The number two outbreak of 2022 was the Mariscos Bahia seafood Salmonella outbreak that sickened at least 39 people in four states. That seafood was recalled on October 20, 2022, and included fresh salmon fillet, fresh deep skin salmon fillet, fresh salmon portions, Chilean seabass (fillet and portions), halibut (fillet and portions), tuna (fillet and portions), and swordfish (loin, fillet, and wheel). The case count by state was: Arizona (13), California (24), Illinois (1), and Texas (1). The patient age range was from 1 year to 80 years. Of 32 people who gave information about their illness to public health investigators, 15 were hospitalized. That's a hospitalization rate of 47%, more than twice the average for a Salmonella outbreak. Of those 18 patients, 13 of them said they … [Read more...]
Mariscos Bahia Seafood Salmonella Outbreak Ends With 39 Sick
The Mariscos Bahia seafood Salmonella Litchfield outbreak has ended with 39 people sick in four states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That is an increase of six more patients since the last investigation update that was issued on October 25, 2022. The outbreak has ended as of December 14, 2022. The patient case count by state is: Arizona (13), California (24), Illinois (1), and Texas (1). Illinois has been added to the state list. The new patients live in California and Arizona. Illness onset dates range from June 14, 2022 to October 23, 2022. The patient age range is from 1 to 80 years. Of 32 people who gave information to investigators, 15 were hospitalized, for a hospitalization rate of 47%, which is high for a Salmonella outbreak. Eighteen … [Read more...]
What Are the Current Food Poisoning Outbreaks?
What are the current food poisoning outbreaks in the United States? At this time there are four active outbreaks that are being investigated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health departments. In total, these outbreaks have sickened at least 93 people and have hospitalized 33. The newest outbreak is the sapovirus outbreak linked to oysters that were harvested from a section of Galveston Bay in Texas. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, dozens of people who live in Texas and Florida are sickened in this outbreak. The Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to Enoki mushrooms that were imported from Korea is ongoing. That outbreak has sickened two people from Nevada and Michigan; both were hospitalized. That … [Read more...]
Mystery Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak Grows Again
The mystery Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak has grown again according to the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. There are four other active outbreak investigations currently on the Table. The Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak, which was first posted on November 16, 2022, has now sickened 270 people, up from 269 people the last time the Table was updated. This is a very large outbreak to not be associated with a food. The government has initiated traceback and also sample collection and analysis, so perhaps an outbreak investigation notice is coming soon. There is no informantion about illness onset dates, patient age ranges, or if anyone has been hospitalized. For the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that is linked to Enoki mushrooms that were imported from Korea, the case … [Read more...]
FDA Issues Final Rule on Food Traceability Under FSMA
The FDA has issued the final rule on food traceability under the Food Safety and Modernization Act of 2011 (FSMA). Traceability is the ability to identify foods that may be contaminated, especially if that food is suspected as being part of an outbreak. The rule establishes traceability record keeping requirements for anyone who manufacturers, processes, packs, or holds foods that are on the Food Traceability List. Companies and people subject to this rule must maintain records containing Key Data Elements associated with specific Critical Tracking Events. They must provide information to the FDA within 24 hours or some other time frame to which the FDA has agreed. Foods that are on the Food Traceability List include: cheeses other than hard cheeses, specifically soft and … [Read more...]
FDA’s CORE Outbreak Investigation Table Updated
The FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table has been updated to include more information about three of the current investigations. This table does not provide a lot of information about outbreaks. It just informs consumers that outbreaks have occurred. For the new Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to imported enoki mushrooms, the CDC investigation notice has been added. The outbreak has sickened at least two people in two states; both have been hospitalized. Traceback has been initiated, and sample collection and analysis has also been initiated. For the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak in an unidentified food, the case count has increased from 264 cases to 269 cases. Traceback was initiated and sample collection and analysis has begun. It's unusual that an outbreak this … [Read more...]
FDA Adds Salmonella Outbreak; USDA Adds E. coli Outbreak
FDA adds Salmonella outbreak to its CORE Outbreak Investigation Table, while the USDA adds an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak to theirs, which may be associated with beef. Very little information has been provided for these new outbreaks. For the new outbreak of Salmonella Typhimurium on the FDA site, the food has not yet been identified. There are currently 264 cases, which is a very high case count for an unidentified outbreak. The FDA is working with partners to investigate "multiple food items of interest" to try to determine the cause of this outbreak. Traceback has been initiated. The new E. coli O157:H7 outbreak on the USDA table is suspected to be linked to beef. There is no information about patient case counts, patient ages, states where ill persons live, or what type of beef … [Read more...]
Mariscos Bahia Recalls Fish Associated With Salmonella Outbreak
Mariscos Bahia recalls fish that is associated with a Salmonella Litchfield outbreak that has sickened at least 33 people in three states according to the FDA. Thirteen people have been hospitalized in this outbreak because they are so sick. The patient case count has not changed since the initial outbreak investigation was announced last week. The illnesses are linked to fresh, raw salmon supplied to restaurants in California and Arizona by Mariscos Bahia, Inc. The case count is: Arizona (11), California (21), and Illinois (1). The product was sold in Arizona and California, but it may have been sold to restaurants in other states. The recalled fish, that was shipped beginning on June 14, 2022, includes: Fresh Salmon Fillet Fresh Deep Skin Salmon Fillet Fresh Salmon … [Read more...]
FDA Weighs in on Mariscos Bahia Raw Salmon Salmonella Outbreak
The FDA has weighed in on the Mariscos Bahia raw salmon Salmonella Litchfield outbreak that has sickened at least 33 people is three states. Thirteen people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. The salmon was sold to restaurants and was not sold to the general public in retail grocery stores. The patient case count by state is: Arizona (11), California (21), and Illinois (1). The product was sold in Arizona and California, but it may have been sold to restaurants in other states. Based on epidemiologic information gathered in interviews, and through traceback, the FDA has determined that raw salmon provided by Mariscos Bahia is the likely source of this outbreak. Of 16 people who were interviewed by public health officials, 12 said they ate sushi, sashimi, or poke … [Read more...]
Salmonella Litchfield Outbreak Linked to Mariscos Bahia Salmon
A Salmonella Litchfield outbreak linked to Mariscos Bahia fresh raw salmon products has been announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At least 33 people in three states are sick, and 13 people have been hospitalized. The salmon was supplied to restaurants in two cities in California and Arizona by that company. The fish sold to restaurants by Mariscos Bahia, Inc. include salmon, tuna, Chilean sea bass, swordfish, and halibut. The restaurants are located in Pico Rivera, California and Phoenix, Arizona. This fish was not sold directly to consumers in grocery stores or markets. The case count by state is: California (21), Arizona (11), and Illinois (1). Illness onset dates range from June 14, 2022 to September 18, 2022. The patient age range is from age … [Read more...]
