United States
NEW YORK – Raw Milk from New York Farm Tests Positive for Listeria
New York state agriculture officials have issued a consumer warning about raw milk from Willow Marsh Farm in Ballston Spa, New York following the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in a routine sample. The farm has been temporarily prohibited from selling raw milk until follow-up testing confirms the product is safe.
The contamination was identified in a sample collected by a state inspector, with preliminary results received on January 30 and confirmation obtained on February 4. The farm has advised customers who purchased raw milk between January 28 and February 2 not to consume the product.
Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an infection particularly dangerous for young children, elderly individuals, cancer patients, and those with compromised immune systems. In healthy individuals, symptoms may include high fever, severe headaches, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
In a statement, Willow Marsh Farm said this marks the first instance of Listeria detection in their raw milk in their 17-year history of sales. The farm expects new testing around February 10 or 11, with final results anticipated approximately one week later.
No illnesses linked to the contaminated milk have been reported. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets recommends that consumers dispose of any affected product and contact Willow Marsh Farm with any concerns.
Hong Kong
SHA TIN – Food Poisoning Incident Linked to Chinese New Year Gathering Investigated
Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP) under the Department of Health is currently investigating a food poisoning incident involving 24 people who attended a Chinese New Year meal celebration on January 31.
The event, which included approximately 100 participants, took place in a domestic setting. Among the affected individuals, 13 were male and 11 were female, ranging in age from 3 to 76 years old.
Symptoms, including fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting, appeared approximately 10 to 20 hours after consuming the meal. Four of those affected sought medical attention, though none required hospitalization.
Preliminary investigations by the CHP identified that the affected individuals had consumed poon choi, a traditional dish, supplied and prepared by Kam Sha Kok Cafe, in the Shatin neighborhood.
Following the report, staff from the CHP and the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department conducted an on-site inspection at the restaurant. They examined the cooking process, food hygiene practices, and collected food and environmental samples for further testing.
The CFS investigation revealed that the food was prepared too far in advance and stored at improper temperatures. As a result, the CFS instructed the restaurant to immediately halt the supply of the affected poon choi and to thoroughly clean and disinfect the premises. Additionally, the CFS provided guidance to the operators and staff on improving food safety and hygiene practices, including recommendations to enhance the food preparation process.
The CHP and CFS investigations are ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional cases emerging. In light of the incident, the CHP emphasized to the public the importance of maintaining proper food and environmental hygiene, particularly during festive seasons when large meals are common.
They also advised that chilled poon choi should be stored at 39 degrees Fahrenheit or below, while during transportation, it should be kept above 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Before consumption, the dish should be thoroughly reheated to a core temperature of at least 167 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure safety.
India
RAJASTHAN – Mass Food Poisoning Strikes Two Wedding Celebrations
A large-scale food poisoning incident affected over 250 wedding guests in India’s Rajasthan state on Sunday evening, with cases reported from separate mass wedding celebrations in Udaipur and Bharatpur districts.
In Udaipur, more than 220 people were admitted to the hospital after attending a large wedding ceremony in Dhanmand. The hospital established an emergency ward to manage the influx of patients, most of whom were women and children. While the majority of patients have since been discharged, 27 remain under observation, including a 15-year-old girl in critical condition who is being treated in the pediatric intensive care unit.
The Udaipur wedding feast, which served approximately 6,000 guests from the district and surrounding areas, reportedly led to symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea among attendees. Hospital staff reported that while initial admissions numbered around 30 patients, this figure rapidly increased to over 200 within an hour. Additional medical staff were deployed to handle the emergency, and local police assisted in managing crowds at the hospital.
In a separate incident in Bharatpur’s Gazipur village, approximately 60 people required medical attention following another mass wedding celebration. Of these patients, 17 were admitted to a hospital in Nadbai, with medical teams dispatched to the village to provide assistance.
Health officials noted that individuals with lower immunity, particularly women and children, were most severely affected. Health officials are scheduled to collect food samples for laboratory analysis to determine the precise cause of the food poisoning outbreak.
Australia
SYDNEY – Food Poisoning Outbreak Forces Closure of Popular Restaurant
A prominent Chinatown restaurant in Sydney has been temporarily closed by food safety authorities following multiple reports of food poisoning that affected twelve people, including an infant, during Lunar New Year celebrations.
The Eight, a well-known yum cha (Cantonese tea and dim sum eatery) restaurant, was served with a prohibition order after diners from at least three separate tables reported falling ill after consuming a special New Year’s banquet last Wednesday, according to dailymail.com. The most serious case involved a nine-month-old baby who required emergency treatment due to severe vomiting.
Among those affected was a 24-year-old man who sought treatment at Prince of Wales Hospital’s emergency department, where medical staff confirmed food poisoning as the cause of his symptoms. Other affected diners reported similar experiences, with one table of five friends all experiencing severe symptoms including vomiting and breathing difficulties.
The reported incidents involved substantial banquet meals, with one group spending over $1,000 on a feast that included seafood dishes such as salmon, oysters, and lobster, along with traditional items like soup, rice, and fruit. Another group of eight diners, who spent approximately $1,300 on their meal, also reported falling ill, with symptoms ranging from gastroenteritis to muscle pain and fever.
Health officials confirmed the closure was implemented as a precautionary measure to prevent further incidents. The local health authority has launched an investigation that includes surface swabbing and a thorough inspection of the restaurant’s food preparation processes.
The restaurant has posted notices at its entrance citing “unforeseen kitchen issues” as the reason for the temporary closure, disappointing potential customers during what is typically one of the busiest periods of the year for Chinese restaurants. Two signs, one printed and one handwritten in both English and Chinese, inform visitors of the closure, with the printed notice assuring customers that staff are working to resolve the situation.
The timing of the incident is particularly significant as it occurred during Lunar New Year celebrations, a peak period for Chinese restaurants when many families and groups gather for traditional festive meals. Multiple customers have since taken to Google reviews to document their experiences, with several reports of illness lasting up to two days after dining at the restaurant.
Food safety authorities continue their investigation to determine the exact cause of the outbreak, while the restaurant remains closed until further notice.
SYDNEY – Unlicensed Botox Practitioner Banned After Botulism Cases in Two States
Health authorities in the Australian states of New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria have issued an immediate prohibition order against Norsafiza Binti Zakaria following three cases of suspected botulism linked to unauthorized cosmetic injections administered in January.
A 51-year-old Sydney woman was admitted to intensive care last month after receiving anti-wrinkle injections that resulted in botulism, a severe form of poisoning that attacks the nervous system and can cause muscle paralysis. Two additional cases requiring hospitalization have been connected to injections reportedly administered by Zakaria at a residence in Guildford, NSW.
The NSW Health Care Complaints Commission has confirmed that Zakaria, who is not a registered health practitioner, has been operating out of private homes in both states. Investigators have identified that she advertises cosmetic injection services through WhatsApp and various social media platforms. The commission noted that Zakaria is known to use multiple aliases.
Following her suspected relocation to Victoria, authorities in both states have banned Zakaria from providing any health services while investigations continue. NSW Health issued a specific warning regarding her unauthorized administration of botulinum toxin (Botox) and other injectable substances without proper medical supervision.
Victorian health officials said that the public warning was issued due to the serious risk to life posed by these activities. Botulism, which can be fatal, typically causes paralysis beginning in the facial area before progressing downward through the body, potentially leading to respiratory complications.
Health authorities are urging anyone who may have received treatments from Zakaria to seek immediate medical attention.
New Zealand
AUCKLAND – Restaurant Faces Norovirus Outbreak Investigation
A Japanese restaurant, Taiko Ponsonby, has had its food safety rating downgraded from an “A” to a “D” grade following a norovirus outbreak that affected 22 diners in late January. New Zealand’s National Public Health Service confirmed the outbreak after patrons who dined at the establishment between January 26 and 28 reported severe gastroenteritis symptoms, according to The New Zealand Herald.
The rating change occurred after a joint inspection by Auckland Council and the Ministry for Primary Industries. New Zealand Food Safety confirmed that food safety officers have visited the site as part of an ongoing investigation involving multiple agencies.
Among those affected was a family celebrating Lunar New Year on January 28, who reported experiencing severe symptoms including internal bleeding, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some cases were serious enough to require ambulance assistance, according to customer reports. Multiple diners have documented their experiences through one-star Google reviews over the past four days, with some reporting illness lasting more than a week.
Norovirus typically presents symptoms within one to two days of infection and can last for two to three days. The virus can spread through contaminated food and water, surface contact, or airborne droplets from infected individuals. New Zealand Food Safety noted that such outbreaks in food service businesses typically involve an infected food service employee.
When approached about the situation, Taiko Ponsonby’s management stated they were “fully co-operating” with investigations being conducted by various authorities. However, when questioned about the downgraded rating, a spokesman for the restaurant declined to apologize, stating, “If we are not in the wrong, why should we apologize? … We did not create the virus.”
Health officials advise that while most people can recover from norovirus at home with rest and adequate fluid intake, medical attention should be sought if symptoms include bloody diarrhea, fever, or persist beyond seven days. The public health service stressed the importance of good hand hygiene in preventing virus spread, noting that infected individuals typically remain contagious for three days after symptoms subside.
Auckland Council indicated that while their website currently displays an “A” grade rating for the restaurant (which expired on December 13, 2024), the new “D” rating will be updated on their website. The council’s most recent verification of the establishment took place on January 23, with no previous complaints recorded against Taiko.
Commenting on this article, the nation’s leading norovirus lawyer said, “Restaurants and other food service businesses live and die by their reputations. Those that disregard proper food safety practices, whether by negligence or accident, may face financial consequences of fines, lawsuits, and lack of future patronage from customers.”
