Category Archives: Food Illness

USA – Premo-Brand Packaged Sandwich Recall Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination Remains Ongoing

Food Poisoning News

A recall first initiated in June 2024 by Lipari Foods Operating Company, LLC for a number of pre-packaged sandwiches due to potential contamination with Salmonella remains ongoing.  Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause serious infections, especially in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems

USA – Washington investigation shows people became sick after drinking unpasteurized, raw milk

Food Safety News

It has been found that two people in Washington drank raw milk from Jim’s Jerseys before becoming infected with Campylobacter jejuni.

The patients became ill in July after drinking the unpasteurized milk produced by Old Silvana Creamery located in Arlington, WA, according to the Washington State Department of Health.

“Raw milk is a high-risk food for causing illness because it is not heat treated (pasteurized) to kill germs that can make people sick. Campylobacter jejuni and other bacteria may naturally be in cattle manure which can contaminate milk during production. . . Consumers who drink milk are encouraged to drink only pasteurized milk.” according to the health department.

USA – Cyclosporiasis Outbreak (Caused by Ingestion of the Cyclospora Parasite) Affects Over 100 in North Carolina County

Food Poisoning News

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has confirmed an outbreak of cyclosporiasis that has affected more than 100 people in Wake County, according to WRAL. The outbreak was identified in July, though the specific contaminated food item has not yet been identified.

According to DHHS, the outbreak appears to be over, but the investigation is ongoing into the source of the Cyclospora parasite. A spokeswoman for the department stated, “We have not identified the specific contaminated food item, and the outbreak appears to be over.”

Canada – Public Health Notice: Outbreak of Listeria infections linked to recalled plant-based refrigerated beverages

PHAC

August 12, 2024: Update

This outbreak investigation is ongoing. The public health notice will be updated as the investigation evolves.

At a glance

Do not consume, use, sell, serve or distribute various recalled plant-based refrigerated beverages

At a glance
Illnesses 20
Provinces and territories with illnesses (number of illnesses)
  • Alberta (1)
  • Ontario (13)
  • Quebec (5)
  • Nova Scotia (1)
Hospitalizations 15
Deaths 3
Gender 65% female
Age range 7-89

70% of cases are 50 years of age or older

Food Recall Yes, various Silk and Great Value brand plant-based refrigerated beverages recalled nationally
Investigation status Active

Recalled food

Food recall warnings have been issued for plant-based refrigerated beverages from:

  • Silk
  • Great Value

For more information on the recalled products, please consult the Canadian Food inspection Agency (CFIA) recall notice on the Government of Canada Recalls and Safety Alerts website.

Food recall warning: Various Silk and Great Value brand plant-based refrigerated beverages recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes

How to protect your health

Listeriosis is a foodborne bacterial illness that can affect anyone exposed to a contaminated food product, including the recalled products.

While healthy individuals can fall ill from a Listeria infection, the disease can be fatal for unborn babies, newborns, individuals over age 60, and those with weakened immune systems.

The following advice applies to individuals across Canada:

  • Check to see if you have recalled products in your homes or establishment by looking for the specific product name and size, UPC and codes in the recall alert.
  • Do not consume, serve, use, sell or distribute recalled products or any product made with them.
  • Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased. Consumers who are unsure if they have purchased the recalled products are advised to contact their retailer.
  • Do not cook food for other people if you’ve been diagnosed with a Listeria infection or any other gastrointestinal illness.
  • Contact your health care provider if you think you’re experiencing symptoms of Listeria infection.

Those who are most at risk of becoming sick with severe listeriosis include:

  • People with weakened immune systems (unable to fight diseases easily).
  • Adults over the age of 60. The risk increases with age due to a weakening immune system.
  • People who are pregnant, including their unborn or newborn baby.

What are the complication risks?

If you have severe listeriosis, you can develop meningitis (a brain infection) and/or blood poisoning. Severe listeriosis can be fatal.
Although people infected while pregnant may only experience mild, flu-like symptoms, listeriosis can spread to their unborn baby, and it can cause:

  • a miscarriage
    • this is when your baby dies in the womb before the 20th week of pregnancy
  • a stillbirth
    • this is when your baby dies in the womb after 20 weeks of pregnancy (before delivery)
  • a premature birth
  • life-threatening illness in your baby shortly after birth

Symptoms

Symptoms of listeriosis can start as early as 3 days after eating contaminated food. You may have the following symptoms:

  • fever
  • nausea
  • cramps
  • diarrhea
  • vomiting
  • headache
  • constipation
  • muscle aches

In severe cases, the bacteria can spread to the nervous system (the brain, spinal cord and nerves). Symptoms of severe listeriosis include:

  • stiff neck
  • confusion
  • headache
  • loss of balance

Symptoms of severe listeriosis may appear up to 70 days after you have been exposed to Listeria.

Investigation summary

There are 20 laboratory-confirmed cases of Listeria monocytogenes illness linked to this outbreak in:

  • Alberta (1)
  • Ontario (13)
  • Quebec (5)
  • Nova Scotia (1)

People became sick between August 2023 and mid-July 2024. Of the cases reported to us, fifteen people have been hospitalized and three individuals have died. Many people who became sick reported drinking recalled plant-based beverages before their illnesses occurred.

People who became sick are between 7 and 89 years old. Most of them are:

  • adults 50 years of age or older (70%)
  • female (65%)

More recent illnesses may continue to be reported in the outbreak because there is a period between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported to public health officials. For this outbreak, the illness reporting period is between 9 and 29 days.

This outbreak may not be limited to the provinces or territories with known illnesses because the recalled plant-based beverages were distributed nationally.

USA – US health officials report a third death in Listeria food poisoning outbreak tied to deli meats

Food Safety News

recalled Boars Head deli meats

A Listeria outbreak traced to Boar’s Head deli meats has claimed another life and sickened more people.

As of Aug. 8, there were 43 confirmed patients across 13 states. All of the patients have required hospitalization. Three of the patients have died. The patients range in age from 32 to 94 years old.

“Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data show that meats sliced at deli counters, including Boar’s Head brand liverwurst, are contaminated with Listeria and are making people sick,” according to an update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

USA- FDA- Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

FDA

What’s New

  • An outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis illnesses (ref #1245) linked to a not yet identified product has been added to the table. FDA has initiated traceback.
  • An outbreak of Salmonella Newport (ref #1248) linked to a not yet identified product has been added to the table.
  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Irumu (ref #1235) linked to a not yet identified product, FDA has initiated sampling.
  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium (ref #1234) linked to a not yet identified product, the case count has increased from 87 to 88.
  • For the investigation of illnesses (ref #1233) linked to Diamond Shruumz-brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, and Gummies, the advisory has been updated to include additional illnesses.
Date
Posted
Ref Pathogen
or
Cause of
Illness
Product(s)
Linked to
Illnesses

(if any)
Total
Case
Count
8/7/

2024

1245 Cyclospora
cayetanensis
Not Yet
Identified
2
8/7/

2024

1248 Salmonella
Newport
Not Yet
Identified
2
7/31/

2024

1237 Cyclospora
cayetanensis
Not Yet
Identified
26
7/31/

2024

1239 Cyclospora
cayetanensis
Not Yet
Identified
16
7/10/

2024

1235 Salmonella
Irumu
Not Yet
Identified
32
6/19/

2024

1234 Salmonella
Typhimurium
Not Yet
Identified
88
6/12/2024 1233 Not Yet
Identified
Chocolate,
Gummies,
Cones
See
Advisory
5/22/2024 1227 Salmonella
Africana
&
Braenderup
Cucumbers See
Advisory

Listeria Recall: What Your Intestinal Tract Needs You to Know

ACSH

As America threw out bags of Boar’s Head roast beef and corned beef this weekend due to possible Listeria contamination, it focused attention, again, on the safety of our food supply. Food safety is fundamental to a functioning society and the minimum we expect as a country. How are we doing?

Taiwan – Food Poisoning Cases Strike Taiwan Restaurants

Food Poisoning News

Seven family members in Taichung, Taiwan were hospitalized on July 29 with suspected food poisoning, according to Taiwan News. Their symptoms, including abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, are commonly associated with infectious gastroenteritis.

The patients, aged 7 to 43, ate at a traditional breakfast shop at 2:20 a.m., consuming various items including noodles, dumplings, and beverages. Symptoms began around 3 a.m.

The Taichung City Fire Bureau responded at 1:34 p.m., transporting all seven to Tungs’ Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital. They will remain under observation while the Taichung Food Safety and Sanitation Bureau investigates.

If the breakfast shop is found responsible, it may face legal consequences.

India – 80 Students Fall Ill Due To Food Poisoning In Uttar Pradesh

NDTV

In a case of food poisoning, around 80 students from the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Ashram Method Inter College in Mehroona village of this district fell ill with symptoms of stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhoea, officials said on Monday.

The incident took place after the children had a dinner Sunday night, they said.

District Magistrate Divya Mittal told reporters that the students are in stable condition while an investigation into the incident is underway.

In an official statement, Assistant Commissioner of Food Safety Vinay Kumar Sahay said that a team from the Food Safety and Drug Administration inspected the inter college’s kitchen and storage area.

They collected seven samples, including prepared bread, lentils, vegetables, chili powder, chickpeas, mustard oil, and mixed pickles.

The samples were collected in the presence of the school’s director, Rajkumar Gupta, and a notice regarding storage and kitchen deficiencies is being issued.

The samples have been sent to a food laboratory for testing, and further action will be taken based on the results, Sahay said.

Singapore suspends Putien’s Senoko Kitchen, Yun Nans’ Northpoint branch amid ByteDance office food poisoning outbreak that affected 130

Yahoo News

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — Two caterers have been suspended by Singapore’s health authorities after a mass food poisoning incident at TikTok owner ByteDance’s office on Tuesday (July 30).

The Ministry of Health (MOH) and Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said that the food business operations of Yun Hai Yao at Northpoint City and Pu Tien Services at Senoko South Road have been suspended until further notice, according to a report on Singapore-based news channel Channel News Asia today.

Health authorities have mandated that both companies clean and sanitise their premises, including all equipment and utensils, and dispose of all ready-to-eat and perishable food items.

All food handlers must retake and pass the Food Safety Course Level 1 and test negative for foodborne pathogens before resuming their duties, the CNA report was quoted as saying.

The food hygiene officer must also retake and pass the Food Safety Course Level 3 before returning to work.

Pu Tien Services serves as the main and catering kitchen for Putien, while Yun Hai Yao operates the Yun Nans restaurant chain, the CNA report said.

Authorities said 130 people reported having gastroenteritis symptoms on Tuesday, with fifty-seven people taken to the hospital.

Seventeen others remain hospitalised but are in stable condition, said the report.

The others have either sought outpatient care, self-medicated, or recovered without any treatment.