Author: Kit Redwine

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has announced a recall by Maple Leaf Foods Inc., based in Mississauge, Ontario, Canada of specific A & W brand chicken breast products due to undercooking. Consuming undercooked chicken can be dangerous and result in food poisoning from various pathogens. Background The recall notice did not specify how the undercooked chicken was discovered or who it was discovered by. Distribution The recalled chicken products were distributed across Canada to hotels, restaurants, and other institutions. Product Details Commercial Action Food service businesses should search their premises for the recalled products. Businesses are requested to not…

Recent articles by Food Poisoning News on the importance of good record keeping in food distribution and safety in the global food supply chain touched on blockchain technology as a potential solution for enhanced traceability and increased accuracy. But what is blockchain and what value does it provide to consumers and businesses alike? Blockchain technology is revolutionizing the global food supply chain by enhancing safety, transparency, and efficiency. As the food supply chain becomes more complex, the need for reliable tracking and traceability systems has grown. Blockchain offers a robust solution to these challenges, with its decentralized and immutable, or…

Botulism from adulterated pesto sauce is suspected in the illness of five people who are all currently receiving medical treatment. Botulism is a potentially fatal illness caused by a potent toxin that attacks the nervous system. The incident occurred in west-central France, where authorities believe a locally produced sauce may have been contaminated with the pathogen. Botulism can occur when the bacterium Clostridium botulinum grows and produces toxins. Symptoms of botulism can include general weakness, dizziness, double vision, difficulty speaking or swallowing, breathing problems, muscle weakness, abdominal distension, and constipation. These symptoms may appear anywhere from six hours to two…

Cambodia: Raw Beef Suspected in Illness of 15 Last Saturday, approximately 15 people in a Cambodian village were struck by food poisoning symptoms of diarrhea, headaches, and vomiting after eating “funeral beef.” A funeral for a local villager included a traditional meal of raw beef and rice at the wake. Later in the day, attendees began suffering from symptoms of food poisoning and ten of the affected sought medical treatment at local clinics. A provincial health department team responded and is currently investigating the incident. Food samples were sent to a lab in the country’s capital for testing but the…

Traceability in the global food supply chain is a critical component that ensures food safety, quality, and sustainability. As the food supply chain becomes increasingly complex and globalized, in part five of this series, we will explore how the ability to track and trace food products from their origin to the consumer has never been more important. One of the primary benefits of traceability is its role in ensuring consumer health and safety. By tracking food products through every stage of the supply chain, from production to distribution, traceability systems can quickly identify and address any issues that arise. For…

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has announced a recall by Lowlaws supermarket chain of PC Blue Menu brand original margarine and margarine with olive oil due to potential mold contamination. Mold can cause a number of side effects including respiratory illness, allergic reactions, and mycotoxin poisoning. Background The recall notice did not specify how the potential presence of mold in the affected products was discovered. Distribution The recalled margarines were distributed to retail channels across Canada. Product Details BrandProductSizeCodesUPC CodePC Blue MenuOriginal Margarine907 gBB/MA 2024 NO 17 HH:MM 582550 BB/MA 2024 NO 18 HH:MM 5825610 60383 77867 51.81 kgBB/MA…

Outbreaks of H5N1 bird flu in three California dairy herds located in the Central Valley have been confirmed by federal officials. The infections are believed to have resulted from interstate cattle transportation rather than exposure to infected wild birds, according to the LA Times. Testing revealed that the virus strain in the California herds closely matches that found in Colorado dairy herds. The genetic sequence, identified as B3.13, strongly indicates human-facilitated movement of the virus between states. While the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) reports no confirmed human cases of H5N1 in the state, four human infections linked…

Milo’s Poultry Farms, LLC, based in Bonduel, Wisconsin, has initiated a voluntary recall of certain egg products 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 prompted after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) informed Milo’s Poultry Farms that environmental samples had tested positive for Salmonella. Further analysis using whole genome sequencing revealed that these samples were linked to an ongoing Salmonella outbreak investigation. In response to this situation, Milo’s Poultry Farms has halted all…

A significant food poisoning incident occurred in Casablanca, Morocco, on Wednesday evening, initially affecting approximately 35 people who had consumed sandwiches from a fast-food restaurant in the Sabata neighborhood. By Thursday evening, the regional hospital reported that the number of victims had increased to 63. The emergency room at Sidi Othmane Hospital in Ben M’Sik received an influx of patients early Thursday morning, with around 30 individuals showing symptoms of food poisoning. The source of the illness was traced to a sandwich known locally as “khobza aajiba” or “wonder bread,” a specialty of a local fast-food establishment, that typically contains…

Nobody likes to get food poisoning. Symptoms can range from a mild upset stomach to lifelong or life-threatening conditions. Rarely, a case of foodborne illness leads to positive, unintended consequences. In April, Food Poisoning News reported on a man in England who was hospitalized for food poisoning only for his doctors to discover and immediately start treating a rare form of cancer. This story, as first reported by The Mirror, began as a case of suspected food poisoning but soon happily turned into something else altogether. A camping trip turned into an unexpected life-changing event for Zoe Doyle, a 38-year-old…