The deadly food poisoning outbreak at the Thanksgiving dinner served at the Antioch American Legion was caused by Clostridium perfringens, according to Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS). Lab tests came back from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, confirming the bacteria in the food. A community church served the food at that event. Some of the food was prepared in home kitchens. Clostridium perfringens bacteria is a common cause of foodborne illness outbreaks, especially when large amounts of food are served by inexperienced handlers. Dr. Louise McNitt, deputy health officer for Contra County Health Services said in a statement, "Clostridium perfringens is one of the most common foodborne illnesses in the U.S. It can be found in the human intestine without hurting … [Read more...]
Clostridium Perfringens was in Gravy at Golden Ponds NY Restaurant
According to the Democrat & Chronicle, Clostridium perfringens in gravy was the probable cause of the large food poisoning outbreak at Golden Ponds restaurant in Greece, New York on Thanksgiving 2016. Laboratory testing found the bacteria in gravy samples taken from the restaurant and in stool samples of patients who ate there. More than 260 people were sickened in that outbreak. And four of those patients were hospitalized because their illness was so severe. All have been released from the hospital, and everyone has recovered. The restaurant apparently made the gravy in a very large single container. It can be very difficult to keep food served and stored in large containers at a safe serving temperature. Clostridium perfringens bacteria are present in human intestines, in … [Read more...]
Preliminary Cause of Cass County ND Jail Outbreak: Clostridium Perfringens
Several news reports state that the North Dakota Department of health has made a preliminary diagnosis about what sickened 110 inmates in the Cass County Jail last month. Clostridium perfringens was most likely the culprit. Stool samples from several inmates revealed the pathogenic bacteria. This bacteria is found on raw meat and poultry. It grows when foods are prepared in large quantities, as in jails, nursing homes, and schools, and that food is kept warm, but not quite warm enough, for long periods of time, or is improperly cooled. This type of outbreak is quite common in large institutions. The outbreak in December 2015 was the second one at the Cass County Jail in the last four years. About 40% of the 282 inmates at the jail were sick with symptoms that included diarrhea … [Read more...]
Jafflz Recalled in Utah for Possible Botulism Risk
Du Monde Gourmet of Park City, UT is recalling approximately 235 pounds of ready-to-eat Jafflz pocket sandwich products because they may contain Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus, and/or Clostridium botulinum. These bacteria are associated with temperature abuse. At the time of the recall there had been no confirmed reports of illness but consumers who have purchased these products should not eat them as they can cause serious illness. The recalled products were shipped to retail locations in Utah and have the code “EST. 48106” inside the USDA mark of inspection. They include: 24-count cases containing 4-6 pieces of “Jafflz Retro Pocket Sandwiches Pasghetti Jaffles with Italian Meat Sauce;" 24-count cases “Jafflz retro pocket Sandwiches Classic Jaffles with Bacon, Egg and … [Read more...]
Clostridium Perfringens Outbreak at Roosevelt High School, IA
The Polk County Health Department has released a report about a Clostridium perfringens food poisoning outbreak at the Roosevelt High School staff luncheon on October 22, 2015. That outbreak sickened at least 58 teachers with a diarrheal illness. Classes and after-school activities were cancelled in that school district to protect students. The Polk County Health Department worked with Des Moines Public School officials, the Iowa Department of Public Health, the Department of Inspections and Appeals and the State Hygienic Laboratory to investigate the outbreak. They interviewed 103 sick and well teachers and staff, including those who attended the lunch and those who did not. They also interviewed patients and ill food handlers, and tested stool samples and food samples. Two outside … [Read more...]
Food Poisoning Outbreak at Jail Prompts Lawsuit
Five former inmates of the Kent County Jail in Grand Rapids, Michigan have filed a lawsuit alleging that food poisoning they endured from contaminated or spoiled food was "cruel and unusual punishment." The lawsuit, filed in 17th Circuit Court in Kent County, names Kent County, Sheriff Lawrence Stelma, and food service company Aramark Corp. as defendants. At least 200 inmates became sick after eating a chicken taco meal in 2012, according to the suit. Lab tests revealed the meal was contaminated with Clostridium perfringens, a spore-producing bacteria, in a rice and cheese product. Symptoms of food poisoning from Clostridium perfringens included diarrhea and abdominal cramping. The complaint argues that Aramark Corp. did not take appropriate food safety measures that would have … [Read more...]
Common Food Poisoning Source C. Perfringens Causes Colon Damage, Study Shows
The foodborne bacteria Clostridium perfringens doesn't grab many headlines, but it's a common source of food poisoning and the one most often cited as the cause of food poisoning outbreaks at large gatherings such as wedding receptions, fundraisers and conventions. As the third-most common source of food poisoning it sickens about 1 million Americans every year, but researchers are still learning about the big impact the little bug can have on the human body such as a new study that shows illness from the bacteria causes colon damage. Previous studies on rabbits have shown that C. perfringens infections cause damage to the small intestine. This study found for the first time that damage also occurs in the colon. Symptoms of food poisoning from C. perfringens include watery diarrhea … [Read more...]
More than 300 Sickened with Clostridium After Missouri Wedding
According to the Missourian, more than 300 people were sickened with food poisoning from gravy served at a wedding at the Sullivan Eagles Hall on April 5, 2014. Laboratory tests revealed that the bacteria responsible for the illnesses was Clostridium perfringens. Symptoms of that illness usually begin 6 to 24 hours after exposure, and include abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Most people recover without complications, but some, especially the elderly and very young, could become dehydrated and need to be hospitalized. And there may be long term complications from this illness. Recent research discovered a possible connection between Clostridium perfringens infections and multiple sclerosis. About 100 people told public health officials they were ill, and said they knew of others who … [Read more...]
Bonicki’s Outbreak Caused by Clostridium Perfringens
The foodborne illness outbreak at Bonicki's Sports Bistro at 1891 East Apple Avenue in Muskegon, Michigan was caused by Clostridium perfringens bacteria in improperly stored food, according to Public Health - Muskegon County. People started getting ill after eating at the restaurant in early April. The restaurant is open for business. Clostridium perfringens is found in soil, sediment, and the intestines of people and animals. The bacteria grows when foods are served after improper storage or held at inadequate storage temperatures. C. perfringens poisoning is one of the most commonly reported foodborne illnesses in the United States. At least six people who ate at the restaurant between April 3 and April 6, 2014 were sickened. Those sickened experienced symptoms of abdominal … [Read more...]
Study Finds Food Poisoning May Trigger Multiple Sclerosis
A study conducted at Weill Cornell Medical College has found that a toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium perfringens may be a trigger for the development of multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease. The study was presented at the American Society for Microbiology meeting last week. Clostridium perfringens causes a million cases of foodborne illness every year in this country. The bacteria produces a toxin that the researchers found for the first time in MS patients. Dr. K Rashid Rumah, the study's first author, said in a statement, "this bacterium produces a toxin that we normally think humans never encounter. That we identified this bacterium in a human is important enough, but the fact that it is present in MS patients is truly significant because the toxin targets the … [Read more...]
