US: Unilever issues allergy alert over mislabelled product
4 October 2006 Source: just-food.com
In cooperation with the FDA, Unilever has announced the voluntary recall of its Knorr – Lipton Pasta Sides Chicken-Fettuccini in a Savory Chicken Flavored Sauce because it may contain undeclared milk.
The affected product is packaged in 4.3 oz pouches marked with “UPC # 4100002246” on the bottom right-hand side of the back of the pouch, and Best If Used By dates of SEP11 2007, SEP12 2007, SEP13 2007, SEP14 2007 or SEP20 2007.
The company warned that consumption of the product could represent a health risk for people with an allergy or sensitivity to milk. The affected product was distributed throughout the US, and reached consumers through retail stores, club stores and dollar stores. One adverse reaction has been reported to date.
Unilever initiated the recall after it received a consumer complaint and it was discovered that the product contained milk but was being distributed in packaging that did include milk on the ingredient list on the label. Subsequent investigation is ongoing, Unilever said.

Trust confirms 49 superbug deaths

C difficile causes severe diarrhoeaAt least 49 people have died after catching a superbug at three hospitals in Leicester in the past eight months, an NHS trust has confirmed.
A spokesman for University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust said the coroner was investigating a further 29 cases.
The superbug Clostridium difficile (C-diff) is a common cause of diarrhoea although one in every 33 adults carries it without side-effects.
The trust has already set up a task force to fight the infection.
The trust said 28 patients had died after catching the superbug and in 21 other cases it was found that C Diff was present but another disease may have been the primary cause of death.

Bluetongue virus found in 4 Member States – Commission takes action
The Bluetongue virus was discovered in cattle and sheep in four Member States during August. An outbreak was confirmed in the Netherlands on 18 August and in parts of Belgium and Germany close to the border with the Netherlands on 21 August. A further outbreak was discovered in the French Ardennes region on 31 August.
Measures
The authorities in the four countries have stopped all trade of live ruminants (hoofed animals) and their live products within a 20 km zone around the outbreaks. This is in line with EU Directive 2000/75/EC laying down specific provisions for the control and eradication of bluetongue.
On 21 August, a Commission Decision on protection measures was backed by Member State veterinary experts in the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health. A 150 km surveillance zone was formally defined - covering most of the Netherlands and Belgium, all of Luxembourg and areas in the German Lander of North Rhine Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland and Hessen. Ruminants and their live products produced after 1 May 2006, cannot be moved out of the listed areas.
Virus identified
The European Commission was informed by the Community Reference Laboratory for Bluetongue in Pirbright (UK) on 28 August that the virus responsible for the recent outbreak was virus serotype 8. This strain of virus has never been reported in Europe before. First results suggest that virus serotype 8 is of a sub-Saharan lineage, although the precise origin and how it came to Europe is not yet known.
Bluetongue is an insect-borne viral disease which affects domestic and wild ruminants. It does not affect humans and there is no risk of the disease being contracted or spread through meat or milk. Bluetongue disease in sheep is characterised by a fever that may last several days. The virus can lead to reddening and swelling of the lips, mouth, nose and eyelids.

Further information:
http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/diseases/controlmeasures/bluetongue_en.htm

Food Safety
20th and 21st September saw our RIPH Intermediate HACCP training course running. The course was held at the Livingston Training Center and had delegates from 3 different companies. Learning outcomes appear to have been fulfilled with comments made including:-
'Increased theoretical knowledge'; 'clear understanding of HACCP'; 'understand procedures in HACCP'. Other comments included:-
'Well structured + paced'; 'Thorough and effective'.
The next Intermediate course will be running in November with the dates yet to be set.
Other courses include REHIS Introductory HACCP, REHIS Food Hygiene, Internal auditing, Food Microbiology and BRC awareness.
Contact us on perry@outsourcesolution.co.uk or visit or web site at www.outsourcesolution.co.uk where you will find a feed back form.

Food Safety
28th September sees Outsource Solution Ltd joining with the Scottish Association of Master Bakers in delivering an Internal Auditing Course. The course is based on the requirements of the BRC Global Standard Food Issue 4. The venue is the new SAMB training facillity within the new build Matheisons factory. The course, at the last count, will provide training for 12 delegates and demonstrates the industries commitment to training and the support that SAMB delivers. Outsource Solution provides both certifcated established training courses as well as originating relevant training courses which add value and competance to delegates and their businesses.

31st October is the date set for the Food Microbiology Course and the next RIPH Intermediate HACCP course will be running in early November.

For more information, please email perry@outsourcesolution.co.uk or visit our web site at www.outsourcesolution.co.uk where you can find additional information and a feed back form.