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Breaking News on Food Development in the US

08/06/2005 - Fresh basil, the most probable source of an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness in Florida earlier this year, is now the target of an FDA traceback operation, writes Anthony Fletcher.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is determined to identify the source of several clusters of gastrointestinal illness known as cyclosporiasis that occurred in the state during mid-March through mid-April.
The investigation began last week after the Florida Department of Health's epidemiological investigation implicated fresh basil as the source of the illness. Most cases were reported on the west coast and central areas.

"FDA is aggressively working with our federal and state partners to determine the source of the contaminated product and taking appropriate action to protect the public," said Dr. Robert Brackett, director of the FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

It is not known how this outbreak will effect Florida's burgeoning basil sector. There has been a dramatic increase in herb production in Florida in the last decade, from virtually none in 1991 to nearly 17 acres by 2001.

Herbs now rank third in greenhouse food crops, accounting for 18 percent of the state's greenhouse acreage, with the major herb being basil. Fresh-cut herbs grown in Florida account for over $1 million in sales, and the demand for fresh-cut herbs is expected in increase in part due to health-conscious consumers and increasing consumption of ethnic cuisine.

The FDA has been swift in its implementation of traceback since the identification of basil as the probable source of the outbreak. Since the passage of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness Act, the agency has unprecedented authority over domestic and imported food products.

All food facilities are required to register with the FDA. In addition, the FDA requires all food facilities to maintain records to allow the agency to identify the immediate previous sources and the immediate subsequent recipients of food products.

The agency says that the speed at which these "one-step forward, one-step back" records can be accessed in case of potential food contamination is critical in diminishing the impact on consumers.

If companies are unable to trace and isolate the source of a possible food contamination problem within 24 to 48 hours, the potential of serious damage increases exponentially. The FDA is therefore determined to push through with great rapidity its traceback operation in Florida.

Cyclosporiasis is caused by the ingestion of the Cyclospora parasite and results in the infection of the small intestine. It causes watery diarrhea with frequent, sometimes explosive, bowel movements.

Other symptoms include loss of appetite, substantial weight loss, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, low-grade fever and fatigue. Symptoms usually develop about a week after consuming the contaminated food. Cyclospora infection can be treated with appropriate antibiotic therapy. Individuals experiencing these symptoms after consuming basil products are advised to consult their physicians and notify their local health departments.

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June 4, 2005

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Contaminated fresh basil is suspected as the most likely cause of an outbreak of the parasitic illness cyclospora that has sickened 300 Floridians, state health officials said Friday.

Officials don't know where the basil came from, or where it is being sold, said state Health Secretary John O. Agwunobi.

A spokesman for the Health Department said the federal Food and Drug Administration has agreed to try to trace the product and find out where it came from.

The disease isn't fatal, but can cause severe diarrhea and other painful symptoms.

Cases have been reported in 32 Florida counties in all regions of the state going back to April.

Health officials say people should wash fresh produce to prevent food-borne illnesses, but say that washing may not prevent cyclospora infection.

Cyclospora are microscopic, one-celled organisms that can contaminate fresh produce and burrow in the small intestine.

The illness can be treated with antibiotics or could pass naturally within a period of a few days up to a month.

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Sentinel Staff Writer
May 24, 2005

Health officials still don't know what is causing a widespread outbreak of a parasite called cyclospora that has been confirmed in 233 people from 31 counties statewide.

People typically catch the single-cell parasite from contaminated water or fresh fruits and vegetables. It causes bouts of diarrhea, weight loss, bloating, stomach cramps, muscle aches and low-grade fever.

A spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Health said Monday that investigators still are trying to nail down the source of the outbreak.

The state became aware of the problem in April, and additional cases continue to be confirmed by laboratory results. However, because the illness can lapse and return repeatedly, it's not clear whether the source of the parasite is still in the community, spokeswoman Lindsay Hodges said.

Robyn Shelton

sentinel medical writer

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The parasite has sickened dozens, including 10 in Pinellas County. Officials aren't sure what's causing it.
By LISA GREENE, Times Staff Writer
May 3, 2005

More than 60 infections with a parasite that causes diarrhea and intestinal problems have been diagnosed across Florida.

The cases so far include 10 in Pinellas County and one in Hillsborough, health officials said Monday. State health officials aren't sure what is causing the outbreak of the disease, called cyclospora.

People usually get the disease from consuming water or food contaminated with the cyclospora parasite. It is unlikely to be spread from one person to another.

The parasite also can cause gas, bloating, nausea, vomiting, low-grade fever and other symptoms. But some people who are infected have no symptoms. Others get better, but then their symptoms return.

By Monday afternoon, the state Health Department had 64 confirmed cases over the last several weeks, spread around the state. The normal average is two cases for the year to date, said state Health Department spokeswoman Lindsay Hodges.

The disease is rarely severe enough for people to be hospitalized, and it is rare enough that doctors don't usually test for it. So, it's likely there are more undiagnosed cases around the state, health officials said.

Once diagnosed, the infection can be treated with antibiotics.

Infections often are linked to fresh produce. But because symptoms take a week to show up, it's hard for health investigators to track.

"The thing about cyclospora that's different from other intestinal things, is that it doesn't show up right away," said Jeannine Mallory, spokeswoman for the Pinellas County Health Department. "We're having to ask people to go back in (remembering) what they've eaten."

Health investigators are asking patients to document their eating over a two-week period, Hodges said.

Patients are asked what restaurants and grocery stores they usually shop at, and to review restaurant credit card receipts and talk to family to help jog their memories.

The statewide spread could suggest produce that is shipped around the state by a large supplier. But it's also possible that people have traveled to the same place, or that the outbreak actually comes from several different sources of contaminated food.

Last year, an outbreak in Pennsylvania sickened about 50 people. Health investigators linked the outbreak to people who had eaten raw snow peas.

Other U.S. outbreaks have been linked to fresh berries, lettuce and basil.

Health officials advise people to wash their produce, although that may not remove all the parasites. People who have had diarrhea for a week or more should visit their doctors to be tested.

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The parasite has sickened dozens, including 10 in Pinellas County. Officials aren't sure what's causing it.

By LISA GREENE, Times Staff Writer
Published May 3, 2005

More than 60 infections with a parasite that causes diarrhea and intestinal problems have been diagnosed across Florida.

The cases so far include 10 in Pinellas County and one in Hillsborough, health officials said Monday. State health officials aren't sure what is causing the outbreak of the disease, called cyclospora.

People usually get the disease from consuming water or food contaminated with the cyclospora parasite. It is unlikely to be spread from one person to another.

The parasite also can cause gas, bloating, nausea, vomiting, low-grade fever and other symptoms. But some people who are infected have no symptoms. Others get better, but then their symptoms return.

By Monday afternoon, the state Health Department had 64 confirmed cases over the last several weeks, spread around the state. The normal average is two cases for the year to date, said state Health Department spokeswoman Lindsay Hodges.

The disease is rarely severe enough for people to be hospitalized, and it is rare enough that doctors don't usually test for it. So, it's likely there are more undiagnosed cases around the state, health officials said.

Once diagnosed, the infection can be treated with antibiotics.

Infections often are linked to fresh produce. But because symptoms take a week to show up, it's hard for health investigators to track.

"The thing about cyclospora that's different from other intestinal things, is that it doesn't show up right away," said Jeannine Mallory, spokeswoman for the Pinellas County Health Department. "We're having to ask people to go back in (remembering) what they've eaten."

Health investigators are asking patients to document their eating over a two-week period, Hodges said.

Patients are asked what restaurants and grocery stores they usually shop at, and to review restaurant credit card receipts and talk to family to help jog their memories.

The statewide spread could suggest produce that is shipped around the state by a large supplier. But it's also possible that people have traveled to the same place, or that the outbreak actually comes from several different sources of contaminated food.

Last year, an outbreak in Pennsylvania sickened about 50 people. Health investigators linked the outbreak to people who had eaten raw snow peas.

Other U.S. outbreaks have been linked to fresh berries, lettuce and basil.

Health officials advise people to wash their produce, although that may not remove all the parasites. People who have had diarrhea for a week or more should visit their doctors to be tested.

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