Monitoring of Emerging Food Safety Issues
Newsletter October 2012
Hot Issues
This section includes the most recent, developing issues and those most widely reported during the
month of October.
Mussels recalled Australia wide due to marine biotoxin contamination
2 November 2012 - Spring Bay Seafoods Pty Ltd has recalled four blue mussels products due to naturally
occurring marine biotoxin Paralytic Shellfish Toxin (PST). Food products contaminated with PST may cause
illness if consumed.
Read More >>
Wegmans recalls salad mix amid E.coli outbreak in New York
5 November 2012 - Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. has recalled approximately 31,000 lbs. of
Wegmans organic spinach and spring mix due to possible E.coli O157 H:7 contamination. The recall
comes in response to 19 New Yorkers with confirmed illness linked to consumption of the Wegmans
salad mix.
Read More >>
Continued recalls of Sunland Inc.’s nut products
1 November 2012 - Sunland Inc., the peanut butter processor, has been linked to the outbreak of
Salmonella known to have sickened 38 people. Testing conducted by the Washington State Department of
Agriculture laboratory has isolated the outbreak strain from an opened jar of Trader Joe’s peanut butter
collected from a case-patient’s home. This comes amid reports that Sunland had been found to be
operating under ‘objectionable conditions’ when US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) officials
inspected its facilities in 2009 and 2010. On October 13, Sunland expanded its ongoing recall to include all
nut products made in the Sunland nut butter production facility between March 1, 2010 and September 24,
2012. The US FDA has since completed its investigation into the company’s facilities, and Sunland plans to
resume their peanut business in November and restart peanut butter production before the end of the year.
Read More >>
Canadian beef recall expands again
XL Foods recall of beef has now expanded 16 times, making it the largest in Canadian history. The recall
has now expanded internationally, with recalls on some beef products in Hong Kong. In total, 16 people
have confirmed cases of E.coli and nearly 1 million pounds of beef products have been recalled. On
October 23, following assessment of food safety controls, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
lifted the suspension on the facility’s licence to operate. Additional CFIA inspectors will remain at the facility
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to monitor the company’s slaughter procedures and to ensure strengthened food safety controls are being
effectively integrated into daily plant practices.
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Microbiological Outbreaks
Salmonella
Smoked salmon linked to Salmonella Thompson outbreak
One thousand and seventy-six people in the Netherlands have now contracted Salmonella infections linked
to smoked salmon produced at the Dutch company Foppen’s Greek production facility, and three of these
patients have died. There have also been 85 Salmonella Thompson infections reported in the United States
which were initially said to be due to the same contaminated salmon being sold in the US based Costco
under the Kirkland brand. Costco reports that they contacted 250,000 customers about a recall for potential
Salmonella contamination, but they have been informed by health officials that no US illnesses are linked to
their product.
Read More >>
Vancouver restaurant closed after Salmonella outbreak
On The Border, a Vancouver based Mexican restaurant was closed by public health authorities after a
Salmonella outbreak was traced back to recent patrons of the establishment. As of 30 October there have
been 43 confirmed cases of Salmonella and a further 77 additional suspected cases identified. The
restaurant has been allowed to reopen after thorough inspections carried out by local health authorities
which could not pinpoint the source of the outbreak.
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E.coli
Flicks restaurant likely cause of E.coli outbreak in Ireland
The Belfast Public Health Agency has reported that there have been 130 confirmed to be victims of an E.
coli O157:H7 outbreak, and a further 163 probable cases in Northern Ireland. Flicks restaurant has been
named as the source of the illnesses and was closed pending further investigation into the cause.
Read More >>
Norovirus
Chinese strawberries linked to thousands of sickened German students
Strawberries imported from China have been linked to more than 11,000 youngsters sickened in Eastern
Germany after attending schools and day cares, with 32 requiring hospitalization. About 500 schools were
involved in the outbreak. While the symptoms experienced are consistent with Norovirus infection,
authorities are not yet sure what contaminated the strawberries or at what point in the production chain the
contamination occurred.
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Norovirus sickens more than 100 at California middle school
Over 100 students and teachers at a California middle school have been sickened in a Norovirus outbreak.
Samples taken from those sickened showed that they had been infected with Norovirus. So far, the source
of contamination has yet to be determined.
Read More >>
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New Food Regulations
EU adopts new list of authorised flavourings
On 1 October 2012 the European Commission adopted two new regulations on flavourings. The list of
flavourings authorised for use in foods in the EU is a milestone for consumer protection that also brings
clarity to industry.
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France to ban BPA in food packaging
The French senate has adopted a law that bans the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in food contact packaging,
effective from 1 January 2015. Quoting scientific studies carried out by French research bodies Inserm and
the French Agency for Food Health Safety (ANSES), the senate said the toxicity of BPA is proven in
animals and suspected in humans and that it doesn’t have to ‘wait for absolute proof of causality or
understand the exact mechanisms to protect the health of populations’. The BPA Coalition has been quick
to claim the law is sending out ‘contradictory’ messages with regulatory bodies still ruling that the chemical
is safe.
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Surveillance, Monitoring & Evaluation
US Department of Agriculture (USDA) looks to expand non-O157 E. coli testing
The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service is planning to expand testing for six non-O157 strains of
Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) next year. This comes in the wake of research which tested 480
samples of meat, including 249 of ground beef and 231 of ground pork. In all, STEC were isolated from
5.2% of the beef samples and 5.2% of the pork samples.
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Nanomaterials must be assessed on case to case basis
The European Commission (EC) has said the safety of nanomaterials needs to be assessed on a case-bycase basis in its latest review. This comes amid recent international calls for stronger legislation on
nanotechnology.
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European Food Safety Authority publish update on acrylamide in food
This report describes the results of European acrylamide monitoring during the period from 2007 to 2010
using the revised product categorisation with 10 main food categories and an additional 26 sub-categories.
Trend analysis did not show any major changes in acrylamide levels during the monitoring period.
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Labelling
XL Foods recall highlights need for labelling tenderised steaks
XL Beef recall includes beef steaks and roasts that have been ‘mechanically tenderized.’ Most consumers
are aware that ground beef carries a higher risk for contamination and know that undercooking ground beef
can potentially lead to a foodborne illness. However, most consumers are not aware that many raw steaks
and roasts have been mechanically tenderized prior to sale. Research has shown that this process can
transfer or ‘translocate’ foodborne pathogens to the inside of the meat where it is harder to kill. But without
a label, there is no way for a consumer to determine whether or not a particular product has been treated;
such a product needs to be cooked to a higher temperature to ensure its safety.
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Consumers ignoring the green light of UK ‘traffic light’ labelling system
UK market research firm Canadean surveyed 2,200 UK consumers about the ‘traffic light’ warning labels
that indicate fat, sugars, calories and salt levels in processed foods. The report found that despite
consumers thinking that the idea is good they are being ignored by a third of UK consumers. Consumers
still find ‘traffic lights’ too difficult to understand, and only a third of consumers think the ‘traffic lights’ make a
product more trustworthy. Despite the confusion regarding the ‘traffic lights,’ the Canadean study found that
the labels still served a purpose.
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Emerging Science
Study suggests that extracts from carob plant can inhibit growth of Listeria
The leaves of the carob plant contain antibacterial substances that can help in the fight against Listeria,
according to new research.
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Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) rich foods may raise risk of heart disease
Foods that are rich in AGEs from high cooking temperatures may be implicated in raising the risk of heart
disease for people who suffer from diabetes, according to new research.
Read More >>
Nestlé partners with Chromocell for salt reduction innovation
Nestlé has entered a collaborative agreement with US-based life sciences firm Chromocell to develop
ingredients for reduced-salt foods that can cause the salt taste receptors in humans to respond.
Read More >>
Experts reiterate call for calorie count reform
Caloric values – particularly for nuts and legumes – should be re-evaluated in light of recent studies
suggesting commonly used calorie estimates may be flawed, according to a panel of experts at SIAL in
Paris.
Read More >>
Maternal acrylamide linked to low birth weight children
High maternal intake of acrylamide-rich foods could be linked to a higher risk of low birth weight children,
according to new research.
Read More >>
Genetically modified crops may increase pesticide use
US research claims that contrary to some thinking that today's genetically-engineered crops have, and are
reducing pesticide use, the spread of glyphosate-resistant weeds in herbicide-resistant weed management
systems has brought about substantial increases in the number and volume of herbicides applied.
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Research shows long term links between junk food and IQ
Researchers in the UK have examined whether the type of main meal that children eat each day has an
impact on their cognitive ability and growth. The study found a link between childhood nutrition and IQ, even
after previous intelligence and wealth and social status are taken into account.
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Pesticides put bee colonies at risk
Pesticides used in farming are also killing worker bees and damaging their ability to gather food, meaning
colonies that are vital for plant pollination are more likely to fail when such pesticides are used, according to
a new study.
Read More >>
New Publications
Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) report shows foodborne illness as worsening
problem
A report by US based PIRG has examined outbreaks which involved cantaloupe, ground turkey, papaya,
mangoes, raw tuna and peanut butter between January 2011 and September 2012. The report concludes
that things are not getting better in the US when it comes to foodborne illnesses, but rather, they are getting
worse.
Read More >>
Food contact materials, flavouring substances and smoke flavourings
The EFSA Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food have
undertaken evaluations of the safety of flavourings and food contact materials, as well as assessments on
other substances used in food. The major progress in methodologies for the evaluation of the safety of
these substances is highlighted in this article.
Read More >>
Model for the evaluation and monitoring of Transmissible Spongiform
Encephalopathies (TSE)
The EFSA final report has been published on the Cattle TSE Monitoring Model (C-TSEMM), which
has been developed to evaluate different Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) monitoring
regimes in cattle and the ability of those schemes to detect either the re -emergence of an existing
TSE or emergence of a new TSE disease in cattle.
Read More >>
Recalibrating food production in a changing climate
A new policy brief by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) research
program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) has analysed the effects of climate
change on 22 critical agricultural commodities and three important natural resources in the developing
world. The brief reveals that the world’s agricultural systems face an uphill struggle in feeding a projected
nine to ten billion people by 2050.
Read More >>
Australian & New Zealand Issues
Industry doesn’t want separate standards for Australia and New Zealand
The joint regulatory regime for Australia and New Zealand has come under scrutiny, with food industry
advocates from the smaller neighbour questioning its domestic usefulness.
Read More >>
Formula warnings will 'stress' mothers
Labels warning of health risks associated with infant formula are being sought by Food Standards Australia
New Zealand (FSANZ). However, some critics have claimed the warnings would distress mothers forced to
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use formula and was unsure if putting labels on a formula cans would stop them using it. They have warned
that ‘It will just make them feel bad.’
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High nitrate in Jigalong water supply
Jigalong has been supplied bottled water amid growing concerns about the local supply and the State
Government may use emergency funding to avert a health crisis. There are unofficial reports of nitrates
exceeding 100mg per litre, when Australian guidelines say consumption becomes a health risk. Community
chief executive Cedric Wyatt said one test this month showed nitrate levels exceeding 130mg/L.
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Food Recalls
USA – Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Whole Foods Market recalls mislabelled soup
Soup sold in all Whole Foods Market stores has been recalled due to mislabelling. The Whole Foods
Market Kitchens soup, labelled as Roasted Garlic and Eggplant Soup, was in fact Lobster Bisque, which
poses the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if consumed by customers with a shellfish or
milk allergy.
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Whole Foods Markets recalls cheese due to possible Listeria contamination
Ricotta sold in 21 US states and Washington DC that came from its supplier Forever Cheese Inc. has been
recalled due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.
Read More >>
Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese recalls multiple cheese products due to possible Listeria
contamination
Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese are voluntarily recalling Kentucky rose, Kentucky bleu, awe-brie and tomme de
nena branded cheeses due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Read More >>
Baensch Food Products Co. recalls marinated herring due to undeclared milk
Marinated herring in wine sauce products have been voluntarily recalled by Baensch Food Products Co.
due to undeclared milk.
Read More >>
Schoep's recalls ice cream due to mislabelling
Schoep's Ice Cream Company is recalling Kays classic vanilla bean ice cream as it contains undeclared
pecans which were not included on the label.
Read More >>
Kraft Foods Group Inc. recall string cheese due to choking hazard
Kraft Foods Group, Inc. is voluntarily recalling the jalapeno variety of Kraft string cheese as a precaution
due to the possibility that a thin layer of plastic film from the package may remain adhered to the product,
creating a potential choking hazard.
Read More >>
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Krasnyi Oktyabr fish recalled for botulism risk
A recall of beer set dried rudd has begun after the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
food inspectors discovered that the fish had not been properly eviscerated prior to processing during a
routine inspection. Clostridium botulinum spores are more likely to be concentrated in the viscera than any
other portion of the fish and uneviscerated fish has been linked to outbreaks of botulism poisoning.
Read More >>
Kellogg's recalls select cereal products with metal fragment contamination
Mini-wheats products have been recalled due to the possible presence of fragments of flexible metal mesh
from a faulty manufacturing part.
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Nina International recalls ground hot pepper because of possible health risk
Nina International has voluntarily recalled its brand of ground hot pepper because of its potential to be
contaminated with Salmonella.
Read More >>
Four Seasons recalls herring fillets contaminated with Listeria
Four Seasons Dairy Inc. in New York is recalling Atlantic recipe herring fillets in oil because these products
may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Read More >>
S & P Company recalls red peppers due to Salmonella risk
Su-nun brand crush roasted thai red peppers have been voluntarily recalled after routine testing by the FDA
revealed the presence of Salmonella in a sample of the product.
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Hannaford issues alert for cake with undeclared allergens
Hannaford Supermarkets is alerting customers that a label printing error may mean that red velvet cake
truffle and triple chocolate cake truffle may contain undeclared allergens (egg, milk, peanuts, wheat, soy
and tree nuts).
Read More >>
Publix issues voluntary recall tempura shrimp due to mislabelling
Publix Super Markets is voluntarily recalling their premium frozen tempura shrimp. The dipping sauce
packet included with the product contains soy that was not declared on the packaging.
Read More >>
Dole Fresh Vegetables recalls salads due to possible Listeria
Dole American blend salad has been recalled by Dole Fresh Vegetables due to a possible health risk from
Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Read More>>
Gilster-Mary Lee recalls cereal due to undeclared almond butter
Fruit whirls cereal has been recalled because it contains undeclared almond butter.
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Raymond-Hadley recalls Wegmans premixes with undeclared ingredients
Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is voluntarily recalling Wegmans gluten free double chocolate brownie mix
because there may be unlabelled pecan nuts and milk. Several other types of baking mixes have been
recalled due to undeclared soy.
Read More >>
Rudi's Organic Bakery recalls select breads due to contamination
Rudi's Organic Bakery, Inc. has initiated a voluntary product withdrawal due to the possible presence of
metallic foreign objects in select bread products or product packaging.
Read More >>
Tropical Valley recalls trail mix products due to mislabelling
Tropical Valley Foods is voluntarily recalling trail mix products because of a label error. These products may
contain unlabelled wheat, soy or tree nuts which may cause reactions in some consumers.
Read More >>
USA – Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS)
Texas firm recalls beef and pork products produced without benefit of inspection
Lao Chareune Foods is recalling approximately 8,200 pounds of various beef and pork products because
they were produced without the benefit of federal inspection and misbranded. The pork snack stick is also
misbranded in that it is raw and as such cannot be labelled as a snack stick.
Read More >>
Bob Evans recalls mislabelled products
More than 1.7 million pounds of Bob Evans maple links and maple patties are being recalled for not putting
monosodium glutamate (MSG) on the label.
Read More >>
Higa Meat and Pork Market recalls ground beef due to possible E.coli contamination
Around 4,100 pounds of ground beef has been recalled by the Higa Meat & Pork Market in Honolulu for
possible E.coli O157:H7 contamination. The FSIS made the announcement after they had discovered the
E.coli contamination during routine inspection. No illnesses have been associated with consumption of the
product to date.
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E.coli contamination spurs Quality Meats ground beef recall
Quality Meats in Utah has recalled about 2,310 pounds of ground beef for possible E.coli O157:H7
contamination. No illnesses are yet associated with the recall, which came after testing by FSIS revealed
contamination in the product.
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Food Source recalling chicken enchilada products that may contain foreign materials
Food Source, L.P is recalling approximately 11,400 pounds of frozen chicken enchilada products that may
contain fragments of plastic The company alerted FSIS of the problem after receiving two consumer
complaints. FSIS and the firm have received no reports of injury associated with consumption of this
product.
Read More >>
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UK – UK Food Standards Agency (FSA)
Insect larvae contamination prompts kids chew bar recall and production halt
Production of Annabel Karmel snack bars has ceased and a recall has been issued in the UK and Republic
of Ireland following three consumer complaints of insect contamination.
Read More >>
Canada – Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
Popcorn Indiana brand popcorn recalled due to possible Listeria contamination
CFIA is warning the public not to consume Popcorn Indiana brand aged white cheddar popcorn products
imported from the US as they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Read More >>
Peanut butter recalls extend to Canada
CFIA has published a list of peanut butter containing products, warning the public not to consume them
because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.
Read More >>
Fresh Express recalls hearts of romaine salad due to possible Salmonella
Heart of romaine salad from Fresh Express is being recalled as it may contain Salmonella. CFIA is warning
the public not to consume these products.
Read More >>
Clef Des Champs spice mixes recalled due to Salmonella
Clef Des Champs Inc. is voluntarily recalling a variety of spice mixes from the marketplace due to possible
contamination with Salmonella.
Read More >>
Rich Products recalls gelato due to undeclared almonds
Rich Products is warning consumers not to consume the Dorgel and Farmboy gelato products because
they contain almonds which are not declared on the label.
Read More >>
Piller's pepperoni products recalled due to undeclared wheat
Piller's Fine Foods is voluntarily recalling sub pac classic and sliced pepperoni products with the help of
CIFA. The recalled products contain wheat which was not declared on the label.
Read More >>
Krinos recalls cheese which may contain Listeria
Krinos Foods Canada Ltd. working with CIFA are voluntarily recalling Krinos brand mini Kashkaval cheese
from sheeps’ milk because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
Read More >>
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Australia – Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ)
Woolworths almond kernels recalled due to Salmonella
Woolworths Ltd has recalled their home brand almond kernels nationally from Woolworths Supermarkets,
Safeway, Food for Less and Flemings Supermarkets due to Salmonella contamination.
Read More >>
Flannerys own almonds recalled due to Salmonella
Nnylonit Pty Ltd has recalled Flannerys own almonds from Flannerys Natural & Organic Supermarkets in
South East Queensland due to Salmonella contamination.
Read More >>
Patties Foods recalls pies with potential foreign matter contamination
Patties Foods Ltd. has recalled Four'N Twenty pies due to potential foreign matter contamination. Food
products containing foreign matter may cause injury if consumed.
Read More >>
Ham recalled for Listeria contamination
Mikes Meats Pty Ltd has recalled prager leg ham from retail stores and some other butchers in the
Australian Capital Territory due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Read More >>
Paris creek yoghurt recalled due to E.coli contamination
B.-d. Farm Paris Creek Ltd has recalled their organic biodynamic yoghurt due to microbial contamination
with E. coli.
Read More >>
New Zealand – Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
Juice recalled due to damaged bottle caps
Charlie’s Trading Company Ltd is voluntarily recalling Phoenix Organics fruit juice drinks due to impact
damaged bottle caps which may contaminate the products with plastic fragments.
Read More >>
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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