The Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp salad E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Canada has been updated by Public Health Canada. Now, 24 people are sick with E. coli infections in six provinces. An E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in the U.S., which has sickened 9 people in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota is linked to the same product. This outbreak appears to be ongoing. The Fresh Express product has been recalled in Canada, but not in the United States. The genetic fingerprint of the pathogen that is making people sick is similar in both countries, indicating a common source of infection. Based on the investigation to date, exposure to Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp Chopped Salad kits has been identified as a likely source of this outbreak. Many of those sickened told investigators they ate … [Read more...]
Fresh Express Salad Kit Linked to New E. coli Outbreak in Canada
A Fresh Express salad kit is linked to a new E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Canada. Public Health Canada announced the outbreak this morning. The specific product is Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp Chopped Salad Kit, which has been recalled. We don't know if this outbreak is linked to the multistate E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in the United States that is associated with romaine lettuce from the Salinas, California growing region. There is another E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Canada that has sickened two people and is probably linked to the U.S. outbreak. There are 16 confirmed cases of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in this outbreak in five provinces. The patient case count is: Ontario (10), Quebec (1), New Brunswick (3), Nova Scotia (1), and Newfoundland and Labrador (1). Illness onset dates … [Read more...]
Romaine Outbreak Sickens Canadians with E. coli O157:H7 Infections
The romaine outbreak sickens Canadians with E. coli O157:H7 infections. The same bacteria linked to romaine has sickened at least 102 people in the United States. The two people who are sick in Canada are infected with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria that has a similar genetic fingerprint to patients in the U.S. Public Health Canada is working with U.S. officials to determine the source of contamination. Consumers are still being advised not to eat any romaine lettuce harvested from the Salinas, California growing region. Romaine lettuce harvested in Canada is not affected by this advice. The types of romaine from Salinas that should be avoided include whole heads of romaine, hearts of romaine, and bags and boxes of precut lettuce and salad mixes that contain romaine, including baby … [Read more...]
More Frozen Cooked Chicken Recalled In Canada Listeria Outbreak
More frozen cooked chicken has been recalled in Canada in relation to the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that has sickened at least seven people. The original recall, issued on August 18, 2019, was for Rosemount brand cooked diced chicken. Now, Reuven International Ltd. is recalling its frozen cooked chicken meat, and Sysco is recalling cooked shredded chicken from the marketplace. These products were sold in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Possibly National, Quebec, and Saskatchewan at the retail level and to hotels, restaurants, and institutions. The recalled products are Reuven International Ltd brand Natural Proportion Cooked Chicken Meat (Diced) (#15307) in 4.54 kg packages. The UPC number on the product is 907 63572 15307 1, and the … [Read more...]
Tampering With Infant Formula at Walmart in Edmonton, Alberta
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning consumers about reports of tampering in an infant formula product at the Walmart store at 775 Tamarack Way Northwest in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Officials state that the safety seals have been broken and product substitution has occurred. No illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported to date in this case. The notice states that "This type of issue is not typically associated with the manufacturing process but can occur occasionally when a consumer returns altered products to the retail store for a refund." Infant formula products have been found where the tamper-proof seals have been broken and the product inside those packages had been substituted with something else. The recall notice did not state which brands … [Read more...]
Listeria Outbreak in Canada Linked to Rosemount Cooked Chicken
A Listeria monocytogenes outbreak in Canada is linked to Rosemount brand cooked chicken, according to a notice from the Public Health Agency of Canada. Seven confirmed cases have been diagnosed as of August 18 2019. The patient case count by province is: British Columbia (1), Manitoba (1), and Ontario (5). People got sick between November 2017 and June 2019. Six of the seven patients have been hospitalized because they are so sick. The patient age range is from 51 to 97 years. An increase in Listeria illnesses was reported to the government in June 2019. Officials used whole genome sequencing (WGS) to identify two illnesses which occurred in November 2017 that had the same genetic strain as illnesses that occurred in April and June 2019. Rosemount cooked chicken has been … [Read more...]
Compliments Chicken Strips Linked to Salmonella Outbreak in Canada
Compliments chicken strips are being recalled in Canada because they are linked to a Salmonella outbreak in that country. The Public Health Agency of Canada is investigating an outbreak of human illnesses and has identified this product as a source of illness. The outbreak investigation is ongoing and officials may name other products. The recalled product is Compliments brand Chicken Strips - Breaded Chicken Cutlets - Uncooked, sold in 907 gram packages. The code on the outer package is 2019 NO 24 and on the inner package it is 328MM. the UPC number on the product is 0 57742 33687 0. The chicken was sold nationwide until May 1, 2019. Some consumers may still have this product in their home freezers. Many frozen breaded chicken products on the market are raw, but they appear to be … [Read more...]
New Salmonella Outbreak in Canada Linked to Frozen Breaded Raw Chicken
A new Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak in Canada is linked to frozen raw breaded chicken products. At least eleven people are sick; one person has been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. The case count by province is: British Columbia (2), Alberta (1), Ontario (2), Quebec (3), New Brunswick (1), Nova Scotia (1), and Prince Edward Island (1). Illness onset dates range from September 2018 and April 2019. Because there have been so many Salmonella outbreaks linked to frozen breaded raw chicken products in Canada in the past few years, the Canadian government has implemented new industry measures for controlling the risk of Salmonella in these foods. The measures took effect on April 1, 2019, but product made before this date are still on the market and are still in … [Read more...]
Canada Announces Monetary Penalties For Companies Violating Food Safety Rules
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is going to begin issuing Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) for violations by food businesses that violate federal food safety rules. The penalties will range from a Notice of Violation with no monetary penalty up to a maximum $15,000 for serious offenses or repeat violators. These penalties are another option the government can use to address violations. The press release states that, "By expanding the use of AMPs across all food sectors, the CFIA will now have a consistent and comprehensive set of tools to enforce compliance with the requirements for all food in Canada." Canada has been using AMPs in the meat sector since 2015. Amendments to the Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations (AAAMPR) … [Read more...]
Salmonella Enteritidis Outbreak in Canada Sickens 63; No Source Found
A Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak in Canada has sickened at least 63 people in six provinces, but public health officials have not identified a source of the pathogen. Officials are sharing this information to inform consumers how to avoid Salmonella infections. There is another Salmonella outbreak in that country that has sickened more than 500 people. That outbreak is linked to frozen breaded raw chicken and other raw chicken products. The case count by province is British Columbia (23), Alberta (10), Saskatchewan (8), Manitoba (10), Ontario (10), and Quebec (2). Illness onset dates range from November 2018 through March 2019. The patient age range is from 1 and 87 years. Eighteen people have been hospitalized because their illness is so serious. Two deaths have been reported, but … [Read more...]
