News and Resources Roundup
September 2022
26th September | Food Safety News and Free Resources1 |
💥🌿 CBD Edibles Warning 🌿 💥
Quality problems, food safety risks and possibly fraud were found in a high proportion of CBD edibles from the US market. Researchers found heavy metal and phthalate contaminants plus frequent inaccurate labelling with respect to potency.
Possible changes to rules about declaring GMO (‘bioengineered’) foods in USA
Recent rules that require GMO (‘bioengineered’) foods to carry disclosures on food labels in the USA may be changed after a court decided that the part of the rules that allow a QR code to be used instead of on-pack labels is unlawful.
⚠ Monkeypox could be transmitted by food? ⚠
Experts in Europe say the possibility of monkeypox being transmitted by food “cannot be ruled out”, although it seems that ordinary food hygiene protocols could adequately control any risks. The mechanism for transmission would be the food coming into contact with skin lesions, picking up the virus and then another person receiving the virus by handling the food or by eating the food.
Bush meat from areas where the virus is endemic has been implicated in outbreaks of monkeypox, when the meat is from animals that carry the disease and is not properly cooked.
Infant Formula – the FDA reflect on their response to the Abbott/Cronobacter issues
The United States FDA has reported on their own response to the Abbott-Michigan-Cronobacter food safety problems. Its report is very light on detail and has been criticized by multiple parties, according to Helena Bottemiller Evich of Food Fix (worth a read if you’re into FDA mismanagement). One source said the report demonstrated just how “out of touch and antiquated the FDA is when it comes to protecting our food supply.”
(see Issue #27 and Issue #36 for the Cronobacter infant formula story)
Cryptosporidium foodborne cases probably under-reported, say researchers in France
French researchers reviewed outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis in France from 2017 – 2020, including one from curd cheese. Most were waterborne, with food borne outbreaks judged to be probably underestimated due to the difficulty of detecting them.
Review of pathogenic E. coli from raw milk cheese outbreak (2019) published
An outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O26:H11 from raw cows milk cheese in France in 2019 afected babies and young children with a high incidence of serious smptoms. The cheese was from one producer.
UK food labelling rules for imported foods have been postponed
Rules about how products imported from the EU need to be labelled in the UK have been postponed from their initial enforcement date of October this year.
Salmonella in halva and tahini
This article explains how New Zealand is increasing its inspection requirements on crushed sesame seed products from Syria following multiple Salmonella detections. It also briefly describes the multiple occurrences throughout Europe in the past year of Salmonella in halva and tahini from Syria and Türkiye.
Ferrero gets the okay
The Ferrero factory where Salmonella caused Easter egg and other chocolate alerts and recalls has passed its three month re-start review with no problems found.
🦠 E coli pizza (France) outbreak investigations 🦠
Journalists who interviewed workers at a factory where pizzas responsbiel for a deadly E. coli outbreak say they were told that cleaning time and preventive maintenance at the factory had been reduced and that the company stopped using pasterurized flour to make their pizzas, instead using unpasteurized flour in the months prior to the outbreak.
Allergy inquest finishes – nothing new to see here
The inquest into the death of Celia Marsh who died after eating a sandwich she thought was free from milk proteins, to which she was allergic, has concluded. The result: the manufacturer of the vegan coconut-based yoghurt-style dressing should have known there was a potential for the starch they were using in the yoghurt to contain milk contaminants. They also should have passed that information to the company that made the sandwich. The sandwich company says they would not have claimed the sandwich was “free from” milk if they had known. They have improved their sstems significantly since the incident occurred.
Believing in Food Safety Myths is Dangerous
Researchers collected food safety myths from across Europe (organic food is safer, bacteria don’t survive on wooden cutting boards...) and then asked survey respondents if they believed in those myths. Belief in myths correspondended with higher incidneces of gastrointestinal illness. The myths that were most risky to believe in were:
“storing eggs at room temperature and eating raw eggs to cure hangover),
bacteria inactivation (that a wooden cutting board, and chili, wasabi and marinades kills bacteria),
vegetarians don't get food poisoning, and
eating dirt and having a diarrhea is good since it cleans up the stomach.”
Free Live Webinar - Allergen Testing (UK)
This webinar, hosted the the UK Govt Chemist, is on Wednesday 28th September. Includes An introduction to allergens and food intolerance compounds, sampling, analytical techniques.
19th September | Food Safety News and Free Resources |
⚠ E. coli outbreak in Scotland worsens ⚠
This outbreak is affecting children’s nurseries, some of which have had to close. Some of the victims have been hospitalised.
Synthetic Chemicals in Food (United Kingdom)
A survey of organophosphate esters (OPEs) in foods has been done in the UK. OPEs are “used as flame retardants in furnishings and textiles, building, food packaging materials and decorating materials, as well in various other consumer products”, according to the press release. Adults’ intake of OPEs from food was found to be “well below” dangerous levels, but toddlers and children are exposed to levels closer to those considered dangerous.
Norovirus - new research compares sanitisers’ efficacy when wiped over contaminated surfaces
This study used sanitisers with and without wiping to find the best way to inactivate and remove norovirus from formica - a surface commonly used for quick-service-restaurant tables. In this study, a formulation of ethanol plus acid plus surfactant formulation performed better than sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and quaternary ammonium compound (‘Quat’) formulations. The physical action of wiping improved decontamination significantly.
USA’s FSIS explained: roles, legal responsibilities and a festival of initials…. (for the fully-caffeinated only)
The USDA has published a post explaining how its Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) works with other authorities to meet its stated aim to “ensure the nation’s commercial supply of meat, poultry, and processed egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctly labelled and packaged”.
Spoiler alert (!) they work with the OIG, the FDA, the CDC, the CBP, the FPS and the DOJ. Recommended for audiences with a tolerance for initialisms (!)
https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2022/09/fsis-compliance-investigators-responsibilities-under-the-law/
On-demand webinar: Compressed air oil contamination testing
Oil-free and food-grade oil compressors are becoming more common in the food and beverage manufacturing industry. Even with these changes, it is critical to test for oil contamination in compressed air. A serious concern for manufacturers, oil can come from a variety of sources in addition to the compressor itself. Join Maria Sandoval, the Trace Analytics laboratory director, for a discussion on oil contamination, where it comes from, and how to test for it.
12th September | Food Safety News and Free Resources |
💥 Deadly mystery outbreak kills dozens of children 💥
More than 28 children have died in recent months from kidney failure blamed on E. coli or paracetamol medicines, the cause is not yet known – Gambia
⚠ 🥛 Public Health Alert: Dairy allergens in corn starch (USA) 🥛 ⚠
On 30th August in the USA, corn starch, which should be free from common human food allergens, was found to be contaminated with milk (how?!!!) and this prompted a ‘public health alert’ of poultry and meat products made with the corn starch, along with a warning that other meat and poultry products are likely to be affected.
🦠 Another low moisture food (tahini helva) has Salmonella 🦠
Helva/halva is made from sesame seeds. Product is being recalled in multiple European countries.
https://rappel.conso.gouv.fr/fiche-rappel/8015/Interne
https://www.gov.si/novice/2022-09-01-umik-in-odpoklic-izdelka-ekonomik-tahin-helva-zaradi-salmonele/
Allergen death inquest updates
The inquest into the death of Celia Marsh (see issue #54) has heard questions about whether the retailer or distributor did any testing to verify the dairy-free claims made about the product.
A possible source of the milk protein contamination was a starch ingredient in the coconut “yoghurt”, which the starch supplier says was not suitable for use in products with dairy-free claims, information that it says was passed on to the distributor.
Handwashing behaviour update (UK)
UK consumers report washing their hands less now than in 2020, with the number of people who frequently wash their hands with soap and warm water declining to 68 percent (from 79 percent).
(This link is a pdf): https://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/media/document/Consumer%20Handwashing%20tracker%3B%20Key%20findings%20from%20April%202020-January%202022%20SM.pdf
Malaysian foodborne illness outbreaks analysed
Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were the most common agents of food-borne illness in the period between 2013 and 2018 in Pahang, Malaysia, causing eight, six and two outbreaks respectively.
Public schools were the most common location for outbreaks, with boarding school kitchens and school canteens both implicated.
New research: Attitudes to Issues of Food Safety and Food Defence in Various Countries
This new paper compared attitudes among and between consumers in the United Kingdom, Spain, Japan, the United States of America, Italy and Germany. Many differences in consumer attitudes were noted between the countries, and the researchers postulate that this could make international cooperation efforts very challenging.
Results of a Consumer food safety behaviour Survey (the sniff test and ignoring expiry dates)
British consumers ignore expiry dates, keep their potatoes in the fridge and their chocolate in the lounge room and “risk food poisoning” by tasting food to see if it’s spoiled, according to the results of this survey.
Free on-demand webcasts: Food testing and analytical techniques
These webcasts are 1 – 2 hours duration each, on the following topics, and are recordings from the Waters Food Testing Forum 2022.
Accelerating Routine Food & Beverage Testing with Optimized Methods
Accelerating Routine Food & Beverage Testing with Optimized Methods
Strategies for Mycotoxins and Alkaloids Determination using LC and LC-MS/MS
Strategies for Mycotoxins and Alkaloids Determination using LC and LC-MS/MS
Innovation in the Pursuit of Safe, Authentic, Nutritious, and Sustainable Food Supply Chains
Innovation in the Pursuit of Safe, Authentic, Nutritious, and Sustainable Food Supply Chains
Free webinar: Building Trust in Food and Ag Technology
Presented by The Center for Food Integrity and United Soybean Board, the webinar will address: Why consumers accept or reject food and ag tech; why food companies accept or reject technology; five trust-building strategies you can use to highlight the benefits and increase acceptance of ag tech
Sep 21, 2022 10:00 AM in Central Time (US and Canada)
Free Webinar BRCGS Issue 9 (USA Central Time)
29th September 11 am US/Canada CDT
Hosted by Eurofins Food Assurance. Hear how the conversion from Issue 8 to Issue 9 works, with an introduction to the new standard, a discussion of the key changes, and advice about preparing for the implementation of Issue 9. Includes a live Q&A session.
Free Webinar: Agri-Food Commodity Price Forecasts for 2023 (USA)
19th September, 10 am EDT USA
Commodity price predictions for softs, grains, oilseeds and animal commodities, plus the state of the macro economy for 2023.
Free Webinar: Addressing Labour Shortages (increase uptime and empower employees) USA time
21st September 10am PT
Includes how to address labour shortages, effective training programs to upskill and retain existing workers, and how to gauge labour retention strategies.
Free Webinar: Design to Clean: Creating a Hygiene Focused Culture (USA time)
28th September 10am EDT
“A culture of hygiene excellence means there is alignment of common values between all levels of executive management, middle management and team leaders when it comes to food safety and hygiene. Having a strong hygiene culture is very important and a focus on design is a critical enabler.”
Hosted by 3-A Sanitary Standards, Inc.
📌 Food Fraud News 📌
This week’s food fraud news includes
walnut and hazelnut supply chain disruptions,
an underground pipe full of vodka,
guilty verdicts for robusta/arabica coffee fraudsters,
soy with added sand.
Become a paid subscriber to access The Rotten Apple’s food fraud news.
5th September | Food Safety News and Free Resources |
🍴 Unexpected: It was the pasta, not the meat (B. cereus and Staph in pasta served with minced meat sauce) 🍴
A food poisoning outbreak from spaghetti with minced meat sauce was attributed to the pasta, not the meat sauce, after investigators studied each portion of the meal separately. They found high levels of two toxin-forming bacteria in the pasta, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus, and concluded that the bacteria had formed toxins, which are heat stable, when growing in the pasta before the meal was served.
⚠🌿Plant Toxin Sickens Twelve Restaurant Diners in Canada 🌿⚠
A toxin from the plant aconite, (genus Aconitum, also known as Wolf’s Bane) is being blamed for sickening 12 people on 28th August after they ate at a restaurant in Canada. Symptoms of aconite poisoning include numbness, tingling, gastrointestinal upsets, headache and rapid or irregular heartbeat. Most of the victims have recovered but some became severely ill and were hospitalized for multiple days. A doctor said aconite is sometimes present as an accidental contaminant in spices, with ginger powder being affected in Canada in February and March 2022. A lethal dose of aconite root can be as low as 2 milligrams, so the contamination could have been present in tiny amounts to cause the symptoms experienced.
https://www.york.ca/newsroom/york-region-public-health-investigating-potential-toxin-food
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/aconite-tracing-poison-uses-wolfsbane-monkshood-1.6567441
Lead hazard in game-meat poultry in the United Kingdom
Researchers have found tiny fragments of lead lodged in the meat of pheasants, which are killed using lead shot fired from shotguns, even in birds that have been carefully prepared to remove shotgun pellets. They are concerned that this can expose consumers to lead.
Frozen tuna pizza health alert because of histamine in the tuna
Histamine in fish can cause scombroid fish poisoning, with symptoms of tingling, itching and burning in mouth and garstrointestinal upsets. Histamine is a chemical that develops in fish like tuna when the fish is stored at too-high temperatures. It is heat stable and remains in fish through freezing and cooking. Frozen tuna pizza made in Italy has been subject to a health alert in Spain after two people became ill.
Shark fins and other shark meat contain mercury
A new study compared the concentrations of mercury in shark fins from different shark species and found that meat and fin products from large hammerhead shark species (Sphyrna mokarran, S. zygaena and S. lewini) are unsafe to eat in any quantity because their mercury levels are too high, and are higher than other shark species. Women of childbearing age should also avoid meat and finds from oceanic whitetip and dusky smooth-hound sharks.
Free Webinar: Listeria – Rapid Detection Methods, Wed 14th September
This free 30-minute webinar compares traditional and rapid methods for Listeria testing, including an evaluation of the kit made by the webinar host (Eurofins), plus a Q & A session
Free e-Book: The FAO’s Code of Practice for Allergen Management for Food Businesses
This twenty-page document, published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 2020 explains allergen management for food businesses.
On-demand Webinar: Allergen Management for food businesses; on-demand webinar with Q and A
In 2021 Affidia hosted a panel to discuss with several experts the whole topic of allergen management to prevent recalls. It is available to watch on demand, free, if you register for a free Affidia account.
On-demand Webinar: Allergen analytical methods
Laboratory tests, test kits (ELISA, PCR) and other methods, which method to use and when, plus, how to report the test results.
📌 Food Fraud News 📌
This week’s food fraud news includes
antibiotics in beef fraud accusations,
the largest wine scam of its kind (22 million bottles!),
rice crisis,
curry powder, sumac and dietary supplements.
Become a paid subscriber to access The Rotten Apple’s food fraud news.
