Category Archives: food bourne outbreak

EU – Oysters linked to 170 illnesses in Finland; people sick in other countries – Norovirus

Food Safety News

french oysters

Contaminated shellfish are continuing to cause illnesses in several European countries and Hong Kong.

At least 170 people have fallen ill in Helsinki, Finland, after eating oysters in various restaurants in February and March. Cases have also been reported in other Finnish cities.

Norovirus has been found in nine different oyster batches with two from the Netherlands, six from France, and one from Ireland. Importers have withdrawn affected batches from the market.

Officials have tested food from restaurants and taken patient samples, finding norovirus. Some of those sick reported eating oysters.

A report on the outbreak is being prepared for the Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto) and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL).

Norovirus is the most commonly identified cause of foodborne outbreaks in Finland. Between 2017 and 2021, oysters caused 11 norovirus outbreaks in which more than 110 people fell ill.

Finland has published four Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) alerts on food poisoning due to norovirus in oysters since late February.

USA – Five with Hepatitis A in Washington linked to tainted Mexican Strawberries

Food Poison Journal

Key Facts:

As of March 13, 2023, there are:

  • 5 outbreak-associated cases of hepatitis A reported from 1 state (Washington).
  • Illnesses started on dates ranging from November 24, 2022, to December 27, 2022.
  • 2 people have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
  • Epidemiologic and traceback evidence indicate that frozen organic strawberries are the likely source of this outbreak.

CDC, state public health and regulatory officials, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A linked to frozen organic strawberries imported from certain farms located in Baja California, Mexico, by a common supplier.

USA – Elementary school closes as Norovirus sickens 136 students and staff

ABC News

California health officials have shut down an elementary school in Long Beach after at least 136 students and staff reported symptoms of norovirus as of Thursday, according to the city’s health department.

“Despite stringent control measures, there has been evidence of ongoing transmission and, as a result, the school will be temporarily closed until Wednesday so that deep cleaning — an outbreak management strategy — can be thoroughly conducted,” the Long Beach Health Department told ABC News.

FDA – Outbreak Investigation of Hepatitis A Virus Infections: Frozen Strawberries (February 2023)

Hepatitis A kswfoodworld

Product

California Splendor Recall: Kirkland Signature 4-lb. bag Frozen Organic Whole Strawberries in certain states with specific lot codes.

Scenic Fruit Recall: frozen organic strawberries with the following brand names and Best By Dates distributed to specific states:

  • Simply Nature, Organic Strawberries, Best By 06/14/2024
  • Vital Choice, Organic Strawberries, BEST BY 05/20/2024
  • Kirkland Signature, Organic Strawberries, Best If Used By 10/08/2024
  • Made With, Organic Strawberries, Best Before 11/20/2024
  • PCC Community Markets, Organic Strawberries, Best By 29/10/2024
  • Trader Joe’s, Organic Tropical Fruit Blend with the following Best By dates: 04/25/24; 05/12/24; 05/23/24; 05/30/24; 06/07/24

Stores Affected

California Splendor supplied recalled product to Costco stores in Los Angeles and Hawaii, and to two San Diego business centers. Scenic Fruit supplied recalled product to Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, and PCC Community Markets in specific states, and to Trader Joe’s nationwide.

This is not an exhaustive list of products or stores. FDA is continuing to work with the firms to identify potential additional product information.

Symptoms of Hepatitis A

Illness usually occurs within 15 to 50 days after eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Symptoms of hepatitis A virus infection include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine, and pale stool. In some instances, particularly in children under the age of six, hepatitis A infection may be asymptomatic.

Status

Ongoing

Recommendation

  • Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not sell, serve, or eat recalled frozen strawberries. These recalled products should be returned or thrown away.
  • If consumers purchased the recalled frozen organic strawberries and ate those berries in the last two weeks, and have not been vaccinated against hepatitis A, they should immediately consult with their healthcare professional to determine whether post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is needed. PEP is recommended for unvaccinated people who have been exposed to hepatitis A virus in the last two weeks because vaccination can prevent a hepatitis A virus infection if given within 14 days of exposure. Those with evidence of previous hepatitis A vaccination or previous hepatitis A virus infection do not require PEP.
  • Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have symptoms of a hepatitis A virus infection after eating these frozen organic strawberries, or if you believe that you have eaten these strawberries in the last two weeks.

Product Images

Sample Product Images from the Outbreak Investigation of Hepatitis A Virus Infections Related to Frozen Strawberries (February 2023)

Current Update

March 17, 2023

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A virus infections linked to frozen organic strawberries imported by a common supplier from certain farms located in Baja California, Mexico. The frozen organic strawberries were sold to a variety of retailers under multiple brand labels.

Based on epidemiological data collected by CDC, 5/5 (100%) people who provided information about what they ate before becoming ill reported eating frozen organic strawberries. FDA’s traceback investigation identified a common supplier of the frozen organic strawberries. Strawberries used by this supplier were imported from certain farms located in Baja California, Mexico, in 2022. Additionally, the strain of hepatitis A virus causing illnesses this year is genetically identical to the strain that caused the outbreak of hepatitis A virus infections in 2022, which was linked to fresh organic strawberries imported from Baja California, Mexico, and sold at various retailers.

Singapore – Spize’s outlets at Simpang Bedok get hygiene downgrade after food poisoning cases

Channel News Asia

SINGAPORE: Two food establishments owned by Spize have had their food hygiene grades downgraded from A to C, said the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) on Saturday (Mar 11).

Fifteen people reportedly developed gastroenteritis symptoms following the consumption of food prepared at Spize @ Simpang Bedok from Jul 5 to Jul 6, 2022.

Sweden – No cases yet linked to most recent Salmonella finding in Sweden

Food Safety News

hazegg.jpg

A second alert for Salmonella at an egg producer in Sweden does not appear to have resulted in more people getting sick, according to health officials.

The Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten) said new findings of Salmonella at the site of the same company were made in mid-February. This prompted another wave of recalls in February and March.

In late December 2022, Salmonella Enteritidis was identified at CA Cedergren, a major producer, in one of the egg-laying stables during a routine environmental sampling check. Eggs were then recalled by Coop, Axfood, ICA, Lidl, and Kronägg. 

Investigations found Salmonella from the production environment in December was identical to isolates from sick people.

USA – FDA wants infant formula manufacturers to step up work to prevent contamination

Food Safety News

Top FDA officials are calling on manufacturers of infant formula to clean up their act.

In a letter this week Robert M. Califf, FDA Commissioner, and Susan T. Mayne, Director of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, addressed concerns about infant formula along the food chain, speaking to manufacturers, packers, distributors, exporters, importers and retailers.

“FDA is sharing this information with you with the expectation that you will act to mitigate potential food safety risks in powdered infant formula in accordance with FDA regulations while further striving to improve operations, especially given the critical nature of these products,” a letter from the FDA leaders states.

“. . . The FDA has reviewed conditions during recent inspections of powdered infant formula manufacturers, including routine surveillance inspections, for-cause inspections to follow up on consumer complaints and other interactions with manufacturers.”

USA – 300 passengers and crew fall ill on Ruby Princess cruise from Texas – Norovirus?

Washington Post

More than 300 passengers and crew on the Ruby Princess contracted a gastrointestinal illness causing vomiting and diarrhea, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this week.

The Princess Cruises voyage carrying about 4,000 people ran from Feb. 26 to Sunday in the western Caribbean and docked in Galveston, Tex.

While the CDC has not listed a specific virus, Princess Cruises said in a statement the cause was likely norovirus.

About 10 percent of the passengers and 3 percent of the crew onboard were sick, according to the CDC.

RASFF Alert – Foodborne outbreaks suspected to be caused by Norovirus in oysters.

RASFF

Foodborne outbreak suspected to be caused by norovirus in oysters from Netherlands in Sweden and Finland.

USA – FDA Core Investigation Table Update

FDA

What’s New

  • A new outbreak of Salmonella Hartford (ref # 1144) linked to a not yet identified product has been added to the table. FDA has initiated traceback.
  • For the outbreak of hepatitis A virus (ref #1143), the case count has been adjusted from nine to five cases, following CDC’s exclusion of suspect cases from the case count. FDA has initiated sample collection and analysis.
Date
Posted
Ref Pathogen
or
Cause of
Illness
Product(s)
Linked to
Illnesses

(if any)
Total
Case
Count

Status
3/8/2023 1144 Salmonella Hartford Not Yet
Identified
31 Active
3/1/2023 1143 Hepatitis A Virus Not Yet
Identified
5 Active
2/15/2023 1123 Listeria
monocytogenes
Not Yet
Identified
See
CDC
Investigation
Notice
Active
11/9/2022 1127 Listeria
monocytogenes
Enoki
Mushrooms
See
Outbreak
Advisory
Active