A Salmonella outbreak at Grille at Gold Dust West in Elko, Nevada has sickened at least 17 people, according to news reports. There is no information about this outbreak on the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health
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Category Archives: Food Hygiene
USA – Salmonella Outbreak at Grille at Gold Dust West in Nevada Sickens 17
Research – Large farms and high stocking densities ‘bring increased risk of Salmonella’
Large farms and high stocking densities bring increased risk of salmonella spread in layer flocks, according to a scientific report for the EU.
The report has been produced by the Scientific Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ) at the request of the European Commission.
This was in response to an increase in confirmed human Salmonellosis cases in the EU since 2014.
Salmonella contamination has been a recurring problem in egg imports from Europe to the United Kingdom.
More than 160 cases of salmonella in the United Kingdom since 2014 were linked to an egg packing centre in Poland. Other outbreaks have been traced to eggs imported from Spain.
In August last year, lawyers confirmed that victims of a salmonella outbreak linked to imported eggs had won thousands of pounds in damages.
Research – Seasonality and the effects of weather on Campylobacter infections
Image CDC
The increase of Campylobacter infections in the late spring was significantly linked to temperature two weeks before, with an increase in conditional incidence of 0.175 cases per 100,000 per week for weeks 17 to 24; the relationship to temperature was not linear. Generalized structural time series model revealed that changes in temperature accounted for 33.3% of the expected cases of Campylobacteriosis, with an indication of the direction and relevant temperature range. Wavelet analysis showed a strong annual cycle with additional harmonics at four and six months. Cluster analysis showed three clusters of seasonality with geographic similarities representing metropolitan, rural, and other areas.
USA – Butterball Ground Turkey Salmonella Schwarzengrund Outbreak Sickens 6
The Butterball ground turkey Salmonella Schwarzengrund outbreak first reported in a USDA recall notice has sickened 6 people in 3 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One person has been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
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Uganda – WFP suspends food distribution in Karamoja amid poisoning claims
KAMPALA – The World Food Programme (WFP) has suspended distributing Super Cereal – a fortified blended food – in Uganda after scores of people were taken sick and were admitted to health centres following local food distributions in the Karamoja region.
The Government and WFP are investigating and have submitted samples of Super Cereal for laboratory tests to determine whether there is a link between eating blended food and people falling sick after distributions. From the outset, WFP has treated this as a matter of extreme urgency.
As a precaution in case Super Cereal is linked to outbreaks of sickness, WFP is stopping distributing Super Cereal in all its operations in Uganda including in refugee settlements across the country and in its Maternal Child Health and Nutrition (MCHN) programme in Karamoja.
WFP is supporting local governments in communicating with communities on the situation and is urging them to stop eating Super Cereal as a precaution in case a link is found.
On Saturday, 16 March, people with suspected food poisoning were reported admitted at Lotome Health Centre in Napak district one day after a distribution there to families. Other people including children were admitted to Karita and Lokales health centres in Amudat district.
A WFP team in Lotome reported over 90 cases today including 12 of children under the age of 5 being admitted to the health centre with symptoms including confusion and high fever.
This followed admissions of people to another health centre in Karamoja after distribution of Super Cereal and other foods.
WFP on Friday ordered an immediate halt to food distributions in its MCHN programme in all eight districts in Karamoja and extended this to the rest of the country and refugee settlements as a precautionary measure.
On Tuesday, 12 March, WFP provided Super Cereal, sugar and oil to 120 families at Alakas Health Centre II in Amudat district in Karamoja. On 13 March, Amudat hospital said that nine people had been admitted with symptoms of high fever and mental confusion.
In response, a WFP team went to Alakas to investigate and coordinate. On 14 March, the hospital reported the number of patients had grown to 24, complaining of headaches, dizziness, fever and exhibiting signs of severe mental disorder.
Australia – Salmonella sweeps Karratha mining camp
Image CDC
Workers based at a Karratha mining camp were so sick, some “felt like they were dying” as a salmonella epidemic affected up to 50 FIFO workers, hospitalising at least 20 and leaving mattresses lining the porches of dongas.
Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union state secretary Mick Buchan believed poor camp conditions at Searipple Village had left subcontractors to a number of big mining companies seriously ill.
“It is a disgrace what is happening up there at the moment,” he said.
“This all goes down to the amenity providers and where their margins are being cut short.
Kenya – 18 Nyabururu Girls High School students treated for food poisoning
At least 18 students from Nyabururu Girls High School have been in and out of the Nyangena Hospital in Kisii town over suspected food poisoning since Thursday.
On Saturday, the school circulated a message to all parents seeking to dispel fake news spread on social media that more than 100 students had been taken sick.
“Dear parent, kindly ignore malicious news circulating on social media that all girls are admitted in hospital. There are only seven girls who were admitted and discharged over various ailment, their parents were informed.”
But students who secretly informed their parents of their ill health after borrowing phones from other patients said they had been cautioned against informing anyone of their state.
Canada – Food Recall Warning – Bottled bar clams recalled due to potential presence of dangerous bacteria – Clostridium botulinum
Image CDC
Recall details
Ottawa, March 15, 2019 – Out of the Blue Fish & Seafood Market is recalling bottled bar clams from the marketplace because they may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below.
The following products were sold at Out of the Blue Fish & Seafood Market, 1A The Square, Bayfield, Ontario.
Recalled products
| Brand Name | Common Name | Size | Code(s) on Product | UPC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of the Blue Fish & Seafood Market | Bottled bar clams | N/A | All units sold from October 1, 2018 up to and including February 28, 2019 | None |
| None | Bottled bar clams | N/A | All units sold from October 1, 2018 up to and including February 28, 2019 | None |
What you should do
If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, call your doctor.
Check to see if you have recalled products in your home. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the store where they were purchased.
Food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick.
Symptoms in adults can include facial paralysis or loss of facial expression, unreactive or fixed pupils, difficulty swallowing, drooping eyelids, blurred or double vision, difficulty speaking or including slurred speech, and a change in sound of voice, including hoarseness.
Symptoms of foodborne botulism in children can include difficulty swallowing, slurred speech, generalized weakness and paralysis. In all cases, botulism does not cause a fever. In severe cases of illness, people may die.
UK – Drumsticks Products Co recalls Tahini products because they may contain salmonella
Drumsticks Products Co Ltd are recalling Tahini products because they may contain salmonella.
Product details
| Pack size | 500g |
| Lot number | 18-132 |
| Best before | 12 May 2020 |
| Pack size | 500g |
| Lot number | 18-128 |
| Best before | 8 May 2020 |
| Pack size | 500g |
| Lot number | 18-134 |
| Best before | 8 May 2020 |
No other Drumsticks Products Co products are known to be affected.
Risk statement
The products listed above might be contaminated with salmonella. Symptoms caused by salmonella usually include fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps.
Action taken by the company
Drumstick Products Co is recalling the above products. Point of sale notices will be displayed in all retail stores that are selling these products. These notices explain to customers why the products are being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product. Please see the attached notice.
Our advice to consumers
If you have bought any of the above products do not eat them. Instead, return it to the store from where it was bought for a full refund.
Research – Microbiological and chemical quality of ice used to preserve fish in Lisbon marketplaces
Abstract
Ice is widely used to preserve fish on markets, playing a major role in the food industry. If manufactured, stored or distributed in inadequate sanitary conditions, it can represent a considerable health risk for both consumers and professionals. The present study characterizes ice used in marketplaces, on microbiological and chemical parameters. The aim was to assess potential risks on occupational exposure and consumer safety and therewith plan orientation guidelines. Sampling took place in 18 marketplaces in Lisbon, with ice samples collected at three different stages—production (n = 29), storage (n = 30), and product‐contact (n = 29). No significant contamination was found in production and storage stages, demonstrating that ice production and storage procedures are adequate regarding sanitary conditions. With exception for Salmonella, significantly higher concentrations of microbial parameters were identified in product‐contact stages, specifically Total Coliforms (548 MPN/100 mL), Escherichia coli (1 MPN/100 mL), Enterococci (29 MPN/100 mL), Staphylococcus aureus (271 CFU/100 mL), HPC at 5°, 22°, and 37° (>301 CFU/mL). Our study also shows that the majority of samples from ice production and storage comply with national regulations regarding drinking water quality. Yet, occupational health and consumer risks may still exist at the final product‐contact stage, as significant contamination was detected..
Practical applications
The present study can be used as a model for ice quality monitoring in fish preservation, serving as a tool for quality control and fast contamination detection during the several process stages.
This monitoring model is an important contribution for assuring the safety of the preserved products, as well as, occupational health improvement and consumer risk protection.
