, 2012; UPC 093766750081)
  • Solid Gold WolfCub Large Breed Puppy Food (4-lb pkg; Batch code starting with SGB1201A31X; Best before December 30, 2012; UPC 093766750005)
  • Solid Gold WolfCub Large Breed Puppy Food (15-lb bag; Batch code starting with SGB1201A31X; Best before December 30, 2012; UPC 093766750012)
  • Solid Gold WolfCub Large Breed Puppy Food (33-lb bag; Batch code starting with SGB1201A31X; Best before December 30, 2012; UPC 093766750029)
  • Taste of the Wild (All package sizes and formulas; Best before dates between December 9, 2012 and April 7, 2013; Production codes have a number “2″ or “3″ in the 9th digit and the letter “X” in the 10th or 11th digit)
  • Wellness Complete Health® Super5Mix® Large Breed Puppy (15 lb. and 30 lb. bags and 5 oz. sample bags; best by dates of JAN 9 2013 through JAN 11 2013)

Thanks to efoodalert.




RSS Feed  Papaya Recalled Due to Salmonella
4:09 am

papaya-label-274.jpgCaribe Produce LTD Co. of McAllen, TX, is recalling 286 cases of Papaya Maradol, Caribeña Brand papayas because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Routine testing by the company revealed the presence of Salmonella in the papayas, according to the recall notice. 

The company says no illnesses have been reported.

The recalled Papaya Maradol, Caribeña Brand cases were distributed in the Bronx, New York in wholesale stores and through retail stores from May 14 to May 17, 2012. The papayas were packed in 35 lb. cartons marked with the brand " Caribeña " and " Product of Mexico" stamped on the side. The papayas are sold individually, and each one bears a label that states "3112 CARIBEÑA Papaya MARADOL PRODUCT OF MEXICO www.grandeproduce.com" 

In 2001 Agromod Produce recalled papayas purchased prior to July 23, 2011 after an outbreak of Salmonella Agona that sickened 106 in California, Arizona, New York, Minnesota, Colorado, Washington, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Massachusetts, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas had been linked to the papayas. The outbreak related illnesses began after January 16 and continued to occur over several months. On August 25, the Food and Drug Administration banned imports of papayas grown in Mexico because of widespread and ongoing salmonella contamination. More than 15 percent of fresh papayas entering the U.S. from Mexico were contaminated with Salmonella.




RSS Feed  FoodNet Shares Lessons From More Than a Decade of Data - (FoodSafetyNews.com)
7:38 pm
Numbers are usually called trends after a year. After more than a decade, numbers can point up real problems or they just become more interesting.That may be why FoodNet, the collaborative 10-state surveillance program, took a step back from its annual "Vital Signs" report to fill an entire supplemental issue...


RSS Feed  10 Infected with Campylobacter from Raw Milk in California - (FoodSafetyNews.com)
7:36 pm
At least 10 people infected with Campylobacter in California reported drinking Organic Pastures raw milk prior to becoming ill, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) said Thursday. Raw milk, raw skim milk (non-fat), raw cream and raw butter produced by the Fresno County dairy have been recalled and are...


RSS Feed  Animal testing for shellfish monitoring phased out
1:00 am
The Food Standards Agency?s shellfish monitoring programme has successfully completed a move away from tests using mice for the detection of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) and lipophilic toxins in commercially harvested shellfish.


RSS Feed  Food hygiene training videos online
1:00 am
The Food Standards Agency has published 10 short videos to help caterers produce food safely. Each video is about a minute long and covers specific food hygiene practices.


RSS Feed  Daily Table/Green Fork Update
10:06 pm
Originally posted by leslie at greenfork.org:If things have seemed a bit quiet on The Daily Table and The Green Fork lately, it’s because the team here has been working toward the arrival of our most ambitious and far-reaching online news project yet.  We hope you will join us this Monday,...


RSS Feed  Can You Eat Meat and Still Say You Support the Environment? A Q&A With Rancher Nicolette Hahn Niman
8:28 pm
Meatless Monday’s Chris Elam brings us Ralph Loglisci’s interview with Nicolette Hahn Niman as published in The Huffington Post:The signs are everywhere. People are starting to quietly wonder, and to ask, even to demand information about where the food on their plate comes from. The truth too often is as...


 

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