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Monitoring of Emerging Food Safety Issues Newsletter November 2012

Hot Issues

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

Lenard’s minced chicken products recalled due to the presence of foreign matter

3 December 2012 - Lenard's Pty Ltd has recalled the following a range of minced chicken products available for sale in Lenard’s retail outlets in WA only, due to the presence of wood and metal.

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FSANZ approves first step for hemp in production of food

FSANZ has completed its review into hemp in the production of food for human consumption. The use of hemp products containing low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the production of food has been approved. On the 7th of December the Australian and New Zealand ministers responsible for the regulation of food met to consider the proposal and have requested a review on the proposed standard. Ministers have agreed to seek advice from the Standing Council on Police and Emergency Services.

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Sunland manufacturing facility effectively shut down

The Sunland peanut butter manufacturing facility has been effectively shut down by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when the agency utilized its new food law authority and suspended the company's required registration. The reasons for suspension have been cited as the recent health outbreaks and violations observed during inspection. The announcement has come after reports from the FDA inspection which had shown Sunland Inc cleared peanut or almond butter for distribution despite its own testing system identifying the presence of salmonella. Warnings about imported Sunland products have now expanded internationally to include Hong Kong, France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Norway. The last reported case of Salmonella was reported on 8 November, bringing the final tally to 42 infections in 20 states in the US.

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The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) final evaluation rejects findings of Séralini paper

EFSA have delivered their final evaluation of the paper by Séralini et al. which raised concerns about the potential toxicity of genetically modified maize and of a herbicide containing glyphosate. The Authority’s final review reaffirmed its initial assessment that the authors’ conclusions cannot be regarded as scientifically sound because of inadequacies in the design, reporting and analysis of the study as outlined in the paper.

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Microbiological Outbreaks

Salmonella

Illinois McDonalds closed for Salmonella investigation

The owners of an Illinois McDonalds have voluntarily shut the establishment down last week after it was linked to a series of Salmonella infections. Less than 10 Salmonella cases have been reported by the County Health Department.

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Listeria

Two Listeria illnesses associated with salmon

Two people stricken with Listeria monocytogenes have caused Spence & Co Ltd to recall New York-Style nova lox that were distributed in several parties in numerous states.

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E.coli

Salad blamed for 5-State E. coli outbreak

Wegmans organic spinach and spring mix blend salad has been linked to an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 has sickened 28 and put ten people in hospitals. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta said most of the cases were in New York State. Of those hospitalized, two developed the kidney-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

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New Food Regulations

MPI implement new requirements on importing puffer fish

From 1st December 2012 the Ministry for Primary Industries are implementing a new Imported Food Requirement for puffer fish imported for human consumption.

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Canada adopts new federal food safety law

With unanimous consent of the House of Commons and its earlier passage by the Senate the Safe Food for Canadians Act has now become law.

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FDA expands irradiation uses for meat and poultry

Meat and poultry producers who use ionized radiation to kill pathogens in product now have expanded options, thanks to two rules published by the Food and Drug Administration. The first rule allows for the irradiation of unrefrigerated raw meat, and the second rule ups the dose of absorbed ionizing radiation in poultry from 3.0 kilogray (kGy) to 4.5 kGy.

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Surveillance, Monitoring & Evaluation

New GRAS database addresses transparency concerns

A new database of self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) determinations has been launched to tackle concerns about a lack of transparency in the process.

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US Department of Agriculture begins shutdown of microbiological data program

After months of uncertainty over the future of the Agricultural Marketing Service’s Microbiological Data Program, it has officially gone into shutdown mode. The program has tested produce for disease-causing pathogens like E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and Listeria.

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Big spike in US food recalls during third quarter

Food recalls occurred at a four-per-day clip during the third quarter, reaching their highest levels in two years, according to data produced by Indianapolis-based Stericycle ExpertRECALL. Food recalls in the third quarter reached 414 separate incidents. There was 2.5 times the number of food recalls in the third quarter of 2012 than the second quarter.

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Consumer Reports finds most US pork contaminated with Yersinia

In a new study of raw pork chops and ground pork, Consumer Reports found 69 percent of samples were contaminated with Yersinia enterocolitica. There is approximately one confirmed infection per 100,000 people reported each year, but since these cases are severely under-reported, CDC estimates there are actually around 100,000 infections in the United States annually.

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Labelling

California rejects proposition to label genetically altered food

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California voters rejected a ballot measure that would have made the state the first in the nation to require special labelling of foods with genetically modified ingredients. Proposition 37, also known as the “Right to Know” initiative, was supported by more than 60% of likely voters in early polls.

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Major food makers pledge to standardise European Union (EU) nutrition labelling

Twelve major food manufacturers and retailers have backed a plan to standardise food labelling across the European Union, in line with the new EU Food Information for Consumers regulation.

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Emerging Science

Research suggests possible path for increasing antibiotic resistant bacteria

Metabolites of the antibiotic ceftiofur which are excreted through animal urine have been shown to exert significant selection pressure for antibitoic-resistant Escherichia coli in soil.

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Scientists report 'guidelines' for tagatose use in food and beverages

Korean scientists have reported the ‘first quantitative data on the relationship between the sweetness of tagatose and sucrose over a range of sweetness levels commonly encountered in foods and beverages’.

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Set maximum arsenic and mercury levels for infant cereals, say researchers

A Spanish study has called for European rules on mercury and arsenic in infant cereal in light of high - in some cases ‘risk’ - levels found, particularly in organic and gluten-free products.

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Study finds high exposure to food-borne toxins

Researchers at UC Davis and UCLA measured food-borne toxin exposure in children and adults through a dietary exposure assessment. The researchers found that family members in the study and, preschool children in particular, are at high risk for exposure to arsenic, dieldrin, DDE, dioxins and acrylamide.

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Green tea and coffee extract in donuts can reduce acrylamide

Donuts fortified with green tea and green coffee extract have heightened antioxidant properties and lower acrylamide levels, a new study finds.

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E. coli survives longer in Salinas soil

Dangerous pathogen E. coli O157:H7 survives longer in the soil of the Salinas Valley–otherwise known as America’s salad bowl–compared to other key leafy greens growing regions, according to new research funded by the US Department of Agriculture.

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New Publications

Response of microbial organisms (aquatic and terrestrial) to pesticides

The EFSA has released an analysis of the relevant peer-reviewed scientific literature on the effects of pesticides on non-target microbes which provides conclusions and recommendations that can be useful for a risk assessment of pesticides on non-target soil microbes.

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Scientific Colloquium on low dose response in toxicology and risk assessment

The ESFA has recently held their 17th Scientific Colloquium, on “Low Dose Response in Toxicology and Risk Assessment”. The objective of the Colloquium was to bring together international experts from different sectors for a scientific debate on the current state of the art in low dose-response in toxicology and to identify ways of further enhancing the process of food and feed risk assessment in the EU.

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Australian & New Zealand Issues

FSANZ approves Nestlé infant formula L-histidine level amendment

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has provisionally approved an application by Nestlé to reduce the minimum requirement for L-histidine in infant formula products

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Avian Influenza confirmed at Hunter Valley egg farm

H7 Avian Influenza has been confirmed in a flock of 50,000 layer hens near Maitland. The NSW Food Authority has confirmed that there are no food safety issues and that poultry and eggs remain safe to eat.

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Food Recalls

USA – Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Tony’s Import and Exports warns of tahineh contaminated with Salmonella

Tony’s Imports and Exports of Clovis is warning consumers, food distributors and food processors not to consume or purchase Al-Rabih tahineh (sesame paste) because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. A total of 141 pails of Al-Rabih Tahineh were stolen from Tony’s Imports and Exports warehouse where it was awaiting destruction due to Salmonella contamination.

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Bolthouse Farms voluntarily recalls carrot chips because of Salmonella

Bolthouse Farms is voluntarily recalling a limited quantity of carrot chips following a routine sampling event detected the possibility of Salmonella.

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Wegmans pumpkin roll recalled due to contamination with foreign matter

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is voluntarily recalling all Wegmans pumpkin roll because the product may contain pieces of clear plastic from the packaging.

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Charlee bear recalls protein bars because of possible salmonella health risk

Charlee Bear Products is voluntarily recalling its protein crunch bar products because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

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Kroger recalls ice cream due to unlisted pecans

The Kroger Company is recalling select containers of Kroger deluxe french vanilla ice cream because it may contain pecans not listed on the label.

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Omya recalls ground limestone due to possible Salmonella contamination

Omya Inc. has voluntarily recalled lots of food grade ground limestone products because of the possible presence of Salmonella. The recall has prompted Nestlé USA to recall batches of Chocolate Nesquik due to the products containing calcium carbonate supplied by Omya Inc.

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Undeclared sulfites in Fu Xiang Yuan Trading Inc dry lily

Mayflower International is recalling ‘lily dry’ due to the presence of undeclared sulfites.

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Fresh Express recalls limited quantity of spinach due to possible Salmonella

Fresh Express Incorporated is conducting voluntary recall of spinach due to a possible health risk from Salmonella contamination.

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Focus Products Group International recalls cocoa products due to possible lead risk

Focus Products Group International, LLC has announced a voluntary recall of cocoa latte hot drink makers because a small bushing inside the container has the potential to leach lead.

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Tri-union Seafoods recalls tuna due to mislabelling

Tri-Union Seafoods LLC is voluntarily recalling a limited amount of chicken of the Sea Brand cans of tuna in water due to a labelling error where the product label does not state the product "contains soy".

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Berres Brothers Coffee Roasters recalls mislabelled coffee

Berres Brothers, Inc. is recalling regular and decaffeinated whole bean and ground coffees due to unlabelled walnuts which may have put some consumers at risk.

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Publix recalls multiple cake products due to Listeria contamination

Publix Super Markets has issued a voluntary recall for forty-five various cake products as they may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes.

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Sukhi's issues voluntary recall of red curry vegetables due to undeclared shrimp

Sukhi's Gourmet Indian Foods is recalling their red curry vegetables because of a label error with undeclared shrimp.

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Newman’s Own, Inc. recall dressing due to undeclared milk

Newman's Own, Inc. has voluntarily recalled Newman's Own Lite Honey Mustard Dressing because it contains undeclared milk.

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Sara Lee recalls cake for undeclared pecans

Sara Lee® has voluntarily initiated a product recall of Sara Lee butter streusel coffee cake as a precautionary measure because the product may contain pecans.

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Rio Queen Citrus recalls cherry tomatoes because of possible Salmonella risk

Rio Queen Citrus, Inc. is recalling 840 cartons of Mexican cherry tomatoes in "Karol" brand boxes, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. This has prompted Capital City Fruit, Inc. to recall their cherry tomatoes shipped by Rio Queen Citrus Inc.

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Whole Foods Market recalls cookies due to undeclared nuts

Whole Foods Market has recalled their wedding cookies for undeclared pecans and almondine wedding cookies for undeclared almonds.

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Whole Alternatives recalls dried apricots and raisins due to undeclared sulphur dioxide

Whole Alternatives, LLC has initiated a voluntary recall of Harris Teeter brand six ounce packages of dried apricots and dried golden raisins because the products contain undeclared sulphur dioxide.

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Michael Gourmet Delicacies recalls salmon due to possible Listeria contamination

Michael Gourmet Delicacies has recalled their wild Alaskan sockeye salmon sold in all Whole Foods that has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

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Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese issues a voluntary recall of various cheeses

Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese has issued a voluntary recall of their colby, chipotle colby, flavoured colby, monterey jack and mild cheddar cheeses due to testing showing the presence of Listeria monocytogenes

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Turkana Food Inc. recalls dried apricots due to the presence of undeclared sulfites

Turkana Food Inc. has recalled containers of Turkish “Turkana Valley” dried apricots because they were found to contain undeclared sulfites as preservatives.

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Frito-Lay issues voluntary recall of peanut butter sandwich cookies products due to undeclared milk and egg

Frito-Lay has issued a nationwide voluntary recall of Grandma's peanut butter sandwich crème cookies and peanut butter mini sandwich crème cookies because they contain undeclared milk and egg.

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Jimmy Dean recalls sandwich for undeclared egg and soy

Jimmy Dean is voluntarily recalling their french toast & sausage sandwich because the product may contain undeclared egg and soy not listed on the label. This recall is due to a labeling error in which the wrong ingredient statement may have been applied to a small number of sandwiches.

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Veggie patch ultimate meatless burgers recalled due to Listeria

Veggie Patch is voluntarily recalling their ultimate meatless burger and falafel due to a risk of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.  This has prompted the Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC to remove from sale packages of ultimate meatless burgers.

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USA – Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS)

Black Earth Market recalls 99 pounds of beef tongues

Tonsils, a specific risk material (SRM) for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), must be completely separated from beef tongue products. But at Wisconsin’s Black Earth Meat Market Inc., the tonsils might not have been completely removed on 99 pounds of beef tongue, which prompted their recall. The recalled product was not compliant with regulations that require the removal of tonsils from cattle of all ages, according to USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

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Trader Joe’s frozen chicken and rice recalled for Listeria

Aliya’s Foods Limited is recalling approximately 4,865 pounds of frozen butter chicken and rice products that were imported from Canada that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

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California Walnuts Recalled for Salmonella

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Compass Food Sales have announced a recall of Compass brand in-shell California Walnuts because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The walnuts are being recalled out of caution, and no illnesses have been associated with the product.

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Canada – Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Bolthouse Farms voluntarily recalls carrot chips

The voluntary recall by Bolthouse Farms carrot chips due to possible Salmonella contamination has also extended from the initial recall in the US to also include Canada.

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Dairy-free vegan candy bars recalled due to undeclared milk

Lennie Ciglen Distribution Inc. has recalled their dairy-free vegan candy bars, as the affected products may contain milk which is not declared on the label.

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M&M Meat Shops recall Kabobs due to undeclared mustard and gluten

M&M Meat Shops Ltd. has recalled recalling their marinated barbecue chicken kabob due to the affected products containing mustard and gluten which are not declared on the label.

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Capital Packers' licence suspended after ham sausage recalled due to Listeria

Capital Packers Inc. has issued a recall of Capital and Compliments brand ham sausages because the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The CFIA has suspended the licence to operate at Capital Packers Inc.

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Corsetti Meat Packers recalls hot dogs due to undeclared mustard

The Soloway Hot Dog Factory Inc. are recalling Halal Beef Hot Dogs as they may contain mustard which is not declared on the label.

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Krown brand cherry tomatoes recalled due to possible Salmonella contamination

Importers and retailers of Krown brand cherry tomatoes have issued a recall as the products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

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Pumpkin butter recalled for Clostridium botulinum contamination

Birtch Farms and Estate Winery are recalling their pumpkin butter because it may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum.

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Molinaro's recalls pizza due to undeclared mustard

Molinaro's Fine Italian Foods Ltd have recalled Molinaro's supremo dunn's famous smoked meat pizza due to mustard which was not declared on the label.

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Milk chocolate covered raisins recalled for undeclared almonds

Loblaw Companies Limited has recalled PC brand milk chocolate covered raisins because the affected product may contain almonds which are not declared on the label.

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Mixed nuts recalled due to possible contamination with salmonella

Loblaw Companies Ltd. have recalled their in-shell mixed nuts as the products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

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Costco recalls Veggie Patch brand ultimate meatless burger

The US Veggie Patch recall has prompted Costco Wholesale Canada Inc. to recall Veggie Patch brand ultimate meatless burger because the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

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Australia – Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ)

Woolworths recalls éclairs with undeclared peanut and gluten

Woolworths Ltd has recalled Homebrand choc éclairs due to undeclared allergens peanut and gluten.

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White Wings recalls biscuits due to potential foreign matter contamination

Goodman Fielder has recalled its range of White Wings Creamies biscuits due to a packaging fault which could cause potential contamination with plastic.

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Delin recalls favor swallow bean sauce due to Bacillus cereus contamination

Delin (Australia) Trading Pty Ltd has recalled favor swallow bean sauce from some Asian supermarkets in Victoria due to microbial contamination with Bacillus cereus.

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Kailis Bros recall mixed nuts due to undeclared pecans and macadamia nuts

Kailis Bros Pty Ltd have conducted a trade level recall of their mixed nuts in Western Australia due to the undeclared presence of pecans and macadamia nuts. 

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. [pic]

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