Category Archives: Foodborne Illness

India – Gujarat: Over 250 taken ill due to food poisoning at wedding, hospitalised

Telangana Today

At least 250 guests at a wedding ceremony were taken ill due to suspected food poisoning in Mathasuliya village in Gujarat‘s Gir Somnath district.

After consuming buttermilk served at the event on Friday, people exhibited acute symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting, sources said.

USA – Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Organic Basil (April 2024)

FDA

Infinite Herbs Organic Basil Product

Organic Basil Infinite Herbs Brand Label

Melissa's Organic Basil

Product

Two brands of organic basil have been recalled:

  • Infinite Herbs-brand organic basil packed in 2.5-oz clamshell packaging (UPC 8 18042 02147 7) and sold at Trader Joe’s and Fruit Center Marketplace stores from February 1 through April 6, 2024.
  • Melissa’s brand fresh organic basil in 2.0-oz (UPC 0 45255 14142 9) and 4.0-oz clamshell packages (UPC 0 45255 14439 0) available for sale at Dierberg’s stores in Illinois and Missouri from February 10 through February 20, 2024.

Both recalled brands of basil are labeled as a product of Colombia on the back of the package. Recalled basil is past expiration and should no longer be available for sale.

Symptoms of Salmonella Infection:

Illness usually occurs within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food and usually lasts four to seven days. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Children younger than five, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections.

Stores Affected

Infinite Herbs-brand was sold at:

  • Trader Joe’s stores in D.C. and AL, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, and WI
  • Fruit Center Marketplace stores in MA

Melissa’s-brand was sold at:

  • Dierberg’s stores in IL and MO

Status

Ongoing

Recommendation

  • Consumers who purchased recalled organic basil from the stores listed above should check their refrigerators and freezers and should not eat it.
  • This product should no longer be for sale at retail stores and is likely past shelf-life. If you bought recalled organic basil and removed it from the packaging or froze it and cannot tell if it is part of the recall, do not eat or use it and throw it away.
  • Follow FDA’s safe handling and cleaning advice and use extra care in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with this product to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
  • Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have symptoms of a Salmonella infection after eating basil.

USA – Infinite Herbs, LLC Expands Recall of Fresh Organic Basil to Include Melissa’s Brand Organic Basil Received by Illinois and Missouri Retailer

FDA

April 19, 2024—Infinite Herbs LLC of Miami, Florida, is expanding its April 18th recall to include Melissa’s brand fresh organic basil in 2.0 oz ( 96 packages, UPC 0 45255 14142 9) and 4.0 oz packages (24 packages, UPC 0 45255 14439 0) available for sale at Dierberg’s stores in Illinois and Missouri between February 10th and 20th (see photos below). This product is part of the lot that was previously recalled and, therefore, has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.

Please note that this recalled product is outdated and no longer available for sale. Still, consumers are urged to check their refrigerators and freezers and not consume the recalled organic basil if they have it. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 305-599-9255 x 148 or email customer_service@infiniteherbs.com, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT.

The company is conducting this recall with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) knowledge.

Link to Original Press Release

USA – Infinite Herbs, LLC Voluntarily Recalls 2.5-Ounce Fresh Organic Basil Sold From February 1 Through April 6 Because of Possible Health Risk

FDA

“Image of UPC and Date Packed for Infinite Herbs Basil package”

April 18, 2024—Infinite Herbs LLC of Miami, Florida, is voluntarily recalling 2.5-ounce packages of Infinite Herbs fresh organic basil sold between February 1 and April 6, 2024, and bearing the UPC 8 18042 02147 7 (see photos below) because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Based on its food questionnaires and epidemiological data to date, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that 12 illnesses are likely related to this recall. Infinite Herbs initiated the voluntary recall after the FDA notified it of the CDC’s information.

The recalled product was shipped directly to Trade Joe’s retail distribution centers in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Virginia and to two Fruit Center Marketplace stores in Massachusetts.

No other products distributed by Infinite Herbs are affected by this recall—non-organic basil in any package and other package sizes of organic basil are not included in this recall. The company is conducting this recall with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) knowledge.

The recalled product is out of date and no longer available for sale, but consumers are urged to check their refrigerators and freezers and not consume the recalled organic basil if they have it. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 305-599-9255 x 148 or via email to customer_service@infiniteherbs.com, Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT.

Link to Expanded Press Release

Taiwan – Three test positive for norovirus after dining at sushi restaurant chain

Focus Taiwan

Taipei, April 17 (CNA) Three of the 23 people who reported suspected food poisoning after dining at branches of the sushi restaurant chain Kura Sushi have tested positive for norovirus, the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) said Wednesday.

At a press conference on Wednesday morning, TFDA Director-General Wu Shou-mei (吳秀梅) said the TFDA and local health bureaus have received reports of 10 suspected food poisoning cases involving 23 individuals who had meals at different branches of the sushi restaurant chain.

Of the 23, three have tested positive for norovirus, while testing of samples taken from the remaining 20 individuals is still underway, Wu said, adding that a chef tested negative for norovirus, without specifying the branch where the three dined or where the chef worked.

Denmark reports fatal multi-year Listeria outbreak

Food Safety News

Danish officials are trying to find the source of a Listeria outbreak that has affected 17 people since 2019.

Two illnesses have provisionally been registered in 2024, said the Statens Serum Institut (SSI).

Patients have been infected with the same type of Listeria monocytogenes since the summer of 2019.

Researchers Estimate Leafy Greens Foodborne Illness Outbreaks Cost U.S. $5 Billion Annually

Food Safety.com

A recent review authored by researchers from Ohio State University has established pathogen-specific foodborne illness burden estimates for leafy greens in the U.S. by combining three outbreak-based attribution models with illness incidence and economic cost models.

USA -FDA – Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

FDA

What’s New

  • A new outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses linked to a not yet identified product (ref #1221) has been added to the table. FDA has initiated traceback.
  • For the outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium (ref #1218) in a not yet identified food, the case count has increased from 11 cases to 12 cases.
  • For the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #1214) linked to queso fresco and cotija cheese, the advisory was updated on April 10, 2024. The outbreak has ended, and FDA’s investigation is closed.
  • For the investigation of elevated lead levels in Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches (ref # 1198), these products are off the market and no longer available for sale; however, they have a long shelf life. Consumers should check their pantries and discard any recalled products. FDA’s response has transitioned from this investigation to post-incident actions and activities. Future updates on lead-related actions and activities can be found on the FDA Post- Incident Response Activities: Elevated Lead & Chromium Levels: Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches page.

USA – 11 Norovirus Cases Reported In San Diego County – Oysters

Patch

Eleven confirmed and probable cases of norovirus illness in San Diego County have been linked to frozen oysters imported from South Korea, public health officials announced Tuesday.

Customers who ate the oysters between March 31 and April 1 at 100s Seafood Grill Buffet in Mission Valley became sick, with one person going to the emergency room, according to the county.

Singapore – Two companies fined for operating an unlicensed food business and food safety lapses respectively

SFA

Angel’s Restaurant Pte Ltd fined for multiple food safety lapses
5 Angel’s Restaurant Pte Ltd was fined $3,300 for food safety lapses committed under
the Environmental Public Health (Food Hygiene) Regulations.
6 In January 2023, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and SFA received reports of
gastroenteritis involving 19 persons after consuming catered food prepared by Angel’s
Restaurant Pte Ltd, located at 3017 Bedok North Street 5 #02-31, Gourmet East Kitchen,
Singapore 486121. None of the affected cases was hospitalised.