Author: Kit Redwine
When we hear the words “food poisoning,” we tend to think about foodborne illness caused by pathogens like salmonella and E. coli or a virus such as norovirus. However, what happens when actual poison is added to food? Tragically, communities in Nigeria and India recently found out. As reported by Food Poisoning News last week, five people were found dead inside a home from what was initially suspected as “traditional” food poisoning. However, it was soon revealed that the five had consumed poisoned food. A 16 year old girl has been arrested for the alleged poisoning of five people who…
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has announced two recalls due to contamination with foreign material. Shafer-Haggart Ltd, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, is recalling Success-brand sliced black olives due to contamination with pieces of glass. Compass Minerals Canada Corp., based in Overland Park, Kansas, is recalling Sifto-brand Hy-Grade Salt due to 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 No information is available for either recall on how the contamination with foreign material was discovered. Both recalls are…
Savencia Cheese USA, based in New Holland, Pennsylvania, has issued a voluntary recall of select soft ripened cheeses 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, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background Routing sampling confirmed that equipment at the company’s manufacturing facility may have been contaminated with Listeria. Additional testing of select cheeses has not revealed any presence of Listeria contamination. Distribution The company’s recall notice said that the affected products had limited regional distribution…
HH Fresh Trading Corp, based in Los Angeles, California, has issued a voluntary recall of its Taiwan Enoki mushrooms 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, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background Random testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed the potential presence of Listeria in the affected product. The FDA and the company are investigating the source of the contamination. Production of the affected mushrooms is currently suspended. Distribution The…
India HYDERABAD – 1 Dead, 20 Sick from Suspected Tainted Dumplings A 31 year old woman is dead and several others have been sickened after eating steamed dumplings from a roadside stall in the city. The victim, Reshma Begum, consumed the dumplings on Friday with her 12 and 14 year old daughters. Soon after, all three experienced symptoms of food poisoning, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. She was taken to the hospital but passed away two days later. Begum’s daughters are still receiving treatment. Police report that around 20 people became ill after eating at the stall in Nandinagar…
The recent H5N1 bird flu outbreak has raised global concern as cases spread rapidly across both wild and domestic bird populations, with notable spillover events affecting mammals and posing potential risks to humans. H5N1, a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza, has historically led to severe economic impacts within the poultry industry and presents serious public health concerns due to its ability to infect multiple species. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), health officials, and scientists are closely monitoring the situation to understand transmission patterns, assess risks to human health, and coordinate response strategies aimed at containing the…
An E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s has prompted the fast food chain to pull specific ingredients and its Quarter Pounder hamburgers in several locations. The outbreak is currently under investigation by multiple federal and state agencies. Here is everything known to date about this large-scale incident: Background The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), are working to identify the specific contaminated ingredient causing the E. coli O157:H7 infections. Most affected individuals reported consuming McDonald’s Quarter Pounders before falling…
Maryland health authorities have concluded their investigation into a mass food poisoning incident that affected dozens of workers at a wholesale fish distribution facility. The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) confirmed that Staphylococcus aureus (Staph) was responsible for sickening 46 employees at North Atlantic Fish Company (NAFCO) Wholesale Fish Distribution on October 21. The outbreak was traced to a homemade noodle dish brought in by an employee to share with coworkers, rather than any food products from the NAFCO facility itself. Laboratory testing of both clinical samples from affected individuals and remnants of the consumed food confirmed the presence of…
A high school freshman from Grand Junction, Colorado, was hospitalized after suffering from severe food poisoning, suspected to be linked to E. coli-contaminated McDonald’s burgers. Fifteen-year-old Kamberlyn Bowler experienced life-threatening complications after eating Quarter Pounders at McDonald’s two to three times over a two week period, around the time an E. coli outbreak was identified in mid-October, according to Associated Press. Due to her serious condition, Kamberlyn was flown to a hospital near Denver, where she underwent ten days of dialysis to help protect her kidneys from further damage. Kamberlyn’s case is one among at least 75 confirmed in this…
Dynarex Corporation, based in Montvale, New Jersey, has announced an expanded recall, first announced on September 19, 2024, of specific batches of its dynacare baby powder due to potential contamination with asbestos. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that can cause serious health issues, including death. This article contains information from both the initial September 19th and subsequent expanded recall notices. Background Routine testing by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed the presence of asbestos in the affected products. According to the company, “Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that is often found near talc, an ingredient…