Author: Kit Redwine
As previously reported by Food Poisoning News last month, The Download Festival, a popular music event held in Castle Donington, Leicestershire, UK, was marred by reports of a widespread food poisoning outbreak affecting hundreds of attendees. However, many festival goers have reported ongoing health issues weeks after the event, according to the Mirror. Daniel Fitzsimmons, a 27-year-old music fan from Attleborough, Norfolk, shared his harrowing experience. After consuming a pulled pork Yorkshire pudding at the festival, he began experiencing symptoms of food poisoning, including nausea and diarrhea. The illness forced him to leave the three-day event early, missing performances by…
A recent report on foodborne illness surveillance in the United States has revealed that the country is falling short of its disease-reduction goals. However, this apparent setback may be partly attributed to the increased use of culture-independent diagnostic tests (CIDTs), which have enhanced the ability to detect infections that might have gone unreported in the past, according to the University of Minnesota’s CIDRAP. The 2023 Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network report, summarized in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, aims to compare the incidence of foodborne illnesses in 2023 with a baseline established from 2016 to 2018. This comparison is…
Nearly 100 Sickened by Food Poisoning at Malaysian School A food poisoning outbreak at a school in Johor, Malaysia, has affected 90 students and 9 staff members. Johor health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon reported that the affected individuals experienced symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting after eating fried chicken from the school cafeteria on June 27. Eleven of the students required medical attention, but all cases were mild with no hospitalizations required. The Batu Pahat health department has collected food samples and inspected the cafeteria. Laboratory results identifying the cause of the food poisoning are expected within three…
Danone Canada, based in Boucherville, Quebec and Toronto, Ontario is recalling certain dairy products because of the potential presence of Listeria monocytogenes (“Listeria”). Listeria is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background The recall was initiated during an investigation into an outbreak of foodborne illness. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has said it is conducting an investigation into the source of the contamination and that more products could be recalled. The CFIA also said that it is in the…
A recent study published in the Journal of Food Protection has uncovered a concerning correlation between lower socioeconomic status and an increased risk of salmonella outbreaks associated with ground beef consumption. The research highlights the potential impact of community-level factors on food safety and public health, according to an article on Contagion Live. The study utilized the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), a tool developed by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to assess community vulnerability in public health emergencies. Prior use cases include “research associated with COVID-19 vaccine coverage, hurricane impact assessment, and heat-related health outcomes.” Researchers found that for…
A significant food poisoning outbreak has affected approximately 1,000 people in Namwon City, South Korea. Officials reported 996 confirmed cases as of Friday June 4, with local media suggesting the number had risen to 1,024 by Saturday afternoon, according to the BBC. The outbreak has been traced to norovirus-contaminated kimchi, a popular fermented cabbage dish in Korea. The affected kimchi was distributed through school meals in Namwon City. Students and staff from 24 schools are among those experiencing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pains. Norovirus contamination poses a significant health risk, particularly to individuals with compromised immune systems.…
AB World Foods Pty Limited is recalling Al’Fez branded tahini in New Zealand 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 affected tahini, manufactured in Poland and imported from Australia, was sold in selected Foodstuff South Island stores throughout the South Island of New Zealand. The affected product is no longer available for sale. New Zealand’s food safety system places responsibility on importers for ensuring the safety of imported food products. According to a release on…
The Florida Department of Agriculture (FDOA) has disputed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent announcement linking a salmonella outbreak to cucumbers from Bedner Growers in Palm Beach County, Florida, describing the FDA’s tracing “at best inaccurate, and at worst misleading,” according to an article on wptv.com. As reported by Food Poisoning News last week, the FDA said that cucumbers from Bedner Growers were “a likely source of illnesses in an outbreak that affected nearly 450 people across 31 states. The agency reported taking soil and water samples from the farm but did not disclose its location, raising questions…
A recent botulism outbreak in Fresno County, California, has highlighted the potential dangers of home-canned foods. The incident, reported on by Food Poisoning News last week, resulted in the hospitalization of 10 people, including two sisters now in intensive care. The outbreak was traced to a “nopales” cactus salad served at two separate family gatherings on June 21 and 22, 2024. Initially thought to contain frozen cactus, it was later revealed that the salad was prepared using home-canned cactus pads processed in May, according to an article in People. Botulism, a rare but severe illness caused by toxins produced by…
A new study has unveiled a 3D-printed sensor capable of swiftly detecting dangerous foodborne pathogens such as E. coli and salmonella. This innovative microchip technology promises to revolutionize food safety measures by enabling simultaneous testing for multiple harmful bacteria. Developed by researchers from Guangdong University of Technology and Pudong New District People’s Hospital in China, this novel approach addresses critical shortcomings in current food safety screening methods. Dr. Silu Feng, the study’s lead author, emphasizes the challenges in detecting foodborne pathogens due to their diverse nature and the complex environments they inhabit. Existing methods like cell culture and DNA sequencing,…