Pinnacle Foods of Iowa is recalling about 32,479 pounds of heat-treated, shelf-stable Armour dried beef products because of a processing deviation that may have led to Staphylococcal enterotoxin and clostridial toxin contamination. There have been no confirmed ports of adverse reactions due to the consumption of these products. The items were produced on January 2, 2018 and April 9, 2018. They have a shelf life of three years. The recalled products include: 2.25 ounce glass jars containing “ARMOUR GROUND & FORMED SLICED Dried Beef” with best by dates JAN-07-21, JAN-08-21, JAN-09-21, JAN-10-21, JAN-11-21, APR-15-21, APR-16-21, APR-17-21, APR-18-21 and APR-19-21 and lot codes 0707011Y11, 0708011Y11, 0709011Y11, 0710011Y11, 0711011Y11, 0715041Y11, 0716041Y11, 0717041Y11, 0718041Y11 and … [Read more...]
New Study Finds Hospital Food Frequently Contaminated with Clostridium difficile
A new study conducted at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and presented at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America has found that one-quarter of the 100 samples taken from food served in hospitals tested positive for Clostridium difficile. While no cases of human illness were linked to that food, researcher Dr. Hoonmo Koo says that contaminated food may be "an important route of spread of C. difficile in hospitals." He added that "the temperatures at which hospital foods are cooked may be too low to kill the bug." Most hospital-acquired cases of this particular bacteria happen in patients who are taking broad-spectrum antibiotics, which kill the bacteria that stop C. difficile growth. C. difficile causes about 14,000 deaths per year and sickens about … [Read more...]
Source of Kent County Jail Food Poisoning Outbreak Confirmed
According to Lisa LaPlante, Communications and Marketing Manager of the Kent County Department of Health, the source of the April 15, 2012 food poisoning outbreak at the Kent County Jail has been discovered. Laboratory tests have revealed that there was Clostridium perfringens, a spore-producing bacteria, in a rice and cheese product. The food was prepared, chilled, and then reheated and served to the inmates. Bacterial spores in food are a real problem in the food service industry. The first cooking of any product that is going to be reheated rarely destroys spores. The spores then germinate and grow in the warm food and produce a toxin, especially when the food has been improperly stored or held at temperatures that are too low. Casseroles, stews, and gravies are especially prone … [Read more...]
CDC: Deaths from Gastroenteritis Double from 1999 to 2007
According to the CDC, deaths from gastroenteritis, the illness caused by bacteria, doubled from 1999 to 2007. The findings were presented at the International Conference on Emerging Infectious diseases in Atlanta, Georgia. Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestines that causes the characteristic symptoms of food poisoning: vomiting and diarrhea. Lead author Aron Hall, DVM, said that "Gastroenteritis is a major cause of death worldwide. By knowing the causes of gastroenteritis-associated deaths and who's at risk, we can develop better treatments and help health care providers prevent people from getting sick." Data from the National Center for Health Statistics was used to compile the report. The number of gastroenteritis-associated deaths doubled from 7000 per year … [Read more...]
More Charcuterie La Tour Eiffel Products Recalled in Canada
On February 22, 2012 Charcuterie La Tour Eiffel recalled Parisian Cooked Ham because it may have been contaminated with what the recall said were "dangerous bacteria or parasites." Another recall was issued Wednesday for more products from the same company. This time, the recall was issued because the products may be contaminated with Clostridium perfingens. This bacteria can cause serious illness. The products were supplied to retailers, hotels, restaurants, and institutions in Quebec. If you have questions, call the Canadian Food Inspection Agency at 1-800-442-2342. Brand Name Common Name Size Code(s) UPC La Belle Bretagne Our Cooked Ham - Original Variable Kg Best Before 12AL14 or 12AL21 None La Belle Bretagne Sliced Cooked Ham Variable Kg Best Before … [Read more...]
