Category Archives: Food Illness

Number of food poisoning patients in Japan expected to rise for 1st time in 3 yrs

Posted on November 24, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Mainichi

TOKYO — Japan’s health ministry is calling for caution as the number of food poisoning patients in the country is expected to increase for the first time in three years, with the risk existing even in winter.

There has been a spate of food poisoning patients due to the easing of measures against coronavirus infections. Some outbreaks have occurred in groups of several hundred people after eating bento boxed lunches or “nagashi-somen” — noodles carried by water in flumes of bamboo so that diners can pluck them out with their chopsticks to eat.

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Posted in Food Illness, Food Microbiology Research, Food Poisoning, Foodborne Illness, Illness, Poisoning, Research

Research – Foodborne botulism outbreak involving different nationalities during the Rugby World Cup: critical role of credit card data and rapid international cooperation, France, September 2023

Posted on November 24, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Eurosurveillance

An unprecedented outbreak of 15 cases (including one death) of foodborne botulism occurred in Bordeaux, France, in September 2023 during the Rugby World Cup. Here we describe the national and international outbreak investigation using credit card data and control measures taken.

On 10 September 2023, the Bordeaux University Hospital reported three suspected cases of botulism to the local public health authorities [1]. All suspected cases had visited the same restaurant (Restaurant A) in Bordeaux on different dates and reported consumption of canned marinated sardines. The sardines were part of a batch made by Restaurant A on 1 September 2023 and served between 1 and 10 September. Cases were of different nationalities. In the previous days, the city had hosted two international rugby games as part of the Rugby World Cup attended by a large number of international visitors. An investigation was initiated to identify and contact persons visiting restaurant A and to contact public health agencies of countries whose citizens were affected by the outbreak.

Considering the severity of botulism and the urgency of control measures to stop the outbreak, an active search for persons who had consumed the sardines was performed by using data retrieved from credit card receipts of restaurant A.

A suspected case of botulism was defined as a person with symptoms compatible with botulism (oculomotor palsy, mydriasis, ptosis, dysphagia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea), living or visiting the Bordeaux area and visiting Restaurant A between 1 and 10 September 2023. A confirmed case was defined as detection of type B botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) in stool and/or serum samples and/or detection of type B  in stools from a suspected case.

By screening meal orders and credit card receipts of Restaurant A, we identified 29 customers who had ordered canned sardines (Figure 1). Among these, 12 had already been identified as suspected cases, 14 were contacted by the French or British health authorities and were considered non-cases as they did not present any symptoms and three were symptomatic British citizens who were urgently referred to an emergency care in the United Kingdom (UK) on 13 September where they received botulinum antitoxin.

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Posted in Clostridium, Clostridium botulinum, Death, food death, Food Illness, Food Microbiology Research, Food Poisoning Death, Foodborne Illness, Foodborne Illness Death, Illness, Research

USA – Norovirus outbreak linked to $1 burrito special for Northwestern University students

Posted on November 23, 2023 by | Leave a comment

CBS News

The Evanston Health and Human Services Department warned Wednesday that it was tracking a norovirus outbreak linked to the burrito special.

The department is investigating the outbreak along with Northwestern University. Investigators have learned that people reported stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea after eating at Big Wig Tacos & Burritos during an event on Saturday, Nov. 18, at which the restaurant offered $1 burritos to students from the university.

The event was held between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. this past Saturday. Big Wig Tacos & Burritos has a location at 950 Church St. in downtown Evanston.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Norovirus, outbreak

USA – Crown Jewels Produce Recalls “Malichita / Z Farms” Label of Whole Cantaloupes Because of Possible Health Risk Due to Salmonella

Posted on November 23, 2023 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Cantaloupes in boxes

Summary
Company Announcement Date:
November 22, 2023
FDA Publish Date:
November 22, 2023
Product Type:
Food & Beverages
Foodborne Illness
Reason for Announcement:
Potential Salmonella contamination
Company Name:
Crown Jewel Produce Company
Brand Name:
Malichita/ Z Farms
Product Description:
Cantaloupes
Company Announcement
Jewel Marketing and Agribusiness LLC. (dba Crown Jewels Produce) of Fresno, CA is recalling all sizes of 1960 boxes of Malichita / Z Farms Cantaloupes sold between October 31, 2023 and November 9, 2023, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella

Product was distributed to Ohio, and California through retail and wholesale outlets.

Product was in boxes with a “wood-like” cardboard cartons with the Label “Malichita / Z Farms. The Price Lookup Sticker on the individual fruit is labeled “Malichita”.

This is an ongoing outbreak, and a number of illness have been reported throughout the United States, and Canada.

The company has ceased sales and distribution of the product as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.” Information on what consumers should do with the product and where they can get additional information. Consumers who have purchased ‘Malichita / Z Farms” Brand Cantaloupes are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

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Posted in FDA, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, food recall, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, product recall, Recall

USA – Sofia Produce, LLC DBA Trufresh Expands Recall to Include all “Malichita” Brand and “Rudy” Brand Fresh Cantaloupe Because of Possible Health Risk Due to Salmonella

Posted on November 23, 2023 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Rudy PLU 4050

Summary

Company Announcement Date:
FDA Publish Date:
Product Type:
Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:
Potential Foodborne Illness, Salmonella
Company Name:
SOFIA PRODUCE, LLC dba Trufresh
Brand Name:
Malichita, Rudy
Product Description:
Cantaloupes

Company Announcement

For Immediate Release, November 22, 2023 SOFIA PRODUCE, LLC, of Nogales, Arizona which does business under the name “Trufresh” (“Trufresh”) has expanded its recall of all sizes of fresh cantaloupes packaged in cardboard containers labeled with the “Malichita” label, and also labeled with the “Rudy” label to include all cantaloupes sold between the dates of October 10, 2023 and November 3, 2023, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

The cantaloupes were distributed directly to the following States in the United States: Arizona, California. Connecticut, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Texas, Florida and Canada. The cantaloupes would have reached consumers through retail produce markets which may be located in states other than those listed above.

Trufresh has been advised that there are 97 illnesses reported to date that have been associated with this strain of Salmonella.

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Posted in FDA, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, food recall, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, product recall, Recall, Salmonella, Salmonella Cantaloupes

USA – FDA- Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

Posted on November 23, 2023 by | Leave a comment

FDA

What’s New

  • The outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #989) has been linked to peaches, plums, and nectarines. FDA issued an advisory on this outbreak. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
  • A new outbreak of Salmonella Sundsvall (ref #1203) linked to cantaloupe has been added to the table. FDA issued an advisory on this outbreak. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
  • A new outbreak of Salmonella Newport in a not yet identified food had been added to the table. FDA has initiated a traceback investigation. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
Date
Posted		 Ref Pathogen
or
Cause of
Illness		 Product(s)
Linked to
Illnesses
(if any)		 Total
Case
Count
Status
11/22/

2023

 1201 Salmonella
Newport		 Not Yet
Identified		 40 Active
11/22/

2023

 1203 Salmonella
Sundsvall		 Cantaloupe See

Advisory

 Active
11/15/

2023

 989 Listeria
monocytogenes		 Peaches, Plums,
and Nectarines		 See

Advisory

 Active
11/15/

2023

 1192 E. coli
0103		 Not Yet
Identified		 12 Active
11/8/

2023

 1198 Elevated Lead
Levels		 Apple
Cinnamon
Puree		 See

Advisory

 Active
11/1/

2023

 1195 E. coli
O121:H19		 Not Yet
Identified		 37 Active
10/4/

2023

 1190 Salmonella
Thompson		 Onions See

Advisory

 Active

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Posted in CORE Investigation Table, E.coli O103, E.coli O121, FDA, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, food recall, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, O103, outbreak, product recall, Recall, Salmonella, Salmonella Cantaloupes

USA- CDC – Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Cantaloupes

Posted on November 23, 2023 by | Leave a comment

CDC

Cantaloupe on a white background.

Fast Facts
  • Illnesses: 43
  • Hospitalizations: 17
  • Deaths: 0
  • States: 15
  • Recall: Yes
  • Investigation status: Active   (first posted on November 17, 2023)
Recalled Food

Whole cantaloupes

  • Might have a sticker that says “Malichita”, “4050”, and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique”
  • See recall notice and expanded recall for more details

Vinyard brand pre-cut cantaloupes

  • Includes cantaloupe cubes, melon medleys, and fruit medleys
  • Sold in Oklahoma stores between October 30 and November 10, 2023
  • Most have a yellow label with “Vinyard,” and some have a red label with “Fresh”
  • See recall notice for product photos and more details

ALDI whole cantaloupe and pre-cut fruit products

  • Includes whole cantaloupes, cantaloupe chunks in clamshell packaging, and pineapple spears in clamshell packaging
  • Best-by dates between October 27 and October 31, 2023
  • Sold in ALDI stores in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, and Wisconsin
  • See recall notice [PDF – 2 pages] for more details

Investigators are working to identify any additional cantaloupe products that may be contaminated.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, food recall, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, product recall, Recall, Salmonella, Salmonella Cantaloupes

USA – CDC – Persistent Strain of Salmonella Newport (REPJJP01) Linked to Travel to Mexico, Beef, and Soft Cheese

Posted on November 22, 2023 by | Leave a comment

CDC

REPJJP01

REPJJP01 is a persistent, multidrug-resistant strain of Salmonella Newport bacteria that has caused illnesses and outbreaks in the United States and globally.

Illness caused by this strain was first reported to PulseNet in late 2015. As of March 31, 2023, information from 2,423 people infected with REPJJP01 was reported to PulseNet. Among 1,378 people interviewed, 31% were hospitalized. Among 1,175 people with information on the outcome of infection, fewer than 1% died. Among 1,312 ill people, 63% self-identified as Hispanic/Latino, 33% self-identified as non-Hispanic/Latino White, and 4% self-identified as being non-Hispanic/Latino and another race. The median age of ill people was 38 years (interquartile range, 22–55 years) and 55% were female. Illnesses caused by this strain happen throughout the year but are less common in winter.

Almost half (49%) of 1,383 people with information reported traveling to Mexico before their illness began. People with illness caused by REPJJP01 also have reported consuming contaminated beef products from the United States and Mexico and consuming contaminated cheese (including queso fresco and Oaxaca cheese) obtained in Mexico.

This strain of Salmonella Newport is relatively diverse genetically. Bacteria in this strain are within 21 allele differences of one another by core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST). This is more genetically diverse than typical multistate foodborne outbreaks in which bacteria generally fall within 10 allele differences of one another.

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Posted in Drug Resistance, drug resistant, Extensively Drug Resistant (XDR), Food Illness, Food Microbiology Research, Foodborne Illness, Illness, Multi Drug Resistant, Research, Salmonella

World – Nearly 150 sick in Salmonella outbreak affecting 11 countries

Posted on November 22, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Eleven countries, including the United States, have recorded almost 150 Salmonella infections that could be linked to tomatoes.

Since January 2023, 149 cases of Salmonella Strathcona have been reported. Germany has the most patients, with 47, while Italy has 34. Most people fell sick between August and October.

The U.S. has eight cases. Six interviewed sick people had been to Spain, Italy, Croatia, France, and Slovenia. Four patients reported travel to Italy.

Austria has 17 cases, the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom have 13, and France has nine. Other affected countries are Finland, Denmark, Luxembourg, and Norway.

Read more at the link above

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbial Spoilage, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak, Salmonella

USA – FDA jumps in on Listeria Outbreak linked to HMC Peaches, Plums and Nectarines after 10 sick and 1 dead

Posted on November 22, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to peaches, plums, and nectarines (stone fruit).

Total Illnesses: 11
Hospitalizations: 10
Deaths: 1
Last Sample Collection: August 16, 2023
States with Cases: California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Ohio
Product Distribution: Nationwide

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Posted in CDC, FDA, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, Foodborne Illness Death, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, outbreak