Category Archives: food bourne outbreak

India – 48 people, including 22 children hospitalised with food poisoning at Bagalkot

Posted on March 24, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

BAGALKOT: At least 48 people, including 22 children, were rushed to the district civil hospital after they fell ill reportedly because of food poisoning at Domanal village of Bagalkot taluka.

Initially 80 people were reported ill but after medical professionals were pressed into service nearly 50 people have found ill and all have been admitted at the district civil hospital for further treatment.

Within an hour of consuming food served at Yamunarappa Urus, a religious ceremony, many people began vomiting and complained of diarrhoea. The villagers soon alerted the health department, who rushed to the spot within minutes with sufficient medical kits.

Among the 48 people that fell ill 22 are children, 12 are women and 10 are elderly persons. The district hospital declared that all are out of danger and responding to the treatment.

Speaking to The New Indian Express, Dr Jayashree Emmi, District Health Officer (DHO), said that, “We have put enough medical professionals on the job to take care of all the people that fell ill reportedly after consuming food at a religious ceremony. All the people are stable and recovering.”

“We have collected samples of food and water served at Urus. After investigation an investigation will be carried out on the incident. We have also stationed two ambulances and a team of health professionals in the village as a precaution,” stated DHO Jayashree.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, Foodborne Illness Death, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, outbreak

France – Nestlé recalls pizzas as officials suggest link to E. coli cases; 2 children dead

Posted on March 23, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

buitoni pizza nestle france e. coli

Nestlé has recalled some frozen pizzas in France after authorities linked them to an outbreak of E. coli infections.

Buitoni brand Fraîch’Up pizzas have been withdrawn and recalled because of possible contamination by E. coli O26. Nestlé took action after being told about the presence of E. coli in dough used in the frozen pizzas.

Investigations by authorities into a number of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) cases have pointed to a possible connection with consumption of the frozen pizzas. HUS is a type of kidney failure associated with E. coli infections that can result in lifelong, serious health problems and death.

In total, 27 cases of HUS or serious infection caused by E. coli with similar characteristics, have been identified, and 31 other infections are under investigation.

The sick children, aged from 1 to 18 years old with a median age of 5 and a half had symptoms between Jan. 10 and March 10, 2022. Two youngsters have died.

In France, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) surveillance is based only on HUS in children younger than 15, so it only catches the most severe cases of E. coli infection. It is unknown how many adults might be infected.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, 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 recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Foodborne Illness Death, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, outbreak

USA – FDA Investigation of Cronobacter Infections: Powdered Infant Formula (February 2022) – The problem is more than two years old.

Posted on March 23, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

FDA

If you want to check if your powdered formula is part of the recall, you can enter the product lot code on the bottom of your package on the company’s website External Link Disclaimer.

If you have questions or need information about the recall, you can Submit Questions/Get Assistance.

If your infant is experiencing symptoms related to Cronobacter infection, such as poor feeding, irritability, temperature changes, jaundice, grunting breaths, or abnormal body movements; contact your health care provider to report their symptoms and receive immediate care.

To report an illness or adverse event, you can

Call an FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator if you wish to speak directly to a person about your problem.
Complete an electronic Voluntary MedWatch form online.
Complete a paper Voluntary MedWatch form that can be mailed to FDA.

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners are investigating consumer complaints and/or reports of infant illness related to products from Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, MI facility. All of the ill patients are reported to have consumed powdered infant formula produced from Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, MI facility.

The FDA is releasing the FDA Form 483s from three inspections conducted at Abbott Nutrition’s facility on Sept. 16-24, 2019, Sept. 20-24, 2021, and Jan. 31-March 18, 2022. The inspectional observations in these Form 483s do not constitute final FDA determinations of whether any condition was or is in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or any of its implementing regulations. FDA will take appropriate action in the future – if warranted – as we continue to evaluate the 2022 inspectional findings.

Important observations noted in the 2022 Form 483 include, but are not limited to:

[Abbott Nutrition] did not establish a system of process controls covering all stages of processing that was designed to ensure that infant formula does not become adulterated due to the presence of microorganisms in the formula or in the processing environment.
[Abbott Nutrition] did not ensure that all surfaces that contacted infant formula were maintained to protect infant formula from being contaminated by any source.

Once the immediate public health risk is minimized, FDA will conduct a programmatic review to ensure the maximum effectiveness of agency programs and policies related to infant formula and special medical food complaints, illnesses, and recalls.

Conducting this review is a top priority for the FDA and will be done as efficiently as possible, and we can ensure this effort will not interfere with the immediate recall response activities. We will and must continue focusing on taking all steps possible to protect the health of those who rely on safe powdered infant formula.

Recommendation

The FDA is advising consumers not to use recalled Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare powdered infant formulas. Recalled products can be identified by the 7 to 9 digit code and expiration date on the bottom of the package (see image below). Products are included in the recall if they have all three items below:

the first two digits of the code are 22 through 37 and
the code on the container contains K8, SH, or Z2, and
the expiration date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later.

In addition to products described above, Abbott Nutrition has recalled Similac PM 60/40 with a lot code 27032K80 (can) / 27032K800 (case). At this time, Similac PM 60/40 with lot code 27032K80 (can) / 27032K800 (case) is the only type and lot of this specialty formula being recalled. Additional recall information for the initial recall is available on the FDA website. Parents can also enter their product lot code on the company’s website External Link Disclaimer to check if it is part of the recall.

Additional information for parents and caregivers of infants receiving medical specialty infant formulas and individuals using certain medical foods is available below.

Additional Information for Parents and Caregivers:

The recalls do not include liquid formula products.

Parents and caregivers should never dilute infant formula and should not make or feed homemade infant formula to infants. Consumers should also avoid purchasing imported formula through online sales, as it has the potential to be counterfeit.

If your regular formula is not available, contact your child’s healthcare provider for recommendations on changing feeding practices.

If you get infant formula through WIC, do not throw the formula out. Instead, you should take it to the store for a refund and exchange or call the company at 1-800-986-8540 to help you. WIC recipients should be able to obtain a different brand of similar formula. Call your local WIC clinic for more guidance. Also see:

More information on Cronobacter and infant formula is available on CDC’s website.

Recalled powdered infant formulas have the potential to be contaminated with Cronobacter, a bacterium that can cause severe foodborne illness primarily in infants. Cronobacter infections are rare but are especially high risk for newborn infants (see symptoms below).

Cronobacter bacteria can cause severe, life-threatening infections (sepsis) or meningitis (an inflammation of the membranes that protect the brain and spine). Symptoms of sepsis and meningitis may include poor feeding, irritability, temperature changes, jaundice (yellow skin and whites of the eyes), grunting breaths, and abnormal body movements. Cronobacter infection may also cause bowel damage and may spread through the blood to other parts of the body.

If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, you should notify your child’s healthcare provider and seek medical care for your child immediately. Healthcare providers and health departments are encouraged to report any confirmed cases of Cronobacter sakazakii to CDC.

Product Images

Sample Product Image from the FDA Investigation of Cronobacter and Salmonella Complaints about Powdered Infant Formula (February 2022)

Case Counts

Total Adverse Events: 4
Hospitalizations: 4
Reported Deaths: 2*
Illness Onset Date Range: 9/6/2021 – 1/4/2022
States with Adverse Events: MN (1), OH (2), TX (1)
Product Distribution: Nationwide and International
* Two deaths have been reported. Cronobacter infection may have contributed to the cause of death for both patients.

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Posted in Cronobacter sakazakii, cross contamination, Death, FDA, 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 Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak

USA – FDA issues warning to New Mexico onion importer linked to Salmonella outbreak

Posted on March 22, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

An import company in New Mexico is on notice from the FDA for not having food safety documents for a number of imported foods. The inspection was initiated because of an investigation of a multistate foodborne outbreak of Salmonella Oranienburg illnesses linked to whole, fresh onions imported from the state of Chihuahua, Mexico.

The outbreak has sickened more than 800 people in the United States and remains under investigation. The Centers for Disease and Prevention has not yet declared the outbreak over.

In its warning letter the Food and Drug Administration acknowledged that the company initiated a voluntary recall on Oct. 22, 2021, of red, yellow, and white onions imported from its “suppliers (redacted)” in Chihuahua, Mexico, from July 1, 2021, through Aug. 25, 2021.

In the March 2, 2022, warning letter just made public by the FDA, the agency described a Nov. 16, 2021, Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) inspection of Keeler Family Farms in Deming, NM.

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, FDA, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, outbreak, Research, Salmonella, Salmonella Oranienburg

Canada – Norovirus: Dozens affected in British Columbia, linked to raw oysters

Posted on March 21, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today

french oysters

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is warning consumers to take steps to protect their health following an increase in cases of norovirus associated with consumption of raw B.C. oysters.

Since Monday, March 14, more than 50 people have been affected with acute gastrointestinal illness, such as stomach pain, diarrhea or vomiting, after eating raw oysters. Lab testing has confirmed the presence of norovirus in some of the cases and it is suspected in others.

The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) has issued a notice to restaurants and retailers in B.C. to advise them of the risk.

Based on an investigation by the BCCDC, local and federal agencies, and the shellfish industry, affected harvest areas are being closed and will reopen when contamination is cleared.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, 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 recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, Norovirus, outbreak

France – Withdrawal – preventive recall of batches of Buitoni brand Fraîch’Up frozen pizzas due to possible contamination by the bacterium Escherichia coli O26

Posted on March 21, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

Gov france

As part of the investigations carried out by the authorities on the cases of serious haemolytic and uraemic syndromes reported since January 1, 2022 on national territory, the analyzes (epidemiological, microbiological and traceability) carried out suggest, at this stage, a possible link with the consumption of frozen pizzas from the Fraîch’Up range of the Buitoni brand.

Investigations are continuing to determine the origin of the contamination, including for other products, as well as epidemiological investigations in order to establish potential links with all the cases detected on the territory since the beginning of January 2022.

Consequently, as a precautionary measure, and pending additional analyses, the company is proceeding today with the withdrawal-recall of all the pizzas in the Fraîch’Up range, of the Buitoni brand, marketed on this day.

Press release

Serious cases of hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) in children withdrawal – preventive recall of batches of Buitoni brand Fraîch’Up frozen pizzas – PDF, 212 Ko

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Posted in E.coli O26, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Poisoning, STEC, STEC E.coli

Canada – Certain Stellar Bay Shellfish brand Oysters recalled due to Norovirus

Posted on March 21, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

CFIA

Summary

Product

Certain oysters

Issue

Food – Microbial Contamination – Norovirus

What to do

Do not consume, use, sell, serve, or distribute the recalled products

Stellar Bay Shellfish	Oyster, Kusshi	Variable (clerk-served)	None	Harvest Area BC 14-8 Deep Bay CLF #1411206 Harvest Date: 03-07-22 Process Date: 03-07-22 Harvest Area BC 14-8 Deep Bay CLF #1411206 Harvest Date: 03-10-22 Process Date: 03-10-22 Harvest Area BC 14-8 Deep Bay CLF #1411206 Harvest Date: 03-14-22 Process Date: 03-14-22
Stellar Bay Shellfish	Oyster, Kusshi Large	Variable (clerk-served)	None	Harvest Area BC 14-8 Deep Bay CLF #1411206 Harvest Date: 03-07-22 Process Date: 03-07-22 Harvest Area BC 14-8 Deep Bay CLF #1411206 Harvest Date: 03-08-22 Process Date: 03-08-22 Harvest Area BC 14-8 Deep Bay CLF #1411206 Harvest Date: 03-14-22 Process Date: 03-14-22
Stellar Bay Shellfish	Stellar Bay Gold	Variable (clerk-served)	None	Harvest Area BC 14-8 Deep Bay CLF #1411206 Harvest Date: 03-07-22 Process Date: 03-07-22

Issue

Stellar Bay Shellfish is recalling certain oysters from the marketplace due to possible norovirus contamination.

The recalled products have been sold in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec and Ontario and may have been distributed in other provinces and territories.

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 or establishment
Do not consume the recalled products
Do not serve, use, sell, or distribute the recalled products
Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the place of purchase
Consumers who are unsure if they have purchased the affected products are advised to contact their retailer

People with norovirus illness usually develop symptoms of gastroenteritis within 24 to 48 hours, but symptoms can start as early as 12 hours after exposure. The illness often begins suddenly. Even after having the illness, you can still become re-infected by norovirus. The main symptoms of norovirus illness are diarrhea, vomiting (children usually experience more vomiting than adults), nausea and stomach cramps. Other symptoms may include low-grade fever, headache, chills, muscle aches and fatigue (a general sense of tiredness). Most people feel better within one or two days, with symptoms resolving on their own, and experience no long-term health effects. As with any illness causing diarrhea or vomiting, people who are ill should drink plenty of liquids to replace lost body fluids and prevent dehydration. In severe cases, patients may need to be hospitalized and given fluids intravenously.

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Posted in CFIA, food bourne outbreak, 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 recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Virus, Norovirus, Virus

USA – Mystery Salmonella and Listeria Outbreaks sicken 75 in United States while infant formula kills 2

Posted on March 18, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

The Food and Drug Administration has posted an increase in the number of patients in an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections as it continues investigations into three other outbreaks.

The new patient count in the Listeria outbreak is 16, up from 14 reported a week ago. As of March 16 the FDA had not determined the cause of the outbreak. The agency has initiated traceback efforts, but has not revealed what food or foods are involved in those activities.

The FDA has not revealed any demographic information on the Listeria patients and has not reported where they live.

In other outbreak news the FDA is investigating a new outbreak of Salmonella SaintPaul infections that has sickened 59 people. The agency announced the outbreak on March 16. As with the Listeria outbreak investigation, the FDA has not released any patient information for the Salmonella outbreak and has not reported where the patients live. Traceback efforts have begun, according to the FDA, but the agency did not report what food or foods are involved.

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Posted in CORE Investigation Table, Death, Decontamination Microbial, FDA, food bourne outbreak, food death, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning Death, Food Safety Management, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, outbreak

USA – Core Investigation Table Update – Salmonella Saintpaul Outbreak

Posted on March 17, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

FDA

The FDA has launched a Traceback Investigation to identify the source of the outbreak. 59 cases have been reported so far, no Public Health Advisory has been issued yet. Salmonella Saintpaul has been identified as the strain causing the illnesses.

Date Posted	Ref	Pathogen	Product Linked to Illnesses (if any)	Case Count	Status
3/16/ 2022	1055	Salmonella Saintpaul	Not Yet Identified	59	Active
2/17/ 2022	1056	Cronobacter sakazakii	Powdered Infant Formula	See Advisory	Active
2/9/ 2022	1040	Listeria monocytogenes	Not Yet Identified	16	Active
2/2/ 2022	1054	Enteroinvasive E. coli O143:H26	Not Identified	16	Closed
1/10/ 2022	1050	E. coli O121:H19	Romaine	4	Closed
12/29/ 2021	1052	E. coli O157:H7	Packaged Salad	See Outbreak Advisory	Closed
12/20/ 2021	1039	Listeria monocytogenes	Packaged Salad	See Outbreak Advisory	Closed
12/15/2021	1048	Listeria monocytogenes	Packaged Salad	See Outbreak Advisory	Active

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Posted in Cronobacter sakazakii, E.coli O121, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, FDA, food bourne outbreak, 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, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, O143:H26, outbreak, Salmonella

USA – FDA Investigation of Cronobacter Infections: Powdered Infant Formula (February 2022)

Posted on March 14, 2022 by KSW | Leave a comment

FDA

If you want to check if your powdered formula is part of the recall, you can enter the product lot code on the bottom of your package on the company’s website External Link Disclaimer.

If you have questions or need information about the recall, you can Submit Questions/Get Assistance.

If your infant is experiencing symptoms related to Cronobacter infection, such as poor feeding, irritability, temperature changes, jaundice, grunting breaths, or abnormal movements; contact your health care provider to report their symptoms and receive immediate care.

To report an illness or adverse event, you can

Call an FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator if you wish to speak directly to a person about your problem.
Complete an electronic Voluntary MedWatch form online.
Complete a paper Voluntary MedWatch form that can be mailed to FDA.

To provide clarity about which products are included in the Abbott Nutrition recall, FDA is publishing a full list of recalled brands that have been included in the initial and expanded recall. Recalled products should no longer be available for sale, but if consumers have these products in their homes, they should check the lot code on the bottom of the package to determine if it is included in the recall.

The FDA is also providing additional information for parents and caregivers of infants receiving medical specialty infant formula and individuals using certain medical foods.

We understand that infant formula is the sole source of nutrition for many infants and is an essential product. FDA is continuing to work with Abbott Nutrition to better assess the impacts of the recall and understand production capacity at other Abbott facilities that produce some of the impacted brands. We are also working with Abbott Nutrition on safe resumption of production at the Sturgis, MI facility. FDA is continuing to investigate and will update this advisory should additional consumer safety information become available.