Barfblog

26/06/2026

109 sick 1 dead: Raw sprouts again
6/25/26
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/news/multi-country-salmonella-outbreak-linked-alfalfa-sprouted-seeds
I don’t eat raw alfalfa, mung bean, pea, clover or other sprouts.
Too many sick people.
The seed gets contaminated with bacteria as it forms, and the sprouting environment of high temperature and high moisture is also ideal for bacterial growth.
Yet raw sprouts are a staple of sandwiches, salads, hospital and even aged-care food in Australia and most Western countries.
That makes cross-contamination a problem.
Today, raw ”alfalfa sprouted seeds have been identified as the likely source of a multi-country outbreak of Salmonella Bovismorbificans infections, according to a Rapid Outbreak Assessment (ROA) published by EFSA and ECDC.
Between January and May 2026, 109 confirmed cases were reported in 10 European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries and the United Kingdom. The countries affected include Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Spain, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Most cases occurred in adults, with the majority among women. Eighteen people required hospitalisation, and one fatality was reported among the confirmed cases.
Traceability suggests a contamination source outside of the EU
Investigations have identified a common seed supplier, with implicated alfalfa seeds having been imported from India and distributed widely across Europe.”

25/06/2026

Trichinellosis outbreak linked to undercooked bear jerky
6/25/26
Emerging Infectious Disease 32:7
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/32/7/26-0062_article
“Trichinella spp. are parasitic nematodes that can cause trichinellosis (also called trichinosis) when humans consume infected, undercooked meat. Trichinellosis is a reportable disease in North Carolina, USA. Only 3 cases were reported during 1991–2022, and no outbreaks were reported during the same period. Historical reports suggest very low incidence locally. In November 2023, a probable trichinellosis outbreak was reported, and undercooked bear meat was the likely source A year later, in November 2024, a public health investigation was initiated when a clinician reported a hospitalized patient with suspected trichinellosis. This patient had shared wild bear meat with 5 other persons in the form of jerky (desiccated meat). The Graham County Health Department and North Carolina Division of Public Health (NCDPH) investigated to characterize cases and provide public health guidance to prevent further illness.”

24/06/2026

15 sick Norovirus at NZ buffet
6/24/26
People
Gina Kalsi
https://people.com/15-people-report-norovirus-symptoms-after-dining-buffet-restaurant-auckland-12005511
“Fifteen people reported having symptoms after dining at an Auckland restaurant on Friday, June 12, according to the country's National Public Health Service, per New Zealand Herald. Auckland Council confirmed to the outlet that the restaurant was Valentines in Manukau, Auckland.
“We served more than 1000 customers since June 12 and received no complaints of food poisoning," the restaurant continued, per its statement. “Food quality and customer experience is our top-most priority. We have proper procedures for refunds and compensations for customers with complaints, which we are following. Right now we are just waiting for the report from authorities regarding the source of this virus.”
The restaurant has been responding to customers' reviews on Google, claiming that the National Health Service took samples from sick customers and “found out its norovirus, not food poisoning.”

24/06/2026

11 sick: Raw milk in Louisiana
6/24/26
Food Poisoning Bulletin
https://foodpoisoningbulletin.com/2026/la-raw-milk-campylobacter-cryptosporidium-outbreak-sickens-11/
“A raw milk Campylobacter and Cryptosporidium outbreak in Louisiana has sickened at least 11 people, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. The outbreak notice did not state the name of the dairies that supplied the milk, or any brand names. This outbreak has prompted the Department to encourage residents to learn about the health risks associated with consuming raw milk.”

24/06/2026

Foodborne illness risk among older adults
6/11/26
Food Standards Scotland
https://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/science-and-evidence/sefari-fellowship
“Based on findings, researchers recommended that FSS develop targeted food safety communications for older adults and other clinically vulnerable groups. Suggested strategies include:
• Increasing awareness of age-related susceptibility to foodborne illness
• Emphasizing the potential severity of infections
• Addressing barriers to safe food handling
• Providing practical guidance tailored to older adults' circumstances.
The report concluded that future food safety campaigns should incorporate behavior-change principles, clear calls to action, and messaging that acknowledges the interconnected effects of health, financial, and environmental factors on food safety practices among older adults.”

24/06/2026

Foodborne illness risk among older adults
6/11/26
Food Standards Scotland
https://www.foodstandards.gov.scot/science-and-evidence/sefari-fellowship
“Based on findings, researchers recommended that FSS develop targeted food safety communications for older adults and other clinically vulnerable groups. Suggested strategies include:
• Increasing awareness of age-related susceptibility to foodborne illness
• Emphasizing the potential severity of infections
• Addressing barriers to safe food handling
• Providing practical guidance tailored to older adults' circumstances.
The report concluded that future food safety campaigns should incorporate behavior-change principles, clear calls to action, and messaging that acknowledges the interconnected effects of health, financial, and environmental factors on food safety practices among older adults.”

Research determining the lifestyle factors which cause particular members of the older population to become ill with foodborne illness

24/06/2026

WHO estimates of foodborne disease 2000–21
6/15/26
Lancet
Shannon E Majowicz et al.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/407108755_WHO_estimates_of_the_global_regional_and_national_burden_of_14_foodborne_diarrhoeal_enteric_hazards_2000-21_an_updated_data_synthesis
“In 2021, the 14 diarrhoeal hazards caused 666 million (95% UI 483–884) illnesses, 265 000 deaths (196 000–351 000), and 15·2 million (11·6–19·1) DALYs from foodborne transmission. Shigella spp, Campylobacter, and rotavirus caused the most DALYs from foodborne transmission. The greatest burden was in the African region (773·5 DALYs [95% UI 559·7–1033·3] per 100 000 population due to foodborne transmission.”

24/06/2026

Postharvest water sanitation in Michigan apples
J Food Prot: 2026
Laura Strawn et al
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2026.100795
Summary: There was no significant difference in microbial load on pre- and postflume apples.
Active sanitizer prevented cross-contamination during postharvest washing.
Generic E. coli was rarely detected in postharvest water or on apples.
Washing apples in flumes should not be considered a kill or reduction step.

23/06/2026

Salmonella in UK fruit packs
3/23/26
UK Food Standards Agency
https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-29-2026
Prepworld is recalling several fruit packs after testing identified Salmonella in apple and kiwi used in the products, including pink lady apple, mango, strawberry and blueberry.

19/06/2026

Fox tapeworm appears in US
6/18/26
People
Angel Saunders
https://people.com/fatal-disease-causing-tapeworm-found-for-first-time-on-the-west-coast-12003008
“A potentially deadly parasitic tapeworm called Echinococcus multilocularis has been detected in wildlife on the West Coast for the first time, researchers said in a study.
E. multilocularis, also known as the "fox tapeworm," is a parasite that uses coyotes, foxes and other species of canids as hosts. It was considered rare in North America until 15 years ago, when cases in humans and dogs began appearing in Canada and the Midwestern U.S., according to the University of Washington's UW News.
The study was published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases on March 24 and led by researchers at the University of Washington. They found E. multilocularis in 37 of 100 coyotes they surveyed in the Puget Sound area.
“The main takeaway is that Echinococcus multilocularis is here, it's pretty prevalent in the local coyote population and people should be aware of potential risks,” lead researcher Yasmine Hentati said.”