Brazil Works to Minimize Reaction to BSE Incident As More Countries Suspend Beef Imports

Monitoring of Emerging Food Safety IssuesNewsletterDecember 2012

Hot Issues

This section includes the most recent developing issues and those most widely reported during the month of December.

Brazil works to minimize reaction to BSE incident as more countries suspend beef imports

Brazil has announced that it will send 20 trade missions out to countries that buy its beef to make sure there are no worries regarding beef from Brazil. The country is currently the world’s second largest beef exporter and home of the world’s biggest beef producer, JBS, SA.On December 19, China, South Africa, South Korea and Saudi Arabia joined Japan in announcing bans on importing Brazilian beef, followed by Taiwan, Chileand Jordan in early January.

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Sunland Inc. given permission to restart peanut shelling

On December 22 Sunland won permission to resume its shelling operations with assistance from a Washington D.C.based food safety consultant.The allowance for shelling operations to resume comes amid an announcement that the US government is asking a federal court to issue a permanent injunction against Sunland Inc. that would prevent the company receiving, processing, packaging or distributing product until it has developed a plan for operation that complies with federal health standards.

Microbiological Outbreaks

Salmonella

Salmonella Outbreak in Southwest Alberta Canada

An area of rural southwestern Alberta has recorded more than 30 Salmonella cases since Dec. 13 Health officials say the outbreak is being spread by household contacts. Most cases are from rural areas, making locating its origin more difficult.

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Norovirus

Wyoming restaurant outbreak likely from Norovirus

At least 167 residents of Wyoming in the US have reported suffering from gastrointestinal illnesses according to the Casper-Natrona County Health Department. The evidence points to a Norovirus contamination at a buffet-style Golden Corral restaurant in east Casper as the source.

New Food Regulations

EU approves 222 general function health claims; 1500+ rejected

Food and supplement products marketed in the EU’s 27 member states must comply with the article 13, permitted list of health claims or face prosecution for misleading marketing.

Surveillance, Monitoring & Evaluation

US and China agree to continue cooperation on food safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have announced that it has renewed an agreement with the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine of China (AQSIQ) to enhance cooperation between the U.S. and China on food and feed safety. The two countries entered into the original agreement in 2007, and the announcement extends the agreement for an additional five years.

Labelling

New French system rates products’ health and eco-credentials

French organisation Institut Noteo has developed a free-access system that allows shoppers to check and compare products’ health and eco-credentials online.

Emerging Science

Ultrasound treatment helps kill E. Coli on leafy greens

Ultrasound treatments may help reduce E. coli numbers on leafy greens by as much as 90 percent more than solely using conventional chlorine washes, according to new study by researchers at the University of Illinois. By lining the sides of these tubs with panels that fire ultrasound waves the researchers found they could knock a significantly larger amount of the bacteria into the wash.

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Plant-based oils may reduce Salmonella in chicken

Feeding chickens a mixture of plant-based oils in their water may become an effective method of reducing Salmonella contamination in chicken products, according to experimental studies by researchers at the University of Georgia in Griffin. The studies found that an essential oil treatment significantly reduced the percentage of Salmonella in a chicken’s crop — the organ at the base of the esophagus that stores food. The crop is one of two organs often colonized by Salmonella, the other being the cecum, a part of the large intestine.

Biosensors a key area for nanotechnology

Nanobiosensors hold potential as future areas of development for nanotechnology, according to a recent study.

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Children more likely to be sickened by foodborne illness

Foodborne bacteria cause more illnesses among children than adults, according to new estimates. A study published in The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal has found that children less than five years old fall ill from intestinal bacteria originating in food more often than adults. Researchers looked at the incidence of five foodborne pathogens -Campylobacter, Escherichia coli O157, Salmonella, Shigella, and Yersinia enterocolitica.

Tests turn up adulterated green coffee bean extracts

Research conducted by ingredient developer Futureceuticals has demonstrated the existence of adulterated green coffee bean extract in the marketplace and has also teased out the probable adulterants.

New Publications

Guidance on the control of listeria monocytogenes for ready-to-eat foods

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has published information on the characteristics of Listeria, the sources, the consequences of food contamination and how it may enter the processing environment. It also provides guidance material on the management and control of Listeria including specific good operating practices, microbiological testing and responses when L. monocytogenes is detected in the product or processing area.

Australian & New Zealand Issues

FDA recognizes New Zealand as having a comparable food safety system

The US FDA and New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) have signed an arrangement recognizing each other’s food safety systems as comparable to each other. This leads the way to a new level of regulatory cooperation to enhance food safety while facilitating trade between the two countries. This is the first time that FDA has recognized a foreign food safety system as comparable.

Food Recalls

USA – Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Harry’s Berries products recalled for Botulism

The California Department of Public Health is warning consumers not to eat Harry’s Berries Salsa or Harry’s Berries Dilled Beans, produced by Gean Farms Inc. in Oxnard because they may be susceptible to contamination of Clostridium botulinum.

Sugar Flowers Plus issues recall for gumpaste flowers due to undeclared egg white

Sugar Flowers Plus Inc. is recalling cake decors pastillage (gumpaste) flowers because of the undeclared use of egg white wash as a “glue” for the inner petals of flowers.

Mister Snacks recalls yogurt raisins due to undeclared peanuts

Mister Snacks, Inc. has recalled its 5 oz. packages of Sunbird Snacks yogurt raisins because they may contain undeclared peanuts.

Freshway Foods voluntarily recalls sliced apples because of possible health risk

Freshway Foods is voluntarily recalling 6,671 pounds of sliced apples that were packaged on November 12 using the same packaging machine, which may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Udi’s Healthy Foods recalls granola due to undeclared almonds

Udi’s Healthy Foods, LLC has voluntarily recalled their 12-ounce bags of gluten free au naturel granola because they may contain undeclared almonds.

Salad Product recalled Due To Possible Listeria contamination

Taylor Farms Retail, Inc. has issued a recall of 110 cases of Taylor Farms hearts of romaine 10 oz. bags due to a single random finished package test conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. There have been no complaints or illnesses reported in association with this recall.

Ocean Beauty Seafoods recalls salmon due to possible Listeria contamination

Ocean Beauty Seafoods LLC has voluntarily recalled 371 cases of ready-to-eat cold smoked salmon products because of possible contamination by Listeria monocytogenes.

True Taste recallssmoked fish due to possible Clostridium contamination

True Taste, LLC has recalled certain vacuum packaged hot and cold smoked fish varieties because they have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum.

Yang Sheng duck eggs recalled due to possible Clostridium contamination

S&M International Inc, has recalled their Yang Sheng brand cooked salted duck eggs, because the product has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum.

Haig's Delicacies recalls various products due to undeclared ingredients

Haig's Delicacies has recalled all tzatziki, falafel, spanakopita and tyropita because the product labels do not include allergy statements reflecting the use of milk in tzatziki, wheat in falafel, and wheat, milk and egges in their spanakopita and tyropita.

Delifish recalls salmon due to potentialListeria contamination
Procesadora de Productos Marinos Delfish have recalled their smoked salmon products due to them potentially containing Listeria monocytogenes.

USA – Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS)

Stehouwer's recalls pigs in blanket products due to misbranding and mislabelling

Stehouwer'sFrozen Foods has recalled approximately 6,039 pounds of pigs in the blanket products because of misbranding and no declaring milk on their label.

Wayne Farms recalls chicken wing product due to undeclared egg

Wayne Farms has recalled approximately 2,320 pounds of frozen honey barbeque chicken wing products because of misbranding and an undeclared allergen, egg, that is not declared on the label.

Frozen chicken recalled for pieces of plastic

Suzanna’s Kitchen is recalling approximately 35,800 pounds of breaded chicken products because they may contain pieces of plastic.

Expired apple slices recalled for Listeria

Freshway Foods is recalling 6,671 pounds of sliced apples which used the same packing machine, and may have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Canada – Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Buitoni brand pizzas recalled because they may contain pieces of metal

Nestlé Canada Inc. have recalled their Buitoni brand pizzas s they may contain pieces of metal.

Golden Boy mixed nuts recalled due to possible Salmonellacontamination

Golden Boy have recalled their inshell mixed nuts because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Hot Stuff Food Xpress pizza and calzone products recalled for undeclared mustard

Hot Stuff Food Xpress brand pizza and calzone products have been recalled as they may contain mustard which is not declared on the label.

Beef Burgers recalled due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination

Loblaw Companies Ltd. have recalledtheir butcher's choice garlic peppercorn beef burgers because the product may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.The recall has also extended to includebutcher's choice hickory barbecue beef burgers

Cookies recalled due to undeclared milk

Pure Indulgent Foods Inc. has recalled their Pure brand cookie products due to milk which is not declared on the label.

Prime rib beef burgers recalled due to possible E. coli O157:H7 bacteria

Cardinal Meat Specialists Ltd. has recalled their Cardinal select brand prime rib beef burgers because the product may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria.

Imane ready-to-eat meat recalled due to mislabelling

Délices Al-Manar has recalled their Imane brand ready to eat meat products as they may contain mustard or soy which is not declared on the label.

Kinnikinnick Foods recalls pie crusts due to undeclared egg

Kinnikinnick Foods Inc. have recalled their brand Pie Crusts as the product contains egg which is not declared on the label.

Australia – Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ)

Cheeserecalled forpotential Listeria contamination

Jindi CheesePty Ltd has recalled Jindi and Wattle Valley Brie and Camembert (1kg) from independent supermarkets and delicatessens in Victoria, NSW and QLD due to potentialListeriacontamination.

Spice Rack recalled due to Salmonella contamination

Ontrack Pty Ltd and Big W have recalled Truly Gifted Spice Rack 12 Bottle Spice Set 375gfrom Big W stores in ACT, NSW, Tasmania and Victoria due to Salmonella contamination in the peppercorn portion of the product

New Zealand - The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)

Food recall after Salmonella found in tahini

MPI has overseen the recall of Salmonella contaminated Gesas brand tahini.The recalled product is 1000gr and 600gr retail packs with an expiry date of June 2014. The product has mainly been distributed and sold in Auckland via specialty ethnic food stores.

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.

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