Monthly Archives: January 2018

Auburn University 

Over the past seven weeks, 58 people in the U.S. and Canada were identified as ill from a dangerous strain of E. coli bacteria (0157:H7).  In the U.S., the infections have occurred in 13 states with five people hospitalized and one dying, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Of the 41 confirmed victims in Canada, 17 have required hospitalization and one has died.  E. coli (0157:H7) produces a toxin that causes acute diarrheal illness and—in a small proportion of cases—can lead to serious illness, kidney failure, and even death.

On Dec. 28, the CDC released a statement saying that state and local public health officials are interviewing sick people to determine what they had eaten and were still collecting information to determine whether there was a food item in common. CDC investigators have confirmed through whole genome sequencing that the E. coli O157:H7 sickening people in Canada has the same DNA fingerprint as the pathogen infecting people in the United States. Officials in both countries say that makes it most likely that a common source food is involved, according to Food Safety News.

At this time, case investigations in both countries suggest an epidemiologic association with eating romaine lettuce, a leafy green that is typically served in fresh salads. Romaine-lettuce-associated illnesses have occurred in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Vermont, and Washington state. ​Romaine lettuce can have a shelf life of up to five weeks, so it is possible that some contaminated lettuce might still be in consumers’ refrigerators.

Wiley Online Library 

Abstract

FDA

Evershing International Trading Company is recalling 16 ounces Coconut Tree Brand Frozen Shredded Coconut because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune system. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting in to the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. No illnesses have been reported to date.

Freshplaza

Papaya, cucumber, cilantro, jalapeño peppers, and tomatoes are some of the Mexican products that the United States has included in a list of restrictions due to alleged health risks.

Avocados, however, are treated with a disinfectant formula based on hibiscus flowers, as Mexico exports seven out of 10 of these fruits to the US market, according to Sagarpa’s 2017 Agricultural Food Atlas.

This formula was developed as the avocado, like other crops, is exposed to being contaminated with salmonella, typhoid or E.Coli at each stage of its production: cultivation, transport, storage, and final sale.

“A person only needs to have contact with 10 Salmonella bacteria to get sick, and the microorganisms have developed resistance to certain antibiotics for use in food, human and veterinary medicine,” said the researcher at the Autonomous University of the State of Hidalgo (UAEH), Javier Castro Rosas.

Wiley Online Library 

Image CDC

Abstract

France 24  

PARIS (AFP) – 

French food safety inspectors failed to detect salmonella contamination at a plant belonging to dairy giant Lactalis, three months before the company carried out a major recall of baby milk, a report said Wednesday.

Lactalis, one of the world’s largest producers of dairy products, discovered the bacteria at its factory in Craon, northwest France, during tests in August and November.

It did not however report the find to the authorities.

Officials from the food safety department carried out a routine inspection of the site in September and gave it a clean bill of health, the Canard Enchaine investigative weekly reported.

It was only three months later, after around 30 infants being fed Lactalis powdered milk fell sick, that the health ministry sounded the alarm.

Officials from the national anti-fraud bureau swooped on the site on December 2 and found the assembly line where liquid milk is transformed into formula to be contaminated.

Bellevue Patch 

Image CDC

BELLEVUE, WA – At least five people were sickened by a norovirus-like illness after eating at the Wild Ginger restaurant in Bellevue, according to King County. County health investigators also found that four employees had experienced a similar illness as the patrons.

The county learned of the illnesses on Dec. 26, but the patrons ate at the restaurant Dec. 22. The four sick employees began experiencing symptoms on Dec. 21, the county reported.

King County closed the restaurant on Dec. 26, but it was reopened after a cleaning. County investigators re-visited the restaurant on Dec. 29 to ensure employees were washing hands and not coming to work sick. A person can still spread norovirus about two days after symptoms subside.

Although there is no lab confirmation, the illnesses are likely norovirus, which causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and chills. Sick people can easily spread norovirus by touching surfaces, including food.