In the news

A publication entitled Escherichia coli O103 outbreak associated with minced celery among hospitalized individuals in Victoria, British Columbia, 2021 (CCDR Volume 48-1, January 2022: COVID-19 Mortality and Social Inequalities, Courtney Smith, Allison Griffiths, Sandra Allison, Dee Hoyano, Linda Hoang) summarized the April 2021 outbreak associated with E. coli O103 (STEC).  Six confirmed cases of E. coli O103 were identified by WGS. All confirmed cases were inpatients or outpatients at two hospitals and were exposed to raw minced celery within prepared sandwiches provided by hospital food services. Raw vegetables, such as celery, can be a source of STEC and present a risk to vulnerable populations. Mincing during the processing of raw vegetables and temperature abuse before consumption may provide additional layers of risk. This outbreak resulted in several recommendations to reduce the risk of minced celery served in hospitals, including more frequent testing at the processor, a review of the chlorination and mincing process, and hospital food services practices to mitigate temperature abuse. @ https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/reports-publications/canada-communicable-disease-report-ccdr/monthly-issue/2022-48/issue-1-january-2022/outbreak-escherichia-coli-0103-hospitalized-people-british-columbia.html

The CFI reported that T-Brothers Food & Trading Ltd. recalled Hankook (Korean characters only) brand Original Kimchi from the marketplace due to possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. The recalled product has been sold in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. This recall was triggered by findings by the CFIA during its investigation into a foodborne illness outbreak. There have been reported illnesses associated with the consumption of this product. @ https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/hankook-korean-characters-only-brand-original-kimchi-recalled-due-e-coli-o157h7?utm_source=r_listserv

Jan. 28, 2022 – The USDA and FSIS issued a public health alert due to concerns that ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken salad products produced by Simply Fresh Market (Marietta, GA) may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. A recall was not requested because the known affected product is no longer available in commerce for consumers to purchase. The RTE chicken salads with apples and walnuts items were produced on Jan. 17, 2022. These items were shipped to three local markets in Atlanta, GA. The problem was discovered by the company product sampling that showed positive Listeria monocytogenes results. No illnesses were reported. @ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls-alerts/fsis-issues-public-health-alert-ready-eat-chicken-salad-products-due-possible

The CFIA issued a recall on December 14 and 19 for Alasko brand frozen whole kernel corn and a secondary recall for Fraser Valley Meats brand frozen whole kernel corn on December 18. Several additional secondary recalls were issued for products made using the recalled Alasko frozen whole kernel corn. This notice has been updated to communicate the outbreak’s source and reflects 26 additional illnesses. There are now 110 Salmonella illnesses reported across 5 provinces (British Columbia (42), Alberta (49), Saskatchewan (4), Manitoba (13), and Ontario (2)). Based on the investigation findings to date, the outbreak is linked to Alasko brand frozen whole kernel corn. As part of the food safety investigation, the CFIA collected food items from restaurants where ill people dined. Traceback findings identified Alasko as the common brand of frozen corn consumed at various foodservice establishments by individuals who became sick. The illnesses reported in Ontario are related to travel to Alberta and British Columbia. Individuals became sick between early September 2021 and late December 2021. Four individuals have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. @ https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/public-health-notices/2021/outbreak-salmonella-infections.html