Listeria Blog

The Estrella Family Creamery of Montesano Recalls Old Apple Tree Tomme Cheese

Listeria Lawyer — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 18:36:24 -0800

The Estrella Family Creamery of Montesano, Wash., has recalled a production of Old Apple Tree Tomme cheese. The company says the cheese may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The organism can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail and elderly people, and those with weakened immune systems. Healthy people may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, headache, stiffness and nausea.

Old Apple Tree Tomme cheese was sold at the Ballard and U-District farmer's markets in Seattle, Washington, and at the company's farm store in Montesano, Washington, the weekend of Feb. 27 and 28, 2010. No illnesses in connection with this product or any other Estrella cheeses have been reported to date. The Washington Department of Agriculture found one wheel of the cheese contained the bacteria.

Mexican-style Cheese - Quesco Fresco by Queseria Bendita Linked to Listeria Illnesses in Oregon and Washington

Bill Marler — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 07:53:04 -0800

According to press reports, two Oregon mothers have been sickened by listeria after eating tainted Mexican-style cheese made in Yakima, causing their babies to be born with a serious illness.

Another person got sick as well in Washington state after eating Queso Fresco made by Queseria Bendita in Yakima. The firm's three cheeses, including Requeson and Panela, are being recalled.

State health officials are tracking another woman who could have been sickened by the same cheese. It can take up to 70 days for someone who's eaten a food tainted with listeria to become sick.

People with compromised immune systems are especially susceptible to the organism. It poses a particular risk to pregnant women, who can have miscarriages or seriously sick babies. The infants don’t always make it.

Although queso fresco has been associated with listeria because it's often made with raw milk in poor conditions, this dairy uses pasteurized milk. Still, inspectors from Washington state found listeria at Queseria Bendita’s small facility in Yakima. Positive samples were also found in unopened packages of its queso fresco.

Listeria Found at Kellogg's Eggo Plant

Listeria Lawyer — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:53:55 -0800

The Food and Drug Administration said it found bacteria in a Kellogg Co. (K) Atlanta manufacturing plant and warned the company about sanitation violations.

In a Jan. 27 warning letter, the FDA said it found the presence of the bacterium listeria monocytogenes in at least three places inside the plant, including the wheels of a forklift. The warning letter was posted on the FDA's Web site Tuesday.

The FDA inspected the Atlanta plant last October after a batch of Eggo buttermilk waffles tested positive for listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause foodborne illness.

"During our inspection, we documented conditions and practices that may lead to contamination of your products with pathogens such as L. monocytogenes," the FDA said.

Listeria - the Real "Death Panel" - Listeria ends lunches for Cleveland-area seniors

Listeria Lawyer — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:59:36 -0800

Ken Robinson of Newsradio WTAM 1100 reports that the Ohio Department of Agriculture reports that listeria was found in a chicken and dumplings lunch, prepared by Paige Catering on East 55th Street. The company provides thousands of meals to senior citizen centers in 5 counties. No meals were distributed to centers on Thursday, they hope to resume on Monday.

Listeria kills 500 Americans every year, but so far, no local illnesses, additional testing is being done. Listeria is commonly found in soil, stream water, sewage, plants, and food. It can spread to the nervous system and cause meningitis. Vegetables can become contaminated from the soil, and animals can also be carriers. Listeria has been found in uncooked meats, uncooked vegetables, unpasteurized milk, foods made from unpasteurized milk, and processed foods. The bacteria is killed by pasteurization and cooking, however, in ready-to-eat foods such as hot dogs and deli meats, contamination may occur after cooking and before packaging. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, nausea and diarrhea. If infection spreads to the nervous system, ailments such as headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, or convulsions can occur.

Estrella Family Creamery Recalls Red Darla Cheese Due to Listeria

Listeria Lawyer — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:10:46 -0800

Estrella Family Creamery is recalling its Red Darla cheese because it might be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children and others with weakened immune systems. The Montesano, Washington-based company said no illnesses have been reported to date. The recalled Red Darla cheese was sold January through Feb. 11 this year in Washington state, California and New Jersey.

Giant Eagle Voluntarily Recalls Giant Eagle and Food Club Frozen Loose Hash Browns

Listeria Lawyer — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:28:02 -0800

From a Company Press Release.

The independent and unrelated manufacturer of Giant Eagle and Food Club frozen loose hash browns has been informed of the presence of a bacterium in products made in the same facility as these items.

Upon receiving this information, Giant Eagle immediately performed a voluntary market recall of all potentially affected products and engaged an independent laboratory to test samples of these products. Giant Eagle has confirmed that some of these products have tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium that can cause listeriosis which is a potentially serious infection.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov), the risk of an individual developing a listeria infection after consumption of a contaminated product is very small. Listeriosis affects primarily persons of advanced age, pregnant women, newborns and adults with weakened immune systems.

The products affected are: Giant Eagle Country Style Hash Browns (UPC 300341086), Giant Eagle Western Style Hash Browns (UPC 3003401076), Giant Eagle Southern Hash Browns (UPC 3003401075), Giant Eagle Diced Hash Browns (UPC 300341087), Giant Eagle Shredded Hash Browns (UPC 300341088), and Food Club Shredded Hash Browns (UPC 3680006530).

Coon Rapids-based Parkers Farm recalls Listeria Products

Listeria Lawyer — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:55:45 -0800

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has issued a consumer advisory for certain peanut butter, cheese, salsa, cream cheese bagel spreads, dips and spreads made by Coon Rapids-based Parkers Farm.

The department says sampling found some of the products were contaminated with the bacteria that can cause listeriosis, a potentially serious disease.

No illnesses have been reported. Consumers should discard any of the recalled products.

The department says Parkers Farm is cooperating in the investigation.

The products are distributed nationwide in retail stores under the Parkers Farm or Parkers labels. The products may have been sold at Hy-Vee, Cub, Rainbow, Lunds/Byerly's, Target, Whole Foods, Jewel, Dominicks or Marsh stores.

Listeriosis: a Foodborne Infection

Listeria Attorney — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 18:37:52 -0800

Clinical Microbiology and Infection Jan. 2010 V.16 N.1 p.16-23

F. Allerberger and M. Wagner, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES), Binational Austrian–German Listeria Reference Centre, Vienna and Institute for Milk Hygiene, Milk Technology and Food Science, Department for Farm Animals and Public Veterinary Health, Vienna, Austria.

Listeria monocytogenes is the causative agent of human listeriosis, a potentially fatal foodborne infection. Clinical manifestations range from febrile gastroenteritis to more severe invasive forms, including sepsis, meningitis, rhombencephalitis, perinatal infections, and abortions. In recent years, an increasing rate of listeriosis has been reported in several European countries. These increases primarily reflect a higher rate of bacteraemic listeriosis in those ≥65 years of age, and are not otherwise correlated with geography, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic factors or infectious serotypes. In the late 1980s, an upsurge in listeriosis rates was due to the contamination of a small number of food products. However, a restricted range of strains was responsible for most of the additional cases at that time, and no evidence exists for such a pattern since 2001. From a clinical perspective, the importance of isolating the pathogen as a prerequisite for an accurate epidemiological investigation and ultimately stopping transmission cannot be overemphasized.

Associated Grocers Recalls Listeria Hams

Bill Marler — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:04:31 -0800

Associated Grocers of Maine, importing firm, a Gardiner, Maine, establishment, is recalling approximately 312 pounds of ham products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The following products are subject to recall:

6-ounce packages of “SUPER TRIM, Shurfine, IMPORTED, COOKED HAM, WATER ADDED, 98% FAT FREE.”

Each package bears the establishment number “141” inside the Canadian seal of inspection and a Sell by date of “10JA24.” The ham products were produced on November 25, 2009, and distributed to retail establishments in Maine and New Hampshire.

Breese Hollow Dairy suspends raw milk sales after Listeria contamination

Bill Marler — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:49:48 -0800

Breese Hollow Dairy in Hoosick Falls has suspended raw milk sales after a sample tested positive for listeria yesterday.

The dairy says that a sample was taken Dec. 14 by the state Department of Agriculture and Markets and tested positive for listeria by the department’s food lab.

Listeria can cause listeriosis, a disease that can cause flu-like symptoms and more serious conditions in sick people.

No illnesses have been reported by the department from raw milk from the farm.

The dairy will not resume sales of raw milk until Ag and Markets re-samples the milk and determines that it is free of pathogens.

Renard's Cheese recalls spread due to Listeria risks

Bill Marler — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 03:42:05 -0800

Renard's Cheese is recalling bacon cold-pack cheese spread sold at its Sturgeon Bay store, because the product may be contaminated with the bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes.

Officials say the bacteria can cause serious or fatal infections in children, elderly people or those with weakened immune systems. It can also cause stillbirth or miscarriage in pregnant women. Other symptoms include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

No one has reported illness due to the spread.

Officials discovered the contamination through routine testing of samples.

The same product and others are also sold at the company's Algoma store, but they are not included in the recall.

Service Smoked Fish Corp. Recalls Smoked Nova Salmon Because of Possible Health Risk

Listeria Lawyer — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:42:17 -0800

Service Smoked Fish Corp. of Brooklyn, NY, is recalling specific "Use-By" dates and lot codes of Brooklyn's BEST brand SMOKED NOVA SALMON because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may possibly suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Smoked Nova Salmon was distributed in the greater New York area, New Jersey, Connecticut, and the areas of Baltimore, MD, Los Angeles, CA, and Portland, Oregon. Consumers may have purchased the product from retail food stores.

The Smoked Nova Salmon was vacuum-packed in clear, plastic bags of various size packages including 3 oz., 4 oz., 8 oz., 12 oz., 16 oz. and random weight sides with the brand name "Brooklyn's BEST" appearing on a circular label inside the vacuum bag. A "Use-By" date appears on the bottom of the gold board. Units with "Use-By" dates of 12/03/09 through 12/19/09 are being recalled. The product was also air-packed in bulk boxes. Air-packed units with lot numbers 060 through 043 are being recalled. No other use-by dates or lots numbers are involved in this recall.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall is the result of samplings by the Food and Drug Administration which revealed that the finished products contained the bacteria. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product. The FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

Listeria Research

Listeria Lawyer — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 05:55:57 -0800

A recent study found that spoiled meat is one of the sources for Listeria infections leading to listeriosis. Pregnant women, newborns and immune compromised people are susceptible for a severe progression of this disease. Firstly, the pathogen breaches the intestinal barrier and thus enters the body. The key for further spreading is the invasion protein internalin B that is located on the bacterial surface.

On human cells, internalin B activates a receptor molecule called "Met", thereby signaling the host cell to take up the pathogen. Inside the cell, Listeria uses the host cell's nutrients and is somehow sheltered from an immune response.

Until now, the researchers did not know how the bacterial invasion protein activates the human receptor. To solve this question, the structural biologists from the HZI first analysed the crystal structures of the single internalin B molecule and of its complex bound to human Met. "In X-Ray structural analysis we noticed that in protein crystals two internalin B molecules align characteristically," says Hartmut Niemann, assistant professor at the University of Bielefeld. Professor Dirk Heinz, head of the structural biologists at the HZI, explains: "This gave rise to the idea of a dimer - two congregated internalin B molecules - playing a pivotal role in the activation of the Met receptor."

Minor changes in the internalin B molecule confirmed their hypothesis: inhibiting the congregation of two internalin B molecules prevented the activation of Met. On the other hand, strengthening the interaction resulted in particularly strong receptor activation.

These results may lead to the development of new protein drugs in the future. "Met plays a major role in the body, for example during wound healing," says Heinz. "Thanks to the extraordinary ability of the internalin B dimer to strongly activate Met, therapeutics for improved wound healing may result someday."

Service Smoked Fish Corp. Recalls Smoked Nova Salmon Because of Possible Health Risk

Bill Marler — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:30:27 -0800

San Miguel Produce Inc Recalls Listeria Kale

Listeria Lawyer — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:32:50 -0800

A warning is out about vegetables possibly infected with bacteria.

San Miguel Produce Inc. is urging consumers to discard packages of “Cut 'N Clean Greens” Kale.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture says kale from the California company tested positive for Listeria.

Ten-ounce bags with the expiration date 11/09/2009 and lot code 14398 should be thrown out.

No illnesses have been reported.

A formal recall has not been issued. San Miguel Produce issued the advisory as a safety measure.

Listeria Causes Illness at Much Lower Dose

Bill Marler — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:47:37 -0800

Pregnant women may get ill from Listeria at lower doses than previously thought, U.S. researchers found.

The risk of fetal or infant mortality among pregnant women who consume food containing 1 million cells of the food-borne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes in soft cheeses and other food is estimated at about 50 percent, suggesting five stillbirths potentially could occur when 10 pregnant women are exposed to that amount.

A previous risk assessment estimated more than 10 trillion cells would result in stillbirths to 50 percent of pregnant women exposed, researchers said.

"We're not saying there's a new epidemic here, we're suggesting we've come up with a more accurate method of measuring the risk and how this deadly bacteria impacts humans, especially the most medically vulnerable among us," study co-author Mary Alice Smith of the University of Georgia said in a statement.

When estimates are extrapolated from data in tests on laboratory animals, the results showed "Listeriosis is likely occurring from exposure to lower doses than previously estimated," Smith said.

Whittier Farms Pasteurized Milk Listeria Outbreak 2007

Listeria Attorney — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:36:37 -0800

A. News of the Outbreak

On November 27, 2007, a health department officer in central Massachusetts contacted the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) to report a Listeria infection in an 87 year old man. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) performed on the patient's Listeria monocytogenes isolate produced a pattern indistinguishable from that of isolates from three other cases identified in residents of central Massachusetts in June, October, and early November 2007. MDPH, in collaboration with local public health officials, conducted an investigation, which implicated pasteurized, flavored and nonflavored, fluid milk produced by a local dairy as the source of the outbreak. The milk was later revealed to have been produced by Whittier Farms, Inc., a family owned dairy located in Sutton, Massachusetts.

Whittier Farms operated a milk product pasteurizing, bottling, and processing facility; the dairy had operated for nearly 50 years. Raw milk was transported by tanker truck to the Whittier Farms processing facility from the company’s own farm (with nearly 300 cows) and from another, independent farm located 25 miles away. Whittier Farms produced various milk and non-milk beverage products in glass and plastic bottles, including several varieties of flavored milk. Retail outlets were located at the dairy and the farm, but the bulk of the dairy's milk products were sold under the Whittier Farms name and other brand names through home delivery and at various retail establishments in Massachusetts. In addition, bulk cream was distributed to a bakery in Rhode Island, where it was used in cooked products.

B. The Investigation

The MDPH defined a case of outbreak-associated listeriosis as illness in a Massachusetts resident with illness onset in 2007 who: (1) was culture-positive for Listeria monocytogenes with PFGE patterns that matched the outbreak patterns as established by the first case; or (2) had culture-confirmed Listeria monocytogenes and a history of consuming milk products produced by Whittier Farms during the six weeks preceding illness and for whom a bacterial isolate was not available for PFGE analysis.

Five patients had illness consistent with the case definition. All but one of the patients met the first case definition criterion. The median age of the patients was 75 years old (range: 31 to 87 years); three were male. All five patients were hospitalized. All three of the males (75 to 87 years old) died from sepsis attributed to Listeria, and died close to the time of their acute illness onset. The first case in a female was in a 31 year old woman who had chorioamnionitis at 36 weeks gestation. She delivered a healthy but premature infant. A subsequent placental culture tested positive for Listeria. The second case in a female was in a 34 year old woman who had a fever and abdominal pain. She experienced a stillbirth at 37 weeks gestation, and cultures of her blood, fetal blood, and placental tissue all were positive for Listeria monocytogenes.

Interviews were subsequently conducted with the patients or their families. One patient, however, could not be interviewed. Of the remaining four patients, all but one had consumed products from Whittier Farms during the six weeks preceding their illness.

On December 17, evidence of Listeria growth was reported from the coffee-flavored milk sample from the home of one of the patients. In response to the December 17 findings, the Massachusetts Food Protection Program (MFPP) inspected Whittier Farms and collected eleven samples of unopened, flavored and unflavored milk products for testing on December 18. On December 21, the organism from the December 17 sample was confirmed to be Listeria monocytogenes and was a match to the four clinical isolates from the other patients.

C. Product Recall and Dairy Closure

MFPP returned to Whittier Farms on December 26 and collected environmental swab samples from inside the processing facility. On December 27, the State Laboratory Institute (SLI) of MDPH reported a presumptive positive Listeria specimen in a sample of unopened, coffee-flavored milk that had been collected from Whittier Farms on December 19. In response to this finding, MFPP asked the dairy to voluntarily cease all operations and recall its dairy products; Whittier Farms complied with this request on December 27. On December 30, SLI confirmed that Listeria monocytogenes with PFGE patterns identical to the outbreak strain was isolated from a sample of unopened, coffee-flavored milk.

On January 2, 2008, after the closure of Whittier Farms and the recall of its dairy products, approximately 100 additional environmental and product samples were collected by MFPP from the dairy's processing facility and adjacent retail store. One environmental swab from a floor drain in the finished product area, one skim milk sample, and seven flavored milk samples tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes and matched the outbreak strain by PFGE analysis. Two additional environmental swabs and four additional samples of milk, both flavored and non-flavored, tested positive for seven distinct strains of Listeria, including three different Listeria species and three strains of Listeria monocytogenes with PFGE patterns that differed from those of the outbreak strain.

From December 28, 2007, to January 3, 2008, MFPP conducted a full environmental investigation in conjunction with the Food and Drug Administration and the local board of health. The dairy's records indicated that the plant's equipment met federal standards for time, temperature, and flow for effective pasteurization. The facility did not have an environmental monitoring program for Listeria monocytogenes. This is not required by law, but is often implemented as a best practice by larger food processors of ready-to-eat foods. Contamination, as demonstrated by the positive environmental samples, was documented in close proximity to areas where hoses were used to clean equipment. On February 1, 2008, Whittier Farms decided to permanently close the milk processing facility, citing an inability to assume the financial burden that mitigation would require.

Lone Star Brisket Company, a Texas Firm, Recalls Smoked Beef Brisket Product For Possible Listeria Contamination

Listeria Lawyer — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:06:11 -0800

Recall Release CLASS I RECALL
FSIS-RC-056-2009 HEALTH RISK: HIGH

Lone Star Brisket Company, a Thorndale, Texas, establishment, is recalling approximately 14 pounds of smoked beef products that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

* 2.5- 3-pound vacuum sealed packages of "Texas Star Meat Company HALF SMOKED BEEF BRISKET Fully Cooked." Each label bears the establishment number "EST. 27340" inside the USDA mark of inspection and a day-glo sticker "SLICED" next to the product label. Each package also has a Use By/Sell By date of "12/16/09," and can also be identified by the case code "285A."
* 4-5-pound vacuum sealed packages of "Texas Star Meat Company WHOLE SMOKED BEEF BRISKET Fully Cooked." Each label bears the establishment number "EST. 27340" inside the USDA mark of inspection and a day-glo sticker "SLICED" next to the product label. Each package also has a Use By/Sell By date of "12/16/09," and can also be identified by the case code "285A."

The smoked beef brisket products were packaged on October 14, 2009 and distributed to a Department of Defense Commissary in Oklahoma City, Okla.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers.

The problem was discovered through FSIS's microbiological sampling program. FSIS has received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of this product.

Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy people rarely contract listeriosis. However, listeriosis can cause high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness and nausea. Listeriosis can also cause miscarriages and stillbirths, as well as serious and sometimes fatal infections in those with weakened immune systems, such as infants, the elderly and persons with HIV infection or undergoing chemotherapy. Individuals concerned about an illness should contact a physician.

Quong Hop & Co. ordered to pay $90,000 for violating food-safety laws

Listeria Lawyer — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:10:18 -0800

Quong Hop & Co. failed to maintain its Airport Boulevard plant in a sanitary condition, didn't stop pests from entering food-processing areas and didn't ensure that food was protected from contamination, said John Wilson, a San Mateo County deputy district attorney.

There was no evidence, however, that anyone got sick from eating products made by Quong Hop, which does business under names including Soy Deli, Soy Fresh, Raquel's and Melissa's, Wilson said. The violations were found during inspections in recent years by the state Department of Public Health, Wilson said.

In 2007, the company recalled a number of tofu products after detecting the bacteria listeria monocytogenes in them and in the plant. Listeria monocytogenes can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems.

An inspection at the facility on Wednesday did not uncover additional violations, authorities said.

John B. Sanfilippo & Son Inc., Recalls Listeria Walnuts

Listeria Attorney — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:15:18 -0800

A recall of nuts that could be contaminated with listeria has been traced to a California plant, and a small number of those nuts made their way to consumers, John B. Sanfilippo & Son Inc. said Wednesday in a filing with federal securities regulators.

Elgin-based Sanfilippo, best known for its Fischer nuts, on Friday issued a voluntary recall of walnuts and nut toppings sold to retailers under its Baking Classics brand in 10 states, including Illinois and Indiana. The recall affects walnut halves and pieces in 16-ounce bags, and nut topping packaged in 2-ounce bags.

Listeria monocytogenes is bacterium that causes listeriosis, a relatively rare but potentially fatal disease. In the United States, an estimated 2,500 people annually contract the disease by eating food contaminated with listeria bacteria, and about 20 percent of them die, according to the Centers for Disease Control.