Author: Kit Redwine

In a significant development in food safety enforcement, Johannes Vulto, 64, and his company, Vulto Creamery LLC, have been sentenced in federal court in Syracuse for their roles in a 2016-2017 listeriosis outbreak linked to their raw milk cheese products, according to a press release from the United States Department of Justice. Vulto, who founded and owned the now-defunct Vulto Creamery, pleaded “guilty to one misdemeanor count of causing the introduction of adulterated food into interstate commerce.” The court sentenced him to three years of probation, a $100,000 fine, and 240 hours of community service. Vulto Creamery LLC, which has…

Foodborne illnesses remain a significant public health concern in the United States, with an estimated 48 million cases occurring annually, leading to 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Notably, restaurants are the primary source of these outbreaks, accounting for 64% of cases in the CDC’s latest surveillance report from 2017. The primary culprits behind these illnesses are pathogens such as salmonella, listeria, E. coli, norovirus, and hepatitis A. While symptoms can range from mild discomfort to life-threatening conditions, most of these illnesses are preventable. The CDC reports that 90% of foodborne…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert concerning ready-to-eat meat and poultry products illegally imported from the Philippines. Background The Philippines is not authorized to export meat and poultry products to the United States, making the presence of these items in the U.S. market illegal. The FSIS is currently investigating how the products entered the country. This alert comes after the discovery of these products during routine surveillance at a retailer. The affected products were distributed to restaurants and retail outlets across nine states: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New…

A significant salmonella outbreak tied to raw milk from a California farm has affected far more people than initially reported, according to recently released state records. At least 165 individuals have fallen ill with salmonella infections linked to products from Raw Farm in Fresno, California, as of February this year. This outbreak is now considered the largest reported salmonella incident associated with raw milk in the United States over the past decade, according to abcnews.com. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness in humans. Symptoms typically include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, appearing six hours to six…

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.…