Category Archives: foodbourne outbreak

Canada – More than 180 people have had Salmonella symptoms after eating at a Sarnia restaurant

Posted on November 12, 2020 by | Leave a comment

CBC

Dozens of people have contracted salmonella after eating at a restaurant in Sarnia and food truck in Corunna last month, according to Lambton Public Health.

On Monday, the local health unit confirmed that 41 people have now been diagnosed with salmonella after eating at the Barakat restaurant in Sarnia and the Barakat Food Truck in Corunna between Oct. 19 and Oct. 29. In total, the health unit said that more than 180 people have had symptoms consistent with the illness and nine people have been hospitalized.

On Oct. 30, the health unit put out its first news release, stating that they were looking into the situation. Days later on Nov. 5, they said there were 33 cases related to the outbreak in people between nine months and 73 years old.

Now the health unit has added several more infected individuals to the list.

Majority of the exposures took place between Oct. 21 and Oct. 25.

For anyone else who may have symptoms of salmonella, including diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps or vomiting, public health said they are advised to report the illness to Lambton Public Health and contact their health care provider as needed if symptomatic.

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

Research – Reporting delay likely impacted size of sandwich Listeria outbreak

Posted on November 10, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Later infections in a deadly Listeria outbreak traced to sandwiches served in hospitals in England could have been prevented, according to an investigation into the incident.

The first outbreak patient in April 2019 was not confirmed for almost two months because Public Health England did not get the isolate for typing from the hospital until early June.

Officials said it was “conceivable” that earlier receipt of the isolate would have raised the possibility of a wider problem sooner and may have led to earlier intervention and prevention of some further cases in the outbreak. Referral of clinical isolates is voluntary. Experts say making such action mandatory should be considered.

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Posted in food contamination, food death, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Research

USA – Fresh Express Inc – Div of Chiquita Brands – FDA Warning Letter

Posted on November 10, 2020 by | Leave a comment

FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA ) inspected your bagged salad operation located at 1109 East Lake Street, Streamwood, IL 60107, from June 25, 2020 through July 23, 2020. The inspection was initiated as part of an investigation of a multistate foodborne outbreak of cyclosporiasis (human infections with the parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis). As of September 23, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that at least 701 people from 14 states have been infected with Cyclospora cayetanensis. Based on epidemiological and traceback evidence, CDC and FDA have determined that bagged salad mixes containing iceberg lettuce, carrots, and red cabbage manufactured at your Streamwood, IL facility were the source of this multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak. On June 19, 2020, you recalled bagged salad mix containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots, because they had the potential to be contaminated with Cyclospora. The Public Health Agency of Canada is also investigating an outbreak of cyclosporiasis infections occurring in three Canadian provinces in which Fresh Express brand salad products containing iceberg lettuce, carrots, and red cabbage have been identified as the likely source of the outbreak. This is the second outbreak of cyclosporiasis linked to Fresh Express product. In 2018, a multistate foodborne outbreak of cyclosporiasis involving 511 confirmed cases from 15 states was linked to salads sold at a fast food restaurant and manufactured at your Streamwood, IL facility.

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Posted in Cyclospora, Cyclosporiasis, FDA, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak

Russia – Suspected Salmonella outbreak linked to Makhachkala café sickens 39

Posted on November 9, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today

The Ministry of Health of Dagestan, Russia (computer translated) are reporting that 39 people have been hospitalized with acute intestinal infection.

Officials note that 39 people were hospitalized, including 12 children. The patient’s condition is assessed as moderate. The main clinical symptoms include fever up to 38–39 degrees, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and frequent loose stools.

According to the results of the survey of the sick, a single factor of transmission of infection was established, they all bought food in the Kazan-Kebab café in Makhachkala.

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

Canada – 9 in hospital after restaurant Salmonella outbreak

Posted on November 6, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Mississauga

Public health authorities say a Salmonella outbreak linked to a restaurant in southwestern Ontario has sent nine people to hospital.

Lambton County’s public health unit says there are 33 confirmed cases related to the outbreak at Barakat restaurant in Sarnia, Ont., while about 170 people say they have experienced symptoms.

Dr. Sudit Ranade, the health unit’s medical officer of health, says the owners have voluntarily closed the restaurant and are co-operating with the public health investigation.

Ranade says those who ate at Barakat restaurant between Oct. 21 and Oct. 29 and have symptoms of Salmonella infection should report the illness to Lambton Public Health.

Salmonella infection is a foodborne illness that spreads by ingesting food or water contaminated by feces or through contact with infected persons.

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, 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 Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Salmonella

USA – Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Stanley: Wood Ear Mushrooms – Dried Fungus (September 2020)

Posted on November 5, 2020 by | Leave a comment

FDA

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, investigated a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Stanley infections linked to wood ear mushrooms imported by Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc. of Santa Fe Springs, CA. Wood ear mushrooms are a dried mushroom, also commonly labelled or referred to as Kikurage, Dried Black Fungus, Dried Fungus, or Mu’er/Mu Er/Mu-Err.

Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc. acted quickly upon being notified of the positive test result and recalled all wood ear mushrooms within shelf life on September 23, 2020.

Recommendation

Wood ear mushrooms imported by Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc. were only sold to restaurants and were not available directly to consumers. Although these items have been recalled, restaurants that received recalled products should use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces that may have come in contact with the recalled product, to reduce the risk of cross contamination. All recalled product should be thrown out.

Investigation Update

November 4, 2020

As of November 4, 2020, the CDC declared that this outbreak is over.

General Food Safety Tips for Dried Mushrooms

Dried mushrooms, that have not been recalled due to potential contamination, should always be reconstituted using boiling water to kill any pathogens. This advice does not apply to recalled products, which should be thrown out.

Product Images

Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Stanley in Wood Ear Mushrooms (September 2020) - Photos of Recalled Shirakiku Dried Fungus

Recall Information

On September 23, 2020, Wismettac Asian Foods, Inc. recalled Shirakiku brand imported dried fungus. This product was labeled as Shirakiku brand Black Fungus (Kikurage) with UPC Code 00074410604305, imported from China. Product was distributed in six packs of five-pound bags to restaurants in AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, HI, IA, IL, IN, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NV, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, and WI.

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Posted in Bacteria, bacterial contamination, FDA, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food handler, 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 Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Salmonella

Research – Characteristics of Norovirus Food Poisoning Outbreaks in Korea in the 2000s

Posted on November 5, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Journal of Food Protection

Eurofins

Norovirus food poisoning outbreaks in Korea (South) appeared in 2000s and have been increasing since then. We aimed to investigate the epidemiological features of norovirus food poisoning outbreaks in Korea over the past years (2002 ~ 2017), based on official food poisoning statistics and available reports, and to find their association with climate factors. Norovirus was the most common cause of food poisoning among known causative substances in Korea during the study period. More than one-third of the incidents occurred in group meal-service facilities, including school lunch programs. A few of these facilities used groundwater contaminated with noroviruses to wash / cook food, which contributed to outbreaks. Norovirus occurrences showed strong seasonality; cold and relatively dry winter air may help norovirus to flourish. Both norovirus genotypes GI and GII infectious to humans were detected, with GII becoming more prevalent than GI. According to our correlation analysis in connection with climate factors, average temperatures, the highest and lowest temperatures, precipitation, the number of rain days, and humidity showed a significant negative correlation with a monthly norovirus occurrence (p < 0.05). The lowest temperature and average temperature had higher coefficients of correlation, -0.377 and -0.376, respectively. The norovirus outbreaks in Korea showed complex etiological characteristics, although it more prevailed in wintertime, and are now considered as a major public health problem. The use of groundwater in group meal-service settings has a public health impact as well as norovirus concern, therefore groundwater used in food service facilities / business should be treated for safety.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Virus, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Norovirus, outbreak, Poisoning, Research, Virus

Canada – Ontario: Salmonella outbreak linked to the Barakat restaurant in Sarnia

Posted on November 1, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Outbreak News Today

In the city of Sarnia in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, officials with Lambton Public Health (LPH) report investigating an outbreak of Salmonella infection in people who recently ate at the Barakat restaurant.

As of Friday, LPH has received laboratory confirmation of four cases related to this outbreak. The department is currently following up with several others who have reported becoming ill after eating at this restaurant.

The investigation into the source of this outbreak is ongoing. The owners of the restaurant are cooperating with Lambton Public Health and have voluntarily closed while LPH ensures there is no on-going risk of illness.

Members of the public who ate at the Barakat restaurant between October 21st and October 29th and became ill with symptoms of Salmonella infection (diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps, vomiting) are advised to:

  • Report the illness to Lambton Public Health at 519-383-8331 or toll free 1-800-667-1839
  • Contact their health care provider as needed if symptomatic

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

USA – Most Listeria Cases Are in Massachusetts in Deli Meat Listeria Outbreak

Posted on October 29, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Most Listeria cases are in Massachusetts in the deli meat Listeria monocytogenes outbreak announced last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All ten patients have been hospitalized, and one person, who  lived in Florida, has died.

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Posted in food bourne outbreak, food contamination, food death, 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 Testing, Foodborne Illness, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Pathogen, pathogenic

Research – UK hit hardest by outbreak linked to Brazil nuts; no cases in U.S. yet

Posted on October 23, 2020 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

More than 120 people are part of a multi-country Salmonella outbreak linked to Brazil nuts.

Since August 2019, the outbreak, caused by Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Anatum, has affected three European Union countries, the United Kingdom and Canada. The United States was one of more than 30 countries that received Brazil nuts from Bolivia contaminated with Salmonella.

In total, 123 cases of Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported, of which 105 were in the UK, 14 in France, three in Luxembourg and one each in the Netherlands and Canada. One Salmonella Anatum patient was recorded in the UK.

A case-control study in the UK and patient interviews in the UK, France and Luxembourg indicated Brazil nuts and nut bars as likely vehicles of infections. Two batches of Brazil nuts from Bolivia tested positive for Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Anatum matching the outbreak strains.

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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, Microbiology, outbreak, Research, Salmonella, Salmonella in Brazil Nuts