Author: Kit Redwine

Torri del Benaco, a picturesque village on the shores of Lake Garda in Italy, is currently grappling with a widespread Norovirus outbreak. In recent days, hundreds of residents have been hospitalized with severe gastrointestinal symptoms, prompting local authorities to take swift action. Reports suggest that approximately 300 people, roughly one-tenth of the village’s population, have sought medical treatment for symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever. Many of these cases have required hospitalization at the nearby Peschiera del Garda medical facility. The rapid spread of the illness led to an immediate investigation by health officials. Stool samples collected from…

Pine Brook, New Jersey-based Sunco and Frenchie LLC has issued a recall for Terrafina brand “Macadamia in the Raw” due to potential Salmonella contamination. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause serious infections, especially in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background The potential contamination was discovered through routine testing by the State of New York Department of Agriculture and Markets Food Laboratory. The affected product was distributed to retail stores in New York state by Oak Foods LLC as the distributor. The recalled nuts were originally manufactured by SolCaribe, S.A. in…

Fresno County, California health officials are investigating a suspected multi-person case of botulism, a rare but serious illness caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. The outbreak is believed to be connected to contaminated food served at a family gathering in Caruthers on June 21 and Clovis on June 22. The Fresno County Department of Public Health (FCDPH) is working in close collaboration with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to address this public health concern. Dr. Rais Vohra, Interim Health Officer for Fresno County, emphasized that while the…

An American travel blogger has stirred up controversy with his latest video, in which he deliberately sought to contract food poisoning by consuming street food in Lahore, Pakistan. The blogger, identified as Colin, documented his journey through the city’s streets, sampling various local delicacies with the explicit goal of falling ill. Colin’s video, which has since gone viral on Instagram, begins with a bold declaration of his intentions. “Eating street food until I get food poisoning,” he announces, explaining his plan to seek out the “weirdest things” he can find in Lahore’s culinary landscape. Throughout the video, he samples a…

Nova Scotia Health, in Nova Scotia, Canada, has issued a public health alert following the confirmation of a hepatitis A case in the province, according to a story in Now Toronto. An investigation by the agency has traced the source to a Tim Hortons in the city of Amherst, with potential exposure dates between May 30 and June 14. While officials emphasize that the risk to the public is low, they are urging vigilance. Individuals who dined at the identified Tim Hortons during the specified period are advised to monitor their health closely. Those experiencing symptoms since June 15 or…

Newburgh, NY-based Solata Foods LLC has issued a recall for their “Fresh Spinach” products due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes (“Listeria”). Listeria is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background Routine sampling by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Market Food Inspectors uncovered the contamination. Additional analysis confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. In response to this finding, Solata Foods LLC has suspended production of the affected products. Product Details The recall affects multiple sizes of fresh…

A severe food poisoning outbreak linked to a kebab shop in Abergavenny, Wales, in the UK has left at least one victim still suffering from health complications more than a year later. John Inglesby, 76, is among over 50 customers who contracted shigella bacteria after eating at Marmaris Kebab House in February 2023. Food Poisoning News reported on this story last month. Inglesby’s ordeal began when he visited the kebab shop shortly after returning to work following his wife’s death, according to The Sun. What should have been a comforting meal turned into a nightmare as he experienced severe symptoms…

A recent E. coli outbreak in the United Kingdom (previously covered by Food Poisoning News here and here), traced to contaminated lettuce, has claimed its first life in England. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported that while two individuals died within 28 days of infection, one death is likely connected to the Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection. Both deceased individuals had underlying medical conditions and passed away in May, according to Sky News. The outbreak has affected 275 people across the UK, with England reporting 182 cases, Scotland 58, Wales 31, and Northern Ireland 4. At least 122…

Despite Singapore’s reputation for cleanliness and stringent food safety regulations, gastroenteritis outbreaks continue to plague the city-state’s food establishments, according to a recent article on Channel News Asia. From street food kiosks to high-end restaurants, no sector seems immune to these incidents, highlighting the ongoing challenges in maintaining food hygiene standards. Recent statistics from the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) paint a complex picture. While the number of major gastroenteritis incidents has fluctuated since 2019, ranging from 44 to 60 cases annually (excluding the pandemic-affected 2020), the rate of foodborne illness cases per 100,000 population has remained relatively stable, hovering around…

Foppen Seafood, based in Harderwijk, The Netherlands, has initiated a recall of a specific lot of their Smoked Norwegian Salmon Slices due to potential Listeria monocytogenes (“Listeria”) contamination. Listeria is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background The presence of Listeria was discovered in a specific lot of the affected product was discovered during routine testing. The recalled smoked salmon was distributed to Kroger and Payless Supermarkets across 15 states, including AL, AR, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MI, MO,…