Category Archives: microbial contamination

New Zealand – North Island warning Extended – PSP

Posted on May 18, 2023 by | Leave a comment

MPI

North Island warning

Reason for alert Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP)
Date warning issued Extended 18 May 2023

10 May 2023
Affected area Firth of Thames.
Shellfish affected Mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles, scallops, catseyes, kina (sea urchin) and all other bivalve shellfish.

Note, cooking shellfish does not remove the toxin.

Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process.
Symptoms Symptoms typically appear between 10 minutes and 3 hours after ingestion and may include:

  • numbness and a tingling (prickly feeling) around the mouth, face, and extremities (hands and feet)
  • difficulty swallowing or breathing
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhoea
  • paralysis and respiratory failure and in severe cases, death.
Other information Paralytic shellfish toxins have been detected in shellfish from the Kaipara Harbour at levels over the safe limit of 0.8mg/kg set by MPI. Ongoing testing will continue and any changes will be communicated accordingly.

Map of the affected area

Map of affected area from Raukura Point across to Deadmans Point.

Public warnings about toxic shellfish

We test shellfish and seawater for toxic algae every week from popular shellfish gathering areas around New Zealand. If the shellfish are not safe to eat, we issue public health warnings and put up signs at affected beaches.

Leave a comment

Posted in Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, MPI, paralytic shellfish poisoning, Shellfish, shellfish toxin

Research – Multistate Outbreak of Hepatitis A Virus Infections Linked to Frozen Organic Strawberries

Posted on May 17, 2023 by | Leave a comment

CFI

Hepatitis A kswfoodworld

Hepatitis A is a very contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), resulting in an inflammation of the liver.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state public health and regulatory officials such as the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are “investigating an outbreak of hepatitis A transmission linked to frozen organic strawberries imported from certain farms located in Baja California, Mexico, by a common supplier” (CDC, 2023).

Leave a comment

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

India – Assam: One dies, several hospitalised due to suspected food poisoning

Posted on May 17, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Daiji World

One person died in Assam’s Goalpara district, while several others were hospitalised after they complained of food poisoning following a ritual feast organised in Mariampur village bordering Meghalaya, officials said on Friday.

The function was organised on Wednesday night by Garo community members living in that village. People started complaining about uneasiness soon after the dinner.

The fishery department has collected samples and sent those for the test. Some samples were also sent to an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) laboratory outside the state. Once we get the reports, the reason behind the mass illness can be ascertained.

Leave a comment

Posted in Death, food death, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk

India – One person dies, 158 others fall ill due to food poisoning in Assam: Police

Posted on May 17, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Hindustan Times

According to official reports, the affected people had attended a feast followed by a religious event organised in Mariampur village bordering Meghalaya

According to official reports, the affected people had attended a feast followed by a religious event organised in Mariampur village bordering Meghalaya.

After eating the food, people started feeling unwell.

Police said that they are yet to ascertain the reason behind the death.

“We are investigating if the person died due to food poisoning or due to other reasons. Things will be clearer once we get the post-mortem report,” the official said.

Leave a comment

Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Poisoning, Food Poisoning Death, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk

India – 31 fall ill after attending funeral service ; food poisoning suspected

Posted on May 17, 2023 by | Leave a comment

The Shillong Times

Nongpoh, May 12: Dozens of villagers from Nongladew village in Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya fell ill after attending a funeral service in Mariampur under Goalpara District of Assam. As many as 41 villagers had attended the funeral rituals of their relative on May 9. However, on Wednesday night (May 10), 31 of them returned home and fell ill, prompting immediate action from health officials.

The villagers had consumed fish, potato, and dal during the funeral service, and many of them complained of illness when they returned home. While the exact cause of the illness is not known, the villagers suspect the fish, which they believe was poisoned, to be the reason for their condition

Leave a comment

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

Ireland – 7,000 consumers affected by Limerick water supply boil notice – Cryptosporidium

Posted on May 17, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Limerick Post

A BOIL water notice affecting 7,000 consumers served by the Foynes/Shannon Estuary Public Water Supply has been issued by Uisce Éireann after cryptosporidium was found in the treatment plant.

The notice, which was issued  following consultation with the Health Service Executive (HSE), affects customers in Askeaton, Foynes, Ballyhahill, Loghill, Ballysteen, Pallaskenry, Kildimo and Shanagolden and surrounding areas.

All consumers affected by the notice must boil their water before drinking, preparing uncooked food, brushing teeth and making ice.

Operations Lead Duane O’Brien said Uisce Éireann acknowledged the impact of the notice on the communities affected and regrets the inconvenience to impacted customers.

Leave a comment

Posted in Boil Water Notice, Contaminated water, Cryptosporidiosis, Cryptosporidium, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

USA – RiverStone: 80 St. Vincent employees sickened by foodborne illness in Billings

Posted on May 17, 2023 by | Leave a comment

KTVQ

RiverStone Health is investigating a large foodborne illness case with 80 people showing symptoms Friday.

RiverStone can’t confirm the source of the outbreak but says the possibly contaminated food was delivered to various St. Vincent Health Care facilities on Wednesday as part of National Nurses Day celebrations.

“A gastrointestinal illness has impacted a number of our caregivers. At this time, we believe that the illness is from an external source. We are partnering with RiverStone Health for the outbreak investigation,” St. Vincent leaders said in a statement.

Leave a comment

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

USA – Possible Foodborne Illness Kills Two People in Montana – Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of Donna Ventura

Posted on May 17, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Poisoning News

On April 30th, a 64 year old woman, Donna Ventura, died of a suspected foodborne illness. The county police officer reports that she was a regular at Dave’s Sushi restaurant. One week before, a 74 year old man named William Lewis also died of a foodborne illness. He was also a patron of Dave’s Sushi. The cause of death is currently under investigation, though morel mushrooms are suspected. While the two deaths have not been “directly” linked to the sushi restaurant, yet, at least three dozen other patrons of Dave’s Sushi have reported illnesses. The autopsy results will be available in 4-6 weeks, and toxicology results will be available in 2-6 months.

The restaurant has been closed for more than 2 weeks after receiving multiple complaints from more than 30 consumers falling ill after eating Dave’s Sushi. The FDA has focused its attention on morel mushrooms, sourced from China, as the source of the illnesses. Although it is not yet confirmed that these mushrooms were what caused the outbreak, this was an off-menu addition and only those who consumed the tainted product became ill – usually within 30 to 270 minutes post-consumption.

Leave a comment

Posted in Death, food bourne outbreak, food death, Food Illness, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, 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

Czech Republic – Salmonella detected in chicken meat from Ukraine and Brazil

Posted on May 17, 2023 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety News

Officials in the Czech Republic have revealed poultry meat from Ukraine and Brazil has tested positive for Salmonella.

The State Veterinary Administration (SVS) has carried out more than 20 inspections as part of a control campaign aimed at shipments of poultry meat and eggs from countries outside the European Union.

In total, 21 inspections, 18 on poultry meat and three on eggs, have been undertaken since early April. A total of 43 samples were taken and results are available for 29 of them.

Samples of poultry meat from Ukraine, Brazil and the United Kingdom have been tested so far. As have some eggs from Ukraine.

Salmonella was confirmed four times in poultry meat, one from Ukraine and three from Brazil.

Leave a comment

Posted in Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Salmonella, Salmonella in Chicken

Austria – Inzersdorfer Junior Poultry Spread 80g – Microbial Contamination

Posted on May 16, 2023 by | Leave a comment

AGES

AGES informs about a recall of the company Maresi Austria GmbH. On May 15th, 2023, the company recalled the product Inzersdorfer Junior Poultry Spread 80g:
© Maresi Austria
recall reason
Microbiological contamination
Manufacturer
Maresi Austria GmbH
Expiry Date
04.2026
Batch number
L3102

Maresi Austria GmbH is recalling “Inzersdorfer Junior Poultry Spread 80g” with the batch number “L3102” and the best before date “04 2026”.

As part of internal quality controls, bulges (bloating) on ​​the lid were discovered on individual packages of the product “Inzersdorfer Junior Poultry Spread 80g” with the batch number “L3102” and the best-before date “MHD 04 2026” .

There is therefore the possibility of microbiological contamination in individual packs of the product, which can lead to premature spoilage of the contents as a result. For reasons of precautionary consumer protection, Maresi Austria is recalling this article. Health impairments cannot be ruled out 100 percent. Consumption is not recommended for the product with the following batch number and the following best-before date.

Inzersdorfer Junior Poultry Spread 80 g
Batch number: L3102
Best before date: 04 2026
GTIN: 90333118

Products with the above best before date can be returned to the stores where they were purchased. Customers are reimbursed the purchase price even without proof of purchase. This warning does not imply that the hazard was caused by the producer, manufacturer, importer or distributor.

Other batches and products from Inzersdorfer are not affected and can be consumed without hesitation.

A Maresi hotline has been set up on 050 40 20 36 51 for more information .

original recall

Leave a comment

Posted in AGES, food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Quality, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, Food Spoilage, Food Temperature Abuse, Food Testing, microbial contamination, Microbial growth