Author: Kit Redwine
A recent norovirus outbreak in the UK on the P&O Cruises ship Ventura affected over 500 passengers and crew members, according to BBC News. The outbreak, which occurred during a two-week cruise to Spain’s Canary Islands departing from Southampton, England on May 11, 2024, has raised concerns about the cruise line’s transparency and outbreak management protocols. At first, P&O Cruises reported that only 0.64% of those on board were experiencing norovirus symptoms. Food Poisoning News previously reported on initial reports of over 250 passengers being sickened by norovirus on that cruise. However, newly revealed data obtained from a Freedom of…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a safety advisory regarding oysters harvested from Lewis Bay, Massachusetts, due to potential Campylobacter jejuni contamination. Campylobacter jejuni is a bacteria that causes infectious disease in the intestines, resulting in cramping, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. Background The contamination came to light following an outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni illnesses in Massachusetts linked to oysters consumed on July 1 and 3, 2024. In response, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries closed the SC28 harvest area on July 19, and two certified dealers – Chatham Shellfish Co. and Island Creek Oysters – initiated…
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games have encountered a new challenge as the Belgian Olympic team withdrew from Monday’s mixed relay triathlon. According to NPR, the decision came after one of their athletes, Claire Michel, fell ill following last Wednesday’s main triathlon event where athletes swam in the Seine river. Belgium’s Olympic committee announced that Michel had to withdraw due to illness, forcing the entire team’s forfeit from the mixed relay competition because a replacement wasn’t available. While the official statement did not specify the nature of Michel’s illness, Belgian newspaper De Standaard reported that she was hospitalized and treated for…
Metro Produce Distributors Inc., based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has initiated a voluntary recall of all Lunds & Byerlys fresh guacamole products. This recall is 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 The potential for Listeria contamination was discovered through a routine sampling program conducted by Metro Produce Distributors. As a result, the company has halted production and distribution of these products while they investigate the source of the…
Seven family members in Taichung, Taiwan were hospitalized on July 29 with suspected food poisoning, according to Taiwan News. Their symptoms, including abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, are commonly associated with infectious gastroenteritis. The patients, aged 7 to 43, ate at a traditional breakfast shop at 2:20 a.m., consuming various items including noodles, dumplings, and beverages. Symptoms began around 3 a.m. The Taichung City Fire Bureau responded at 1:34 p.m., transporting all seven to Tungs’ Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital. They will remain under observation while the Taichung Food Safety and Sanitation Bureau investigates. If the breakfast shop is found responsible, it…
A recent outbreak of Yersinia enterocolitica has caught the attention of health authorities across Europe, with 136 cases reported in four countries. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has identified raw milk goat cheese produced in southeastern France as the likely source of the infections, according to The Sun. Yersinia enterocolitica is a bacterium that causes yersiniosis, a foodborne illness typically associated with consuming contaminated pork products. However, this outbreak has highlighted the potential risks of unpasteurized dairy products, specifically artisanal cheeses. The majority of cases – 133 – were reported in France between January and July…
Two chefs in Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China, have been sentenced to prison and fined for adding prescription antibiotics to restaurant dishes. The head chef and cook received sentences of two years and 18 months respectively, with probation, and were fined a total of 160,000 yuan ($22,000). In an effort to prevent food poisoning, the chefs illegally added gentamicin sulfate, an antibiotic used in China to treat diarrhea, to 1,612 servings of stewed dishes since 2023, generating 77,376 yuan in sales, according to Global Times. This practice violates China’s Food Safety Law, which prohibits adding medicines to food products. According to…
The June 27, 2024 recall of Santa Ana, California-based Prophet Premium Blends, LLC Diamond Shruumz-brand infused cones, chocolate bars, and gummies due to toxic levels of muscimol is still ongoing. Muscimol is a chemical found in mushrooms of the genus Amanita. Background Based on complaints received in May from consumers who reported being sickened by consumption of certain Diamond Shruumz products, a company investigation showed that the products contained elevated levels of muscimol. The affected products were distributed to the following states: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY,…
Colonna Brothers of North Bergen, NJ has expanded its voluntary recall of ground cinnamon products due to potentially high lead content. Lead is a neurotoxin that can affect nearly every system in the human body and is especially dangerous for young children. Background This recall was initiated following FDA’s targeted sampling of discount cinnamon brands. This recall expands upon a previous voluntary recall issued on March 6, 2024, which included several other lot codes of the same products. Those earlier recalled items have already been removed from store shelves. The affected products were distributed nationwide through retail stores and mail…
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the food supply is an increasingly critical issue in public health. While the American food supply is generally safe, according to a recent article by the CDC, the presence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in food can lead to infections that are difficult to treat with conventional antibiotics. AMR bacteria can enter the food chain through various routes. During animal slaughter and processing, resistant bacteria can contaminate meat products. Animal feces containing these bacteria can contaminate soil, water, and fertilizers, potentially leading to the contamination of fruits and vegetables. People can become infected by handling or consuming contaminated…