FoodWorld

FSN

More than 50 people fell ill across the United Kingdom as part of a Salmonella outbreak in 2024.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) investigated a cluster of Salmonella Blockley infections identified through the analysis of whole genome sequencing (WGS) data.

An Incident Management Team including Public Health Scotland, Public Health Wales, and the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland, with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) held their first meeting in September 2024.

Up to September 2024, 54 cases were reported. This included 36 sick people in England, seven in Wales and 11 in Scotland, with sample dates ranging between July 27 and Aug. 24, 2024.

FSN: Norovirus outbreak affects over 80 on Coral Princess as cruise ship cases surge in 2025

A norovirus outbreak sickened more than 80 people aboard Carnival’s Princess Cruises ship Coral Princess during a 16-night voyage that docked in Fort Lauderdale on March 9, 2025, marking the latest in a troubling wave of gastrointestinal illnesses plaguing cruise ships in 2025.

The outbreak, reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on March 7, affected 69 of the 1,906 passengers and 13 of the 895 crew members, with diarrhea and vomiting as the predominant symptoms.

The Coral Princess departed Los Angeles on Feb. 21, sailing through Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama and Aruba before reaching its final destination. The CDC identified norovirus — a highly contagious virus notorious for spreading through contaminated food, water and surfaces — as the causative agent. In response, Princess Cruises ramped up cleaning protocols, isolated ill individuals, and collected stool samples for testing, according to a CDC Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) report.

60 sick in Swiss norovirus outbreak

FSN: More than 60 people have fallen sick after eating at a kebab shop in a Swiss municipality.

The Office for Consumer Protection (AVS) closed the kebab shop in Möhlin in Aargau as a precautionary measure earlier this month because of reports of gastrointestinal illnesses. The agency has since received more than 60 reports of illness.

AVS took several samples of food in the establishment and requested leftovers as well as stool samples from infected individuals. Laboratory analyses detected norovirus in stool and cocktail sauce samples.

The shop was temporarily shut after a visit from inspectors. AVS said the business will remain closed until further transmission can be ruled out. Reopening is subject to conditions such as thorough cleaning, disinfection of the outlet and an inspection.

FSN Scientists have found a way to stop the growth of Listeria in a traditional Norwegian product and have improved detection methods.

Rakfisk is made by fermenting trout or char in brine. In recent years, it has been linked to several outbreaks of Listeria monocytogenes, as well as botulism cases.

In 2020, two cases of botulism were recorded with the suspected source of infection being homemade rakfisk. Three recent Listeria outbreaks have been reported including one in late 2018 to early 2019 that caused 13 illnesses.

Nofima led a three-year research project, called Safe Rakfisk, aimed at making the product safer.

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FSN

Another death has been confirmed in an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections traced to supplemental shakes.

The Food and Drug Administration reports that there are now 12 confirmed deaths in the outbreak, which has sickened 38 people across 21 states. Thirty-seven of the patients required hospitalization.

The supplemental shakes were distributed by Lyons Magnus LLC to long-term care facilities such as nursing homes and were not available for retail sale. 

Initial details here: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2025/02/company-recalls-supplemental-shakes-linked-to-listeria-outbreak-that-has-killed-11-people/

FSN

A fatal Listeria outbreak in Germany has prompted researchers to call for an update to dietary recommendations for vulnerable people.

Scientists said findings align with previous evidence and highlight that people with weakened immune systems should not be exposed to Listeria in food. They called for a clear communication of deli meats as high risk foods, so individuals with weakened immune systems can adjust their diet to reduce the risk of invasive listeriosis.

“Sliced sausages and other cold cuts, even when fully cooked, should be treated as high risk foods. People with weakened immune systems should either avoid these foods entirely or eat them only when freshly sliced,” they said.

FSN

At least 140 people have fallen sick in Iceland after eating food as part of a traditional feast.

On Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, Þorrablót, an Icelandic festival, was held in Grímsnes and the town of Þorlákshöfn.

The Directorate of Health and Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) said information was received about the illness of 67 people from Grímsnes and 73 from Þorlákshöfn, but it is possible that more fell ill.

mdpi

Abstract

The existence of biofilms as heterogeneous structures, comprising bacterial cells embedded in a self-synthesized polymeric matrix and adhered to biotic and abiotic surfaces, exhibiting high antibiotic tolerance, is a fact that, in recent years, has exerted selective pressure on healthcare systems with the emergence of numerous infections. This review provides a historical overview of the emergence of biofilms, the latest insights into their functionality and distribution, as well as data on innovative strategies to combat them. Special attention is given to significant diseases caused by biofilms, alongside current data on the molecular mechanisms underpinning their tolerance and resistance.

FSN

A project has been awarded funding to investigate a strain of Salmonella often found in cattle.

The grant will fund research to explore the genetic and phenotypic variations within Salmonella Dublin. The aim is to understand more about how the bacteria moves from cattle to humans and what that means for food safety and public health.

The study will be led by Dr. Prerna Vohra from the school of biological sciences at the University of Edinburgh, and Dr. Gemma Langridge from the Quadram Institute.

FSN

A suspected outbreak of food poisoning that has sickened more than 100 people and killed three is being investigated in Italy.

Four nursing and residential care facilities (RSA) in the Florence area are affected. They share the same cooking center.

From an initial analysis, 114 cases of gastroenteritis with diarrhea and vomiting were found out of 173 guests.