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News Headlines: 19 - 25 June 2010

Microbiological sampling prompts ground beef recalls; Denmark reports Salmonella outbreak linked to salami; Cyclospora outbreak reported in Canada; CDC investigates multi-state Salmonella outbreak; Canned foods recalled due to under-processing

Microbiological sampling prompts ground beef recalls

Routine microbiological sampling of ground beef products by the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service has identified E. coli O157:H7 contamination from two different suppliers, both of which have initiated product recalls.

Crown I Enterprises Inc. of New York is recalling about 3,700 pounds of five burger and ground beef products packed in various sized boxes labelled with the establishment number EST 20889 and produced between 11 and 15 June. The recalled beef products were distributed to food service institutions in three states.

South Gate Meat Co, California is recalling 35,000 pounds of bulk ground beef packs and ground beef patties in various sizes labelled with the establishment number EST 6217 and produced between 7 and 21 June. The recalled products were distributed to restaurants in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas.

No reports of illness associated with either outbreak have been received.

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_037_2010_Release/index.asp

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_038_2010_Release/index.asp

Denmark reports Salmonella outbreak linked to salami

The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA) has reported an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium associated with consumption of a sliced salami product during April and May.

According to the DVFA, the outbreak affected at least 16 people who had eaten a salami type product called "Minimum spegepølse med hjortekød", manufactured in Germany and sold in 80-gram packs with use by dates from 6 April to 16 June 2010. Consumers are advised to discard any remaining packs of the product

http://www.foedevarestyrelsen.dk/Nyheder/Nyheder/2010/Salmonella_i_spegepoelse_med_hjortekoed.htm

Cyclospora outbreak reported in Canada

According to press reports from Canada, an outbreak of infection caused by the protozoan parasite Cyclospora has affected at least 210 people in the city of Sarnia, Ontario. Local health authorities are not expecting further cases.

The outbreak is associated with an event called "Big Sisters Chef's Challenge", which took place on 12 May. A "cool pesto crunch" dish served at the event is thought to have been the vehicle of infection, but the single ingredient responsible has yet to be identified. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is reportedly continuing to investigate the source of the outbreak.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/100621/health/health_parasitic_outbreak

CDC investigates multi-state Salmonella outbreak

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Chester infection, which has affected at least 30 people in 15 states since April. The outbreak has been linked to frozen meals.

Epidemiological investigation of the outbreak suggested that a widely distributed food product was likely to be responsible. Preliminary data from questionnaires indicated that a number of those affected by the outbreak had consumed a 'Marie Callender' brand frozen meal before becoming ill.

Although the meal type responsible was unclear from the data, there was an indication that 'Marie Callender's cheesy chicken and rice frozen entrée' might be implicated. On 18 June the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Laboratory reported isolating Salmonella Chester from an unopened package of Marie Callender's cheesy chicken and rice single-serve frozen entrée collected from a case patient.

The manufacturer of the implicated product, ConAgra Foods, announced a precautionary recall of all Marie Callender's brand Cheesy Chicken and Rice frozen meals, regardless of production date, on 17 June. The product is packed in 13-ounce packs carrying an establishment number P-45 and has been distributed to retailers nationwide.

The outbreak investigation is ongoing.

http://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/chester/index.html

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_036_2010_Release/index.asp

Canned foods recalled due to under-processing

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced that the Campbell Soup Supply Company of Paris, Texas, is voluntarily recalling approximately 15,000,000 pounds of canned 'SpaghettiOs with Meatballs' because of possible under-processing.

The recalled products were packed in 14.75-ounce cans bearing the product codes U5, 4N and KS. Use by dates between June 2010 and December 2011 are affected. The recalled products were manufactured between December 2008 and June 2010 and distributed to retail outlets nationwide.

FSIS reports that the problem was discovered during a routine warehouse inspection and subsequent investigation conducted by the company.

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_035_2010_Release/index.asp

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