Category Archives: Food Illness

Europe – Salmonella the most common cause of foodborne outbreaks in the European Union

Posted on December 13, 2019 by | Leave a comment

ECDC

Nearly one in three foodborne outbreaks in the EU in 2018 were caused by Salmonella. This is one of the main findings of the annual report on trends and sources of zoonoses published today by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

In 2018, EU Member States reported 5 146 foodborne outbreaks affecting 48 365 people. A foodborne disease outbreak is an incident during which at least two people contract the same illness from the same contaminated food or drink.

Slovakia, Spain and Poland accounted for 67% of the 1 581 Salmonella outbreaks. These outbreaks were mainly linked to eggs.

 “Findings from our latest Eurobarometer show that less than one third of European citizens rank food poisoning from bacteria among their top five concerns when it comes to food safety. The number of reported outbreaks suggests that there’s room for raising awareness among consumers as many foodborne illnesses are preventable by improving hygiene measures when handling and preparing food” said EFSA’s chief scientist Marta Hugas.

Salmonellosis was the second most commonly reported gastrointestinal infection in humans in the EU (91 857 cases reported), after campylobacteriosis (246 571).

Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) has become the third most common cause of foodborne zoonotic disease with 8 161 reported cases – replacing yersiniosis with a 37% increase compared to 2017. This may be partly explained by the growing use of new laboratory technologies, making the detection of sporadic cases easier.

Of the zoonotic diseases covered by the report, listeriosis accounts for the highest proportion of hospitalised cases (97%) and highest number of deaths (229), making it one of the most serious foodborne diseases.

The number of people affected by listeriosis in 2018 is similar to 2017 (2 549 in 2018 against 2 480 the previous year). However, the trend has been upward over the past ten years.

The report also includes data on Mycobacterium bovis, Brucella, Yersinia, Trichinella, Echinococcus, Toxoplasma, rabies, Coxiella burnetii (Q fever), and tularaemia.

Read the report

Publication

The European Union One Health 2018 Zoonoses Report

Surveillance report – 

This report of the European Food Safety Authority and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control presents the results of zoonoses monitoring activities carried out in 2018 in 36 European countries (28 Member States (MS) and 8 non-MS).

The European Union One Health 2018 Zoonoses Report – EN – [PDF-14.15 MB]
e.

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food death, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, foodborne disease, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Research, Salmonella, STEC, STEC E.coli, Uncategorized

RASFF Alert – Food Poisoning – Live Oysters

Posted on December 13, 2019 by | Leave a comment

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RASFF – food poisoning suspected to be caused by live oysters from France in the Netherlands

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin, RASFF, Uncategorized

India -Two siblings die of ‘food poisoning’ in Maharashtra

Posted on December 12, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Yahoo News

Mumbai, Dec 10 (PTI) Two minor siblings died due to suspected food poisoning in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district, a police official said on Tuesday.

Their elder sister also fell sick and was undergoing treatment at a hospital, he said.

The three children and their mother last Thursday complained of uneasiness, vomiting and loose motions after having dinner at their home in Sangamner, located around 200 km from here, he said.

All the four family members were rushed to a hospital where Krishna Deepak Supekar (6) died on Sunday evening, the official said, adding that his last rites were performed without a post-mortem.

His sister Shravani (8) also succumbed on Monday while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Loni, he said.

Their another 14-year-old sister was currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Sangamner while their mother was discharged as her condition was reported to be out of danger, the official said. PTI DC GK GK

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Uncategorized

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

Posted on December 12, 2019 by | Leave a comment

FDA Salmonella kswfoodworld

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

According to CDC, there are currently 11 illnesses confirmed by Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) in Pennsylvania and Minnesota. The person from Minnesota traveled to New York at the time of infection.  CDC reports only cases confirmed by WGS, and these numbers may differ from the numbers that states are investigating but are awaiting WGS confirmation to be included in the outbreak.

FDA has initiated an inspection at Tailor Cut Produce and is currently collecting records to support a traceback investigation. FDA will continue its investigation and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 11
Hospitalizations: 8
Deaths: 0
Last illness onset: November 28, 2019
States with Cases: PA (10), MN (1)*
*This case was a MN resident who travelled to NY.

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Salmonella, Uncategorized

USA -Outbreak Investigation of Hepatitis A Potentially Linked to Fresh Conventional Blackberries from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market and Woodman’s Market, Fall 2019

Posted on December 12, 2019 by | Leave a comment

FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of hepatitis A illnesses in Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin potentially linked to fresh, conventional (non-organic) blackberries from the grocery stores Fresh Thyme Farmers Market and Woodman’s Market.

On December 10, 2019, CDC updated their case counts to 18 illnesses, with the most recent illness onset date on November 15, 2019.

Based on the epidemiological information collected in the investigation thus far, ill patients reported consuming fresh, conventional blackberries bought in six states including Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Case patients reported buying them from either Fresh Thyme Farmers Market or Woodman’s Market.

Currently, traceback information shows that the berries from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market came from a distribution center that ships fresh berries to Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores in 11 states: IA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MO, MN, NE, OH, PA, and WI. As this investigation continues, the FDA will work with our federal and state partners to obtain additional information, including Woodman’s Market, during the traceback investigation and will update this advisory as more information becomes available.

Recommendation

The FDA is urging consumers to not eat any fresh, conventional blackberries if purchased between September 9 and September 30, 2019, from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores in the 11 states mentioned above or from Woodman’s Market located in Wisconsin and Illinois. People who purchased the fresh blackberries and then froze those berries for later consumption should not eat these berries. They should be thrown away.

If consumers purchased fresh, conventional blackberries from Fresh Thyme Farmers Market stores in the 11 states listed above or from Woodman’s Market located in Wisconsin and Illinois between September 9-30, ate those berries in the last two weeks, and have not been vaccinated for the hepatitis A virus (HAV), they should consult with their healthcare professional to determine whether post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is indicated. PEP is recommended for unvaccinated people who have been exposed to HAV in the last two weeks. Those with evidence of previous hepatitis A vaccination or previous hepatitis A infection do not require PEP.

Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have become ill from eating these blackberries, or if you believe that you have eaten these berries in the last two weeks.

Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 18
Hospitalizations: 10
Deaths: 0
Last illness onset: November 15, 2019
States with Cases: IN, MI, MN, MO, NE, WI

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Posted in FDA, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Uncategorized, Virus

USA/Canada – Salinas Romaine sickens 2 in Canada with E. coli O157and 102 in the United States

Posted on December 9, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

Since November 22, 2019, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has identified one additional E. coli illness in Canada with a similar genetic fingerprint to illnesses reported in the ongoing United States (U.S.) E. coli outbreak linked to romaine lettuce harvested in Salinas, California which has sickened at least 102 people in 23 states

As of December 6, 2019, there are two illnesses related to the U.S. outbreak that have been identified in Canada: Manitoba (1) and Alberta (1). These individuals became ill in mid-October and early November 2019. One individual was hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

PHAC has engaged federal and provincial public health partners and continues to work with U.S. health officials to determine the source of contamination affecting consumers.

Consumers are still advised to not eat, and retailers and food service establishments to not sell or serve, any romaine lettuce harvested from the Salinas, California growing region in the U.S. Romaine lettuce harvested in Canada is not affected by this advice.

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Posted in E.coli, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Uncategorized

Norway – Norwegian fish product linked to Listeria infections

Posted on December 9, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News haadem fisk rakfisk

A brand of raw fermented trout has been recalled in Norway after being linked to several Listeria infections.

Haadem Fisk withdrew ‘Hel rakfisk i spann – 4 kilograms’ with lot number 924 due to Listeria contamination. It was sold across the country.

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) warned consumers against eating fish from this batch. Officials would not disclose how many people are ill but Food Safety News understands there are only a small number of potentially linked infections.

Rakfisk is raw fish normally gutted and put into a salt brine and left for weeks or months. For most of the population the main season to eat it is November to February.

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, listeriosis, Uncategorized

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

Posted on December 9, 2019 by | Leave a comment

FDA

FDA and the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) are investigating an outbreak of illnesses caused by Salmonella Javiana in Pennsylvania. Epidemiologic and traceback evidence indicate that fruit mix with cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, and grapes from Tailor Cut Produce of North Brunswick, New Jersey, are a potential source of this outbreak.

Total Illnesses: 31

Recommendation

Food service and institutional food operators should not sell or serve the fruit mix with cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, and grapes prepared by Tailor Cut Produce.

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

Because this fruit mix 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 this fruit medley. Please consult with your distributor to confirm the source of the fruit mix used in your operation.

Background

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) reports that it is investigating 31 laboratory-confirmed illnesses of Salmonella at four healthcare facilities in southeast Pennsylvania. Salmonella Javiana has been identified among cases at three of four facilities. According to the Pennsylvania DOH the epidemiologic evidence collected thus far indicates that this fruit mix is a potential source of the illnesses. The state’s review of invoices shows that a common food eaten by many case patients was the fruit mix with cantaloupe, honeydew, pineapple, and grapes from Tailor Cut Produce.

FDA has activated a team to coordinate its outbreak investigation.  On December 6, 2019, the FDA and the Pennsylvania DOH shared the results of the investigation thus far with the firm, and the firm’s leadership stated that they would work with FDA to implement a recall of this product.

FDA will continue its investigation and provide updates as more information becomes available.

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Posted in FDA, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Salmonella, Uncategorized

RASFF Alert – Mycotoxin – DON – Wheat Bran

Posted on December 6, 2019 by | Leave a comment

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RASFF – deoxynivalenol (DON) (1025.84 µg/kg – ppb) in wheat bran from Hungary in Hungary

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Posted in deoxynivalenol, DON, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Spoilage, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Mould Toxin, Mycotoxin, RASFF, Uncategorized

USA -Dozens of norovirus-like cases linked to Brave Horse Tavern

Posted on December 5, 2019 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today

Food Borne Illness - Norovirus -CDC Photo

Image CDC

Public Health — Seattle & King County is reporting some 43 cases of a norovirus-like illness linked to a Seattle restaurant.

Officials say the outbreak is associated with Brave Horse Tavern on 310 Terry Ave N, in  Seattle. The patients experienced symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, chills, and fever.

Health officials report:

Since November 27, 2019, 30 people from 5 meal parties reported becoming ill after consuming food and drinks from Brave Horse Tavern on November 23 and 24, 2019.

We identified at least 11 employees who experienced symptoms consistent with norovirus dating back to November 24, 2019. At least 2 employees had 2 total household members with symptoms dating back to November 20, 2019.

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Norovirus, Uncategorized, Virus