Cambodia
SIHANOUKVILLE – Food Poisoning Outbreak Affects City Hall Meeting; Bacterial Contamination Identified as Cause
Multiple attendees of a city hall council meeting were struck with food poisoning symptoms on December 26, 2024. Approximately 50 attendees who ate sandwiches catered from a nearby shop reported severe stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea around midnight, hours after the afternoon meeting concluded.
Several people required hospitalization due to the severity of their symptoms.
A subsequent laboratory analysis of 12 food samples from the event identified dangerous levels of E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria in the sandwiches.
The investigation revealed E. coli concentrations exceeded the 100 CFU/g safety threshold, while Staphylococcus aureus levels reached 10,000 CFU/g.
Staphylococcus aureus typically causes illness within one to six hours of exposure.
In response, a government consumer protection agency has called for stricter adherence to World Health Organization food safety guidelines. These protocols emphasize proper cleanliness, food separation, thorough cooking, temperature control, and the use of safe ingredients and water in food preparation.
India
MUMBAI – 5 Children Sickened from Suspected Food Poisoning
Five children were sickened from suspected food poisoning after eating shawarma from a local food vendor.
Shortly after, all began experiencing symptoms consistent with food poisoning, including stomach pain and vomiting.
The children were taken to a local medical clinic for treatment. Four of the five were treated and then discharged. One of the children remains at the clinic under observation.
Local residents have reportedly demanded an investigation by food safety authorities.
KERALA – Army Officer Assaulted Following Food Poisoning Incident
A senior Army officer was assaulted at a National Cadet Corps (NCC) training camp in Kerala following a mass food poisoning incident that affected over 80 cadets. Security footage captured the attack on Lt Colonel Karnail Singh by two men identified as a local government official and a left party leader.
The incident occurred on December 23 after cadets from the 21 Kerala Battalion NCC reported illness following their evening meal.
Video evidence shows the assailants forcing their way into the camp, where they confronted Lt Colonel Singh. The footage shows the officer being pushed against a wall and grabbed by the throat.
During the altercation, one attacker wielding what appeared to be a knife threatened the officer. A police officer present at the scene intervened to defuse the situation. Lt Colonel Singh sustained injuries to his neck and back during the assault.
The food poisoning outbreak affected participants of a training camp hosting 513 cadets, comprising 283 boys and 235 girls. According to camp officials, the affected cadets were initially transported to a local health center after reporting discomfort post-dinner. Another 47 additional cadets who displayed similar symptoms received treatment at the center’s outpatient department before returning to camp.
In response to these events, the Additional Director General of NCC has commissioned a Brigadier-led investigation panel to examine the food poisoning incident.
Law enforcement has filed cases against the attackers, including charges of trespassing, criminal intimidation, and voluntarily causing hurt. A senior police officer is leading the investigation into the assault.
NIRMAL – Food Poisoning Incident at Residential School Affects Ten Students
Ten students at a government residential school in Nirmal, Hyderabad, required medical attention following suspected food poisoning on Friday evening. The incident occurred after students ate their dinner, which reportedly included undercooked rice prepared by a newly appointed food service provider.
The affected students experienced symptoms consisten with food poisoning including stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. While five students returned to the hostel after receiving treatment, medical staff kept the remaining five under observation.
This event follows several similar incidents across Telangana state schools and hostels. A notable case occurred in November when a 13-year-old student from an Ashram school died while receiving treatment for food poisoning at a local hospital. That incident affected over 30 students, with three requiring medical care.
In response to these recurring cases, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has directed district magistrates to implement regular food safety inspections at schools. The government has also established new standard operating procedures to address food safety concerns in residential schools.
BALURGHAT – Food Poisoning Near Police Station Affects 25
Twenty-five people, including several police officers, became ill after eating lunch at a restaurant near Kumarganj police station in Balurghat on Friday. Ten patients remain under care at the city’s district hospital, while others received treatment at local facilities and were discharged.
The incident occurred after patrons, including a senior police official, dined at the establishment operated by a local woman. Symptoms began manifesting in the afternoon hours, with the restaurant owner also among those affected. Medical staff observed unusual symptoms in the patients, including disorientation.
Police leadership visited the hospital to assess the condition of affected police personnel, confirming that three officers remained under medical supervision. An investigation into the incident has been launched.
Initial medical assessments suggest contaminated food as the cause of the illnesses.
Brazil
PARNAIBA – 1 Dead, Multiple People Sickened in New Year’s Day Incident
A series of severe food poisoning incidents has struck multiple families across Brazil, resulting in several deaths and numerous hospitalizations. The most recent case occurred on New Year’s Day, claiming the life of a 17-year-old while leaving several family members in critical condition.
A 17 year-old boy died in transit to the hospital after consuming fish from a donated meal. Eight additional family members required medical attention following the incident.
Three patients, including two adults and a child, remain in critical condition at two local hospitals.
One of those affected was a 32 year-old woman who was previously impacted by tragedy when her two young sons died in a separate poisoning incident in 2023. The current victims include the 17 year-old’s sisters, his three nieces,53 year-old stepfather, a 41 year-old family friend and her two-year-old son. Two patients have since been released from hospital care.
Hospital staff reported that patients exhibited consistent symptoms: reduced heart rate, profuse sweating, and diminished consciousness levels.
The donated meal contained an anchovy-type fish. The donors of the food have voluntarily approached authorities to assist with the investigation.
Health authorities have initiated comprehensive testing of blood and urine samples from the victims, as well as analyzing genetic material from the deceased teenager’s stomach. A forensic team has also collected food samples from the family home for toxicological analysis.
This incident follows a separate tragic event in September 2023 involving the same extended family, where two 7 and 8 year-old boys died after consuming poisoned cashew nuts. A 52-year-old neighbor was subsequently charged with double homicide and remains in custody.
Investigators have found no connection between these two poisoning incidents.
Nigeria
JIGAWA STATE – Wedding Reception Poisoning Under Investigation
Police in Jigawa State have taken a bride into custody following a food poisoning incident at her wedding reception that resulted in one death and left the groom hospitalized. A second suspect has also been arrested in connection with the case.
A police official has confirmed that the incident occurred and that authorities received reports that the bride had allegedly contaminated food served during the wedding celebration. Several guests at the event were subsequently sickened.
Police have launched a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. While details remain limited during the ongoing investigation, law enforcement officials are questioning both suspects to determine the sequence of events.
Police officials said they will release additional information as the investigation progresses.
United States
DENVER – Flight Attendants Union Demands Action After Mass Food Poisoning Incident
Earlier this week, Food Poisoning News reported on a large-scale food poisoning incident involving United Airlines employees at Denver International Airport.
The Association of Flight Attendants – CWA union has issued guidance to flight attendants impacted by the incident, advising them to promptly report their absences to supervisors and absence management teams. Flight attendants penalized with attendance points due to the illness are encouraged to request their removal.
The local union president for the Denver and Phoenix bases is leading the union’s efforts to ensure the rights of affected flight attendants are protected.
FORT WORTH – Food Poisoning Can’t Stop Basketball Star
A bout of food poisoning wasn’t not enough to stop a Texas Christian University (TCU) basketball player.
Senior Guard Hailey Van Lith was initially deemed unlikely to play in Wednesday’s game against the University of Colorado. However, the star player rallied and scored 14 points to help TCU to victory.
In a postgame interview, Van Lith said, “It’s not easy, especially with my role on the team. But at the end of the day, the other team doesn’t care that I was sick.”
Commenting on this article, the nation’s leading food poisoning lawyer said, “A common theme in many of these stories is that the restaurant or vendor supplying the food was negligent in one or many ways. Any business that supplies food or food services has the extreme responsibility to follow all food safety protocols and regulations to protect not only their customers, but also the future of their business.”
