Latest news with #foodsafety
BBC News
4 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Derby indoor play centre equipment was 'sanitised once a month'
Equipment at an indoor play area in Derby was "only sanitised on a monthly basis", a council report has Valley, in Shaftesbury Street South, was inspected in November and received a rating of one out of five, meaning major improvement is necessary. Derby City Council, which released the full inspection report on Wednesday in response to a Freedom of Information request, said the rating will remain until a reinspection.A spokesperson at Fun Valley said they recognised the report and have since made significant improvements. In the initial report, council inspectors raised a number of concerns around food storage, cleaning arrangements and a lack of hot water in the kitchen's washbasin. The report said an employee told the inspector that play equipment was cleaned on a "daily basis" but only with a "damp cloth" and would only "sanitise equipment on a monthly basis".The inspector said: "This is not acceptable as a damp cloth would not kill any harmful viruses or bacteria and will only spread any potential bacteria or viruses around the play area. "You must ensure you use a suitable product to kill harmful bacteria and viruses when cleaning the equipment on a daily basis."Inspectors also said there was "inadequate separation between raw foods and ready to eat foods" within fridges and the said they found defrosted raw sausages sitting directly on top of a packet of bread rolls, and raw eggs were also stored on the top shelf of the fridge above ready to eat surfaces were being cleaned, they were "not being sanitised", according to the inspection. Improvements made The company, which also has locations in Leicester, Nottingham and Bolton, said they did not dispute the report, adding significant improvements have since been made, and they are awaiting a new inspection.A spokesperson said: "The council highlighted a number of issues that needed improving."They gave us a list of things to do and we have done that."We are confident another inspection will highlight these improvements and increase our score. It is very important to us that we have a high mark."A spokesperson for Derby City Council said: "Since the initial inspection in November 2024, officers have revisited the premises to ensure the identified issues have been addressed."Regardless of any improvements made, a business will retain its original food hygiene rating until its next routine inspection, unless it applies for and completes a rescore inspection, as per national policy."
Irish Times
a day ago
- Health
- Irish Times
All patients in Listeriosis outbreak are older people, says regulator
All cases connected to an 'extensive' outbreak of potentially fatal bacterial infection listeriosis are among older people, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has said. Last week, the authority recalled 141 lines of ready-made meals produced by Ballymaguire Foods in connection with an outbreak of the rare infection. The affected meals included chicken curries, lasagnes, bolognaises, pasta bakes, cottage pies and chow meins. Affected side dishes include ready-made mashed potatoes, carrots and peas, green cabbage and pilau rice. In an update on Thursday, the FSAI said there remains nine cases and one death associated with the outbreak. READ MORE 'The patients affected in this outbreak are all older adults aged over 60 years old,' it said. 'No cases in pregnant women have been notified to date. To ensure medical confidentiality, no further information on these patients can be disclosed.' According to the FSAI, listeriosis is typically acquired by eating contaminated food. However, the bacteria that cause illness – Listeria monocytogenes – are killed by cooking thoroughly. On average, there are between 14 and 22 cases of listeriosis reported in Ireland each year, the FSAI said. Symptoms of listeriosis can range from mild flu-like effects to gastrointestinal indicators such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Pregnant women, babies, older people and those who are immunocompromised are more vulnerable to severe infections. In pregnancy, listeriosis increases the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth. A national control outbreak team is investigating the outbreak, the FSAI added. On Sunday, the FSAI issued a second recall, this time relating to spinach and mixed leaves products produced by McCormack Family Farms , due to the detection of Listeria monocytogenes. However, the food safety authority said there is 'no evidence' this recall is linked with the outbreak connected to ready meals.
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Health
- Khaleej Times
Saudi closes frozen food facilities, production halted in factories due to contamination
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has suspended production at several food establishments and closed a factory specialising in ready-to-serve frozen foods. The authority also seized all products after detecting serious violations that directly impact consumer safety. These measures are part of the authority's proactive monitoring programme to ensure that establishments comply with approved technical regulations and reduce potential cases of food poisoning. These violations were detected during inspections conducted last month. The violations, at a factory producing pickles and ready-to-eat foods, included poor hygiene requirements, unsanitary operating practices, and poor performance by the safety officer. This malpractice provided an environment ripe for the growth of pathogenic microbes such as Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp, which can cause severe food poisoning. The facility was given a grace period to correct the violations, as per the provisions of Article (12) of the Food System issued by Royal Decree No (M/38) dated 4/28/1440 AH. Still, it did not comply within the specified period, which necessitated stopping all production lines and initiating regulatory procedures against it. Multiple violations were also detected in another facility producing ready-made poultry products, including employing workers without valid working licences, the absence of a Food Safety Management System (HACCP) certificate, and storing expired food without separation or discrimination, in addition to the use of tools and equipment unfit for food use and the appearance of rust on surfaces in contact with food. Fines were imposed on it by Article (20) of the Executive Food System Regulations, in addition to partially suspending its activity until the situation is corrected. Similarly, the authority suspended 11 production lines in several factories producing dairy products and frozen pastries, after laboratory tests revealed that some products contained microbes such as Clostridium perfringens, a common contaminant associated with food poisoning. The authority required violating establishments to implement specific corrective plans within a period not exceeding 30 days, including improving quality systems, training workers, and replacing non-compliant equipment. Their compliance will be monitored through subsequent inspection visits. The Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) emphasised that these measures reflect the authority's policy of preventing harm before it occurs, and that they are based on the Food Safety Law and its executive regulations, which authorise strict measures to protect public health, including business suspension, imprisonment, or fines of up to 10 million riyals. The authority urged consumer cooperation in reporting any suspicious food establishments via the unified call centre (19999), affirming that food safety is a shared responsibility that begins in the field and ends at the consumer's table.
Emirates 24/7
a day ago
- Business
- Emirates 24/7
Dubai Municipality conducts 34700 food inspections in the first half of 2025
Dubai Municipality has announced significant achievements in food safety and inspection efforts during the first half of 2025, conducting 34,700 inspection visits across food establishments throughout the emirate. These inspections ensured compliance with approved health regulations and safety standards, reaffirming the Municipality's pivotal role in protecting public health and ensuring the availability of safe, high-quality food in Dubai. These efforts form part of the Municipality's broader mission to build an integrated and sustainable food system that improves quality of life for residents and visitors alike, while supporting Dubai's vision of becoming one of the most liveable and future-ready cities in the world. The first half of 2025 also saw exceptional growth in the food sector, with the opening of approximately 2,336 new food establishments. This expansion reinforces Dubai's reputation as a leading destination for investment in the food and hospitality industries. At the same time, around 173,775 food shipments — totalling 4.9 million tons — were cleared through Dubai's ports, strengthening the city's strategic role as a global food trade gateway. In addition to these milestones, Dubai Municipality cleared approximately 940,000 food items following rigorous inspections and registered around 77,700 new food products in its approved databases. These figures reflect the efficiency of the Municipality's digital food registration and inspection systems, which are aligned with international best practices and evolving safety protocols. Commenting on the achievements, Dr Sultan Al Taher, Director of the Food Safety Department at Dubai Municipality, said: 'Safeguarding food safety is a cornerstone of enhancing quality of life in the emirate. These achievements reflect the ongoing efforts by Dubai Municipality to build a comprehensive and sustainable food ecosystem that promotes well-being and consumer trust in the quality of food available in our markets. We remain committed to enforcing the highest food safety standards and establishing a benchmark model that reinforces Dubai's regional and global leadership in food safety oversight.' Dubai Municipality continues to enhance its regulatory oversight by integrating smart tools and advanced technologies to ensure food integrity across the supply chain. These initiatives are essential in keeping pace with Dubai's rapid economic and trade growth and reaffirm the city's position as a global centre that prioritises the health, safety, and happiness of its communities.
Zawya
a day ago
- Health
- Zawya
Saudi: SFDA shuts frozen food factory, halts production lines over serious violations
RIYADH — The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has shut down a frozen ready-to-eat food factory and suspended production lines at several other facilities after uncovering serious health violations that posed direct risks to consumer safety. The enforcement actions followed inspection campaigns carried out last month as part of SFDA's proactive monitoring program to ensure compliance with national food safety standards and prevent potential foodborne illnesses. In one facility producing pickles and ready meals, inspectors found poor hygiene, unsafe operating practices, and ineffective safety supervision — conditions conducive to the growth of harmful pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli, and Salmonella spp., all of which can cause acute food poisoning. Although the facility was given a deadline to correct the violations under Article 12 of the Food Law (Royal Decree No. M/38, dated 28/4/1440H), it failed to comply within the required timeframe. This led to the full suspension of its production lines and the initiation of legal proceedings. In a separate case, violations were detected at another facility producing ready-to-eat poultry products. These included employing unlicensed workers, lacking a valid HACCP food safety certification, storing expired food without clear separation, and using corroded, unsafe food-contact equipment. The SFDA imposed fines under Article 20 of the Food Law's executive regulations and partially suspended the facility's operations until corrective measures are taken. Additionally, the authority suspended 11 production lines across several dairy and frozen pastry plants after lab tests confirmed contamination with Clostridium perfringens, a common cause of foodborne illness. All facilities were instructed to implement corrective action plans within 30 days, including upgrading quality systems, retraining staff, and replacing non-compliant equipment. Follow-up inspections will ensure compliance. The SFDA emphasized that these actions reflect its commitment to preventive public health protection and are supported by legal provisions allowing stringent measures, including suspension, imprisonment, or fines up to SR10 million. The authority urged consumers to report any suspected food violations via the unified hotline (19999), affirming that food safety is a shared responsibility from production to the dining table. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
