Campylobacter infection is more often of domestic origin in Finland than previously thought, according to scientists.

To identify sources for domestic Campylobacter infections, researchers analyzed patient data from the Finnish Infectious Disease Register (FIDR) in 2004 to 2021 and outbreak data from the National Food- and Waterborne Outbreak Register (FWO Register) in 2010 to 2021. They also conducted a case-control study involving 256 patients and 756 controls with source attribution and patient sample analysis using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in July and August 2022. 

To target control measures, more detailed information on the sources of Campylobacter infection in Finland is needed, according to the study published in the journal Microorganisms.

Sequencing could improve outbreak detection
In total, 71,716 campylobacteriosis cases were reported to the FIDR during 2004 to 2021, of which 17 percent were domestic, 42 percent were travel-related, and 41 percent were of an unknown origin. Campylobacter jejuni caused the most infections, followed by Campylobacter coli.

Of the domestic patients, 12 died within 30 days of being tested. They ranged in age from 22 to 94. Most travel-related infections originated in Thailand, Spain, and Turkey.

From 2010 to 2021, 31 foodborne and six waterborne outbreaks were reported. In the foodborne outbreaks, 276 people fell ill. Ten were caused by poultry meat such as chicken, duck breast, and pigeon and four by unpasteurized, raw milk.

In the case-control study, more than half of patients with an unknown travel history in the FIDR reported not going abroad. Scientists estimated that two-fifths of all patients could be domestically acquired, indicating that more cases than previously considered, are of domestic origin. They said to identify domestic cases, travel information should be included in the FIDR notification.

Researchers identified 22 clusters and three larger ones had seven to nine cases. None of these clusters were reported to the FWO Register, indicating that many smaller, widespread, or prolonged Campylobacter outbreaks go undetected.

“To improve outbreak detection, we recommend that all domestic Campylobacter patient isolates should be sequenced,” said scientists.

Poultry, especially broiler meat, is an important source of campylobacteriosis in Finland. More extensive sampling and comparison of patient, food, animal, and environmental isolates is needed to estimate the significance of other sources.

Situation in Colombia and Italy
Another study, published in the journal Heliyon, has looked at the prevalence and risk factors of Campylobacter in chicken in Colombia.

Ninety-one samples of fresh chicken carcasses were collected from farmers’ markets and small food stores at seven localities in Bogotá in 2021. Forty-two were positive for Campylobacter.

A higher recovery rate was obtained samples from small stores and Campylobacter jejuni was more predominant than Campylobacter coli among isolates from retail chicken.

Risk factors included poor cleanliness of scales, low frequency of disinfection of utensils, type of establishment, and direct contact of chickens with other food.

“It is important to highlight the need to carry out more studies to determine the general prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in chicken meat intended for human consumption in the country…which will allow the regulatory authorities to establish the necessary measures to reduce a possible impact of this pathogen on public health and also to generate education among consumers for the proper handling and preparation of this food at home,” said researchers.

A separate study provided epidemiological and microbiological data on Campylobacter infections in Italy during 2017 to 2021. Findings were published in the European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.

Data was collected from 19 hospitals in 13 Italian regions. In total, 5,419 isolations of Campylobacter were performed. The most common species was Campylobacter jejuni.

Scientists tested 4,627 isolates for antimicrobial susceptibility. Over the study period, resistance to ciprofloxacin and tetracyclines decreased, while resistance to macrolides remained stable. Resistance to ciprofloxacin and tetracyclines was 75.5 percent and 54.8 percent, respectively. 50 percent of Campylobacter jejuni and coli were resistant to more than two antibiotics. 

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According to scientists, no interventions precisely control Campylobacter on meat.

Several methods have been tested with mixed success. Some showed promise in reducing prevalence in specific stages of production, while others had little to no effect.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) document found effective Campylobacter interventions are still minimal.

The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meeting on Microbial Risk Assessment (JEMRA) previously released a report on measures to control Salmonella in poultry meat.

The final report on Campylobacter is also available in the Microbiological Risk Assessment (MRA) series. Scientists reviewed data on Campylobacter control, including scientific literature published from 2008 to October 2022 and data submitted in response to a call.

JEMRA met in Rome, Italy, in February 2023 in response to a request from the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene. The objectives were identifying and assessing control measures for Campylobacter in the broiler production chain. The scope ranged from the point of chick placement into producing establishments to consumer handling.

Example methods and effectiveness
Primary production interventions discussed included biosecurity, vaccination, bacteriophages, feed and water additives, and probiotics.

Processing measures covered chemical processing aids, physical treatment such as irradiation or freezing meat, and steps such as logistic slaughter and scalding. The post-processing interventions mentioned were thorough cooking and following good hygienic practices.

Steam, ultrasonication, high-intensity light pulse, visible light, and UV-C have shown promise at laboratory or pilot scale, but their impact is unknown at commercial scale.

Experts said biosecurity measures remain the single most effective tool to reduce contamination at all primary production stages and should form the foundation of any intervention strategy.

Currently, no commercial vaccines are readily available for any stage of primary production, but several potential candidates are in the proof-of-concept phase.

Studies have found differences in the effectiveness of chemical processing aids, reporting factors such as initial contamination, amount of organic matter on the bird and carcass, and chemical application conditions responsible for variation in Campylobacter reduction levels.

Defeathering and evisceration during processing are associated with increased carcass contamination prevalence and concentration.

Good hygiene practices and appropriate training of food handlers in commercial kitchens are essential to reduce the risk of cross-contamination between raw meats and finished cooked products. Using proper sanitizing agents and washing procedures for chopping boards, surfaces, and kitchen tools can help reduce the risk of human exposure.

“Employing a combination of processing effects, including physical and/or chemical interventions, can enhance the impact of Campylobacter control measures. It is common to employ a multi-hurdle approach to reduce Campylobacter contamination in chicken processing synergistically,” said the report.

“While interventions to reduce Campylobacter in chicken processing have shown some promise, further research is needed to identify effective interventions that can be implemented on a large scale.”

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— OPINION —

Here is bit(e) of history:

Organic Pastures Dairy Company (OPDC) & Raw Farm LLC – Started OPDC in 2000 – Changed name to Raw Farm LLC in 2020

Organic Pastures Dairy Company Recalls and Outbreaks:

2023 Raw Farm LLC Recalls and Outbreaks:
May 2023 Campylobacter Raw Milk Recall
August 2023 Salmonella Cheese Recall 

October 2023 Salmonella Raw Milk Outbreak and Recall:
San Diego County—12 illnesses 
Orange County—7 illnesses 

Here is the 2023-2024 version – E. coli Outbreak and Recall:

As of February 16, 2024, a total of 10 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli have been reported from four states – California, Utah, Colorado and Texas. Illnesses started on dates ranging from October 18, 2023, to January 29, 2024. Of 9 people with information available, 4 have been hospitalized and 1 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. No deaths have been reported.

Public health investigators are using the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that may be part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS). WGS showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples are closely related genetically. This suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from the same food.

State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 8 people interviewed, 6 (75%) reported eating RAW FARM LLC brand raw cheddar cheese. This percentage was significantly higher than the 4.9% of respondents who reported eating any raw milk cheese in the FoodNet Population Survey—a survey that helps estimate how often people eat various foods linked to diarrheal illness. This difference suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from eating RAW FARM LLC brand raw cheddar cheese.

CDC advises people not to eat, sell, or serve RAW FARM brand raw cheddar cheese while the investigation is ongoing. Recalled Raw Cheddar blocks and shredded cheese products. Sold at retailers nationwide – Original Flavor: all sizes of blocks and shredded packages and Cheddar with added Jalapeño Flavor: all sizes of blocks and shredded packages.

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The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is warning consumers to immediately discard all Conoco View Dairy raw milk sold or dropped off in certain counties because of reports of campylobacter infections.

The unpasteurized, raw milk was sold in Cumberland, Juniata, Perry, Snyder, and York Counties, and delivered direct to homes or drop-off points in Cumberland, Dauphin, Juniata, and Perry Counties. 

The agriculture department ran tests after 11 reports of campylobacteriosis illnesses in December and January and confirmed Campylobacter contamination in the dairy’s products.

While the source of the bacteria is clear, every specific production date could not be pinpointed. All products, including those in consumers’ freezers, should be discarded, according to the outbreak announcement from the state.

People with Campylobacter infections usually have diarrhea which is often bloody, fever, and stomach cramps, and may have nausea and vomiting. Symptoms usually start two to five days after infection and last about one week. Anyone who consumed the milk should consult their physicians if they become ill. 

Information about drinking raw milk can be found on the Centers for Disease Control website.

Conoco View Dairy raw milk was sold in plastic pints, quart, and gallons, as well as glass quarts. Products were sold at the dairy’s retail outlet at 410 Clarks Run Road in Blain, Perry County, and the retail locations listed below. The dairy also delivers their products directly to homes in Dauphin, Perry, and Juniata County and at drop-off points in Harrisburg, Carlisle, Enola, and Mechanicsburg. 

Cumberland County

Maple Lane Farm, Carlisle

Spring Garden Greenhouse Carlisle

Juniata County

Pallet Grocery, McAlisterville

Perry County

Blain Market, Blain

Leids Market, Loysville

Lighthouse Health Foods, Newport

Skyline Bargains, Newport

Snyder County

Whispering Pines Fruit Farm, Mount Pleasant Mills

York County

Castle Creek, 

Dillsburg

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Managing Campylobacter in chicken flocks and their meat is challenging, according to a study looking at surveillance methods in Europe.

Researchers compared the different programs for Campylobacter in broiler production across EU countries to identify the most promising practices to control the pathogen.

Campylobacter infections are often related to eating undercooked poultry meat or its improper handling.

Findings revealed that many countries test neck skin samples for Campylobacter as per the Process Hygiene Criterion (PHC) set in European regulation. Variations are seen in Norway and Iceland, where weekly sampling is performed during peak infection periods only, or in Iceland, where the limit is 500 colony forming units per gram (CFU/g) instead of 1,000 CFU/g.

The PHC limit is 1,000 CFU/g in 15 out of 50 samples. Beginning in January 2025, it will be 1,000 CFU/g in 10 out of 50 samples in all member states.

Reason for decline uncertain
The incidence of campylobacteriosis has declined in all EU countries, except France, since introduction of the PHC in 2018. However, it is unclear whether this is a real reduction or underreporting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It remains uncertain if the tightening of hygiene measures in slaughterhouses have had an impact on the reduction of human incidence rates,” said researchers.

Data comes from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, and Sweden in 2020 and 2021. Efforts are being made by some countries to implement national surveillance in broilers both on farms and at slaughterhouses.

National monitoring, surveillance and control measures for Campylobacter in the broiler meat chain are not harmonized across countries, according to the study, published in the journal Food Control.

Data in neck skin tests show that less than 2 percent of samples in Estonia, Finland, Norway, and Sweden exceeded the 1,000 CFU/g limit in 2020 and 2021. Rates in Denmark and Germany were around 7 percent, they were slightly more in Italy and Portugal but were highest in France at between 27 and 28 percent. The number of samples tested varied with France reporting the most.

Only Nordic countries have national action plans for Campylobacter. Norway and Iceland collect samples on farms. Denmark, Finland, and Sweden take samples at slaughterhouses. In Denmark, the national program has resulted in the reduction of Campylobacter in broiler flocks and meat, but only a small decrease in human infections.

Country differences
In all countries except Finland and Norway, at least three or four chilled neck-skin random samples from broilers belonging to the same flock are collected at the slaughterhouses. In Finland and Norway, neck skin samples are collected prior to chilling.

Iceland and Norway test flocks close to the slaughter date and when a farm tests positive, authorities implement measures such as logistic slaughter (processing infected flocks last), heat treatment or freezing the meat from these flocks. In Iceland, frozen meat is further processed before being put on the market. 

“Sampling before slaughter enables the planning of preventive measures for the upcoming slaughter of Campylobacter-positive broiler flocks, whereas sampling at slaughter provides only retrospective information,” said researchers.

In Sweden, sites slaughtering more than 100,000 broilers yearly must be sampled at least once a week between June and September. In Iceland and Finland, slaughterhouses can reduce sampling to every two weeks if the PHC has been met in the previous year. Between November and May in Finland, the sampling for Campylobacter PHC can be once per month.

“More efforts should be promoted in the future, since campylobacteriosis is still the most commonly reported zoonosis in Europe, while also addressing the interventions in animal species other than poultry, and keeping the consumers informed about the risks of foodborne diseases related to some domestic practices,” said researchers.

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Almost 1,000 people fell ill in a Campylobacter and Sapovirus outbreak in China in 2021, according to a recently released study.

The outbreak involved 996 patients and had two peaks over a 17 day period. Through case-control studies, scientists identified exposure to water from a secondary water supply system as a significant risk factor.

Among 83 patients, 49 samples tested positive for Campylobacter coli, 39 tested positive for human Sapovirus, and 27 were positive for both pathogens.

Details on the first reported outbreak in China with infection by Campylobacter coli and Sapovirus were published in the journal China CDC Weekly.

In July 2021, a hospital in Beijing identified 13 patients with acute gastroenteritis in the same school. Epidemiological investigations later revealed 996 patients, including 958 students and 38 staff members. 

The most common symptoms were abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and fever. A total of 828 questionnaires were completed, including 341 gastroenteritis cases and 487 controls.

Water contamination source
One direct drinking water (DDW) system supplied by a secondary water supply system (WSS-S) was identified in the school building. This DDW system offered unboiled direct drinking water (UDDW) and boiled. The water source for WSS-S is a groundwater source well (WSW) within the campus. One hotel on the same campus also has its own secondary water supply system (WSS-H), which uses the WSW as its water source.

Both WSS-H and WSS-S have separate facilities including a water storage tank, water pump, and pipeline. The WSS-H conducted disinfection using chlorine dioxide and the storage tank and pump were inside the hotel. The water quality from WSS-H was supervised effectively.

However, the water storage tank and pump of WSS-S was not inside the school and lacked effective management. The sewage well was uncovered and did not have protective facilities during rainfall, said researchers.

Based on findings from case-control studies, exposure to unboiled direct drinking water from the contaminated secondary water supply system increased the risk of illness. The nearby garbage station and sewage well were likely sources of contamination.

After a rainstorm, some students reported the water in the school appeared turbid and had an unpleasant odor. After drinking water was replaced with commercially bottled water, the number of patients decreased significantly. 

The antibiotic resistance profile of 17 Campylobacter coli isolates showed co-resistance to nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, streptomycin, and tetracycline.

“Results of aerobic plate counting and coliform detection indicated that the water samples from the WSS-S were of poor quality. But neither Campylobacter coli nor human Sapovirus were identified in the water samples. Waterborne outbreaks often occur on a large scale and involve complex processes of pathogen examination and tracing. This report emphasizes the significance of ensuring the safety of drinking water, particularly in secondary supply systems,” said scientists.

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Santé Publique France has published details on Campylobacter infections in 2022, including 60 outbreaks.

Epidemiological surveillance findings are based on the National Reference Center (CNR) for Campylobacter and Helicobacter and mandatory declaration of outbreaks.

CNR data shows that 9,160 strains were identified as Campylobacter. Campylobacter jejuni was the most frequently identified species at almost 85 percent, followed by Campylobacter coli and Campylobacter fetus. Most strains were isolated from stools, and a few from blood samples.

A seasonal increase in isolations was observed during the summer period with a peak in August. This seasonality was also seen in previous years.

60 outbreaks; many linked to poultry
Age at infection ranged from a few months to 102 years old, with a median of 27 years old. Incidence was highest for the under 1 to 9 year old age group. It was higher in men than in women. This trend was observed in all age groups, except among 20 to 29 year olds.

Infections by Campylobacter fetus were mainly reported in people aged 60 and over, while cases of Campylobacter jejuni were mostly in children and young adults younger than 30.

Information on a trip abroad in the 15 days preceding the onset of illness was specified for 49 percent of patients with 8 percent saying they had been abroad.

Sixty outbreaks were notified to Santé publique France with 321 patients. Nine outbreaks involved more than 10 patients. For 22 incidents, poultry consumption was the incriminated or suspected vehicle of contamination. In 2021, more than 50 outbreaks affecting 178 people were declared.

Resistance to ciprofloxacin, from the fluoroquinolone family, is almost as high for Campylobacter jejuni as for Campylobacter coli. Resistance to erythromycin is at a very low level for Campylobacter jejuni but slightly higher for Campylobacter coli. Resistance to tetracycline is at a very high level for Campylobacter coli. Very few strains were resistant to all five antibiotics tested.

Campylobacter has been increasing since 2013 when online data entry was introduced. Scientists said this could reflect an actual rise in infections or it may be because of other factors such as better detection methods.

At consumer level, the main risk factors for infection are handling fresh meat, cross-contamination of food from surfaces in the kitchen, and eating undercooked meat. Preventive measures are based on good hygiene practices in the kitchen such as handwashing, cleaning surfaces and utensils after handling poultry or raw meat, and cooking poultry, beef, and pork properly.

Focus on Campylobacter fetus
Meanwhile, another study has looked at Campylobacter fetus in eastern France.

The study, published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases, included adult inpatients with a confirmed Campylobacter fetus infection in Nord Franche-Comté Hospital, Trevenans, during January 2000 to December 2021.

Among 991 patients with isolated Campylobacter strains, scientists identified 39 with culture-positive Campylobacter fetus infections, of which 33 had complete records and underwent further analysis; 21 had documented bacteremia and 12 did not.

The highest incidence rate was noted in 2011. Patients with bacteremia were older than those without.

“In summary, we found that Campylobacter fetus bacteremia mainly affects patients who are elderly, are immunocompromised, or have underlying conditions. Infections are associated with high mortality rates, especially if no dual antimicrobial therapy including amoxicillin/clavulanic acid is prescribed,” said researchers.

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According to a report, only one laboratory got a top score as part of a Campylobacter testing exercise, suggesting there is room for improvement.

In 2018, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) commissioned the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to provide an external quality assessment (EQA) scheme for the detection and enumeration of Campylobacter from a simulated matrix representing uncooked chicken.

It was available to 20 laboratories in the UK that provided an accredited test for Campylobacter in foods. At the time, there was no reliable test to identify the pathogen.

The EQA ran from March 2019 to November 2021, due to COVID-19 disruption. A total of 39 samples were sent; 26 for enumerating the levels of Campylobacter, if detected, and 13 for detection of the organism.

An EQA provides labs with an independent external assessment of their performance. Regular participation is part of quality procedures and helps to ensure that results of tests are accurate. It also gives assurance for clients.

The main findings of the assessment

Campylobacter strains chosen to simulate food samples varied and contained common species such as jejuni, lari, and coli. High levels of background organisms were included to simulate the contents of raw chicken.

There was variation in the enumeration results reported, even though all labs claimed the same method was used.

Labs returned an acceptable or questionable result for at least 80 percent of samples examined for enumeration or detection of Campylobacter. This shows that they can undertake testing for pathogens in foods using both methods, according to the report.

One lab contacted UKHSA early in the program as results were consistently outside the expected range. After advice, performance significantly improved with most enumeration-reported results in the expected range. All labs reported some counts outside the expected range; however, the root cause was not investigated.

For the detection part, two labs reported a false negative result for two samples. Two labs recorded a false negative for one sample. One lab also had a false positive result for the one sample that did not contain Campylobacter.

Only one lab reported all their counts within the expected range, getting an overall performance of 100 percent for all the distributions and samples examined. One lab reported a count outside the expected range for four of the 25 enumeration samples analyzed.  

“Regular EQA participation will allow laboratories to keep a check with any changes to operating conditions such as media, staffing levels. Addressing gaps identified through an EQA will help ensure that public health incidents are detected early and managed effectively,” said the report.

Radioactivity in food
Meanwhile, UK authorities have published an annual report with sampling and analysis on levels of radioactive substances in food and the environment.

Monitoring activities are designed or undertaken by the Environment Agency, FSA, Food Standards Scotland, Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

The 2022 report released recently found exposure to the public from all sources of artificial radioactivity in food and the environment was low and within the legal limit of 1 millisievert (mSv) per year. Food and sources of public drinking water that make up a general diet for people were analyzed for radioactivity across the UK. Artificial radionuclides only contribute a small proportion of public radiation in people’s diets.

A monitoring system is in place to detect radioactivity in consignments. No significant radioactivity above screening levels was detected at entry points. In June 2022, EU regulations on Fukushima import controls were removed for England, Scotland, and Wales.

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A raw milk dairy that lost its permit to sell its products in September is being reinstated by the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF).

The permit to sell raw milk is reinstated for the Utah Natural Meat and Milk Dairy in West Jordan, Utah. It lost the co-called “Raw for Retail” permit after its milk samples were found to be contaminated with the Campylobacter bacteria that caused an outbreak.

The outbreak linked 12 confirmed cases of the bacteria found in the milk samples to the Campylobacteria outbreak that sent one person to the hospital.

Raw milk and milk products produced in Utah are subject to monthly sampling and testing by the state. There are 16 licensed farms in the state.

UDAF, however, recognizes that raw milk, no matter how carefully produced, may be unsafe. Individuals who choose to consume raw milk or raw milk products are advised to take these steps to  decrease the chance of raw milk causing food-borne illness:

  • Heat raw milk to 165 degrees F for at least 15 seconds and then cool it before consuming.
  • Keep raw milk and raw milk products refrigerated at or below 40 degrees F; do not let raw milk sit at room temperature.

“Food and consumer safety are our priorities at the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food,” said UDAF Commissioner of Agriculture Craig Buttars. “While we did not take suspending the license of this small farm and business lightly, it was important that we ensure the milk products were safe for consumption. We are grateful for the efforts by the UDAF team and the dairy owners to isolate the cause of the illnesses and ensure the milk is safe to be sold once again.”

Utah Natural Meat and Milk told local media in October that the company remains committed to maintaining high standards and that foodborne illnesses occasionally affect producers, large and small, at some point. “We are grateful for the efforts by the UDAF team as well as the dairy owners to isolate the cause of the illnesses and to ensure the milk is safe to be sold once again,” the dairy spokesman said.

According to public health officials, contaminated raw milk does not smell or look any different from uncontaminated milk, so there is no easy way to tell if the milk is safe to consume.  In Utah, raw milk and milk products can only be sold directly to consumers on the farm. Retail stores sell only pasteurized dairy products. Federal law prohibits the sale of raw milk across state lines because it is considered unsafe.

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A raw milk producer in New Zealand has issued a recall after three people fell sick.

Lindsay Farm HB recalled some batches of its branded organic raw milk as the product may contain Campylobacter.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) said three associated illnesses had been reported. The agency advised people who had consumed any of the implicated products and had concerns about their health to seek medical advice.

Raw, or unpasteurized, drinking milk was sold in a plastic 2-liter bottle. Affected items have lot numbers 2310, 2410, 2510, 2610, 2710, 2810, 2910, 3010, 3110, 0111, and 0211. Use-by dates range from Oct. 27 to Nov. 5, 2023. It was sold in the Hawke’s Bay region via home deliveries and several registered depots.

MPI urged anyone who had purchased the affected product not to consume it and to return it to the retailer for a refund. It can be consumed after heating to 70 degrees C (158 degrees F) and held at this temperature for one minute.

From 2019 to mid-2023, 10 outbreaks in New Zealand were associated with people drinking raw milk.

In 2022, Lindsay Farm was fined for not following rules around the sale and supply of raw milk. The company said it didn’t initially sign up for the raw milk legislation because of restrictions around distribution. A Campylobacter outbreak was linked to milk from the company in August 2020. After this, they registered under the regulations.

Annual report highlights
MPI has also published its annual report for 2022 to 2023. Overall, 156 food recalls were managed by New Zealand Food Safety in 2022/23.

Two significant incidents were Hepatitis A in frozen berries and Salmonella in tahini. Between June 2022 and July 2023, there was a Hepatitis A outbreak with 39 confirmed cases due to people eating frozen berries. There was a link between cases and frozen berries from Serbia.

In February and June 2023, Salmonella was detected in products containing tahini imported from Turkey and Jordan. New Zealand Food Safety supported 13 businesses in taking consumer-level recalls. Fifty-four products containing tahini were removed from distribution and consumers’ homes. No salmonellosis cases were confirmed connected to the incident. New Zealand plans to strengthen controls and oversight for companies importing crushed sesame seed-based products.

New Zealand is also trying to reduce the rate of foodborne campylobacteriosis per 100,000 people. The target is a 20 percent reduction from 87 to 69 per 100,000 people annually by 2026. The notification rate for 2022 was 81 cases per 100,000 people.

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