The United States Food and Drug Administration, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Concord illnesses linked to “Karawan Tahini and Halva” brand tahini imported from Israel. The FDA has been working with the state of New York and New York City. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene tested samples of Karawan tahini and found that the product…

On December 11, 2017, the King County Public Health Department (“DOH”) announced that they were investigating an outbreak of salmonellosis associated with the Miller’s Guild restaurant in Seattle, Washington. Six persons from four separate meal parties became ill after eating at the restaurant on different dates from August 15, 2017, to November 3, 2017. One of the ill persons was hospitalized and has since recovered. Laboratory testing and genetic identification has indicated that three of…

An outbreak of Salmonella Javiana occurred in August of 2018 among patrons of La Luz restaurant in Fort Collins, Colorado.  Thirty-one laboratory confirmed caseswere included in the outbreak, including 6 employees of the restaurant. Analysis of data did not determine a food-specific cause for the outbreak. The Larimer County Department of Health & Environment (LCDHE) received a complaint on Thursday, August 16, 2018 from an individual that reported dining at the restaurant on Friday, August 10,…

Jensen Tuna of Louisiana is recalling frozen ground raw tuna sourced from JK Fish of Vietnam due to possible Salmonella contamination. The recalled tuna was individually packaged in one-pound bags and sold in 20-pound boxes under lot numbers z266, z271, and z272 The product was sold to wholesalers in Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota, New York, and Washington. These wholesalers further distribute the product to restaurants and retail locations. The product was distributed from November 30,…

Caito Foods is voluntarily recalling fresh cut watermelon, fresh cut honeydew melon, fresh cut cantaloupe and fresh cut mixed fruit containing one of these melons, produced at the Caito Foods facility in Indianapolis because these products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella Carrau, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be…

Food regulators, health authorities and Chief Veterinary Officers in Australia are investigating a rare strain of Salmonella (Salmonella Enteritidis) associated with human illness and egg consumption. Confirmed human cases linked to this strain have been found in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania. Detections of this strain have also occurred on chicken farms in NSW, and one farm in Victoria. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is coordinating the response by food regulators under the National Food…

In May 2017, Government of Canada scientists began using a new technology called “whole genome sequencing” to help identify and respond to outbreaks. Since that time, federal, provincial and territorial health and food safety partners have investigated 17 national outbreaks linked to raw chicken, including frozen raw breaded chicken products. In total, there have been 14 food products linked to these outbreak investigations. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued food recall warnings for 13 …