Fw: [BITES-L] bites Sep. 5/10
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bites Sep. 5/10
Feeding dried or wet distillers grains at various inclusion levels to feedlot cattle affects fecal shedding of Escherichia coli O157:H7
E. coli O157 strikes 7 NORTHERN IRELAND children
US: FDA steps up inspections under new egg rule
US: Eggs and salmonella contamination
ILLINOIS-based company charged with honey smuggling
US: FDA cautions consumers about Estrella Family Creamery cheeses
US: Deli meat recall for possible Listeria contamination
Snack food causes illness in 87 toddlers across CHINA
US: Modified salmon is safe, F.D.A. says
CANADA: Shitor sauce sold at the Africana General Market may contain dangerous bacteria
CANADA: Lafleur brand original wieners may contain Listeria monocytogenes
NEW JERSEY: The Hartz Mountain Corporation recalls Hartz Naturals Real Beef Treats because of possible Salmonella health risk
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Feeding dried or wet distillers grains at various inclusion levels to feedlot cattle affects fecal shedding of Escherichia coli O157:H7
04.sep.10
Applied and Environmetal Microbiology
M. E. Jacob, Z. D. Paddock, D. G. Renter, K. F. Lechtenberg, and T. G. Nagaraja
http://aem.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/AEM.01221-10v1
Abstract
Our objectives were to evaluate prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in cattle fed diets supplemented with 20 or 40% dried (DDG) or wet distillers grains (WDG) and assess whether removing DG from diets before slaughter affected fecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7. Eight hundred forty steers were allocated to 70 pens (12 steers/pen). Treatments were no DG (control), 20% DDG or WDG, and 40% DDG or WDG, and each was replicated in 14 pens. In phase 1, eight floor fecal samples were collected from each pen every 2 weeks for 12 weeks for isolation of E. coli O157:H7 and detection of high shedders. In phase 2, half of the pens with DG were transitioned to the no-DG control diet and pen floor fecal samples were collected weekly from all pens for 4 weeks. During phase 1, prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 was 20.8% and 3.2% for high shedders. Form of DG had no significant affect on fecal E. coli O157:H7 shedding. Prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 and high shedders were not different between diets with 0 or 20% DG; however, cattle fed 40% DG had a higher prevalence and more high shedders than cattle fed 0 or 20% DG (P ≤ 0.05). During phase 2, overall and high-shedder prevalence estimates were 3.3% and < 0.1%, respectively, and there were no differences between DG form, inclusion level, or removing DG from diets. Form of DG had no impact on E. coli O157:H7; however, fecal shedding was associated with DG inclusion level.
E. coli O157 strikes 7 NORTHERN IRELAND children
05.sep.10
barfblog
Doug Powell
http://www.barfblog.com/blog/143963/10/09/05/e-coli-o157-strikes-7-northern-ireland-childrenSeven children in County Armagh, who all attend Holly House nursery in Lurgan, have been infected with E. coli O157, the Public Health Agency has confirmed.
A mother whose child is at the nursery said,
"It is very worrying because of the seriousness of E. coli. But as far as I know none of the children seems to be very ill. I could not fault the nursery. They are managing very well and have provided lots of information and support."
"Locally, it is a surprise that an outbreak of E. coli has taken place," said SDLP councillor for the area, Mary McAlinden.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11191496
US: FDA steps up inspections under new egg rule
04.sep.10
FDA
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm224979.htm
Federal regulators were laying out plans to inspect the facilities where 80 percent of the country's eggs are produced, after issuing reports on the investigation of a Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak that has sickened nearly 1,500 people.
Over the next 15 months, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigators will team up with state and local partners to visit about 600 egg producers—those with 50,000 or more laying hens—to determine if their facilities are in compliance with an egg safety rule that went into effect in July.
Michael Taylor, FDA's deputy commissioner for foods, says the rule sets safety standards that are intended to prevent outbreaks of Salmonella Enteritidis like the one that has led to the recall of more than 500 million eggs.
"We think that the industry's compliance with this rule will significantly reduce the risk of (Salmonella Enteritidis) infections and outbreaks in the future," Taylor said during a conference call with reporters.
Since the egg safety rule went into effect on July 9, FDA officials have been moving forward with plans aimed at ensuring the safety of the nation's egg supply. Now, facilities with 50,000 or more laying hens must implement controls to prevent contamination, including: refrigeration of eggs within 36 hours of laying, ensuring chicks are from uninfected flocks, and testing hen houses for Salmonella Enteriditis.
Under the rule, egg producers are legally responsible for implementing measures that will prevent egg contamination.
Taylor says the rule came too late to prevent the current outbreak, "but we think it is going to be a powerful tool for preventing outbreaks like this in the future."
Since Aug. 12 when the inspections first began, FDA investigators have observed and documented conditions at facilities operated by the two Iowa companies at the center of the egg recall—Hillandale Farms of Iowa and Wright County Egg.
David Elder, FDA's director of regional operations, says inspectors found "significant objectionable" conditions at poultry houses, including live and dead flies that were "too numerous to count," live rodents, maggots, and structural damage that allowed animals to enter poultry houses. He says inspections over the next 15 months and beyond will ensure egg producers are meeting FDA standards under the new rule.
To get the latest information about the outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak, go to http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/WhatsNewinFood/ucm222684.htm4.
Examine Your Eggs
FDA officials are warning the public not to use eggs from the lots that are being recalled. Here's what to look for when examining the eggs in your refrigerator:
* Plant numbers—the four-digit plant number can be found on the short side of the carton. The numbers are preceded by the letter P.
* Julian date—eggs are packaged with the Julian date on the short side of the carton. It appears after the plant number. The Julian date tells what day of the year the eggs were packaged without the month, so Jan. 1 is 001, and Dec. 31 is 365, except in leap years.
For more information on how to identify recalled eggs using Julian dates and plant numbers, go to http://www.fda.gov/Food/NewsEvents/WhatsNewinFood/ucm223536.htm5.
Eggs affected by the recall were shipped between early April through mid-August to grocery distribution sites, retail grocery stores, food wholesalers, distribution centers, and food service companies nationwide.
Although the companies have identified dozens of brand names under which the eggs were sold, other brands are unknown. Some eggs were sold individually and repackaged under names that may not be on the companies' distribution lists. For a list of the brands that were confirmed to be involved in the recall, go to http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/shelleggsrecall/6.
If you have some of the recalled eggs or you're not sure who the producer was, throw them away or return them to the retailer for a refund.
About Salmonella
Because so many eggs have been recalled, many consumers wonder how they can tell if someone they know has been infected with Salmonella.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis.
Salmonella can also cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
If you think you might have become ill from eating recalled eggs, consult your health care professional.
This article appears on FDA's Consumer Updates7 page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products.
US: Eggs and salmonella contamination
06.sep.10
Los Angeles Times
Elena Conis
http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-nutrition-lab-eggs-20100906,0,3139990.story
As the scope of the nationwide salmonella outbreak expanded late last month, farmers market vendors reported rushes on locally produced eggs and people with backyard flocks were sitting smug.
But food safety experts say consumers shouldn't jump to the conclusion that locally produced eggs are any safer than eggs from large commercial suppliers.
"Salmonella and chickens go together," says Casey Barton Behravesh, a veterinary epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's division of food-borne, water-borne and environmental disease. "Any chicken, whether it's from a huge farm or a backyard flock, may have salmonella."
If anything, eggs from large-scale producers should, theoretically, be safer, says Charles Scanlan, a professor of veterinary medicine specializing in food-borne pathogens at Texas A&M University in College Station. That's because commercial egg farms are subject to state and federal regulations requiring inspections and regular testing for pathogens, including salmonella.
Commercial farms have another advantage, says Theresia Lavergne, professor of poultry science at the Louisiana State University AgCenter in Baton Rouge. At such farms, she says, chickens are typically kept in cages with slanted bottoms; their eggs roll out of the cages right after they're laid, leaving little chance for the eggs to come into contact with hen feces.
But neither regulations nor slanted cages are a guarantee against outbreaks. Chickens infected with salmonella excrete the germ in their feces, which can contaminate egg shells. On rare occasions, the germ infects a hen's ovaries and can end up inside the eggs she lays.
ILLINOIS-based company charged with honey smuggling
04.sep.10
Chicagoist
Sean Stillmaker
http://mobile.chicagoist.com/2010/09/04/honey_smugglers_indicted.php
Prosecutors have filed indictments on the grounds that instead of paying America $80 million in taxes for honey, alleged conspirators smuggled it onto the market. Most of the individuals and companies charged are connected to the German based conglomerate Alfred L. Wolffe. Between 2002-2009 the scheme had over 600 barrels of Chinese honey imported into the U.S. with their destination of origin improperly marked.
The barrels were labeled coming from the Philippines, Russia and other countries, instead of its native China, which has a tariff of $1.20 a pound on honey. China's beehive production has been increasing since 1999 with the honey demand also increasing. But the U.S. production has been at a loss.
Officials at the press conference stressed the honey is safe and is not expecting illnesses. However, a five month investigation by the Seattle Post Intelligencer found the Chinese imported honey had an animal antibiotic - chloramphenicol - injected into it because it treated diseases from their beehives. The FDA has banned that drug in any food product.
Chicago's indictment was announced at the heels of guilty plea for the same offense in Seattle. Chung Po Liu pleaded guilty on two counts of smuggling Chinese honey that was also adulterated with Ciprofloxian, another banned drug by the FDA. Liu was charged in 2009; he now most forfeit twice his gross profit, $400,000, and four seized honey shipments. He could also face two years in prison and a $250,000 fine. His sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 29.
US: FDA cautions consumers about Estrella Family Creamery cheeses
04.sep.10
FDA
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm224990.htm
Fast Facts
* This advisory affects all lots of Estrella Family Creamery cheeses, including cheeses identified as soft, semi-soft, semi-hard and hard.
* The cheeses have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono) and may cause serious illness.
* L. mono is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
* Listeria infections can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
* Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
* Consumers who have the cheeses should throw them away.
* Consumers with symptoms of Listeria should consult their health care professionals.
What is the Problem?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers to discard cheeses from Estrella Family Creamery of Montesano, Wash., because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Environmental samples and one product sample collected by the FDA during an August 2010 inspection at the facility have tested positive for L. mono.
The company had previously recalled cheeses due to L. mono contamination, but resumed marketing in May 2010.
Previous recall notices for Estrella products:
2/10/10: Estrella Family Creamery Recalls Red Darla Cheese Due to Possible Health Risks
2/17/10: Estrella Family Creamery Expands Recall Of Various Cheeses Because Of Possible Health Risk
3/5/10: Estrella Family Creamery Recalls Old Apple Tree Tomme Cheese Due to Possible Health Risks
What are the Symptoms o Illness/Injury?
Listeria monocytogenes is an organism, which ca cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infections can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
For more information on Listeria: http://www.foodsafety.gov/poisoning/causes/bacteriaviruses/listeria.html
Who is at Risk?
All individuals are at risk. However, unborn babies, young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk.
What Do Consumers Need To Do?
Consumers should discard the cheeses in the trash in a sealed container so that children and animals, such as wildlife, cannot access them.Consumers who are concerned about illness from L. mono should consult their healthcare professionals.
What Does the Product Look Like?
Estrella manufactures at least 18 varieties of soft ripened, semi-soft, semi-hard and hard cheeses made from raw cow or goat milk and aged 60 days or longer. The cheeses are sold in wheels or cut to order for retail markets, and do not contain lot codes.
While a complete product list is not available, some of the varieties that have been produced by Estrella include:
* Black Creek Buttery
* Dominoes
* Guapier
* Grisdale Goat
* Subblime
* Partly Sunny
* Wynoochee River Blue
* Caldwell Crik Chevrette
* Old Apple Tree Tomme
* Valentina
* Vineyard Tomme
* Brewleggio
* Red Darla
* Reposée
* Bea Truffled
* Jalapeño Buttery
* Weebles
Where is it Distributed?
Estrella cheeses are sold at specialty cheese shops, farmers markets, the company's farm store in Montesano, Wash., and through the internet. The company also sells to restaurants and takes part in cheese contests where its products are sold.
What is Being Done about the Problem?
FDA will continue its investigation, working with state and local officials, and will consider taking any further action that may be necessary.
Who Should be Contacted?
Consumers who have experienced symptoms of illness from the consumption of Estrella cheeses should contact their health care professionals.
Consumers may also contact their local FDA complaint coordinator in their state or call 888-INFO-FDA to report problems or illnesses related to the cheese.
The information in this press release reflects FDA's best efforts to communicate what the manufacturer has reported to FDA.
US: Deli meat recall for possible Listeria contamination
04.sep.10
Monterey County Health Department
http://www.mtyhd.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=876%3Adeli-meat-recall-for-possible-listeria-contamination&catid=135%3Apress-releases&Itemid=237&lang=en
No illnesses have been reported in association with this recall
Zemco Industries has recalled approximately 380,000 pounds of deli meat products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). These products were distributed to delicatessens where they were further processed into sandwiches. The products subject to recall include:
25.5-pound cases of "Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches BLACK FOREST HAM With Natural Juices Coated with Caramel Color" with the number 17800 1300.
28.49-pound cases of "Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches HOT HAM, HARD SALAMI, PEPPERONI, SANDWICH PEPPERS" with the number 17803 1300.
32.67-pound cases of "Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches VIRGINIA BRAND HAM With Natural Juices, MADE IN NEW YORK, FULLY COOKED BACON, SANDWICH PICKLES, SANDWICH PEPPERS" with the number 17804 1300.
25.5-pound cases of "Marketside Grab and Go Sandwiches ANGUS ROAST BEEF Coated with Caramel Color" with the number 17805 1300.
The packages also bear vendor number "398412808" as well as the USDA mark of inspection and "Est. 5222." The meat products were produced on various dates from June 18 to July 2, 2010, and have various "Use By" dates ranging from August 20 to September 10, 2010. The products were distributed nationwide to Wal-Mart stores.
The problem was discovered as a result of a retail sample collected by the State of Georgia that was confirmed positive for Listeria monocytogenes. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.
Consumers who have the product should not eat the product and should throw it away.
Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However, listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a health care provider.
Snack food causes illness in 87 toddlers across CHINA
04.sep.10
Courier Mail
AAP
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/snack-food-causes-illness-in-87-toddlers-across-china/story-e6freonf-1225914262138
A TOTAL of 87 Chinese children have had to be hospitalised after eating yoghurt at a kindergarten in northwest China as local officials call for better food safety supervision.
State media is reporting the children, aged three to five, suffered fever, diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach problems, although forty of the children have since been discharged. Product safety scandals persist in China this week a company acknowledged waiting five months to notify the public one of its products contain excessive carcinogens.
US: Modified salmon is safe, F.D.A. says
03.sep.10
The New York Times
Andrew Pollack
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/04/health/policy/04salmon.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
A salmon genetically engineered to grow quickly is safe to eat and poses little risk to the environment, the Food and Drug Administration said Friday.
The assessment makes it more likely that the fish will become the first genetically modified animal to enter the American food supply.
Food from the salmon "is as safe as food from conventional Atlantic salmon," the F.D.A. said in its analysis, which was posted on its Web site Friday. "There is a reasonable certainty of no harm from consumption of food from this animal."
The salmon can grow to market size in 16 to 18 months instead of the 30 required for a regular farmed Atlantic salmon, according to its developer, AquaBounty Technologies of Waltham, Mass.
AquaBounty has been trying for years to win approval for the salmon, a goal that now appears within reach. The analysis by the F.D.A. staff was in preparation for three days of public meetings on the salmon that will start on Sept. 19.
The F.D.A. is expected to make a final decision on approval in the weeks after the meetings. The company has said it will take two to three years after approval for the fish to reach American supermarkets.
CANADA: Shitor sauce sold at the Africana General Market may contain dangerous bacteria
03.sep.10
CFIA
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2010/20100903be.shtml
OTTAWA -- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Africana General Market is warning the public not to consume Shitor sauce because this product may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. Toxins produced by this bacteria may cause botulism, a life-threatening illness.
Affected product, Shitor sauce, was sold in 500 ml and 250 ml glass jars with no lot numbers or UPC. The Shitor sauce was sold only at the Africana General Market store, Kingsway, British Columbia.
There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.
Food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with the toxin may cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, headache, double vision, dry throat, respiratory failure and paralysis. In severe cases of illness, people may die.
The manufacturer, Africana General Market, Kingsway, British Columbia, is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.
CANADA: Lafleur brand original wieners may contain Listeria monocytogenes
03.sep.10
CFIA
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2010/20100903e.shtml
OTTAWA -- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume Lafleur brand Original wieners described below because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.
The affected product, Lafleur brand Original wieners, is sold in a 450 g package bearing the UPC 0 65305 02201 0 and best before code 2010 OC 22 LOT 75022502. The 5 cases of this product were distributed only in Quebec, in the following regions: Montréal, Laval, Lanaudière, Laurentides, Montérégie.
There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product.
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these 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, Olymel L.P., from Boucherville (Québec), is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.
NEW JERSEY: The Hartz Mountain Corporation recalls Hartz Naturals Real Beef Treats because of possible Salmonella health risk
03.sep.10
PR Newswire
The Hartz Mountain Corporation
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-hartz-mountain-corporation-recalls-hartz-naturals-real-beef-treats-because-of-possible-salmonella-health-risk-102197339.html
SECAUCUS, N.J. -- The Hartz Mountain Corporation is voluntarily recalling one specific lot of Hartz Naturals Real Beef Treats for Dogs due to concerns that one or more bags within the lot may have been potentially contaminated with Salmonella. Hartz is fully cooperating with the US Food and Drug Administration in this voluntary recall.
Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, all of whom are at particular risk from exposure and should avoid handling these products.
Salmonella symptoms may include fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea in both dogs and humans. Anyone experiencing the symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek immediate medical attention. Owners of dogs exhibiting these symptoms should also seek veterinary assistance.
Hartz Mountain Corporation is recalling 74,700 8-oz bags of Hartz Naturals Real Beef Treats for Dogs, lot code BZ0969101E, UPC number 32700-11519, which were imported by Hartz from a Brazilian supplier, Bertin S.A., and which were distributed to a number of customers in the United States. While regular testing conducted by Bertin (prior to shipment to the US) did not detect the presence of Salmonella in any packages of this product, random sample testing conducted by FDA did indicate the presence of Salmonella. Hartz is aggressively investigating the source of the problem.
Although Hartz has not received any reports of animals or humans becoming ill as a result of coming into contact with this product, Hartz is taking immediate steps to remove the product from all retail stores and distribution centers. Dog owners having purchased this product should check the lot code on their bag, and, if the code is not visible, or if the bag has lot code BZ0969101E imprinted thereon, they should immediately discontinue use of the product and discard it in a proper manner.
bites is produced by Dr. Douglas Powell and food safety friends at Kansas State University. For further information, please contact dpowell@ksu.edu or check out bites.ksu.edu.
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