Category Archives: foodborne outbreak

USA – Agroson’s Will Not Recall Cavi Papayas Likely Linked to Salmonella Outbreak

Food Poisoning Bulletin

The FDA has updated the Salmonella Uganda outbreak likely linked to fresh papayas imported from Mexico, stating that they have asked Agroson’s LLC, the distributor of the Cavi brand of papayas, to recall that product. Agroson’s has refused to initiate a recall.

Research – Number of foodborne illnesses associated with outbreaks in tomatoes decreased since 2001

FreshPlaza

About 48 million episodes of foodborne illness and 3,000 deaths occur per year in the United States. The most common foodborne pathogens cause an estimated annual burden of $14 billion to $36 billion. Produce has been implicated in 46 percent of foodborne illness outbreaks. Tomatoes have been the source of a number of foodborne illness outbreaks since 1998, but the annual number of foodborne illnesses associated with outbreaks in tomatoes has generally decreased since their high of nearly 900 in 2001. Ten outbreaks have caused more than 100 illnesses, while 2 were associated with deaths of individuals. In 2005 and 2006, multistate outbreaks of salmonella in tomatoes sickened 487 individuals.

Research – Norovirus most often responsible for foodborne outbreaks in Finland

Food Safety News norovirus-1080x655

More than 130 foodborne outbreaks were recorded in Finland between 2014 and 2016, according to a recent report.

Data comes from a register of foodborne and waterborne outbreaks maintained by the former Finnish Food Safety Authority (Evira) that became the Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto) at the beginning of this year.

The number of people infected from foodborne pathogens was 2,761 in 132 outbreaks. Forty-eight people needed hospital treatment. No deaths were reported.

Vegetables and meat common food sources
Norovirus remained the most common agent in foodborne outbreaks between 2014 and 2016. It was responsible for 42, or 32 percent, of such outbreaks.

RASFF Alert – Foodborne Outbreak Salmonella – Chilled Cooked Pork Preparation

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RASFF – foodborne outbreak suspected to be caused by and Salmonella (present /25g) in chilled cooked pork preparation from Romania in Ireland

RASFF Alert – Foodborne Outbreak suspected (Histamine) – Chilled Tuna in Sunflower Oil

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RASFF – foodborne outbreak suspected (histamine) to be caused by chilled tuna in sunflower oil from Ecuador in Italy

USA – Red Robin in Westminster Colorado link in E. coli O157 Outbreak

Food Poison Journal

Three individuals, including one adult and two children, tested positive for the bacteria E. coli O157:H7 with all persons having reported eating at the Red Robin restaurant located at 799 W. 146th Ave in Westminster, Colorado. Tri-County Health Department inspected the restaurant on July 9, 2019, after receiving information about the outbreak from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Two of the three individuals infected were hospitalized, and the investigation is ongoing.

USA – Outbreak of E. coli Infections Linked to Flour – Outbreak is Over.

CDC

Recalls and Advice to Consumers, Restaurants, and Retailers
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At A Glance

 

Photo of flour.

Several brands and types of flour were recalled because they may be contaminated with E. coli. Consumers should not use recalled products.

Consumers should not use any of the recalled flour. Throw it out.

  • If you stored flour in another container without the packaging and don’t remember the brand or “use by” date, throw it away.
  • Thoroughly wash the container before using it again.

Eating raw dough can make you sick.

  • Any flour or raw eggs used to make dough or batter might be contaminated with harmful germs.
  • Bake or cook food made with raw dough or batter before eating it. Follow the recipe or instructions on the package. Do not use recalled flour in cooking or baking.
  • Do not taste raw dough or batter. Even tasting a small amount could make you sick.

Clean up thoroughly after baking.

  • Wash any bowls, utensils, and other surfaces that were used when baking with warm water and soap.
  • Wash your hands with water and soap before and after baking.

Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have become ill from eating raw dough.

Restaurants and other retailers should not use, sell, or serve any of the recalled flour.

  • If you stored flour in another container without the packaging and don’t remember the brand or “use by” date, throw it away.
  • Restaurants and retailers should thoroughly wash flour storage containers before using them again.

Restaurants and other retailers should always be safe with raw dough.

  • Do not give customers raw dough to play with or eat. It is not safe to eat or play with raw dough, whether made from recalled flour or any other flour.
  • Bake or cook food made with raw dough or batter before serving or selling it. Follow the recipe or instructions on the package. Do not use recalled flour in cooking or baking.
  • As of July 11, 2019, this outbreak appears to be over.
  • A total of 21 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O26 were reported from 9 states.
    • Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 11, 2018, to May 21, 2019.
    • Three hospitalizations and no deaths were reported.
  • Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence, supported by product distribution records, indicated flour was the likely source of this outbreak.
  • Several products were recalled because they may be contaminated with E. coli. Those products include 5-lb. bags of Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour sold at ALDI, some 5-lb. bags of King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour, certain 5-lb. bags of Pillsbury Best Bread Flour, and several brands of cookie and brownie mix produced by Brand Castle. For more information about these recalls, visit the FDA websiteexternal icon.

RASFF Alert – Foodborne Outbreak suspected (Salmonella spp) – Coppa

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RASFF – foodborne outbreak suspected (Salmonella spp) to be caused by coppa from Italy in France

Philippines – Hundreds hospitalized with suspected food poisoning during Marco’s birthday party

Outbreak News Today

More than 300 people have been hospitalized due to suspected food poisoning during the 90th birthday celebration of Imelda R. Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines, according to Philippines news sources.

According to Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, 306 are still admitted in the hospital. He went on to say that 149 have been discharged while the rest are still under observation or admitted in the hospital.

The patients “suffered from vomiting and dizziness,” said Richard Gordon, the chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross, which deployed emergency teams to the Ynares Sports Complex east of Manila where the party was held.

Mr. Gordon, who is also a Philippine senator, said hundreds of the estimated 2,000 people at the event apparently became ill after eating chicken adobo, rice and eggs.

USA – Outbreak of Salmonella Infections Linked to Karawan brand Tahini

CDC

This outbreak appears to be over, but recalled tahini products have a long shelf life and may still be in people’s homes. Consumers unaware of the recall could continue to eat these products and potentially get sick. Visit the FDA websiteexternal iconfor a full list of recalled products.

Final Outbreak Information
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  • As of June 26, 2019, this outbreak appears to be over.
  • A total of 6 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Concord were reported from 3 states.
    • Illnesses started on dates ranging from March 9, 2019, to May 2, 2019.
    • One hospitalization and no deaths were reported.
  • Epidemiologic, traceback, and laboratory evidence indicated that Karawan brand tahini products were the likely source of this outbreak.
  • Do not eat, sell, or serve recalled tahini that is labeled as Karawan Tahini, El-Karawan Tahin,i or SoCo Tahini. Do not eat, sell, or serve products made with recalled tahini, such as hummus.
  • This outbreak was not related to another recent multistate outbreak of Salmonella Concord infections linked to tahini. Ill people in the previous outbreak were infected with a different outbreak strain of Salmonella Concord.