Category Archives: Food Illness

Campylobacter (Sweden July 2024–)

Folkhalsomyndigheten

In the first weeks of July (July 1-July 14), the number of reported cases of campylobacter infected in Sweden increased to nearly 100 cases per week. In the following weeks (July 15-July 28), the number of reported cases increased further, to 160 and 210 cases per week respectively. The cases are found in several regions. The increase coincides with previously increased occurrence of campylobacter in broiler flocks.
The Campylobacter program in chicken in Sweden (sva.se)

Good handling of raw chicken reduces the risk of becoming infected.
Campylobacter (livsmedelsverket.se)

Denmark – Outbreak with Salmonella monophasic Typhimurium sequence type 34 in Denmark

SSI

Since April 2024, the Statens Serum Institut has registered an outbreak with 63 cases of Salmonella monophasic Typhimurium. The Statens Serum Institut, the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration and the Norwegian Food Institute DTU are investigating the disease outbreak, which has been decreasing since June. The source of infection in this outbreak is minced beef of Danish origin.

USA- FDA – Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

FDA

What’s New

  • A new outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis illnesses (ref #1237) linked to a not yet identified product has been added to the table. FDA has initiated traceback.
  • A new outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis illnesses (ref #1239) linked to a not yet identified product has been added to the table. FDA has initiated traceback.
  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Irumu (ref #1235) linked to a not yet identified product, the case count has increased from 31 to 32.
  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium (ref #1234) linked to a not yet identified product, FDA has initiated sample collection.
  • 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 and a list of retailers that may have received recalled product.
  • For the investigation of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #1232) illnesses, the outbreak has ended and FDA’s investigation has closed.  Based on CDC’s epidemiological investigation, ill people reported eating salad mixes before becoming sick. CDC, FDA, and state and local partners conducted epidemiologic and traceback investigations and collected and analyzed finished product and environmental samples. All samples collected as part of the investigation were reported as negative for Listeria monocytogenes. The products making people sick in this outbreak are off the market and past shelf life. There is no ongoing risk to the public.

Singapore – 60 people fall ill after mass food poisoning incident at ByteDance office; SFA, MOH investigating

Channel News Asia

SINGAPORE: Authorities are investigating dozens of cases of gastroenteritis reported at TikTok owner ByteDance’s Singapore office at One Raffles Quay on Tuesday (Jul 30).

Sixty people developed symptoms of gastroenteritis and 57 of them sought medical treatment at hospitals, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a joint statement on Tuesday night.

A buffet section at the canteen will be closed until investigations are complete, the company said.

“We are taking this incident very seriously and are working closely with local authorities and caterers to identify the cause as soon as possible,” it added.

CNA understands that ByteDance engages licensed external vendors to cater food for its offices, and that food is not prepared or cooked at its office premises in Singapore.

Singapore- Suspension of Yun Hai Yao Pte Ltd’s and Pu Tien Services Pte Ltd’sFood Business Operations

SFA

The Ministry of Health (MOH) and Singapore Food Agency (SFA) are
investigating an incident of gastroenteritis affecting a total of 130 individuals who had
consumed food supplied by Yun Hai Yao Pte Ltd and Pu Tien Services Pte Ltd to
ByteDance’s office at One Raffles Quay. 17 were hospitalised and are currently stable.
The rest have sought outpatient treatment, self-medicated, or recovered without
treatment.

Japan – 130 people suffer food poisoning in Japan after eating eel – Staphylococcus aureus

Kyodo News

A total of 130 people suffered food poisoning after eating grilled eel dishes, a popular midsummer delicacy in Japan, that were sold last week at a department store in Yokohama, near Tokyo, local health authorities said Monday.

Those affected have reported symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, but most cases were not serious, the health center of the city of Yokohama said, adding that the lone death among the ill was a woman in her 90s whose exact cause of death is not known.

The health center said it detected staphylococcus aureus, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea, in the excrement of some of the people who ate the meals.

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

PHAC

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 18
Provinces and territories with illnesses (number of illnesses)
  • Alberta (1)
  • Ontario (12)
  • Quebec (4)
  • Nova Scotia (1)
Hospitalizations 13
Deaths 2
Gender 72% female
Age range 7-89

67% 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

USA – Boar’s Head Provisions Co. Expands Recall for Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

FSIS USDA

WASHINGTON, July 30, 2024 – Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc., a Jarratt, Va., establishment, is expanding its July 26, 2024, recall of deli meat products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The establishment is recalling approximately 7 million additional pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products. Whole genome sequencing results show that a liverwurst sample collected by the Maryland Department of Health tested positive for the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes.

This expansion includes 71 products produced between May 10, 2024, and July 29, 2024, under the Boar’s Head and Old Country brand names. These items include meat intended for slicing at retail delis as well as some packaged meat and poultry products sold at retail locations. These products have “sell by” dates ranging from 29-JUL-2024 through 17-OCT-24. View full product listView labels.

The products subject to recall were distributed to retail locations nationwide and some were exported to the Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Panama. The products shipped to retailers bear establishment number “EST. 12612” or “P-12612” inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels.

The problem was discovered when FSIS was notified that a liverwurst sample collected by the Maryland Department of Health tested positive for L. monocytogenes. The Maryland Department of Health, in collaboration with the Baltimore City Health Department, collected an unopened liverwurst product from a retail store for testing as part of an outbreak investigation of L. monocytogenes infections. Further testing determined the product sample tested positive for the outbreak strain. Anyone concerned about illness should contact a healthcare provider.

FSIS is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state public health partners to investigate the multistate outbreak of L. monocytogenes infections linked to meats sliced at delis. As of July 30, 2024, 34 sick people have been identified in 13 states, including 33 hospitalizations and two deaths. Samples were collected from sick people from May 29, 2024, to July 12, 2024. The investigation is ongoing, and FSIS continues to work with the CDC and state partners. The CDC Food Safety Alert, Listeria Outbreak Linked to Meats Sliced at Delis, will continue to be updated with the latest investigation details.

Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects people who are pregnant, aged 65 or older, or with weakened immune systems. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Vietnam – Over 2,000 people in Vietnam suffer from food poisoning in first 6 months

Xinhua

HANOI, July 29 (Xinhua) — Vietnam reported 36 food poisoning cases involving 2,138 people and six deaths in the first six months of this year, local media reported Monday, citing the Ministry of Health.

Compared to the same period last year, the number of cases declined by four, but the number of victims increased by 1,432 people, Suc Khoe & Doi Song, the ministry’s newspaper, reported.

The poisoning trend tends to be on the rise at restaurants, hotels and among food sold by vendors, said Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen.

Recent mass poisoning cases were reported at factories, company kitchens, school canteens, and food stalls located near schools.

Microorganisms and natural toxins are the primary causes of food poisoning cases while natural toxins and alcohol poisoning are the leading causes of death, according to the ministry’s analysis.

Viet Nam -48 tourists hospitalized for suspected food poisoning in Mui Ne

VN Express

48 tourists in the central resort town Mui Ne were hospitalized for suspected food poisoning after eating at several local restaurants.

The tourists were part of a 182-person group who traveled to Mui Ne in Binh Thuan Province, according to the Binh Thuan Department of Health. The tour was organized by the Hon Gai Tour company, and the tourists stayed at the Sailing Bay Resort from Friday to Sunday.

On Friday, the tourists had dinner at the Canh Buom Vang restaurant. On Saturday they had breakfast and lunch at a restaurant within the Sailing Bay Resort. By the afternoon, several people reported symptoms like stomachache, diarrhea and vomiting, so they were taken to hospital.