Eleven countries, including the United States, have recorded almost 150 Salmonella infections that could be linked to tomatoes.
Since January 2023, 149 cases of Salmonella Strathcona have been reported. Germany has the most patients, with 47, while Italy has 34. Most people fell sick between August and October.
The U.S. has eight cases. Six interviewed sick people had been to Spain, Italy, Croatia, France, and Slovenia. Four patients reported travel to Italy.
Austria has 17 cases, the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom have 13, and France has nine. Other affected countries are Finland, Denmark, Luxembourg, and Norway.
Different age groups are affected with no significant difference between genders.
Interviews of 52 cases revealed 32 reported consumption of fresh tomatoes before disease onset. In addition, 25 had consumed eggs, and 24 reported eating cheese.
A teleconference occurred earlier this month with experts in EU countries, the UK, and the United States to discuss the ongoing investigations.
A re-occurring seasonal incident, Salmonella Strathcona is a rare serotype in Europe. In 2022, 89 cases were recorded. An increase was seen between 2018 and 2019 when 28 and 98 cases were reported.
Denmark investigated a multi-country outbreak of Salmonella Strathcona in 2011, where datterino tomatoes from an Italian producer were suspected of being the vehicle of infection. In total, 43 cases were reported in Denmark and 28 from Germany, Italy, Austria, and Belgium.
Since then, outbreaks have occurred in Denmark and Germany in 2019 and 2020.
The 2023 outbreak has isolates that are genetically closely related to cases reported since 2011, indicating a common infection source.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said the incident appears to be a re-emerging, seasonal outbreak.
“Microbiological evidence indicates a common source. Epidemiological and microbiological data indicate that the most plausible hypothesis of the vehicle of infection could be tomatoes, but this hypothesis needs further investigation.
“The risk for new infections remains as long as the seasonal deliveries of contaminated produce continue. New outbreaks will likely occur in future seasons until the contaminated vehicle has been identified, traced back and control measures implemented.”
“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News
Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?
Click on the link to listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.
Pet foods “…are not a regulated commodity in Canada.”
According to a spokesperson with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the federal agency does not regulate the safety of domestic pet food.
As a result, the CFIA is sitting on the sidelines of the current investigation into an outbreak of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Salmonella infections that has sickened forty individuals in six Canadian provinces since mid-2020 and sent thirteen of them to hospital.
Many of the outbreak victims are children under the age of five years.
Most of the illnesses have been linked to exposure to raw pet food or to dogs that were fed raw pet food. A few of the illnesses were linked to contact with cattle, particularly calves.
The outbreak strain was found in raw pet food from the home of one of the outbreak victims.
Even so, the CFIA has not initiated a food safety investigation, as no known food source meant for human consumption has been associated with the outbreak.
Canada’s non-existent pet food regulation
“Canadian pet food manufacturers and importers are responsible for the safety and hygiene of pet food, including recalling pet food when needed.” – CFIA spokesperson
Pet owners who want to “buy Canadian” must rely exclusively on so-called voluntary compliance to ensure the safety of the kibbled, canned, cooked or raw foods they feed their pets.
Those pet food manufacturers who are members of the Pet Food Association of Canada (PFAC) voluntarily follow the nutritional standards set out by the American Association of Feed Control Officials.
Although it is the policy of the PFAC that its members implement and follow a recognized food safety program, membership in this organization is completely voluntary. Most members companies are multinational.
Smaller, Canadian owned and operated pet food and pet treat manufacturers—including raw pet food manufacturers—are notable by their absence from the membership list.
Implications for human and animal health
Over and over again, consumers in Canada and the United States have been the victims of foodborne illness outbreaks as a result of contact with pet foods and pet treats.
When a pet food-related outbreak is detected and investigated in the United States and its source determined, the US Food and Drug Administration becomes directly involved in the investigation, including oversight of any product recalls.
In Canada, however, the CFIA only becomes directly involved in an outbreak investigation when it is clear that a food meant for human consumption is associated with the outbreak.
The CFIA does notconduct any investigation of pet foods or pet treats, even when they are identified as probable sources of human illness.
The CFIA does notinspect any pet food production facilities, even when the items produced there have been fingered as probable sources of human illness.
The CFIA does notoversee any recalls undertaken by pet food or pet treat manufacturers, even when these products have been identified as risks to human health.
This laissez-faire policy on the part of the Canadian government is reflected in the duration and magnitude of the current outbreak.
In short, when it comes to pet food safety, Canadian consumers and their companion animals are completely on their own.
“A complete and compelling account of the hidden and not-so-hidden ways the food we give our beloved pets can be contaminated.” – JoNel Aleccia, Health Reporter, Food & Nutrition, The Associated Press.
“An invaluable resource for busy pet owners” – Food Safety News
Available from all major on-line retailers, including:
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.
If you would like to receive automatic email alerts for all new articles posted on eFoodAlert, please submit your request using the sidebar link.
“A complete and compelling account of the hidden and not-so-hidden ways the food we give our beloved pets can be contaminated.” – JoNel Aleccia, Health Reporter, Food & Nutrition, The Associated Press.
“An invaluable resource for busy pet owners” – Food Safety News
Available from all major on-line retailers, including:
OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION: The CDC, FDA, and various state and local partners are investigating an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes that has affected eleven people in seven states since August 2018. Ten of the eleven victims have been hospitalized and one death has been recorded. Seven out of seven people interviewed about the foods they ate prior to becoming ill reported having eaten peaches, nectarines, or plums. Epidemiological and lab data have linked the outbreak to stone fruit supplied by HMC Farms. The company announced a product recall on November 17th.
Food Safety Recall: Wilcox Ice Cream recalls all flavors of Wilcox brand ice cream, yogurt, and ice cream bars, as well as Leonardo’s brand gelato (All sizes; Best by / Sell by dates from 9/14/24 to 11/14/24) due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.
Food Safety Recall: Skyline Provisions, Inc. recalls approximately 5,620 pounds of raw ground beef products that may be contaminated with a foreign object. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Advertisements
Canada
Food Safety Recall: Victoria Community Food Hub Society recalls South Island brand Pesto (250 ml; Distributed on October 6, 17, and 26, 2023 at private functions and food fair shows in Victoria and Esquimalt, BC) due to risk of Clostridium botulinum growth.
Food Safety Recall: Fresh Start Foods recalls various brands and varieties of fresh cut fruit due to possible Salmonella contamination. Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products, which were distributed in Alberta, British Columbia and Manitoba and may also have reached other provinces and territories.
Advertisements
Europe
Allergy Alert (Belgium): Jumbo recalls Jumbo brand Yaourt « Lekker Vrij van Lactose » Magere Yoghurt / Lactose-free, low fat yoghurt (1 L; Best before 27-11-2023 & 04-12-2023) due to undeclared lactose.
Allergy Alert (Luxembourg): Manufacturer recalls ERIC FAVREbrandIso Zero Caffe Latte (Protéines en Poudre) / Protein powder (1.5 kg; Lot 0354; Best before 01/2026) due to undeclared gluten.
Food Safety Recall (France): SOCIETE ANDRE LOUSSOUARN recalls SAUCISSON CUIT FUME AMYLACE / Starchy smoked cooked sausage (1 kg or 4 x 300g; Lot 23452; Use by dates between 04/12/2023 & 09/12/2023) due to foreign matter contamination (metal).
Food Safety Recall (France): LES SALAISONS DIJON.A.SABATIER recalls Patrimoine Gourmand – Cora brand Jambon persillé Label Rouge / Parsley ham (Lot 307032; Use by 01/12/2023) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): LES SALAISONS DIJON.A.SABATIERrecalls Antoine Sabatier brand Terrine de campagne à l’ancienne à l’échalote en tranche / Old-fashioned country terrine with sliced shallot (Lot 306072; Use by 06/12/2023) due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): ABCD NUTRITION recalls Biothentic – Rayon Epicerie Vrac – LS brands Muesli crousti cacao bio / Organic crispy cocoa muesli (2.5 kg; Lot 48590; Best before 08/03/2024) due to possible foreign matter contamination (metal).
Food Safety Recall (France): CARREFOUR FRANCE recalls Carrefour brand Veritable Jambon Persille De Bourgogne / Real parsley ham (Sold from 13/11/2023 to 16/11/2023; Use by 19/12/2023) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): CARREFOUR FRANCE recalls SELECTIONNE PAR NOS CHARCUTIERS ! brand Veritable Jambon Persille De Bourgogne / Real parsley ham (Lot 313032; Use by 13/12/2023) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): CARREFOUR FRANCE recalls REFLETS DE FRANCE brand Jambon Persille Bourgogne / Parsley ham (180g; Lot 313015; Use by 13/12/2023) due to Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (France): LES SALAISONS DIJON.A.SABATIER ALDI recalls Le Marsigny brand Terrine au Chablis (200g; Lots 312045 & 311025; Use by 12/12/2023 & 11/12/2023, respectively) due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Italy): CAM Srl recalls VONGOLE VERACI / Clams (5 kg; Packed 16/11/2023) due to risk of microbiological contamination.
Food Safety Recall (Netherlands): Hoogvliet recalls Black Angus beef products due to foreign matter contamination (metal). Please refer to the recall notice for a complete list of affected products.
Australia & New Zealand
Food Safety Recall (Australia): B.-d. Farm Paris Creek recalls Paris Creek Farms brand Bio-dynamic fresh butter unsalted (200g; Best before 13JAN24) due to Yersinia enterocolitica contamination.
“Reads like a true crime novel” – Food Safety News
Interested in learning more about food safety and the history of foodborne disease outbreaks and investigations?
Click on the link to listen to a short excerpt, then follow the buy links to add a digital, print or audio copy to your personal library.
eFoodAlert 