Category Archives: foodborne outbreak

Sweden – Salmonella sickens more than 50 in Sweden

Posted on October 18, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

More than 50 people have fallen ill in a national outbreak of Salmonella in Sweden with the source yet to be identified.

A total of 54 confirmed cases of Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported from 20 different regions in the country from Sept. 17 to Oct. 5.

Patients are aged between 8 and 86 years old; 31 of them are women.

Cases have been connected by whole genome sequencing of patient samples. This means they are suspected of having been infected by a common source, according to the Public Health Agency of Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten).

Local infection control units, the Swedish Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket) and Folkhälsomyndigheten are investigating the outbreak to identify the source of infection, which is suspected to be a food with wide distribution in Sweden.

Patient interviews to compile information about what those sick have eaten before falling ill are ongoing. Answers will be used to form a hypotheses about the source and compared to what people in a control group that are not part of the outbreak have eaten.

The incident doesn’t appear to be connected to a Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that is ongoing in Denmark. Officials believe the outbreak in Sweden is caused by a different source because the strains don’t cluster.

Leave a comment

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

USA – Old Europe Cheese Listeria Outbreak holds at six sick in six States

Posted on October 18, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

Epidemiologic and Traceback Data

As of September 28, 2022, six people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from six states (see map). Sick people’s samples were collected from August 6, 2017, to August 5, 2022 (see timeline).

Sick people range in age from 56 to 83 years, with a median age of 78, and 67% are female. Five people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported.

The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Listeria. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.

Leave a comment

Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, outbreak

USA – Big Olaf’s Ice Cream Listeria Outbreaks stands at 25 sick with 24 hospitalized with 1 death

Posted on October 18, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

Epidemiologic Data

Since the last update on July 13, 2022, two more illnesses have been reported. As of August 2, 2022, a total of 25 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes have been reported from 11 states (see map). Thirteen sick people are residents of Florida and ten reported traveling to Florida before getting sick. Illnesses started on dates ranging from January 24, 2021, to June 24, 2022 (see timeline).

Sick people range in age from less than one to 92 years, with a median age of 72, and 56% are male. Of 25 people with information available, 24 have been hospitalized. One death in a person who was not pregnant has been reported from Illinois. Five people got sick during their pregnancy, and one person’s illness resulted in a fetal loss.

The true number of sick people in an outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for Listeria. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.

Leave a comment

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

USA – Michigan hit hardest in Falafel E. coli Outbreak

Posted on October 18, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

As of October 7 2022, 20 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O121 have been reported from 6 states (see map). Illnesses started on dates ranging from July 13, 2022, to September 13, 2022 (see timeline).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sick people range in age from less than 1 to 71 years, with a median age of 31, and 79% are female. Of 14 people with information available, 5 have been hospitalized, including 1 who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a serious condition that can cause kidney failure. No deaths have been reported.

The true number of sick people in this outbreak is likely higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not be limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because some people recover without medical care and are not tested for E. coli. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part of an outbreak.

State and local public health officials are interviewing people about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Among 18 people interviewed, 15 reported shopping at ALDI stores. Among these 15 ALDI shoppers, 6 reported eating Earth Grown brand frozen falafel purchased from ALDI in the week before getting sick.

Leave a comment

Posted in E.coli O121, 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

Netherlands – Dutch retailer issues recall after Ferrero chocolate error – Salmonella

Posted on October 18, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

A Dutch retailer has issued a recall after mistakenly sending Ferrero chocolate potentially contaminated with Salmonella to market.

Jumbo is recalling Ferrero Kinder Schokobons 300 grams with an expiry date of Oct. 5, 2022 or earlier.

These products were recalled by Ferrero in April this year in relation to a multi-country monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak. However, Jumbo said some chocolate had recently been delivered to a limited number of stores.

The retailer added that as soon as the error became known, all stock was removed from stores as a precaution.

Jumbo asked customers not to consume the affected Ferrero Kinder Schokobons and to return them to one of its stores.

Official figures show the Netherlands had three cases related to the outbreak that affected more than 450 people from December 2021 to June 2022.

Leave a comment

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

Denmark searches for source of Salmonella outbreak with 14 sick

Posted on October 14, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Danish officials are trying to find the source of a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 14 people in a month.

Between Aug. 15 and Sept. 16, more than a dozen cases with the same type of Salmonella Typhimurium have been registered at the Statens Serum Institut.

Patients are seven men and seven women aged between 4 and 84 years old, with a median age of 61. Ten cases were reported in one week. Six sick people live in Midtjylland, five in Hovedstaden and three in Syddanmark.

The Statens Serum Institut (SSI), Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (Fødevarestyrelsen) and DTU Food Institute are investigating the outbreak.

Leave a comment

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, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak

Research – Netherlands records more than 800 outbreaks in 2021

Posted on October 14, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

The number of foodborne outbreaks in the Netherlands passed 800 in 2021, according to the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).

A total of 838 outbreaks, affecting 3,517 people, were reported in 2021. This is an increase compared with 559 outbreaks in 2020 affecting 1,907 people and is also up from 735 outbreaks in 2018 and 756 in 2019.

Salmonella and Campylobacter were still responsible for most outbreaks and illnesses this past year. Norovirus was reported far less than in previous years for the second year in a row.

Figures come from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and Municipal Health Service (GGD).

Pathogen unknown for most outbreaks
Based on NVWA statistics, most outbreaks involved two to four and five to nine patients. Twenty or more sick people were registered in 13 outbreaks, with 71 and 79 patients in two norovirus incidents. More than 400 people were affected in one outbreak caused by an unknown pathogen. From GGD figures, in 28 outbreaks, four people died from listeriosis.

A pathogen was found in patients, food or environmental samples for only 28 of the 838 outbreaks. Experts said the percentage of outbreaks where a pathogen was identified continues to decrease but the reason for this is uncertain.

Leave a comment

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, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Norovirus, outbreak

Malawi bans sale of food in primary, secondary schools as cholera death toll hits 117

Posted on October 13, 2022 by | Leave a comment

China Org

LILONGWE, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) — Malawi has banned sale of food in primary and secondary schools ahead of the new school year, which starts Monday, as cholera outbreak continues with 117 cumulative deaths recorded as of Sunday.

Requesting parents to pack homemade food for students, the education ministry “is directing that selling of food in primary and secondary schools is banned with immediate effect until further notice,” said a statement signed by Secretary for Education Chikondano Mussa.

Universities and colleges are advised to ensure that food vendors and suppliers are oriented and adhere to the standard operating procedures issued by the ministry to all learning institutions.

Cholera has been spreading sporadically across the country since the first cases were recorded in the south-eastern border district of Machinga in March.

As of Sunday, 23 districts have reported cases with 17 districts coming on board in the past 14 days, bringing the caseload and death toll to 4,223 and 117 respectively. Enditem

Leave a comment

Posted in food bourne outbreak, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Poisoning, Food Poisoning Death, Foodborne Illness, Foodborne Illness Death, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, outbreak, Vibrio cholera, vibrio cholerae

USA – Baked Goods linked to Salmonella Outbreak in Ohio

Posted on October 12, 2022 by | Leave a comment

Food Poison Journal

Allen County Public Health (ACPH) is investigating a potential Salmonella outbreak affecting Allen, Putnam and Hancock counties. ACPH was notified by Hancock County regarding a multi-county Salmonella outbreak with illness onsets currently ranging from Oct. 1-6, 2022. As of Monday, Allen County had one confirmed case. Chances of other counties being affected is possible.

Undercooked food is the source for most illnesses related to Salmonella. This particular outbreak may be linked to baked goods prepared at a home bakery and distributed at establishments in Allen, Hancock and Putnam Counties. Diagnosing Salmonella infection requires testing a specimen (sample), such as stool (poop) or blood. Infection is diagnosed when a laboratory test detects Salmonella bacteria in stool, body tissue, or fluids.

Leave a comment

Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Salmonella

USA – Updated – Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O121:H19 Frozen Falafel (October 2022)

Posted on October 10, 2022 by | Leave a comment

FDA

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of E. coli O121:H19 infections linked to Earth Grown frozen falafel.

Based on epidemiologic information provided by CDC and interviews conducted by state and local public health officials, of 18 people interviewed, 15 reported shopping at ALDI stores. Among these 15 people who reported shopping at ALDI stores, 6 reported eating Earth Grown brand frozen falafel purchased from ALDI in the week before getting sick.

On October 6, 2022, the manufacturer of Earth Grown frozen falafel, Cuisine Innovations, initiated a voluntary recall. Recalled products include Earth Grown vegan traditional falafel and garlic & herb falafel distributed and sold exclusively by ALDI. Additional information on recalled products is available in the firm’s recall notice.

On October 6, 2022, ALDI removed any remaining Earth Grown frozen falafel from stores.

FDA’s investigation is ongoing. Updates to this advisory will be provided as they become available.

Recommendation

Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled Earth Grown Traditional Falafel or Garlic & Herb Falafel sold exclusively by ALDI after June 24, 2021.

These items are no longer available for sale but were sold frozen and have a long shelf-life of 18 months, so consumers should check their freezers for these products. If you have recalled frozen falafel in your freezer, do not eat or serve them.

Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O121: Frozen Falafel (October 2022) - CDC Case Count Map as of October 7, 2022

Leave a comment

Posted in E.coli, E.coli O121, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Testing, Food Toxin, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Illness, outbreak, STEC, STEC E.coli