Category Archives: food bourne outbreak

USA – Public Health Alert: Confirmed Cases of Foodborne Illness From Barbecue Fundraiser on Friday

HCPress

Health officials urge individuals who have eaten or purchased food from the Masonic Snow Lodge fundraiser Barbecue held Friday, July 19th at 240 Temple Dr, Boone, NC 28607, to monitor for any gastrointestinal symptoms that include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. There have been eight laboratory confirmed cases of a foodborne illness and a number of others who have presented with similar symptoms of gastrointestinal complaints who all ate at the Barbecue fundraiser.

“We do not have a confirmed source of the illness but are actively conducting a thorough investigation to determine it with support from the NC Division of Public Health, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, Watauga County Emergency Management and the Masonic Lodge.  Any purchased food should be thrown away and not eaten since there is a risk it could be contaminated,” said Jennifer Greene, Health Director.

USA – Agroson’s Will Not Recall Cavi Papayas Likely Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

Food Poisoning Bulletin

The FDA has updated the Salmonella Uganda outbreak likely linked to fresh papayas imported from Mexico, stating that they have asked Agroson’s LLC, the distributor of the Cavi brand of papayas, to recall that product. Agroson’s has refused to initiate a recall.

Research – Number of foodborne illnesses associated with outbreaks in tomatoes decreased since 2001

FreshPlaza

About 48 million episodes of foodborne illness and 3,000 deaths occur per year in the United States. The most common foodborne pathogens cause an estimated annual burden of $14 billion to $36 billion. Produce has been implicated in 46 percent of foodborne illness outbreaks. Tomatoes have been the source of a number of foodborne illness outbreaks since 1998, but the annual number of foodborne illnesses associated with outbreaks in tomatoes has generally decreased since their high of nearly 900 in 2001. Ten outbreaks have caused more than 100 illnesses, while 2 were associated with deaths of individuals. In 2005 and 2006, multistate outbreaks of salmonella in tomatoes sickened 487 individuals.

RASFF Alert – Foodborne Outbreak Salmonella – Chilled Cooked Pork Preparation

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RASFF – foodborne outbreak suspected to be caused by and Salmonella (present /25g) in chilled cooked pork preparation from Romania in Ireland

RASFF Alert – Foodborne Outbreak suspected (Histamine) – Chilled Tuna in Sunflower Oil

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RASFF – foodborne outbreak suspected (histamine) to be caused by chilled tuna in sunflower oil from Ecuador in Italy

USA – Salmonella Reading outbreak associated with a private event

King County

Summary

Public Health investigated an outbreak of salmonellosis (caused by Salmonella bacteria) associated with a private event held on April 20, 2019. Multiple potluck items were brought by party attendees. Assorted smoked and barbecued meat was also provided, including pork (whole pigs cut into quarters), turkey legs, and lamb. Some of this meat was partially prepared in a private residence.

Laboratory testing indicates this outbreak strain closely matches a national outbreak strain of Salmonella Reading related to raw turkey products, which suggests turkey as the likely source of illnesses from this private event. The national outbreak investigation is final, but CDC continues to monitor for reports of ill people because this Salmonella strain is present in the turkey industry.

Because we were unable to gather details about all foods served and consumed at this event and because no product remained for testing, we cannot identify the exact food item that was responsible for the illnesses.

USA – Outbreak of E. coli Infections Linked to Flour – Final Update –

CDC

This outbreak appears to be over, but the recalled flour products have long shelf lives and may still be in people’s homes. Consumers who don’t know about the recalls could continue to eat the products and get sick.

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. The following products were recalled:

Brand Castle Mixes

  • On June 21, 2019, Brand Castle, LLC, of Bedford Heights, Ohio, recalledexternal icon several brands of cookie and brownie mix because flour used in them was potentially contaminated with E. coli. The following Brand Castle mixes, sold in 25-oz and 32-oz glass jars, were recalled:
    • Brand Castle Arctic Chill Chocolate Mint Cookie Mix: UPC 6-54448-01035-2, Lot L6112618
    • Brand Castle Hot Cocoa Cookie Mix: UPC 6-54448-01036-9, Lot L5111918
    • Sisters Gourmet Million Dollar Cookie Mix: UPC 6-54448-00002-5, Lot L2121818
    • Sisters Gourmet Billion Dollar Brownie Mix: UPC 6-54448-00017-9, Lot 31OCT2019BC8324
    • In the Mix Chocolate Mint Chip Cookie Mix: UPC 6-54448-01081-9, Lot LM101518
    • Brand Castle The Grinch Sugar Cookie Mix with Sprinkles: UPC 6-54448-01038-3, Lot 25JUL2019BC8324

Pillsbury Best Bread Flour

  • On June 14, 2019, Hometown Food Company, a customer of ADM Milling Co., announced a recallexternal icon of 5-lb. bags of Pillsbury Best Bread Flour with UPC Code 0 5150020031 5 and the following lot codes and use-by dates:
    • Lot Code: 8 342, Use-By Date: JUN 08 2020
    • Lot Code: 8 343, Use-By Date: JUN 09 2020

King Arthur Flour

  • On June 13, 2019, King Arthur Flour, Inc., a customer of ADM Milling Co., announced a recallexternal icon of 14,218 cases of 5-lb. bags of King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour. You can identify recalled flour by looking for the following best-used-by dates and lot codes on the bag’s side panel, below the nutrition facts box:
    • Best Used By 12/07/19 , Lot: L18A07C
    • Best Used By 12/08/19,  Lots: L18A08A, L18A08B
    • Best Used By 12/14/19,  Lots: L18A14A, L18A14B, L18A14C

ALDI Baker’s Corner All Purpose flour

  • On May 23, 2019, ALDI, in association with ADM Milling Co., recalled pdf icon[PDF – 142 KB]external icon all 5-lb. bags of Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour.
  • Recalled flour was sold at retail locations in the following states: Connecticut, Delaware, Massachussetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia.

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.

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 – 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 – Foodborne Outbreak suspected (Salmonella spp) – Coppa

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RASFF – foodborne outbreak suspected (Salmonella spp) to be caused by coppa from Italy in France