Category Archives: STEC

USA – Gibson Farms Voluntarily Recalls Organic Light Halves and Pieces Shelled Walnuts Because of Possible Health Risk – E.coli O157

FDA

Gibson Farms Organic Light Halves and Pieces shelled walnuts, Bulk Boxes, Net Wt. 25 lbs

Company Announcement

On 04/26/2024, Gibson Farms recalled Organic Light Halves and Pieces shelled walnuts because Gibson Farms received information that they may have the potential to be contaminated with E. Coli 0157:H7. E. coli O157:H7 causes a diarrheal illness often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). HUS is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly. The condition can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.

The Organic Light Halves and Pieces shelled walnuts were sold to distributors located in CA and WA. Gibsons Farms Organic Light Halves and Pieces shelled walnuts were sold in bulk boxes in Net Wt. 25 lbs quantities and can be identified by lot 3325-043 & 3341-501 with expiration dates 5/21/25 & 6/7/25.

Gibson Farms, Inc. has voluntarily recalled the product(s) after being notified by the CDC of 12 recorded illnesses allegedly linked to the consumption of organic halves and pieces shelled walnuts. A full investigation is currently under way to determine the potential source of the contamination.

Gibson Farms requests consignees to hold and discontinue selling their existing stock of lot 3325-043 and lot 3341-501 and return any remaining inventory of the recalled products to our local warehouse Gibson Farms 1190 Buena Vista Rd Hollister Ca 95023. If you have distributed or sold this product to other retailers, please notify your clients as to the status of this product. Any retailers that have received the recalled walnuts are recommended to do the following:

  • Retailers that received recalled products and do not clean and sanitize bulk bins between refilling them, should discard the contents of the bin and clean and sanitize it before refilling.
  • Retailers that received recalled product from a distributor but do not know the brand or lot code information, you should hold product, sanitize your bins, and contact your supplier.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at Veronica Cheatham 831-637-3512 or email foodsafety@gibsonfarmsinc.com 8:30 am-4:40pm PST Monday through Friday

FDA has reason to believe that the following retail locations received the walnuts, included in the recall by Gibson Farms. These products may have been repacked from their original packaging or sold in bulk. This list may not include all retail establishments that have received the recalled product or may include retail establishments that did not actually receive the recalled product. Therefore, it is important that you use the product-specific identification information, available here, in addition to this list of retail stores, when you check the food you have to see if it has been recalled.

Retail Locations that Received Gibson Farms Walnuts

Outbreak Investigation of E. coli O157:H7: Bulk Organic Walnuts (April 2024) | FDA

UK – Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) data: 2020 – Updated 26/04/2024

Gov UK

Main points

A total of 402 confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 were reported in England and Wales in 2020.

The lowest incidence of STEC O157 was in the London region (0.29 per 100,000 population) and the highest in the South West region (1.04 per 100,000 population).

Children aged 5 to 9 years had the highest incidence of infection (1.50 per 100,000 population, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12 to 1.96).

One-third of confirmed STEC O157 cases in England were hospitalised and 3% were reported to have developed Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS).

A further 286 specimens in England and 41 in Wales were positive for Shiga toxins (Stx) genes on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at the Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit (GBRU) but an organism was not cultured.

The most commonly isolated non-O157 STEC serogroup was STEC O26 (England: n=103 out of 553, 19%; and Wales: n=26 out of 268, 15%).

Three outbreaks of STEC involving 63 cases in England were investigated in 2020.

Canada – 96 lab-confirmed cases linked to E. coli at Calgary day cares, 22 kids in hospital: AHS

Yahoo Movies

There are now 96 lab-confirmed cases linked to the current E. coli outbreak in Calgary daycare centres, the AHS confirmed in a press conference Wednesday.

Dr. Francesco Rizzuti, medical officer of health with AHS Calgary zone said that of the 96 cases there have been 22 hospitalizations thus far.

Sixteen of those patients are currently at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, while six are at the Peter Lougheed Centre. AHS confirmed that all of those hospitalized are children.

The first patients were admitted over the Labour Day weekend, reporting symptoms such as bloody diarrhea.
He added that AHS is still investigating the source of this outbreak and will continue to update families as information becomes available.

RASFF Alert- STEC E.coli – Roe Deer Cuts

RASFF

STEC in Capreolus cuts from United Kingdom in the Netherlands

USA – FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Ground Beef Products Due to Possible E. Coli O157:H7 Contamination

FSIS USDA

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. FSIS is issuing this public health alert to ensure that consumers are aware that these products should not be consumed. A recall was not requested because the products are no longer available for purchase.

The raw ground beef items were produced on March 28, 2024. The products have a “Use/Freeze by” date of April 22, 2024, and packaging date of “032824.” The list of products that are subject to the public health alert can be found here. The labels for these products can be found on the FSIS website [view labels].

The products subject to the public health alert bear establishment number “EST. 960A” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to food service institutions and retail locations nationwide.

The problem was discovered by the establishment while conducting an inventory of product that was on hold because it was found positive for E. coli O157:H7. The company notified FSIS that they inadvertently used a portion of the contaminated beef to produce ground beef products that they subsequently shipped into commerce.

There have been no confirmed reports of illness due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

RASFF Alert- STEC E.coli – Tenderloin

RASFF

STEC in tenderloin, from Brazil in the Netherlands

UK – Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) data: 2021

Gov UK

Updated 18 April 2024

The main points of the 2021 annual report are:

Overall, 1,181 confirmed cases of STEC were reported in England during 2021, a decrease of 2% compared to 2020.

A total of 365 confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 were reported in England in 2021, no change compared to 2020. A total of 1,234 confirmed cases of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) non-O157 were reported in England in 2021, an increase of 46% compared to 2020.

The lowest annual incidence of STEC O157 was in the East Midlands region (0.41 per 100,000 population) and the highest in the North East region (1.02 per 100,000 population). The lowest incidence of STEC non-O157 was in the Yorkshire and Humber region (0.62 per 100,000 population) and the highest in the London region (4.21 per 100,000 population).

Children aged 1 to 4 years had the highest annual incidence of infection due to STEC O157 (2.3 per 100,000 population, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.78 to 3.02). Children aged under 1 years had the highest incidence of infection due to STEC non O157 (7.08 per 100,000 population, 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.01 to 7.21).

Around a third (36%, 127 out of 365) of confirmed STEC O157 cases in England were hospitalised and 2% (6 out of 365) were reported to have developed haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). Where information is available, two-thirds (65%, n=274 out of 431) of confirmed STEC non-O157 cases in England were hospitalised; and 1% (14 out of 1,234) of all STEC non-O157 were reported to have developed HUS).

A further 443 specimens in England were positive for stx genes on PCR at the Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit (GBRU), indicating STEC, but an organism was not cultured therefore a STEC serogroup could not be ascertained.

The most commonly isolated non-O157 STEC serogroup was STEC O26 (n=145 out of 786, 18%).

Four outbreaks of STEC in England involving 52 cases, ranging from 10 to 19 cases, were investigated in 2021: 2 involved STEC O157 and suspected vehicles were identified and 2 involved STEC O26 outbreaks and no vehicles were identified.

Since 2018, the number of STEC O157 notifications has declined and the number of STEC non-O157 has increased two-fold (218%). Overall, there is an increase in STEC notifications, and the burden placed on public health and clinical services is also increasing, especially given the two-fold increase in hospitalisation reported in 2021 for non-O157 cases.

France – Raw milk goat cheese – STEC E.coli

Gov France

Product category
Food
Product subcategory
Milk and dairy products
Product brand name
Earl Louet
Model names or references
Faisselle,Pyramid,log,round,White pyramid,Touré,Crottin
Product identification
Batch Date
03/25, 03/26, 03/27 Use-by date 05/17/2024
Packaging
Wooden box Paper packaging
Start/end date of marketing
From 03/25/2024 to 03/29/2024
Storage temperature
Product to keep in the refrigerator
Geographical sales area
Whole France
Distributors
Carrefour Buzançais, Intermarché Buzançais, Farm, Marché Palluau, Marché Pellevoisin, Ricardel, Marché Buzançais

France – Raw milk goat cheese – STEC E.coli

Gov France

Product category
Food
Product subcategory
Milk and dairy products
Product brand name
Earl Louet
Model names or references
Faisselle, Pyramid,Valençay,Ste Maure,Round, Crottin,Touré,White pyramid, Heart,Pt Valençay
Product identification
Batch Date
03/15, 03/16, 03/17, 03/18, 03/19, 03/20, 03/21, 03/22, 03/23, 03/24 Use-by date 05/17/2024
Packaging
Paper packaging Wooden box
Start/end date of marketing
From 03/15/2024 to 03/27/2024
Storage temperature
Product to keep in the refrigerator
Geographical sales area
Whole France
Distributors
GIE=MJ, Cheese regions, CNF, Pellevoisin Market, Palluau Market, Buzançais Market, Carrefour St Gaultier, Carrefour Buzançais, Ricardel, Intermarché Buzançais, Farm.

France – Raw milk goat cheese – STEC E.coli

Gov France

Product category
Food
Product subcategory
Milk and dairy products
Product brand name
Earl Louet
Model names or references
Faisselle, Pyramid,Valençay,Ste Maure,Round, Crottin,Touré,White pyramid,Heart,Pt Valençay
Product identification
Batch Date
03/15, 03/16, 03/17, 03/18, 03/19, 03/20, 03/21, 03/22, 03/23, 03/24 Use-by date 05/17/2024
Packaging
Paper packaging Wooden box
Start/end date of marketing
From 03/15/2024 to 03/27/2024
Storage temperature
Product to keep in the refrigerator
Geographical sales area
Whole France
Distributors
GIE=Chandieu, Scarmor, Comtal, MJ, SPLO, Beillevaire, Cheese terroirs, CNF, Pellevoisin market, Buzançais market, Palluau market, Carrefour St Gaultier 36, Fromagerie Aurélie, Carrefour Buzançais, Ricardel Intermarché Buzançais, Farm.