At least 269 people are suspected to have fallen ill in an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 after eating at a restaurant in Belfast, Northern Ireland’s Public Health Agency announced on Sunday. This is by far the largest E. coli outbreak in the nation’s history.
The number ill consist of 90 laboratory-confirmed cases and another 179 probable cases. Probable cases are those with exposure and corresponding symptoms, but who have not been tested for E. coli infection in a clinical laboratory.
Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, E.coli O157, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Illness, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen
Tagged belfast northern ireland, e coli outbreak, food safety news, public health agency, science
The Division of Public Health of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services in collaboration with Local Health Departments is investigating an outbreak of E. coli infection in 106 people who attended the Cleveland County Fair. Preliminary findings suggest animal exposure may be the source of this outbreak.
As of 2 p.m., 64 children* and 42 adults are known to be/have been affected by this outbreak. Twelve individuals* have been or are currently hospitalized. The county case counts are as follows: Cleveland County – 61, Gaston County – 18*, Lincoln County – 14, Catawba County – 1, Mecklenburg – 1, Union County – 3, Rutherford – 4, York County, South Carolina – 2, Cherokee County, South Carolina – 2 *this number includes one death related to the outbreak
Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, E.coli O157, Hand Washing, Hygiene, Illness, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen
Tagged local health departments
The recall of beef products for E. coli 0157:H7 produced at the XL Foods plant in Canada has grown for the 17th and 18th times. This recall is linked to an E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak that has sickened at least 15 people in Canada.
Janet’s Jerky is recalling 2 pound bags of Old Fashioned Beef Jerky with no UPC numbers and purchase dates from September 17 to October 10, 2012. The products were distributed in New Brunswick. They are also recalling 2 pound bags of Old Fashioned Beef Jerky – Hot & Spicy Cajun with the same purchase dates and distribution. Also recalled is corned beef sold at l’Entrepôt de Viandes from September 11 to October 10, 2012 in Quebec.
On October 12, 2012, the CFIA announced more recalls. Nortown medium ground beef, La Préférence filet mignon and Côte de boeuf are recalled. Longos beef burgers, portobello burgers, and lean ground sirloin are recalled. You can see UPC numbers, code dates, and distribution at the CFIA web site. For questions, call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342.
The public warning issued on October 5, 2012 has been updated to include additional products. Previously identified products included in this recallcan be found on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/recalls.
The CFIA is warning the public, distributors and food service establishments not to consume, sell, or serve the beef products described in this link because the products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.
The CFIA is advising consumers who are unsure if they have the affected beef in their home to check with the store(s) where the product was purchased or throw it out.
Public health authorities have confirmed a number of illnesses linked to products from XL Foods Inc. or illnesses associated with the XL Foods Inc. food safety investigation. For more information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s website at http://www.phac.gc.ca
This voluntary recall is part of an ongoing food safety investigation. The CFIA is working with the recalling firms and distributors to identify and verify all affected products. If additional affected products are confirmed, this table will be updated on the CFIA website. To stay informed of product updates throughout the investigation, consumers are also encouraged to subscribe to CFIA food recalls and allergy alerts at http://www.foodsafety.gc.ca.
The affected products are associated with the same XL Foods manufacturing dates of August 24, 27, 28, 29 and September 5, 2012, as the previously recalled ground beef products. The trace out from XL to secondary and tertiary distributors, manufacturers and retailers could result in a large number of affected products over a wide range of codes and dates.
This recall also includes unlabelled and/or unbranded beef products sold at retail stores not identified in the CFIA’s product list below, which may include small retailers, local meat markets and butcher shops, etc. Therefore, the CFIA is advising consumers who are unsure if they have the affected beef products in their homes to check with the store(s) where the products were purchased or throw them out.
CFIA These are both long lists of recalled products;
Reference Number: 7447
Recalling Firm: JD SWEID FOODS LTD.
Date of Recall: 9/26/2012
Recall Classification: 1
Distribution : Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan
Extent of the Product Distribution : Hotel/Restaurant/Institutional
Reference Number: 7436
Recalling Firm: CENTENNIAL FOODSERVICE
Date of Recall: 9/18/2012
Recall Classification: 1
Distribution : Alberta
Extent of the Product Distribution : Hotel/Restaurant/Institutional
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the Kirkland brand beef steaks described below because they may be contaminated with E. coliO157:H7.
All beef steaks including the Strip Loin Grilling Steak prepared and sold in variable weight packages from Costco Wholesale store #156, located at 13650, 50th street, Edmonton, Alberta are affected by this alert. These steaks were sold during the period September 4 through 7, 2012 and bear one of the following Packed On dates:
Consumers are advised to contact the above Costco Wholesale store to determine if the beef products in your home freezer are affected.
There have been several confirmed illnesses associated with the consumption of the Kirkland brand Strip Loin Grilling Steaks purchased from the Costco Wholesale store #156 in Edmonton, Alberta.
The public warning issued on September 22, 2012 has been expanded to include additional ground beef products and codes / dates because the products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. Previously identified products included in this recall can be found on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/recalls.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has completed its in-depth review of the food safety controls at the XL Foods Inc. facility where positive E. coli O157:H7 findings have led to a voluntary recall of more than 250 products. The CFIA continues to identify additional products affected by this recall and conduct effectiveness checks to verify that affected product has been removed from the marketplace.
The in-depth review focused on the plant’s preventative control measures, food-safety policies and procedures, laboratory methodology, and equipment and quality systems.
While the review did not identify one single factor that would lead to E. coli O157:H7 contamination, the combination of several deficiencies could have played a role. By themselves, each of these findings would not typically signal an immediate concern during the course of normal inspection activities.
Posted in Bacteria, CFIA, E.coli, E.coli O157, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, Recall
Tagged science
Health officials are investigating an outbreak of E. coli O157 which may be linked to a petting farm in Brecon.
Two children from Ceredigion and Kent who visited Cantref Adventure Farm have been affected by the bug and are recovering at home.
Two family members of one of the infected children have also tested positive.
A farm spokesperson said direct contact between animals and the public at the farm had been stopped as a precaution.
One of the infected family members is believed to have contracted the illness through contact with the child.
Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, E.coli O157, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Testing, Hygiene, Microbiology, Pathogen
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing a Public Health Alert for raw boneless beef trim products imported from Canada that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.
FoodWorld 