TORONTO – Using crowdsourced data for foodborne outbreak investigations can work but poses a number of challenges, according to a session at the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) conference.

Jennifer Beal, from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Laura Gieraltowski, from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and

Continue Reading Experts discuss use of crowdsourced data in outbreak investigations

The FDA has closed investigations on two outbreaks and is continuing to investigate another eight.

An investigation into an outbreak of “adverse events” involving 558 patients who ate Lucky Charms cereal that was initially posted on April 20 is closed. The FDA conducted on-site inspections and testing. 

“The investigation did

Continue Reading FDA closes investigations into two outbreaks and continues work on 8 more

The number of patients in two outbreaks of infections attributed to different types of Salmonella continues to increase, according to the FDA.

Three more patients have been identified in an outbreak of infections from Salmonella Senftenberg, bringing the total to 22, the Food and Drug Administration reported on Aug. 24.

Continue Reading Patient counts increase in Salmonella outbreaks; other investigations ongoing

Federal officials are investigating a new outbreak of infections from the Cyclospora parasite, but little information is available.

The Food and Drug Administration reports that it has begun traceback efforts in relation to the outbreak, but the agency has not revealed what food or foods are being traced. As of

Continue Reading New outbreak of infections from Cyclospora parasite added to FDA’s investigations list

The FDA is investigating a new outbreak of dozens of infections caused by the Cyclospora parasite.

Little information has been released, but the Food and Drug Administration is reporting that 51 people have been confirmed infected. The agency has not released any specific information about the patients such as their

Continue Reading FDA finds new Cyclospora outbreak; continues investigations on others

The Food and Drug Administration is continuing to investigate several food-related outbreaks of infections, with patient numbers slowly increasing.

Sources of pathogens behind the outbreak infections have not been identified in five of nine outbreaks under investigation.

One outbreak of infections from E. coli O157:H7 has been declared over with

Continue Reading FDA continues investigations into several foodborne illness outbreaks

The Food and Drug Administration has initiated traceback efforts related to fresh organic strawberries associated with outbreaks of hepatitis A in the United States and Canada.

These potentially contaminated strawberries were imported from Baja California, a state in northern Mexico, and branded as FreshKampo and HEB by a common supplier.
Continue Reading FDA continues to trace strawberries related to outbreak; other outbreaks still under investigation

The FDA has closed investigations into three outbreaks, but has left the status “ongoing” for one of them.

In an outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections that the Food and Drug Administration began investigating on Feb. 9, the patient count stands at 20. The agency is leaving the status of the
Continue Reading FDA continues to investigate outbreaks including infant formula and Lucky Charms