Author: Kit Redwine
When we take antibiotics to fight a bacterial infection, we rarely consider the microscopic war raging within our bodies. Recent research from the Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, Norway sheds new light on how bacteria respond to antibiotic attacks, particularly focusing on the widely used antibiotic Ciprofloxacin, according to a recent article on phys.org. Ciprofloxacin works by targeting the DNA of bacterial cells, binding to a protein crucial for maintaining DNA structure. This interference creates chaos within the bacterial cell, leading to the formation of incomplete DNA strands. The…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a safety alert regarding a specific lot of live Pacific oysters from British Columbia, Canada distributed by Dailyfresh Shellfish, Inc. due to potential contamination with toxins that cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). Food Poisoning News recently reported on similar concerns about PSP along the Oregon and Washington coasts. Background This alert stems from recent monitoring by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), which detected elevated levels of paralytic shellfish toxins in shellfish from the harvest area in British Columbia. PSP toxins, also known as saxitoxins, are produced by naturally occurring marine…
Weston, OH-based Vitakraft Sun Seed Inc. has initiated a voluntary recall of a specific lot of their Sun Seed Vita Prima Hedgehog Food 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 contamination was discovered through routine random testing conducted by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture on June 18, 2024. Distribution of the affected lot spans 16 states: Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a critical alert to restaurants, food retailers, and consumers in Hawaii and California regarding potentially contaminated oysters imported from South Korea. The advisory concerns individually quick frozen (IQF) oysters produced by Central Fisheries Co., LTD, in the Republic of Korea, harvested on February 28, 2023, from Designated Area No. 2. This notice comes in response to potential norovirus contamination, a highly contagious pathogen that can cause severe gastroenteritis. Background On June 13, 2024, health officials in Hawaii alerted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about an outbreak of norovirus infections linked…
Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP) is investigating three linked food poisoning clusters involving nine individuals who dined at the Coffee House restaurant in The Kimberley Hotel, located in Tsim Sha Tsui. The incidents, which occurred on June 17 and 18, have raised concerns about food safety and hygiene practices in the establishment. The first cluster affected three women aged 54 to 82 who fell ill approximately 28 hours after consuming a lunch buffet on June 17. The second and third clusters affected six individuals who experienced symptoms about 12 to 14 hours after dining at the restaurant’s dinner…
Rochestery, NY-based Wegmans Food Markets has issued a voluntary recall of select Abilyn’s Ice Cream Cakes due to the 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 In a statement, Abilyn’s Frozen Bakery said that, on June 21, one of their production partners notified them that recent product testing by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found the presence of potential Listeria contamination on the production line used to make the company’s…
Green Bay, WI-based Snapchill LLC has announced a voluntary recall of all its canned coffee products currently within their expiration dates, citing a potential risk of botulism, a potentially fatal illness caused by a potent toxin that attacks the nervous system. Background The recall comes after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified the company that the company’s manufacturing process for low acid canned foods had not been properly filed as required by regulations. The recalled products were distributed across the United States through coffee roasters, retail locations, and direct online purchases from Snapchill. Snapchill is currently working on…
An unfortunate incident unfolded in Agartala, the capital city of Tripura, India, on Thursday morning when over 20 female students from two higher secondary schools suddenly fell ill during their morning prayer session, according to an article in the Indian Express.. The students, primarily from Bodh Jung Girls Higher Secondary School and one from Maharani Tulsibati Girls Higher Secondary School, complained of severe stomach pain and chest discomfort, prompting immediate medical attention. Authorities quickly responded to the situation, rushing the affected students to the Agartala Government Medical College and the Gobind Ballabh Pant (GBP) Hospital for treatment. While 11 students…
The Oneida County Health Department (OCHD) in New York state has issued an alert regarding a potential Hepatitis A exposure at a recent food demonstration held at Ace Hardware in the city of Rome. An individual who was infectious with the Hepatitis A virus participated in preparing and cooking food samples during the event, putting attendees who consumed the food at risk of contracting the illness. Health officials are urging any patrons who sampled the food at the hardware store demonstration to take immediate action. The Hepatitis A vaccine is effective in preventing infection if administered within two weeks (14…
It’s a frustrating situation that many people have experienced – you share a meal with friends or family, but later you’re the only one struck down with the telltale symptoms of food poisoning. While it may seem puzzling that others remain unaffected, the reality is that it’s entirely possible for just one person to contract a foodborne illness from a contaminated dish, according to a recent article on HuffPost. Emergency physician Dr. Justin Mazur explains that it’s a common misconception that everyone will get sick if food poisoning is involved. “It is more common that not everyone gets sick from…