Category Archives: foodborne outbreak

Canada – Updated Food Recall Warning – Thomson International Inc. Imported Krown brand red and yellow onions from the United States recalled due to Salmonella

Canada

Recall Details

Ottawa, August 12, 2020 – The food recall warning issued on August 7, 2020 has been updated to include additional product and distribution information. This additional information was obtained during the food safety investigation conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Krown Produce Inc. is recalling Krown brand red onions and yellow onions , produced in Bakersfield, California, United States by Thomson International Inc. , due to the possible presence of Salmonella bacteria . The affected products described below or foods containing these raw onions should not be consumed. Retailers, distributors, manufacturers and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals, and nursing homes should not serve, use or sell the affected products described below.

These products could also have been purchased online or at various restaurants. They may also have been sold in bulk or in small, labeled or unlabeled packages; the brand and name of the products may differ from those listed below. The CFIA will continue to investigate other possible importers, which may lead to further recalls.

The following products were sold according to the table below.

Ongoing investigation

See the complete list of products recalled as part of the ongoing investigation.

Products affected by the recall

Mark Product Format CUP Codes Additional Information
Krown ”  Red Onion  “ 4.54 kg / 10 lb No All units sold until August 5, 2020 inclusively
  • Frontier Foods, 311 Center St., Frontier, SK
  • Pip’s Country Store, 4806 Selkirk Ave., Edgewater, BC
  • Northern, 2 Inuit St. ( Box 281), Kugluktuk, NU
  • Northern, Mackenzie Dr. ( Box 143), Tulita, NT
  • Northern, 807 Tetlit Gwich’In Rd. ( Box 60), Fort McPherson, NT
  • Edgewood General Store, Box 16, Edgewood, BC
  • Northern, Box 158, Ulukhaktok, NT
  • Northern, 991 Mistassiniy Rd. ( Box 90), Wabasca, AB
  • Northern, 41 Breynat St. ( Box 47), Fort Smith, NT
  • Whitemud Grocer, 220 Center St., Val Marie, SK
  • Rock Creek General Store, 4105 Hwy. 3, Rock Creek, BC
  • Hidden Valley Foods, 108 Maple Ave. S, Eastend, SK
  • Slocan Village Market, 519 Harold St., Slocan, BC
  • Balfour Superette, 7824 Hwy. 3A, Balfour, BC
  • The Sea Store, 9226 Kokanee Rd., Vernon, BC
  • Cut Knife Family Foods, 112 Broad St. S ( Box 487), Cut Knife, SK
  • J & D Meat & Groceries, 435 Elliot St., Quesnel, BC
  • PGI Market On 5 th , 2900 5 th Ave., Prince George, BC
  • Clarke’s General Store, 5750 Horsefly Rd., Horsefly, BC
  • J & S Confectionery, 4714 Herald St., Macklin, SK
  • Kinuso AG Foods, 225 Center St. ( PO Box 390), Kinuso, AB
  • Northern, 2 Town Sq. (Box 9000), Norman Wells, NT
  • Northern, Box 260, Tuktoyaktuk, NT
  • Little Kingdom, 11284 Westside Rd., Vernon, BC
  • Blind Bay Country Market, Golf Course Dr., Blind Bay, BC
  • EM Grocers, PO Box 130, Denzil, SK
  • Lakeview Store, 14729 Hwy 3A, Gray Creek, BC
  • 70 Mile General Store, 1556 Cariboo Hwy. (PO Box 129), 70 Mile House, BC
Krown ”  Yellow Onion  “ 4.54 kg / 10 lb No All units sold until August 5, 2020 inclusively
  • Loon Lake Fine Foods, PO Box 189, Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation, Loon Lake, SK
  • Lac La Hache Food Mart, Box 100, Lac La Hache, BC
  • Clinton Budget Foods, 1429 Cariboo Hwy. , Clinton, BC
  • The Store, 5 Main St. ( Box 68), Acadia Valley, AB
  • Balfour Superette, 7824 Hwy. 3A, Balfour, BC
  • J & D Meat & Groceries, 435 Elliot St., Quesnel, BC
  • Clarke’s General Store, 5750 Horsefly Rd., Horsefly, BC
  • Buffalo River Mini Mart, Chief Pierre Nezaroche St., Dillon, SK

What has to be done

If you think you have become ill after consuming a recalled product, contact your doctor.

Check to see if you have the recalled products at home or in your establishment. Recalled products should be discarded or returned to the establishment where they were purchased. If you are in doubt about the variety of onions you have in your possession, check with the establishment where you purchased them.

Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not necessarily look or smell spoiled, but can still make you sick. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems can get serious and sometimes fatal infections. In healthy people, salmonellosis can present with short-lived symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Salmonellosis can cause long-term complications, including a severe form of arthritis.

Context

This recall is the result of the CFIA’s investigation of a foodborne illness outbreak, which was followed by a recall in the United States by Thomson International Inc. , based in Bakersfield. , in California. The CFIA is currently conducting a food safety investigation which may result in the recall of other products. Any further high-risk product recalls will be reported to the public through an updated food recall warning.

The CFIA is ensuring that industry withdraws the recalled products from the market.

Illness

The Public Health Agency of Canada is currently investigating an outbreak of the disease in humans. Please see the Public Health Notice for more information on the ongoing outbreak investigation.

Product Pictures

Printable version of photos

  • Krown - "Red Onion" - 4.54 kg / 10 lb (box)
  • Krown - "Red Onion" - 4.54 kg / 10 lb (label)

Public and media inquiries

Public inquiries
Toll Free: 1-800-442-2342 (Canada and United States)
Phone: 1-613-773-2342 (local or international)
Email: cfia.enquiries-demandederalités.acia@canada.ca
General media inquiries
Telephone: 613-773-6600
Email: cfia.media.acia@canada.ca

UK – Three of four UK Listeria outbreaks unsolved in 2018

Food Safety News

The source of infection was not found for three of four Listeria outbreaks in England in 2018.

The one which was solved was an international outbreak that involved 12 cases in England from 2015 to 2018 and was traced to frozen sweetcorn and vegetables produced by Greenyard in Hungary.

The company found the cause of contamination, a persistent presence of Listeria monocytogenes in one of the freezing tunnels, and closed down this tunnel at the plant. In June 2019, the factory was sold to Roger & Roger, a producer of potato and corn snacks.

This multi-country incident included 54 clinical cases of listeriosis in Australia, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Austria, and the UK with 10 deaths. The outbreak was detected in Finland using whole-genome sequencing (WGS).

Traceability information indicated that frozen corn was produced in Hungary and packed in Poland. It was found that people had eaten the frozen sweetcorn uncooked, although instructions on the packaging told consumers to cook it. Implicated frozen products were distributed to 116 countries.

The second incident involved four people with illness onset in 2017 and 2018. The third outbreak sickened three people and the final one had five reported cases all in 2018.

USA – Texas parasitic outbreak sickens 82; health officials still trying to identify source – Cyclospora

IBT Cyclospora_LifeCycle201

Eighty-two individuals in Texas got sick after suffering from cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection that causes a range of symptoms.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that cyclosporiasis is an illness caused by a microscopic parasite. Fox News reports that the symptoms of this infection include diarrhoea, frequent bowel movements, loss of appetite, bloating, weight loss, stomach cramps, fatigue, and nausea. These symptoms can take up to a week to appear following an infection.

The most common source of the parasite is water or food contaminated by feces. However, public health officials in Austin, Texas are still trying to find out where the intestinal illness came from, which affected Austin-Travis County.

Health officials stated that previously, the source of such an outbreak would either be fruits or vegetables. The most common food sources include basil, cilantro, onions, and raspberries.

In July, the CDC warned multiple states of a cyclospora outbreak from bagged salads. However, Texas was not included in the list.

USA -Spokane Produce Inc. Issues Recall of Products Containing Onions Because of Possible Health Risk – Salmonella

FDA

Spokane Produce, Inc. of Spokane, WA is voluntarily recalling salsa products containing onions as a result of the expanded onion recall initiated by Thomson International, Inc., which resulted in a recall by Spokane Produce’s onion supplier. These recalls are due to concerns of the potential for contamination by Salmonella spp.

Salmonella is 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.

Product was distributed in ID, MT, OR, WA states and it reached consumers only through retail stores. The recalled products were distributed from 05/13/20 to 08/10/20. Retail products were packaged in 15oz. plastic tubs and institutional size one gallon plastic containers.

Spokane Produce’s products subject to the recall are listed in the table below.

ITEM NUMBER PRODUCT NAME SIZE BEST BY DATE
83260 Saddlin’ Up Salsa Hot 15 oz 8/16/2020
83259 Saddlin’ Up Salsa Medium 15 oz 9/30/2020
83259 Saddlin’ Up Salsa Medium 15 oz 8/5/2020
83258 Saddlin’ Up Salsa Mild 15 oz 8/11/2020
84032 Salsa Verde 15 oz 8/26/2020
84044 Salsa Verde Gallon 9/28/2020
84044 Salsa Verde Gallon 8/11/2020

No other Spokane Produce’s products are impacted by this recall.

No illnesses have been reported in association with these salsa products to date.

Out of an abundance of caution, as a service to the general consuming public at large, product is being recalled in consultation with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Consumers who purchased any of the products/best buy dates cited above are advised not to eat any product and should destroy or return the product to the place of purchase. Consumers with questions should call Spokane Produce, Inc., 10am-4pm (PST) at 509-710-8301.


Company Contact Information

Consumers:
Spokane Produce, Inc.
 509-710-8301

Product Photos

 

USA – Which Stores Sold Onions Recalled For Possible Salmonella?

Food Poisoning Bulletin

The newest Salmonella Newport outbreak has sickened at least  396 people in 34 states and has hospitalized 59. The outbreak is potentially linked to red onions sold by Thomson International. Those onions were recalled last week. But which stores sold the onions recalled for possible Salmonella contamination? And are products made with those onions recalled?

According to recall notices posted on their web sites, ALDI, Food Lion, Giant Eagle/Market District, Kroger, Publix, Stop & Shop/Giant Food Stores, Smiths, Fry’s, Fred Meyer, and Walmart allegedly sold these onions under various store names and brand names, and some were used to make other products such as salads and stir fries.

USA – Giant Eagle Voluntarily Issued August 1st Recall of Onions and Prepared Foods Using Onions as an Ingredient Due to Potential Salmonella Contamination

FDA

Company Announcement

After receiving notification from onion supplier, Onion 52, that the vendor had sourced onions affected by the recent salmonella-related Thomson International, Inc. onion recall for Giant Eagle, the company pulled all impacted product on Saturday, August 1.

Giant Eagle recalled red, yellow and white onions sold in produce departments across Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana and Maryland. The recall also includes select prepared foods items that included the affected onions as ingredients sold across the same five states. The recall announcement is regarding potential salmonella contamination of the onions.

Out of an abundance of caution, Giant Eagle promptly removed these products on Saturday, August 1, from its produce and prepared foods departments as soon as it became apparent that some of its onion product may have been affected by the ongoing salmonella outbreak investigation by the FDA and CDC. Three are no reported illnesses among Giant Eagle customers to date associated with this recall.

Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, can cause salmonellosis. Salmonellosis is one of the most common bacterial foodborne illnesses, and some symptoms of salmonellosis are diarrhea, abdominal cramps and a fever anywhere between 12 to 72 hours after consumption. This illness can last between four to seven days.

Recalled Onions Sold in Giant Eagle Produce Departments

Giant Eagle has recalled all bulk and bagged red, yellow and white onions sold in its produce department since June 6, 2020.

Customers who have purchased the affected product and are still in possession of it should dispose of it. Customers may also bring in the qualifying receipt to their local Giant Eagle or Market District location to receive a refund on their purchase of the impacted product.

For questions, customers may contact Onions52 at (801) 773-0630 or by email at customerservice@onions52.com.

Recalled Prepared Foods Items with Onion as Ingredient

Giant Eagle’s onion recall also included select prepared foods items purchase since July 25, 2020 that include onion as an ingredient.  Items listed in the link above.

Jordan – Rotten chicken supplier turns himself in and authorities step up monitoring efforts

Roya News

Seven people were arrested in relation to the second mass food poisoning incident in Ain al-Basha.

The owner of the restaurant and six of his employees were charged with four offences — causing harm, handling food in unsuitable conditions that made it harmful to human health, handling food that is not safe for human consumption and practicing a craft that causes harm.

The seven individuals will be detained for one week at Al-Balqa Reform and Rehabilitation Center.

Sixty seven people have been affected by the incident so far.

Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) strengthened its nationwide monitoring efforts, which will be conducted by control and inspection teams around the clock.

After numerous complaints reported symptoms of food poisoning among citizens, the JFDA, in cooperation with both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Interior, tightened control procedures for all food establishments by increasing the number of field visits and extending working hours to run 24 hours a day.

The aim is to inspect all main meat suppliers that provide restaurants with the pulled chicken for shawarma, and other associated food establishments.

An unpleasant odour was reported by the JFDA after obtaining 59 uncooked chicken samples.

Test results showed that the chicken is not safe for human consumption due to the presence of dense bacterial growth caused by poor storage conditions at meat warehouses and a failure to follow JFDA guidelines for high-risk materials, which require storage temperatures not to exceed five degrees Celsius.

Legal measures were taken and all violators were transferred to the public prosecutor to pursue further legal action.

The JFDA stressed the need to adhere to all instructions issued by the administration and not to ease legal consequences on violators.

The foundation also called on citizens to raise awareness about food distribution and not to hesitate to report any violations or submit complaints.

Free hotline complaints line: 117114

E-mail address: INFO@JFDA.JO

WhatsApp number: 0795632000

Facebook page: facebook.com/jfda.jo

USA-Salmonella outbreak: Oregon reports scores of cases

Outbreak News today

Oregon health officials are advising the public not to eat onions from Thomson International, Inc., of Bakersfield, California, after 76 people in 13 Oregon counties fell ill with matching strains of Salmonella bacteria. Eighteen of the cases have been hospitalized, no deaths have been recorded.

Oregon is part of a multistate outbreak that has sickened more than 400 people in about 40 states as well as consumers in Canada.

U.S. and Canadian public health officials implicated consumption of red onions; and the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) traced the onions to Thomson International, Inc. Although red onions are the likely source, Thomson will be recalling all varieties of onions that could have been cross-contaminated.

 

USA – Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Newport: Red Onions (July 2020)

FDA

Investigation Update

August 3, 2020

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, is investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Newport infections. The Public Health Agency of Canada is also investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Newport illnesses that have a genetic fingerprint closely related to the U.S. outbreak.

Investigators in the U.S. and Canada have been collaborating to identify the source of this outbreak. On July 30, 2020, Canadian health officials announced that they had determined red onions from the U.S. to be the potential source of the Canadian outbreak. The Canadian investigation has also prompted a recall warning by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Building on this information, and on epidemiologic information on the U.S. outbreak from CDC, the FDA’s traceback investigation was able to identify Thomson International, Inc. as a likely source of contaminated red onions in the U.S.

On August 1, 2020, Thomson International, Inc. recalled all varieties of onions that could have come in contact with potentially contaminated red onions, due to the risk of cross-contamination. Recalled products include red, yellow, white, and sweet yellow onions shipped from May 1, 2020 to present.


Product Recall

On August 1, 2020, Thomson International, Inc. recalled all varieties of onions that could have come in contact with potentially contaminated red onions, due to the risk of cross-contamination. Recalled products include red, yellow, white, and sweet yellow onions shipped from May 1, 2020 to present.

Onions were distributed to wholesalers, restaurants, and retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada.

The onions were distributed in 5 lbs. carton. 10 lbs. carton. 25 lbs. carton. 40 lbs. carton, 50 lbs. carton. bulk, 2 lb. mesh sacks, and 3 lb. mesh sacks, 5 lb. mesh sacks, 10 lb. mesh sacks 25 lbs. mesh sacks, 50 lbs. mesh sacks under the brand names:

  • Thomson Premium
  • TLC Thomson International
  • Tender Loving Care
  • El Competitor
  • Hartley’s Best
  • Onions 52
  • Majestic
  • Imperial Fresh
  • Kroger
  • Utah Onions
  • Food Lion

See photos of brand labels.

Case Count Map Provided by CDC

Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Newport in Red Onions (July 2020): CDC Case Count Map for July 31, 2020

Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 396
Hospitalizations: 59
Deaths: 0
Illness Onset Date Range: July 12, 2020
States with Cases: AK (6), AZ (14), CA (49), CO (10), FL (3), ID (5), IL (10), IN (2), IA (15), KS (1), KY (1), ME (4), MD (1), MI (23), MN (10), MO (6), MT (33), NE (5), NV (5), NY (4), NC (3), ND (5), OH (7), OR (71), PA (2), SC (1), SD (11), TN (5), TX (1), UT (61), VA (4), WA (2), WI (5), WY (11)

USA – Tailor Cut Produce Inc. still under FDA scrutiny after Salmonella outbreak

Food Safety News

As part of its enforcement activities, the Food and Drug Administration sends warning letters to entities under its jurisdiction. Some letters are not posted for public view until weeks or months after they are sent. Business owners have 15 days to respond to FDA warning letters. Warning letters often are not issued until a company has been given months to years to correct problems.

Tailor Cut Produce Inc.

North Brunswick, NJ

Tailor Cut Produce Inc. has been under scrutiny since Dec. 6, when the FDA began investigating a Salmonella Javiana outbreak connected to Tailor Cut Produce. The company issued a recall Dec. 7 of its fruit luau, cut honeydew, cut cantaloupe and cut pineapple products. This warning letter shows the conditions at Tailor Cut Produce Inc.’s processing facility that could have led to the outbreak that sickened more than 150 people in 14 states.

In a July 8 warning letter the FDA described a Dec.10, 2019, through Feb. 7, 2020, inspection at Tailor Cut Produce Inc.’s ready-to-eat (RTE) fresh-cut produce processing facility. The inspection was initiated as part of an ongoing Salmonella Javiana multi-state outbreak investigation. FDA investigators found serious violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food regulation.

FDA’s inspection resulted in the issuance of FDA Form 483.