Category Archives: Food Illness

Malta – Nearly 800 reported cases of food poisoning in 2022

Times of Malta

Just over 780 people were reported to have suffered from food poisoning last year, nearly 300 more than the numbers reported in pre-pandemic years, according to official statistics.

In 2022, a total of 781 food poisoning cases were reported to the health authorities, a major increase from the 486 registered in 2019.

The figure last year includes 357 people impacted by 71 outbreaks, up from the 232 people involved in 63 outbreaks of food poisoning in 2019.

The most common food-borne bacteria are Salmonella and Campylobacter, according to the list provided showing the food and water-borne diseases reported by the local health authorities.

USA – $14 million settlement reached in Famous Anthony’s Hepatitis A outbreak

Roanoke

A $14 million settlement has been reached in lawsuits filed by more than 40 people who claimed they or their loved ones were exposed to a deadly viral outbreak while dining at two Famous Anthony’s restaurants.

Details of the agreement — reached on behalf of four patrons who died and others who were sickened when an employee unknowingly spread hepatitis A — became public during a hearing late Thursday in Roanoke’s federal court

USA – Woman’s estate wins big award from Big Olaf in wrongful Listeria death lawsuit – $4 Million

Herald Tribune

SARASOTA — The estate of a 79-year-old Illinois woman who died after eating listeria-tainted ice cream from a Sarasota creamery was awarded $4 million by a U.S. District Court judge in Tampa this week.

The ruling came Tuesday in the wrongful death suit filed last year by Bill Marler, a nationally known foodborne illness attorney who represented the estate of Mary Billman. Marler was retained following Billman’s death on Jan. 29, 2022, and the listeria outbreak identified by federal and state regulators last summer that gained national attention.

Research – French Salmonella outbreak study reveals dual contamination

Food Safety News

Two Salmonella outbreaks were linked to dried sausages produced around the same time by one company in France, according to a study.

The outbreaks affected 44 people who consumed dried pork sausages contaminated by two different types of Salmonella.

Salmonella Bovismorbificans infected a total of 33 people from September to November 2020 and 11 patients with monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium from October to December 2020.

Epidemiological investigations by Santé publique France linked the outbreaks to dried pork sausages from the manufacturer France Salaison produced between September and November 2020. Three recalls of dried pork products were issued in November, affecting eight supermarkets.

Canada – Mother Dairy brand Paneer Fresh Cheese recalled due to generic E. coli

CFIA

Summary

Product
Paneer Fresh Cheese
Issue
Food – Microbial Contamination – E. Coli – non-pathogenic
What to do

Do not use, sell, serve or distribute the affected products

Audience
Hotels, restaurants and institutions
Retail

Affected products

Mother Dairy brand Paneer Fresh Cheese recalled due to generic E. coli.
The recalled products were sold in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec.

Jordan – Seven family members suffer food poisoning in Amman

Roya News

A spokesperson from the directorate told Amen FM Wednesday that the spoiled food they ate was bought from outside the house.

They were taken to hospital where they were treated from symptoms such as nausea and abdominal pain.

USA – FDA Core Investigation Update

FDA

There are no new outbreaks this week but two are still active.

12/28/2022 1137 Salmonella
Typhimurium
Alfalfa Sprouts See
Outbreak
Advisory
11/9/2022 1127 Listeria
monocytogenes
Enoki
Mushrooms
See
Outbreak
Advisory

India – North Paravoor food poisoning caused by Salmonella Enteritidis – 100 + Cases

New Indian Express

Infection mostly caused by consumption of stale meat, chicken, egg and its products

The health department has found that salmonellosis, a disease caused by the bacterium Salmonella Enteritidis, is behind the food poisoning from a hotel in North Paravoor last week. Around 106 persons who consumed mayonnaise, al-faham, manthi, fried rice and peri-peri manthi from Majlis Hotel contracted the disease.

The samples were tested at the Government Medical College, Kalamaserry after several people started showing symptoms like diarrhoea, stomach upset, fever, nausea and vomiting 5 to 6 hours after consuming food.

Around 196 food poisoning cases were reported in the district this month. Following this, the district medical officer has alerted the public, catering services, hotels and food suppliers to avoid preparation of food in unhygienic conditions.

Luxembourg – RECALL: JAY & JOY JEANNE, JIL AND JOSÉPHINE VEGAN CHEESES – Listeria monocytogenes

SAP

Last name Joan
Mark Jay & Joy
Unit 90g
bar code 3760253220330
Batch 09022023; 28012023
Last name Jill
Mark Jay & Joy
Unit 120g
bar code 3760253220378
Batch 02022023
Last name Josephine
Mark Jay & Joy
Unit 90g
bar code 3760253220118
Batch 26012023

Danger  : Presence of Listeria monocytogenes

Listeria monocytogenes can cause fever, headache and gastroenteritis. Vulnerable people such as immunocompromised and elderly people and young children may present with neurological symptoms due to meningitis. Pregnant women should also be especially alert to these symptoms. Gastroenteritis can appear between a few hours and 3 days after consumption, while neurological symptoms can only appear after 3 months. People who have consumed these products and have these symptoms are invited to consult a doctor and report this consumption to him.

Sale confirmed in Luxembourg by: Pall Center Oberpallen

A sale by other operators cannot be excluded.

Source of information: RASFF (Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed)

France Cases of listeriosis: withdrawal-recall of vegetable specialties with almond milk and cashew nuts Jay & Joy (vegetable alternatives to cheese and foie gras)

Sante Publique

The health authorities have been informed of the occurrence in France of 5 serious cases of listeriosis, including 4 in pregnant women who have presented premature deliveries. These 5 people, infected with the same strain of Listeria, reported symptoms between April and December 2022. 

The investigations conducted jointly by Public Health France (SpFrance), the National Reference Center (CNR) Listeria, the Directorate General for Food (DGAl), the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention ( DGCCRF), and in coordination with the General Directorate of Health (DGS), identified that the cases reported on the national territory had consumed in the weeks preceding their listeriosis plant specialties (cheese alternatives) with almond and walnut milk cashew nuts manufactured and marketed under the Jay & Joy brand.

These investigations revealed irregularities in the company, in particular concerning the control of the risk of microbiological contamination of the products manufactured within the factory. Consequently, a prefectural order, aimed at suspending the marketing of all products stored and manufactured in the factory, was issued on January 16, 2023.

JAY&JOY proceeded to the withdrawal-recall of all the products manufactured by the company on January 14, 2023.

The details of the products concerned by the withdrawal-recall are available on rappel.conso.gouv.fr. People holding these products are asked not to consume them and to return them to the point of sale where they purchased them.