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INFOSAN Quarterly Summary, 2023 #3 [1]

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Date: 2024-01

Food safety incidents

The INFOSAN Secretariat was involved in 46 food safety incidents concerning WHO Member States (MS) and territories from all WHO regions during this second quarter of the year. There were thirty-two incidents involving a biological hazard [Salmonella spp. (12), Listeria monocytogenes (10), Clostridium botulinum (3), Bacillus cereus (2), Shigella spp. (2) E. coli (1), Norovirus (1) Staphylococcus aureus (1)]; eight involving an undeclared allergen/ingredient [gluten (4), almonds (2), egg (1), peanuts (1)]; four involving a physical hazard [plastic (2), metal (1), stones (1)]; two involving a chemical hazard [capsaicin (1), chlorpyrifos (1)].

The food categories most commonly involved in the 46 incidents during the second quarter of 2023 were composite food (9), meat and meats products (5), vegetables and vegetable products (5), fish and other seafood (4), fruit and fruit products (4), snacks, desserts, and other foods (4), Herbs, spices and condiments (3), milk and dairy products (3), nuts and oil seeds (3), eggs and egg products (2), cereals and cereal-based products (1), non-alcoholic drinks (1), sugar and confectionary (1) and one unknown.

Due to the active engagement of INFOSAN members and partners, 41% of incidents were reported to the INFOSAN Secretariat by INFOSAN members (Emergency Contact Points and Focal Points), 35% of those incidents were communicated to the Secretariat through the European Commission’s Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF), and 24% through various WHO channels.

Botulism cases detected in France linked to homemade canned fish.

During the third quarter, on 12 September 2023, French local public health authorities identified a suspected cluster of botulism cases (n=10). Initial reports stated that one individual lost their life, and eight were hospitalized in Bordeaux University Hospital. As of 14 September 2023, a total of 15 cases of suspected botulism, including one fatality, spanning across Bordeaux and Ile-de-France near Paris. The majority of these cases required hospitalization, with eight patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Cases were reported among foreign citizens from various countries, including Canada, Germany, Greece, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

All individuals affected had consumed the same product, homemade preserved sardines in jars, at a restaurant in Bordeaux during the week of 4–10 September 2023. To date, the INFOSAN Secretariat has no indication of international distribution of the suspected food item.

The National Reference Center for Anaerobic Bacteria and Botulism in France confirmed the presence of C. botulinum toxin in both serum samples and a food sample (sardines). The local health authorities inspected the restaurant, leading to the seizing of all products. Risk communications were issued to inform healthcare workers about the symptoms and treatment of botulism, and information on foreign cases was shared with competent health authorities outside France.

Foodborne botulism is a severe, potentially fatal disease caused by consuming potent neurotoxins formed in contaminated foods. This outbreak underscores the importance of early diagnosis, the rapid administration of botulinum antitoxin, and following diligent public health measures like rapid risk communication, to identify the source of infection and prevent further cases. Public health measures were in place to mitigate this risk and ensure the safety of all individuals potentially affected by the outbreak.

Key facts

Clostridium botulinum is a bacterium that produces dangerous toxins (botulinum toxins) under low-oxygen conditions.

Botulinum toxins are one of the most lethal substances known.

Botulinum toxins block nerve functions and can lead to respiratory and muscular paralysis.

Human botulism may refer to foodborne botulism, infant botulism, wound botulism, and inhalation botulism or other types of intoxication.

Foodborne botulism, caused by consumption of improperly processed food, is a rare but potentially fatal disease if not diagnosed rapidly and treated with antitoxin.

Homemade canned, preserved or fermented foodstuffs are a common source of foodborne botulism and their preparation requires extra caution.

For more information about botulism please visit, the World Health Organization’s website, here.

Annoucements



Virtual Regional Meeting: Strengthening the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) in the Americas in 2023

The World Health Organization, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and the INFOSAN Secretariat, is organizing a virtual regional meeting titled "Strengthening the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) in the Americas." This event, scheduled for November 29-30, 2023, gathers INFOSAN members from all Member States in the Americas, including Emergency Contact Points (ECPs), and the National Focal Points for the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005). The meeting focuses on the implementation of the Regional Strategy to Strengthen INFOSAN in the Americas, aiming to enhance national capacities for managing food safety emergencies effectively.

Bi-regional Hybrid Meeting: Enhancing INFOSAN in the Asia-Pacific Region in 2023

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of the Republic of Korea (RoK), are organizing the "Enhancing the International Food Safety Authorities Network (INFOSAN) in the Asia-Pacific Region" bi-regional hybrid meeting. Scheduled for December 5-6, 2023, this event brings together INFOSAN members from the WHO Regions of South-East Asia and the Western Pacific. The meeting aims to facilitate information exchange, share experiences, and develop INFOSAN national action plans to enhance food safety emergency response in the region. The meeting focuses on enhancing multisectoral collaboration for food safety, aligning with the International Health Regulations.

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[1] Url: https://www.who.int/news/item/10-01-2024-infosan-quarterly-summary-2023-3

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