Category Archives: Uncategorized

Chicago Now

The protection of the public who consume cannabis is paramount. The states that allow the cultivation and sale of cannabis are requiring that the substance be tested before it is sold in the local dispensaries for retail sale. Public safety is a primary concern for the protection of the public and it is not just the amount of THC, it’s the possible contaminants.

Cannabis is a plant that is grown either in outside greenhouses or inside in an airtight building. Growing methods vary with soil, hydroponics and Rock Wool being the most popular methods of growing the cannabis plant. Every farmer has his preference, yet none can assure that there are no contaminants that can possibly threaten the health of the person consuming the cannabis.

State agencies are requiring cannabis be tested for levels for moisture content, contaminants, residual solvents, microbiological impurities, and foreign material.

Microbiological impurities: Some Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains can cause human disease. One strain produces a toxin called Shiga toxin, which can result in serious illness. Because of the low infectious dose required for disease causation, there should be zero tolerance for the presence of Shiga toxin–producing E. coli in medical cannabis goods.

Salmonella in cannabis has been documented and, in 1981, resulted in a multistate outbreak. It has also been associated with gastrointestinal disease in both healthy and in immunocompromised populations.

Aspergillus is a fungus that can cause serious health problems. Certain Aspergillus strains can cause a variety of immune- reaction lung disorders, ranging from asthma, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis to invasive systemic fungal infections.

Mycotoxins are toxic substances produced by certain fungi that can grow on human food and animal feed grain. Human exposure to mycotoxins, through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact, has been associated with severe human health impacts that include necrosis, cirrhosis, and carcinomas.

Outbreak News Today

Cyclospora: US and Canada updates, Investigations ongoing

The outbreaks of the parasitic infection, Cyclospora, in the United States and Canada continue to increase in cases while investigations continue to come up empty concerning a source or a vehicle for the parasite.

In the United States, the case tally, both imported and local, nears 1,000 with the official count now 988 as of last Wednesday. The reports have come from 40 states with Texas, Florida and North Carolina reporting the most cases to date.

The number of cases is surely higher as Texas has not done an update in several weeks.

At least 553 (56%) of these persons did not report international travel (i.e., likely were infected in the United States) and became ill on or after May 1, 2017.

Food Poisoning Bulletin

In its latest update regarding the multistate outbreak of Salmonella Newport and Salmonella Infantis, the CDC reports that one more person from one state has contracted this strain of Salmonella, linked to Maradol papayas imported from Mexico. One of four Salmonella outbreaks currently being investigated by the CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and state public health officials, this specific outbreak has now sickened a total of four people in the states of Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New York.

These victims of the disease, ranging in age from 40 to 82, contracted the illness between July 19, 2017 and August 7, 2017; two are of Hispanic ethnicity. So far, only two of the victims have required hospitalization. More people, however, may become ill – the CDC warns that it can take from 2 to 4 weeks for cases of Salmonella infection to be reported.

Outbreak News Today

An E. coli O157 outbreak that began in August has now sickened more than 20 people, including the first fatality reported in a 3-year-old girl from Tokyo.

According to Japanese media, the child consumed a tainted dish (fried shrimp and bamboo shoots) from the Rokku branch of the deli chain “Delicious” in the Gunma prefectural capital of Maebashi.

More than 20 people were infected after eating potato salad, marinade and other products purchased at delicatessens run by Fresh Corp. based in Ota, Gunma Prefecture. They suffered symptoms such as stomach aches. In addition to the girl, 10 other people were infected with E. coli after eating food bought at the Maebashi store on in August, according to the city government.

FSIS USDA 

German Sausage Haus, LLC, Recalls Meat Products Due To Possible Processing Deviation and Staphylococcal Enterotoxin Contamination

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17, 2017 – German Sausage Haus, LLC, a Camano Island, Wash., establishment, is recalling approximately 1,252 pounds of Heat Treated, Not Fully Cooked-Not Shelf Stable (HTNFCNSS) meat products due to a possible processing deviation that may have led to staphylococcal enterotoxin contamination, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The frozen products were produced and packaged on various dates from June 14, 2017 to Sept. 8, 2017.

Outbreak News Today 

The Salvadoran Institute of Social Security (ISSS) confirmed the deaths of two people from the bacterial infection, Vibrio vulnificus, according to a local media account (computer translated).

According to officials, a 61-year-old man was treated in the emergency in early August. He presented with fever, diarrhea, red skin on his lower limbs, and as part of his clinical condition had liver cirrhosis. The patient died.

Two days prior to the appointment, the patient consumed a cocktail of shells with shrimp and crab, in a restaurant in Santa Tecla.

The other case is that of a 58-year-old woman, who was treated on 2 September and had two days of symptoms.

The patient died within a few hours of admission, and also had liver cirrhosis.

Dr. Jorge Panameño, a private infectologist, said that V. vulnificus is not a new bacterial agent but one that is already widely known in the country and has occasionally caused deaths here.

Food Safety News

Texas raw milk Brucella contamination hits 7 states

Although it is against federal law to sell unpasteurized milk across state lines, the CDC and state health departments are investigating illnesses in at least seven states in relation to Brucella bacteria found in raw milk from a Texas dairy.

One woman in Texas has been in the hospital for weeks with a lab-confirmed case of brucellosis. A sample from her matches antibiotic-resistant Brucella bacteria found in raw milk from K-Bar dairy in Paradise, TX, according to Texas officials and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“It’s very important for people who drank raw milk from this dairy to seek treatment to prevent infection with Brucella RB51,” said Dr. William Bower who is leading the CDC’s brucellosis investigation group.

GOV.UK 

Legionnaires’ disease associated with travel to Dubai

This document includes background information, risk assessment and information for travellers.

The overall risk of Legionnaires’ disease for UK travellers to Dubai is low. There may be an increased risk for persons with established risk factors for Legionnaires’ disease.

Recall: UPDATED Hans Spanish Chorizo 250g

Food Authority New South Wales

Recalls and advisories

18 September 2017

Papaya Salmonella outbreak slams Hispanic population in U.S

Food Safety News

Four U.S. outbreaks traced to papayas from Mexico have sickened 235; more cases expected

The popularity of fresh papaya in some ethnic cuisine is resulting in a disproportionate number of Hispanics being infected in four ongoing Salmonella outbreaks.

With 235 laboratory confirmed infections as of this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the number of Hispanic victims in the individual outbreaks ranges from 50 percent to 91 percent. Two people have died, but their ethnicity has not been made public.

The CDC and Food and Drug Administration are tracking eight different varieties of Salmonella, all found in maradol papayas from Mexico and matched by laboratory testing to samples from the victims. As of Thursday the CDC split the victims into four outbreaks, based on four farms in Mexico that produced contaminated fruit.