Category Archives: Food Illness

Ireland – Rise in travel-related Cryptosporidium cases prompts warning

Food Safety News

Irish health officials have issued a warning after recording a rise in cryptosporidium infections in people returning from abroad.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) in Ireland said increased levels of cryptosporidiosis have been reported from areas of Spain, including Salou in Catalonia, in the past month. A parasite causes the infection, and symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting.

The agency advised people to take extra hygiene precautions when traveling overseas.

There has been a widespread increase in cryptosporidiosis in Europe in August and September that has been attributed to extreme weather in Europe, primarily Mediterranean countries, over the summer.

More than 50 people have fallen sick, with 37 lab-confirmed cases. So far this year, 656 infections have been reported in Ireland compared to 510 in the same period in 2022.

Kenya – 174 Students Of Amabuko Secondary School Hospitalised With Stomach Pains, Diarrhoea

Citizen Digital

A total of 174 students from Amabuko Secondary School in Masaba, Kisii County, have been admitted to hospital, with school Principal Rawlings Juma confirming that the students had diarrhea and vomiting symptoms.According to reports, 23 students were treated at Keroka Sub County Hospital for severe stomach pains, with an additional 76 students admitted to Gucha Maternity Hospital and 55 others admitted to St Catherine Ichuni Mission Hospital, all of whom were experiencing similar symptoms.

While the exact cause of the illness is unknown, food poisoning is suspected due to a meal consumed by the students on Sunday night.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), common symptoms of food poisoning, including diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever.

Reports indicate that the students who consumed a meal of kale during supper are among those affected, while their peers who had cabbage appeared unaffected .

Taiwan – Over 20 Taiwanese elementary students suffer food poisoning from school lunches

Taiwan News

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — As of Saturday (Oct. 14) night, more than 20 elementary students in Keelung City were admitted to the hospital due to food poisoning from school food.

The students, who all attend Shen-Mei Elementary School in Xinyi District, began reporting symptoms of vomiting Friday (Oct. 13) night, with students being admitted to emergency rooms the following day, reported UDN. Investigators suspect that a spoiled milk product served on Friday is responsible for the food poisoning.

Samples of milk, yogurt, and other food items served at the school have been taken for testing to determine the precise origin of the foodborne illness.

USA -Don Miguel Foods Recalls Frozen Ready-To-Eat Carne Asada Burrito Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

FSIS USDA

Don Miguel Foods, a Dallas, Texas establishment, is recalling approximately 10,642 pounds of frozen ready-to-eat (RTE) carne asada burrito products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The frozen RTE carne asada burrito items were produced on September 27, 2023. The following products are subject to recall [view labels]:

  • 7-oz. individual wax paper packages containing “DON MIGUEL Hand Made BURRITO CARNE ASADA” with date code D23270 printed on the package.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 20049” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail convenience store locations nationwide.

The problem was discovered after the establishment’s laboratory testing indicated the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The establishment notified FSIS that some of the affected product was distributed into commerce.

There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.

FSIS is concerned that some product may be in consumers’ freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

Research – 2022 Mystery Salmonella Outbreak solved – It’s Cantaloupe – but the FDA will not tell us who grew them

Food Poison Journal

In August 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state partners conducted an outbreak investigation into a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium linked to cantaloupe.

  • Total Illnesses: 87
  • Hospitalizations: 32
  • Deaths: 0
  • Last Illness Onset: September 11, 2022
  • States with Cases: GA (1), IL (5), IN (17), IA (38), KY (3), MI (3), MN (4), MO (2), OH (3), SC (1), WI (10)

USA – FDA – Core Outbreak Table

FDA

What’s New

  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Thompson (ref #1190) linked to a not yet identified product, the case count has increased from 64 to 67 and FDA has initiated traceback.
  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Newport (ref #1179), the outbreak has ended, and the FDA investigation is closed. Based on CDC’s epidemiological investigation, ill people reported eating watermelon and/or cantaloupe before becoming sick and a majority of illnesses were geographically grouped in the Midwest. Investigators were unable to determine a specific product or source of contamination while the outbreak was still considered ongoing. Currently, there is no risk to the public, as all product is no longer on the market. As part of this investigation, samples were collected and analyzed. Three environmental samples collected from farms in the Southwest Indiana growing region were reported as positive and matched the strain of Salmonella Newport that caused illnesses in this outbreak. Additionally, samples collected from a farm of interest and surrounding areas were reported as positive for Salmonella and also matched strains that have caused previous outbreaks, including those discussed in the 2022 Outbreak Investigation Report of Salmonella Typhimurium Illnesses Potentially Linked to Cantaloupe. This year’s findings indicate continued presence of food safety concerns  linked to melons from the Southwest Indiana growing region.

Norway – Ongoing outbreak of E.coli

Matportalen

At the end of July, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority was notified by the Institute of Public Health about a national outbreak of the gastrointestinal bacterium EHEC. Infection was then detected in a small number of people, living in different parts of the country. An outbreak investigation was initiated in collaboration between the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, the Veterinary Institute and municipal chief medical officers.

In the outbreak investigation, the same bacteria that has made people sick has been found in hamburgers. Raw material that was used to make the hamburgers has also been used to make a number of other meat products that have been withdrawn from the market.

– The Norwegian Food Safety Authority always recommends that hamburgers should be thoroughly cooked in order for them to be safe. Also wash hands and equipment after touching both frozen and fresh hamburgers. The bacteria withstand freezing well, says Catherine Signe Svindland, senior adviser in the biological food safety section of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. 

Also read: Is it risky to eat medium fried hamburgers?

Infection has so far been detected in 20 people. More than half of those infected are children under the age of 13. Seven of the children have developed the serious complication hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Read more about this at the Institute of Public Health: Serious E.coli outbreak is not over

The outbreak investigation is still ongoing. There may be further withdrawals.

Products that have been withdrawn from the market:

General advice on good kitchen hygiene

  • All stuffed foods (minced meat, hamburgers, meatballs, etc.) must be well done or cooked through.  
  • Other meat products should be well cooked on the surface.  
  • Wash your hands well if you have touched meat and meat products, including frozen ones.  
  • Avoid unpasteurized milk and products made from unpasteurized milk.  
  • Vegetables to be eaten raw should be rinsed well and dried.  
  • Store food at refrigeration temperature (+4°C).  
  • Wash hands after using the toilet, after contact with animals and before cooking and eating. EHEC is very easily transmitted between people.  
  • Wash knives, cutting blades and kitchen equipment that have been contaminated by raw and frozen ingredients before using the equipment for other food. 

India – 15 People Fell Sick With Food Poisoning In Adilabad

India Today

Adilabad/Hyderabad, Oct 7 (Maxim News): 15 people fell ill after eating contaminated food in Mendapelli village of Indrawell Mandal of Adilabad district.

At Mundem Baliram’s house, 15 people got food poisoning after eating a meal organized on the occasion of Pitramasa. They were shifted to Indravelli Primary Health Centre.

Singapore – 30 St Regis Wedding Banquet Guests Get Food Poisoning, SFA & MOH Investigating

Must Share News

A group of wedding guests in Singapore recently came down with symptoms of gastroenteritis after attending a wedding banquet.

Of the 30 that fell ill, none were hospitalised, said The Straits Times (ST).

According to reports, the affected individuals had attended a wedding reception at The St Regis Singapore.

Speaking to ST, a spokesperson from St Regis said they were aware of the matter and have launched an investigation.

He elaborated that the hotel’s hygiene officer had examined the food preparation process.

They also provided food samples from the wedding reception for laboratory tests.

“The test results have been found to be in accordance with food safety guidelines,” said the spokesperson.

Nearly 900 get food poisoning at ‘nagashi somen’ restaurant – Campylobacter

ASAHI

KANAZAWA—Close to 900 people suffered from food poisoning after eating at a “nagashi somen” restaurant in Tsubata, Ishikawa Prefecture.

Nagashi somen is a practice in which customers use chopsticks to try to scoop up thin somen noodles as they flow down a bamboo chute filled with running water.

The Ishikawa prefectural government announced on Oct. 6 that 892 people were certified with food poisoning after dining at the restaurant between Aug. 11 and 17, during the Bon holiday season. While none suffered serious symptoms, 22 were hospitalized.

Many complained of diarrhea and a fever, and 611 were treated at hospitals.

The prefectural government said 1,298 customers submitted complaints, of whom the 892 were certified. They came from 18 prefectures around Japan, including Ishikawa, Toyama, Tokyo, Osaka and Aichi.

Customers who ate the nagashi somen, salt-grilled mountain trout or shaved ice came down with the symptoms, leading the prefectural government to check on the springwater the restaurant used. Officials found campylobacter, a type of bacteria that causes diarrhea, in the water.

The prefectural government ordered the restaurant to suspend operations.