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Listeria Monocytogenes

February 27, 2012 by · Comments Off on Listeria Monocytogenes 

Listeria Monocytogenes, Listeria monocytogenes, a facultative anaerobe, intracellular bacterium, is the causative agent of listeriosis. It is one of the most virulent foodborne pathogens, with 20 to 30 percent of clinical infections resulting in death. Responsible for approximately 2,500 illnesses and 500 deaths in the United States (U.S.) annually, listeriosis is the leading cause of death among foodborne bacterial pathogens, with fatality rates exceeding even Salmonella and Clostridium botulinum.

L. monocytogenes is a Gram-positive bacterium, in the division Firmicutes, named for Joseph Lister. Motile via flagella at 30°C and below, but usually not at 37°C, L. monocytogenes can instead move within eukaryotic cells by explosive polymerization of actin filaments (known as comet tails or actin rockets).

Studies suggest up to 10% of human gastrointestinal tracts may be colonized by L. monocytogenes.

Nevertheless, clinical diseases due to L. monocytogenes are more frequently recognized by veterinarians, especially as meningoencephalitis in ruminants. See: listeriosis in animals.

Due to its frequent pathogenicity, causing meningitis in newborns (acquired transvaginally), pregnant mothers are often advised not to eat soft cheeses such as Brie, Camembert, feta, and queso blanco fresco, which may be contaminated with and permit growth of L. monocytogenes. It is the third-most-common cause of meningitis in newborns.

More recently, L. monocytogenes has been used as the model organism to illustrate the pathobiotechnology concept.

Kraft Foods Stocks

February 27, 2012 by · Comments Off on Kraft Foods Stocks 

Kraft Foods Stocks, Kraft Foods Inc. (KFT) posted fourth-quarter 2011 operating EPS of 57 cents per share, which was in-line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. However, it went up 23.9% from 47 cents reported in the prior-year quarter.

In fiscal year 2011, Kraft delivered operating EPS of $2.29 per share, in-line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate, while beating the year-ago period by 13.4%.

The results of fourth quarter 2011 exclude the integration program costs of 8 cents per share and spin-off costs of 2 cents per share, while the fiscal 2011 earnings exclude the integration program costs of 28 cents per share and spin-off costs of 2 cents per share. The fourth quarter of 2010 also excludes the integration program costs of 15 cents per share, while the fiscal year 2010 excludes gain from discontinuing operations of 95 cents, acquisition-related expenses and costs of 21 cents, integration program costs of 29 cents and other health care legislation impact of 8 cents per share.

Including the one-time charges, reported earnings were 47 cents per share in the fourth quarter 2011, up 51.6%. However, reported earnings declined 16.7% to $1.99 per share in fiscal 2011.

Management credited the robust sales growth, effective cost management and prudent investments in the company’s iconic brands for strong results in the quarter. Kraft also remained in-line with its long-term growth targets.

Following the strong results, Kraft expects its 2012 operating earnings to grow at least 9%, despite a higher effective tax rate and a 4 percentage point headwind from higher pension costs.

February 2012 Food Recalls

February 27, 2012 by · Comments Off on February 2012 Food Recalls 

February 2012 Food Recalls, The public warning issued on February 24, 2012 has been expanded to include an additional product and distribution information.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and New Food Classics are warning the public not to consume certain Country Morning beef burger product, described below, because the product may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.

The affected product, Country Morning brand Beef Burgers, is sold frozen, in a 2.27 kg package bearing the UPC 057316 086624 and one of the following codes: 12861 EST 761, 22861 EST 761, 32861 EST 761 or 42861 EST 761.

The Country Morning Beef Burgers product has been distributed to Co-op and TGP grocery stores in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Northwest Territories, Yukon and Nunavut.

There has been one reported illness associated with the consumption of this product.

Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these bacteria may cause serious and potentially life-threatening illnesses. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea. Some people may have seizures or strokes and some may need blood transfusions and kidney dialysis. Others may live with permanent kidney damage. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

The manufacturer, New Food Classics, 1122 International Blvd., Suite 601, Burlington, Ontario is voluntarily recalling the affected product from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

For more information, consumers and industry can call one of the following numbers:

New Food Classics at 1-289-398-2009 during business hours, and at 1-647-627-8761 after hours.

CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8)(8:Monday to Friday).

For information on E. coli O157:H7, visit the Food Facts web page at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/cause/ecolie.shtml

For information on all food recalls, visit the CFIA’s Food Recall Report at: http://active.inspection.gc.ca/eng/corp/recarapp_dbe.asp

To find out more about receiving recalls by e-mail, and other food safety facts, visit: www.foodsafety.gc.ca . Food and consumer product recalls are also available at http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca .

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