Author: Kit Redwine

Recent months have seen multiple high-profile Salmonella outbreaks and recalls linked to nuts and nut-derived products, highlighting persistent food safety challenges in this category. These incidents exemplify the unique biological and supply chain factors that make nuts particularly vulnerable to contamination. Recent Outbreak Incidents World Market recalled Emek brand Pistachio Cacao Cream (Batch 250401) and bulk tubs (5kg) after Salmonella detection. The product, manufactured in Turkey and distributed across U.S. food service channels, prompted nationwide disposal advisories. No illnesses were reported, but the recall required rigorous sanitization of surfaces and containers that contacted the product. Navarro Pecan Holdings recalled 32,670…

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is a severe foodborne illness caused by consuming shellfish contaminated with neurotoxins known as paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs). These toxins originate from certain species of microscopic algae, particularly dinoflagellates in the genera Alexandrium, Gymnodinium, and Pyrodinium. During algal blooms, periods of rapid population growth often called “harmful algal blooms” or “red tides”, filter-feeding shellfish accumulate these toxins in their tissues. The primary toxin responsible is saxitoxin, a compound approximately 1,000 times more toxic than cyanide, though over 50 structurally related analogues contribute to PSP toxicity profiles. Transmission and High-Risk Shellfish Shellfish become contaminated through normal feeding…

Rotavirus, a double-stranded RNA virus belonging to the Reoviridae family, is a leading global cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children. While primarily recognized for person-to-person transmission, rotavirus can also spread through contaminated food and water, representing a significant foodborne disease risk. The virus derives its name from its distinctive wheel-like appearance under electron microscopy (from the Latin rota, meaning wheel). Clinical Manifestations and Health Impact Infection typically presents after a short incubation period of less than 48 hours, with symptoms including watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain lasting 3-8 days. The first infection after 3 months…

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Distribution Bonbons JJ Candy, based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, have issued a voluntary recall for Dubai-brand pistachio & knafeh milk chocolate due to potential Salmonella contamination. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause serious infections in animals and humans, especially those in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background The potential presence of Salmonella was uncovered during testing. This recall has been categorized as a Class 2 recall by the CFIA, meaning that “there is a moderate risk that consuming the food may lead to short-term or…

The Florida Department of Health has issued an advisory regarding raw milk consumption after documenting an outbreak of foodborne illnesses linked to unpasteurized dairy products from a single farm operation in the state’s northeast and central regions. Raw milk, which comes from various animals including cows, goats, and sheep, differs from conventional dairy products because it has not undergone pasteurization, a critical heat treatment process designed to eliminate dangerous pathogens. While some consumers believe raw milk offers superior taste and potential health benefits such as reduced asthma and allergy symptoms, health officials emphasize the serious risks associated with consuming unpasteurized dairy products. Under…

A voluntary recall first announced on July 10, 2025 by Navarro Pecan Holdings, LLC, based in Corsicana, Texas, for 15 tons of pecan pieces due to potential Salmonella contamination remains ongoing. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause serious infections in animals and humans, especially those in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background How the presence of Salmonella in the recalled product was discovered was not announced. Distribution The recalled products were distributed in Texas, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Jersey, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, and Italy. Product Details Consumer Action Consumers…

Soccer Team Hospitalized After Hotel Dinner in Japan OSAKA – Twenty-two high school soccer players were rushed to medical facilities last week after falling ill at their hotel in Sakai, a city in Japan’s Osaka prefecture. The incident unfolded when multiple students began experiencing nausea and vomiting shortly after their evening meal. A supervising teacher contacted emergency responders around 11 p.m. as the situation escalated. The teenage athletes had traveled to the region for a soccer tournament when the mass illness struck following their hotel dinner. Emergency medical teams transported all affected students to nearby hospitals as a precautionary measure.…

Brucellosis remains one of the world’s most widespread bacterial zoonoses, silently affecting millions across the globe. Caused by various Brucella species, primarily B. melitensis (goats/sheep), B. abortus (cattle), B. suis (swine), and B. canis (dogs), this disease infiltrates human populations through direct contact with infected animals or consumption of contaminated products. The bacteria demonstrate remarkable adaptability, preferentially infecting reproductive systems of livestock and causing late-term abortions, placental infections, and reduced milk production. In humans, initial symptoms mimic common influenza: fever, joint pain, fatigue, and headache, often appearing anywhere from five days to several months after exposure. Without proper treatment, approximately 5-10%…

The World Health Organization (WHO) is advancing toward the release of its second comprehensive report on the global burden of foodborne diseases, mandated by World Health Assembly Resolution WHA 73.5. Scheduled for 2025, this landmark assessment will provide updated estimates of worldwide foodborne disease incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The initiative aims to quantify health impacts from physical, chemical, and microbial hazards in food, building upon the first edition published in 2010. Expanded Methodology and Hazard Coverage The 2025 estimates incorporate significant methodological advancements, extending coverage to 42 foodborne hazards, a substantial increase from the 31 hazards evaluated in 2010.…

Outbreak Scope and Demographics Public health officials are tracking a multistate Salmonella outbreak involving four strains – Enteritidis, Indiana, London, and Mbandaka – linked to contact with backyard poultry. As of June 23, 2025, 187 infections have been reported across 42 states, resulting in 42 hospitalizations (30% of cases with available data) and one fatality in Illinois. Illness onset dates range from February 9 to May 31, 2025. Epidemiologic data indicate that 82% of patients (107 of 131 interviewed) reported contact with backyard poultry prior to symptom onset. Affected individuals span ages <1 to 86 years, with a median age of 36.…