Monthly Archives: May 2023

Research – Multistate Outbreak of Hepatitis A Virus Infections Linked to Frozen Organic Strawberries

CFI

Hepatitis A kswfoodworld

Hepatitis A is a very contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), resulting in an inflammation of the liver.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state public health and regulatory officials such as the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are “investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A transmission linked to frozen organic strawberries imported from certain farms located in Baja California, Mexico, by a common supplier” (CDC, 2023).

France – CANNED RED BEAN – Clostridium botulinum

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Feed
  • Product subcategory Fruits and vegetables
  • Product brand name DESFARGES
  • Model names or references Red beans in DESFARGES jars
  • Identification of products
    Batch Date
    batch F18-1212 Date of minimum durability 05/05/2025
    BATCH F48-1172 Date of minimum durability 02/12/2024
  • Packaging glass jar 600g, net drained weight 300g
  • Marketing start/end date From 10/01/2022 to 20/04/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored at room temperature
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Departments: AIN (01), ISERE (38), RHONE (69)
  • Distributors so bio, biocoop, retail groceries, market

France – CANNED WHITE INGOT BEANS – Clostridium botulinum

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Feed
  • Product subcategory Fruits and vegetables
  • Product brand name DESFARGES
  • Model names or references PRESERVED WHITE INGOT BEAN
  • Identification of products
    Batch Date
    F50-1403 Date of minimum durability 12/15/2025
    BATCH F23-1229 Date of minimum durability 07/06/2025
  • Packaging GLASS JAR 600 G, DRAINED NET WEIGHT 300 G
  • Marketing start/end date From 01/07/2022 to 20/04/2023
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored at room temperature
  • Further information WHITE INGO BEANS JAR
  • Geographic area of ​​sale Departments: AIN (01), RHONE (69)
  • Distributors SO BIO, retail groceries, biocoop,

India – Assam: One dies, several hospitalised due to suspected food poisoning

Daiji World

One person died in Assam’s Goalpara district, while several others were hospitalised after they complained of food poisoning following a ritual feast organised in Mariampur village bordering Meghalaya, officials said on Friday.

The function was organised on Wednesday night by Garo community members living in that village. People started complaining about uneasiness soon after the dinner.

The fishery department has collected samples and sent those for the test. Some samples were also sent to an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) laboratory outside the state. Once we get the reports, the reason behind the mass illness can be ascertained.

India – 31 fall ill after attending funeral service ; food poisoning suspected

The Shillong Times

Nongpoh, May 12: Dozens of villagers from Nongladew village in Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya fell ill after attending a funeral service in Mariampur under Goalpara District of Assam. As many as 41 villagers had attended the funeral rituals of their relative on May 9. However, on Wednesday night (May 10), 31 of them returned home and fell ill, prompting immediate action from health officials.

The villagers had consumed fish, potato, and dal during the funeral service, and many of them complained of illness when they returned home. While the exact cause of the illness is not known, the villagers suspect the fish, which they believe was poisoned, to be the reason for their condition

India – One person dies, 158 others fall ill due to food poisoning in Assam: Police

Hindustan Times

According to official reports, the affected people had attended a feast followed by a religious event organised in Mariampur village bordering Meghalaya

According to official reports, the affected people had attended a feast followed by a religious event organised in Mariampur village bordering Meghalaya.

After eating the food, people started feeling unwell.

Police said that they are yet to ascertain the reason behind the death.

“We are investigating if the person died due to food poisoning or due to other reasons. Things will be clearer once we get the post-mortem report,” the official said.

Ireland – 7,000 consumers affected by Limerick water supply boil notice – Cryptosporidium

Limerick Post

A BOIL water notice affecting 7,000 consumers served by the Foynes/Shannon Estuary Public Water Supply has been issued by Uisce Éireann after cryptosporidium was found in the treatment plant.

The notice, which was issued  following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), affects customers in Askeaton, Foynes, Ballyhahill, Loghill, Ballysteen, Pallaskenry, Kildimo and Shanagolden and surrounding areas.

All consumers affected by the notice must boil their water before drinking, preparing uncooked food, brushing teeth and making ice.

Operations Lead Duane O’Brien said Uisce Éireann acknowledged the impact of the notice on the communities affected and regrets the inconvenience to impacted customers.

USA – RiverStone: 80 St. Vincent employees sickened by foodborne illness in Billings

KTVQ

RiverStone Health is investigating a large foodborne illness case with 80 people showing symptoms Friday.

RiverStone can’t confirm the source of the outbreak but says the possibly contaminated food was delivered to various St. Vincent Health Care facilities on Wednesday as part of National Nurses Day celebrations.

“A gastrointestinal illness has impacted a number of our caregivers. At this time, we believe that the illness is from an external source. We are partnering with RiverStone Health for the outbreak investigation,” St. Vincent leaders said in a statement.

Quebec – Notice not to consume smoked mussels and warning concerning the lack of information necessary for the consumption of certain smoked fish products, prepared and sold by Poissonnerie de la Baie inc. by Bonaventure – Clostridium botulinum

Quebec

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), in collaboration with the company Poissonnerie de la Baie inc., located at 170, avenue de Port- Royal , in Bonaventure, warns the public not to consume the product indicated in the table below, because the retailer mentioned above has not prepared and packaged it in such a way as to ensure its safety. Indeed, this product could promote the proliferation of the bacterium  Clostridium botulinum .

Product name

Format

Affected lot

“ATKINS SMOKED MUSSELS”

Unitary

Units sold until May 12, 2023

In addition, the MAPAQ, in collaboration with the same company, warns the population not to consume the products indicated in the table below beyond 14 days following the date of packaging.

Product name

Format

Affected lot

“SMOKED SALMON BITES IN LERABLE”

Variable

Units sold until May 12, 2023

“ATKINS SMOKED TURBOT FILLET”

Variable

Units sold until May 12, 2023

The products that are the subject of this warning were offered for sale until May 12, 2023 inclusively, and only at the establishment designated above. The smoked fish products were vacuum packed in a transparent plastic bag and the smoked mussels were packed in glass jars with a metal lid. The products were all sold chilled. The label of the products included, in addition to their name, the words “Poissonnerie de la Baie”.

The operator is voluntarily recalling the products in question. It has agreed with MAPAQ to issue this warning as a precautionary measure. 

Smoked mussels  : people who have this product in their possession are advised not to consume it. They must return it to the establishment where they bought it or throw it away. Even if the affected product shows no signs of tampering or suspicious odors, its consumption may represent a health risk.

Maple Smoked Salmon Bites and Smoked Turbot Fillets  : People who have either of these products in their possession are advised not to consume it if it has been packaged for more than 14 days. They must return it to the establishment where they bought it or throw it away. Even if the affected products show no signs of tampering or suspicious odors, their consumption may represent a health risk. In fact, when smoked fish is sold refrigerated, mandatory preventive measuresThis link will open in a new window. must be taken with regard to the type of packaging and the shelf life.

It should be noted that no case of illness associated with the consumption of these foods has been reported to MAPAQ to date.

USA – Possible Foodborne Illness Kills Two People in Montana – Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of Donna Ventura

Food Poisoning News

On April 30th, a 64 year old woman, Donna Ventura, died of a suspected foodborne illness. The county police officer reports that she was a regular at Dave’s Sushi restaurant. One week before, a 74 year old man named William Lewis also died of a foodborne illness. He was also a patron of Dave’s Sushi. The cause of death is currently under investigation, though morel mushrooms are suspected. While the two deaths have not been “directly” linked to the sushi restaurant, yet, at least three dozen other patrons of Dave’s Sushi have reported illnesses. The autopsy results will be available in 4-6 weeks, and toxicology results will be available in 2-6 months.

The restaurant has been closed for more than 2 weeks after receiving multiple complaints from more than 30 consumers falling ill after eating Dave’s Sushi. The FDA has focused its attention on morel mushrooms, sourced from China, as the source of the illnesses. Although it is not yet confirmed that these mushrooms were what caused the outbreak, this was an off-menu addition and only those who consumed the tainted product became ill – usually within 30 to 270 minutes post-consumption.