Category: outbreaks and alerts

E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak In Canada – Again!

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning the public not to consume certain frozen beef burgers, due to a risk of E. coli O157:H7 contamination after finding E. coli O157:H7 in products tested as part of an “ongoing outbreak investigation.” The Public Health Agency of Canada has not yet released any information about this new outbreak.

Canada Safeway Limited has recalled the following products, which were distributed in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Northwest Territories:

  • The Gourmet Meat Shoppe Big & Juicy Burger (1.13 kg: UPC 0 58200 10650 3; Best before 2013 AU 14 EST 752)
  • The Gourmet Meat Shoppe Prime Rib Burger (907g; UPC 0 58200 10733 3; Best before 2013 AU 14 EST 752)
  • The Butcher’s Cut Pure Beef Patties, 10 Patties (1.13 kg; UPC 0 58200 21604 2; Best before 2013 AU 14 EST 752)
  • The Butcher’s Cut Pure Beef Patties, 20 Patties (2.27 kg; UPC 0 58200 21592 2; Best before 2013 AU 14 EST 752)
  • The Butcher’s Cut Pure Beef Patties, 40 Patties (4.45 kg; UPC 0 58200 21594 6; Best before 2013 AU 14 EST 752)

All of the above-listed products originated from Cardinal Meat Specialists Limited (Establishment 752. 155 Hedgedale Road, Brampton, Ontario). This is the same establishment that was linked to a 5-case outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 in December 2012. The same establishment that was investigated ‘extensively’ – and fruitlessly – by CFIA in December 2012.

The detailed report promised in its final investigation update, posted on December 24th, has not yet been released to the public. Perhaps it’s just as well; that ‘final’ report would have been premature.

At this stage of the investigation, all we have are questions:

  1. How large is this outbreak? How many patients? Which provinces?
  2. Is this the same genetic strain of E. coli O157:H7 that was responsible for the December 2012 outbreak?
  3. Has production been suspended at the Cardinal Meat facility? If not, why not?
  4. What does CFIA plan to do this time to improve on its December 2012 performance?

This is the third meat-related E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Canada in less than one year. What is the federal government doing to prevent E. coli O157:H7 from spiraling out of control in Canadian beef?

Recalls and Alerts: April 5, 2011

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

  • Allergy Alert: Wayne Farms (Decatur, AL) recalls frozen, breaded, fully cooked Italian-style chicken breast fillet products, because they contain undeclared egg. The recalled products were produced between August 3, 2010 and November 13, 2010 and were shipped – unbranded and under the “The Deli Best” and “Dutch Quality House” brands – for foodservice use nationwide and to distribution centers in New Jersey and Massachusetts.
  • Allergy Alert: Cottage Grove Farmhouse Bakery (Cottage Grove, OR) recalls Wheat Sourdough Bread (Pull dates 03-31, 04-02 and 04-05), Oatmeal Bread (Pull date 03-31), and Garlic Basil Parmesan Bread (Pull date 03-31) because they may contain undeclared pasteurized egg white.
  • Allergy Alert: Sassy Cow Creamery, LLC (Columbus, WI) recalls Blueberry Cheesecake and Butter Pecan Ice Cream (qt. and half-gallon cartons; Best by 9/17/11 or earlier) because it may contain undeclared peanuts or egg and soy. The recalled ice cream was distributed in retail stores in Wisconsin and Illinois.
  • Food Safety Recall: Frankly Fresh, Inc. (Carson, CA) recalls its seafood line of products, because the products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled product was distributed in California and Nevada through retail supermarkets. Some of the recalled items were sold under the Cedar Lane and Frankly Fresh labels in Food4Less stores, and under the Frankly Fresh label in Ralphs stores.
  • Food Safety Recall: Arko Foods International (Los Angeles, CA) recalls Angelina Brand Smoked Roundscad, 8oz packs, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum. The recalled product was distributed in California, Nevada, Arizona, Washington, New York, Texas, Maryland, and Florida through retail stores, supermarkets, and wholesale distributors.
  • Food Safety Recall: Fresh Express recalls Bag Spinach, 9 oz. (Product codes starting with H081 and H082; Use-by dates of April 6 and April 7), due to a positive Salmonella result from random sample testing. The recalled spinach was distributed in Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Ohio and Maine, with possible redistribution in New Jersey, Virginia, Delaware, Vermont, New Hampshire, West Virginia and DC.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert: Jennie-O Turkey Store (Willmar, MN) recalls approximately 54,960 pounds of frozen, raw turkey burger products (Use by DEC 23 2011; Lot codes 32710 through 32780) that may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled products consist of 4-pound boxes of Jennie-O Turkey Store® “All Natural Turkey Burgers with seasonings Lean White Meat”. Each box contains 12 1/3-pound individually wrapped burgers. CDC reports that 12 people in 10 states have been infected with a multiple antibiotic-resistant strain of Salmonella Hadar after consuming turkey burgers. At least three of the outbreak victims reported eating Jennie-O Turkey burgers the week before their illness began. Samples of the implicated burgers were recovered from the homes of two infected individuals; both samples were positive for the outbreak strain. Jennie-O Turkey Store burgers were available in Sam’s Club nationwide.
  • Health Supplement Safety Recall: AVNS Inc. recalls THE BEST Enhancement Supplement after being informed by the manufacturer (Drive Total Energy) that FDA lab analysis detected undeclared Sulfosildenafil, an analogue of Sildenafil, in a sample of the product. Sildenafil is an FDA-approved drug used in the treatment of male Erectile Dysfunction and may cause serious side effects.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert: Rhode Island Department of Health recalls all baked goods from DeFusco’s Bakery in Johnston, RI. Please see the recall notice for a complete list of food establishments that purchased baked goods from DeFusco’s. As of April 5, 2011, zeppole pastries from DeFusco have been linked to 61 cases of Salmonella illness (60 in Rhode Island and 1 in Massachusetts); 27 victims were hospitalized (5 remain in hospital). Thirty-one of the illness cases were lab-confirmed Salmonella infections. An inspection of DeFusco’s conducted on March 25, 2011 by Rhode Island’s Office of Food Protection revealed numerous Violations of Code, including the storage of ready-to-eat baked pastry shells in boxes that had been used to store raw shell eggs, and improper storage temperature of perishable products.

Canada

  • Allergy Alert: Van de Water Raymond Ltée recalls Milupa Oatmeal Cereal – Apples, 227g (all lots where the label bears a “Gluten Free” claim), due to the presence of undeclared gluten. The recalled product was distributed through retailers nationally.
  • Allergy Alert: Brandfusion Ltd. recalls “Krazy!” for Kernels Extraordinary Popcorn Sassy Salt & Vinegar seasoning (110g packages; all lot codes), due to the presence of undeclared milk protein. The recalled product was distributed nationally.
  • Allergy Alert: Cuisine V.M. Inc. recalls various ready-to-eat sandwiches, subs and tortillas (best before dates up to and including April 7, 2011), due to the presence of undeclared egg, milk, soy, sesame seeds, wheat, fish and/or sulphites.
  • Allergy Alert: Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning people with allergies to peanuts not to consume the Doctor’s CarbRite Diet Chocolate Brownie bars (56.7g; Code EXP101211), due to the presence of undeclared peanuts. The product may have been distributed nationally.
  • Allergy Alert: Health Canada warns that two probiotic natural health products – Friendly Flora and Healthy Skin With Greens+ – contain undeclared trace amounts of milk from ingredients used in the production process.
  • Food Safety Recall/Outbreak Alert: Amira Enterprises Inc. recalls certain bulk and prepackaged raw shelled walnut products (all Best Before dates; all lot codes), because the products may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The recalled products include raw shelled walnuts sold from a bulk bin, prepackaged raw shelled walnuts (Amira, Tia and Merit Selection brands), Mistral Mix containing walnuts (Amira and Tia brands) and Salad booster containing walnuts (Amira and Tia brands). The recalled walnuts were imported from the USA and may have originated in California (see Amira web site). Thirteen people in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick have contracted E. coli o157:H7 infections after consuming raw shelled walnuts. Nine victims were hospitalized and two of them developed hemolytic uremic syndrome.

Europe

  • Allergy Alert (Denmark): Semper AB recalls Småfolk Majspuffar (15g; All Best Before dates), because the product may contain undeclared traces of celery.
  • Allergy Alert (UK): Sainsbury’s withdraws Freefrom Chocolate Sponge Pudding (Best before 13 April 2011), because the product contains low levels of undeclared milk protein.
  • Food Safety Recall (Denmark): Newdan Food Trading Ltd. recalls X-tra neutral marinated chicken breast fillets with added 13% brine (Product of Germany; Expiry date: 12/4-2011), due to possible contamination with Salmonella.
  • Food Safety Recall (Ireland): Joyce’s Irish Lean Country Bacon Ltd. recalls Joyce’s Fresh ‘N Tasty Traditional Home Cooked Ham, 300g packs (Batch codes 143 and 156; use-by date: 25.04.11) due to a possible inappropriate use- by date and risk of microbial cross-contamination during packing.
  • Food Recall (France): Kerlys recalls Saint Eloi chez Intermarché cans of Céleri Râpé Assaisonné (grated, seasoned celery), due to a packaging defect that may result in perforation of the can and subsequent product contamination and spoilage.
  • Food Recall (Denmark): Stryhns A/S recalls certain liver pâtés, due to lack of manufactur and expiry date stamps.
  • Food Safety Alert (Belgium): The Federal Food Safety Agency (AFSCA) notifies consumers of the temporary closure of a food distribution facility at Jodoigne, due to improper storage of food products (including improper storage temperatures).
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Alert (Sweden): The National Food Administration warns that the dietary supplement Redux Retinalin, 500 mg, has been shown to contain high levels of B vitamin nicotinic acid. Several adverse reactions have been reported.
  • Consumer Product Safety Recall (France): Simnex recalls bottles of Soap Bubble Liquid (Product of China; Reference #6528), due to contamination with bacteria.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands

  • Food Safety Alert (Hong Kong): The Centre for Health Protection is investigating the complaint of a woman who developed throat pain and vomiting immediately after drinking a bottle of distilled water bought from a petrol station. Preliminary lab analysis showed the presence of sodium hydroxide.
  • Food Safety Enforcement (PRC): Nearly one-half of Chinese dairies inspected in a government safety audit have been ordered to stop production. The closures affect producers that account for about 10% of the market.
  • Food Safety Alert (Singapore): The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore has suspended the import of fruits and vegetables from Japan’s Hyogo prefecture, after detecting radioactive contaminants in a sample of cabbage.
  • Food Safety Alert (Korea): Korea has suspended the importation of Japanese agricultural products from Chiba, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochiki and Gunma prefectures due to possible contamination with radioactive materials.

Australia and New Zealand

  • Food Safety Alert (Australia): South Australia Health warns the public about the dangers of picking and eating wild mushroom, after Death Cap mushrooms (Amanita phalloides) were found in the Adelaide Hills.
  • Dietary Supplement Safety Recall (Australia): JT Publishing Pty Ltd recalls Chao Jimengnan ‘SuperPowerful Man’ tablets (all batches), because the product contains the prescription-only ingredients sulfosildenafil and tadalafil.

Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket’s recall web site.

Outbreaks and Alerts: January 3, 2011

A daily digest of international outbreaks, alerts and food safety news

United States
  • Multistate Outbreak. December 28th: Alfalfa sprouts from Tiny Green Organic Farm (Urbana, IL) have been blamed for an outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium (Salmonella I 4,[5],12:i:-), which has sickened at least 94 people in 16 states and the District of Columbia.

     

  • West Virginia. December 30th: Food Safety News reports that the Cabell-Huntington County Health Department has vaccinated 236 people after 11 individuals were infected with hepatitis A in the Milton, WV area. The source of the hepatitis outbreak has not been identified.

     

  • New York, NY. January 3rd: The Queen Mary 2, en route to New York from Southampton, was boarded in St. Kitts by an inspector from the CDC Vessel Sanitation Program after the cruise ship reporting that 185 passengers (out of a total of 2,483) and 29 crew members were suffering from diarrhea and vomiting.

     

Canada
  • Laval, QC. December 29th: The Cité-de-la-Santé Hospital in Laval has closed its doors to visitors in an attempt to control an outbreak of gastroenteritis that has affected both patients and staff at the hospital. Ambulances have been instructed to avoid the hospital until further notice.

     

  • Hamilton, ON. January 2nd: Clostridium difficile contributed to the death of a 91-year old woman at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton, bringing the total number of C. difficile related deaths at the facility to eleven since October 2010.

     

Europe

  • Swansea, Wales, UK. January 3rd: Managers at Morriston Hospital have closed seven wards and asked the public to avoid visiting the hospital as part of a program to contain an outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis.

     

     

  • Bonn/Koblenz, Germany, January 3rd: A passenger who was infected with norovirus before boarding the Prinses Juliana has been identified as the source of an outbreak of gastroenteritis among passengers of the Rhine cruise ship. The ship was quarantined for one day after 50 of the ship’s 150 passengers developed diarrhea and vomiting.

     

  • Kalmykia, Russia. January 3rd: An emergency has been declared after veterinarians detected anthrax in meat from a slaughtered cow. Eight cases of human anthrax also are suspected, but have not yet been confirmed.

     

Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands
  • Hong Kong. December 30th: The Centre for Food Safety reports that fresh pig liver may be one of the sources of food-borne hepatitis E virus infections in Hong Kong, after determining that 16 out of 51 liver samples from roaster pigs were positive for the virus.

     

  • Beijing, China. December 31st: A random inspection of 35 rice noodle factories in Dongguan in early December revealed that only 5 of the 35 factories were manufacturing rice noodles that met government standards. Among the problems found during the inspections were noodles made with rotten grain and potentially carcinogenic additives.

     

  • Cebu, Philippines. January 1st: Twelve cases of diarrhea have been reported in Catmon (Cebu province). One person has died.

     

  • Harare, Zimbabwe. January 3rd: Cholera has been reported in at least 20 households in the Mbare suburb of Majubheki. According to news reports, the sewage system in Mbare has broken down, resulting in the contamination of drinking water with raw sewage.

     

  • Jakarta, Indonesia. January 3rd: Six members of one Central Java family died from apparent food poisoning after eating tiwul, a traditional dish made from dried cassava powder.

     

  • Papua New Guinea. January 3rd: PNG’s cholera outbreak has spread to another district in East Sepik, with at least 10 confirmed deaths. In a separate incident, a nurse at Port Moresy General Hospital became infected with cholera after coming into contact with a patient’s feces and vomit.

     

Latin America and the Caribbean

 

  • Jamaica. December 23rd: The Ministry of Health is investigating a possible case of food poisoning after eleven persons who shared a meal were taken to St. Ann’s Bay hospital. One of the eleven victims was dead on arrival, and the others received treatment. Samples of the meal were taken for testing, but no results have been released as of January 3rd.

     

  • Dominican Republic. December 30th: Vibrio cholerae, has been found in the drinking water of two villages adjacent to the border with Haiti. At least 20 people in the area are suffering from cholera-like symptoms; 139 cholera cases have been confirmed nationwide.

     

  • Tambor, Costa Rica. December 31st: Salmonella was found in a sample of chicken served at the Hotel Barceló Playa Tambor after 80 hotel guests complained of gastrointestinal symptoms. Nevertheless, none of the ill guests were found to be infected with Salmonella; instead, they were determined to be suffering from norovirus infections. The hotel was closed on December 26th as a result of the outbreak, and remained closed through the New Year’s weekend.

     

  • Bolivar, Colombia. December 31st: A possible cholera outbreak in temporary shelters in three municipalities has health authorities on the alert. The shelters were opened to house people who were forced to flee areas affected by flooding.

     

  • Haiti. December 31st: The death toll from Haiti’s cholera epidemic has reached 3,333; more than 150,000 infections have been reported.