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The Alberta health inspectors have reported that they found major health issues, including cockroach infestations and unsafe food handling, at a shared kitchen used by several daycares hit by a widespread E. coli outbreak. The outbreak is linked to a central kitchen serving many daycares. There have been 264 lab-confirmed cases of E. coli connected to the outbreak. AHS said the inspection also found instances of food not being handled in a manner that makes it safe to eat and a lack of appropriate equipment for keeping food cold during transportation. The kitchen is closed and will only reopen once AHS determines it is safe. In a statement to CBC News late Tuesday afternoon, Kent Hehr, vice president of Fueling Brains, said their daycares source food from Fueling Minds, a catering company providing food to other daycare centers. There are currently 25 patients receiving care in the hospital, the province said in an emailed media release — 22 of whom are confirmed as having HUS.  Six patients are receiving peritoneal dialysis at Alberta Children’s Hospital. The children with severe illness are all in stable condition and receive the care they need in the hospital. Children and families receive care and support at three outpatient clinics in Calgary hospitals. Eleven child-care facilities were closed as part of the outbreak investigation.  @ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-health-minister-cmoh-1.6963878

The CDC published (Chen JC, Patel K, Smith PA, et al. Reoccurring Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strain Linked to Leafy Greens–Associated Outbreaks, 2016–2019. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2023;29(9):1895-1899. doi:10.3201/eid2909.230069.) In late 2015, a new strain of E. coli O157:H7 linked to outbreaks in leafy greens emerged. The strain is reoccurring, emerging, or persistent, causing illnesses over an extended period. A specific strain of E. coli O157:H7 associated with leafy greens has been the source of ongoing enteric illness since late 2016. This strain is estimated to have emerged in late 2015 and consists of 2 clades with different geographic distributions, 1 of which has notable genomic features. An additional outbreak associated with this strain was detected in late 2020, in which a reported 40 infections occurred in 19 states; 20 persons were hospitalized, and 4 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome. In foodborne illness, it was estimated that in 2020, 58.1% of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses were attributed to vegetable row crops, including leafy greens. During 2009–2018, a total of 32 confirmed or suspected outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 infections linked to contaminated leafy greens occurred in the United States and Canada.@ https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/29/9/23-0069_article#:~:text=This%20strain%20is%20a%20reoccurring,States%20each%20year%20(1)

According to the CFIA, Amplify Snack Brands Inc.(Austin, Texas) recalled all batches/lots of Paqui branded 2023 One Chip Challenge Snacks from the Canadian marketplace due to reported allergic and chemical reactions and consequential risks of health and safety hazards requiring immediate medical intervention to minimize pain and suffering as well as prevent life-altering injury or death. Paqui branded 2023 One Chip Challenge, sold in six gram single chip packages in all the Canadian provinces. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/paqui-brand-2023-one-chip-challenge-recalled-due-reported-adverse-reactions

An outbreak of E. coli in Alberta daycares is impacting numerous children. Alberta Health Services (AHS) reported that there were 164 lab-confirmed cases linked to the outbreak, and 27 kids were stable in the hospital. Canadian minister of health offered help. Calgary Zone medical officer of health Dr. Franco Rizzuti said 19 current hospitalized patients have more serious illness than the bloody diarrhea that is part of a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection, which includes hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and other complications. Despite the daily rise in reported E. coli cases, Rizzuti expects case numbers to stabilize this weekend and next week. Eleven daycares share a central kitchen, producing food in multiple locations. According to documents posted on the Alberta Health Services website, The Fueling Brains Academy Kitchen and one of the Fueling Brains daycare locations had previously violated public health regulations related to food handling. Six of those facilities have confirmed cases, with five others sharing the same kitchen. @ https://globalnews.ca/news/9949873/ottawa-minister-of-health-ecoli-calgary-daycare-outbreak-help/