Author: Kit Redwine

Japan NAGANO – Scombroid Poisoning Outbreak Affects Japanese Students Health officials in Nagano Prefecture have reported a large outbreak of scombroid fish poisoning at three schools in the village of Hakuga. At least 46 children and staff members on December 9 were sickened. The Nagano Prefecture education and health authorities confirmed that the incident occurred during school lunch service, with swordfish identified as the potential source of contamination. In response to the outbreak, local officials have enacted preventive measures, including a temporary suspension of operations at the school lunch center. Scombroid fish poisoning is a food-borne illness caused by consuming…

Four members of a family in the Rajouri district died earlier this week from suspected food poisoning. The father, 40, died during medical treatment, while three of his children, aged between 4 and 15 years also succumbed at a local hospital. The mother, 38, and another daughter, aged 12, remain under medical care.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has announced a recall of Sareks brand bitter apricot kernels due to the potential for cyanide poisoning. The recalled product contains excessive amounts of amygdalin, a naturally occurring chemical compound, and may result in acute cyanide poisoning. Background The recall was initiated after testing revealed the potential presence of Salmonella contamination. This is classified as a Class I recall, which means the affected products pose a high risk of serious health problems or death if the product is used or consumed. The CFIA is currently conducting a food safety investigation. Additional products may be…

The two operators of Marmaris Kebab House in Wales have been ordered to pay more than £10,000 (USD 12,700) in fines and costs after a food poisoning incident that hospitalized 11 people and affected over 50 customers, according to the BBC. Sami Abdullah, 46, and Hassan Saritag, 38, admitted to food hygiene offences related to the February 2023 outbreak. The case was heard at Newport Magistrates’ Court, where investigators revealed the outbreak was linked to shigella bacteria, likely caused by improper separation of washed and unwashed vegetables during coleslaw preparation. The court heard detailed accounts of the outbreak’s significant impact…

Riverside Natural Foods Inc., based in Chicago, Illinois, has issued a voluntary recall of its MadeGood granola bars due to potential contamination with pieces of metal. Food contaminated with foreign objects has the potential to cause severe harm, including choking, injury, illness, damage to teeth, or even death. Background The recall notice did not clarify how the potential presence of metal pieces in the recalled products was discovered. The company did say it has thoroughly examined the manufacturing site where the recalled products were produced and has identified the cause of the problem. Riverside said that the issue has been…

Last week, Food Poisoning News reported on a large-scale incident of foodborne illness related to consumption of traditional vietnames banh mi sandwiches from a local bakery on November 26, 2024. The owner of the bakery in Vũng Tàu City, has now been hit with significant penalties following the serious food poisoning outbreak that affected over 340 people and resulted in one fatality. Local authorities from Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Province have fined the owner of Cô Ba, a bánh mì shop, 125 million Vietnamese dong (approximately $4,900). The business will also be required to suspend operations for five months. The incident…

Outbreak Update as of December 5, 2024 update The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium infections associated with cucumbers from grower Agrotato, S.A. de C.V. in Sonora, Mexico. As of December 5, 2024, 68 people across 19 states have been infected with the outbreak strain. NOTE: According to the nation’s leading salmonella lawyer, who filed the first cucumber lawsuits, “there are still so many victims out there, and I would just impress upon them to bring their Salmonella Lawsuits quickly to avoid problems…

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Palm Bites Canada have issued a voluntary recall for Oasis Treasures-brand Pistachio Dubai Chocolate 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 recall was initiated after testing revealed the potential presence of Salmonella contamination. This is classified as a Class II recall, which means the affected products may pose a moderate health risk, but the probability of serious health consequences is low. The CFIA is currently conducting a food…

Many news articles and press releases concerning food poisoning, or the latest food recall identifying contamination with a specific pathogen, contain language that foodborne illness or infections can be especially harmful to “those with compromised or weakened immune systems.” Why is this, and more importantly, what foods can those in higher risk categories safely consume? Based on advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to individuals with compromised immune systems, the following guide highlights specific food choices that can help prevent potentially dangerous foodborne illnesses. Who is at risk and why Individuals with weakened immune systems, including…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has introduced a new National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) to address the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreak in dairy cattle that began in March 2024. The comprehensive approach aims to systematically track and control the virus’s spread across the United States through a detailed, multi-stage monitoring process. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new Federal Order requiring nationwide collection and sharing of raw milk samples for testing. The strategy represents a coordinated effort to understand and mitigate the potential risks associated with the H5N1 virus in dairy herds across the country. The…