Category Archives: Cyclospora

FDA – FDA Investigates Multistate Outbreak of Cyclospora illnesses linked to Del Monte Vegetable Trays

Posted on June 18, 2018 by | Leave a comment

FDA 220px-Cyclospora_cayetanensis_stained

What is the Problem and What is Being Done About It?

FDA, CDC, state, and local partners are currently investigating several Cyclospora illnesses associated with recalled Del Monte 6oz and 12oz vegetable trays containing broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and dill dip that were sold by Kwik Trip/Kwik Star locations in IA, IN, MI, MN, and WI. Additionally, Del Monte is recalling “small veggie trays,” which are 28oz and include broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, celery and dill dip that were distributed to Illinois and Indiana.

As of June 15, 2018, CDC has reported 78 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in persons from IA, MN, WI and MI who reportedly consumed the vegetable trays. The two cases from Michigan reportedly purchased the vegetable tray in Wisconsin and therefore Michigan is not impacted from this outbreak.

On June 8, 2018, Del Monte withdrew their 6oz and 12oz vegetable trays from retail market locations, and they are not currently available for purchase. However, consumers who purchased these trays before the withdrawal may still have product in their homes since the expiration date is June 17, 2018 or earlier. The 28oz vegetable trays that were distributed to IL and IN are being recalled as of June 15, 2018. Del Monte reports the recalled products were distributed to: Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, Demond’s, Sentry, Potash, Meehan’s, Country Market, FoodMax Supermarket and Peapod in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin and have “Best If Enjoyed By” date of June 17, 2018 or earlier.

FDA has not identified which of the ingredients is the vehicle for this outbreak; each component of these vegetable trays is under consideration. FDA is currently reviewing distribution and supplier information related to the vegetable trays; the investigation is ongoing.

What is Cyclospora?

Cyclospora cayetanensis is a microscopic parasite of humans. This parasite, when it contaminates food or water and is then ingested, can cause an intestinal illness called cyclosporiasis.

The Cyclospora parasite needs time (days to weeks) after being passed in a bowel movement to become infectious for another person. Therefore, it is unlikely that cyclosporiasis is passed directly from one person to another.

For more information on Cyclospora: http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/cyclosporiasis/ 

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Posted in Cyclospora, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Uncategorized

USA – Cyclospora Outbreak in Minnesota, Wisconsin Linked to Kwik Trip Del Monte Veggie Trays

Posted on June 11, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News 

A cyclospora outbreak in Minnesota and Wisconsin is linked to Del Monte Vegetable Trays that are sold at Kwik Trip stores in the two states. The Wisconsin Department of Health services has released a bulletin about this outbreak.

Eleven people in Wisconsin and three people in Minnesota are sick. They reported purchasing a vegetable tray from a Kwik Trip location before they got sick. The trays contained broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and dill dip. They may have also been available at other locations.

Consumers should not eat these products: Del Monte Vegetable Tray (containing broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and dill dip) in 6 ounce packages, and Del Monte Vegetable Tray (containing broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and dill dip) in 12 ounce packages. Kwok Trip is cooperating with officials and have removed this product from their stores.

Cyclospora is a parasite that is usually found in developing countries. But in the summer months, there is almost always a cylospora outbreak in the U.S. Past outbreaks have been linked to snow peas, cilantro, raspberries, and mesclun.

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Posted in Cyclospora, food bourne outbreak, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Protozoan, Recall, Uncategorized

Research – MMWR Examines Trends of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks From 2006 to 2017

Posted on March 30, 2018 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin 

 

The CDC is examining trends of foodborne illness outbreaks for 2017 and describes changes in incidence since 2006 in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) for March 23, 2018. Foodborne illness is a substantial health burden in the Untied States. In 2017, there were 24,484 infections, 5,677 hospitalizations, and 122 deaths attributed to food borne illness.

Despite ongoing food safety measures in the United States, foodborne illness continues to be a substantial health burden. The 10 U.S. sites of the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet)* monitor cases of laboratory-diagnosed infections caused by nine pathogens transmitted commonly through food. This report summarizes preliminary 2017 data and describes changes in incidence since 2006. In 2017, FoodNet reported 24,484 infections, 5,677 hospitalizations, and 122 deaths. Compared with 2014–2016, the 2017 incidence of infections with Campylobacter, Listeria, non-O157 Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC), Yersinia, Vibrio, and Cyclospora increased. The increased incidences of pathogens for which testing was previously limited might have resulted from the increased use and sensitivity of culture-independent diagnostic tests (CIDTs), which can improve incidence estimates (1). Compared with 2006–2008, the 2017 incidence of infections with Salmonella serotypes Typhimurium and Heidelberg decreased, and the incidence of serotypes Javiana, Infantis, and Thompson increased. New regulatory requirements that include enhanced testing of poultry products for Salmonella† might have contributed to the decreases. The incidence of STEC O157 infections during 2017 also decreased compared with 2006–2008, which parallels reductions in isolations from ground beef.§ The declines in two Salmonella serotypes and STEC O157 infections provide supportive evidence that targeted control measures are effective. The marked increases in infections caused by some Salmonella serotypes provide an opportunity to investigate food and nonfood sources of infection and to design specific interventions.

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Posted in Campylobacter, Cyclospora, E.coli, E.coli O157, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Research, Salmonella, STEC, Uncategorized, Vibrio, Yersinia

USA – Outbreak Updates – Cyclospora – Foster Farms – Hepatitis

Posted on October 31, 2013 by | Leave a comment

CDC Final Report Hepatitis A  – Townsend Farmscdc

This  particular outbreak appears to be over. However, Viral Hepatitis is still an  important cause of human illness in the United States. More information about Viral Hepatitis,  and steps people can take to reduce their risk of infection, can be found on the CDC Viral Hepatitis website.

CDC Final Report Cyclospora

These outbreaks appear to be over. More information about Cyclospora can be found on CDC’s Cyclospora pages.

CDC Report on More Foster Farms Salmonella Cases

As of October 29,  2013, a total of 362 persons infected with seven outbreak strains of Salmonella Heidelberg have been reported from 21 states and Puerto Rico.

38% of ill persons have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.

Most ill persons (74%) have been reported from California.

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Posted in CDC, Cyclospora, Death, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Foodborne Illness, Hepatitis A, Hygiene, Illness, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, Protozoan, Recall, Research, Salmonella, Toxin, Virus

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USA – Cyclospora Outbreak Update

Posted on October 24, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Journal

As of September 20, 2013 (5pm EDT), CDC has been notified of 643 ill persons with of Cyclospora infection from 25 states: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York (including New York City), Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

Most of the illness onset dates have ranged from mid-June through mid-July.

Public health officials in Iowa and Nebraska performed investigations within their states and concluded that restaurant-associated cases of cyclosporiasis in their states were linked to a salad mix produced by Taylor Farms de Mexico.

Epidemiologic and traceback investigations conducted in Texas by state and local public health and regulatory officials, the FDA, and CDC indicated that some illnesses among Texas residents were linked to fresh cilantro from Puebla, Mexico.

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Posted in CDC, Cyclospora, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Laboratory, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen

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USA – Cyclospora Outbreak Still Continues

Posted on September 11, 2013 by | 1 comment

Food Safety News

At least 646 people have now fallen ill with Cyclospora infections in connection with an outbreak that hit 24 states between June and August, according to the latest update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

At least 44 of those individuals have been hospitalized. Those ill range in age from less than one year to 92 years old, with a median age of 52.

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Posted in CDC, Cyclospora, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Laboratory, outbreak

USA – Cyclospora Cases Still Building

Posted on August 20, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin220px-Cyclospora_cayetanensis_stained

In addition to battling an outbreak of Cyclospora infections and a Salmonella outbreak, the state of Iowa is reported increased Cryptosporidiosis cases this summer.  That parasite is usually spread through people with diarrhea swimming in pools, lakes, and rivers. The parasite gets into the water and people contract the illness when they swallow swimming water.

There have been at least 358 cases of Cryptosporidiosis reported to the Iowa Department of Public Health this year; 272 reported since June 1, 2013. An additional 138 cases are under investigation.

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Posted in Cyclospora, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Illness, Laboratory, Microbiology, outbreak, Parasite, Pathogen

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USA – Cyclospora Updates – Salad Mix the Source

Posted on August 5, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning BulletinEurofins Food Testing UK

Taylor Farms de Mexico food service salad served at Olive Garden and Red Lobster restaurants is the source of the Cyclospora outbreak that sickened at least 232 people in Iowa and Nebraska. Health officials from those states announced July 30 that a salad mix containing iceberg and romaine lettuces, carrots and red cabbage was the source of the illnesses, but did not release the name of the company that produced it as the tainted salad was no longer in circulation in those states.

CDC

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Cyclospora illnesses that have sickened more than 400 people across the country in an outbreak have been linked to packaged salad greens. These products have been linked to many outbreaks over the years.

In fact, a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), released in January of this year, said that leafy greens were responsible for the majority of foodborne illness outbreaks from 1998 to 2008. Last year, the seventh largest food poisoning outbreak in the U.S. was linked to a spinach and spring mix.

FDA Investigation

On July 30, 2013, the states of Iowa1 disclaimer icon 2 and Nebraska3 announced that their analysis indicated that the outbreak in those states was linked to a salad mix. In follow-up to that announcement, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing an update on its investigation.

The FDA traceback investigation has confirmed that the salad mix identified by Iowa and Nebraska as being linked to the outbreak of cyclosporiasis in those states was supplied to restaurants in those states by Taylor Farms de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., a processor of foodservice salads.    The FDA traceback investigation found  that illness clusters at restaurants were traced to a common supplier,  Taylor Farms de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. The restaurants in Iowa and Nebraska include Olive Garden and Red Lobster, both of which are owned by Darden Restaurants.

FDA’s investigation has not implicated consumer packages sold in grocery stores.

 

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Posted in Cyclospora, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Parasite, Pathogen, Protozoan, Recall

USA – Cyclospora Outbreak Still Going Up

Posted on August 1, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Journal

  • As of July 29, 2013 (5pm EDT), CDC has been notified of 372 cases of Cyclospora infection from the following 16 health departments: Iowa, Texas, Nebraska, Florida, Wisconsin, Illinois, New York City, Georgia, Missouri, Arkansas, Connecticut, Kansas, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and Ohio.
  • Most of the illness onset dates have ranged from mid-June through early July.
  • At least 21 persons reportedly have been hospitalized in three states

Food Posioning Journal

Lincoln – Prepackaged salad mix is the source of the state’s cyclospora outbreak which has sickened 78 Nebraskans since mid-June according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Cyclospora is a rare parasite that causes a lengthy gastrointestinal illness.

“Our goal is to protect Nebraskans, pinpoint the source of the illness and make sure the risk is eliminated,” said Dr. Joseph Acierno, Chief Medical Officer and Director of Public Health for DHHS. “Our investigation implicated prepackaged, prewashed, salad mix as the cause of this outbreak.”

DHHS’ investigation also shows the salad mix which includes iceberg and romaine lettuce along with red cabbage and carrots came through national distribution channels. Locally grown produce is not part of this outbreak.

DHHS and local health departments are currently working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to identify exactly where the contamination came from along the food production chain and where the product was distributed. Nebraska public health officials believe the bulk of the contaminated salad mix already worked its way through the system due to limited shelf life.

Fresh vegetables and fruit are usually associated with cyclospora outbreaks. People become sick when they consume food contaminated with the parasite. Washing fruits and vegetables is always recommended but it can be difficult to wash cyclospora off all types of produce.

 

 

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Posted in Cyclospora, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Parasite, Pathogen, Protozoan, Recall

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USA – Hepatitis and Cyclospora Updates

Posted on July 24, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Posioning Bulletin

The multi-state hepatitis A outbreak linked to Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend frozen berry and pomegranate mix sold at Costco stores has grown to include 151 sickened. Sixty-six people have been hospitalized in this outbreak. No deaths have been reported.

Food Poisoning Bulletin

A multi-state Cyclospora outbreak has sickened at least 267 people and hospitalized eight of them, according to federal and state health authorities involved in a collaborative investigation. The rare parasite has infected at least 127 people Iowa, 68 people in Nebraska, 65 people in Texas, 4 people in Wisconsin, 2 people in Illinois and 1 person in Kansas.

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Posted in Cyclospora, Food Hygiene, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Foodborne Illness, Hepatitis A, Laboratory, Microbiology, outbreak, Parasite, Pathogen, Recall

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