Category Archives: E.coli

USA – Red Robin in Westminster Colorado link in E. coli O157 Outbreak

Food Poison Journal

Three individuals, including one adult and two children, tested positive for the bacteria E. coli O157:H7 with all persons having reported eating at the Red Robin restaurant located at 799 W. 146th Ave in Westminster, Colorado. Tri-County Health Department inspected the restaurant on July 9, 2019, after receiving information about the outbreak from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Two of the three individuals infected were hospitalized, and the investigation is ongoing.

USA – San Diego County Fair E. coli Outbreak Has Now Sickened 10

Food Poisoning Bulletin

The E. coli outbreak at the San Diego County Fair has now sickened 10 people, according to the San Diego Health & Human Services Agency. There is one more probable case that has not yet been confirmed. Three people have been hospitalized, and one 2-year-old child has died.

Officials have still not found the source of the pathogen. All of the children who are sick visited the animal areas, petting zoo, or had other animal contact at the fair. County Environmental health re-inspected food facilities that were visited by the children and found no link to the cases.

Unfortunately, E. coli outbreaks linked to animal attractions at fairs, petting zoos, and farm tourist attractions are nothing new. Almost every year children are sickened after visiting these venues

USA – Outbreak of E. coli Infections Linked to Flour – Outbreak is Over.

CDC

Recalls and Advice to Consumers, Restaurants, and Retailers
Illustration of a clipboard with check marks on it.
At A Glance

 

Photo of flour.

Several brands and types of flour were recalled because they may be contaminated with E. coli. Consumers should not use recalled products.

Consumers should not use any of the recalled flour. Throw it out.

  • If you stored flour in another container without the packaging and don’t remember the brand or “use by” date, throw it away.
  • Thoroughly wash the container before using it again.

Eating raw dough can make you sick.

  • Any flour or raw eggs used to make dough or batter might be contaminated with harmful germs.
  • Bake or cook food made with raw dough or batter before eating it. Follow the recipe or instructions on the package. Do not use recalled flour in cooking or baking.
  • Do not taste raw dough or batter. Even tasting a small amount could make you sick.

Clean up thoroughly after baking.

  • Wash any bowls, utensils, and other surfaces that were used when baking with warm water and soap.
  • Wash your hands with water and soap before and after baking.

Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have become ill from eating raw dough.

Restaurants and other retailers should not use, sell, or serve any of the recalled flour.

  • If you stored flour in another container without the packaging and don’t remember the brand or “use by” date, throw it away.
  • Restaurants and retailers should thoroughly wash flour storage containers before using them again.

Restaurants and other retailers should always be safe with raw dough.

  • Do not give customers raw dough to play with or eat. It is not safe to eat or play with raw dough, whether made from recalled flour or any other flour.
  • Bake or cook food made with raw dough or batter before serving or selling it. Follow the recipe or instructions on the package. Do not use recalled flour in cooking or baking.
  • As of July 11, 2019, this outbreak appears to be over.
  • A total of 21 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O26 were reported from 9 states.
    • Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 11, 2018, to May 21, 2019.
    • Three hospitalizations and no deaths were reported.
  • Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence, supported by product distribution records, indicated flour was the likely source of this outbreak.
  • Several products were recalled because they may be contaminated with E. coli. Those products include 5-lb. bags of Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour sold at ALDI, some 5-lb. bags of King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour, certain 5-lb. bags of Pillsbury Best Bread Flour, and several brands of cookie and brownie mix produced by Brand Castle. For more information about these recalls, visit the FDA websiteexternal icon.

RASFF Alert – STEC E.coli – Chilled Beef

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RASFF – shigatoxin-producing Escherichia coli (stx+ eae+ /25g) in chilled beef from Belgium in Belgium

RASFF Alerts – E.coli – Goats Cheese – Live Mussels – Chilled Burrata

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RASFF – too high count of Escherichia coli (up to 1 100 000 CFU/g) in goat cheese from France in France

RASFF – too high count of Escherichia coli (270; 320 MPN/100g) in live mussels from the Netherlands in France

RASFF – high count of Escherichia coli (100 000 CFU/g) in chilled burrata from Italy in France

USA – E. coli Outbreak at Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota Sickens 30

Food Poisoning Bulletin

A rather strange E. coli outbreak has sickened 30 people who visited Lake Minnetonka in Minnesota over the Fourth of July weekend. According to news reports, people have contacted the Hennepin County Public Health after they were on the lake, especially in the Big Island area. Those 30 cases have been confirmed by the department.

Research – Tamoxifen May Fight Lethality of Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli Bacteria

Food Poisoning Bulletin

According to new research from the University of Texas at Austin’s College of Pharmacy the drug tamoxifen may help fight the lethality of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) bacteria. That drug is already approved by the FDA for treatment of diseases such as breast cancer.

USA – Two More Probable E. coli Cases Linked to San Diego County Fair

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Two more probable E. coli cases have been linked to the San Diego County Fair, bringing the total of sick children to seven, according to the County of San Diego Health and Human Services. Those seven cases include four confirmed and three probable. A two-year-old boy sadly died on June 24, 2019 after visiting the fair.

All of the children had visited animal exhibits at the fair before they got sick. The two new cases are a 2-year-old who was at the fair on June 22, 2019, got sick on June 26, and was not hospitalized, and a 4-year-old who visited the fair on June 21, got sick on June 29, and is currently hospitalized.

Iceland – 4 STEC infections in Árnessýsla county children

Outbreak News Today

kswfoodworld E.coli O157

Image CDC

 

Iceland health officials have reported four pediatric Shiga-toxin-producing E. Coli (STEC) cases. Officials say all the children are from the capital of Reykjavik; however, all have probably been infected in Árnessýsla county or, more specifically, in Bláskógabyggð.

The source of the infection is unknown at this time. The Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority and the South Iceland Health Inspectorate are now working to analyze the origin of the infections and stop further spread.

RASFF Alerts – E.coli – Live Oysters – Spiny Dye Murex Sea Snails – Live Clams

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RASFF – too high count of Escherichia coli (1400 MPN/100g) in live oysters from France in France

RASFF – too high count of Escherichia coli (8900 CFU/100g) in spiny dye-murex sea snails from Italy in Spain

RASFF – too high count of Escherichia coli (330 MPN/100g) in live clams (Chamelea gallina) from Italy in Italy