A norovirus outbreak linked to raw oysters imported from Canada has sickened at least 91 people in 13 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The FDA has already released a bulletin telling restaurants and retailers not to sell the oysters. The number of illnesses is an estimate based on the information the government has at this time. The CDC is working with state and local partners to determine a more accurate number of illnesses in this outbreak. There is a norovirus outbreak in Canada linked to these oysters, with at least 279 people sick. In the United States, there are people sick in these states: California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. … [Read more...]
FDA: Do Not Sell or Serve Norovirus Raw Oysters From Canada
The FDA is advising retailers and restaurants not to serve or sell norovirus raw oysters imported from Canada. There is a large norovirus outback in Canada associated with those oysters, and there are also norovirus outbreaks in Minnesota, California, and Washington state. The FDA, CDC, and the Public Health Agency of Canada are investigating a multi-state outbreak of norovirus linked to raw oysters. The potentially contaminated raw oysters that were harvested in the south and central parts of Baynes Sound in British Columbia were distributed to restaurants and retailers in California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. More states may have received these oysters. A trace forward … [Read more...]
Minnesota Oyster Norovirus Outbreak Sickens 29
A Minnesota oyster norovirus outbreak has sickened at least 29 people, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. The raw oysters were harvested from a specific bay in British Columbia, Canada, and were served at Travail Kitchen in Robbinsdale on March 20, 2022. The Minnesota Department of Health, Hennepin County Public Health, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture are working with federal officials and public health agencies in other states and Canada to investigate norovirus illnesses that are associated with oysters harvested from Bay 14-8 in British Columbia. Those sickened in Minnesota became ill with confirmed or suspected norovirus gastroenteritis after eating the oysters at Travail Kitchen. The oysters served were Stellar Bay Gold oysters harvested on March … [Read more...]
Oysters Recalled For Norovirus in Canada as Outbreak Monitored
Oysters recalled for norovirus in Canada are being named as an outbreak is monitored. There are currently three recalls for raw oysters on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) website. Illnesses are associated with all of these oysters, according to the CFIA. The first recall is for some Stellar Bay Shellfish Chef Creek Oysters. Those oysters were sold in British Columbia and may also have been sold in other territories and provinces. The recalled item is Stellar Bay Shellfish Oyster, Chef Creek, sold in variable, or clerk-served packages. You can see the Harvest Date and lot numbers at the CFIA site. This recall was an update to an earlier recall with more products, including Stellar Bay Gold, Large Oyster Kusshi, and Kusshi Oysters. Those three types of oysters were sold in … [Read more...]
Public Warned: Kerela Ayurvedic & Natural Herbal Consultation in Toronto
The public has been warned about using unauthorized Ayurvedic medicinal products sold by Kerela Ayurvedic & Natural Herbal Consultation in Toronto by Public Health Canada after a report of heavy metal poisoning following the use of products obtained from this clinic. You can get a copy of this advisory in Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Urdu upon request. All Ayurvedic medicinal products sold at that facility, which is located at 2900 Markham Road, Unit L13 in Majestic City Mall, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, are affected by this public health notice. This includes products that were ordered by the clinic from a supplier and shipped directly to consumers. As of February 1, 2022, the testing of products seized from Kerela Ayurvedic & Natural Herbal Consultation in Toronto has … [Read more...]
Hankook (Korean characters only) Original Kimchi E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak
A Hankook (Korean characters only) brand Original Kimchi E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has been announced by the Public Health Agency of Canada. As of January 28, 2022 there are 14 laboratory-confirmed cases linked to this outbreak. A food recall has been issued. The patient case count by province is: Alberta (13) and Saskatchewan (1). The patient age range is between 0 and 61 years of age. No hospitalizations or deaths have been reported. Many of those sickened said they ate Hankook (Korean characters only) brand Original Kimchi before they got sick. Kimchi is a spicy type of Korean sauerkraut that is made from fermented vegetables. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, along with the Public Health Agency of Canada and provincial public health partners are investigating this outbreak. … [Read more...]
Provigo Grocery Sushi in Montreal May Be Contaminated with Hepatitis A
Provigo grocery sushi in Montreal may be contaminated with hepatitis A, according to news reports quoting Montreal Public Health. That store is located at 6600 Saint-Jacques street in Montreal's Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighborhood. The sushi products were made between November 17 and 20, 2021 and November 24 and 25, 2021. While the risk of transmission is low, this virus is quite contagious. People can get sick through person to person contact, through touching contaminated surfaces, and by eating contaminated food. If you ate sushi prepared at that particular store on November 24 and 25, 2021, you can still get a hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccination if you act quickly. That vaccine is only effective if given within two weeks of exposure. You can contact Info-Santé at 811 for … [Read more...]
Canada Imposes Import Restrictions on Romaine Imported From CA
Canada imposes import restrictions on romaine lettuce imported from one growing area in California again, after several outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses linked to that product. The requirements target one geographical area in that state: the counties of Santa Cruz, Santa Cara, San Benito, and Monterey in the Salinas Valley. Canada imports romaine lettuce from the Salinas Valley area in California during the months of September through December. Since romaine lettuce has been linked to many E. coli outbreaks over the past few years, it can be considered a risky food, especially for people who are at higher risk for complications from this type of infection. The Canadian 2020 import restrictions seemed to work last year. There were no outbreaks linked to or associated with … [Read more...]
Frozen Mango Hepatitis A Outbreak in Canada Sickens Three
A frozen mango hepatitis A outbreak in Canada has sickened at least three people in two provinces. A recall has been issued for Nature's Touch Frozen Food, Compliments, Irresistibles, and President's Choice brand frozen mangoes. The outbreak is ongoing and more illnesses have been reported to Public Health Canada. This is not the first time produce has been linked to a hepatitis A outbreak. In February 2020, a hepatitis A outbreak linked to Fresh Thyme blackberries sickened 20 people in seven states. In the United States, the FDA launched a food sampling program for hepatitis A in frozen berries after two outbreaks, in 2013 and 2016, sickened more than 300 Americans. In the Canadian outbreak, ill persons live in Quebec (2) and Nova Scotia (1). The patient age range is from 23 to … [Read more...]
Raw Milk Gouda-Like E. coli O121 Outbreak in Canada Recommendations
A report on a raw milk Gouda-like E. coli O121 outbreak in British Columbia, Canada in 2018 has prompted recommendations for more controls on this type of product. The outbreak in 2018 sickened seven people. Four of the seven cases ate the same raw milk Gouda-type cheese between August and October 2018. The implicated cheese was aged longer than the minimum requirement of 60 days, and investigators found no production deficiencies at the facility. The dairy plant was compliant with current Canadian regulatory requirements. One sample of the cheese tested positive for E. coli O121. The investigators recommend that raw milk Gouda and Gouda-like cheeses should be labeled to increase consumer awareness of the potential risks in these types of products. They also recommend … [Read more...]
