Category Archives: Food Illness

UK -Eighteen Brit holidaymakers in hospital after food poisoning outbreak at a top Italian Alps hotel

The Scottish Sun

EIGHTEEN Brit holidaymakers were in hospital last night after a suspected food poisoning attack at a top hotel in the Italian Alps.

The group were tucking into a New Year’s Day dinner on the slopes when several suddenly reported feeling ill and throwing up.

A spokesperson for TUI UK said””We can confirm that a number of customers staying at the Hotel Miravalle have reported that they had been unwell, with some seeking further medical advice. We are currently investigating what may have caused this.

“We would like to reassure customers that we take health and hygiene very seriously, and the safety and wellbeing of our customers is our highest priority.

“Our Crystal Ski Holidays reps in resort are on hand to support any customers who reported that they are unwell. We are working closely with our resort team and the hotel’s management to help prevent further illness spreading.”

Viet Nam – Kindergarten fined for feeding Staph bacteria contaminated food to students

Vn Express

A Thanh Hoa Province kindergarten where 143 kids had to be hospitalized with food poisoning a fortnight ago has been fined VND43 million ($1,860).

Results of tests done on the steamed rice rolls (banh cuon) served to the children of the Vuon Mat Troi Kindergarten last December 23 was announced Friday by the Central Food Quality Control Institute under the Ministry of Health,

The school in Thanh Hoa Town, capital of central province Thanh Hoa, had bought the rice rolls from a local shop.

Thanh Hoa’s Department of Food Safety and Hygiene fined the school for serving unhygienic food of unclear origin. The department also proposed authorities to punish the food provider.

USA – Outbreak of Salmonella Infections Linked to Ground Beef Final Update

CDC

Final Outbreak Information
Illustration of a clipboard with check marks on it.
  • As of December 30, 2019, this outbreak appears to be over.
  • Thirteen people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Dublin were reported from eight states.
    • Illnesses started on dates ranging from August 8, 2019, to October 22, 2019.
    • Nine hospitalizations were reported, including one death reported from California.
  • Epidemiologic, traceback, and laboratory evidence indicated that contaminated ground beef was the likely source of this outbreak.
  • On November 15, 2019, Central Valley Meat Co. in Hanford, Calif., recalledexternal icon 34,222 pounds of ground beef products that may have been contaminated with Salmonella Dublin.
    • A single, common supplier of ground beef that accounts for all of the illnesses was not identified.

Photo of packaging.

Malaysia -Food Poisoning outbreak in Kuala Lumpur

Outbreak News Today

The Malaysia Ministry of Health received a report about a food poisoning incident involving PAST kindergarten teachers throughout the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur attending a training course at a center in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur on Jan. 5.

Course participants presented with symptoms of vomiting, stomach ache and diarrhea and are being treated at the hospital.

Further investigations by health officials at the training center found that 137 people of the 280 exposed course participants had the same symptoms

All cases are stable and the vast majority are being treated as outpatients. Food suspected to be the cause of this food poisoning situation include chicken cooked at dinner at the training center on the day of the incident. Clinical samples from cases as well as food samples were taken and sent to the laboratory for analysis.

 

USA – Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Javiana Potentially Linked to Tailor Cut Produce Fruit Mix, Winter 2019

FDA

January 2, 2020

Total Illnesses: 96
Hospitalizations: 27
Deaths: 0
Last illness onset: December 10, 2019

Recommendation

FDA, CDC and state and local partners are investigating an outbreak of illnesses caused by Salmonella Javiana. Epidemiologic and traceback evidence indicate that fruit mix with cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, and grapes from Tailor Cut Produce of North Brunswick, New Jersey, is a potential source of this outbreak.

The firm recalled the fruit mix, called Fruit Luau, as well as cut honeydew, cut cantaloupe and cut pineapple products on December 7. Food service and institutional food operators should not sell or serve the recalled products.

Tailor Cut Produce reports that their products may be found in restaurants, banquet facilities, hotels, schools, long-term care facilities and institutional food service establishments in Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Because the recalled products may have been distributed to nursing homes, schools, hospitals and other facilities that cater to vulnerable populations, it is important that these facilities do not sell or serve them. Please consult with your distributor to confirm the source of the fruit mix and cut fruit used in your operation.

Background

As of December 30, 2019, CDC is reporting 96 illnesses confirmed by Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) in CA, CO, CT, DE, IL, MN, NJ, NY, PA, VA, and WA. Illnesses were reported from states where Tailor Cut Produce distributes, including Pennsylvania, New York City, New Jersey, and Delaware. Ill people from other states reported traveling to these states in the week before their illness started. CDC reports only cases confirmed by WGS, and these numbers may differ from the numbers that states are investigating.

FDA’s inspection at Tailor Cut Produce is ongoing. FDA is currently collecting records to support a traceback investigation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

USA – Meijer recalls diced eggs used in salad bars – Listeria monocytogenes

Food Safety News

Meijer is recalling frozen hard boiled egg products used on salad bars at two stores because of possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The stores with the salad bars are located in Grand Rapid, MI.

The company recall says that it is initiating the recall “in conjunction with Almark Foods.”

The Almark egg facility has been confirmed to be contaminated with the same strain of Listeria monocytogenes that public health officials have found in patients involved in a multi-state outbreak. One person has died.

USA – Death by Norovirus tied to Puritan Backroom in New Hampshire

Food Poison Journal

The New Hampshire Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) has determined that norovirus was a contributing cause of death in the person who passed away after attending an event at the Puritan Backroom in Manchester, New Hampshire, on November 24, 2019. The OCME completed its final report today after conducting an autopsy last month.

South Africa -South African Listeria outbreak impacted food choices of students

Food Safety News

The Listeria outbreak linked to a brand of polony in South Africa had a negative impact on student’s consumption patterns of cold meat, according to researchers.

The study analyzed the effect of the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak on consumption patterns of processed cold meat products by students at North West University, Mmabatho South Africa.

The 2017-2018 listeriosis outbreak was traced to contaminated processed meats produced by Enterprise Foods, a subsidiary of Tiger Brands, in Polokwane. About 1,060 cases were confirmed and 216 people died.

The North West University Mafikeng Campus has 12,864 registered students. Surveys and interviews were conducted from June to July 2018. Recently findings published in the IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science journal.

 

USA – Almark Eggs Secondary Recalls For Listeria Monocytogenes Listed

Food Poisoning Bulletin

These are all of the recalls of Almark Foods hard boiled eggs to date:

  • The first recall was for Almark hard cooked and peeled eggs in pails within expiration dates. The company has suspended production of the eggs while an investigation is being conducted. Some of the brand names recalled in this initial recall include Nic’s, Rainbow Farms, and Sutherland’s Food Service.
  • Almark expanded that recall on December 23, 2019 to include al hard boiled eggs that were manufactured at the firm’s Gainesville, Georgia facility. Some brand names of those eggs include Egglands Best, Fresh Thyme, Giant Eagle, Great Value, and Kroger.
  • Bakkavor Foods recalled Trader Joe’s egg salad and potato salad on December 23, 2019. None of those products are linked to any illnesses.
  • Dierbergs Markets recalled potato and egg salads and remoulade on December 24, 2019 because they were made with the recalled Almark hard cooked eggs.
  • Reichel Foods recalled Pro2Snax in two varieties on December 26, 2019. These products were sold in retail outlets nationwide.
  • Great American Deli recalled egg salads sandwiches on December 24, 2019 because they were made with recalled Almark Foods hard cooked eggs.
  • Cece’s Veggie Fresh Ramen Salad with Chicken Broth was recalled on December 30, 2019 because the product was made with Almark Foods Eggs.
  • Meijer recalled diced hard cooked eggs used on salad bars in two of its stores in Grand Rapids, Michigan on December 31, 2019.

USA – Cyclospora Number One Multistate Food Poisoning Outbreak For 2019

Food Poisoning Bulletin cardcyclosporasme

Cyclospora is the number one multistate food poisoning outbreak for 2019, with more than 2400 people sick. This wasn’t an individual outbreak, but many individual cases and several outbreaks linked to a venue or product. The overall number of domestically acquired cases is higher than those from 2017 and 2018.

hese are the outbreaks of cyclosporiasis linked to a venue or food:

  • An outbreak associated with workplace cafeterias in Virginia that sickened at least 39 people.
  • A large cyclospora outbreak at Cooper’s Hawk Winery in the Jacksonville, Florida area sickened at least 132 people in 11 states.
  • An outbreak in Minnesota sickened 35 people and was associated with three restaurants located in different areas of the state.
  • Cyclosporiasis illnesses in New York City in July sickened more than 90 people.
  • Boston Cyclospora outbreak, also in July, sickened more than 100 people.
  • A cyclospora outbreak linked to Siga Logistics de RL de CV basil imported from Mexico sickened more than 240 people. this was the largest individual outbreak in the overall case count.