Category Archives: Food Illness

USA – FDA Core Investigation Table -Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

Posted on December 15, 2022 by | Leave a comment

fda

What’s New

  • While FDA’s overall response regarding powdered infant formula is continuing, this investigation of Cronobacter illnesses linked to powdered infant formula (reference #1056) has been marked as closed. Resources for Parents and Caregivers are available on the FDA website and additional updates will be provided as needed.
  • The outbreak of Salmonella Litchfield linked to seafood (reference #1105) is over and the FDA investigation has closed. 
  • The outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes linked to Brie and Camembert Cheese (reference #1106) is over and the FDA investigation has closed. 
  • The case count for the outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium has increased from 270 to 274 cases.

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Posted in Cronobacter sakazakii, cross contamination, Decontamination Microbial, FDA, 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, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak, Salmonella

USA – Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Seafood (October 2022) – FDA’s investigation is complete. CDC declares outbreak over

Posted on December 15, 2022 by | Leave a comment

FDA

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, investigated a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Litchfield infections linked to fresh, raw salmon supplied to restaurants in California and Arizona by Mariscos Bahia, Inc. 

As of December 14, 2022, CDC announced that the outbreak is over. CDC reports a total of 39 illnesses in four states. The last illness onset was October 23, 2022.

As part of this investigation, FDA and the California Department of Public Health conducted a joint inspection at Mariscos Bahia, Inc., Pico Rivera, CA and collected environmental samples from the facility. Multiple samples collected from the firm came back positive for Salmonella. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) indicated the Salmonella detected in at least one of the swabs from the facility matched the strain causing illnesses in this outbreak. The epidemiological evidence indicated that ill people consumed fresh, raw salmon processed at this firm; however, the presence of Salmonella in the processing environment also indicated that additional types of fish processed in the same area of the facility could have been contaminated.

On October 20, 2022, Mariscos Bahia, Inc., Pico Rivera, CA initiated a voluntary recall. Recalled products included fresh, raw salmon along with all other types of fresh fish processed in the same area as the salmon which included fresh, raw halibut, Chilean seabass, tuna, and swordfish.

Recommendation

According to Mariscos Bahia, Inc., seafood was only sold directly to restaurants in California and Arizona and would not be available for purchase by consumers in retail stores. The firm contacted direct restaurant customers that received recalled product. Recalled seafood was sold fresh and is now past shelf-life unless it was frozen after purchase.

Restaurants who might have purchased or received recalled fresh, raw salmon, halibut, Chilean seabass, tuna, or swordfish from Mariscos Bahia, Inc. (Pico Rivera, CA, and Phoenix, AZ) between June 14 – October 17, 2022, should check their freezers and throw away recalled product. Restaurants should also be sure to wash and sanitize locations where recalled fish from Mariscos Bahia, Inc. were stored or prepared. 

 

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, 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, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak

North Korea – Pyongyang food poisoning outbreak likely caused by government distributed dairy products

Posted on December 15, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Daily NK

A rash of food poisoning cases was recently reported in Pyongyang by families who had consumed the dairy products that the North Korean government distributes to children under the age of five years old, Daily NK has learned.

A source in Pyongyang told Daily NK on Tuesday that around a dozen parents and children under the age of five in the Taesong District of Pyongyang were taken to the hospital after reporting symptoms such as stomach pain, diarrhea and vomiting.

An investigation found that everyone in the group began to experience symptoms after consuming dairy products supplied by their neighborhood government office.

Children in North Korea are given dairy products, including powdered milk and fresh milk, as one of the North Korean government’s flagship childcare initiatives. North Korea is currently combating an extremely low birth rate.

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, Foodborne Illness, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Poisoning

India – Food poisoning: 40 girl students taken ill in Julurpad

Posted on December 15, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Deccan Chronicle

Kothagudem: Nearly 40 students of the Government Residential Girls School at Padamata Narasapuram in Julurpad mandal fell ill after taking food that was not cooked properly.

About 29 girls complained of stomach ache, vomiting and motions on Monday night. The school staff took them to the PHC in Julurpad. Even as they were under treatment, another 11 were brought to the PHC with the same complaint.

P. Nandita, of Class VIII, said she consumed rice that was not boiled well. “We faced an unbearable stomach ache followed by vomiting,” she said, Madhu Sri, another student, said, “I had loose motion in the morning and we are fine after taking the medicines.”

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Posted in Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, Foodborne Illness, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Poisoning

France – COUNTRYSIDE SURPRISE BREAD 475g – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on December 13, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

Identification information of the recalled product

  • Product category Feed
  • Product subcategory Prepared meals and snacks
  • Product brand name Sliced ​​country surprise bread – 32 sandwiches – frozen
  • Model names or references COUNTRYSIDE SURPRISE BREAD 475g
  • Identification of products
    GTIN Batch Date
    3492032104806 210480.2319 Use-by date 05/15/2024
  • Packaging Packaged in packaging box
  • Marketing start/end dateSince 16/11/2022
  • Storage temperature Product to keep in the freezer
  • Further information32 Sandwiches, 4 assorted toppings: – Dill smoked salmon mousseline – Porto duck mousse – Tzatziki – Tuna rillettes with red pepper
  • Geographic area of ​​saleWhole France
  • Distributors Normandy Fresh Service Gimbert Fleurance Warehouse transport cauyez

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall Presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the finished product
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Listeria monocytogenes (causative agent of listeriosis)

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Testing, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes

29 sickened in US and Canada from Mexico Strawberries – Hepatitis A

Posted on December 13, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

CDC, public health and regulatory officials in several states, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the Canadian Food Safety Agency investigated an outbreak of hepatitis A linked to imported fresh organic strawberries. 

These potentially contaminated fresh organic strawberries were imported from Baja California, a state in northern Mexico, and branded as FreshKampo and HEB by a common supplier; they were purchased in the United States during March 5, 2022, through April 15, 2022. 

Traceback investigations showed that outbreak-associated cases in California and Minnesota purchased FreshKampo brand fresh organic strawberries prior to becoming ill. The Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency also investigated an outbreak of hepatitis A; imported FreshKampo brand fresh organic strawberries were identified as the likely source of that outbreak.

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

USA – Dozens have gotten sick from oysters — including in Florida. Publix issues a warning

Posted on December 12, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Miami Herald

Oysters harvested in Texas are making dozens of people sick to their stomach in Texas and as far as Florida and Louisiana. Health departments and Publix are warning the public. The Texas Department of State Health Services recalled oysters, both in shell and shucked, that were harvested in the southeastern Galveston Bay area from Nov. 17 through Dec. 7. It has caused a few dozen cases of gastrointestinal illness in Texas, Florida and Louisiana among those who’ve eaten them. Symptoms include fever, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, chills and headache. There have been no reports of hospitalization.

 

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, 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, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak

USA – Unnamed Pathogen sickens dozens and prompts recall of Galveston Bay Oysters

Posted on December 12, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

The Texas Department of State Health Services has ordered a recall of all oysters harvested in the TX 1 area of south eastern Galveston Bay after reports of a few dozen cases of gastrointestinal illness among people who ate oysters from those waters. The recall includes oysters in the shell and shucked oysters harvested in the area from Nov. 17 through Dec. 7.

Consumers who purchased Texas oysters since Nov. 17 should check the packaging to see if they were harvested in TX 1. If the oysters were unpackaged, they should contact the seller to find the source. Restaurants should contact their distributor for information on the source of their oysters. Any oysters from TX 1 should be discarded.

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, 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, gastroenteritis, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, outbreak

Norway/Sweden – Salmonella outbreak grows and spreads to Sweden

Posted on December 12, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

A Salmonella outbreak initially reported in Norway has grown and now is also affecting Sweden.

The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) said 58 people are sick in the Salmonella Agona outbreak and 23 had been hospitalized. This is up from 31 sick and 13 hospitalizations.

In Sweden, 26 people have been affected, according to the Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten).

An investigation to find the source is ongoing with FHI, local officials, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet), and the Veterinary Institute. The cause is believed to be an imported food product distributed across the country and also in Sweden.

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, 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, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak, Salmonella

USA- Update – Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Brie and Camembert Soft Cheese Products (September 2022)

Posted on December 12, 2022 by | Leave a comment

FDA

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, investigated a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to Brie and Camembert soft cheese products, including baked Brie cheeses, manufactured by Old Europe Cheese, Inc. of Benton Harbor, MI, and sold at various retailers under multiple labels and brands.  

As of December 9, 2022, CDC announced that the outbreak is over with a total of six illnesses in six states. 

On September 30, 2022, Old Europe Cheese, Inc. voluntarily recalled multiple brands of Brie and Camembert cheeses produced at their Michigan facility and on October 5, 2022 expanded their recall to include multiple brands of baked Brie products. On November 4, 2022, the firm’s recall notification was updated to include an expanded list of retail establishments that received recalled bulk Brie and Camembert cheese from Old Europe Cheese, Inc. The list of recalled products and stores that potentially sold these products is available below and on the firm’s recall. 

Recommendation

Recalled products are no longer available for sale, but the recalled baked Brie products may have been sold frozen or purchased and later frozen by consumers, so consumers should check their freezers for any recalled Old Europe Cheese, Inc. products, including baked brie, with Best By Dates ranging from September 28, 2022, to December 14, 2022. If you have recalled frozen Old Europe Cheese products in your freezer, do not eat or serve them and throw them away.

Follow FDA’s safe handling and cleaning advice and use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with these products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination, including retailers who repackaged bulk recalled cheese. Listeria can survive in refrigerated temperatures and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces.

Case Count Map Provided by CDC

CDC Case Count for the Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes from Brie and Camembert Soft Cheese Products (as of 10/6/2022)

Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 6
Hospitalizations: 5
Deaths: 0
Last illness onset: August 5, 2022
States with Cases: CA, GA, MA, MI, NJ, TX
Product Distribution: Nationwide

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, 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, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak, Uncategorized