Category Archives: Virus

Norovirus tops expert ranking of foodborne viruses

Food Safety News

Experts have named norovirus the leading cause of viral foodborne illness, followed by Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E.

Hepatitis A and E viruses were ranked equally but higher compared to norovirus in terms of clinical severity by scientists at a recent meeting organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

In September, the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meeting on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) on viruses in foods took place in Rome, Italy, in response to a request by the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene in 2022.

It focused on food attribution, analytical methods, and indicators. A summary of findings has been published, with the full report available later.

Scientists reviewed the literature on foodborne viruses published since the 2008 JEMRA report on the topic and information submitted in response to a call for data.

RASFF Alert- Norovirus – Oysters

RASFF

Presence of Norovirus GII in oysters from France in Italy and Monaco

USA -Another Hepatitis A scare linked to positive food service worker

Food Poison Journal

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention has identified a case of hepatitis A in a food service worker at a Portland restaurant.

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that can spread through person-to-person contact or contaminated food.

The Maine CDC says the worker was infectious at the Green Elephant Bistro in Portland during the following times:

  • 9/21 (dinner only)
  • 9/23 (lunch and dinner)
  • 9/24 (dinner only)
  • 9/27 (dinner only)
  • 9/28 (lunch and dinner)
  • 9/30 (lunch and dinner)
  • 10/1 (dinner only)
  • 10/4 (dinner only)
  • 10/5 (dinner only)

Customers who ate inside the restaurant during these times could be at risk for hepatitis A.

USA- Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady reports gastroenteritis on cruise ending today – Norovirus?

Sea Trade

During Scarlet Lady’s current five-day cruise, just above 3% of passengers experienced symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, commonly referred to as stomach flu.

‘Our medical team isolated these travelers, and we immediately enacted enhanced sanitization procedures including additional cleaning of cabins and high-contact areas around the ship,’ a Virgin Voyages spokesperson said. ‘We are working closely with the CDC and their medical professionals. There is currently no impact to the upcoming voyage’s departure time or ports of call.’

RASFF Alert- Norovirus – Sprouts

RASFF

Norovirus in sprouts from Belgium in Luxembourg

USA – Marco’s Italian Restaurant linked to Hepatitis A scare

Food Poison Journal

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) has identified a case of hepatitis A in a Lewiston food service worker. Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. It can spread through person-to-person contact or by consuming contaminated food or water.

The individual worked during their infectious period at Marco’s Italian Restaurant, 12 Mollison Way in Lewiston on the following dates: September 11, 13, 15–16, 18, 20-22, 25, and 27-28, 2023. Anyone who purchased and/or ate food or drink from this restaurant during these days could be at risk for hepatitis A infection. An infected person can spread the virus to others from about two weeks before symptom onset until one week after symptoms begin.

USA -Outbreak Investigation of Hepatitis A Virus Infections: Frozen Strawberries (February 2023)

FDA

Current Update

September 15, 2023

The FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, investigated an outbreak of hepatitis A virus infections linked to frozen organic strawberries imported from Baja California, Mexico. FDA’s traceback investigation identified a common supplier of organic strawberries. Strawberries used by this supplier were imported from certain farms located in Baja California, Mexico, in 2022. Additionally, the strain of hepatitis A virus causing illnesses this year is genetically identical to the strain that caused the outbreak of hepatitis A virus infections in 2022, which was linked to fresh organic strawberries imported from Baja California, Mexico, and sold at various retailers. Due to the matching strains of hepatitis A, investigators considered traceback and epidemiological data from the 2022 and 2023 outbreaks. When both data sets were considered together, investigators found that a single farm was associated with the distribution of strawberries consumed by ill people in both outbreaks. This single farm supplied strawberries to multiple importers across both outbreaks and some recipients processed fresh strawberries into the frozen berries consumed in the 2023 outbreak.

As of September 15, 2023, no additional illnesses have been reported and CDC has announced that this outbreak has ended. FDA’s investigation is complete.  While the outbreak has ended, FDA continues to work closely with competent authorities in Mexico through the established Food Safety Partnership to investigate potential source(s) of contamination within the implicated region and to proactively implement prevention strategies for growers ahead of the next growing season. FDA also intends to consider using additional tools, such as import screening and sampling, for strawberries grown and harvested in Baja California, Mexico, during the next growing season.

FAO and WHO plan meeting on foodborne viruses

Food Safety News

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) are set to hold an expert meeting on viruses in food later this month.

The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meeting on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) event, at FAO headquarters in Rome on Sept. 18 to 22, will work on food attribution, analytical methods, and indicators of viruses in foods.

United States-based experts proposed for the meeting are Donald Schaffner, of Rutgers University; Xiang-Jin Meng, at Virginia Tech; Kali Kniel, from the University of Delaware; Lee-Ann Jaykus, at North Carolina State University; and Jacquelina Williams-Woods of the FDA.

In 2022, the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH) asked JEMRA to provide scientific advice to inform a review of guidelines established in 2012. This was due to emerging issues associated with foodborne viruses and scientific developments.

Quebec – Notice not to consume various varieties of Brouthé brand kombucha prepared and sold by the company Les produits Pas Poche – Hepatitis A

Quebec

QUEBEC CITY , Aug. 9, 2023 /CNW/ – The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ), in collaboration with the company Les produits Pas Poche, located at 133, rue Lévesque, in Sherbrooke , advises the population not to consume the products indicated in the table below, as they may have been contaminated with the hepatitis A virus.

Product name

Format

Affected lot

“Orange Kombucha”

500ml

And

700ml

Units sold with number 230723 listed at the bottom of the label

“Limothe Kombucha”

“Yellow Kombucha”

“Red Kombucha”

The products that are the subject of this warning were offered for sale until August 8, 2023, at the Marché de solidarité régionale store, located at 843, rue King Ouest, in Sherbrooke , and on its website. The products were packaged in glass bottles. The label of the products included, in addition to their name, the words ‘Brouthé’.

The operator is voluntarily recalling the products in question. It has agreed with MAPAQ to issue this warning as a precautionary measure. Also, people who have any of these products in their possession are advised not to consume it. They must return it to the establishment where they bought it or throw it away. Even if the affected products show no signs of tampering or suspicious odors, their consumption may represent a health risk. In addition, for the sake of prevention, people who have consumed one of these products purchased between July 26 and August 8, 2023 are invited to contact the Estrie public health team at 819 829-3400, extension 42240.

It should be noted that no case of illness associated with the consumption of these foods has been reported to MAPAQ to date.

Additional information

The Ministry publishes various information documents concerning food safety. Interested persons can consult the FoodThis link will open in a new window. section  of the Government of Quebec website. They also have the possibility of registering online to receive, by e-mail, the food recallThis link will open in a new window. press releases published by the Ministry. Finally, it is possible to follow “MAPAQfoods” on Twitter at the following address: www.twitter.com/MAPAQfoodsThis link will open in a new window. .

USA – Outbreak Investigation of Hepatitis A Virus Infections: Frozen Strawberries (February 2023)

FDA

Product

Willamette Valley Fruit Recall:

  • Great Value Mixed Fruit 4-lb bags, Great Value Sliced Strawberries 4-lb bags, and Great Value Antioxidant Fruit Blend 2-lb bags sold at Walmart.
  • Rader Farms Organic Fresh Start Smoothie Blend 48-oz. bags sold at Costco.
  • Rader Farms Organic Berry Trio 3-lb bags sold at HEB stores.

Wawona Frozen Foods Recall: Wawona brand Organic DayBreak Blend 4-lb. bag with “Use By” dates of 9/23/2023, 9/29/2023, 9/30/2023 and 10/18/2023.

California Splendor Recall: Kirkland Signature 4-lb. bag Frozen Organic Whole Strawberries in certain states with specific lot codes.

Scenic Fruit Recall: Recalled brands include Simply Nature, Vital Choice, Kirkland Signature, Made With, PCC Community Markets frozen organic strawberries and Trader Joe’s Organic Tropical Fruit Blend with specific best by dates.

Additional recall information is available below.

Stores Affected

Great Value Mixed Fruit, Sliced Strawberries, and Antioxidant Fruit Blend were sold in Walmart stores in AR, AZ, CA, CO, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SD, TX, UT, VA, WI, WV, and WY.

Rader Farms Organic Fresh Start Smoothie Blend was sold in Costco stores in CO, TX, CA, and AZ.

Rader Farms Organic Berry Trio was sold in HEB stores in TX.

Wawona Frozen Foods distributed recalled packages of Organic DayBreak Blend to Costco Wholesale stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah, and Washington.

California Splendor supplied recalled product to Costco stores in Los Angeles and Hawaii, and to two San Diego business centers. Scenic Fruit supplied recalled product to Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, and PCC Community Markets in specific states, and to Trader Joe’s nationwide.

On March 17, 2023, the retailer, Meijer, also issued press to voluntarily recall Made-WithExternal Link Disclaimer brand frozen organic strawberries from certain market store locations.

This is not an exhaustive list of products or stores. FDA is continuing to work with the firms to identify potential additional product information.

Symptoms of Hepatitis A

Illness usually occurs within 15 to 50 days after eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Symptoms of hepatitis A virus infection include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine, and pale stool. In some instances, particularly in children under the age of six, hepatitis A infection may be asymptomatic.

Status

Ongoing