The central kitchen that supplied food to eleven daycare centers in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, was in violation of several fundamental safe food-handling practices, according to a report released by Alberta Health Services (AHS).
The kitchen was ordered closed on September 4, 2023, and was inspected by the AHS the following day.
Eleven of the hospitalized victims have been released. Twenty-five individuals remain in hospital, and 22 of those patients are suffering from haemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS. Six patients are receiving peritoneal dialysis.
The Fueling Minds kitchen supplied food to eleven daycare centers in the Calgary area. All of the centers were ordered closed pending cleaning, sanitation and inspection. All of them have now been allowed to reopen.
September 5, 2023 inspection results
AHS inspectors documented five violations of safe food handling practices during the course of the September 5th inspection. Three of the violations were identified as “critical.”
Pest control
Two live adult cockroaches were observed on the sides of stainless steel equipment around the dishwashing area. The tin cat traps by the two separate two-compartment sinks had at least 20 cockroaches on the sticky pads each.
The inspection report also noted that the three most recent pest control treatments (for June, July, and August 2023) were not properly documented.
Sanitizer
The manual sanitizer dispenser was defective, resulting in no effective sanitizer (0 ppm) being present in the final sanitizing solution.
The defective dispenser was replaced during the course of the inspection.
Temperature control
The central kitchen did not have equipment available to keep perishable food cold during transportation to the individual daycare centers. As a result, food was exposed to ambient temperature for as long as 90 minutes or more while en route to these locations.
Non-critical violations
Inspectors also recorded two non-critical violations.
Smell of sewer gas near a sink in the food preparation area.
Insanitary storage of a probe used to test the temperature of cooked food.
Pattern of violations
A review of past inspection reports revealed a pattern of poor food-handling and sanitation practices extending back to July 2021, when the facility was inspected for the first time.
These violations included:
Inadequate cleaning/sanitizing of both a small KitchenAid mixer and a large commercial mixer.
Poor maintenance of critical equipment (eg., dishwasher).
Lack of test strips to monitor sanitizer concentration in cleaning/sanitizing solution.
Improper storage of dishes and utensils.
Operating without a valid Food Handling Permit.
Several of these violations were documented on multiple occasions.
What parents need to know
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“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News
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Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.
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TOXIC
From Factory To Food Bowl PET FOOD IS A RISKY BUSINESS
Available from all major on-line retailers, including:
Enjoy the slideshow as you listen to a sample of TOXIC, narrated by the author.
“A complete and compelling account of the hidden and not-so-hidden ways the food we give our beloved pets can be contaminated.” – JoNel Aleccia, Health Reporter, Food & Nutrition, The Associated Press.
United States
Food Safety Recall: Empacadora Frape, USA LLC recalls approximately 20,455 pounds of frozen, not ready to eat (NRTE) pork chicharron and pork carnitas products that were not presented for import reinspection into the United States. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
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Canada
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION UPDATE (Calgary, Alberta): Alberta Health Services is reporting 142 lab-confirmed cases of shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157 infections in an outbreak that is believed to have originated with a kitchen facility that provided meals to eleven daycare centres in the area. Twenty-six people have been hospitalzed, and as many as eleven of them have developed haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: PHAC reports 363 non travel-related cases of Cyclospora illnesses in five provinces as of September 5, 2023. Seven people have been hospitalized due to the severity of their symptoms. No single source of the illnesses has been determined. In past years, Cyclospora illnesses have been linked to various types of imported fresh produce, including pre-packaged salad mix, basil, cilantro, berries, lettuce, and snow and snap peas.
Allergy Alert:Restaurant du Parc (Saint-Ludger-de-Milot, QC) recalls SALADE DE PATES / Pasta salad (Sold up to 7 September 2023) due to undeclared wheat, egg and mustard.
Allergy Alert: Boulangerie des 3 sœurs (Mont-Joli, QC) recalls multiple bakery items due to undeclared allergens. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Allergy Alert: Dépanneur de la piste enr. (Montréal, QC) recalls Salade de pates aux legumes / Pasta salad with vegetables (Sold up to 6 September 2023) due to undeclared mustard, and Salade de pomme de terre / Potato salad (Sold up to 6 September 2023) due to undeclared mustard and sulphites.
Allergy Alert: Le Pêcheur gourmand (Saint-Félix-de-Valois, QC) recalls BEIGNETS DE CREVETTES / Shrimp fritters (Sold up to 6 September 2023) due to undeclared wheat, milk and egg, and LASAGNE FLETAN, EPINARD ET ARTICHAUT / Lasagna with halibut, spinach and artichokes (Sold up to 6 September 2023) due to undeclared wheat and egg.
Food Safety Recall: Industry recalls various brands of caffeinated energy drinks due to caffeine content and labelling issues. Please refer to the updated recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall: IGA Extra (Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, QC) recalls all ground beef and ground veal packaged on 8 September due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal pieces).
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Europe
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION (Norway):Norway’s Public Health Institute (Folkehelseinstituttet) reports an outbreak of 15 cases of shiga toxin producing E. coli O26:H11 illnesses believed to be associated with consumption of hamburger meat. Please also refer to recall notice, below.
Allergy Alert (Belgium): Albert Heijn recalls AH scharrel smokey kipburger / Smoky free-range chicken burger (All use by dates up to 13/09/2023) due to undeclared mustard.
Allergy Alert (Iceland): Álfasaga ehf. recalls Núll Ves brand Carbonara kjúklingapasta / Chicken pasta carbonara (430g; Best before 17.09.2023) due to undeclared celery and eggs.
Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Jumbo Supermarkten recalls Broodgeluk Zonnepitbollen / Sunflower seed bulbs (Sold 07-09-2023) due to undeclared spelt and barley.
Allergy Alert (Netherlands): Albert Heijn recalls AH scharrel smokey kipburger / Smoky free-range chicken burger (All use by dates up to 13/09/2023) due to undeclared mustard.
Allergy Alert (Romania): Nestle România recalls KitKat Pops Peanut & Corn (110g; Lot 30450457; Expiry date 11/2023; Product of Bulgaria) due to undeclared peanuts.
Allergy Alert (UK): Bertie’s Bakery recalls Brioche Buns Pre-sliced (6-pack; All best before dates up to and including 17/09/24) due to undeclared egg.
Food Safety Recall (Austria): HOFER recalls GOOD CHOICE Feinkostsalat, Sorte Nudelsalat / Delicatessen-style pasta salad (400g; Best before 26.09.2023) due to foreign matter contamination (pieces of hard plastic).
Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Mamita’s Bakeries bv recalls three bakery products due to elevated aflatoxin. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Orkla Foods Danmark recalls three chopped vegetable mince products due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal pieces). Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Food Safety Recall (France): SNACKING SERVICES recalls Bien fait brand Sandwich triangle Poulet rôti Tomates marinées / Roast chicken and marinated tomatoes triangle sandwich (160g; Lot 336153; Use by 17/09/2023) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): SCAMARK E.LECLERC recalls ECO+ brand HAUTS DE CUISSE DE POULET JAUNE / Yellow chicken thighs (1 kg; Lot 032292304000; Use by 01/09/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): ARRIVE recalls MAITRE COQ brand HAUTS DE CUISSE DE POULET / Chicken thighs (Lot 032292304000; Use by 01/09/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): ARRIVE recalls MAITRE COQ brand hauts de cuisse de Poulet nourri aux grains de maïs / Corn-fed chicken thighs (Lot 032292304000; Use by 01/09/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): LES FROMAGERS DE TRADITION recalls Hardy affineur – La Mère Richard brand Selles sur Cher AOP fermier / raw goat milk farm-style cheese (Lot 59-216; Best before 27/09/2023) due to E. coli O103:H2 contamination.
Food Safety Recall: (France): CARREFOUR HYPERMARCHES CARREFOUR SAINT MARTIN AU LAERT recalls PATE PIMENT VENDU AU RAYON CHARCUTERIE COUPE DU CARREFOUR SAINT MARTIN AU LAERT / Chili paste sold by the slice at Saint Martin au Laert (Sold between 25/08/2023 and 28/08/2023) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Norway): Nordfjord Kjøtt AS recalls Rå Hamburger Classic frys / Ra hamburger classic, frozen, 800g and Big Beef Burger, 2 x 180g (Batch Nos. 53230629, 85230629, 48230629; Best before 24.03.24 and 25.03.24; Use by 16.07.23) due to shiga toxin-producing E. coli contamination.
Food Safety Recall (UK): Costa recalls several sandwich and wrap products due to possible foreign matter contamination (small stones). Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Australia and New Zealand
Allergy Alert (Australia): Natvia IP Pty Ltd recalls Natvia brand M!lk Baking Chocolate (100g; Best before 13 Aug 2024) due to undeclared milk.
“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News
Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?
Click on the link to listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.
Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.
If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.
TOXIC
From Factory To Food Bowl PET FOOD IS A RISKY BUSINESS
Enjoy the slideshow as you listen to a sample of TOXIC, narrated by the author.
“A complete and compelling account of the hidden and not-so-hidden ways the food we give our beloved pets can be contaminated.” – JoNel Aleccia, Health Reporter, Food & Nutrition, The Associated Press.
Available from all major on-line retailers, including:
Allergy Alert:Day-Lee Foods Inc. recalls RESTAURANT QUALITY AT HOME Crazy Cuizine Chicken POTSTICKERS ASIAN STYLE GYOZA DUMPLINGS WITH DIPPING SAUCE (20 oz; Use by 12 14 2024) due to undeclared milk and eggs.
Public Health Alert: FSIS cautions the public not to consume USDA CHOICE BLACK ANGUS BEEF FROM ALDI, BEEF FOR CARNE PICADA (~1.5-lb. plastic tray packages; Use or Freeze by Aug. 22, 2023; Julian date 206; Time stamp between 08:43 through 09:23) due to possible foreign matter contamination (soft, clear plastic). No recall has been initiated, as the product is no longer available for purchase.
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Europe
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION (Norway): The Norwegian Institute of Public Health is investigating a new outbreak consisting of six confirmed cases of enterohaemorrhagic E. coli illnesses. The outbreak victims range in age from under 5 to 45; two have developed haemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). A seventh possible outbreak case is under investigation. Four of the six confirmed victims live in Trøndelag. The source of the outbreak is currently unknown.
Allergy Alert (UK): Krispy Kreme recalls White Chocolate & Raspberry Summer doughnuts (4-pack; Best before 06 August 2023) due to undeclared peanuts.
Food Safety Recall (France): GAEC DES VERDAIS recalls FERME DES VERDAIS brand RACLETTE DE L ERDRE RACLETTE DE L ERDRE BIO / Organic Raw milk cheese (Sold by the slice; All lots; Best before between 09/08/2023 and 15/09/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): GAEC DES VERDAIS recalls FERME DES VERDAIS brand TOMETTE DES VERDAIS, NATURE, POIVRE, FENUGREC, AIL DES OURS / Plain, pepper, fenugreek, and wild garlic flavours of cheese (400g round, or sold by the slice; All lots; Best before between 09/08/2023 and 15/09/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): Cora recalls Nature Bio brand cuisses de poulet bio / Organic chicken legs (2/pack; Lot 2023086098; Use by 16/07/2023. 17/07/2023, 18/07/2023) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): SILVE INTERMARCHE recalls PATURAGES brand Crème Fleurette entière / Whipping cream (38 cl; Lot 9332325; Use by 26/08/2023) due to potential bacterial contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Germany): Füngers Feinkost GmbH & Co. KG recalls GUT&GÜNSTIG Kartoffelsalat mit Sahne, Ei und eingelegten Gurken / Potato salad with cream, egg and pickled cucumber (400g; Best before 21.08.2023) due to possible foreign matter contamination (pieces of plastic).
Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
Allergy Alert Update (Israel): A. Saiman Trade Ltd. updates its prior recall to include additional varieties and lot codes of Ile de France brand cheese products due to undeclared eggs and nuts. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News
Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?
Click on the link to listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.
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