Category Archives: Foodborne Illness

USA – Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Cantaloupes (November 2023)

FDA

Cantaloupe

Products and Stores Affected (Expanded and Updated on 11/27/2023)

Recalled whole cantaloupe from the following brands:

  • Whole fresh cantaloupes with a label on the cantaloupe that says “Malichita” or “Rudy”, “4050”, and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique”.
  • Retailers and wholesalers would have received recalled whole melons from Crown Jewels Produce in boxes labeled “Malachita/Z Farms” or from Sofia Produce doing business as TruFresh in boxes labeled “Malichita” or “Rudy”, or from Pacific Trellis in corrugated cartons with certain lot codes.

Recalled cut cantaloupe and products made from recalled whole cantaloupes:

  • ALDIExternal Link Disclaimer cantaloupe, cut cantaloupe, and pineapple spears in clamshell packaging with Best-by dates between October 27 and October 31.
  • Vinyard cantaloupe chunks and cubes, fruit mixes, melon medleys, and fruit cups containing cantaloupe. Most have a “Vinyard” label, and some have a red label with “Fresh” sold between October 30 and November 10 in Oklahoma stores.
  • Freshness Guaranteed seasonal blend, melon trio, melon mix, fruit blend, fruit bowl, seasonal fruit tray, fruit mix, and cantaloupe chunks; and RaceTrac fruit medley sold in clear square or round plastic containers at select retail stores in IN, MI, OH, KY, NC, TN, VA, IL, TX, LA (see recall announcement for lot codes and “best by” dates).

More information about recalled products and product images can be found in the recall links above.

FDA’s investigation is ongoing. Updates to this advisory will be provided as they become available.

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.

Status

Ongoing: updates to this advisory will be provided as they become available.

Recommendation

  • Consumers, restaurants, retailers, and wholesalers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled cantaloupe or recalled products containing cantaloupe.
  • Some consumers freeze cantaloupe for later use. Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should check their freezers and throw away recalled fresh or cut cantaloupe that was frozen for later use.
  • If you cannot tell if your cantaloupe is part of the recall, do not eat or use it and throw it away.
  • Retailers and wholesalers would have received recalled whole melons from Crown Jewels Produce in boxes labeled “Malachita/Z Farms” or from Sofia Produce doing business as TruFresh in boxes labeled “Malichita” or “Rudy”, or from Pacific Trellis in corrugated cartons with certain lot codes.
  • 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 recalled products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination.
  • Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have symptoms of a Salmonella infection after eating recalled cantaloupe.

USA – Outbreak Investigation of Listeria monocytogenes: Peaches, Plums, & Nectarines (November 2023)

FDA

HMC Peaches

Product

Recalled conventional (non-organic) peaches, plums, and nectarines sold in retail stores from May 1, 2022 through November 15, 2022 and from May 1, 2023 through November 15, 2023. The recalled fruit was sold at retail stores nationwide in bags or as individual pieces of fruit with PLU stickers, under multiple brand names.

  • Individual pieces of fruit with PLU stickers on the fruit labeled USA-E-U, containing the following numbers:
    • Yellow peach: 4044 or 4038
    • White peach: 4401
    • Yellow nectarine: 4036 or 4378
    • White nectarine: 3035
    • Red plum: 4042
    • Black plum: 4040
  • HMC Farms: peaches, plums, or nectarines sold in HMC Farms-branded bags
  • Signature Farms: peaches or nectarines sold in Signature Farms-branded bags and labeled with 6359 printed on a white sticker on the bag.

See the recall notice for product images.

Additionally, the recalled fruit was sold to other manufacturers who may have frozen and/or relabeled the recalled fruit for resale under another brand. The firm has directly notified their customers who received recalled product and this advisory will be updated as more information becomes available.

Recalled fruit is past expiration and no longer available for sale in retail stores but could have been frozen by consumers. Fresh whole peaches, plums, and nectarines currently available for sale at retail are not included in this recall.

Stores Affected

The recalled fruit was distributed nationwide and sold at retail stores in bags or as individual pieces of fruit (see descriptions above). FDA is aware of the following retailers who received recalled products:

Additional information on retail locations will be provided when it is available.

Symptoms of Listeriosis (Listeria Infection)

Symptoms usually start within 2 weeks after eating food contaminated with Listeria, but may start as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks after. Mild symptoms may include a fever, muscle aches, nausea, tiredness, vomiting, and diarrhea. If the more severe form of listeriosis develops, symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, and convulsions.

Status

Ongoing: Updates to this advisory will be provided as they become available.

Recommendation

  • Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled peaches, plums, or nectarines. The recalled fruit is no longer available for sale and any previously purchased fruit should be past shelf life.
  • If you previously purchased fresh peaches, plums, and nectarines and then froze them, you should throw them away if they are part of the recall or if you cannot tell if they are part of the recall.
  • Anyone who received or purchased recalled peaches, plums and nectarines should use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with the recalled fruit to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. This includes baking or canning tools, cutting boards, knives, countertops, refrigerators, freezers, and storage bins.
  • If you have symptoms of listeriosis you should contact your health care provider to report your symptoms and receive care.

Recommendations for At-Risk Groups

  • Listeria is most likely to sicken pregnant people and newborns, adults aged 65 or older, and people with weakened immune systems. Other people can be infected with Listeria, but they rarely become seriously ill.
  • Pregnant people typically experience only fever, fatigue, and muscle aches. However, Listeria infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery, or life-threatening infection of the newborn.
  • Call your healthcare provider right away if you have symptoms of a Listeria infection.

Number of food poisoning patients in Japan expected to rise for 1st time in 3 yrs

Mainichi

TOKYO — Japan’s health ministry is calling for caution as the number of food poisoning patients in the country is expected to increase for the first time in three years, with the risk existing even in winter.

There has been a spate of food poisoning patients due to the easing of measures against coronavirus infections. Some outbreaks have occurred in groups of several hundred people after eating bento boxed lunches or “nagashi-somen” — noodles carried by water in flumes of bamboo so that diners can pluck them out with their chopsticks to eat.

Research – Foodborne botulism outbreak involving different nationalities during the Rugby World Cup: critical role of credit card data and rapid international cooperation, France, September 2023

Eurosurveillance

An unprecedented outbreak of 15 cases (including one death) of foodborne botulism occurred in Bordeaux, France, in September 2023 during the Rugby World Cup. Here we describe the national and international outbreak investigation using credit card data and control measures taken.

On 10 September 2023, the Bordeaux University Hospital reported three suspected cases of botulism to the local public health authorities [1]. All suspected cases had visited the same restaurant (Restaurant A) in Bordeaux on different dates and reported consumption of canned marinated sardines. The sardines were part of a batch made by Restaurant A on 1 September 2023 and served between 1 and 10 September. Cases were of different nationalities. In the previous days, the city had hosted two international rugby games as part of the Rugby World Cup attended by a large number of international visitors. An investigation was initiated to identify and contact persons visiting restaurant A and to contact public health agencies of countries whose citizens were affected by the outbreak.

Considering the severity of botulism and the urgency of control measures to stop the outbreak, an active search for persons who had consumed the sardines was performed by using data retrieved from credit card receipts of restaurant A.

A suspected case of botulism was defined as a person with symptoms compatible with botulism (oculomotor palsy, mydriasis, ptosis, dysphagia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea), living or visiting the Bordeaux area and visiting Restaurant A between 1 and 10 September 2023. A confirmed case was defined as detection of type B botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) in stool and/or serum samples and/or detection of type B  in stools from a suspected case.

By screening meal orders and credit card receipts of Restaurant A, we identified 29 customers who had ordered canned sardines (Figure 1). Among these, 12 had already been identified as suspected cases, 14 were contacted by the French or British health authorities and were considered non-cases as they did not present any symptoms and three were symptomatic British citizens who were urgently referred to an emergency care in the United Kingdom (UK) on 13 September where they received botulinum antitoxin.

USA – Norovirus outbreak linked to $1 burrito special for Northwestern University students

CBS News

The Evanston Health and Human Services Department warned Wednesday that it was tracking a norovirus outbreak linked to the burrito special.

The department is investigating the outbreak along with Northwestern University. Investigators have learned that people reported stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea after eating at Big Wig Tacos & Burritos during an event on Saturday, Nov. 18, at which the restaurant offered $1 burritos to students from the university.

The event was held between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. this past Saturday. Big Wig Tacos & Burritos has a location at 950 Church St. in downtown Evanston.

USA – Crown Jewels Produce Recalls “Malichita / Z Farms” Label of Whole Cantaloupes Because of Possible Health Risk Due to Salmonella

FDA

Cantaloupes in boxes

Summary
Company Announcement Date:
November 22, 2023
FDA Publish Date:
November 22, 2023
Product Type:
Food & Beverages
Foodborne Illness
Reason for Announcement:
Potential Salmonella contamination
Company Name:
Crown Jewel Produce Company
Brand Name:
Malichita/ Z Farms
Product Description:
Cantaloupes
Company Announcement
Jewel Marketing and Agribusiness LLC. (dba Crown Jewels Produce) of Fresno, CA is recalling all sizes of 1960 boxes of Malichita / Z Farms Cantaloupes sold between October 31, 2023 and November 9, 2023, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella

Product was distributed to Ohio, and California through retail and wholesale outlets.

Product was in boxes with a “wood-like” cardboard cartons with the Label “Malichita / Z Farms. The Price Lookup Sticker on the individual fruit is labeled “Malichita”.

This is an ongoing outbreak, and a number of illness have been reported throughout the United States, and Canada.

The company has ceased sales and distribution of the product as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.” Information on what consumers should do with the product and where they can get additional information. Consumers who have purchased ‘Malichita / Z Farms” Brand Cantaloupes are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

USA – Sofia Produce, LLC DBA Trufresh Expands Recall to Include all “Malichita” Brand and “Rudy” Brand Fresh Cantaloupe Because of Possible Health Risk Due to Salmonella

FDA

Rudy PLU 4050

Summary

Company Announcement Date:
FDA Publish Date:
Product Type:
Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:
Potential Foodborne Illness, Salmonella
Company Name:
SOFIA PRODUCE, LLC dba Trufresh
Brand Name:
Malichita, Rudy
Product Description:
Cantaloupes

Company Announcement

For Immediate Release, November 22, 2023 SOFIA PRODUCE, LLC, of Nogales, Arizona which does business under the name “Trufresh” (“Trufresh”) has expanded its recall of all sizes of fresh cantaloupes packaged in cardboard containers labeled with the “Malichita” label, and also labeled with the “Rudy” label to include all cantaloupes sold between the dates of October 10, 2023 and November 3, 2023, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

The cantaloupes were distributed directly to the following States in the United States: Arizona, California. Connecticut, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Texas, Florida and Canada. The cantaloupes would have reached consumers through retail produce markets which may be located in states other than those listed above.

Trufresh has been advised that there are 97 illnesses reported to date that have been associated with this strain of Salmonella.

USA – FDA- Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

FDA

What’s New

  • The outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (ref #989) has been linked to peaches, plums, and nectarines. FDA issued an advisory on this outbreak. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
  • A new outbreak of Salmonella Sundsvall (ref #1203) linked to cantaloupe has been added to the table. FDA issued an advisory on this outbreak. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
  • A new outbreak of Salmonella Newport in a not yet identified food had been added to the table. FDA has initiated a traceback investigation. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.
Date
Posted
Ref Pathogen
or
Cause of
Illness
Product(s)
Linked to
Illnesses

(if any)
Total
Case
Count

Status
11/22/

2023

1201 Salmonella
Newport
Not Yet
Identified
40 Active
11/22/

2023

1203 Salmonella
Sundsvall
Cantaloupe See

Advisory

Active
11/15/

2023

989 Listeria
monocytogenes
Peaches, Plums,
and Nectarines
See

Advisory

Active
11/15/

2023

1192 E. coli
0103
Not Yet
Identified
12 Active
11/8/

2023

1198 Elevated Lead
Levels
Apple
Cinnamon
Puree
See

Advisory

Active
11/1/

2023

1195 E. coli
O121:H19
Not Yet
Identified
37 Active
10/4/

2023

1190 Salmonella
Thompson
Onions See

Advisory

Active

USA- CDC – Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Cantaloupes

CDC

Cantaloupe on a white background.

Fast Facts
  • Illnesses: 43
  • Hospitalizations: 17
  • Deaths: 0
  • States: 15
  • Recall: Yes
  • Investigation status: Active   (first posted on November 17, 2023)
Recalled Food

Whole cantaloupes

  • Might have a sticker that says “Malichita”, “4050”, and “Product of Mexico/produit du Mexique”
  • See recall notice and expanded recall for more details

Vinyard brand pre-cut cantaloupes

  • Includes cantaloupe cubes, melon medleys, and fruit medleys
  • Sold in Oklahoma stores between October 30 and November 10, 2023
  • Most have a yellow label with “Vinyard,” and some have a red label with “Fresh”
  • See recall notice for product photos and more details

ALDI whole cantaloupe and pre-cut fruit products

  • Includes whole cantaloupes, cantaloupe chunks in clamshell packaging, and pineapple spears in clamshell packaging
  • Best-by dates between October 27 and October 31, 2023
  • Sold in ALDI stores in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, and Wisconsin
  • See recall notice [PDF – 2 pages] for more details

Investigators are working to identify any additional cantaloupe products that may be contaminated.

USA – CDC – Persistent Strain of Salmonella Newport (REPJJP01) Linked to Travel to Mexico, Beef, and Soft Cheese

CDC

REPJJP01

REPJJP01 is a persistent, multidrug-resistant strain of Salmonella Newport bacteria that has caused illnesses and outbreaks in the United States and globally.

Illness caused by this strain was first reported to PulseNet in late 2015. As of March 31, 2023, information from 2,423 people infected with REPJJP01 was reported to PulseNet. Among 1,378 people interviewed, 31% were hospitalized. Among 1,175 people with information on the outcome of infection, fewer than 1% died. Among 1,312 ill people, 63% self-identified as Hispanic/Latino, 33% self-identified as non-Hispanic/Latino White, and 4% self-identified as being non-Hispanic/Latino and another race. The median age of ill people was 38 years (interquartile range, 22–55 years) and 55% were female. Illnesses caused by this strain happen throughout the year but are less common in winter.

Almost half (49%) of 1,383 people with information reported traveling to Mexico before their illness began. People with illness caused by REPJJP01 also have reported consuming contaminated beef products from the United States and Mexico and consuming contaminated cheese (including queso fresco and Oaxaca cheese) obtained in Mexico.

This strain of Salmonella Newport is relatively diverse genetically. Bacteria in this strain are within 21 allele differences of one another by core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST). This is more genetically diverse than typical multistate foodborne outbreaks in which bacteria generally fall within 10 allele differences of one another.