UK-ICWales-Researchers begin study into E.coli

A MAJOR research project that could cut the risk of E.coli spreading in rural communities began yesterday at Bangor University.

Around 500 people a year are thought to be affected by the E.coli O157 bug which, as well as having a detrimental effect on sufferers’ health, can damage the surrounding area’s economy.

Researchers from the university’s school of Environment and Natural Resources hope their collaboration with scientists from the University of Aberdeen and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine will help create a set of guidelines that could help cut the bacteria’s spread in rural areas. Ecologists, microbiologists and economists from the universities will use a £1.3m grant to work alongside academics from Manchester University to learn about the bacteria and how it spreads.

US-FDA Administration-Top Line Specialty Produce Recalls “Green Paradise” Basil Because of Possible Health Risk

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — December 19, 2007 — Top Line Specialty Produce of Los Angeles Ca, is voluntary recalling its 12 x 1 pound boxes of “Green Paradise label” Fresh Italian basil, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with this organism often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with “Salmonella” can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), Endocarditis and arthritis.

The recalled “Green Paradise Basil” was distributed to Food Service Distributors through direct shipping on 12/06/2007 in Southern California, Illinois and Texas.

The product comes in a 12 x 1 lb box marked with lot # 1219 on the side of the box.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem….more

Europe-Food Production Daily-Farm to fork approach vital against persisting food poisoning

The European Food Standards Authority (EFSA) emphasised the importance of the farm to fork approach in combating the continuing high prevalence of infectious diseases transmissible from animals to humans.

In its annual report on zoonotic diseases, EFSA and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control found that while salmonella and campylobacter infections have decreased in Europe, Listeria has increased by 8.6 per cent.

“The 2006 zoonoses report shows that the farm to fork approach for food safety and protecting public health is vital,” said EFSA executive director Catherine Geslain-Laneelle…more..

US-Meatingplace.com-USDA releases traceability business plan

USDA on Wednesday released its draft of a business plan for advancing animal disease traceability.

The plan supports the 48-hour traceback long-term goal of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) and provides benchmarks to guide the program.

In order to improve traceability, USDA applied a business plan model to:

• Identify areas of weakness and opportunity
  
• Establish benchmarks against which to measure success
  
• Communicate a vision for the future of traceability

The draft plan provides a comprehensive look at the country’s current traceability status, including a breakdown by species. It details seven strategies that will provide the greatest amount of traceability progress in a short amount of time. These strategies involve state- and federally regulated and voluntary animal health programs, industry-administered animal management and marketing programs, as well as various animal identification techniques. ..more…

UK-Isle of Wight Press-IW Cheese Alert as Bug found

LISTERIA has been discovered in award-winning cheese produced by an Island company, which has recalled the affected batch.
Routine testing revealed a batch of the IW Cheese Company’s IW Blue cheese was infected with the bug, which produces flu-like symptoms and diarrhoea.
It is particularly dangerous in pregnancy and to elderly people and those with lowered immune systems.

All the affected IW Blue is packeted, already carrying warnings not to eat during pregnancy, and has the batch number 45 05 01.

Most was sold at last Friday’s Farmers’ Market in Newport and can be returned there tomorrow (Friday), or to the Farmers’ Market in Ryde on Saturday, or the January 4 Newport market or the one in Ryde the following day, for full refunds.
Some blue from the batch was sold at delicatessens and farm shops across the Island. About 230 packets are thought to be involved.

IW Cheese director and cheesemaker Richard Hodgson said: “We are scrupulous in our production methods at Queenbower and this is the first problem we have ever had. But we are more vulnerable because we use unpasteurised milk.

“We reported it as soon as it was discovered and I think a lot of people will have bought this cheese for Boxing Day and may not yet have eaten it.”

A Food Standards Agency spokesman said: “The IW Cheese Company has taken a responsible approach after its own tests revealed this issue. Consumers are advised not to consume the product. If it has already been eaten, the risk of infection is very low and the majority of people exposed do not become unwell.”

UK-Famers Weekly Interactive-EU agrees funding package for tackling poultry diseases

The European Commission has approved a financial package of €186m (£134m) to support programmes to eradicate, control and monitor animal diseases this year.

Of the package, 4.6% is for controlling salmonella in poultry breeder flocks in 19 Member States and 11.3% is for tackling salmonella in laying hens flocks. This is three times the amount allocated for this disease last year.

Member States will also continue to carry out surveillance for avian flu in poultry and wild birds with financial assistance from the EU towards laboratory testing and wild bird sampling costs. A total of €4.3m (£3.1m) will be available from the EU budget