Brazil Nuts Cause Salmonella Outbreak in UK; America Could be Next
While the United States is already facing several Salmonella outbreaks, including the Peach Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak, as well as the Newport Red Onion Salmonella outbreak, Americans could be facing a new Salmonella outbreak caused by contaminated Brazil nuts from Bolivia. Several companies recalled various products containing Brazil nuts contaminated with Salmonella for products distributed in Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mali, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Qatar, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States. The following products were recalled by companies because they contained the contaminated Brazil nuts: Hand2Mouth Ltd recalled several Eat Natural products, Rude Health Food Ltd recalled The Ultimate Muesli, the Paleo Foods Co. recalled Cocoa & Hazelnut Grain-Free Granola, and Lidl GB recalled Deluxe Dark Chocolate Muesli Bar with Brazils and Cranberries. As food safety agencies investigate the outbreak, recalls will continue rolling in, as well as reported illnesses caused by the outbreak. Currently in the United Kingdom, there have been 98 reported cases of Salmonella Typhimurium caused by the infected Brazil nuts.
Symptoms of salmonellosis, the infection caused by Salmonella bacteria, include typical food poisoning symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and cramping, though some have also reported nausea, vomiting, and a headache. According to the CDC, symptoms of a Salmonella infection typically begin 1 to 3 days after ingesting the bacteria, though some report symptoms as early as 6 hours and as late as 6 days after ingestion. The majority of people recover from the infection without treatment, though those with a severe infection may need a treatment of antibiotics. People with weakened immune system, the elderly, pregnant women, and children, are more at risk for a severe infection. Some patients may need to be hospitalized due to dehydration from excessive diarrhea or due to the severity of their gastroenteritis. If you believe you are suffering from Salmonella poisoning, contact your doctor for the best course of treatment.
