Norovirus-contaminated oysters sicken hundreds in Canada, USA

Consumption of raw or undercooked oysters from British Columbia is blamed for 321 cases of norovirus gastroenteritis in three Canadian provinces, according to an updated report from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), released March 27.

The outbreak, which has affected residents of British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, began in December 2016 and is ongoing.

The British Columbia Center for Disease Control (BCCDC) first alerted the public to the problem on Jan. 13, reporting more than 70 cases of norovirus gastroenteritis in four different health districts. All of the illnesses were associated with consumption of raw or undercooked oysters consumed either in restaurants or in private homes.

On Jan. 20, Alberta Health Services (AHS) reported a cluster of 10 cases of gastrointestinal illness, which occurred in the Edmonton area between Jan. 10-12. The outbreak victims had consumed raw oysters. The cause of the illnesses was not verified by laboratory testing.

On Feb. 2, Ontario’s Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health alerted residents of Canada’s largest province about 24 reported cases of “gastrointestinal illness consistent with norovirus” in individuals who had eaten raw or undercooked oysters.

PHAC issued an initial Public Health Notice on Feb. 7, and has been updating the case count periodically. As of March 28’s update, 321 clinical cases of gastroenteritis linked to oysters had been reported between Dec. 4, 2016, and March 18, this year: 223 in British Columbia, 42 in Alberta and 56 in Ontario. Not all of the outbreak victims were tested for norovirus; however, testing in several cases has confirmed the presence of the virus in those patients.

According to a spokesperson from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), seven shellfish aquaculture sites have been temporarily closed by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The closures are based on sample results and/or epidemiological assessments. Investigation is ongoing into other harvest areas that have been linked to illnesses.

CFIA has mandated additional control measures for shellfish processing establishments to follow, and is conducting compliance verification activities to confirm that the supplementary measures have been implemented effectively. According to a March 7 notice to the industry, these additional measures will remain in effect until the outbreak has been declared over.

Not just in Canada

Seattle-King County Public Health is investigating a series of illnesses associated with consumption of oysters harvested along the Washington coast. Between Jan. 10 and March 20, as many as 39 people may have become ill after eating raw oysters at one of several different restaurants or private events in the county.

King is the most populous county in Washington State. Seattle is the county seat, and is the location of most of the restaurants associated with the illnesses. Victims of the outbreaks suffered from nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. No laboratory confirmation is available; however these symptoms are ‘suggestive’ of norovirus, according to a March 28 news release issued by THe health department.

While oysters served at the retail locations were harvested from various areas along the Washington coast, one small part of Samish Bay accounted for 22 illnesses linked to four servings. A section of the Samish Bay growing area was closed on March 17 for all species.

In recent months, outbreaks of norovirus gastroenteritis in countries as far apart as New Zealand and France also have been linked to consumption of raw or undercooked oysters. An unspecified number of reported illnesses in France triggered a Jan. 5 suspension of oyster and mussel harvest from Thau in the Hérault prefecture. Live bivalve mollusks from Thau were exported to China, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Luxembourg, Macao, the Netherlands, Thailand, Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates.

What consumers need to know

Bivalve mollusks (clams, oysters, mussels and scallops) feed on algae. Oysters take in 1.5 to 10.0 liters of water per hour per gram of body weight, which can amount to more than 50 gallons of water in a 24-hour period. Plankton and other suspended matter, including bacteria and viruses, are trapped as the water passes over the gills and concentrated within.

In a study published in December 2016, French researchers used nucleic acid amplification techniques to estimate the number of norovirus particles in oysters implicated in several outbreaks. They found between 43 and 1170 viruses per oyster.

Norovirus has a reported infectious dose of just 10-100 particles. Thus, consuming even a single contaminated raw oyster could be enough to infect a susceptible consumer in some cases.

Norovirus gastroenteritis is a short-lived but highly unpleasant illness. Typically, symptoms include nausea, vomiting and a copious, watery diarrhea, and last from one to five days. The virus is highly contagious, and can be spread through contaminated food and water, via direct person-to-person transfer, or through hand-to-mouth contact with contaminated surfaces. With an incubation period of just 24-48 hours, the illness can snowball in confined places, such as cruise ships, hotels, hospitals and nursing homes.

Health authorities in Canada and the USA urge consumers to take the following precautions when preparing or eating oysters and other bivalve mollusks:

Ensure oysters are fully cooked before consuming them. It is recommended to cook oysters to an internal temperature of 90° C (194° F) for a minimum of 90 seconds. Quick steaming or cooking oysters until the shells just open is not enough to kill norovirus.
Discard any oysters that do not open when cooked.
Eat oysters right away after cooking, and refrigerate leftovers.
Always keep raw and cooked oysters separate.
Wash your hands well with soap before handling any food. Be sure to wash your hands, cutting boards, counters, knives and other utensils after preparing raw foods.
If you develop symptoms of nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, wait at least 48 hours after the last episode of vomiting and/or diarrhea before preparing any food for others.

This article first appeared on Food Safety News and is reposted here with permission.

Canadian E. coli Outbreak Traced to Robin Hood Flour

Canadians are being warned today not to use or eat Robin Hood brand All Purpose Flour, Original (10 kg; Lot codes containing BB/MA 2018 AL 17 and 6 291 548; UPC 0 59000 01652 8), as these products may be contaminated with E. coli O121.

Smucker Foods of Canada Corp. initiated a recall after the product was linked to an outbreak of E. coli O121 that has sickened 25 people since mid-November 2016. All 25 outbreak victims were infected with the same genetic strain of E. coli O121. The recalled product was sold in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.

Six individuals were hospitalized; all six either have recovered or are recovering from their illnesses. The youngest victim was eight years old, and the eldest was 79. Fourteen men and 11 women are among the 25 victims. There have been no deaths.

Cases were reported in British Columbia (12), Saskatchewan (4), Alberta (4) and Newfoundland and Labrador (5). The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) advises that their ongoing investigation may lead to additional product recalls.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and CFIA remind consumers that it is not safe to taste or eat raw dough or batter, regardless of the type of flour used, as raw flour can be contaminated with harmful bacteria such as E.coli.

Symptoms of E. coli infection can include severe stomach cramps, watery or bloody diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and headache, and last 5-10 days in most cases. Typically, there is little or no fever.

PHAC urges the public to take the following precautions:

Do not use or eat recalled Robin Hood All Purpose Flour, Original. Secure the recalled product in a plastic bag and throw it out or return it to the store where it was purchased for a refund.
If you have flour without its original packaging and are unsure if it is included in the food recall, throw it out just to be safe.
Thoroughly wash any containers that were used to store the recalled product before using them again.
If you suspect you may have used recalled flour to make baked goods or a non-baked product, such as children’s play-dough, throw it out. Wash all surfaces or containers where the product may have been used or stored.
Wash your hands with soap and warm water immediately following any contact with the recalled product.

Tracking the SoyNut Butter Recall

UPDATED MARCH 24, 2017 WITH ADDITIONAL RETAIL DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION in USA and CANADA

Twenty-three people, twenty of them under 18 years of age, have been infected with E. coli O157:H7, according to an updated report released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The youngest victim is 2 years old.

Ten of the victims have been hospitalized, and seven are suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially life-threatening complication of E. coli O157:H7 infections.

Illnesses have been reported from nine states, including Arizona (4), California (5), Maryland (1), Missouri (1), New Jersey (1), Oregon (6), Virginia (2) Washington (2) and Wisconsin (1).

Although the SoyNut Butter Co. is headquartered in Illinois, no illnesses have been reported from that state.

All 15 of the victims interviewed by outbreak investigators reported either eating I.M. Healthy brand SoyNut Butter at home (nine people) in the week before they became ill, attending a facility that served I.M. Health brand SoyNut Butter (two people), or attending childcare centers that served I.M. Healthy brand SoyNut Butter and I.M. Healthy brand granola coated with SoyNut Butter (four people).

On March 3rd, The SoyNut Butter Co. recalled certain production date codes of I.M. Healthy Original Creamy SoyNut Butter. This recall was expanded to include all varieties of I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butters and all varieties of I.M. Healthy Granola products on March 7th.

The recall was expanded once more on March 10th to include Dixie Diner’s Club brand Carb Not Beanit Butter (all Best By dates). The Dixie Diner’s Club product was sold only via mail order or online portals.

On March 24th, Pro Sports Club (Bellevue, WA) recalled 36,957 20/20 Life Styles brand Yogurt Peanut Crunch bars (2 oz net wt; lot code B.B. 22JUL17 (best by July 22, 2017), UPC Code 78571 00052) that were manufactured using an ingredient recalled by Soy Nut Butter Company. The bars were sold directly to clients at the PRO Sports facilities in Bellevue, Redmond and Seattle (Washington state) between August 8, 2016 and March 10, 2017. Product was also sold to internet customers through www.2020lifestyles.com.

Where were the recalled products sold?

The recalled products were distributed in multiple states and may have been purchased in stores or through mail order. They were also distributed to childcare centers and schools in multiple states. FDA is constrained by regulation from revealing details of the retail distribution.

The following recalled products also were distributed across Canada:

I.M. Healthy Creamy SoyNut Butter – 425g/15 oz (UPC 6 54989 91010 4 and 6 54989 94020 0)
I.M. Healthy Chunky SoyNut Butter – 425g/15 oz (UPC 6 54989 92010 3 and 6 54989 95020 9)
I.M. Healthy Unsweetened SoyNut Butter – 425g (UPC 6 54989 96020 8)
I.M. Healthy Unsweetened Creamy SoyNut Butter – 425g/15 oz (UPC 6 54989 93010 2)
I.M. Healthy Honey SoyNut Butter – 4255 (UPC 6 54989 97020 7)
I.M. Healthy Honey Creamy SoyNut Butter – 425g/15 oz (UPC 6 54989 94010 1)
I.M. Healthy Chocolate SoyNut Butter – 425g/15 oz (UPC 6 54989 97010 8 and 6 54989 98020 6)
I.M. Healthy Original Granola – 340g/12 oz (UPC 6 54989 40035 3)
I.M. Healthy Raisin & Cranberry Granola – 340g/12 oz (UPC 6 54989 40036 0)
I.M. Healthy Apple Granola – 340g/12 oz (UPC 6 54989 40037 7)
I.M. Healthy Blueberry Granola – 340g/12 oz (UPC 6 54989 40038 4)

Dixie Diners’ Club brand Carb Not Beanit Butter (15 oz.; all product codes; UPC 6 16578 78105 2)

New Era Nutrition Inc. has recalled the following energy bars:
SoLo GI Lemon Lift – 50g (Codes BB/MA 11/04/17/ 5410621700, 02/02/18/ 5410630700 & 04/09/18/ 5410700900; UPC 8 97024 00060 0)
SoLo GI Lemon Lift – 12 x 50g (Codes BB/MA 11/04/17/ 5410621700, 02/02/18/ 5410630700 & 04/09/18/ 5410700900; UPC 8 97024 00061 7)
SoLo GI White Chocolate Cherry – 50g (Codes BB/MA 12/22/17/ 5410626600, & 04/12/18/ 5410701200; UPC 8 97024 00109 6)
SoLo GI White Chocolate Cherry – 12 x 50g (Codes BB/MA 12/22/17/ 5410626600, & 04/12/18/ 5410701200; UPC 8 97024 00110 2)
SoLo GI Pineapple Coconut – 50g (BB/MA 02/02/18/ 5410630700; UPC 8 97024 00066 2)
SoLo GI Pineapple Coconut – 12 x 50g (BB/MA 02/02/18/ 5410630700; UPC 8 97024 00067 9)

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services advises that the following retailers in the state sold one or more of the recalled products: Shaw’s, Hannaford, Target, Market Basket, DeMoulas, and Whole Foods locations; Hanover Coop, Littleton Coop, Lebanon Coop, and Philbrick’s Fresh Market in Portsmouth; and to the food distributor United Natural Foods Inc.

Based on a search of retailer websites, the following is a partial distribution list in the US:

Baker’s
I.M. Healthy Creamy SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-91010; 15 oz)
I.M. Healthy Honey SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-94010; 15 oz)
I.M. Healthy Chocolate SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-97010: 15 oz)

Big Y
I.M. Healthy Original Creamy SoyNut Butter (UPC 65498991010; 15 oz)
I.M. Healthy Unsweetened SoyNut Butter (UPC 65498993010; 15 oz)
I.M. Healthy Creamy Honey SoyNut Butter (UPC 65498994010; 15 oz)

Buehlers Fresh Foods
I.M. Healthy items (see recall notice for details)

City Market
I.M. Healthy Creamy SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-91010; 15 oz)
I.M. Healthy Honey SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-94010; 15 oz)
I.M. Healthy Chocolate SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-97010: 15 oz)

Copps
Granola w/Raisins & Cranberries – 12 oz (UPC 54989-40036)
Sugar Free Creamy SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989-93010)
Original Granola – 12 oz (UPC 54989-40035)
Granola w/Apples – 12 oz (UPC 54989-40037)
Granola w/Blueberries – 12 oz (UPC 54989-40038)
Original Creamy SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989-91010)
Original Chunky SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989-92010)
Honey Creamy SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989-94010)
Honey Chunky SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989-95010)
Sugar Free Chunky SoyNut Butter – (UPC 54989-96010)
Chocolate SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989-97010)

Davis Food Co-op (Davis, CA)
I.M. Healthy Original Creamy SoyNut Butter

Dillons
I.M. Healthy Creamy SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-91010; 15 oz)
I.M. Healthy Honey SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-94010; 15 oz)
I.M. Healthy Chocolate SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-97010: 15 oz)

Food City
I.M. Healthy Soy Nut Butter 15 oz.

Fred Meyer
I.M. Healthy Creamy SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-91010; 15 oz)
I.M. Healthy Honey SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-94010; 15 oz)
I.M. Healthy Chocolate SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-97010: 15 oz)

Fry’s
I.M. Healthy Creamy SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-91010; 15 oz)
I.M. Healthy Honey SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-94010; 15 oz)
I.M. Healthy Chocolate SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-97010: 15 oz)

Gerbes
I.M. Healthy Creamy SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-91010; 15 oz)
I.M. Healthy Honey SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-94010; 15 oz)
I.M. Healthy Chocolate SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-97010: 15 oz)

Giant Eagle
SOY NUT BUTTER CREAMY (UPC 65498991010)
IMHLT SOYNUT BUTTERCHUNKY (UPC 65498992010)
I’M HEALTHY ORIG CREAMY CHOCOLATE SOYNUT BUTTER (UPC 65498997010)

Giant Food
I.M. Healthy Chocolate SoyNut Butter – 15 OZ (UPC: 65498997010)
I.M. Healthy Chunky SoyNut Butter – 15 OZ (UPC: 65498992010)
I.M. Healthy Creamy SoyNut Butter – 15 OZ (UPC: 65498991010)
I.M. Healthy Unsweetened Creamy SoyNut Butter – 15 OZ (UPC: 65498993010)

Hannaford
IM Healthy Original Creamy Soy Nut Butter (UPC 654989 91010)

Harris Teeter
SoyNut Butter Creamy (15 oz; UPC 006 549 899 1010)

King Soopers
I.M. Healthy Creamy SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-91010; 15 oz)
I.M. Healthy Honey SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-94010; 15 oz)
I.M. Healthy Chocolate SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-97010: 15 oz)

Kroger
(stores located in Georgia; South Carolina; Auburn, Alabama; Greater Cincinnati (including Northern Kentucky and Dayton, Ohio plus South Eastern Indiana); Central and Northwest Ohio; Northwestern Virginia panhandle; Michigan; Indiana (except SE Indiana, -Evansville-); Illinois; Eastern Missouri; Greater Louisville area (including Indiana) and Lexington, Kentucky; Greater Memphis area, Tennessee; Arkansas; Mississippi; Western Kentucky; Hopkinsville and Bowling Green, Kentucky; Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee; Huntsville, Alabama; North Carolina; Virginia; Eastern West Virginia; Eastern Kentucky; Southeastern Ohio; Texas and Louisiana)
I.M. Healthy Creamy SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-91010; 15 oz)
I.M. Healthy Honey SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-94010; 15 oz)
I.M. Healthy Chocolate SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-97010: 15 oz)

Lowes Foods
IM Healthy Soy Nut Creamy Butter (UPC 6-54989-91010)

Lucky Supermarkets
IM Healthy Original Creamy SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 65498991010)

Mariano’s
Granola w/Raisins & Cranberries – 12 oz (UPC 54989-40036)
Sugar Free Creamy SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989-93010)
Original Granola – 12 oz (UPC 54989-40035)
Granola w/Apples – 12 oz (UPC 54989-40037)
Granola w/Blueberries – 12 oz (UPC 54989-40038)
Original Creamy SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989-91010)
Original Chunky SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989-92010)
Honey Creamy SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989-94010)
Honey Chunky SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989-95010)
Sugar Free Chunky SoyNut Butter – (UPC 54989-96010)
Chocolate SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989-97010)

Martins
I.M. Healthy Chocolate SoyNut Butter – 15 OZ (UPC: 65498997010)
I.M. Healthy Chunky SoyNut Butter – 15 OZ (UPC: 65498992010)
I.M. Healthy Creamy SoyNut Butter – 15 OZ (UPC: 65498991010)
I.M. Healthy Unsweetened Creamy SoyNut Butter – 15 OZ (UPC: 65498993010)

Metro Market
Granola w/Raisins & Cranberries – 12 oz (UPC 54989-40036)
Sugar Free Creamy SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989-93010)
Original Granola – 12 oz (UPC 54989-40035)
Granola w/Apples – 12 oz (UPC 54989-40037)
Granola w/Blueberries – 12 oz (UPC 54989-40038)
Original Creamy SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989-91010)
Original Chunky SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989-92010)
Honey Creamy SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989-94010)
Honey Chunky SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989-95010)
Sugar Free Chunky SoyNut Butter – (UPC 54989-96010)
Chocolate SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989-97010)

Pick ‘n Save
Granola w/Raisins & Cranberries – 12 oz (UPC 54989-40036)
Sugar Free Creamy SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989-93010)
Original Granola – 12 oz (UPC 54989-40035)
Granola w/Apples – 12 oz (UPC 54989-40037)
Granola w/Blueberries – 12 oz (UPC 54989-40038)
Original Creamy SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989-91010)
Original Chunky SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989-92010)
Honey Creamy SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989-94010)
Honey Chunky SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989-95010)
Sugar Free Chunky SoyNut Butter – (UPC 54989-96010)
Chocolate SoyNut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989-97010)

Price Chopper
I.M. Healthy Original Chunky Soy Nut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 65498 99201)
I.M. Healthy Creamy Soy Nut Butter – 15 oz (UPC 54989 91010)

Publix
I.M. Healthy Original Creamy SoyNut Butter

QFC
I.M. Healthy Creamy SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-91010; 15 oz)
I.M. Healthy Honey SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-94010; 15 oz)
I.M. Healthy Chocolate SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-97010: 15 oz)

Ralph’s
I.M. Healthy Creamy SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-91010; 15 oz)
I.M. Healthy Honey SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-94010; 15 oz)
I.M. Healthy Chocolate SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-97010: 15 oz)

Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op (Sacramento, CA)
I.M. Healthy Original Creamy SoyNut Butter

Schnucks
I.M. Healthy Soynut Butter Creamy (UPC 65498991010)
I.M. Healthy Soynut Butter Chunky (UPC 65498992010)
I.M. Healthy Soynut Butter Creamy Honey (UPC 65498994010)
I.M. Healthy Soynut Butter Creamy Unsweetened (UPC 65498993010)
I.M. Healthy Soynut Butter Creamy Chocolate (UPC 65498997010)

ShopRite
I.M. Healthy Creamy SoyNutButter – 15 oz. (UPC 65498993010)
I.M. Healthy Creamy SoyNutButter – 15 oz. (UPC 65498991010)
I.M. Healthy Chunky SoyNutButtter – 15 oz. (UPC 65498992010)

Smith’s
I.M. Healthy Creamy SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-91010; 15 oz)
I.M. Healthy Honey SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-94010; 15 oz)
I.M. Healthy Chocolate SoyNut Butter (UPC 654989-97010: 15 oz)

Sprouts Farmers Market
I.M. Healthy Butter-Soy Nut Creamy – 15 oz (UPC 6-54989-91010)

Stop and Shop
I.M. Healthy Chocolate SoyNut Butter – 15 OZ (UPC: 65498997010)
I.M. Healthy Chunky SoyNut Butter – 15 OZ (UPC: 65498992010)
I.M. Healthy Creamy SoyNut Butter – 15 OZ (UPC: 65498991010)
I.M. Healthy Unsweetened Creamy SoyNut Butter – 15 OZ (UPC: 65498993010)

Target
IM HEALTHY CREAMY SOY NUT BUTTER 15 OZ

U.S. Foods (foodservice)
I.M. Healthy SoyNut Butter – Original Creamy, Chunky, Honey Creamy, Unsweetened and Chocolate (15 oz plastic jars, individual portion cups, 4 lb plastic tubs, or 45 lb pails)
I.M. Healthy Granola – Original, Apple, Blueberry, and Raisin and Cranberry (individual serving packages, 12 oz bags, 50 oz bags, and 25 lb bulk bag)

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc.
I.M. Healthy Original Creamy SoyNut Butter

Whole Foods Market
I.M. Healthy Original Creamy SoyNut Butter

Please check back periodically, as this list will be updated whenever more information becomes available.