Category Archives: Food Poisoning

USA -Outbreak of Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella Infections Linked to Raw Turkey Products – Investigation Notice

CDC

  • Since the last update on November 8, 2018, 52 ill people from 26 states and the District of Columbia have been added to this investigation.
  • As of December 18, 2018, 216 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Reading have been reported from 38 states and the District of Columbia.
    • 84 people have been hospitalized, and one death has been reported from California.
  • Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence(https://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/outbreaks/investigating-outbreaks/index.html) indicates that raw turkey products from a variety of sources are contaminated with Salmonella Reading and are making people sick.
  • In interviews, ill people report eating different types and brands of turkey products purchased from many different locations. Three ill people lived in households where raw turkey pet food was fed to pets.
  • The outbreak strain has been identified in samples taken from raw turkey pet food, raw turkey products, and live turkeys.
    • On November 15, 2018, Jennie-O Turkey Store Sales in Barron, Wisconsin recalled approximately 91,388 pounds of raw ground turkey products.
    • On December 21, 2018, Jennie-O Turkey Store Sales, LLC, in Faribault, Minnesota recalled approximately 164,210 pounds of raw ground turkey products.
    • A single, common supplier of raw turkey products or of live turkeys has not been identified that could account for the whole outbreak.
  • The Public Health Agency of Canada has identified ill people infected with the same DNA fingerprint of Salmonella Reading bacteria in Canada.
  • The outbreak strain of Salmonella Reading is present in live turkeys and in many types of raw turkey products, indicating it might be widespread in the turkey industry. CDC and USDA-FSIS have shared this information with representatives from the turkey industry and asked about steps that they may be taking to reduce Salmonella contamination.

 

USA – Final Update – Burien Fresh Smoothies Salmonella Outbreak

Food Poison Journal

SummaryPublic Health investigated an outbreak of salmonellosis (caused by Salmonella bacteria) associated with Burien Fresh Smoothies in Burien. The exact food or drink item that caused the illnesses has not been identified.

Since August 15, 2018, eleven people from six separate meal parties reported becoming ill after consuming food and beverage from Burien Fresh Smoothies from August 6–8, 2018. Two of the ill people were hospitalized and have since recovered. There is no indication that any employees of the restaurant have had any symptoms consistent with salmonellosis.

Eight of the eleven people who got sick tested positive for Salmonella Braenderup with the same genetic fingerprint, suggesting that they have a common source of infection.

Food samples collected from the establishment tested negative for salmonella. We were not able to confirm which food or beverage caused these illnesses.

RASFF Alert – Aflatoxin – Fig Paste – Dried Figs – Groundnuts – Pistachios – Hazlenuts – Pepper Powder –

RASFF-Logo

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 8.7; Tot. = 14.8 µg/kg – ppb) in figs paste from Turkey in France

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 6.6; Tot. = 14.3 µg/kg – ppb) in diced dried figs from Turkey in France

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 6.6 µg/kg – ppb) in organic sweet pepper powder from Spain in France

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 20.8; Tot. = 22.7 µg/kg – ppb) in shelled pistachios from Turkey in Italy

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 5.5; Tot. = 12 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 47.6; Tot. = 54.8 µg/kg – ppb) in hazelnut kernels from Georgia in Bulgaria

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 10.59; Tot. = 18.66 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Argentina in Poland

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 6.3; Tot. = 9.1 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 4.7 µg/kg – ppb) in shelled groudnuts from Egypt in the Netherlands

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 13; Tot. = 17 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 13.7; Tot. = 22.7 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnut kernels from Argentina  in the Czech Republic

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 52.2; Tot. = 59.4 µg/kg – ppb) in pistachios from Turkey in Belgium

RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 199; Tot. = 209 µg/kg – ppb) in pistachios from Turkey in Belgium

RASFF Alert- Histamine – Enterobacteriaceae – VP Tuna Sashimi Loins

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RASFF-histamine (1088 mg/kg – ppm) and high count of Enterobacteriaceae (2400, 4600, 15000 CFU/g) in chilled vacuum-packed tuna sashimi loins from the Maldives in the Netherlands

RASFF Alert- Vibrio parahaemolyticus – Frozen Squid

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RASFF-Vibrio parahaemolyticus in frozen squid (Loligo spp.) from India in Greece

RASFF Alert – Mycotoxin – Atropine – Scopolamine – Buckwheat Flour

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RASFF-atropine (53 µg/kg – ppb) and scopolamine (20 µg/kg – ppb) in organic buckwheat flour from France in France

RASFF Alert – Ochratoxin – Porridge Cereal for Babies – Mycotoxin

RASFF-Logo

RASFF-ochratoxin A (1.16 µg/kg – ppb) in porridge cereal for babies from Switzerland in Spain

USA – Wegmans Issues Voluntary Recall of Fresh Cauliflower Rice, Veggie/Cauliflower Rice Blend and Stir-Fry Mix with Cauliflower – E.coli O157

FDA

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. has issued a voluntary recall of fresh Cauliflower Rice, Veggie Cauliflower Rice Blend and Stir-Fry Mix with Cauliflower, sold in the produce department between 12/7/18 and 12/18/18, because it may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteria (E. Coli O157:H7). E. coli O157:H7 causes a diarrheal illness often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly. The condition can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.

The recalled products (with use-by dates of 12/11/18 through 12/22/18) are as follows:

Wegmans Cauliflower Rice, 1 lb. pkg. UPC #25313500000
Wegmans Cauliflower Rice, 8 oz. pkg. UPC #25307200000
Wegmans Stir Fry Blend (with cauliflower), 1 lb. pkg. UPC #25335800000
Wegmans Veggie (cauliflower) Rice Blend (sold by the pound), UPC #253162000000

The recalled products were distributed to 98 Wegmans stores in N.Y., N.J., Pa., Md., Va. and Mass.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was initiated by Produce Packaging, Inc. based in Cleveland, OH, which supplies these products to Wegmans and notified Wegmans that the product may have been contaminated.

Research – Potatoes and Food Poisoning Outbreaks: Botulism and Listeria Monocytogenes

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Potatoes aren’t often thought of when people think about food poisoning. This root vegetable is, after all, always cooked before it’s eaten, which would kill off any pathogenic bacteria. But this vegetable grows in soil and can be contaminated at any point along the supply chain.

But there have been some outbreaks linked to potatoes. Clostridium botulinum outbreaks have been linked to baked potatoes that are wrapped in aluminum foil. The spores that produce this deadly toxin are found in the soil, and they can contaminate the spuds. The spores can sometimes survive the baking process. If the potatoes are baked while tightly wrapped in aluminum foil, that creates an anaerobic (oxygen-free) environment. And that creates the perfect conditions for botulism spores to germinate, grow, and produce the botulism toxin.

Research – Spokane Produce Linked to E. coli Recall

Food Poison Journal

kswfoodworld E.coli O157

Image CDC

 

Spokane Produce Inc. of Spokane, WA initiates a voluntary recall of sandwiches containing green leaf lettuce and foodservice lettuce filets following notice of a produce industry ingredient recall by Adam Bros. Farming Inc. Sandwich products bearing the Northwest Cuisine Creations and Fresh&Local labels. These products are recalled because they may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 bacteria (E. coli O157:H7).