Listeria monocytogenes found in local cold cuts
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| Newsletter no.: NFD/M/16/09/81 |
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Chemlab HK Newsletter Highlight –
Listeria monocytogenes found in local cold cuts
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| Dear [FIRSTNAME], |
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| Who doesn’t want to sink their teeth into a juicy salami sub or a fresh beef pastrami sandwich from the local deli on a hot summer day? Danger, however, might be lurking close by – indeed, danger with a capital D might well be sandwiched between the tomato and the lettuce in the sub you’ve just devoured. |
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| The Hong Kong Center for Food Safety has recently discovered the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, a highly virulent strain of bacteria, in a number of prepackaged cold cut samples from a local supermarket in Quarry Bay. Perhaps its convoluted name belies its true toxicity, but in reality the bacteria is fatal in 20-30% of all clinical infections. It is the third-leading cause of death on a global scale among foodborne pathogens. Listeria preys particularly on pregnant mothers, the young, the elderly and those with a compromised immune system. |
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| It also sadistically targets the places which hit us hardest, such as the brain, spinal cord membranes and the bloodstream of the host; infections of these areas rapidly cause loss of consciousness and altered sensory and mental capabilities. |
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The nightmare typically begins about twelve hours after you eat that sandwich. Women who are infected during pregnancy typically experience these threatening symptoms:
• Fever
• Muscle pain
• Sepsis and meningitis, which could lead to confusion, altered consciousness, paralysis and ultimately death.
The infant has it even worse.
• Spontaneous abortion
• Stillbirth
• Premature birth
• Physically retarded prognosis upon birth.
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| Do not, however, rest on your laurels if you are not pregnant (you might well be and you just don’t know about it yet, but let’s not explore that possibility). Listeria thrives in the cool temperatures of the typical industrial refrigerator, and because cold cuts are typically not cooked or heated before being eaten by a hungry human, the presence of Listeria in these foods are especially dangerous. Even for people other than pregnant women, symptoms can include confusion, loss of balance, convulsions and paralysis.
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| Imagine your thriving deli, catering or supermarket business crumbling because one of your suppliers was careless. You would automatically be breaching CFS guideline in Hong Kong Food Regulations, not to mention potential lawsuits which could bring your business down to your feet overnight, a large scale product recall will be mandated. |
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| Worried that your business might be affected? Chemical Laboratory HK (Chemlab) offers HOKLAS-accredited testing services for the |
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| detection of Listeria monocytogenes in samples of your food. So, you should be able to expect a test report detailing recommended actions to take very soon. |
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| Below table showing the CFS guideline regarding the acceptance limit for Listeria monocytogenes in RTE food for your quick reference.
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| Microbial testing |
Standard (maximum permitted level) |
| For refrigerated food (excluding frozen food) or food intended for infants |
Not detected in 25g |
| For other ready-to-eat food |
< 100 cfu/g |
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References:
http://www.fehd.gov.hk/english/news/details/20160419_0634.html
http://www.sochinf.cl/documentos/infectologia/listeria.pdf
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to get more information about food safety and our testing services. |
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| Thanks for choosing US |
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| Chemical Laboratory or CHEMLAB in short, is a member of the KAM Holdings Group of Companies - a group specializing in many aspects of scientific and technological services in this part of the world. To know more about us, please click here or visit www.chemlabgroup.com. |
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May Leung
Business Development and Quality Manager
Tel：(852) 2606 7178 Mob：(852) 9106 6761
Fax：(852) 2310 2990 Email : may.leung@chemlab.hk
Address: Room 2001-2, 20/F, Trendy Centre, 682-684 Castle Peak Road, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong
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regulations. It is not intended to constitute consulting or professional advice. Chemlab HK does not warrant that
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