The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and La Maison d'affinage Maurice Dufour Inc. are recalling Le Migneron de Charlevoix cheese because it may be contaminated with Staphylococcus bacteria. The cheese was distributed in Quebec and may have been sold nationally. The recalled product is Maison Maurice Dufour Le Migneron de Charlevoix cheese sold in 140 gram packages. The code on the product is Lot number 260294 and the best before date is 30JL14. The UPC number is 6 98822 00140 6. Check to see if you have this recalled product in your home. If you purchased this product, do not eat it. Discard it in a closed container or return to the place of purchase for a refund. The recall was triggered by CFIA test results. There have been no illnesses reported to date in connection with the … [Read more...]
Sausages Recalled for Possible Staphylococcus Bacteria
Lee Bros. Foodservice of California is recalling 740 pounds of sausage products that may be contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin. No reports of illness have been reported to date. The products are 16 ounce packages of Lee's Sandwiches brand Pork Sausages with identifying code "042P" on the back of the package. The sausages were made on 2/11/13. Also recalled are 16 ounce packages of Lee's Sandwiches brand Pork and Chicken Sausages produced in 2/12/13 with an identifying code of "043PC". Each package has the establishment number "Est. 11041" inside the USDA mark of inspection. They were sold at wholesale and retail in Arizona, California, Oklahoma, Nevada, Texas, and were also sold online. FSIS personnel found the problem during a food safety assessment. If you … [Read more...]
Living Near Pig Farms and Crop Fields Increases MRSA Risk
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have found an association between living near high-density livestock farms or crop fields where manure is used as fertilizer and community-acquired infections of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). About 11% of the community-acquired and soft tissue infections can be attributed to crop fields fertilized with swine manure. The research was published in JAMA Internal Medicine. One of the problems is that almost 80% of antibiotics used in the U.S. are put into livestock feed. The manure produced by these animals and applied to fields contains antibiotic-resistant bacteria and about 75% of the antibiotics that the animals consumed. An earlier study from the same body found that industrial farm workers carry … [Read more...]
Surprising Source of Cronut Burger Staphylococcus Identified
Toronto Public Health has confirmed that the source of the Staphylococcus aureus in the Cronut burger that sickened more than 200 people at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) was the maple-bacon jam. Dr. David McKeown, Tortonto's Medical Officer of Health said in a statement, "new lab results indicate that the maple bacon jam, which is one component of the Cronut burger, is the casue of food-borne illnesses at the CNE. We have ensurd the contaminated product is not served. There is no risk to the public." Epic Burger and Waffles will be allowed to reopen as long as they do not serve this product from the supplier, Le Dolci, and as long as all food safety requirements are met. As of 8:00 am August 27, 2013, there have been 223 reports of illness from consumers who visited the CNE. … [Read more...]
Staphylococcus Outbreak at Canadian National Exhibition Linked to Cronut Burger
According to Toronto Public Health and a press conference, more than 150 people have been sickened after eating "Cronut" burgers at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in that city. A "Cronut" is a combination of croissant and doughnut. Some people use it as bread to hold burgers and other sandwich fillings. This specific food is a combination of a hamburger patty with maple bacon jam and cheese on the Cronut bun. On Tuesday, 34 people have complained about gastrointestinal problems, which triggered an inquiry. So far, twelve people have been treated for their illness, and five have been hospitalized. The vendor, Epic Burgers, voluntarily closed down until a complete health inspection has been conducted. Officials took food samples and reviewed all food handling and preparation … [Read more...]
NIH Study Finds Removing Protein Helps Mice Fight Staphylococcus Bacteria
Staphylococcus bacteria can cause food poisoning when a person who carries it contaminates food and then that food is not refrigerated properly. The bacteria multiply quickly at temperatures over 40 degrees F and produce a toxin that makes you sick. Scientists at the National Institutes of Health may have found an alternative strategy to fight this bacteria; by deleting a certain protein in white blood cells. The protein Olfm4 or olfactomedin 4 interferes with white blood cell's ability to kill bacteria. A treatment may be developed that removes this protein, and that may make other therapies more effective. This strategy may be important as more bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics. Dr. Griffin P. Rodgers, director of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney … [Read more...]
Study Finds Industrial Farm Workers Carry Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
A peer-reviewed study conducted by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has found that some farm workers carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria in their noses. Other authors included scientists from the Rural Empowerment Association for Community Help and George Washington University. This study confirms earlier findings. The resistant bacteria were twice as common among workers in the industry that used antibiotics on animals. Dr. Christopher Heaney, corresponding author of the study said in a statement, "this study shows that these livestock-associated strains are present among workers at industrial livestock operations and that these strains are resistant not just to methicillin, but to multiple antibiotics - including … [Read more...]
Missouri Milk Board Destroys Morningland Dairy Cheese
The State Milk Board of Missouri has destroyed 30,000 pounds of cheese made by Morningland Dairy. A court battle has been ongoing about the cheese for the last two and a half years. According to court documents, the state obtained a final order of permanent injunction against the dairy in February 2011. The order stated that the plaintiff demonstrated "no adequate remedy at law exists such that a permanent injunction is necessary to prevent immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage." Morningland of the Ozarks LLC was ordered to destroy all of its cheese products condemned by the Missouri State Milk Board on August 26, 2010. The Dairy refused to comply with that order, so in October 2010 Attorney General Koster brought an injunction against the Dairy. In August 2010, … [Read more...]
Food Safety Bloopers, Snack Mix Edition
Oh, Rachael Ray. You may remember our disapproval at her The Book of Burger, in which she calls for cooking ground beef hamburgers to rare or medium-rare. The USDA states that it is not safe to eat any ground meat unless it's cooked to well-done. Her burger recipes in her magazine still say to cook them to medium-rare. In the November issue of her magazine, Everyday with Rachael Ray, she gives recipes for snack mixes. One of those recipes calls for mixing cooked bacon with nuts and other goodies, drizzling with honey, then baking. Fine so far. But then there are no instructions to keep the mix refrigerated, or to refrigerate it after it's been at room temperature. Because any cooked meat must be refrigerated after two hours or pathogenic bacteria may grow. The only cooked bacon that … [Read more...]
Denver Rescue Mission Outbreak Allegedly Caused by Improper Food Handling
The Denver Department of Environmental Health has found that the outbreak at the Denver Rescue Mission last month was caused by improper food temperatures and hygienic practices. The outbreak, which began on July 22, 2012, sickened at least 60 people. Denver Environmental Health (DEH) food safety investigators and Denver Public Health (DPH) Epidemiological staff investigated the outbreak. They observed and inspected the Denver Rescue Mission's facilities, interviewed patients and those who did not become ill, and conducted lab tests. The source of the outbreak was Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on smoked turkey. The turkey was insufficiently cooled and re-heated, and proper hygiene practices were not followed. Abby Davidson, Environmental Public Health Food Supervisor, said, "we have … [Read more...]
