In this article we welcome guest author and industry expert, Alec Kyriakides, to explore some of the food safety developments, recalls and incidents that have happened recently.

 

Food Safety Developments

UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) survey of retail foods

The UK FSA published its annual survey of foods sampled between July 2023 and January 2024. A total of 1025 foods found in a typical basket of grocery items was sampled from national supermarkets and local independent retailers with some samples bought online. The samples were tested for undeclared allergens, contaminants, adulteration, inaccurate composition or incorrect labelling. The key findings from the survey included 97% compliance for food authenticity tests and an increase in compliance for olive oil from the previous year (87% vs 75%). Of particular concern were the findings of undeclared, or excess added water and labelling issues on 40% (16 out of 40) samples of frozen raw chicken and 42% (10 out of 24) frozen beef burgers found to be non-compliant with eight having less meat content than declared and 4 containing higher fat levels than stated. It was emphasised that the survey targets areas of specific risk and is therefore not representative of food safety and integrity in the UK.

Enteric infections: the impact of global temperature rises

Research funded by the Australian Research Council has identified increased risk of transmission and incidence of enteric infection caused by Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. associated with increases in ambient temperature. The researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological evidence from studies published between 1990 and 2024 and estimated that for each 1°C rise in temperature the risk of non-typhoidal Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. infections increased by 5% with varying risks across different climate zones. Although caution is advised in terms of generalising the findings, especially due to the limited studies from low and middle-income countries, the results do highlight the need to consider such risks in planning and preparation for climatic fluctuations.

Salmonellosis outbreak from eggs in France

An outbreak of salmonellosis implicating eggs sold in France has resulted in the national recall of over 3 million shell eggs. One of the largest recalls of this nature in the country was prompted by a cluster of 8 cases. The list of affected egg brands included eggs in retail and food service supply chains. The serotype identified as the cause has been reported to be Salmonella Typhimurium. Regulations in the European Union (EU) apply strict measures for the control and monitoring of Salmonella spp. in the egg farming and production systems including breeding flocks, laying hens, broiler chickens and associated products. Eggs from flocks infected with S. Typhimurium or S. Enteritidis are prohibited from sale as Class A eggs. In the United Kingdom, control of Salmonella spp. in the egg laying sector has been significantly improved through the use of the Lion Code of Practice that includes vaccination of birds against Salmonella species.

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) outbreak in the USA implicating a national burger chain

Foodborne disease outbreaks due to enteric pathogens have been a particular focus this month including a large outbreak of STEC caused by E. coli O157:H7 implicating a national burger chain in the USA. The outbreak has thus far affected 90 individuals across 13 different US states, resulting in 23 hospitalisations and one death. Although the cause of the outbreak is yet to be fully confirmed, a supplier of onions to the burger chain and used in their quarter pounders has issued a public recall of products. Onions have been previously implicated in outbreaks caused by enteric pathogens. For example, red onions were implicated in an outbreak of salmonellosis in Canada in 2020 affecting 515 individuals with three deaths and green onions were subject to a product recall this month in the USA due to Salmonella spp. contamination.

Watch out for a forthcoming article on enteric pathogens and their control coming soon from BRCGS.

 

Food Recall Highlights

The data used for this food recall highlights review is sourced from open access recall databases covering different countries and continents including the USA (Food & Drug Administration and the United States Department of Agriculture), the UK (Food Standards Agency), Germany (Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety) and Australia (Food Standards Australia New Zealand).

Microbiological recalls due to contamination of foods were dominated by Listeria monocytogenes once again, followed by Salmonella spp. across a range of commodities. In addition to the STEC and Salmonella spp. outbreaks featured earlier in this bulletin, there were several other outbreaks of note. Pomodorino tomatoes were implicated in an outbreak of salmonellosis affecting over 200 people in Italy. Cases were highest amongst young adults and children in kindergartens, nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools and 26 people were hospitalised. Two cases of botulism were reported in Russia following the consumption of non-commercially produced dried fish. This followed a large botulism outbreak in Russia in 2023 caused by salads containing beans, tuna and apple that resulted in over 300 cases with 43 requiring artificial ventilation. A Staphylococcus aureus foodborne disease outbreak was reported at a whole fish distributer in Maryland, USA affecting 46 workers and implicating a noddle dish.

 

Allergen recalls were spread more evenly this month between milk, gluten and nuts. The major allergen issue in the UK due to peanut contamination of mustard has resulted in multiple allergen alerts as progressively more foods are identified as being contaminated. This highlights the ongoing challenge associated with supply chain traceability.

,

Physical contamination events were lower this month with metal remaining the most common reason for recalls in this category;

 

Chemical recalls were once again dominated by the presence of illegal chemicals;

 

   

Author

 

Alec Kyriakides

BRCGS International Advisory Board Chair

Independent Food Safety Consultant