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...]
Raw Oyster Vibrio Outbreak in Canada Ends With 23 Sick
A raw oyster Vibrio outbreak in Canada has ended with 23 sick, according to Public Health Canada. One person was hospitalized because their illness was so severe. Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a naturally occurring bacteria that grows in coastal waters when the water is warm, as in the summer months. Most people get sick by eating raw or undercooked shellfish, especially oysters, in the summer. The case count by province is: Saskatchewan (1), Quebec (7), New Brunswick (10), and Prince Edward Island (5). People got sick between early July and late October 2020. The patient age range is from 11 to 92 years. This infection can be spread person-to-person, especially since some people can be infected and not exhibit any symptoms. People who are at most risk for complications from this … [Read more...]
Canadian Bagged Salad Cyclospora Outbreak Ends With 370 Sick
The Canadian bagged salad cyclospora outbreak has ended, according to Public Health Canada, with at least 370 sick in six provinces, as of November 4, 2020. Exposure to some Fresh Express brand salad products were identified as a "likely source" for some of the illnesses in this outbreak. The notice states that "the outbreak appears to be over and the investigation is winding down." There was a similar cyclospora outbreak in the United States this summer. That outbreak, which sickened at least 701 people, was also associated with Fresh Express salad products that were made with iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots. Some of the recalled brand names in the United States included ALDI, Giant Eagle, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco, ShopRite, and Walmart. In Canada, the patient case count by … [Read more...]
Barakat Restaurant Salmonella Outbreak in Canada Ends With Dozens Sick
A Barakat Restaurant Salmonella outbreak in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada has ended after sickening dozens of people, according to Lambton Public Health. people were sickened after eating at that restaurant and at the Barakat food truck in Corunna, Ontario, between October 19 and October 29, 2020. The restaurant and food truck have been voluntarily closed since October 30, 2020 while public health officials conducted an investigation. A re-inspection will be conducted when the facilities are ready to re-open. The owners have been cooperating with Lambton Public Health. There are currently 45 laboratory-confirmed Salmonella cases associated with this outbreak. And about 185 other people have reported illness with symptoms that are compatible with salmonellosis after eating at these … [Read more...]
Canadian Salmonella Peach Outbreak Declared Over With 57 Sick
Public Health Canada has declared the Canadian Salmonella peach outbreak over after sickening 57 people in two provinces. There is a corresponding outbreak in the United States that was just declared over by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The notice from Public Health Canada states that "Given that Salmonella illness reporting linked to this outbreak has significantly decreased over the last four weeks, the outbreak appears to be over and the investigation has been closed." People may still have these peaches either frozen in their freezers or in other products. In Canada, a consumer advisory was issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for Prima Wawona peaches that were imported from the United States and sold from June 1, 2020 to August 22, 2020. The … [Read more...]
Hilly Acres Farm Eggs Recalled in Canada for Possible Salmonella
Hilly Acres Farm Eggs are being recalled in Canada because they may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. The eggs were distributed at the retail level in Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia. Consumers should not eat and distributors, retailers, and food service establishments such as hotels, restaurants, cafeterias, hospitals and nursing homes should not serve, sell or use these recalled eggs. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with this recall. You can see the long list of recalled products at the CFIA web site. The brand names that are part of this Hilly Acres Farm eggs recall include no name brand, generic, Farmer John Eyking, Eyking Delite, Compliments, Maritime Pride, Nova Eggs, Nova Eggs Eggsquisite, and Great Value. These products … [Read more...]
