Category Archives: foodborne outbreak

USA – Outbreak Investigation of Listeria: Ice Cream (August 2023)

Posted on October 27, 2023 by | Leave a comment

FDA

Product 

  • The Ice Cream House has voluntarily recalled all dairy and non-dairy products with the Ice Cream House logo. Recalled products include dairy and non-dairy (parve):
  • Real Kosher Ice Cream has voluntarily recalled all flavors of Soft Serve On The Go 8-oz ice cream cups 

Additional recall information is available on the recall notices above.

Stores Affected

  • Ice Cream House products: Recalled products with the Ice Cream House brand were sold at the Ice Cream House storefront in Brooklyn, NY and at retail supermarkets in NJ, NY, OH.
  • Real Kosher Ice Cream Soft Serve On The Go cups: Recalled products were sold to multiple retailers in CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, IL, MA, MD, MI, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, VA, WV.

Status

Ended

Recommendation

  • This outbreak appears to be over; however, consumers should check their freezers for recalled ice cream and non-dairy [parve] frozen dessert products and should throw the recalled product away. Options to return recalled product can be found in the recall notice from Real Kosher Ice Cream and Ice Cream House.
  • Consumers, restaurants, and retailers who purchased or received any recalled ice cream products should 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 these products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Listeria can survive temperatures at or below freezing and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces.
  • Since the recall, the company started placing a label that includes a lot code on their products. If consumers have products in their freezers without a lot code, they should be thrown out.

Recommendation 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.

Current Update

October 26, 2023

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, investigated an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to recalled dairy and non-dairy products with the Ice Cream House logo sold at Ice Cream House and Real Kosher Ice Cream.

FDA and state partners collected several samples at the Ice Cream House facility located in Brooklyn, NY. WGS analysis confirmed that the strain of Listeria monocytogenes found in these samples matches the outbreak strain. As of October 26, 2023, CDC announced that the outbreak is over. CDC reports a total of two illnesses in two states. The last illness onset was in May 2023.

Since the recall, the company has taken corrective actions and is now back in operation. The company started placing a label that includes a lot code on their products. FDA’s investigation is complete.

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Posted in FDA, food bourne outbreak, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Listeria, Listeria Ice Cream, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak

A Dozen Salmonella cases linked to Raw Farm Milk

Posted on October 26, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

County of San Diego health officials are reporting three additional cases of Salmonella illness linked to unpasteurized or “raw” milk from a producer in Fresno, CA.

This brings the total number of local cases to 12, including three people who were hospitalized. The cases began in late September and the most recent person became ill on Oct. 17.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a recall of Raw Farm milk and heavy cream Oct. 24, and a PDF that contains the specific product identification numbers with “best by” dates between Oct. 11 and Nov. 6. Additional raw milk products were not recalled.

The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency urges anyone who may have recently purchased Raw Farm LLC raw milk to not consume it and discard the product.

The illnesses have been caused by Salmonella bacteria, which is commonly found in human and animal intestines. The 12 San Diego County residents who became ill have reported consuming Raw Farm LLC raw milk the week before they became ill. Cases in other parts of the state are being tracked by CDPH and other local health departments.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, Raw Milk, Salmonella

USA – Raw Farm Milk Salmonella Outbreak expands to Orange County

Posted on October 26, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) has identified seven cases of Salmonella illness in Orange County (OC) residents following consumption of unpasteurized or “raw” milk from Raw Farm LLC, which recently issued a recall of its raw whole milk and raw heavy creams products.

The HCA urges those who may have purchased raw whole milk or raw heavy cream products from Raw Farm LLC to not consume the products and discard them immediately. Anyone who becomes ill after consuming raw milk or products made from raw milk, particularly products from Raw Farm LLC, should seek medical care immediately.

All confirmed cases had illness onset within the past 30 days, with affected individuals ranging in age from one to 20 years old. The HCA continues to investigate the situation in coordination with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The HCA is also reaching out to stores in the county who may be selling these products to assure that they are aware of the recall.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, Raw Milk, Salmonella

USA – Utah Natural Meat and Milk Source of Campylobacter Outbreak

Posted on October 26, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Utah Natural Meat and Milk has been identified as the source of the Campylobacter outbreak in that state that has sickened at least 14 people, according to news reports. The Utah Department of Health and Human Services and the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food said that the pathogen came from that dairy that is located in West Jordan. According to the Salt Lake County Health Department, one patient was hospitalized but is recovering at home. The patient age range is from 2 to 73 years.

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Posted in Campylobacter, campylobacter coli, Campylobacter jejuni, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, Raw Milk

Research- Three clusters of Salmonella Enteritidis ST11 infections linked to chicken meat and chicken meat products

Posted on October 26, 2023 by | Leave a comment

EFSA

Abstract

From 1 January–24 October 2023, 335 laboratory-confirmed Salmonella Enteritidis ST11 cases belonging to three distinct microbiological clusters have been reported in 14 EU/EEA countries, the United Kingdom and the United States, affecting all age groups. Most interviewed cases reported consumption of chicken meat, including chicken kebabs. Nine cases in three countries were hospitalised and one case in Austria died, highlighting the potential for severe and fatal infections from this outbreak. Following the food exposure information and the national investigations in 2023, the food safety authorities in Austria, Denmark and Italy investigated 10 food products (six contaminated by Salmonella Enteritidis ST11 cluster 1 and/or cluster 2), seven final producers in Poland and one in Austria. Traceability information revealed that three Salmonella-contaminated kebabs shared a number of Polish food business operators. The trading link of the suspected kebab suggests one or more common source(s)/point(s) of contamination in Austria, Denmark, and Italy. Following the collection of genomic information, the cluster analysis revealed the presence of the outbreak strains in the food chain in multiple European countries. Most positive foods sampled in 2022–2023 with shared epidemiological data originated from Poland. Given the information collected, contaminated chicken kebab and chicken meat are the plausible vehicles of the human infections reported in these three clusters. In the absence of conclusive microbiological evidence and comprehensive traceability, the role of the identified final producers, their meat suppliers, and the possible involvement of other food business operators as sources of the infections could not be confirmed or excluded. Further investigations are needed to identify the root cause of the contamination and the source of infections, which is crucial for prompt implementation of targeted effective control and corrective measures. As the source(s) have not been identified, new cases are likely to occur in this prolonged multi-country outbreak.

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Posted in Death, food bourne outbreak, food death, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, Foodborne Illness Death, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak, Polish Chicken Salmonella, Salmonella, Salmonella Poland

Norway – Outbreak of Salmonella infection

Posted on October 26, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Matportalen

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority has been notified by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health about a national outbreak of the gastrointestinal bacterium Salmonella Napoli. So far, infection has been detected in seven people. The source of infection is not known.

An outbreak investigation has been initiated in collaboration between the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, the Veterinary Institute and municipal chief medical officers. It is currently unknown what the source of infection is, but it is common for gastrointestinal bacteria to become infected through food. According to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, the most common symptoms are diarrhoea, headache, abdominal pain, nausea and possibly fever.

– The Norwegian Food Safety Authority collects information from the sick persons about what they have eaten and what they have been in contact with. It may also be relevant to take samples of food and food packaging, says Anne Mæland, senior advisor in the biological food safety section of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority.

Outbreak investigation takes time and the work is complicated. It is not always possible to find the source of infection in such outbreaks. If a common source of infection from food, animals or the environment is identified, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority will follow up the tracing work along the food chain.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak, Salmonella

USA – FDA – Core Table -Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

Posted on October 26, 2023 by | Leave a comment

FDA

What’s New

  • An Outbreak Advisory was issued for the outbreak of Salmonella Thompson (ref #1190) linked to recalled Gills Onions brand diced onions. An onsite inspection and sample collection have been initiated. Additional information is available in the Outbreak Advisory.
Date
Posted		 Ref Pathogen
or
Cause of
Illness		 Product(s)
Linked to
Illnesses
(if any)		 Total
Case
Count
Status
10/4/

2023

 1190 Salmonella
Thompson		 Onions See

Advisory

 Active
8/9/

2023

 1172 Listeria
monocytogenes		 Ice
Cream		 See
Advisory		 Active

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Posted in FDA, food bourne outbreak, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, outbreak, Salmonella

Finland – Sprouts suspected in Finnish Salmonella outbreak

Posted on October 25, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

A Salmonella outbreak in Finland, which affected more than 60 people, has been linked to sprouts.

The National Institute of Health and Welfare (THL) reported that 62 people in different parts of the country became ill from Salmonella Enteritidis in August and October.

In September, it was reported that authorities were investigating an increase in Salmonella Enteritidis infections.

In interviews by local authorities, 23 of 24 people said that they had eaten sprouts before getting sick.

THL surveyed salmonellosis patients in Finland to find out the extent and source of the epidemic. This survey was answered by 16 cases part of the Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak and 11 other controls infected with Salmonella.

People who became infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Enteritidis had eaten sprouts more often than people who were not part of the outbreak.

Patients had eaten two different sprout products in the seven days before becoming ill. Both products had the same unnamed producer.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, Salmonella, Salmonella in Sprouts

USA -Buckhead Fresh Market Salmonella Outbreak Sickens Consumers

Posted on October 25, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

A Buckhead Fresh Market Salmonella outbreak in Georgia has sickened an unnamed number of consumers, according to WSB-TV. A whistleblower told that news outlet that food sold from the deli may be associated with this outbreak. That Fresh Market is located on Roswell Road in Buckhead.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Salmonella

USA – Miguel’s Cocina 4S Ranch linked to E. coli Outbreak in San Diego

Posted on October 25, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) is reporting an outbreak of 13 confirmed or probable cases of Shiga-toxin-producing E. Coli (STEC) linked to dining at Miguel’s Cocina 4S Ranch location in San Diego.

HHSA Epidemiology Program and the County Department of Environmental Health and Quality are investigating the cluster of E. coli infections. Ages range from 6 to 87 years of age.

The ill persons or their families reported eating at the Miquel’s 4S Ranch location from Oct. 6 to Oct. 18 and had symptoms from Oct. 13 to Oct. 19.  Seven cases were hospitalized with at least one case developing the more severe complication of the infection called hemolytic uremic syndrome.

The specific food items that were sources of the E. coli bacteria at the restaurant are under investigation.  The restaurant is cooperating and working closely with the County. This morning its management voluntarily decided to close until the source can be identified.

“People who visited the restaurant and are feeling ill should see their doctor as soon as possible,” said Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer.  “We want them to get tested and have the results sent to the local health department. Those most at risk from infection are children, adults 65 and older and people with weakened immune systems.”

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Posted in E.coli, food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, STEC, STEC E.coli