Category Archives: foodborne outbreak

Research – Surveillance of Human Cases of Salmonellosis, Campylobacteriosis, Listeriosis, and Hepatitis A in Campania (Southern Italy): Seven-Year Monitoring (2013–2019)

MDPI

Abstract

Foodborne infections cause illness and death every year worldwide. The aim of this study was to describe trends in 2013–2019 in the occurrence of human cases of salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, listeriosis, and hepatitis A in the Campania region. Human case data were provided by the National Surveillance System of disease and were grouped by year, province, age group, and sex. Moreover, the number of people hospitalized was recorded. In the Campania region, the total number of confirmed human cases for the diseases investigated was 1924, with Hepatitis A and the Salmonellosis as the first most reported (1009 and 825 cases, respectively). The incidence rates of gastroenteritis under study were lower than those in Italy and European Union in the same period, with the exception of Hepatitis A whose incidence was higher than that recorded in Italy. Data on hospitalizations pointed out the onset of severe forms of infection also for listeriosis and campylobacteriosis, whose incidence was very low (27 and 63 cases, respectively). Unfortunately, no information on the foods implicated is available. Although probably underestimated, gastroenteritis due to foodborne agents still represents a burden in Campania, and continuous monitoring and implementation of the currently available regional surveillance system is required.

USA – Caesar’s Pasta, LLC Recalls Frozen Manicotti Because of Possible Health Risk – Listeria monocytogenes

FDA

Summary

Company Announcement Date:
FDA Publish Date:
Product Type:
Food & Beverages
Reason for Announcement:
Listeria monocytogenes
Company Name:
Caesar’s Pasta, LLC
Brand Name:
Caesar’s Pasta & Orefresco
Product Description:
Frozen manicotti

Company Announcement

Caesar’s Pasta, LLC of Blackwood, NJ is recalling 5,610 lbs. of frozen manicotti, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Frozen manicotti was sold to various foodservice distributors, distributing to restaurants in the Philadelphia, PA; Harrisburg, PA; Southeastern NY State; Northeastern PA; and San Juan, PR markets. Product did NOT enter retail commerce.

Frozen manicotti was packaged in 10 lb. bulk boxes under the brand names Orefresco and Caesar’s Pasta with a “Best By” date of September 28, 2024.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The product is categorized as “Not-Ready-To-Eat” and cooking instructions on the product label clearly state that product must be cooked to 160 degrees, which would effectively kill the bacteria.

The recall was the result of a routine sampling program, which revealed that the finished products may contain the bacteria. The FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what may have caused the problem.

Each of the company’s customers who received the affected product have been notified and have been provided with instructions to discard the product.


Company Contact Information

Consumers:
Caesar’s Pasta, LLC
 856-227-2585 Ext 226

USA – FDA Warning Letter Big Olaf Creamery LLC dba Big Olaf – Listeria monocytogenes

FDA

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspected your ready-to-eat (RTE) ice cream manufacturing facility, located at 2001 Cattlemen Rd Unit 123, Sarasota, Florida, from July 19 to September 01, 2022. The inspection was initiated as part of a joint investigation with the Florida Department of Health (FL DOH) and Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (FDACS) of a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) infections linked to ice cream supplied by your facility. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 28 ill people from 11 states were infected with the outbreak strain of L. monocytogenes. On July 13, 2022, your firm recalled all ice cream products, lots, and expiration dates of Big Olaf brand ice cream through June 30, 2022, because they had the potential of being contaminated with L. monocytogenes. CDC and FDA have determined, based upon the epidemiological data and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) matches between clinical and FDACS environmental and finished product samples that ice cream manufactured at this facility was the source of this multistate L. monocytogenes outbreak.

During the inspection of your facility, FDA found serious violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventative Controls for Human Food regulation (CGMP & PC rule), Title 21, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 117 (21 CFR Part 117).

FDA – Core Outbreak Table Updates – Investigations of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks

FDA

What’s New

  • A multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium (reference #1137) has been added to the table. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture issued an advisory regarding illnesses in their state. Preliminary information gathered by state partners indicates that patients consumed alfalfa sprouts prior to becoming ill. FDA’s investigation is underway to confirm the product causing illnesses and additional information will be provided when it becomes available.

Singapore – Lifting of suspension of Rasel Catering Singapore after Food Poisoning Outbreak

SFA

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has lifted the suspension of Rasel Catering Singapore Pte Ltd located at 253 Pandan Loop Singapore 128432 today. As the licensee has implemented the required measures as stipulated by SFA, operations can be resumed.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) and SFA received reports of gastroenteritis involving 345 persons after consuming food prepared by Rasel Catering Singapore Pte Ltd between 8 and 16 November 2022. None were hospitalised. To protect consumers from further public health risks, the food business operations of Rasel Catering Singapore Pte Ltd was suspended by SFA from 18 November to 29 December 2022.

Austrian firm in financial difficulty following a deadly Listeria outbreak

Food Safety News

A company in Austria that was linked to a deadly Listeria outbreak earlier this year is in financial trouble.

AKV, an association to protect creditor rights recognized by Austrian authorities, deals with insolvency cases in courts.

It reported that Käserei Gloggnitz can no longer meet its payment obligations. Insolvency proceedings have been opened by the regional court in Wiener Neustadt. A hearing is planned for early February 2023.

The reasons for the insolvency position are unknown, according to AKV. So the impact of the Listeria monocytogenes incident on the company is unclear.

As part of the proceedings, it will have to be checked whether the dairy producer will be continued and restructured or if existing assets will be inventoried and valued.

USA – Salmonella Sprout Outbreak brewing in Nebraska

Food Poison Journal

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), in collaboration with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Douglas County Health Department, Sarpy/Cass Health Department, and Three Rivers Public Health Department, is investigating a cluster of gastrointestinal illnesses caused by the bacteria Salmonella Typhimurium.

As of December 23, 2022, 12 individuals reported consuming alfalfa sprouts between December 4–15, either at local restaurants or in their homes after purchasing from local grocery stores. DHHS recommends the public avoid eating alfalfa sprouts while the investigation continues. More information will be shared as details become available.

If you have been sick with diarrhea after eating alfalfa sprouts, please contact your local health department immediately (https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/local-health-departments.aspx), and call your doctor if you need medical attention.

Australia – Cause of illnesses from spinach in Australia identified; Costco among stores that received product

Food Safety News

Investigations into almost 200 foodborne illnesses in Australia after eating a brand of baby spinach have revealed what caused the illnesses.

Riviera Farms said the spinach was contaminated with a weed called thornapple. The scientific name is Datura stramonium and it is also known as jimsonweed. How the weed got into the food supply is still being investigated by Victorian authorities with site inspections underway.

Riviera Farms issued a recall of baby spinach after reports of customers falling ill. The company then contacted its 20 clients. Costco is the only direct major retail client, however, the product was also sold to stores such as Coles, Aldi, and Woolworths.

Spinach products were grown on a farm in Victoria and shipped to several stores across the country. More than 190 potential cases were reported in New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, and Queensland.

There have been several hospitalizations. Toxicological impacts are still to be confirmed but it is understood most people experienced symptoms for a short time and then recovered.

USA – CDC Update – Multistate Norovirus Outbreak Linked to Raw Oysters from Texas

CDC

Food Borne Illness - Norovirus -CDC Photo

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Texas Department of State Health Services, and other public health partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of norovirus illnesses linked to raw oysters from Texas.

FDA Advises Restaurants, Retailers and Consumers to Avoid Potentially Contaminated Oysters from Harvest Area TX 1, Texas | FDA

Fast Facts

Illnesses: 298 illnesses* have been reported as of December 20, 2022.

States affected: Alabama (AL), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Louisiana (LA), Mississippi (MS) North Carolina (NC), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX)

Recall: Yes DSHS Recalls Oysters Harvested in Area of Southeastern Galveston Bay | Texas DSHS

Investigation Status: Active

*This number is an estimate based on the information we have at this time. CDC is working with state and local partners and will update this number as more information is gathered.

Raw Oysters and Norovirus

If eaten raw, oysters and other filter-feeding shellfish can contain viruses and bacteria that can cause illness or death. Anyone who consumes raw shellfish is at risk of contracting norovirus. Children younger than five years old, the elderly, and those people with weakened immune systems are more likely to have severe infections. Food contaminated with norovirus may look, smell, or taste normal. To avoid food poisoning from oysters, cook them well to a temperature of at least 145 degrees F.

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

FDA

Active Investigations

Date
Posted
Ref Pathogen
or
Cause of
Illness
Product(s)
Linked to
Illnesses

(if any)
Total
Case
Count

Status
Outbreak/
Event
Status
11/16/22 1113 Salmonella

Typhimurium

Not Yet
Identified
274 Active Ended
See Advice
11/9/22 1127 Listeria
monocytogenes
Enoki Mushrooms See
CDC’s
Investigation
Notice
Active Ongoing
See
CDC’s
Investigation
Notice