E.coli Sickens Seven in Calgary Area
Alberta Health Services physicians confirmed that they are investigating a series of E.coli 0157:H7 cases dating back to November 2008 on the notion that all appear to be related. The cases have affected 5 Calgarians, one individual from Edmonton and another from Saskatchewan.
"We think we see some patterns here," said Dr. Richard Musto, Calgary Medical Officer of Health for Alberta Health Services. "It is still early, but it looks like there is some…connection between the cases". The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is awaiting more information before making a decision to launch its own probe.
Resources:
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/city/story.html?id=f8defeb3-c0b5-406e-8491-67f388d20b24
Peanut Butter Recalled for Salmonella
Ohio peanut butter distributor King Nut Companies, issued a voluntary recall for two brands of peanut butter after health officials in Minnesota said they had found Salmonella bacteria in a tub that is distributed to schools and hospitals.
The recall and pending reports could be the breakthrough in identifying a source for the National outbreak of Salmonella stretching across 42 states. On Friday, the Minnesota Department of Health said preliminary laboratory testing found salmonella bacteria in a 5-pound container of King Nut brand creamy peanut butter. The tests have not yet linked it to the type of salmonella in the national outbreak, but additional results are expected early next week.
Resources:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/10/salmonella-outbreak-acros_n_156868.html
http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2009/01/11/salmonella-only-have-to-worry-if-you
http://www.fda.gove/oc/po/firmrecalls/kingnut01_09.html
Salmonella Outbreak Reaches Across 42 States
An outbreak of Salmonella stemming back to September 2008 has now hit 42 States. It has made 388 people sick and sent 18% of them to hospitals, U.S. health officials have reported.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is trying to trace the source of the outbreak. CDC Spokesman David Daigle reported "It is often difficult to identify sources of foodborne outbreaks. People may not remember the foods they recently ate and may not be aware of all the ingredients in food. That's what makes these types of investigations very difficult".
Nationally, all the current illnesses began between Sept. 3 and Dec. 29, but most of the people grew sick after Oct. 1. CDC officials say the cases in the current outbreak have all been genetically fingerprinted as the Typhimurium type, which is among the most common forms of salmonella food poisoning.
References:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/10/salmonella-outbreak-acros_n_156868.html
http://news.aol.com/health.article.salmonella-sickesn0hundreds-in-us/297814
Beef Sandwiches Recalled For Possible Listeria Contamination
Home Market Foods of Norwood Massachusetts has recalled approximately 5,250 lbs of ready-to-eat frozen beef sandwich portions for possible Listeria contamination.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that the portions were produced on November 14, 17, 18 and 20 and distributed to retail institutions in Atlanta, California, Florida, Illinois and New York.
Company testing discovered the possible problem, and the FSIS has received no reports of illness associated with consumption of the product.
References:
www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_046_2008_Release/index.asp
Ground Beef Recalled For E.coli Suspicion
New Jersey firm Dutch Prime Foods Inc., issued a recall of ground beef products suspected of contamination with E.coli O157:H7.
Routine FSIS sampling discovered the possible contamination in vacuum-sealed hamburger products made on November 18 and distributed to restaurants in New Jersey. No reports of illness have been associated with consumption of the product.
Reference:
www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_044_2008_Release/index.asp
California Lettuce May Be Linked to Canada E.coli Outbreak
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the California Department of Public Health have begun investigating possible links to the Ontario E.coli outbreaks. Although a source has not been confirmed, Romaine lettuce may be the source of contamination.
The investigations stem from a Hamilton woman’s account of eating bagged lettuce before falling ill and the discovery that the tested Hamilton-area restaurants were negative for E.coli contamination.
Romaine lettuce among several other food products is being tested and awaiting lab confirmation.
Reference:
www.newsinferno.com/archives/4257
Tougher CFIA Listeria Protocols Following Maple Leaf Outbreak
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is set to release stronger Listeria-testing protocols after this year’s Maple Leaf Foods outbreak claimed the lives of 20 people.
Included in the new protocol are mandatory testing of plant surfaces and non contact surfaces; mandatory testing of ready-to-eat meat products by CFIA inspectors; and when plant surface testing yields two subsequent positives, food must be quarantined and tested for Listeria. The protocol is also set to require companies to report a trend of positive Listeria findings to government inspectors, an existing policy that was dropped in April.
Although the protocols have not been finalized and no implementation date has been announced, a CFIA spokesman did confirm they are forthcoming.
Reference:
www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/11/06/listeria-regulations.html
ca.news.yahoo.com/s/cbc/081107/topstories/canada_listeria_regulations_13