Author: Kit Redwine
The Download Festival in Leicestershire, England was marred by a food poisoning outbreak last weekend, with news of hundreds of attendees reportedly falling ill after consuming food from certain vendors. The organizers, Live Nation, took swift action by shutting down two food stalls implicated in the incident, according to an article on Leicester Mercury. As the music festival unfolded, numerous attendees began experiencing symptoms typical of food poisoning, including nausea, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, and general malaise. The situation escalated to such an extent that some festival-goers resorted to using buckets as makeshift toilets due to the severe gastrointestinal distress.…
A recall of raw cheddar cheese first initiated in February by Fresno, California-based Raw Farm LLC is still ongoing, according to reports published by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The recall is due to the potential presence of E. coli, a bacterium with the potential to be fatal. Background The recall was first announced by Raw Farm LLC on February 16, 2024 and published by the FDA the following day. The contaminated products led to a multi-state E. coli outbreak in several states and subsequent FDA and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) investigation with state and local partners.…
A severe outbreak of E. coli that swept across the United Kingdom in the summer of 2023, resulting in one death and dozens of severe illnesses, has now been traced back to a probable source – minced beef products. The outbreak, according to a recent article in The Sun, which was initially detected by the UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) surveillance systems in June 2023, was caused by a rare strain of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, or STEC. This strain is known for causing severe gastrointestinal symptoms, including bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting. Early on, officials suspected various…
More commonly associated with foodborne illness, botulism is a rare kind of food poisoning caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. However, botulism infection can also occur as an adverse side effect from cosmetic Botox injections. Health authorities in Hong Kong have now issued a serious warning after a 57-year-old woman fell critically ill with suspected botulism poisoning from unlicensed botulinum toxin injections received at a beauty parlor in neighboring Zhuhai, China. The unfortunate case highlights the grave risks of undergoing cosmetic procedures from unqualified or unregulated providers. According to Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP), the female patient had…
Blueberries and other berries are often touted as superfoods packed with antioxidants and nutrients. However, according to a recent article on idse.net, these popular fruits can also harbor a serious and underrecognized threat – hepatitis A virus. Multiple multistate outbreaks of hepatitis A infections have been traced back to fresh and frozen berry products in recent years, highlighting an urgent need for improved detection methods. Researcher Mathilde Trudel-Ferland, PhD, from the Department of Animal and Food Sciences at the University of Delaware, shed light on the difficulties in identifying hepatitis A contamination in berry shipments. Despite the FDA conducting microbiological…
The Russian capital is grappling with a suspected outbreak of a rare and life-threatening form of food poisoning that has already hospitalized over 120 people and left dozens in intensive care. Health officials in Moscow reported the alarming spike in suspected cases of botulism, a potentially fatal illness caused by a potent toxin that attacks the nervous system. According to Moscow’s deputy mayor Anastasia Rakova, a total of 121 people have sought emergency medical treatment so far after exhibiting symptoms consistent with botulism poisoning. The severity of the outbreak is underscored by the fact that 55 of those patients were…
A serious outbreak of E.coli bacteria has prompted multiple food manufacturers to recall a wide range of pre-packaged sandwiches, wraps, and salads sold across the United Kingdom. Over 200 cases have already been confirmed by health officials, with that number expected to increase further in the coming week. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) determined that the E.coli cases reported nationwide were part of a single, linked outbreak likely caused by a contaminated food product or products distributed nationally. Due to the “wide geographic spread of cases,” the agency believes the outbreak stems from an item or items available in…
Penn Herb Company Ltd, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has issued a recall for Nature’s Wonderland Thyroid Formula. The recall was prompted by concerns over possible contamination with Salmonella. 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 Nature’s Wonderland Thyroid Formula is a dietary supplement commonly used to support thyroid health. Routine sampling program by the US Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) revealed the presence of Salmonella in finished products. Penn Herb Company said it has suspended “production and distribution of the product…
When one hears ‘Salmonella’ it is usually in relation to consumption of contaminated or undercooked food. Not surprising since Salmonella bacteria are the most frequently reported cause of foodborne illness. Every year, an estimated 42,000 cases of salmonellosis are reported in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, many people may not know that Salmonella infection can happen from other sources, such as the feces of a beloved household pet. The CDC has just issued an investigation alert regarding a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to bearded dragons, small reptiles that are…
The US Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) are currently investigating a number of illnesses linked to the consumption of Diamond Shruumz-brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, and Gummies. Background Diamond Shruumz-brand products are available online and in various retail locations nationwide, including smoke/vape shops, and retailers selling hemp-derived products (such as cannabidiol or delta-8 THC). The full list of affected retailers remains unknown. As of June 7, 2024, 12 cases have been reported across eight states: Alabama (1), Arizona (4), Indiana (2), Kentucky (1), Missouri (1), Nevada (1), Pennsylvania (1), and South Carolina (1). All…