Kazakhstan
Sixteen students in Kazakhstan’s Mangistau region were treated for suspected food poisoning from their school cafeteria last Thursday.
Initial reports indicated that a large number of schoolchildren in the region had been affected by food poisoning, with two children in intensive care.
However, all 16 children were treated for fluid loss and discharged. The students were reported to be in stable condition and all returned to school the following day.
The cause of the outbreak is being investigated by government officials. The school cafeteria has been closed pending further investigation.
New Zealand
Food safety officials have issued an alert regarding certain batches of raw milk produced by Arran Farm in Feilding, New Zealand that are potentially contaminated with Campylobacter. Campylobacter is a bacteria that causes infectious disease in the intestines, resulting in cramping, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain.
The potential presence of Campylobacter was discovered during routine testing.
The affected product was sold in one-liter glass bottles or in consumer’s own containers through a vending machine at the Arran Farm Milk Shop only and was not exported. The recall applies to raw milk purchased between August 23 and September 17.
Consumers are strongly advised to not to drink the milk due to the risk of Campylobacter contamination.
Consumers are instructed to either return the product to Arran Farm for a refund or dispose of it. Alternatively, New Zealand’s Food Safety agency said the milk can be made safe for consumption by heating it to boiling point for one minute, which eliminates any harmful bacteria.
Campylobacter infection, also known as campylobacteriosis, is caused by bacteria commonly found in the intestines of cattle, poultry, and pigs. Even a small amount of Campylobacter bacteria can cause illness. Infection can occur through consuming unpasteurized milk, undercooked meat, or contaminated produce, as well as through contact with animals or their living environments. Symptoms usually appear within 1 to 10 days after exposure and can include diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, nausea, and vomiting. While most people recover within a week, complications such as reactive arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and Guillain-Barré syndrome, an autoimmune disorder, can occur.
To prevent infection, it is important to avoid high-risk foods like raw milk and undercooked meat. Proper hygiene practices, such as thoroughly cleaning kitchen surfaces and washing hands after handling animals, can also reduce the risk of infection.
Taiwan
A suspected food poisoning incident in Binmao Village in Taiwan has resulted in three fatalities and nine hospitalizations. The event began when an 83-year-old woman prepared a meal of dumplings containing snails, pork, and bamboo shoots on Tuesday.
After consuming the dumplings, the woman became ill and was rushed to a local hospital. Despite initial suspicions of food poisoning, her family insisted her death was due to an unrelated illness. Her body was returned home, where a gathering of about 30 mourners took place.
The situation escalated when attendees at the wake consumed food from the deceased woman’s kitchen, including the dumplings. By early Wednesday morning, several mourners began experiencing severe symptoms of vomiting and convulsions. Nine people were hospitalized, with six initially unconscious. Two more deaths occurred the following day, bringing the total fatalities to three.
Local health authorities suspect that the snails used in the dumplings may have been contaminated with pesticides. Snails are not commonly consumed in Taiwan but are sometimes part of the diet of indigenous peoples, such as the Paiwan community in Binmao Village.
Multiple government agencies, including local police and the federal food safety organization have launched investigations into the incident. Samples were collected, including leftover dumplings and other items from the area where the snails were gathered.
The Taiwan Food and Drug Administration is conducting tests on the samples, with results expected within the week.
Singapore
Singapore’s food safety authorities have issued a recall for another popular mooncake product due to potential health risks. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has ordered the withdrawal of Baker’s Cottage’s snow skin signature yam mooncakes from the market after detecting elevated levels of E. coli bacteria during routine quality checks.
E. coli is a bacterium with the potential to be fatal, inducing symptoms such as abdominal cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and fatigue from dehydration that appear three to four days after the initial infection, though in some cases, symptoms don’t appear for over a week.
Although unpleasant, most symptoms subside within a week. In extreme cases, individuals experience hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a deadly complication that shuts down the kidneys and other vital organs. Symptoms of HUS include less frequent urination, loss of color in the cheeks and inner eyelids, and extreme fatigue. Anyone showing one or more of these symptoms should seek medical care immediately.
The affected mooncakes, imported from a well-known Malaysian bakery chain, were found to contain E. coli concentrations exceeding Singapore’s regulatory limits. Baker’s Cottage, which operates approximately 160 outlets across Malaysia, is a significant player in the regional confectionery market.
The SFA has instructed the Singapore-based importer of the affected mooncakes to initiate a recall of the contaminated products. The products have an expiration date of December 31, 2024. Consumers who have purchased these mooncakes are advised not to eat them and to contact the location of purchase for further information.
Anyone who has consumed the affected mooncakes and is experiencing health concerns is urged to seek medical attention promptly.
This recall follows closely on the heels of another recent food safety incident involving mooncakes. Just a day earlier, the SFA had ordered a recall of all batches of Four Seasons Durians’ mini D24 durian mooncakes due to excessive levels of the bacteria Bacillus cereus.
Myanmar
Over one hundred residents of Oktwin township in Myanmar’s Bago region were sickened by suspected food poisoning yesterday. Government officials reported that approximately 133 individuals required medical attention following the consumption of donated food.
The incident happened on Wednesday when residents ate a meal consisting of fried vermicelli, sauce, rice, and tamarind egg curry. These food items had been distributed to the community earlier that same day as a charitable donation.
By evening, many of those who had eaten the donated food began experiencing typical food poisoning symptoms of stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea.
The affected individuals were taken to a local hospital for treatment. Of the 133 people seeking medical attention, 68 were treated as outpatients and released, while 65 required admission for more intensive care.
“Fortunately,” says food poisoning expert and attorney Ron Simon, “most of those admitted responded to treatment and, by Thursday morning, 41 had recovered sufficiently to be discharged.”
Commenting on this article, one national food poisoning lawyer said, “Extra care must always be taken when preparing food for large groups of people because the risk of foodborne illness is amplified. If food poisoning does occur, prompt medical intervention is equally important to best ensure the well-being of those affected.”
