Category Archives: food bourne outbreak

USA -Outbreak Investigation of Cyclospora Illnesses Linked to Imported Fresh Basil, July 2019 – Final Update

FDA Cyclospora_LifeCycle201

November 19, 2019

In 2019 multiple outbreaks of cyclosporiasis were identified and found to be linked to different produce items, including imported fresh basil. On November 19, 2019, CDC issued a final update for the total number of domestically-acquired cases of Cyclospora in 2019, stating that 10% of the 2019 cases were linked to this outbreak associated with imported fresh basil.

Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 241
Hospitalizations: 6
Deaths: 0
Last illness onset: July 26, 2019
States with Cases: CT, FL, GA, IA, MA, MN, NY, OH, RI, SC, WI. Exposures occurred at restaurants in five states: FL, MN, NY, OH, WI

USA – MD E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Linked to Ready Pac Chicken Caesar Salad

Food Poisoning Bulletin

A MD E. coli O157:H7 outbreak may be linked to Ready Pac Bistro® Bowl Chicken Caesar Salad that was purchased from several Sam’s Club locations in that state, according to the Maryland Health Department. Seven people are sick. One person has been hospitalized and no deaths have been reported.

The health department is recommending the consumers not eat Ready Pac Bistro® Bowl Chicken Caesar Salad. The lot number on the product is 255406963, and the best by date is October 31, 2019.

USA – As many as 20 possible E. coli cases in Wisconsin – lettuce a suspect

Food Poison Journal

According to press reports, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services is investigating what it calls a “significant increase” in the number of E. coli reports throughout the state.

Since November 13, officials say they are investigating 20 cases, three involving children. They say the cases are scattered across the state and are not isolated in any one region. The source remains a mystery.  However, officials are treating it as an outbreak.

USA -Outbreak of Listeria Infections Linked to Deli-Sliced Meats and Cheeses

CDC

This investigation is over. This outbreak is a reminder that deli products, such as sliced meats and cheeses, can have Listeria bacteria. People who are at higher risk for Listeria infection should avoid eating hot dogs, lunch meats, cold cuts, and other deli meats, unless they are heated to an internal temperature of 165°F or until steaming hot just before serving.

CDC and several states, along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, investigated a multistate outbreak of Listeria infections linked to deli-sliced meats and cheeses. A single, common supplier of deli products was not identified.

Canada – Public Health Notice – Outbreak of Listeria infections linked to Rosemount brand cooked diced chicken is over.

Canada PHN

November 1, 2019 – Final Update

This is the final update to this notice. The outbreak appears to be over and the outbreak investigation has been closed.

The Public Health Agency of Canada collaborated with provincial public health partners, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada to investigate an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections involving three provinces: British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario. The outbreak appears to be over and the outbreak investigation has been closed.

Based on the investigation findings, Rosemount brand cooked diced chicken was identified as a likely source of the outbreak. Rosemount cooked diced chicken was supplied to institutions (including cafeterias, hospitals and nursing homes) where many of the individuals who became sick resided, or visited, before becoming ill.

On August 18, 2019 the Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued a food recall warning for Rosemount brand cooked diced chicken meat 13mm – ½” (#16305), packdate – 01/21/2019. During the food safety investigation, the CFIA identified additional affected products and updated food recall warnings have been issued. For additional details on all recalled product names and lot codes, please consult CFIA’s website.

Canadians are advised not to eat any of the recalled products or any foods containing the recalled products. Food service establishments are advised not to sell or serve any recalled products, or any items that may have been prepared or produced using recalled products.

USA – Romaine E. coli Outbreak happened in September and no one told you

Food Poison Journal Eurofins Food Testing UK

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is sharing news of a recent E. coli O157:H7 outbreak, involving 23 illnesses, that was likely associated with romaine lettuce. No deaths were reported. The active investigation has reached its end and the outbreak appears to be over. The FDA and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control did not identify actionable information for consumers during this investigation. Additionally, when romaine lettuce was identified as the likely source of the outbreak, the available data at the time indicated that the outbreak was not ongoing and romaine lettuce eaten by sick people was past its shelf life and no longer available for sale. The FDA is communicating details about the outbreak at this time to help ensure full awareness by the public and to highlight the ongoing importance of industry actions to help ensure the safety of leafy greens. Federal health officials do not believe there is a current or ongoing risk to public health.

 

Research – Sanitization of Chicken Frames by a Combination of Hydrogen Peroxide and UV Light To Reduce Contamination of Derived Edible Products

Journal of Food Protection

ABSTRACT

Chicken carcass frames are used to obtain mechanically separated chicken (MSC) for use in other further processed food products. Previous foodborne disease outbreaks involving Salmonella-contaminated MSC have demonstrated the potential for the human pathogen to be transmitted to consumers via MSC. The current study evaluated the efficacy of multiple treatments applied to the surfaces of chicken carcass frames to reduce microbial loads on noninoculated frames and frames inoculated with a cocktail of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Inoculated or noninoculated frames were left untreated (control) or were subjected to treatment using a prototype sanitization apparatus. Treatments consisted of (i) a sterile water rinse, (ii) a water rinse followed by 5 s of UV-C light application, or (iii) an advanced oxidation process (AOP) combining 5 or 7% (v/v) hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) with UV-C light. Treatment with 7% H2O2 and UV-C light reduced numbers of aerobic bacteria by up to 1.5 log CFU per frame (P < 0.05); reductions in aerobic bacteria subjected to other treatments did not statistically differ from one another (initial mean load on nontreated frames: 3.6 ± 0.1 log CFU per frame). Salmonella numbers (mean load on inoculated, nontreated control was 5.6 ± 0.2 log CFU per frame) were maximally reduced by AOP application in comparison with other treatments. No difference in Salmonella reductions obtained by 5% H2O2 (1.1 log CFU per frame) was detected compared with that obtained following 7% H2O2 use (1.0 log CFU per frame). The AOP treatment for sanitization of chicken carcass frames reduces microbial contamination on chicken carcass frames that are subsequently used for manufacture of MSC.

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Chicken carcass frames were sanitized using an advanced oxidation process.

  • Salmonella was reduced by 1.1 log CFU per frame with H2O2 and UV-C light.

  • Aerobic bacteria were reduced by up to 1.5 log CFU per frame with 7% H2O2 plus UV-C light.

  • Advanced oxidation processing produced greater reductions than water or UV-C light alone.

USA -Moby Dick House of Kabob Salmonella Outbreak Increases to 23 Sick

Food Poisoning Bulletin Salmonella kswfoodworld

The Moby Dick House of Kabob Salmonella outbreak has now sickened 23 people, Maureen Regan, Deputy Director, Integrated Media Office of Communications at the Maryland Department of Health told Food Poisoning Bulletin. The latest update on the Salmonella outbreak investigation was posted on September 26, 2019.

USA -Salmonella Outbreak at Al Basha Restaurant in Seattle, WA

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Salmonella outbreak at Al Basha Restaurant in Seattle, Washington has sickened at least three people. One person has been hospitalized. That restaurant is located at 2302 1st Avenue in Seattle. The dates that the ill persons ate there are September 15, 22, and 23, 2019.

RASFF Alert – Foodborne Outbreak -Listeria monocytogenes – Cold Meat (Charcuterie)

RASFF-Logo

RASFF – foodborne outbreak caused by Listeria monocytogenes in cold meat (charcuterie), sliced and pre-packed from the Netherlands in the Netherlands