USA – Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Typhimurium: Bright Farms Packaged Salad Greens (July 2021) -Outbreak is over

Posted on October 7, 2021 by | Leave a comment

FDA

The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, investigated a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections linked to the consumption of BrightFarms packaged salad greens produced in the firm’s Rochelle, IL facility.

FDA visited the facility and collected samples. Some environmental samples taken inside the facility tested positive for Salmonella Liverpool, but were not a match to the outbreak strain. In addition, a sample collected from an outdoor storm water drainage pond adjacent to the facility was analyzed and reported to be Salmonella Typhimurium and a genetic match to the outbreak strain.

Although no clear route of contamination was readily identified, the FDA is preparing a report to discuss findings and provide information to assist in future prevention efforts.

Recommendation

CDC has declared this outbreak to be over.

Investigation Background

On July 15, 2021, BrightFarms recalled packaged salad greens produced in its Rochelle, Illinois (Ogle County) greenhouse farm sold in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin. On July 21, 2021, Michigan was added to the list of states that received recalled products. Interview data and shopper card records show that 15 people ate or bought multiple types of BrightFarms brand salad products before they got sick, including Sunny Crunch, 50/50 Spring & Spinach, Harvest Crunch, and Butter Crisp. FDA conducted a traceback investigation and identified the farm in Rochelle, IL, as the likely source of the BrightFarms brand salad bought by people who became ill. On July 28, 2021, following positive sample results, BrightFarms expanded their recall to include Baby Spinach packaged in clear, plastic clamshells with “Best By” dates through 7/26/2021.

Product Images

Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Typhimurium in BrightFarms Packaged Salad Greens - Product Images

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Map of U.S. Distribution of Recalled BrightFarms Products

Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Typhimurium in BrightFarms Packaged Salad Greens - Map of U.S. Distribution of Recalled Products (October 6, 2021)

Case Count Map Provided by CDC

Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella Typhimurium in BrightFarms Packaged Salad Greens - CDC Case Count Map (October 6, 2021)

Case Counts

Total Illnesses: 31
Hospitalizations: 4
Deaths: 0
Last Illness Onset: August 18, 2021
States with Cases: IL (18), MI(1), PA (2), WI (10)
Product Distribution*: IA, IL, IN, MI, WI
*Distribution has been confirmed for states listed, but product could have been distributed further, reaching additional states

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France – TERRINE DE PHASAN AU PORTO sold in the charcuterie section of the MARKET LA CHAUSSEE SAINT VICTOR store between 28/09/21 and 04/10/21 – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on October 7, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

Identifying information for the recalled product

  • Product category Food
  • Product sub-category Meats
  • Product brand name unbranded
  • Names of models or references TERRINE DE PHASAN AU PORTO sold in the charcuterie section of the CARREFOUR MARKET LA CHAUSSEE SAINT VICTOR store between 28/09/21 and 04/10/21
  • Product identification
    GTIN Lot
    111111111116 sold from 28/09/2021 to 04/10/2021
  • Packaging retail, by cut.
  • Start date / End of marketing From 09/28/2021 to 10/04/2021
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Further information TERRINE DE PHASAN AU PORTO sold in the charcuterie section of the CARREFOUR MARKET LA CHAUSSEE SAINT VICTOR store between 28/09/21 and 04/10/21
  • Geographical sales area CARREFOUR MARKET LA CHAUSSEE SAINT VICTOR between 28/09/21 and 04/10/21
  • Distributors CARREFOUR MARKET LA CHAUSSEE SAINT VICTOR ONLY

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall presence of listeria monocytogenes
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Listeria monocytogenes (causative agent of listeriosis)

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France – HEAD CHEESE WITHOUT NITRITE – Listeria monocytogenes

Posted on October 6, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Gov france

Identifying information for the recalled product

  • Product category Food
  • Product sub-category Meats
  • Product brand name The mesandan nozzle
  • Names of models or references Nitrite-free head cheese in 500g bowl Nitrite-free head cheese in 2kg tub
  • Product identification
    Lot Dated
    644856 Use-by date 09/26/2021
    644810 Use-by date 09/26/2021
  • Start date / End of marketing From 09/09/2021 to 09/11/2021
  • Storage temperature Product to be stored in the refrigerator
  • Health mark FR 25 377 020
  • Geographical sales area Regions: Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Grand-Est
  • Distributors Tuyé de Mésansand store (Les Fins and Tarcenay)

Practical information regarding the recall

  • Reason for recall Presence of Listeria monocytogenes
  • Risks incurred by the consumer Listeria monocytogenes (causative agent of listeriosis)

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Posted in food contamination, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes

Research – Cryptosporidiosis – Annual Epidemiological Report for 2018

Posted on October 6, 2021 by | Leave a comment

ECDC

Executive summary

  • For 2018, 20 European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries reported 14 299 cryptosporidiosis cases, of which 14 252 were confirmed.
  • The notification rate was 4.4 confirmed cases per 100 000 population.
  • Four countries accounted for 76% of all confirmed cases, with the United Kingdom (UK) alone accounting for 41%.
  • As in previous years, most of the cases were reported in autumn (peak in September), but in 2018 a smaller peak was also observed in spring (April).
  • Children aged 0–4 years had the highest notification rate of 15.8 cases per 100 000 population.

Click to access CRYP_AER_2018_Report.pdf

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Posted in Contaminated water, Cryptosporidiosis, Cryptosporidium, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

USA – More than 1,200 customers of Monterey Water Company told to boil water before use

Posted on October 6, 2021 by | Leave a comment

NM Political Report

More than 1,200 water users in Valencia County have been asked to boil their water after E. coli bacteria was discovered in a routine sample.

These customers receive their water from Monterey Water Company. The New Mexico Environment Department instructed the utility to issue a boil water advisory on Oct. 2, according to a press release.

E. coli is commonly found in the intestines of both humans and other animals and NMED states that the bacteria’s presence in water indicates that it may have been in contact with sewage or animal waste.

A sample that tests positive for the bacteria can indicate the presence of dangerous strains of E. coli or other organisms that can cause water-borne illness, the press release states. Symptoms of water-borne illnesses include gastrointestinal problems and, in rare instances, these illnesses can be deadly. Sensitive populations including children, senior citizens and people with compromised immune systems have increased risk of contracting these illnesses.

When a boil water advisory is issued, the customers in the affected area are encouraged to boil their water for three minutes prior to drinking it or using it to make coffee, tea, other drinks or ice. The water should also be boiled before using it for cooking, washing fruits and vegetables or brushing teeth. Additionally, residents should boil the water before using it to prepare infant formula or to provide drinking water to pets.

The boil water advisory only affects customers who receive water from Monterey Water Company. Other surrounding areas are not impacted.

Boil water advisories usually last for a few days. For example, residents in the Lovington area were under a boil water advisory for approximately three days in January after E. coli was found in the Lovington Municipal Water Supply.

Monterey Water Company is a privately-owned water utility that has been serving customers in Valencia County since the 1980s. The company was formed to provide water to Monterey Mobile Home Estates and Monterey Park units two and three. These subdivisions are located southeast of Los Lunas.

The utility has two active wells that it uses for groundwater and does not use any surface water.

This is not the first time that E. coli has been detected in the Monterey Water Company’s system. According to the New Mexico Drinking Water Bureau’s Drinking Water Watch database, E. coli was also detected in 2020 and in 2014.

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Posted in Boil Water Notice, Contaminated water, E.coli, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Water, water microbiology, Water Safety

USA – Domestically Acquired Cases of Cyclosporiasis — United States, May–August 2021

Posted on October 6, 2021 by | Leave a comment

CDC

cardcyclosporasme

LAST UPDATED SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 4:00 PM EDT

Cyclosporiasis illnesses are reported year-round in the United States. However, during the spring and summer months there is often an increase in cyclosporiasis acquired in the United States (i.e., “domestically acquired”). The exact timing and duration of these seasonal increases in domestically acquired cyclosporiasis can vary, but reports tend to increase starting in May. In previous years the reported number of cases peaked between June and July, although activity can last as late as September. The overall health impact (e.g., number of infections or hospitalizations) and the number of identified clusters of cases (i.e., cases that can be linked to a common exposure) also vary from season to season. Previous U.S. outbreaks of cyclosporiasis have been linked to various types of fresh produce, including basil, cilantro, mesclun lettuce, raspberries, and snow peas.

At a Glance
  • Illnesses: 1020
  • Hospitalizations: 70
  • Deaths: 0
  • States reporting cases: 36

CDC, along with state and federal health and regulatory officials, monitor cases of cyclosporiasis in the United States in the spring and summer months to detect outbreaks linked to a common food source. However, many cases of cyclosporiasis cannot be directly linked to an outbreak, in part because of the lack of validated laboratory “fingerprinting” methods needed to link cases of Cyclospora infection. Officials use questionnaires to interview sick people to determine what they ate in the 14-day period before illness onset. If a commonality is found, CDC and partners work quickly to determine if a contaminated food product is still available in stores or in peoples’ homes and issue advisories.

Final Update

  • In 2021, multiple outbreaks of cyclosporiasis cases associated with different restaurants or events were investigated by state public health authorities, CDC, and FDA.
    • CDC investigated two large multistate outbreaks of cyclosporiasisexternal icon, one including 40 illnesses and one with 130 illnesses, in which ill people reported eating various types of leafy greens. State officials and FDA conducted traceback investigations for these two outbreaks, but a specific type or grower of leafy greens was not identified as the source of either outbreak.
  • As of September 28, 2021, 1,020 laboratory-confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in people who had no history of international travel during the 14-day period before illness onset have been reported to CDC by 37 jurisdictions, including 36 states and New York City, since May 1, 2021.
    • The median illness onset date is June 25, 2021 (range: May 1–August 31, 2021).
    • At least 70 people have been hospitalized; no deaths have been reported.

September 30, 2021

Geographic Distribution of Reported Cases of Domestically Acquired Cyclosporiasis—May 1 to August 31, 2021*

outbreak_map_season_9_30_21

* Data are current as of 09/28/2021 (9:00am EDT). States/jurisdictions highlighted on the map have each reported at least one case. New York State includes case reports from New York City. Data are preliminary and subject to change. For questions related to the number of cases reported in each state, contact that state’s health department.

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Posted in Cyclospora, Cyclosporiasis, food bourne outbreak, food contamination, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, foodborne outbreak, foodbourne outbreak, outbreak, Research

Botulism Symptoms.

Posted on October 6, 2021 by | Leave a comment

CDC

kswfoodworld

Signs and symptoms might include:

  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Muscle weakness
  • Double vision
  • Drooping eyelids
  • Blurry vision
  • Slurred speech
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Difficulty moving the eyes

Possible signs and symptoms in foodborne botulism might also include:

  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Diarrhea

Signs and symptoms in an infant might include:

  • Constipation
  • Poor feeding
  • Drooping eyelids
  • Pupils that are slow to react to light
  • Face showing less expression than usual
  • Weak cry that sounds different than usual
  • Difficulty breathing

People with botulism might not have all of these symptoms at the same time.

The symptoms all result from muscle paralysis caused by the toxin. If untreated, the disease may progress and symptoms may worsen to cause full paralysis of some muscles, including those used in breathing and those in the arms, legs, and trunk (part of the body from the neck to the pelvis area, also called the torso).

In foodborne botulism, symptoms generally begin 18 to 36 hours after eating a contaminated food.

If you or someone you know has symptoms of botulism, immediately see your doctor or go to the emergency room.

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Posted in Clostridium, Clostridium botulinum, food contamination, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Illness, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, Food Safety, Food Testing, Food Toxin

UK – Derby school fined £20,000 after pupil caught E. coli

Posted on October 6, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Derby Telegraph

A Derby school has been fined more than £20,000 for a health and safety breach which was uncovered after a four-year-old pupil caught E. coli.

Wyndham Spencer Academy, which is in Alvaston, was investigated by environmental health officers after the child was hospitalised with the disease in May 2018.

This inquiry revealed that the school, which is part of the Spencer Academies Trust, did not have robust enough risk assessments in place for the variety of farm animals that are kept on the site.

The trust was subsequently charged by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for failing to discharge its general health and safety duty to someone who was not an employee.

In court both the HSE and the trust agreed the E. coli case and subsequent hospitalisation could not be linked to the school.

A hearing at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court on Monday, October 4, was told that while the case could not be linked to a farm at the school which contained goats, pigs and hens, some breaches came to light in the investigation.

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Posted in E.coli, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, microbial contamination, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations

Canada – Olivera brand sliced olives may be unsafe due to potential presence of dangerous bacteria – Clostridium botulinum

Posted on October 6, 2021 by | Leave a comment

CFIA

Olivera – Black Sliced Olives – 2.84 Litres    Olivera – Green Sliced Olives – 2.84 Litres  Olivera – Sliced olives – 2.84 Litres

Recall details

Ottawa, October 5, 2021 – Distribution Alimentaire Tony is recalling Olivera brand sliced olives from the marketplace because they may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum. Consumers should not consume and distributors, retailers and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals and nursing homes should not sell or use the recalled products described below.

Recalled products

Brand Product Size UPC Codes
Olivera Black Sliced Olives 2.84 L None PRO : 08/03/2021
EXP : 07/03/2023
LOT NO: 09SB260
Olivera Green Sliced Olives 2.84 L None Pro date: 8/3/2021
EXP date: 7/3/2023
PN: 09sG260

What you should do

If you think you became sick from consuming a recalled product, call your doctor.

Check to see if you have the recalled products in your home or establishment. Recalled products should be thrown out or returned to the location where they were purchased.

Food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick.

Symptoms in adults can include facial paralysis or loss of facial expression, unreactive or fixed pupils, difficulty swallowing, drooping eyelids, blurred or double vision, difficulty speaking, including slurred speech, and a change in sound of voice, including hoarseness.

Symptoms of foodborne botulism in children can include difficulty swallowing, slurred speech, generalized weakness and paralysis. In all cases, botulism does not cause a fever. In severe cases of illness, people may die.

Background

This recall was triggered by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) test results. The CFIA is conducting a food safety investigation, which may lead to the recall of other products. If other high-risk products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated Food Recall Warnings.

The CFIA is verifying that industry is removing the recalled products from the marketplace.

Illnesses

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

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Posted in CFIA, Clostridium, Clostridium botulinum, food contamination, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, Food Poisoning, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Food Toxin

Italy- SEASONED SAUSAGE – Salmonella

Posted on October 6, 2021 by | Leave a comment

Salute

Brand : SALUMIFICIO CORNICCHIA SRL

Name : SEASONED SAUSAGE

Reason for reporting : Recall due to microbiological risk

Publication date : 5 October 2021

Click to access C_17_PubblicazioneRichiami_1505_azione_itemAzione0_files_itemFiles0_fileAzione.pdf

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Posted in food contamination, food handler, Food Hazard, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Pathogen, food recall, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Testing, Salmonella