Tag Archives: food poisoning

Research – First Carbapenemase-Producing Organism Found in Food

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Researchers in Canada have found a certain antibiotic-resistant bacteria for the first time in a food product, which means the risk of exposure is now beyond people who travel to certain countries and people who have been hospitalized. The bacteria is resistant to carbapenems, one of the last resort antibiotics in medicine’s arsenal. The research has been published in the Center for Disease Control’s journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.

In January 2014, routine testing found a carbapenemase-producing organism in squid that was for sale in a Chinese grocery store in Saskatoon, Canada. Carbapenemases are enzymes that organisms produce that destroy the carbapenem antibiotic. Scientists have found these organisms in the environment and in animals used for food, but not in food itself until now

USA – Chia Seeds Recalls – Salmonella

Food Poisoning Bulletin

GreenSmoothieGirl is recalling two products which contain organic sprouted chia powder for Salmonella. A 10-state Salmonella outbreak has been linked to chia powder.

“To date, there have been no reports of sickness traced back to our products, but we have chosen to exert the utmost level of caution in this situation to protect the health and well-being of our customers. We are, therefore, voluntarily recalling products that contain organic sprouted chia powder,” said the company’s CEO Robyn Openshaw.

The recalled products, were distributed to retail stores in UT, OR, MT and through Internet sales, include: GreenSmoothieGirl Sprouted Ground TriOmega Superfood, 16 oz, UPC 853811005036 with lot number AC030141, Exp. 1/2016 (Silver Ziplock Pouch) and GreenSmoothieGirl Sprouted Ground TriOmega Superfood, 16 oz, no UPC, with lot number BIO13TOP300, Exp. 10/2015 (Gold Ziplock Pouch). Consumers who have purchased these products should not use them.

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Navitas Naturals has expanded the recall of chia powder linked to a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 17 people in 10 states. The recall now includes products with “best by” dates in November 2015.

“Based on investigations by FDA and California Department of Public Health, one of our suppliers Health Matters America Inc. has expanded their recall of Chia products. As a result, we are expanding our voluntary recall to include a broader date range of products. Our business depends on providing safe and healthy food and we will not take chances with our consumer’s wellbeing. Because of this priority, in an abundance of caution, we have deliberately and voluntarily expanded this recall,” said Navitas Naturals CEO Zach Adelman. “Based on information from CDC we are not aware of any reported illnesses associated with the products included in this expanded date range.

USA – Recall – Cheese and Salsa Products – Listeria monocytogenes

Food Poisoning Journal

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is alerting consumers to avoid eating certain cheese and salsa produced by Parkers Farm Acquisition, LLC of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria.

There have been no reports of illness associated with consumption of the products. Parkers Farm Acquisition, LLC is cooperating with the MDA investigation and has issued a voluntary recall of all products with the sell by dates listed below. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged to return it to the place of purchase or discard it.

UK – Baby Formula – Bacillus cereus – Liquid Food Linked to Poisoning of Babies was Sent to 22 Hospitals

The Guardian Bacillus_cereus_01

Paul Cosford, the head of Public Health England (PHE), said an urgent recall had been ordered after a contaminated batch of the food was suspected of causing the septicaemia that killed a baby at a neonatal intensive care unit at London’s Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital.

Another 14 premature babies in six separate hospitals in London and the south-east all suffered food poisoning after receiving drips containing a batch of liquid feed from a specialist company based in north-west London, ITH Pharma Limited. They are responding to antibiotics but are described as poorly by PHE.

The emergency developed rapidly over the weekend with one baby after another falling ill, triggering a frantic search to identify the source of the bacteria causing the life-threatening septicaemia.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Thursday, Cosford said the feed was the “most likely cause” of the infection and that an urgent investigation was under way into what went wrong. The feed was infected with a bacterium known as Bacillus cereus, PHE said.

The Telegraph

One baby has died while 14 others were left fighting for their lives with blood poisoning after being given the liquid feed in NHS neonatal care units at six different hospitals.

A public health alert was issued by health chiefs on Wednesday evening after it emerged all the newborns’ had been given a nutrition drip manufactured by London-based ITH Pharma Ltd.

Medical regulators are investigating an incident which occurred last Thursday at the company’s London manufacturing plant.

Mexico – Hundreds of Inmates Suffer Food Poisoning at Mexican Prison

Fox News Latino

Nearly 450 inmates required medical attention in an episode of food poisoning at a maximum security prison in western Mexico, Jalisco state authorities said.

“None of the (affected inmates) is in serious condition, nor did any require medical transfer,” the state public safety office said.

Officials did not mention the name of the prison, but media accounts identified the facility as Puente Grande.

Doctors and paramedics from the Jalisco health department and the municipal fire rescue services in Guadalajara and Tlaquepaque assisted the prison medical staff in treating the inmates for vomiting and diarrhea.

 

Abu Dhabi – 100 Labourers Hospitalised – Food Poisoning

7 Days in Abu Dhabi

More than 100 labourers in Abu Dhabi have been hospitalised after suspected food poisoning.

The workers were reported to have eaten bad food at their accommodation camp in Musaffah during Tuesday night, causing them discomfort.

The men were taken to Al Ahalia Hospital in Musaffah on Wednesday in three company buses while others were taken by ambulance. Officials at the hospital told 7DAYS that they started admitting dozens of Asian workers in batches at around 12.30pm due to suspected food poisoning.

“All the workers were admitted at the emergency department. They complained of stomach pains, loose motions, headaches and some felt exhaustion. They were all given treatment,” said an official at the hospital.

Spain – Gran Canaria – 200 Ill from Salmonella

El Confidencial

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, May 5 (Reuters) -. Nearly 200 people, mostly children 2 to 17 years, have suffered food poisoning from a salmonellosis outbreak in a school in San Bartolome de Tirajana (Gran Canaria) that has forced hospitalization of 18 students in different centers.

 This outbreak of salmonellosis, the largest ever recorded in the archipelago, occurred in South Arenas school after one of the food handlers of this private education center contaminated with bacteria “Salmonella Enteritidis” a pasta salad that served as lunch on Wednesday.

USA -Recall Two Organic Products – Eggs and Mango – Salmonella and Listeria monoctogenes

Food Poisioning Bulletin

Sixdog Investments is recalling some of their certified organic eggs because they may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. No illness related to the consumption of this product have been reported to date.

Food Poisoning Bulletin

Pacific Organic Produce of San Francisco is recalling a limited number of cases of organic mangos because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. They were sold under the Purity Organic brand. No illnesses have been reported to date, but Listeria can take a long time to develop. A Salmonella outbreak linked to imported mangoes sickened 127 people in 2012.

USA – Hepatits A – Tea

Food Poisoning Journal

The Marion County Public Health Department announces that visitors to an Indianapolis business during three Saturdays in April may have been exposed to Hepatitis A.

Anyone who visited and drank tea prepared at the Teavana store, 8702 Keystone Crossing, on Saturdays, April 5, 12 and 19 should watch for signs and symptoms of Hepatitis A. The public is advised to watch for signs and symptoms of Hepatitis A and contact a health care provider immediately if any symptoms are present.

USA – Thousands Seek Hepatitis A – Vaccine

Food Poisoning Journal Close up 3d render of an influenza-like virus isolated on white

According to Amanda Harris of the Charlotte North Carolina Observer, at least 1,650 Charlotte residents sought hepatitis A vaccines after being exposed at the Papa John’s at 8016 Cambridge Commons Drive, where an employee was recently diagnosed with the virus.

Residents flocked to the clinic at the Cato campus of Central Piedmont Community College on Sunday. The clinic saw about 350 people over roughly 4 1/2 hours, said Rick Christenbury, a Mecklenburg County spokesman.

Food Poisoning Journal

According to press reports, more than 300 people who had eaten at La Fontana restaurant in Nyack between March 29 and April 1 received free vaccines last weekend for Hepatitis A.

The Rockland County Department of Health gave out the free vaccines after announcing last week that a case of Hepatitis A had been identified in a worker at the restaurant.

But not everyone who may have been exposed was vaccinated.