Category Archives: outbreak

Research – Number of foodborne illnesses associated with outbreaks in tomatoes decreased since 2001

FreshPlaza

About 48 million episodes of foodborne illness and 3,000 deaths occur per year in the United States. The most common foodborne pathogens cause an estimated annual burden of $14 billion to $36 billion. Produce has been implicated in 46 percent of foodborne illness outbreaks. Tomatoes have been the source of a number of foodborne illness outbreaks since 1998, but the annual number of foodborne illnesses associated with outbreaks in tomatoes has generally decreased since their high of nearly 900 in 2001. Ten outbreaks have caused more than 100 illnesses, while 2 were associated with deaths of individuals. In 2005 and 2006, multistate outbreaks of salmonella in tomatoes sickened 487 individuals.

RASFF Alert – Foodborne Outbreak suspected (Histamine) – Chilled Tuna in Sunflower Oil

RASFF-Logo

RASFF – foodborne outbreak suspected (histamine) to be caused by chilled tuna in sunflower oil from Ecuador in Italy

USA – Outbreak of E. coli Infections Linked to Flour – Outbreak is Over.

CDC

Recalls and Advice to Consumers, Restaurants, and Retailers
Illustration of a clipboard with check marks on it.
At A Glance

 

Photo of flour.

Several brands and types of flour were recalled because they may be contaminated with E. coli. Consumers should not use recalled products.

Consumers should not use any of the recalled flour. Throw it out.

  • If you stored flour in another container without the packaging and don’t remember the brand or “use by” date, throw it away.
  • Thoroughly wash the container before using it again.

Eating raw dough can make you sick.

  • Any flour or raw eggs used to make dough or batter might be contaminated with harmful germs.
  • Bake or cook food made with raw dough or batter before eating it. Follow the recipe or instructions on the package. Do not use recalled flour in cooking or baking.
  • Do not taste raw dough or batter. Even tasting a small amount could make you sick.

Clean up thoroughly after baking.

  • Wash any bowls, utensils, and other surfaces that were used when baking with warm water and soap.
  • Wash your hands with water and soap before and after baking.

Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have become ill from eating raw dough.

Restaurants and other retailers should not use, sell, or serve any of the recalled flour.

  • If you stored flour in another container without the packaging and don’t remember the brand or “use by” date, throw it away.
  • Restaurants and retailers should thoroughly wash flour storage containers before using them again.

Restaurants and other retailers should always be safe with raw dough.

  • Do not give customers raw dough to play with or eat. It is not safe to eat or play with raw dough, whether made from recalled flour or any other flour.
  • Bake or cook food made with raw dough or batter before serving or selling it. Follow the recipe or instructions on the package. Do not use recalled flour in cooking or baking.
  • As of July 11, 2019, this outbreak appears to be over.
  • A total of 21 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O26 were reported from 9 states.
    • Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 11, 2018, to May 21, 2019.
    • Three hospitalizations and no deaths were reported.
  • Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence, supported by product distribution records, indicated flour was the likely source of this outbreak.
  • Several products were recalled because they may be contaminated with E. coli. Those products include 5-lb. bags of Baker’s Corner All Purpose Flour sold at ALDI, some 5-lb. bags of King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour, certain 5-lb. bags of Pillsbury Best Bread Flour, and several brands of cookie and brownie mix produced by Brand Castle. For more information about these recalls, visit the FDA websiteexternal icon.

RASFF Alert – Foodborne Outbreak suspected (Salmonella spp) – Coppa

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RASFF – foodborne outbreak suspected (Salmonella spp) to be caused by coppa from Italy in France

USA – Norovirus sickens dozens in outbreak linked to bar drinks

Outbreak News Today norovirus-1080x655

Officials with the Benton-Franklin Health District in Kennewick, WA reported on the investigation of a norovirus outbreak linked to a local restaurant.

According to the timeline, health officials received the first reports over President’s Day weekend and at the conclusion of the investigation, 26 patrons of 3 Eyed Fish, a wine bar and restaurant in Richland were reported as infected.

In addition, the investigation revealed that drink garnishes were sometimes handled with bare hands, after interviewing bartenders.The outbreak was linked to poor food handling practices by an infectious bartender. During the investigation, it was noted that the infectious employee who worked the night most ill patrons ate, returned to work less than 12 hours after they had an episode of diarrhea that same weekend.

Sweden – New outbreak of Yersinia infection is being investigated

Outbreak News

In Sweden, the National Institute of Public Health, or Folkhälsomyndigheten is reporting a new outbreak of infections caused by Yersinia enterocolitica type O3. The source of infection is still unknown.

So far, 26 cases of disease have been confirmed to belong to the outbreak by means of whole-genome sequencing. Another handful of cases are investigated. Since the current outbreak strain of Yersinia enterocolitica type O3 has been found in different parts of the country, it is likely that a food borne infection. The current outbreak strain differs from the one that caused a Yersinia outbreak earlier in the spring.During the middle of May, an number of reported cases of Yersinia infection has been seen in Sweden. Seven regions from different parts of the country have reported cases, but the majority of cases come from the northernmost regions of the country.

Research – Lab work in South Africa’s Listeria outbreak was ‘remarkable’

Food Safety News

Researchers have described how a laboratory handled increased demand during the 2017-2018 listeriosis outbreak in South Africa.

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) and epidemiological data were used to determine the source of the outbreak as ready-to-eat processed meat manufactured by Enterprise Foods.

A total of 1,060 cases were reported from January 2017 to July 2018 and 216 people died.

The largest ever reported outbreak of listeriosis included an alert in mid-June 2017, a peak in mid-November 2017, and identification of the outbreak source in mid-February 2018.

“This eight-month timeline was rather remarkable, considering the large number of cases involved and the limited capacity and resources available for foodborne disease outbreak investigations in South Africa,” according to researchers.

The study is published in the Foodborne Pathogens and Disease journal

USA – Outbreak of Salmonella Infections Linked to Butterball Brand Ground Turkey

CDC

This outbreak appears to be over. People should always handle and cook turkey safely. Get CDC’s tips to prevent foodborne illness from turkey.

  • On March 13, 2019, Butterball, LLC in Mount Olive, North Carolina recalled external icon approximately 78,164 pounds of raw ground turkey products because they may have been contaminated with Salmonella Schwarzengrund.
    • Recalled ground turkey products were produced on July 7, 2018 and were shipped to institutional and retail locations nationwide.
    • Products were labeled with the establishment number “EST. P-7345” inside the USDA mark of inspection.
    • Visit the USDA-FSIS website for a list of recalled products external icon.
  • Institutions, restaurants, and retailers should not serve or sell recalled turkey products and should check food storage and freezers for them.
    • If possible, retailers who received recalled turkey products should contact their customers to alert them of the recall.
  • Consumers should check their homes for Butterball brand ground turkey labeled with the establishment number “EST. P-7345” with a sell or freeze by date of 7/26/18. Visit the USDA-FSIS website for a list of recalled products external icon.
    • Do not eat recalled ground turkey. Return it to the store or throw it away.
  • Contact a healthcare provider if you think you got sick from eating recalled ground turkey.
  • In general, consumers and restaurants should always handle and cook ground turkey safely to avoid foodborne illness. It is important to handle and prepare all ground turkey products carefully.
Final Outbreak Information
  • As of May 7, 2019, this outbreak appears to be over.
  • A total of 7 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Schwarzengrund were reported from 3 states.
    • Illnesses started on dates ranging from December 19, 2018 to March 16, 2019.
    • One person was hospitalized. No deaths were reported.
  • Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicated that ground turkey produced by Butterball, LLC was the likely source of this outbreak.
  • On March 13, 2019, Butterball, LLC recalled external icon approximately 78,164 pounds of ground turkey products that may have been contaminated with Salmonella Schwarzengrund.

USA – 53,200 and 113,424 pounds of raw ground beef products recalled in E. coli O103 Outbreak – more recalls likely

Food Poison Journal

As of this week, a total of 156 people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli O103 have been reported from 10 states – Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, Mississippi, Georgia and Florida.

To date there have been two recalls.  Link between two producers of meat and the recalls remain unclear (How are the two connected?  Presumably a common supplier?) except that both recalls were prompted by positive E. coli O103 tests on “Unopened, intact, packages of ground beef collected as part of the ongoing investigation tested positive for E. coli O103 at an FSIS laboratory.”

It is likely that more recalls will happen as FSIS, CDC and state health authorities continue their efforts to find the source.

Food Poison Journal

What we know is that illnesses began March 1 and it is now almost May 1 – why did it take so long to figure out that 177 people with E. coli O103 were linked to ground beef? Why do we do not yet know the original source of the contamination?  Why is the public not being told the location where known illnesses occurred? Finally, are more people going to get sick?

Canada – Canada Salmonella Outbreak Sickens Sixty-three

Food Poison Journal

Canadian health officials are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella in six provinces that has sickened 63 people, including 18 who have been hospitalized and two deaths.

People who became ill range in age from one to 87. Individuals became sick between November and March.

The Public Health Agency of Canada said the breakdown of known cases as of Friday includes 23 people in B.C., ten people each in Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario. There are eight cases in Saskatchewan and two in Quebec.

The agency said the source of the bacterial infection has not been identified.