South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has unveiled a comprehensive strategy for 2024, aimed at curtailing food poisoning outbreaks, specifically those caused by norovirus and salmonella. This initiative draws together 34 public organizations, including central administrative agencies and local governments, in a unified effort to enhance food safety management and outbreak prevention measures.
The risk of Salmonella Enteritidis from eggs in New Zealand remains low despite an outbreak, according to the country’s food safety agency.
The original risk profile for Salmonella in and on chicken eggs in New Zealand was published in 2004, with updates in 2011 and 2016. Human illness attributed to New Zealand-grown poultry from Salmonella Enteritidis was not considered. The 2023 update looked at any potential change in the risk of salmonellosis from eggs produced in New Zealand following an outbreak.
New Zealand Food Safety said that while the risk associated with Salmonella Enteritidis is no longer negligible, it is still low. The risk from other Salmonella serotypes also remains low.
The Alameda County Public Health Department, Los Angeles Department of Public Health, and California Department of Public Health (CDPH) investigated an outbreak of shigellosis associated with a Kaiser Permanente union delegate conference held at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles from August 21 to August 24, 2023. The event included 269 attendees from across California. This outbreak was assigned the code “OB20233135.”
An outbreak of Salmonella was investigated by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) in the summer of 2023. This outbreak was assigned the outbreak code IL2023-1678. An increase in the number of Salmonella cases was identified in September 2023, and the only location found to be common to these early cases was Carniceria Guanajuato at 3140 N. California Ave. in Chicago, Illinois, a grocery store chain and taqueria. Only this location was linked to the outbreak.
What is already known about this topic?
A 2020 outbreak of Salmonella infections was found to be associated with melons after conclusion of harvesting, when melons were no longer likely to be on the market.
What is added by this report?
In 2022, whole genome sequencing (WGS)–based Salmonella surveillance, historical melon farm environmental sampling results, and patient interviews were used to rapidly link a Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak to contaminated cantaloupes.
What are the implications for public health practice?
WGS-based surveillance, combined with rapid collection of epidemiologic data by state and local agencies, can be used to reduce the time to outbreak detection and response.
February 28, 2024
The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are continuing to investigate a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157:H7.
As this investigation is ongoing, FDA and CDC continue to recommend that people do not eat, sell, or serve RAW FARM-brand Raw Cheddar cheese made by RAW FARM, LLC, of Fresno, CA. State and local public health officials have interviewed people about the foods they ate in the week before they became sick. Nearly all sick people, seven out of nine (78%), reported eating RAW FARM-brand Raw Cheddar cheese and this continues to show these cheeses are the likely source of this outbreak. E. coli can cause an infection that may lead to serious kidney problems. Anyone who ate the raw cheeses and has symptoms of E. coli infection should contact their healthcare provider.
As of February 28, 2024, a total of 11 confirmed infections have been reported from five states, including CA (4), CO (3), NJ (1), TX (1), and UT (2). Whole genome sequencing analysis of E. coli isolates from ill people shows that they are all closely related genetically to each other. This means that people in this outbreak are likely to share a common source of infection. Five patients have been hospitalized; two developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious condition that can lead to kidney failure. No deaths have been reported.
Health officials in CO, CA, and UT have collected various RAW FARM-brand products for testing, including Raw Milk, Raw Butter, Raw Cheddar cheese, and Raw Kefir. So far, no product samples have detected E. coli. While E. coli has not been found in product samples, epidemiologic evidence shows that RAW FARM-brand Raw Cheddar cheese made by RAW FARM, LLC is the likely source of this outbreak. Additional testing is ongoing.
In response to this investigation, on February 16, 2024, RAW FARM, LLC initiated a recall of certain lots of RAW FARM-brand Raw Cheddar cheese currently within shelf life. On February 26, 2024, RAW FARM, LLC withdrew their voluntary recall.
The investigation is ongoing, and FDA will update this advisory should additional consumer safety information become available.
France reported a record high number of foodborne outbreaks in 2022, according to recently released data.
Notified outbreaks were at their highest since the start of surveillance in 1987 and continued the upward trend observed before the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2022, 1,924 outbreaks were declared, affecting 16,763 people, of whom 643 went to hospital, and 17 died, said Santé publique France.
For 376 outbreaks, a pathogen could be confirmed in the food or in at least one sick person. A pathogen was suspected without microbiological confirmation for 1,260 outbreaks. For 288 outbreaks, no infectious agent was identified or suspected.
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FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, investigated an outbreak of 51 illnesses caused by E. coli O103 in Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, New York, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming linked to clover sprouts.
Recalled dairy products and products made with recalled dairy products sold under the brand names:
Retailer names where product was sold unbranded as taco kits, wraps, and meals:
More information about recalled products, including descriptions, sizes, and UPCs or “best by” dates are included in the table of recalled products below. Additional information is also available in the recall notices from the companies.
FoodWorld 