Category Archives: foodborne outbreak

USA – An Outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis Linked with Peaches Emerges Across Various States in the U.S.

An Outbreak of 68 Salmonella Enteritidis Cases in Nine States has been Traced to Wawona Peaches

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced yet another Salmonella outbreak. The FDA has declared an ongoing investigation in regards to the numerous confirmed cases of Salmonella Enteritidis found across multiple states. The initial cases were traced back through epidemiological methods. Health officials discovered a likely connection between the Salmonella Enteritis cases and bagged peaches sold by ALDI’s. The peaches of concern were sold by ALDI’s between June 1, 2020 and August 19, 2020, when ALDI issued a voluntary recall on their Wawona-brand 2 pound, bagged peaches sold in clear plastic bags. An image of the bagged peaches and their packaging can be viewed here.

On August 19, 2020, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that there are a total of 68 cases of illness, 14 hospitalizations, and 0 deaths, due to the Salmonella Enteritidis Outbreak. The 9 states with confirmed cases are IA, MD, MI, MN, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WI. The following states have been confirmed to have also had the recalled peaches shipped to various grocery and retail locations; CT, IA, IL, KY,  MA, MI, MN, ND, NH, NY, OH,  RI, SD, VT, WI, and WV.

USA – Urgent Onion Recall Notification

FDA

HelloFresh has been informed by one of its ingredient suppliers that it is conducting a voluntary recall of its onions due to the potential presence of salmonella bacteria. Please discard all onions received from May 8 through July 31, 2020.

We recommend disposing of all onions received during the specified time period. For further information on whether you have been impacted, please check the product codes, located on the bottom square of your box shipping label. Please see the photo provided below as reference for locating the product code.

Production Week

Production Week Start Date

HelloFresh Product Codes*
*Number sequence may vary

Everyplate Product Codes*
*Number sequence may vary

20 5/08 2-3-5-6-17 81-82-84-86-92-94
21 5/15 2-8-15-19 82-86-83-93
22 5/22 2-5-6-9-20 87-88-89-93-90-94
23 5/29 6-8-9-15-B- 3-5-20 82-84-86-87-89-91-92-95
24 6/5 6-8-17- B 82-84-86-89-90-95-83-93
25 6/12 3-4-10-15-18-17-19-20 82-87-88-95-82-87-88-95
26 6/19 2-3- 8-12 88-89-84-93
27 6/26 5-17- 4-15-18-20 82-87-89-90-91- 84-92-93
28 7/3 3-9-10-12-15-17- 6 85-86-90-91
29 7/10 3-20-7-21 82-88-89-90-92-96
30 7/17 4-19-21 82-84-89-94-96- 83-95
31 7/24 2-3-4-19-7-8-16 82-92- 81-84-87-89-94-96-98

As noted above, customers should immediately discard all onions received. We also recommend extra caution in disinfecting and sanitizing surfaces and containers that may have come in direct contact with these products, as recommended by the FDA. In the event that the onions have been consumed, please note that thoroughly cooking the product to 165ºF/74ºC, as instructed by the recipe, will kill the salmonella bacteria.

If you are experiencing any symptoms, including but not limited to, fever, diarrhea, or nausea, please contact your healthcare provider immediately. Click here for more information from the FDA about this supplier recall and the potentially related symptoms.

We sincerely apologize for this supplier-related incident. Your safety is our highest priority and we have taken immediate steps to ensure our onions are no longer sourced from this supplier. All HelloFresh facilities are SQF (Safe Quality Food) certified, which is the highest level of food safety certification and our teams follow a rigorous process to maintain the safety and quality of our meal kits. If you have any additional questions, please contact HelloFresh at hello@hellofresh.com.


Company Contact Information

Consumers:
HelloFresh

Product Photos

USA – Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Enteritidis: Bagged Peaches (August 2020)

FDA

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis infections potentially linked to bagged peaches sold at ALDI stores in multiple states. The peaches are in Wawona-brand 2-pound, clear plastic bags sold in ALDI stores from June 1, 2020 until present. Based on information collected from ill persons, CDC has identified bagged peaches from ALDI stores as a likely source of Salmonella Enteritidis infections. As of August 19, 2020, CDC is reporting a total of 68 cases across 9 states.

FDA’s traceback investigation is ongoing to determine the full scope of product distribution and source of contamination. More information will be shared when it is available.

As of August 19, 2020, ALDI has voluntarily recalled all of Wawona-brand bagged peaches from select ALDI stores in multiple states and is continuing to participate in FDA investigation efforts to determine the source of contamination.

Recommendations

Advice for consumers, restaurants, and retailers: Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve Wawona-brand bagged peaches from ALDI stores in multiple states. Consumers who purchased Wawona-brand bagged peaches from ALDI stores from June 1, 2020 to present and may still have them in their house should not eat the peaches and should throw them away. Consumers who purchased Wawona-brand bagged peaches from ALDI stores from June 1, 2020 to present and froze them should throw them away.

Consumers who purchased bagged peaches from ALDI stores from June 1, 2020 to present and cannot identify the brand, should throw the peaches away.

FDA recommends that anyone who received Wawona-brand bagged peaches from ALDI use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with the produce to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. This includes cutting boards, slicers, countertops, refrigerators, and storage bins.

Consumers who have symptoms of Salmonella infection should contact their health care provider. Most people with salmonellosis develop diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. More severe cases of salmonellosis may include a high fever, aches, headaches, lethargy, a rash, blood in the urine or stool, and in some cases may become fatal.

Suppliers and Distributors: Suppliers, distributors and others in the supply chain should not use, ship or sell Wawona-brand bagged peaches from ALDI. Suppliers and distributors that re-packaged Wawona-brand bagged peaches from ALDI from June 1, 2020 to present should use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and storage areas that may have come into contact with Wawona-brand bagged peaches from ALDI stores. If there has been potential cross contamination or mixing of peaches from other sources with these products, then comingled products should be discarded.

Investigation Update

August 19, 2020

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Enteriditis infections. State officials from the Minnesota Department of Health reportedExternal Link Disclaimer that many of the people sick with the same strain of Salmonella Enteritidis, confirmed by Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), had purchased Wawona-brand bagged peaches from ALDI prior to becoming ill.

In response to FDA investigators, ALDI reported to FDA that potentially affected bagged peaches were shipped to CT, IA, IL, KY, MA, MI, MN, ND, NH, NY, OH, RI, SD, VT, WI, and WV. ALDI also reported to FDA that the sole supplier of the bagged peaches to stores reported by cases during the timeframe of interest was Wawona Packing Company, LLC. FDA’s traceback investigation is ongoing to identify the source of this outbreak and to determine if potentially contaminated product has been shipped to additional retailers.


Product Images

Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Enteritidis: Bagged Peaches Product Image (August 2020)

Case Count Map Provided by CDC

Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Enteritidis in Bagged Peaches (August 2020) - Case Count Map from CDC for August 19, 2020

U.S. Distribution Map of Recalled Peaches

Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Enteritidis in Bagged Peaches (August 2020) - U.S. Distrobution Map of Recalled Peaches (August 19, 2020)

This map includes confirmed distribution information from companies; products could have been further distributed and sent to additional retailers and states.

Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 68
Hospitalizations: 14
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset Date: August 3, 2020
States with Cases: IA, MD, MI, MN, NJ, NY, PA, VA, WI
Product Distribution*: CT, IA, IL, KY,  MA, MI, MN, ND, NH, NY, OH,  RI, SD, VT, WI, WV
*Distribution has been confirmed for states listed, but product could have been distributed further, reaching additional states

 

Canada – Public Health Notice: Outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to red onions imported from the United States

PHAC

 

August 14, 2020 – Update

There is no evidence to suggest that onions grown in Canada are associated with this outbreak. Onions imported from the United States are under investigation.

Do not eat, use, sell or serve any red, white, yellow, and sweet yellow onions from Thomson International Inc. of Bakersfield, California, USA, or any products made with these onions. This advice applies to all individuals across Canada, as well as retailers, distributors, manufacturers and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals and nursing homes.

If you are not sure where a red, yellow, white, or sweet yellow onion was grown, do not eat it. This notice contains more advice on how to avoid getting sick.

The outbreak investigation is ongoing as illnesses continue to be reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Since August 7, there have been 100 additional illnesses reported in the ongoing Canadian investigation. There are now 339 confirmed cases in Canada.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued food recall warnings for related products that came to Canada. Some of these products were possibly distributed nationally. Additional food recall warnings in Canada are possible. More information on recalled products is available on CFIA’s website.

Canada – 100 more Canadians have become sick from eating US onions

Daily Hive

The Public Health Agency of Canada is reporting 100 new illnesses across the country related to salmonella contaminated onions grown in California.

There have been no deaths related to the products, but the new cases bring the total to 339  illnesses linked to the onions in Canada, as of Friday. Currently, 48 individuals have been hospitalized.

Those who became sick are between the age of three and 100, with the majority of cases (54%) being found in females.

According to the agency, the confirmed cases of Salmonella Newport illness have been linked to this outbreak in the following provinces: British Columbia (78), Alberta (208), Saskatchewan (19), Manitoba (19), Ontario (8), Quebec (6), and Prince Edward Island (1).

“Do not eat, use, sell or serve any red, white, yellow, and sweet yellow onions from Thomson International Inc. of Bakersfield, California, USA, or any products made with these onions,” the health agency wrote in an update. “This advice applies to all individuals across Canada, as well as retailers, distributors, manufacturers and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals, and nursing homes.”

Individuals who became ill reported eating red onions at home, items ordered at restaurants, and in residential care settings between mid-June and late July 2020.

USA -Cyclospora cases from bagged salad mix continue are on the up.

Food Safety News cardcyclosporasme

The outbreak of parasitic infections linked to Fresh Express bagged salad mix has grown by 49 new laboratory-confirmed cases of Cyclospora, upping the total to 690 people, up from 641.

The latest report is current as of Aug. 12, 2020, and it updates the previous report of July 24, 2020.

Laboratory-confirmed Cyclospora infections associated with this outbreak have been reported from 13 states: Georgia (1), Illinois (209), Iowa (206), Kansas (5), Massachusetts (1), Minnesota (86), Missouri (57) Nebraska (55), North Dakota (6), Ohio (4), Pennsylvania (2), South Dakota (13), and Wisconsin (45). The ill person from Georgia purchased and ate a bagged salad product while traveling in Missouri.

 

Canada – Updated Food Recall Warning – Modern brand Tarragon Remoulade and Modern Meat brand Modern ‘Crab’ Cakes made with onions grown by Thomson International Inc. recalled due to Salmonella

CFIA

Ottawa, August 14, 2020 – The food recall warning issued on August 1, 2020 has been updated to include additional product information. This additional information was identified during the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) food safety investigation.

The Modern Meat Inc. is recalling Modern brand Tarragon Remoulade and Modern Meat brand ‘Crab’ Cakes, made with onions grown by Thomson International Inc., Bakersfield, California (USA), from the marketplace due to possible Salmonella contamination. Consumers should not consume the recalled products described below. Retailers, distributors, manufacturers, and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals, and nursing homes should not serve, use, or sell the recalled products described below.

These products may also have been purchased on-line. The CFIA will continue its investigation into other possible importers and additional recalls may follow.

The following products have been sold as indicated in the table below.

Ongoing investigation

See complete list of recalled products associated with this ongoing investigation.

Recalled products

Brand Product Size UPC Codes Additional Information Distribution
Modern Tarragon Remoulade 250 mL 8 47004 00009 0 Best before date:
SEP 23 2020
None British Columbia, Manitoba, and possibly other provinces and territories.
Modern Meat ‘Crab’ Cakes 300 g 8 47004 00014 4 Best before date:
JAN 18 2021
None British Columbia, Manitoba, and possibly other provinces and territories.
Modern Meat ‘Crab’ Cakes 6 × 50 g 8 47004 00014 4 Best before date:
JAN 18 2021
None British Columbia, Manitoba, and possibly other provinces and territories.

What you should do

If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, call your doctor.

Check to see if you have the recalled products in your home or establishment. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased. If you are unsure of the source of the onions in your product, check with your place of purchase.

Food contaminated with Salmonella may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections. Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.

Background

This recall was triggered by the CFIA during its investigation into a foodborne illness outbreak followed by a recall in the United States by Thomson International Inc. located in Bakersfield, California. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings.

The CFIA is verifying that industry is removing the recalled products from the marketplace.

Illnesses

The Public Health Agency of Canada is investigating an outbreak of human illness. Please refer to the Public Health Notice for further details on this active outbreak investigation.

Product photos

Printer ready version of photos

  • Modern Tarragon Remoulade – 250 ml (front)
  • Modern Tarragon Remoulade – 250 ml (back)
  • Modern Tarragon Remoulade – 250 ml (UPC)
  • Modern 'Crab' Cakes – 6 × 50 grams
  • Modern Meat (lot code example)

Public enquiries and media

Public enquiries
Toll-free: 1-800-442-2342 (Canada and U.S.)
Telephone: 1-613-773-2342 (local or international)
Email: cfia.enquiries-demandederenseignements.acia@canada.ca
Media relations
Telephone: 613-773-6600
Email: cfia.media.acia@canada.ca

USA – Deli take-out in Seattle blamed for unidentified gastrointestinal illnesses

Food Safety News

Public Health is investigating an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness with diarrhea, vomiting, body aches, headaches, and fevers associated with a takeout meal from Saigon Vietnam Deli on July 25, 2020. A specific food or drink item that might have caused the illnesses has not been identified. Saigon Vietnam Deli is located  at1200 S Jackson Street in Seattle.

Pubic Health serves the Seattle-King County area of Washington State.

Since Aug. 3, 2020, Public Health learned about 8 people with a gastrointestinal illness who reported eating takeout food together from Saigon Vietnam Deli on July 25, 2020. Other food was also ordered for takeout from another food establishment, but since only half of the ill people ate the food from the second restaurant, it is unlikely the source of illnesses.

Public Health hasn’t identified any ill employees.

USA -Portland: Small Pharaoh #1 food cart closed, Linked to Shigella outbreak

outbreak News Today

Shigella - kswfoodworld

Image CDC

 

Multnomah County health officials have closed the Small Pharaoh #1 food cart in downtown Portland (SW 5th and Stark) late Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020 after linking the business to an outbreak of shigellosis. This is the first food cart closure in Multnomah County in many years due to health concerns. Food carts are inspected, regulated and scored the same as brick and mortar restaurants.

Health officials took the unusual step of ordering the closure of the food cart at 5th and SW Stark after several individuals from different households were confirmed to have shigellosis after eating food from the facility. Four cases have been confirmed with three additional presumptive cases with symptoms who have not been tested. Shigella is a very contagious bacteria and can spread after swallowing a very small amount of the bacteria.

Anyone with symptoms of shigellosis who ate at the downtown location of Small Pharaoh between July 27 and August 11 should contact their care provider or seek medical care as needed.

 

RASFF Alert – Foodborne Outbreak -Frozen Chicken thighs – Salmonella

RASFF-Logo

RASFF – foodborne outbreak caused by and Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (in 3 out of 5 samples /25g) in frozen chicken thighs from Romania in Latvia