Pig World » Food Safety

Daylesford ham recalled after listeria found

Chloe Ryan — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 08:16:28 +0000

Daylesford is recalling Rosemary & Thyme Roast Ham and Smoked Black Ham because Listeria monocytogenes has been found in the products.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said all pack sizes with use by dates between July 20 and 25 were being recalled.

Problems were detected during routine weekly laboratory analysis of ham production. A spokesperson for Daylesford said that recalling the product had been a ‘precautionary measure’ and that all further tests had come back clear.

Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling these products and consumers are advised to return the ham for a refund.

Symptoms caused by the organism are similar to flu, including: high temperature, muscle ache or pain, chills, feeling or being sick and diarrhoea. In rare, more severe cases, it can cause meningitis.

Individuals with weaker immune systems, aged 65 or over, pregnant women and babies who are less then one month old, are at increased risk.

Daylesford have confirmed that no other hams were affected.

Test for pork developed by US firm

Chloe Ryan — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 08:39:12 +0000

A US firm has developed the quickest and easiest test available to detect raw pork in meat and environmental samples. In the wake of Horsegate, demand for accurate testing has risen.

Neogen’s new Reveal for Pork test provides accurate results in just five minutes after extraction. The new test can detect as little as 0.5% raw pork in meat samples, and has also been validated for use with environmental swabs and rinse water samples, the firm said.

“To ensure consumer confidence, the food industry continues to strengthen its food safety management systems. There is a need for a quick and easy test to help prevent the accidental or deliberate inclusion of pork in other raw processed meats, and to validate cleaning following product changeovers,” said Neogen Europe’s Steve Chambers. “In just minutes, with minimal equipment, a company can assure its consumers that its products are safe and wholesome — and properly labelled.”

The new test for pork follows Neogen’s very easy Reveal format, which utilises lateral flow test strips to produce easy-to-interpret results.

In both internal and independent testing, Reveal for Pork has been shown to accurately detect raw pork. The test does not produce false positive results if the sample contained only meat from non-target species, such as beef, horse, poultry or sheep.

Neogen’s full line of meat speciation products also includes BioKits tests for species identification, which provide sensitive and specific qualitative detection of a range of animal species. BioKits tests are available for cooked pork, beef, poultry and sheep, and for raw cow, pig, sheep, poultry and horse species.

Neogen Corporation develops and markets products dedicated to food and animal safety. The company’s Food Safety Division markets dehydrated culture media and diagnostic test kits to detect foodborne bacteria, natural toxins, food allergens, drug residues, plant diseases and sanitation concerns. Neogen’s Animal Safety Division is a leader in the development of animal genomics along with the manufacturing and distribution of a variety of animal healthcare products, including diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, veterinary instruments, wound care and disinfectants.

60 countries at risk from tainted Brazilian imports, new data shows

Alistair Driver — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 07:57:38 +0000

Sixty countries, including the US, Canada and some EU nations, are at risk of importing meat from the companies at the centre of the Brazilian meat scandal, new data shows.

The scandal, coming just a few years after horsemeat scandal, has again highlighted the need for greater transparency in the supply chain, according to an environmental campaign organisation that compiled the data.

This is highlighted by the fact that 12 countries that did not even import meat from the affected companies imposed bans on meat from Brazil.

The Brazilian meat scandal, known as ‘Carne Fraca’, erupted in March when an investigation uncovered tainted meat, bribery and other malpractice in the multi-billion dollar meat industry. Some of the biggest meat exporting companies in the world were accused of various unhygienic practices, including use of illegal acid and carcinogenic chemicals to treat products.

Brazilian police announced they were investigating 21 beef, pork, and chicken processing plants out of thousands. The investigation resulted in numerous arrests, the suspension of meat inspectors and plant closures and prompted trade restrictions around the world.

Some countries, including China, imposed total bans on Brazilian meat imports, with many more, including the EU, imposing partial bans on meat from the affected companies.

Until now there has been little or no information made available about how many or which countries could have imported products tainted with masking agents or repackaged after passing its sell-by date.

Three firms under investigation for tainted meat exported chicken, pork, or beef – Seara Alimentos, BRF, and Central de Carnes Paranaense.

Using official customs data and business registries from the Brazilian government, a campaign body called Trase (Transparency for Sustainable Economies), in collaboration with Brazilian organization Imaflora, determined that meat supplied by these three firms was shipped to 60 countries in 2016.

Trase researchers used Brazilian customs data to show that these companies shipped over $152.6 million worth of meat in 2016 to Japan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and China alone, and smaller amounts to countries such as the USA, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Singapore. The overall annual value of these companies’ meat exports in 2016 was just under $250m.

The Trase initiative investigation suggested that 12 countries banned meat entirely from Brazil, or from specific facilities, although they did not receive any meat in 2016 from the three companies caught tainting meat. Those countries included Egypt, South Korea, Vietnam, and Panama.

The scandal has led to calls from UK farming organisations for the Government to ensure any new trade deals forged post-Brexit do not pave the way for cheaper lower standard imports from countries like Brazil.

Trase was launched in November 2016, led by the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) and the Oxford-based Global Canopy Programme (GCP) to raise awareness of the environmental and social impacts linked to supply chains. One of its central aims is to help producer countries, importing countries and the private sector meet their deforestation commitments by enabling them to check if products from illegally deforested land are being processed and exported.

Dr Sarah Lake, head of GCP’s supply chains programme, said: “The Brazilian scandal has demonstrated the need for increased transparency in the global food supply chain, so governments and consumers can take action only against companies involved in illegal activities.

“Thanks to previous, well-established trading patterns, it is possible to identify where tainted meat may have gone.”

Marina Piatto, manager of the Climate and Agriculture Supply Chain Initiative at Imaflora, said: “Of course, consumers and officials in consumer countries will be concerned, but blanket bans are not necessarily the appropriate response in such a situation. Responses to the sort of misconduct exposed in Brazil should be robust, but should also be based on reliable information.”

Sausages recalled after warning over plastic contamination

Chloe Ryan — Fri, 24 Mar 2017 09:45:58 +0000

Sausages manufactured by Welsh butchery firm Douglas Willis are among the meat products being recalled as a precaution because of a warning they may contain small pieces of hard plastic.

The pork products – pork & leek, and pork thick sausage – are among other meats, such as burgers and venison sausages that were packed on 20 March with a use by date of 29 March.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued a recall and said the “products may contain small pieces of hard plastic which could represent a safety risk.”

Advice to customers is the products should not be eaten but should be returned to the store from where they were bought for a full refund.

Douglas Willis said point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores selling these products. These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product.

Calls for ban on Brazilian meat imports in wake of rotten meat scandal

Chloe Ryan — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 15:28:42 +0000

Farming representative have called for a European ban on all Brazilian meat, following revelations several major processors exported spoiled meat.

The Ulster Farmers’ Union said the decision by the European Commission to banning imports only from the Brazilian companies allegedly involved did not go far enough, and all Brazilian meat should be banned as a precaution.

“Recent reports from Brazil about major meat processors allegedly having exported spoiled meat are deeply worrying,” said UFU President Barclay Bell. “The fact that some of this meat may have been treated with uncertified chemicals and that these companies have reportedly bribed Brazilian officials to secure hygiene certificates is a very disturbing situation.”

The UFU president said it was vital consumers were not put at risk by cheap imports from countries that cannot meet strict EU requirements and that Brussels must not accept any level of non-compliance. “This is particularly important as we move towards exiting the EU, with the government seeking new global trade deals. Farmers in the UK produce food to world-leading standards for animal welfare, traceability, food safety and protection of the environment. These must be prioritised in future trade deals,” said Bell.

The NFU in Scotland said the scandal was a reminder that countries with lower food production standards must not be given unfettered access to the UK market, particularly as Brexit negotiations move forward.

NFU Scotland President Andrew McCornick commented: “The fact that the world’s largest red meat exporter is home to this scandal is a reminder that the best way for consumers to ensure they are buying fresh, quality, and tasty food is to buy food from Scotland which is clearly labelled as Scottish.

“Our farmers work hard to meet high quality production standards, and our supply chains are fully traceable. It is important that food is not being imported into our market that is not produced at standards that are equivalent to, or better than, our own.

“Looking forward to Brexit, Scottish farmers and crofters need reassurances from the UK Government that it will not negotiate trade deals which trade away our high standards of production and welfare and we will remind them of this at every opportunity.”

Brazil’s rotten meat allegations underline importance of UK trade deals

Chloe Ryan — Tue, 21 Mar 2017 09:29:44 +0000

The NFU has highlighted the importance of securing trade deals which uphold the high standards of British food production amid allegations that Brazil’s biggest meat processors have been selling rotten beef and poultry for years.

The NFU says that Britain has one of the safest and most traceable food systems of any country in the world. Post-Brexit, it says, it is vital that trade deals which involve importing food products from other countries, such as Brazil, do not undermine this.

NFU President Meurig Raymond said: “Trade is an incredibly important issue for the future of British food in this country and for the people who produce it.

“News that the world’s largest red meat exporter could be involved in exporting rotten meat shows how important it is to have a secure and safe source of food in the UK.

“We have some of the highest animal welfare and environmental standards in the world. Food produced in this country is traceable and how it’s produced is independently audited by assured schemes like the Red Tractor.

“Trade agreements with countries across the globe must be balanced – with the same conditions applying to food imports and exports. Protecting the standards adhered to by British farmers and the transparency across the supply chain is essential for the public who want to buy safe and traceable food.

“Independent surveys show that 86% of shoppers want to buy more British food. This demand can be met by Britain’s farmers. But any trade deal entered into post-Brexit must ensure farming can be profitable, competitive and productive.”

Vets association welcomes FSA’s conclusions on MRSA risk to meat-eaters

Alistair Driver — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 09:48:29 +0000

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has welcomed the results of a Food Standards Agency (FSA) study, showing the risk to consumers of contracting antibiotic-resistant infections through handing and eating meat was low.

The FSA risk assessment on MRSA and LA-MRSA looked at the risks associated with the preparation, handling and consumption of foodstuffs in the UK which may be contaminated with MRSA, in particular LA-MRSA. The assessment concluded that by following the FSA’s advice to practise good food and kitchen hygiene and to cook meat thoroughly, including washing hands and kitchen equipment after touching raw meat, the risk to humans was very low.

John Fishwick, Junior Vice President of the British Veterinary Association, said: “The outcome of this risk assessment is very positive news and we would encourage everyone to follow the FSA’s advice around food hygiene when storing, preparing and handling meat. These results also demonstrate the importance of vets in every step of the process, from farm to fork, to prevent disease and ensure good animal health and welfare.

“LA-MRSA is a resistant bacterium which has been identified in livestock in various countries throughout the world, although cases are rare in UK herds. However, it’s vital we don’t become complacent. It is highly important that vets continue to lead the way in encouraging the responsible use of antibiotics, to ensure valuable antimicrobials remain effective and that diseases and infections can be efficiently treated.

“BVA will continue to promote the responsible use of antimicrobials. These drugs are crucial for the maintenance of animal health and there are many innovative and important developments happening in the poultry, pig and other sectors to promote good practice for antibiotic use and explore alternative measures. We are also working closely with RUMA to further this message. It is only through using these drugs responsibly, alongside good biosecurity, that disease such as MRSA can remain uncommon in UK herds.”

UK meat is safe and that’s official says FSA

PW Reporters — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 17:04:20 +0000

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has sought to reassure consumers that the meat they eat is safe, despite recent media reports focusing on “contaminated meat” entering the food chain.

Stating that such reports “do not give the complete picture” of how the food chain actually works, FSA has reported that its Meat Hygiene Inspectors and Official Veterinarians inspect every red meat and poultry carcase for visible contamination and that 99.57% of them pass the test.

FSA then added that the remaining 0.43% is rejected and passed back to the food business, backed by action to rectify any problems that are found.

“This is the work that our staff do day in, day out, 365 days a year,” said FSA. “If it doesn’t pass, then it does not get a health mark and it does not enter the human food chain.

“Hygiene failures are not tolerated by the FSA, and we take robust enforcement action to ensure food businesses improve their procedures to prevent meat becoming contaminated in the first place.

“Ultimately if standards are not improving or the risk to public health is high enough, we take enforcement action up to and including taking away a premises’ approval to operate.”

The agency also said it has no plans to do away with real time meat inspection as it remains a crucial and integral part of the way in which it effectively administers the legal system of controls to assure the public that meat production complies with hygiene and animal welfare controls.

“We remain committed to exploring ways in which we can administer the system of controls in the most effective manner while maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and welfare,” said FSA, adding that any changes will only be made through collaboration and consultation with those affected.

“Ensuring that food is safe will always be at the heart of everything we do.”

FSA awards £43.4m meat controls contract to Eville & Jones

PW Reporters — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 06:43:54 +0000

Leeds-based Eville & Jones has secured a two-year tender valued at £43.4 million to supply Official Meat Control services in meat plants throughout England and Wales.

The contract, which is awarded by the Food Standards Agency, involves providing official veterinarians and meat hygiene inspectors, to ensure safe meat and protect animal welfare under EU and domestic regulations.

Eville & Jones says it is the leading provider of out-sourced official veterinary controls throughout Europe with its staff delivering audit, verification and enforcement services in relation to animal health, public health and animal welfare.

The tendered service will begin on March 27.

Investigation called for after pork found in beef lasagne

PW Reporters — Wed, 11 Jan 2017 09:02:09 +0000

The restaurant chain Whitbread has apologised after it emerged some of its restaurants have been adding pork to lasagne dishes, without telling customers, it is reported on the NPA website.

Quoting a report from the Sun newspaper, it is stated that Whitbread brands Brewers Fayre, Table Table and Whitbread Inn have been serving the lasagne to nearly 250,000 customers for three months in a cost-cutting move.

It is also claimed that 13 Whitbread Inns and 86 Table Table restaurants still describe the dish in question as ‘beef lasagne’, even though the description on the packaging shows the meal includes a ‘beef and pork ragu’ while the ingredients confirm it contains 8.5% beef and 4.5% pork.

Professor Chris Elliott (pictured above), director of the Institute for Global Food Security in Belfast and author of the review of the horsemeat scandal, said he was “absolutely horrified” by the situation, which he went on to describe as a “deception”.

“Having undeclared meat in food has echoes of the horsemeat scandal,” he added. “There will need to be an investigation.”

See full NPA report