Two viral gastroenteritis outbreaks in Québec linked to Chilean IQF raspberries

The Québec Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux (MSSS) has confirmed 95 cases of viral gastroenteritis in two separate outbreak clusters linked to consumption of raspberry cake.

According to MAPAQ, the raspberries used in the cakes were imported from Chile.

The outbreak details were provided to eFoodAlert by MSSS in response to an email request.

Although the MSSS refers to the outbreak cases as gastroenteritis of possible viral origin, related recall notices refer specifically to Norovirus.

The first cluster comprised 65 victims, with an attack rate of 62%. The second cluster consisted of 30 individuals with an attack rate of 60%.

Symptoms appeared within 24 hours and consisted of diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. None of the outbreak victims were hospitalized, and none consulted a doctor.

Neither outbreak cluster involved hospitals, seniors’ residences, or nursing homes.

MSSS has alerted its provincial and federal counterparts, and is not aware of any related case reports from regions of Québec or other parts of Canada.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has not replied to eFoodAlert’s request for information.

Both the Ministère d’Agriculture, Pêcheries et Alimentation de Québec (MAPAC) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have posted recall notices for raw, frozen raspberries and for other food items made from the implicated raspberries.

Consumers and food service workers should discard or return any items that appear on the recalled products lists.

Possible Canadian Norovirus outbreak linked to imported raspberries

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is conducting a food safety investigation into the possible Norovirus contamination of products containing Individual Quick Frozen (IQF) raspberries.

At least one product recall has been triggered by findings emanating from a foodborne disease outbreak investigation.

In response to an inquiry from eFoodAlert, a CFIA spokesperson stated that the recall in question was associated with raspberries from Québec.

The Ministre d’Agriculture, Pêcheries et Alimentation de Québec (MAPAQ) has posted recall notices indicating the origin of the raspberries to be Chile.

As of June 5, 2019, the following recalls are in effect:

Gelsius brand IQF Raspberries, 5 x 1kg:- Lot #002; Product codes 30/05/2018 and 06/06/2018. Supplied by Distribution Farinex (113712 Canada Inc.) to hotels, restaurants and institutions in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut, Ontario and Québec
France Délices brand Choco-Raspberry Crunchy, 95g:- Product code 12919. Supplied by France Délices Inc. to consumers in Ontario and Québec.
Smoothies aux framboises / Raspberry smoothies, 250 ml:- All units sold up to June 2, 2019. Supplied by Le Butterblume, 5830, boulevard Saint-Laurent, Montréal, Québec.
Sorbet Framboises et Fruit de la Passion / Raspberry and Passionfruit Sorbet, 473 ml:- All units sold up to June 4, 2019. Supplied by Le Quai des glaces, 2138, boul. Saint-Joseph, Lachine, Québec.
Gâteau Choco-Framboises / Choco-raspberry cake, 680g & 915g:- All units sold up to June 4, 2019. Supplied by Éclats de saveurs inc., 1436, boulevard Curé-Labelle Blainville, Québec.
Mousse au Chocolat avec Framboises / Chocolate Mousse with Raspberries, 100g:- All units sold up to June 4, 2019. Supplied by Chocolaterie Mathilde Fays inc., 47, rue Notre-Dame, Oka, Québec.
Gâteau Fruits des Champs / Berry Cake:- All units sold up to June 4, 2019. Supplied by Boulangerie-pâtisserie Lasalle RDP inc., 8591, boulevard Maurice-Duplessis, Montréal, Québec.
Framboisier and Gâteau Choco-Framboises / Framboisier and Choco-raspberry cake:- All units sold up to June 4, 2019. Supplied by Pâtisserie Dolci Piu 849, boulevard Décarie, Montréal (Saint-Laurent), Québec.
Cupcake Citron-Framboise / Lemon-raspberry cupcake:- All units sold up to June 4, 2019. Supplied by Cake Design, 194, rue Denison Est, Granby, Québec.
Gâteau Marie-Antoinette / Marie-Antoinette cake:- All units sold up to June 4, 2019. Supplied by Les Gourmandises de Marie-Antoinette, 4317, rue Ontario Est, Montréal, Québec.

The current situation is reminiscent of a 2017 Norovirus outbreak that also was traced to imported IQF raspberries.

Between March 2017 and July 2017, the consumption of frozen raspberries imported from China was blamed for 615 confirmed cases of Norovirus in Québec. Many of the cases occured in seniors’ residences and child daycare centers.

Symptoms of Norovirus infection include nausea, vomiting and copious watery diarrhea, typically lasting from 24 to 60 hours in healthy adults.

Young children and the elderly are susceptible to severe dehydration. Approximately 1% of Norovirus victims may require hospitalization as a result of their illness.

Consumers who have purchased any of the recalled products should either discard them or return them to the place of purchase.

Recalls and Alerts: June 1 – 4, 2019

Here is today’s list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals, allergy alerts and miscellaneous compliance issues. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

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United States

Food Safety Recall: The Coca-Cola Company recalls Suja Kombucha, Ginger Lemon (15.2 oz; Date code 06/25/19 UX; UPC 008-18617-02023-2), Suja Kombucha, Peach Ginger (15.2 oz; Date code 07/27/19 UX; UPC 008-18617-02034-8) and Suja Kombucha, Mixed Berries (15.2 oz; Date code 07/29/19 UX; UPC 008-18617-02036-2) due to foreign matter contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Publix at Lake Gibson Shopping Center recalls all ground beef and pork products (Sell by June 3, 2019) due to foreign matter (plastic or metal) contamination.

Canada

Allergy Alert (Update): T-Brothers Food And Trading Ltd. recalls certain Daesang brand rice seasoning mixes due to undeclared egg. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Allergy Alert: Seoul Trading Corporation recalls ChoripDong brand Frozen Par Fried Fish Cake (400g; Product code 2019.12.29; UPC 7 6189860521 9) due to undeclared egg.

Allergy Alert: Seoul Trading Corp. recalls certain Daesang brand rice seasoning mixes due to undeclared egg. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: MyChopChop recalls MyChopChop brand “Grounded Peper” (100g; All units sold up to and including June 3, 2019) due to Salmonella contamination.

Food Safety Recall: Marché Lambert IGA extra recalls certain ground meats and products containing ground meat due to foreign matter (metal) contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Ecoideas Innovations Inc. recalls Apricot Power brand Bitter Raw Apricot Seeds and Apricot Seed Meal due to natural toxin amygdalin. Excessive consumption may cause cyanide poisoning. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall: Distribution Farinex (113712 Canada Inc.) recalls Gelsius brand IQF Raspberries (Frozen) (5 x 1 kg; Lot #002; Batch dates 06/06/2018 and 30/05/2018; UPC 01815703620 and 01815003620, respectively) due to Norovirus contamination. The recalled product was supplied to hotes, restaurants and institutions in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut, Ontario, and Quebec.

Food Safety Recall: Le Butterblume recalls SMOOTHIE AUX FRAMBOISES / Raspberry Smoothie (250 mL; Sold up to and including June 2, 2019) due to Norovirus contamination.

Europe

Allergy Alert (Germany): Wilhelm Kisker GmbH recalls Psenner Bombardino 18 % (0.7 L; Lot #18325) due to undeclared milk and egg.

Food Safety Recall (Belgium): Maisonie recalls Maisonie brand pudding à la vanille avec spéculoos / Vanilla pudding with spéculoos (a traditional Dutch and Belgium cookie, with spices like ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon and clover*) (130g; Lots 20192100 – 20192101- 20192102), due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Midsona Danmark A/S recalls two types of urtekram rice cakes due to elevated arsenic levels. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (France): SODEBO recalls certain Toque du chef brand pizzas (470g) due to foreign matter (metal) contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.

Food Safety Recall (France): Intermarché recalls Maredoc brand Moules Italie SAC (10kg; Lot 2107292; Pack date 28/05/2019) due to Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning.

Food Safety Recall (France): Carrefour recalls Filière Qualité Carrefour brand Barquettes de moules de corde (1.4 kg; Lot 10732947; Best before 06/06/2019) due to Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning.

Food Safety Recall (France): SODEBO recalls Sodebo brand PIZZA LA PIZZ Jambon Emmental Prix Choc (470g; Best before 02/06/2019) due to foreign matter (metal) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SODEBO recalls Sodebo brand PIZZA LA PIZZ Jambon Emmental (470g; Best before 02/06/2019) due to foreign matter (metal) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SODEBO recalls Sodebo brand PIZZA LA PIZZ Jambon Champignons de Paris (470g; Best before 02/06/2019) due to foreign matter (metal) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (France): SODEBO recalls Sodebo brand PIZZA LA PIZZ 4 fromages (470g; Best before 03/06/2019) due to foreign matter (metal) contamination.

Food Safety Recall (UK): Müller UK recalls Cadbury Dairy Milk Cheesecake (2 x 85g; Use by 5 June, 6 June, 11 June 2019) and Cadbury Dairy Milk Caramel Cheesecake (2 x 85g; Use by 5 June, 6 June, 11 June 2019) due to Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

Food Safety Recall (Hong Kong): Etak International Ltd recalls Johnsonville brand JALAPEÑO CHEDDAR Smoked Sausage (14 oz; Best before June 9, 2019; Product of USA) due to foreign matter contamination.

Australia and New Zealand

Allergy Alert (Australia): Mobu Enterprises Pty Ltd trading as OLÉ Mexican Foods recalls La Banderita White Corn Street Tacos (Best Before 18/06/2019, 02/07/2019, 16/07/2019, 29/07/2019) due to undeclared gluten.

Food Safety Recall (New Zealand): Samurai Bowl recalls Samurai Bowl Miso Ramen, Samurai Bowl Spicy Miso, Samurai Bowl Original Ramen, and Samurai Bowl Tonketsu (820g; All batches and dates) due to possible Staphylococcus enterotoxin contamination.

*My thanks to Simone Hertzberger, Chief Editor of the Dutch Flemish Food Safety Newsletter for the information on spéculoos.