Current or recent product recalls
The following information is provided by Food Stanadrds AustraliaNew Zealand, and is included here with permission.
Please find below information on a recent Australian consumer level food recall. This information is also available on our website at www.foodstandards.gov.au
Spring Bay Seafoods Pty Ltd (Marine bioxtin contamination – PST)
Spring Bay Seafoods Pty Ltd has recalled four blue mussels products from Coles and other retail outlets in VIC, QLD, NSW, TAS, SA, ACT due to naturally occurring marine biotoxin Paralytic Shellfish Toxin (PST). Food products contaminated with Paralytic Shellfish Toxin (PST) may cause illness if consumed. Children and people with weakened immune systems may be more susceptible.
Date notified to FSANZ – 2 November 2012
Food type – Live and cooked blue mussels
Product name
- Spring Bay Live Blue Mussels (vacuum plastic packed) 500g and 1Kg- Use by dates between 31 October 2012 10 November 2012
- Spring Bay Live Blue Mussels (net bag packed) 1 Kg and 2 Kg – Use by dates between 29 October 2012 – 06 November 2012
- Spring Bay Live Blue Mussels (Bulk packed to be sold loose) 10Kg and 15 Kg -Packed on dates between 22 October 2012 – 31 October 2012
- Coles Cooked Tasmanian Mussels with cream white wine 500g – 12 November 2012
Package description & size – Various- see above
Date marking – Various-see above
Country of origin – Australia
Reason for recall – Presence of naturally occurring marine toxin- paralytic shellfish toxin (PST)
Distribution – Available at retail outlets including Coles in VIC, QLD, NSW, TAS, SA, ACT
Consumer advice – Food products contaminated with Paralytic Shellfish Toxin may cause illness if consumed. Children and people with weakened immune systems may be more susceptible. Customers should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund
Contact – Spring Bay Seafoods Pty Ltd -03 6257 3614
Woolworths Homebrand Choc Eclairs (Undeclared allergens – peanut and gluten)
Woolworths Ltd has recalled Homebrand Choc Eclairs from Woolworths, Safeway, Food for Less and Flemings supermarkets nationally due to undeclared allergens (peanut and gluten). Consumers with a peanut and or gluten intolerance or allergy should not consume this product and should return it to the nearest Woolworths, Safeway, Food for Less or Flemings supermarket for a full refund.
Date notified to FSANZ – 6 November 2012
Food type – Confectionery
Product name – Woolworths Homebrand Choc Eclairs
Package description & size – 300g – Individually wrapped Eclairs in blue and gold wrapping sold in white plastic packaging with a clear window on the front.
Date marking – All best before dates currently in the marketplace
Country of origin – China
Reason for recall – Undeclared allergens (peanut and gluten)
Distribution -Nationally at Woolworths, Safeway, Food for Less and Flemings supermarkets
Consumer advice – Consumers with a peanut and or gluten intolerance or allergy should not consume this product as it may cause a reaction. Customers should return it to the nearest Woolworths, Safeway, Food for Less or Flemings supermarket for a full refund.
Contact – Woolworths Toll Free Customer Service number 1800 103 515
- Published in News
Foot and Mouth Diease is major food security issue
Foot and Mouth (FMD) is a disease that causes the loss of significant numbers of livestock, especially cattle. Although posing no food safety risks, it is probably one of the major threats to Australia’s food security.
The animals with the disease must be killed and the carcases destroyed, and this creates a major reduction in the available meat amongst other issues. The increased price of meat is just one of the flow on effects from a FMD outbreak. An outbreak will also result in the loss of export dollars as customers overseas stop buying Australian livestock.
Australia has a very well founded reputation for being very tough in terms of FMD control and prevention, and we have very few outbreaks as a result. However, if the eye is taken off the ball, or investment reduced, this reputation could easily be destroyed and it would take some time to regain it.
A forum was recently held in Sydney to review where we are in terms of the long term preventing, managing and controlling an FMD outbreak. Attending were representatives of all the stakeholders, including; governments, industry, livestock producers, and scientists, as well as a representative of one of the major supermarkets.
Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Mark Schipp said “The FMD Forum, hosted by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), marks the first time we have seen a truly national approach to addressing the threat of FMD. Constant vigilance and awareness about the risks, and determination to protect the livestock industry is the only way to ensure we do not suffer dire economic consequences. Last year, the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) estimated that an outbreak of FMD could cost the Australian economy billions of dollars. Over a ten year period following an outbreak there would be severe direct economic losses to the livestock and meat processing sector. These losses ranged from $7.1 billion for a small three month outbreak, to $16.0 billion for a large 12 month outbreak (expressed in current dollar terms). It was only a decade ago that an outbreak of FMD in the United Kingdom cost their economy the equivalent of AUD$19 billion, and it was only last year that South Korea experienced multi-billion dollar losses from this disease.”
The forum recognised that it is only by all stakeholders, and especially governments, working together can the long term prevention and management of FMD be achieved. It discussed such issues as; vaccination, scanning, strategic intelligence and strengthening emergency response capabilities.
One of the outcomes was the agreement to basically run a test exercise to determine the effectiveness of current arrangements and the subsequent ongoing testing.
- Published in News
Award Season?
It seems to be the season for awards and award dinners in the food industry.
Recently the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) presented it’s annual awards. There have also been a few top restaurant awards being presented lately as well.
Australia’s leading convenience retailer, 7-Eleven, scooped the pool at the AACS awards, with a store that has been operating for only six years tying for the Major Retail Franchised Store of the Year award. The 7-Eleven Mickleham Road Tullamarine jointly won the award for the outstanding customer service and impeccable store.
The second major award to 7-Eleven was the Major Retailer Head Office of the Year. This was awarded after reviewing the results of supplier surveys. It shows that food suppliers are really pleased with their relationships with this Franchise operation.
This award reinforces the importance of building and keeping strong relationships with suppliers. It is a key part of the sustainability of a business.
A District Manager at 7-Eleven, Lilian Mikhail, will now be the Australian representative at the Global Convenience Industry Achievement Awards in Las Vega in October. She won the Peter Jowett Industry Award for the retailer category.
- Published in News
Warning and advice on mussels and possible biotoxin contamination
The following is a media release from Food Standards Australia New Zealand and is included here with permission.
2 November 2012
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) today urged consumers to check their fridges for recalled mussels that may be contaminated with a naturally occurring marine biotoxin (paralytic shellfish toxin).
The presence of a paralytic shellfish toxin arising from a naturally-occurring algal bloom in Tasmania has forced the closure of Spring Bay Seafood’s shellfish farm and the business has initiated a recall of its mussels from the market.
The products recalled are branded Spring Bay live blue mussels (with use by dates of between 22 October 2012 – 10 November 2012) and Coles Cooked Tasmanian mussels (use by date 12 November 2012) have been supplied by Spring Bay Seafoods Tasmania and have been distributed to TAS, VIC, NSW, ACT, SA, QLD and some Asian countries.
The affected mussels were supplied in shell and supplied in the quantities of 500g and 1kg vacuumed packed bags (Spring bay seafood), 500g (Coles branded – the tomato and herb-based sauce and cream white wine sauce varieties) and 1kg and 2kg net bags (Spring bay seafood). They may also be supplied loose in shell/ per kg.
FSANZ Chief Executive Officer, Steve McCutcheon, said consumers should check the brand of mussels in their fridge and if the product has been recalled they should either dispose of any remaining product or return packets to the place of purchase for a full refund. If consumers have mussels in their fridge and are unsure of the source then they should consider disposing of the product.
No cases of illness linked to the recalled products have been reported.
Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning generally appear 10 to 30 minutes after ingestion and may include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and tingling or burning mouth and extremities. Children and people with weakened immune systems may be more susceptible to the toxins affects.
If you think you or your family might have become ill from eating affected shellfish, you should consult your doctor.
More information
Media contact: 0401 714 265 (Australia) or +61 401 714 265 (from New Zealand)
- Published in News
So what is happening with fast food?
Australia and Canada have more in common than simply being two of the largest countries in the Commonwealth, they also have similar tastes and cultures. Therefore studies done about the food industry in Canada are of significant interest to those in our food industry, particularly in the fast food sector.
A specific part of that sector is what is known as Limited Service Restaurants(LSRs). These are the food businesses where customers / patrons order and pay for their food at the register or counter.
The well known fast food chains are part of this group, as are the local fish and chip shop and “fast casual” restaurants.
A recent report released in Canada, the Technomic’s Top 200 Canadian Chain Restaurant Report, has shown that in 2011 the LSRs make up 85 percent of the Top 200 in terms of sales, this amounts to $19.6billion.
This makes these fast restaurants the driving force in this food industry sector. If this also applies to Australia, we are seeing a major growth of the chains.
You only have to look at the advertising seen on our TVs and other locations to see that the chains are continuously finding new ways to encourage us to buy. The menus are becoming more upmarket or even a little gourmet, whilst the ambience is also improving. The prices are being kept affordable and the service has to be fast.
There was a time when you would go into a chain and just take the food that was already cooked, whereas now more and more food is being made to order. This is essentially about reducing wastage but is seen by customers as being done “just for them”.
The Executive Vice President at Technomic Information Services, Darren Tristano, says; “Most of the “hot concepts” have broad consumer appeal. Consumers are seeking out locations that offer something unique, which is often delivered through fresh, better quality ingredients, a contemporary décor and ambiance, and interactive service formats,”
It is important to remember there is a difference between fast food and fast casual businesses; the first is about convenience and value, whereas the second is food being distinct and in a pleasant environment.
The problem is that the line between them is becoming less obvious, as both aim to be fast whilst providing higher quality healthier food and pleasant environments.
The Technomic report shows that;
– Breakfast is increasing becoming an important part of the day for these businesses with significant increase in sales since 2009
– 30 percent of consumers visit fast-casual restaurants at least once a week, nearly twice as many (59 percent) patronize fast-food concepts weekly
– Lunch is the best time of the day for this sector
– Eating healthy is the movement, including meals for kids
– People are looking for new flavours
- Published in News
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