Category Archives: Food Illness

US- Norovirus Outbreak

Posted on June 17, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Walnut Creek Patch 

County environmental health officials have ordered the closing of a popular Walnut Creek pizza restaurant after test results confirmed that customers and restaurant staff have norovirus.

Contra Costa County Environmental Health Director Marilyn Underwood said the county ordered California Pizza Kitchen at Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek, closed at 5 p.m. Thursday after receiving lab resulting confirming norovirus.

Norovirus is a contagious virus that you can get from an infected person, contaminated food or by touching contaminated surfaces. Each year, norovirus causes about 21 million gastrointestinal illnesses, and contributes to about 70,000 hospitalisations and 800 deaths, according to the website of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

County officials have linked the norovirus to a food-borne illness outbreak connected with salad served Thursday, June 7, at the California Pizza Kitchen at Broadway Plaza, Walnut Creek.

County officials went to the restaurant Thursday evening and posted a notice closing the restaurant under the authority of state law. They asked the staff to close the restaurant. The staff quietly asked customers to leave, Underwood said.

The first batch of samples came back Thursday. Of five employees tested, three positive for norovirus, Underwood said. Of two customers tested, both were positive for norovirus.

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Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Food Virus, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Norovirus, outbreak, Pathogen, Virus

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Hong Kong – Shigella Alert

Posted on June 17, 2012 by | Leave a comment

DOH Hong Kong 

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 14) cautioned members of the public against bacillary dysentery infection.

The CHP received an increased number of bacillary dysentery notifications recently, with the number of cases reaching six in June so far, compared to monthly notifications ranging from one to five cases between January and May 2012.

A CHP spokesman said: “Preliminary investigation revealed that five of the recent six patients were caused by Shigella sonnei, and they all lived in Tuen Mun.”

“These five cases were two males and three females, aged between six and 14. They presented with fever, diarrhoea and vomiting from June 3 to June 6. All of them had sought medical consultation. Three of them required hospital admission. They are all in stable condition.”

“Investigation is underway to ascertain or exclude a common source of infection,” the spokesman said.

Bacillary dysentery is an intestinal infection caused by a group of Shigella bacteria which can be found in human gut. It is transmitted directly by faecal material of a patient/carrier or indirectly through contaminated food and water. It occurs more commonly amongst young children. In Hong Kong, more cases were recorded in summer months.

The spokesman advised members of the public to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene to avoid infection. They should:

* wash hands properly with soap and water before eating or handling food, and after toilet or changing diapers;
* purchase fresh food from reliable sources, do not patronize illegal hawkers; and
* seek medical attention when they have symptoms of fever and diarrhea, especially bloody diarrhea.

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Pathogen, Shigella

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RASFF Alerts – Aflatoxin, Salmonella, E.coli, DSP, Listeria

Posted on June 16, 2012 by | Leave a comment

RASFF – Aflatoxin in Peanut Paste Belgium sourced from the Ivory Coast

RASFF – Salmonella in Cumin Powder in the UK sourced from Denmark

RASFF – Salmonella broiler leg meat in France sourced from Lithuania

RASFF – DSP (Diarrhoeic Shellfish Poisoning) Razor Clams UK

RASFF –  Salmonella Soya Bean meal in Italy sourced in Switzerland

RASFF – Aflatoxins in Spice Mix in Ireland sourced from India

RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes in smoked bacon from Poland

RASFF – Listeria monocytogenes in smoked Halibut from France

RASFF – Campylobacter in fresh chicken from Germany

RASFF – Salmonella in soya bean meal in Germany

RASFF – Salmonella in rape cake from Germany

RASFF –  High levels of E.coli Oysters in France

 

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Posted in Aflatoxin, Bacteria, Campylobacter, DSP, E.coli, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Foodborne Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Pathogen, RASFF, Recall, Salmonella

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US Bans Korean Shellfish – Faecal Matter – Norovirus

Posted on June 16, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Korean shellfish is not safe to eat and Korea has been removed from the U.S. list of approved  shellfish shippers after officials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discovered unsanitary conditions  that exposed molluscan growing areas to human fecal matter, norovirus and pollution, the agency announced yesterday.

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Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Microbiology, Norovirus, outbreak, Pathogen, Recall

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Belgium – 19 Cases E.coli O157

Posted on June 15, 2012 by | Leave a comment

BarfBlog

Nineteen cases of infection with E. coli O157 have been detected in Limburg, Belgium, of which three have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

The Federal Agency for Security of the Food Chain (AFSCA) said Thursday that all cases are related to the ingestion of filet américain (lit. American fillet) with onions and more seasoning than a normal steak tartare.

AFSCA launched an investigation and based on date of purchase, consumption and onset of disease, the suspect beef has been traced and initial sampling results were positive for E. coli O157

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Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, E.coli O157, EHEC, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Illness, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen

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FDA – Red Pepper & Onion Garlic Cheese – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on June 13, 2012 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Golden Glen Creamery of Bow, WA, in cooperation with the WSDA is voluntarily recalling Red Pepper with Onion & Garlic Cheddar produced on August 30, 2011 because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The Creamery agreed to recall the product after a sample taken by the WSDA returned with a positive result. Samples of the same batch have tested negative through an independent, state-approved lab that Creamery has submitted samples to. No illnesses have been reported to date. L. monocytogenesis an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

To date, no illnesses have been reported.

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, FDA, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

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US – California Farmers Markets Soups Warning – Possible Botulinum

Posted on June 12, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

The California Department of Health is warning consumers not to eat certain soups sold at  southern California farmers markets because they may have been produced in a way that makes them susceptible to Clostridium botulinum.  

CDPH said Monday that canned soups manufactured by Malibu-based One Gun Ranch and Santa Barbara-based Organic Soup Kitchen had the potential to be contaminated with the bacteria, which produces harmful toxins that can be dangerous to human health.
 
The soups from One Gun Ranch (left) that are subject to the warning include: Campfire Kitchen Cauliflower Soup, Heirloom Tomato Fennel Gaspacho Soup, Sequoia’s Skinny Spiced Coconut, Parsnip, and Tumeric Soup, Oassian’s Pumpkin Stew and Freddy’s Firegrilled Meatballs. The soups were sold only at the Pacific Palisades Farmers Market located at Swarthmore Avenue and Sunset Blvd. in Pacific Palisades, CA on May 13, 2012 and June 3, 2012. They were sold in 16 oz. glass jars with screw-on metal lids.  
 
The soups from Organic Soup Kitchen (below) were sold at two farmers markets: the Calabasas Farmers Market, located at Calabasas Road and El Canon Avenue in Calabasas, CA 91302 (Saturdays) and the Studio City Farmers Market, located at Ventura Place between Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Radford Avenue, Studio City, CA 91604 (Sundays). The soups were sold between June 6,2011 and May 6, 2012 in one-quart jars with screw-on metal lids. The affected soups include the following flavors: Fire Roasted Yam, Curried Potato Leek, Curry Lentil Bisque, Tomato Bean and Wild Herb and Mediterranean Chipotle Chili.   
 
Consumers who purchased any of the soups described above are urged to throw them out immediately and then thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water.
 
As of Monday, no illnesses had been linked to these soups, CDPH reported.  
 

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Posted in Bacteria, CDPH, Clostridium botulinum, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall

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France – Sardine Recall – Histamine

Posted on June 12, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Rappels

The retailer Casino announced Monday, June 11 a recall of batches of canned sardines contaminated with histamine, a compound that is resistant to cooking and can cause digestive disorders, skin problems and headaches.

The products that must be returned to store are boxes of 120g of sardines in vegetable oil brand “Every Day” with the lot number BJ.L 019F, and as expiration date, January 19, 2017. These boxes have the barcode 3700311820348 when they are sold individually and in sets of three 3700311820331.

Also recalled are 120g cans of sardines in tomato sauce, branded “Everyday”, bearing the lot number BJ.L 020E, and the expiration date of January 20, 2015. These boxes have the barcode 3700311820362 when they are sold individually and in sets of three 3700311820355.

Casino has told customers not to eat these sardines and return them to the store for refund. These foods have significant levels of histamine that can cause, soon after ingestion, digestive problems or skin rash, accompanied by headaches,” even after cooking.

People who have consumed the products mentioned above and are presenting these symptoms should consult their doctor and draw attention to the consumer,” he adds.

A free call on 0800 13 30 16 provides more information.

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Histamine, Microbiology, Recall

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Organic Meats Increased Toxoplasmosis Risk?

Posted on June 10, 2012 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin 

A study published in the May 22, 2012 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseaseshas found that organic meats may have increased toxoplasmosis risk.

Toxoplasmosis gondii is a single-celled parasite that used to be a significant problem in pork. The definitive host for the parasite is cats. When pigs were allowed to forage for food, they often ate food contaminated with infected cat feces, or ate wild animals and birds that contained the oocysts. That’s why your grandmother used to cook pork well done to 160 degrees F, because that destroyed the parasite in all of its forms.

When pork farmers changed the methods of hog raising to eliminate foraging and fed the animals processed food, the risk of toxoplasmosis fell considerably. But the current trend toward free-range food animals, especially pigs and lamb, has increased the toxoplasmosis risk, since those animals are foraging for food. Wild game, such as venison, is also a a source of the toxoplasmosis parasite.

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Posted in Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, Parasite, Pathogen, Toxoplasmosis

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Australia Milk Recall Listeria

Posted on June 9, 2012 by | Leave a comment

FSANZ 

Parmalat Australia Ltd has recalled Pauls Smarter White Milk (1L) from Woolworths, Coles, BP Service Stations and smaller independent outlets in NT due to Listeria Monocytogenes contamination. Listeria may cause illness in pregnant women and their unborn babies, the elderly and people with low immune systems.

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Posted in Bacteria, Eurofins Laboratories, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Microbiology, Pathogen, Recall