Seven foodborne norovirus outbreaks attributable to the GII.P17-GII.17 strain were reported across Japan in 2017, causing illness in a total of 2,094 persons. Nori (dried shredded seaweed) was implicated in all outbreaks and tested positive for norovirus. Our data highlight the stability of norovirus in dehydrated food products.
Posted in Norovirus, Research, Uncategorized
According to press reports, Western Australia has reported its first case of hepatitis A infection, as part of a national outbreak linked to contaminated frozen pomegranates.The Western Australia case follows five cases in New South Wales, one in Australian Capital Territory and one in Queensland.
The implicated product is Creative Gourmet brand pomegranate arils, sold at Coles Supermarkets.
As a precautionary measure, Entyce Food Ingredients Pty Ltd has issued a voluntary recall of its Creative Gourmet Frozen Pomegranate Aril product.
Though no source has been identified yet, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced yesterday that federal and state health officials are investigating an Escherichia coli O157:H7 outbreak that has sickened 17 people in 7 states.
The outbreak includes infections recently reported by the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDH). The CDC emphasized that so far no specific food item, grocery store, or restaurant chain has been identified as the source of the outbreak, and local public health officials are still interviewing sick people to see what they ate or were otherwise exposed to the week before their symptoms began.
Some media outlets in New Jersey have reported that Panera Bread restaurants are part of a regional investigation into an E coli outbreak and that other chain restaurants could be involved.
Posted in Uncategorized
A woman who contracted food poisoning at a First Communion function died due to salmonella, an inquest has heard.
Investigations into the outbreak are continuing, an inquest into the death of 55-year-old mother of one Sandra O’Brien heard.
Ms O’Brien, from Rivervalley, Swords, Co Dublin died on 21 May, 2017 following the consumption of food prepared at O’Dwyer’s Bar and Grill, Strand Road, Portmarnock, Co Dublin.
Ms O’Brien’s husband, Garda Sgt Michael O’Brien, attended a short inquest hearing into her death at Dublin Coroner’s Court.
Investigations by two separate authorities are ongoing into the salmonella outbreak, the inquest heard.
Posted in Death, food death, Salmonella, Uncategorized
Posted in Pathogen, Research, Salmonella, Uncategorized
Sweetland Ltd is recalling various sweet and cake products because they have been produced in unhygienic conditions
Product: Mixed Backlawa
Pack sizes: 180g, 400g, 800g
‘Best before’ dates: 26 June 2018 to 10 July 2018
Product: Mixed Mamoualla
Pack sizes: 180g, 400g
‘Best before’ dates: 26 June 2018 to 10 July 2018
Product: Barizik
Pack sizes: 150g, 180g, 400g
‘Best before’ dates: 26 June 2018 to 10 July 2018
Product: Ghaybeh
Pack sizes: 150g, 180g, 400g
‘Best before’ dates: 26 June 2018 to 10 July 2018
Product: Bamia
Pack sizes: 150g, 180g, 400g
‘Best before’ dates: 26 June 2018 to 10 July 2018
No other Sweetland Ltd products are known to be affected.
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 13.5; Tot. = 29.0 µg/kg – ppb) in dried figs from Turkey in Spain
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 10.4 µg/kg – ppb) in pistachios in shell from the United States in Germany
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 17.9; Tot. = 19.5 µg/kg – ppb) in pistachios from the United States in Germany
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 6.5; Tot. = 16 µg/kg – ppb) in roasted hazelnut halves from Turkey in the UK
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 10.2; Tot. = 14.8 µg/kg – ppb) in hazelnut kernels from Turkey in Italy
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 18.2; Tot. = 19.6 µg/kg – ppb) in roasted pistachios from Turkey in Sweden
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 6.4 µg/kg – ppb) in shelled groundnuts from Argentina in the Netherlands
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 2.4; Tot. = 17.8 µg/kg – ppb) in hazelnut kernels from Turkey in France
RASFF-aflatoxins (B1 = 10.4; Tot. = 11.1 µg/kg – ppb) in spice mix from Pakistan in Ireland
RASFF-norovirus (GII /2g) in live oysters (Crassostrea gigas) from France in Italy
RASFF-norovirus (GI; GII/ 2g) in live oysters (Crassostrea gigas) from France in Italy
RASFF-norovirus (GI; GII/ 2g) in live oysters (Crassostrea gigas) from France in Italy
RASFF-norovirus (Gl/2g) in live oysters (Crassostrea gigas) from France in Italy
RASFF-norovirus (Gl/2g) in live oysters (Crassostrea gigas) from France in Italy
RASFF-norovirus (Gl/2g) in live oysters (Crassostrea gigas) from France in Italy
RASFF-foodborne outbreak suspected (scombroid syndrome) to be caused by frozen salifish (Istiophorus albicans) from Spain in Italy.
Scombroid poisoning is a disease due to the ingestion of contaminated food (mainly fish). In scombroid poisoning, bacteria have grown during improper storage of the dark meat of the fish and the bacteria produce scombroid toxin. Scombroid toxin, or poison, is probably a combination of histamine and histamine-like chemicals. The toxin or poison does not affect everyone who ingests it.
No test is 100% reliable for assessing fish for this toxin or poison. Cooking kills the bacteria, but toxins remain in the tissues and can be absorbed after the food is ingested.
Susceptible fish include albacore, amberjack, anchovy, Australian salmon, bluefish, bonito, kahawai, herring, mackerel, mahi-mahi, needlefish, saury, sardine, skipjack, wahoo, and yellowfin tuna. Other fish and foods probably will be added to the list if testing systems for the poison improve. Affected fish may have a metallic or peppery taste.
RASFF-Clostridium sulphite reducer (2800 CFU/g) in mushrooms in brine from China in Italy
