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...]
Romaine E. coli Outbreak Over in Canada; U.S. Outbreak Continues
The latest romaine lettuce E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has ended in Canada, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. The outbreak in the U.S. is still ongoing, with at least 59 people sick as of December 14, 2018. There have been no illnesses reported in Canada since mid-November, 2018. Officials are no longer advising residents in the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and New Brunswick to avoid eating romaine lettuce and salad mixes that contain romaine. Traceback information indicates that the contaminated romaine lettuce was harvested in the Central Coast growing regions of northern and central California. Romaine lettuce grown in Canada, including that grown hydroponically and in greenhouses, is not associated with this outbreak. There were 29 confirmed cases of E. coli … [Read more...]
Romaine Lettuce E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Sickens 22 in Canada
The Romaine lettuce E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has sickened at least 32 people in 11 states in the United States has also sickened 22 people in Canada, according to Public Health Canada. Romaine lettuce has been identified as the outbreak source in both countries. The patient case count by province in this romaine lettuce E. coli O157:H7 outbreak is: Ontario (4), Quebec (17), and New Brunswick (1). The illnesses began between mid-October and early November 2018. Eight people have been hospitalized, and one person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a kind of kidney failure. And the illnesses in this romaine lettuce E. coli outbreak are genetically related to illnesses reported last year that sickened people in both countries. This "suggests there may be a … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak in Canada Associated with Cucumbers Updated
The Salmonella outbreak in Canada that may be associated with long English cucumbers has been updated by Public Health Canada. Five more ill persons have been added to the case count. Those sickened live in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Quebec. Based on the investigation findings, exposure to long English cucumbers has been identified as the likely source of this outbreak. Many of those sickened said they ate that vegetable before they got sick. The outbreak is ongoing, and more illnesses continue to be reported. The outbreak seems to be limited to western Canada. As of November 2, 2018, there are 50 lab-confirmed cases of Salmonella Infantis illnesses in those provinces. The case count by province is: British Columbia (42), Alberta (5), Saskatchewan (1), … [Read more...]
Romaine E. coli O157:H7 HUS Outbreak Spreads to Canada; More Lawsuits?
The E. coli O157:H7 HUS outbreak linked to romaine lettuce that is plaguing the United States has moved to Canada, according to a Public Health Notice posted by the Public Health Agency of Canada. Six people in that country are sick with E. coli O57 infections with a "similar genetic fingerprint" to illnesses in the U.S. Two of those sickened said they visited the U.S. before they got sick. Three people got sick in Canada, and information is pending for the fourth person. The notice states that the likely source of the outbreak in Canada is romaine lettuce from the Yuma growing regions in the U.S. The case count in Canada is: British Columbia (1), Alberta (1), Saskatchewan (2), and Ontario (2). The patients got sick between late March and mid-April 2018. One of the Canadian cases … [Read more...]
FDA Tells Consumers to Avoid Raw Oysters From Baynes Sound, Canada for Possible Norovirus
Canada has had an issue with contaminated oysters for some time. Now the FDA is warning consumers to avoid the potentially contaminated shellfish.The FDA has confirmed that potentially contaminated raw oysters that were harvested in the south and central parts of Baynes Sound, British Columbia, Canada, were distributed to California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Washington state. These shellfish are linked to a norovirus outbreak in Canada. A traceback investigation is being conducted to discover where the shellfish were distributed, and to make sure they are removed from the food supply. Retailers should not sell raw oysters that were harvested within these harvest locations, also called landfills, in Baynes Sound: #1411206, #1400483, and #278757. Consumers should know that … [Read more...]
Vibrio Cholerae Infections Associated with Herring Eggs in Canada
The First Nations Health Authority and Island Health is warning the public in Canada that confirmed cases of Vibrio cholerae infections have been reported in association with herrings eggs that are laid in the marine environment, and not in herring roe harvested from the fish. This bacteria causes a form of cholera, which is practically unknown in Canadian waters. You can see the possible contamination areas in the map below. Canada has had just two cases of cholera a year since 2014. At least four people are sick in this outbreak. This infection is very rare in industrialized nations, but occurs in Africa, Haiti, and Southeast Asia, according to the CDC. As of March 23, 2018, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has issued an emergency closure on Herring Egg Harvest in … [Read more...]
Health Canada Says E. coli O157 Outbreak In That Country Linked to Romaine Lettuce Over
Health Canada says that the E. coli O157 outbreak linked to romaine lettuce in that country is over. At least 42 people in 5 provinces were sickened in this outbreak. As of January 10, 2018, there were 42 cases of illness in this E. coli O157 outbreak that were reported in five eastern provinces: Ontario (8), Quebec (15), New Brunswick (5), Nova Scotia (1), and Newfoundland and Labrador (13). Individuals became sick in November and early December 2017. Seventeen individuals were hospitalized because their illnesses were so severe. One person died in this E. coli O157 outbreak. Patients were between the ages of 3 and 85 years of age. The majority of cases (74%) were female. Most of those who were sickened said they ate romaine lettuce the week before they got sick. Patients ate … [Read more...]
E. coli O157 Outbreak in Canada Linked to Romaine Lettuce Grows to 40 Sick
The Public Health Agency of Canada is investigating an E. coli O157 outbreak in five provinces. As of December 21, 2017, 40 people are sick in this outbreak, which is linked to the consumption of romaine lettuce. Individuals in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador are advised to avoid romaine lettuce until more is known about this outbreak and the cause of contamination. This outbreak is ongoing, as illnesses linked to romaine lettuce continue to be reported to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Officials think that contaminated lettuce may still be on the market, including in restaurants, grocery stores, and any establishments that serve food. This product has a shelf life up to 5 weeks. There is a risk of E. coli infections associated with … [Read more...]
