Category Archives: Listeria

Listeria and leafy greens

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Internalin A is an essential virulence gene involved in the uptake of the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes into host cells. It is intact in clinical strains and often truncated due to Premature Stop Codons (PMSCs) in isolates from processed foods and processing facilities. Less information is known about environmental isolates.

listeria4We sequenced the inlA alleles and did Multi Locus Variable Number Tandem Repeat Analysis (MLVA) on 112 L. monocytogenes isolates from a 3-year period from naturally contaminated watersheds near a leafy green growing area in Central California. The collection contained 14 serotype 1/2a, 12 serotype 1/2b, and 86 serotype 4b strains. Twenty-seven different inlA alleles were found. Twenty-three of the alleles are predicted to encode intact copies of InlA, while three contain PMSCs. Another allele has a 9-nucleotide deletion, previously described for a clinical strain, indicating that it is still functional. Intact inlA genes were found in 101 isolates, and 8 isolates contained the allele predicted to contain the 3-amino acid deletion. Both allele types were found throughout the 3-year sampling period. Three strains contained inlA alleles with PMSCs, and these were found only during the first 3 months of the study. SNP analysis of the intact alleles indicated clustering of alleles based on serotype and lineage with serotypes 1/2b and 4b (lineage I strains) clustering together, and serotype 1/2a (lineage II strains) clustering separately. The combination of serotype, MLVA types, and inlA allele types indicate that the 112 isolates reflect at least 49 different strains of L. monocytogenes. The finding that 90% of environmental L. monocytogenes isolates contain intact inlA alleles varies significantly from isolates found in processing plants.

This information is important to public health labs and growers as to the varieties of L. monocytogenes that could potentially contaminate fresh produce in the field by various means.

The majority of genotypes of the virulence gene inlA are intact among natural watershed isolates of Listeria monocytogenes from Central California Coast

PLoS ONE 11(12): e0167566. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0167566

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0167566

 

What is the infectious dose of Listeria? Who are susceptible?

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The relationship between the number of ingested Listeria monocytogenes cells in food and the likelihood of developing listeriosis is not well understood.

listeria4Data from an outbreak of listeriosis linked to milkshakes made from ice cream produced in 1 factory showed that contaminated products were distributed widely to the public without any reported cases, except for 4 cases of severe illness in persons who were highly susceptible. The ingestion of high doses of L. monocytogenes by these patients infected through milkshakes was unlikely if possible additional contamination associated with the preparation of the milkshake is ruled out.

This outbreak illustrated that the vast majority of the population did not become ill after ingesting a low level of L. monocytogenes but raises the question of listeriosis cases in highly susceptible persons after distribution of low-level contaminated products that did not support the growth of this pathogen.

Infectious dose of listeria monocytogenes on outbreak linked to ice cream, United States, 2015

Emerging Infectious Diseases, December 2016, Volume 22, Number 12, https://dx.doi.org/10.3201/eid2212.160165

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/22/12/16-0165_article

Recall: Apples and goat milk may not mix

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This is a little old, but I’m playing catch-up.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises consumers not to eat goat cheese products manufactured by Apple Tree Goat Dairy of Richfield, Penn. (Apple Tree), because the products have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

apple-tree-goat-dairyApple Tree manufactures pasteurized and 60-day aged, semi-soft, and hard goat cheeses under the Apple Tree Goat Dairy brand. The products were sold in Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and New Jersey through Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative, West End Farmers Market in Alexandria, Va., Ambler (Penn.) Farmers Market, and Doylestown (Penn.) Farmers Market.

On September 12, 2016, FDA began its inspection of Apple Tree’s manufacturing facility in Richfield, PA. In addition to observing poor sanitation practices, FDA took environmental samples that identified Listeria monocytogenes in 18 environmental samples from Apple Tree’s processing, packaging, and storage areas, including food-contact surfaces such as a cheese slicer, cheese mold, tables, and plates used to hold cheese before packaging. FDA also tested Apple Tree’s goat cheese. Two of the finished goat cheeses and 18 of the environmental samples tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

On September 20, 2016, Apple Tree initiated a voluntary recall of the four lots of goat cheeses that PDA tested and found positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Later in September, Apple Tree expanded its recall to include all of its goat cheeses, but FDA is not aware of any public notification to consumers announcing the expanded recall. Accordingly, FDA is issuing this release and working with PDA to monitor this situation and take appropriate actions to protect consumers from Apple Tree goat cheeses that may have been exposed to or contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Although no illnesses have been reported to date in association with Apple Tree’s goat cheeses, Listeria monocytogenes can cause a serious, potentially life-threatening infection called listeriosis.

Schnapps, herring and Listeria

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To continue with the Danish theme, Royal Seafood Baza, Inc. of Staten, Island, New York is recalling various refrigerated ready to eat herring products – delicious with Danish schnapps and that’s about it — because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

schapps-denmarkThe affected ready to eat herring products were distributed to customers located New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, and North Carolina. Wholesale customers of bulk containers must discontinue sales of existing stock of these items immediately and destroy any returned product as soon as possible.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall of the products was the result of environmental sampling by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) during an inspection of the firm which revealed the presence of Listeria in the plant.  The company has ceased production and distribution of the products and is working closely with FDA to monitor this situation to determine the source of the environmental contamination, and make the appropriate corrective actions.

listeria-herring-16

 

Listeria positive: Bakkavor Foods USA voluntary recalls certain hummus products

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Bakkavor Foods USA, Inc. is voluntarily recalling Trader Joe’s Mediterranean Hummus (SKU #90642) and Trader Joe’s White Bean & Basil Hummus (SKU #91107) with “USE BY” date codes up through and including 12/15/2016, because these products have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

trader-joes-hummusThe products come in 16 ounce plastic tubs with SKU numbers printed on the top labels and “USE BY” date codes stamped on the bottom of the tubs, along with the plant identification code “C”. To clarify, products with plant identification code “J” were produced in a different facility and are NOT affected by this recall. In addition, Trader Joe’s Mediterranean Hummus Snack Pack with Pita Chips (SKU #97136) is NOT part of this recall.

To date there have been no confirmed illnesses.

The potential for contamination was noted after testing by the company revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in product manufactured on the same equipment. The company subsequently identified the source of the issue and has corrected the matter. All potentially affected products have been removed from store shelves and destroyed.

1 dead, 4 sick in 2014: Miami cheese producer jailed for 15 months

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On August 4, 2014, Oasis Brands, Inc. voluntarily recalled quesito casero (fresh curd) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

oasis-listeria-oct_-14On October 6, 2014, Oasis Brands, Inc. recalled cuajada en hoja (fresh curd) after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration isolated Listeria monocytogenes from environmental samples collected from the production facility.

Whole-genome sequences of the Listeria monocytogenes strains isolated from recalled quesito casero cheese produced by Oasis Brands, Inc. were found to be highly related to sequences of Listeria strains isolated from one person who became ill in September 2013 and four persons who became ill during June through October 2014.

These five ill persons were reported from four states: Georgia (1), New York (1), Tennessee (2), and Texas (1).

Four of the five ill persons were hospitalized. One death was reported in Tennessee. Three illnesses were related to a pregnancy – one of these was diagnosed in a newborn.

All ill persons were reported to be of Hispanic ethnicity and reported consuming Hispanic-style soft cheese. Two persons who were able to answer questions about specific varieties of Hispanic-style soft cheeses reported consuming quesito casero, though neither could remember the brand.

According to Andrea Torres of ABC Channel 10, after making promises to the feds, Christian Rivas knew he was distributing cheese with listeria and did so anyway.

Rivas was in federal prison Nov. 11, 2016 and faced 15 moths in prison after federal prosecutors armed with the results of CDC tests and FDA inspections were ready to show consumers were “fraudulently led to believe” the cheese was safe to eat when it wasn’t. 

Before the criminal case, authorities recalled 15 of their “Lacteos Santa Martha ” products targeting Central American migrants in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina. The list included the “Queso Seco Olanchano,” the “Queso Seco Hondureno,” the  “Queso Cuzcatlan,” and the “Crema Guatemalteca.”

Rivas plead guilty to charges that he acted with an “intent to defraud and mislead, delivered cheese processed and packed at the Oasis facility into interstate commerce that was adulterated,” according to the U.S. Department of Justice. 

U.S. District Judge Robert N. Scola sentenced Rivas to 15 months in prison.  

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Justin Green, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Office of Criminal Investigations (FDA-OCI), Miami Field Office, announced the sentencing. 

“We will continue to pursue and bring to justice those who put the public’s health at risk by allowing contaminated foods to enter the U.S. marketplace,” Green said. 

Listeria positive: Made-to-order salad in Hong Kong

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The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said on November 15  that a sample of mixed vegetable ingredient of a made-to-order smoked salmon mixed vegetable salad was found to have been contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Follow-up is in progress.

smoked-salmon-saladA spokesman for the CFS said, “The CFS took the sample of smoked salmon mixed vegetable salad for testing from a licensed food premises in Sha Tin under a risk assessment study on microbiological quality of vegetables and vegetable salads. The result showed that the salad sample contained Listeria monocytogenes at a level of 2 400 per gram, exceeding the standard of the Microbiological Guidelines for Food which states that no more than 100 of the pathogen per gram should be detected.”
The CFS has informed the premises concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop selling the food item in question immediately.

The CFS has also provided health education on food safety and hygiene to the person-in-charge and staff of the premises. The premises have voluntarily suspended its business temporarily to carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection. The CFS is also tracing the sources of the ingredients of the affected food item.

“Listeria monocytogenes can be easily destroyed by cooking but can survive and multiply at refrigerator temperatures.

Listeria positive: Sliced chicken withdrawn from schools in Caerphilly, Wales

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Action has been taken to withdraw a batch of sliced cooked chicken supplied to canteens in schools in Caerphilly after potentially harmful levels of Listeria monocytogenes – the bacteria that causes listeria food poisoning – was found in the product.

listeria4No illnesses linked to the incident have been reported and the risk to the vast majority of healthy children and staff is very low.

The potentially contaminated chicken was served in 45 of 90 schools supplied, as quality checks identified no concerns prior to service. As a precaution, all chicken from this supplier has been removed from the menus.

Parents of pupils from the affected schools have been notified of the incident. At this stage it is unclear whether the whole batch of chicken was affected. The samples in which the bacteria were found were taken from schools where the catering staff noticed an unusual smell and withdrew the chicken from service.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA), Public Health Wales and environmental health officers at Caerphilly County Borough Council have been urgently investigating the source of the contamination. No cause has been identified at this stage but a food manufacturer from England which supplied the chicken and a distributor in Wales are being investigated. As a precaution, all cooked sliced chicken from the company in England is being tested for contamination.

Listeria positive: Sabra recalls certain hummus products

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Sabra Dipping Co., LLC is voluntarily recalling certain hummus products made prior to November 8, 2016 due to concerns over Listeria monocytogenes, which was identified at the manufacturing facility but not in tested finished product.

sabra-hummus-recallThe recall includes the products listed below; these were distributed to retail outlets, including food service accounts and supermarkets, in the U.S. and Canada.

Consumers with any product with a “Best Before” date up through January 23, 2017 are urged to discard it. Consumers can find code and “Best Before” date on the lid of each package.

UPC SKU Item
040822014700 300051 Sabra Hummus Caramelized Onion 10OZ
040822000017 300066 Sabra Hummus Classic 7OZ
040822011143 300067 Sabra Hummus Classic 10OZ
040822017497 300070 Sabra Hummus Classic 17OZ
040822014687 300074 Sabra Hummus Classic 30OZ
040822431156 300076 Sabra Hummus Classic 5LB – 6ct
040822011112 300079 Sabra Hummus Classic 2OZ – 48ct: 3 x (16 x 2oz)
040822011952 300080 Sabra Hummus Classic with pretzels 4.56OZ
040822011235 300094 Sabra Hummus Garlic 7OZ
040822011242 300095 Sabra Hummus Garlic 10OZ
040822017510 300097 Sabra Hummus Garlic 17OZ
040822012256 300099 Sabra Hummus Garlic 32OZ
040822301121 300100 Sabra Hummus Garlic 30OZ
040822011990 300104 Sabra Hummus Garlic with pretzels 4.56OZ
040822011921 300106 Sabra Hummus Jalapeno 10OZ
040822011341 300117 Sabra Hummus Olive 10OZ
040822011747 300132 Sabra Hummus Pine Nut 10OZ
040822127530 300134 Sabra Hummus Pine Nut 7OZ
040822990011 300136 Sabra Hummus Pine Nut 17OZ
040822012157 300139 Sabra Hummus Pine Nut 32OZ
040822012430 300142 Sabra Hummus Red Pepper 7OZ
040822011549 300143 Sabra Hummus Red Pepper 10OZ
040822017503 300146 Sabra Hummus Red Pepper 17OZ
040822328647 300148 Sabra Hummus Red Pepper 32OZ
040822301114 300150 Sabra Hummus Red Pepper 30OZ
040822434553 300151 Sabra Hummus Red Pepper 5LB – 6ct
040822011969 300153 Sabra Hummus Red Pepper with pretzels 4.56OZ
040822011433 300158 Sabra Hummus Supremely Spicy 7OZ
040822011440 300159 Sabra Hummus Supremely Spicy 10OZ
040822017558 300161 Sabra Hummus Supremely Spicy 17OZ
040822027540 300164 Sabra Hummus Spinach & Artichoke 10OZ
040822014731 300166 Sabra Hummus Sun Dried Tomato 10OZ
040822027700 300266 Sabra Hummus Spinach & Artichoke 32OZ
040822027588 300298 Sabra Hummus Spinach & Artichoke 17OZ
040822990011 300501 Sabra Hummus Pine Nut 17OZ – 6ct
040822017503 300502 Sabra Hummus Red Pepper 17OZ – 6ct
040822020114 300593 Sabra Hummus Basil-Pesto 10OZ
040822330466 300736 Sabra Hummus Tuscan Herb Garden 32OZ
040822342049 301216 Sabra Hummus Classic 32OZ
040822342131 301271 Sabra Hummus Classic with pretzels 4.56OZ – 8ct
040822342209 301283 Sabra Hummus Garlic 23.5OZ
040822017497 301290 Sabra Hummus Classic 17OZ
040822342506 301430 Sabra Hummus Bold & Spicy with tortilla chips 4.56OZ
040822017510 301480 Sabra Hummus Garlic 17OZ – 6ct
040822342728 301481 Sabra Hummus Classic 2OZ – 6 x 2oz (12 x 6pks)
040822011648 301483 Sabra Hummus Lemon 10OZ
040822342735 301484 Sabra Hummus Red Pepper 2OZ – 6 x 2oz (12 x 6pks)
040822330381 301485 Sabra Hummus Tuscan Herb Garden 17OZ
040822010078 301511 Sabra Hummus Classic 2OZ  – 16 x 2oz – 12 ct
040822010047 301512 Sabra Hummus Classic 2OZ – 12 x 2oz – 12 ct
040822342988 301566 Sabra Hummus SF Rosemary/Sea Salt 10OZ
040822343145 301585 Sabra Spreads Spicy Chili 8.5OZ – 8ct
040822343138 301586 Sabra Spreads Garlic Herb 8.5OZ – 8ct
040822343121 301587 Sabra Spreads Honey Mustard 8.5OZ – 8ct
040822343114 301588 Sabra Spreads Salt & Pepper 8.5OZ – 8ct
040822343671 301640 Sabra Hummus Taco 10OZ
040822344043 301705 Sabra Hummus 3 Pepper Chili 10OZ

No other Sabra products are affected. In particular, Sabra products not included in the recall are: Sabra Organic Hummus, Sabra Salsa, Sabra Guacamole and Sabra Greek Yogurt Dips.

 

Charcuterie Parisienne brand cured meats recalled due to Listeria in Canada

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Charcuterie Parisienne is recalling Charcuterie Parisiennebrand cured meats from the marketplace due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.

charcuterie-parisien-meat-recallIf you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, call your doctor.

Check to see if you have recalled products in your home. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased.

Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Symptoms can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache and neck stiffness. Pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems are particularly at risk. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, the infection can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn or even stillbirth. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

 

This recall was triggered by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) test results. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings.

The CFIA is verifying that industry is removing recalled product from the marketplace.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.