Category Archives: Food Poisoning

USA – Various Updates on the Berry Hepatitis A Outbreak

Posted on June 5, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

The hepatitis A outbreak associated with Townsend Farms berries sold at Costco has sickened at least 37 people in six states and raised a lot of questions. One of them is how does food become contaminated with hepatitis A?

Food Poisoning Bulletin

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated the Hepatitis A outbreak associated with Townsend Farms Organic Anti-Oxdant Blend frozen berry and pomegranate mix. Now 49 people are sick with acute Hepatitis A in seven states. And eleven people have been hospitalized. The numbers are most likely going to change every day.

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Harris Teeter is recalling frozen mixed berries that may be contaminated with hepatitis A. The Matthews, NC-based grocery chain said Tuesday that it is removing  Harris Teeter Organics Antioxidant Berry Blend from its stores out of an abundance of caution because its berry supplier is Townsend Farms Inc. which has been associated with an outbreak of hepatitis A that has sickened 37 people in six states. That product contained mixed berrie and pomegranate seeds.

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Posted in CDC, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Virus, Foodborne Illness, Hepatitis A, Laboratory, Microbiology, Pathogen, Poisoning, Recall

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Hepatitis Berry Outbreak Expands Again

Posted on June 4, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Hawaii is now added to the list of states in the Costco Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend Frozen Berry mix hepatitis A outbreak. Other states affected include Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico. Thirty-two people are now sick in this outbreak. Because the product was sold at Costco, and that grocery store chain has outlets in all 50 states, it’s likely that more states will be included in this outbreak

Food Poisoning Bulletin

The CDC states that the hepatitis A strain associated with Townsend Farms Anti-oxidant Blend Frozen Berry Mix sold at Costco is rare in the United States. The strain is usually found in North Africa and the Middle East.

The berry mix contains strawberries, cherries, blueberries, raspberries, and pomegrnate seeds (also called arils). The fruit was grown in the U.S., Argentina, Chile, and Turkey. The attorney for Townsend Farms has stated that the pomegranate seeds may be the causal agent in this hepatitis A outbreak. They were sourced from Turkey, which is in the Middle East and is considered part of North Africa.

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Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Technology, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Laboratory, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, Poisoning, Recall, Virus

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USA – E.coli Outbreak Investigations Include Ice Tea

Posted on June 3, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Online AthensEcoli Istock

Public health officials are investigating iced tea among other menu items at a Stephens County barbecue restaurant as the possible source of a major E. coli outbreak that has sickened as many as 18 people.

Eleven people have been confirmed to have E. coli infection, and seven others are probable cases, though their illness has not been confirmed by lab results, state officials say.

There have been no other infections reported since May 8.

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Posted in Bacteria, E.coli, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Hygiene, Illness, Laboratory, Microbiology, Pathogen, Toxin

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India – Food Poisoning Outbreaks

Posted on June 3, 2013 by | Leave a comment

The Times of Indiaimages

KANPUR: At least 75 persons suffered from food poisoning after consuming sweets at a ’tilak’ ceremony in Surauli village of Bidhnoo late on Monday night. An investigation has been ordered into the matter.

The incident took place at the ’tilak’ ceremony of Deepak Yadav, son of Dayaram Yadav and a resident of Surauli village. Guests and family members from both the groom and bride’s sides had gathered for dinner. Soon after consuming sweets, people complained of stomach ache and were rushed to Community Health Centre, said the police.

Greater Khasmir

Kulgam, May 28:  More than 100 people have fallen sick after consuming Kashmiri Wazwan at a marriage party at Muhammad-Pora village of this South Kashmir district.
Reports said the villagers complained of vomiting and dysentery soon after they consumed the feast. “They might have taken something at the marriage party that might have caused the food poisoning,” said a doctor attending on the sick.

 

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Illness, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, Recall

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Research – Deadly Salmonella Strain

Posted on June 3, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Science Daily

UC Santa Barbara researchers have discovered Salmonella bacteria that are up to 100 times more capable of causing disease. Their findings may help prevent food poisoning outbreaks that continue to plague public health and the food industry.

These “hypervirulent” bugs can override vaccines and pose a risk to food safety — and mitigation efforts are currently under way.

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Microbiology, Pathogen, Salmonella

USA- Hepatitis A in the News Again Worldwide

Posted on June 1, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety NewsVirusds

Patrons of the 800 Degrees Three Fires restaurant in Fort Wayne, Indiana may be at risk for hepatitis A infection, warned health officials Friday.

A worker at the restaurant tested positive for the virus, prompting the Allen County Health  Department to issue a public health advisory.

The Department is urging customers who ate or drank at the 800 Degrees Three Fires restaurant on Illinois Road between May 18 and May 26, 2013 to get the hepatitis A vaccine if they have not already had it.

Food Safety News

new outbreak of a hepatitis A strain rarely seen in the Western Hemisphere is believed to be associated with frozen mixed berries purchased from Costco is being investigated by multiple agencies, including the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.  At least 30 illnesses are involved, including  sicknesses in Arizona, California, Colorado, New Mexico, and Nevada.

According to the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, Townsend Farms Organic Antioxidant Blend frozen berries purchased from Costco appear to be the source of this outbreak.

The outbreak strain has  been identified by CDC as hepatitis A virus (HAV) genotype 1B, a strain that circulates in North Africa and the Middle East.  It was associated with last year’s outbreak in Europe involving frozen berries and another in British Columbia involving frozen berry blend with pomegranate seeds from Egypt.

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Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Technology, Food Testing, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, outbreak, Pathogen, Poisoning, Recall, Toxin, Virus

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EU Dec 2012 – Increased Level of Official Controls on Imports of Certain Feed and Food of Non-Animal Origin

Posted on May 31, 2013 by | 3 comments

EU

The occurrence and relevance of food incidents notified through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed, the findings of audits to third countries carried out by the Food and Veterinary Office, as well as the quarterly reports on consignments of feed and food of non- animal origin submitted by Member States to the Commission in accordance with Article 15 of Regulation (EC) No 669/2009 indicate that the list should be amended.

(4)

In particular, for consignments of dried vine fruit from Afghanistan, watermelons from Brazil, strawberries from China, peas and beans from Kenya, mint from Morocco, watermelon seeds and derived products from Sierra Leone and certain herbs, spices and vegetables from Vietnam, the relevant sources of information indicate the emergence of new risks and/or a degree of non- compliance with the relevant safety requirements, thereby warranting the introduction of an increased level of official controls. Entries concerning those consignments should be therefore included in the list.

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Posted in Aflatoxin, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Virus, Hepatitis A, Norovirus, Ochratoxin, Research, Salmonella

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UK – FSA – Whitefish Processors Industry Guide Published

Posted on May 31, 2013 by | 1 comment

FSAfood_standards_agency_logo

The guide, which can be purchased via the link above, provides advice on achieving best practice concerning the quality of fish purchased and its maintenance during processing, packaging and dispatch. In addition, it covers the requirements applicable to the processing of white fish, including filleting, smoking and freezing.

The guide sets out the means by which the white fish processor can comply with Regulation (EC) No. 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs, and Regulation (EC) No. 853/2004 laying down specific rules for food of animal origin.

 

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Posted in Bacteria, Food Hygiene, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Standards Agency, Food Technology, Food Testing, Microbiology

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USA – Norovirus Update Mulvaney Restaurant

Posted on May 31, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning BulletinNorwalk_Caspid

The outbreak of norovirus at Mulvaney’s restaurant in Sacramento we told you about in March has been confirmed and updated. Laura McCasland, Communication & Media Officer of the Sacramento County Department of Health & Human Services told us that 138 people were sickened in this outbreak.

The ill persons ate at the restaurant between Friday, February 22 and Tuesday, February 26, 2013. During the week of February 17 to February 24, 2013, at least six food service workers reported that they were ill. People started gettting sick between Friday, February 22, 2013 and Thursday, February 28, 2013. The cause of the illness was norovirus. The restaurant was inspected February 13, 2013 and passed.

Public health officials suspect that the foods that are associated with the risk of developing illness include Turkish coffee pudding, pickled beet salad, grilled eggplant, ham, lamb, and Yukon potatoes. The age range for all of the events was 18 to 80 years old. Among all of the ill patrons who ate at Mulvaney’s restaurant, 52.4% were female and 47.6% were male.

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Posted in Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Food Virus, Foodborne Illness, Hand Washing, Hygiene, Illness, Laboratory, Microbiology, Norovirus, outbreak, Pathogen, Virus

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USA – Salmonella News – Thai Peppers – Holiday Inn Update

Posted on May 30, 2013 by | 2 comments

FDA Recall

FRUIT TREASURE of CHULA VISTA, CA is recalling 43 boxes (25lb) of fresh THAI PEPPERS, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

The recalled fresh Thai peppers were distributed on April 7, 2013 to April 10, 2013 to retail markets in California.

The product comes in a 25lb white wax box with a logo that says “JAMMIN PEPPERS”.

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.

Food Poisoning Bulletin

The outbreak of Salmonella associated with the Holiday Inn Bordeaux in Fayetteville, North Carolina has grown to 99 ill persons, up 11 from yesterday. Sixteen cases are lab-confirmed, according to Buck Wilson of the Cumberland County Health Department.

The two restaurants that served food associated with this outbreak are the Cafe Bordeaux and the All American Sports Grill. If you ate at these restaurants and suffered the symptoms of a Salmonella infection, including fever, chills, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and muscle pains, see a health care provider as soon as possible.

 

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Posted in Bacteria, FDA, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, Microbiology, outbreak, Pathogen, Recall, Salmonella

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