Category Archives: botulism

Ukraine – Four hospitalized with botulism after eating homemade canned mushrooms

Posted on December 7, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today

In Sumy Oblast in northeastern Ukraine, four people were hospitalized with botulism after eating homemade canned mushrooms at a dinner in the city of Lebedin.

According to the medical director of the Clinical Center for Infectious Diseases and Dermatology, Krasovitsky Irina Trotskaya, two victims were hospitalized at the center for infectious diseases in Sumy, two remained to be treated in the city hospital.

So far in 2021, Ukraine has reported 80 foodborne botulism outbreaks involving 89 patients, including three children.

In most cases, botulism in Ukraine is due to the consumption of dried and salted freshwater and sea fish (40%), meat, fish, vegetables, mushroom canned food and other meat products made at home or bought in unauthorized places.

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Posted in botulism, Clostridium, Clostridium botulinum, Death, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food death, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Poisoning Death, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak

Australia Research – Monitoring the incidence and causes of diseases potentially transmitted by food in Australia: Annual report of the OzFoodNet network, 2013–2015

Posted on July 28, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Au Gov

This report summarises the incidence of diseases potentially transmitted by food in Australia, and details outbreaks associated with food that occurred during 2013–2015.
OzFoodNet sites reported an increasing number of notifications of 12 diseases or conditions that may be transmitted by food (botulism; campylobacteriosis; cholera; hepatitis A; hepatitis E; haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS); listeriosis; Salmonella Paratyphi (paratyphoid fever) infection; salmonellosis; shigellosis; Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli(STEC) infection; and Salmonella Typhi (typhoid fever) infection), with a total of 28,676 notifications received in 2013; 37,958 in 2014; and 41,226 in 2015.
The most commonly-notified conditions were campylobacteriosis (a mean of 19,061 notifications per year over 2013–2015) and salmonellosis (a mean of 15,336 notifications per year over 2013–2015). Over these three years, OzFoodNet sites also reported 512 outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness caused by foodborne, animal-to-person or waterborne disease, affecting 7,877 people, and resulting in 735 hospitalisations and 18 associated deaths.
The majority of outbreaks (452/512; 88%) were due to foodborne or suspected foodborne transmission. The remaining 12% of outbreaks were due to waterborne or suspected waterborne transmission (57 outbreaks) and animal-to-human trans-mission (three outbreaks). Foodborne and suspected foodborne outbreaks affected 7,361 people, resulting in 705 hospitalisations and 18 deaths.
Salmonella was the most common aetiological agent identified in foodborne outbreaks (239/452; 53%), and restaurants were the most frequently-reported food preparation setting (211/452; 47%). There were 213 foodborne outbreaks (47%) attributed to a single food commodity during 2013–2015, with 58% (124/213) associated with the consumption of eggs and egg-based dishes.

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Posted in botulism, Campylobacter, Clostridium botulinum, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Haemolytic Uremic Syndrome, Hepatitis A, HUS, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Research, Salmonella, Shigatoxin, Shigella, Shigella flexneri, Shigella Sonnei, STEC, STEC E.coli

Ukraine- Botulism case reported in Melitopol, Ukraine, Linked to smoked mackerel

Posted on June 28, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today

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On June 21, 2021, a case of botulism – food poisoning was registered in Melitopol- a city in Zaporizhzhia Oblast of southeastern Ukraine, according to the city health department.

The patient is a 65-year-old man who bought cold-smoked mackerel in a retail chain and consumed it himself on June 18-19, 2021.

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Posted in Bacterial Toxin, Biotoxin, botulism, Clostridium botulinum, Exotoxin, food contamination, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Toxin

USA – Black Beans brought back because of Botulism risk

Posted on April 26, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

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Faribault Foods, Inc. is voluntarily recalling 15 ounce cans of S&W Organic Black Beans, 15 ounce cans of O Organic Brand Black Beans and 15 ounce cans of O Organic Brand Chili Beans because the cans may have a compromised hermetic seal.  The compromised hermetic seal may affect can integrity and may cause the cans to leak, bloat or allow bacteria to grow inside the product which could lead to serious illness.  Clostridium botulinum poisoning in humans can begin from six hours to two weeks after eating food that contains the toxin. Symptoms may include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and muscle weakness. Botulism poisoning can cause paralysis of the breathing muscles, which can result in death unless assistance with breathing (mechanical ventilation) is provided.

The recalled products were distributed nationwide in retail stores.

This event only affects the lot codes listed below:  The lot codes are printed on the bottom of the can.

Product

Lot Number

Distribution Dates
S&W Organic Black Beans, 15 oz. Best By JAN 31 2023  1329A 032 21 February 2021-April 2021
S& W Organic Black Beans, 15 oz. Best By FEB 01 2023 1329A 033 21 February 2021-April 2021
S&W Organic Black Beans, 15 oz. Best By FEB 02 2023 1329A 034 21 February 2021-April 2021
S&W Organic Black Beans, 15 oz. Best By FEB 03 2023 1329A 035 21 February 2021-April 2021
O Organic Organic Black Beans, 15 oz. Best By FEB 03 2023 981A 035 21 February 2021-April 2021
O Organic Organic Chili Beans, 15 oz. Best By FEB 04 2023 978A 036 21 February 2021-April 2021

No other production codes, sizes or brands of Faribault Foods, Inc. products are affected by this recall.

Consumers who may have purchased the products listed above should return them to the store where purchased for a refund or replacement.

The recall was initiated after the firm had received consumer and customer complaints regarding failure of the hermetic seal.  The problem related to the hermetic seal failure was corrected and no other product is affected.

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Posted in botulism, Clostridium, Clostridium botulinum, food contamination, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin

Canada- Updated Food Recall Warning – Kolapore Springs brand and North Shore brand smoked trout products recalled due to potential presence of dangerous bacteria – Clostridium botulinum

Posted on March 31, 2021 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

Recall date:
March 30, 2021
Reason for recall:
Microbiological – Clostridium botulinum
Hazard classification:
Class 1
Company / Firm:
North Shore Specialty Foods
Distribution:
Ontario
Extent of the distribution:
Consumer

Contents

Recall details

Ottawa, March 30, 2021 – The food recall warning issued on March 26, 2021 has been updated to include additional product information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation.

North Shore Specialty Foods is recalling Kolapore Springs brand and North Shore brand smoked trout products from the marketplace because they may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.

Recalled products

Brand Product Size UPC Codes
Kolapore Springs Smoked Trout Variable 6 27987 16383 4 All best before dates up to and including 2021 MR 31
Kolapore Springs Smoked Trout, Peppercorn Variable 6 27987 16383 4 All best before dates up to and including 2021 MR 31
North Shore Smoked Rainbow Trout Fillet Variable None All best before dates up to and including 2021 MR 31

What you should do

If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, call your doctor.

Check to see if you have the recalled products in your home. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased.

Food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick.

Symptoms in adults can include facial paralysis or loss of facial expression, unreactive or fixed pupils, difficulty swallowing, drooping eyelids, blurred or double vision, difficulty speaking, including slurred speech, and a change in sound of voice, including hoarseness.

Symptoms of foodborne botulism in children can include difficulty swallowing, slurred speech, generalized weakness and paralysis. In all cases, botulism does not cause a fever. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

Background

This recall was triggered by CFIA test results. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings.

The CFIA is verifying that industry is removing the recalled products from the marketplace.

Illnesses

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

Related recalls

2021-03-26 – Kolapore Springs brand smoked trout products recalled due to potential presence of dangerous bacteria

Product photos

Printer ready version of photos

  • Kolapore Springs - Smoked trout
  • Kolapore Springs - Smoked trout, Peppercorn
  • North Shore: Smoked Rainbow Trout Fillet - Variable

Public enquiries and media

Company information
North Shore Specialty Foods: 1-705-606-1377 (Sean)
Public enquiries
Toll-free: 1-800-442-2342 (Canada and U.S.)
Telephone: 1-613-773-2342 (local or international)
Email: cfia.enquiries-demandederenseignements.acia@canada.ca
Media relations
Telephone: 613-773-6600
Email: cfia.media.acia@canada.ca

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Posted in botulism, CFIA, Clostridium, Clostridium botulinum, food contamination, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin

Vietnam – Woman dies in HCMC after eating toxic vegan pate – Clostridium botulinum

Posted on March 26, 2021 by | Leave a comment

VN Express

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A 42-year-old woman has died and two others are in critical condition in HCMC after consuming vegan food that might have been contaminated with the botulinum toxin.

The woman, her 16-year-old daughter and 53-year-old sister had bowls of rice vermicelli on March 20. Among its ingredients was pate from an inflated can, indicating possible contamination.

All three women later developed symptoms of muscle weakness, respiratory and circulatory failure. They were rushed from the southern province of Binh Duong to the 115 People’s Hospital in HCMC. While one woman died, the other two were in critical condition as of Thursday.

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Posted in botulism, Clostridium, Clostridium botulinum, food contamination, food death, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Poisoning Death, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Temperature Abuse, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Poisoning

Denmark -Catfish eggs are probably the cause of outbreaks of botulism

Posted on March 22, 2021 by | Leave a comment

SSI

kswfoodworld

Studies of a number of foods have led to toxins from the botulism bacterium being found in catfish eggs. That batch of roe has been recalled.

In the past week, the Statens Serum Institut (SSI) has described an outbreak of botulism. It occurred after six people had eaten together at a private party in early March. SSI has now examined a number of leftovers from the food that the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration had collected in the home where the company was held. In an almost emptied glass with rockfish roe, SSI’s laboratory tests were able to detect toxin (toxin). However, did not find toxin in any of the other foods. Nor in two other glasses with catfish roe.

At the same time, studies show that three out of the five people who developed symptoms after joining the company had botulism. The two patients for whom it could not be confirmed simply had quite mild symptoms of botulism.

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Posted in botulism, Clostridium botulinum, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin

Denmark – Three cases of botulism have now been confirmed

Posted on March 16, 2021 by | Leave a comment

SSI

The Statens Serum Institut informed on Friday about an outbreak of disease with suspicion of botulism. Studies have now confirmed that three people were affected by botulism.

Last week, the Statens Serum Institut (SSI) received samples from patients who were being treated for botulism poisoning. Six people had eaten together and three had subsequently developed symptoms.

Now, SSI’s tests have shown that the three were suffering from botulism. Two more people from the company have meanwhile developed mild symptoms and samples from them are now being examined as well. There are still no reports of illness outside the company in question of six people.

The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration has obtained ingredients from and leftovers of the food that has been eaten at the gathering in question. These samples are now also being examined for botulism at SSI’s laboratory.

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Posted in botulism, Clostridium botulinum, food contamination, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, microbial contamination, Microbiology

Denmark – Three suspected cases of botulism in Denmark

Posted on March 12, 2021 by | Leave a comment

SSI

kswfoodworld

An outbreak of disease with suspected botulism has occurred among the participants in a private company in the region of Southern Denmark. The Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, Fødevareinstituttet DTU and Statens Serum Institut are working to identify the source of the infection, which is presumed to be limited to a single company.

Following a private party held on Friday, March 5, 2021, three adults have been hospitalized on suspicion of having botulism.

They are being treated with botulism antitoxin and are improving. The Statens Serum Institut (SSI) is now examining samples from the patients to find out if there was actually botulism.

SSI is also in the process of analyzing the ingredients and leftovers of the food that has been eaten by that company. No other patients with botulism are known outside the company that has been affected.

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Posted in Bacterial Toxin, botulism, Clostridium, Clostridium botulinum, food contamination, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Toxin

Uzbekistan: Botulism outbreak reported in Samarkand region, Linked to canned tomatoes

Posted on February 15, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today

kswfoodworld

On February 7, five people with signs of food poisoning were admitted to the infectious diseases department of the Bulungur District Medical Association in Samarkand region in southeastern Uzbekistan.

They were later diagnosed with botulism at the hospital. Despite the efforts of the doctors, one of the admitted, a 20-year-old man, died. Four more are in intensive care.

According to preliminary data, all five the day before, during lunch at the house of one of the victims, they ate canned tomatoes prepared at home.

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Posted in botulism, Clostridium, Clostridium botulinum, food contamination, food death, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin