Latest news with #E.coli
Gulf Insider
2 hours ago
- Health
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia: SFDA Shuts Frozen Food Factory, Halts Production Lines Over Serious Violations
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) has shut down a frozen ready-to-eat food factory and suspended production lines at several other facilities after uncovering serious health violations that posed direct risks to consumer safety. The enforcement actions followed inspection campaigns carried out last month as part of SFDA's proactive monitoring program to ensure compliance with national food safety standards and prevent potential foodborne illnesses. In one facility producing pickles and ready meals, inspectors found poor hygiene, unsafe operating practices, and ineffective safety supervision — conditions conducive to the growth of harmful pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli, and Salmonella spp., all of which can cause acute food poisoning. Although the facility was given a deadline to correct the violations under Article 12 of the Food Law (Royal Decree No. M/38, dated 28/4/1440H), it failed to comply within the required timeframe. This led to the full suspension of its production lines and the initiation of legal proceedings. In a separate case, violations were detected at another facility producing ready-to-eat poultry products. These included employing unlicensed workers, lacking a valid HACCP food safety certification, storing expired food without clear separation, and using corroded, unsafe food-contact equipment. The SFDA imposed fines under Article 20 of the Food Law's executive regulations and partially suspended the facility's operations until corrective measures are taken. Additionally, the authority suspended 11 production lines across several dairy and frozen pastry plants after lab tests confirmed contamination with Clostridium perfringens, a common cause of foodborne illness. All facilities were instructed to implement corrective action plans within 30 days, including upgrading quality systems, retraining staff, and replacing non-compliant equipment. Follow-up inspections will ensure compliance. The SFDA emphasized that these actions reflect its commitment to preventive public health protection and are supported by legal provisions allowing stringent measures, including suspension, imprisonment, or fines up to SR10 million. The authority urged consumers to report any suspected food violations via the unified hotline (19999), affirming that food safety is a shared responsibility from production to the dining table.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Pollution board says it found coliform and E. coli contamination in 6 Janakpuri homes
New Delhi: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which collected samples of tap water from 12 houses in Janakpuri, has found the presence of total and fecal coliform bacteria in six houses and E. coli in two homes. "… in six samples, total coliform and E. coli were not detected. In three samples, total coliform was detected but with values close to the lowest detection limit, and E. coli was not detected. In two samples, total coliform was detected but E. coli was not detected in one and detected in the other, but the E. coli value was close to the lowest detection limit, and in one sample, both total coliform and E. coli were detected above detection limits," CPCB said in its report. The central agency has told National Green Tribunal that the samples of the Delhi Jal Board supplied water were collected on July 20. T he tribunal had earlier sought details from the pollution watchdog to assess the water quality after residents complained about the contaminated water. "In compliance with the order dated July 16, 2025, CPCB collected samples... from 12 houses on July 20, 2025," it said in the report dated July 28. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi CPCB had also collected seven water samples on June 30 from other houses of A1 Block of Janakpuri. It added that the samples were analysed for bacteriological parameters such as total coliform, fecal coliform, E. coli, and free residual chlorine. It pointed out that "The Drinking Water Standards of Bureau of Indian Standards-IS 10500:2012 prescribes that total coliform and E. coli shall not be detected in 100ml of drinking water samples." Last week, DJB also apprised the tribunal that it discovered an interconnection of a dead water pipeline with an active one, which led to the contamination in the Janakpuri area. It said that several short-term remediation steps were taken to resolve the issue. DJB also said that it had collected 59 samples between March and July from Janakpuri, A Block. DJB said that out of 59 samples, it found samples from only three houses to be unsatisfactory and contaminated with coliform.
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
UK officials issue 48-hour alert amid rise in foodborne illness that killed seven
There was a 26 per cent rise in cases of the potentially deadly infection in just one year Health experts have issued Brits a 48-hour warning amid a rise in cases of an illness that has killed seven people in England. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) told people to look out for any potential symptoms of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). STEC is a strain of that can cause diarrhoea with blood, stomach cramps, and fever. However, in some cases it can also lead to deadly complications such as sepsis and haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). It can be spread through contaminated food or through contact with an infected person. Therefore, the UKHSA has urged people not to prepare food for others for at least 48 hours after symptoms stop. This comes following a 26 per cent rise in STEC cases in England in just one year. In a post made to X, the health body said: 'We've seen an increase in cases of STEC, a foodborne illness that can cause diarrhoea, bloody stools and stomach cramps. ' Children aged one to four years were most affected and we're reminding parents to make sure young children wash their hands with soap and warm water before eating. Our latest data shows that Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) cases have increased by 26 per cent in 2024, compared to 2023.' The most recent figures show that a total of 2,544 culture-confirmed cases of STEC were reported in England during 2024. Young children were most affected, with the UKHSA linking this to a number of factors including weaker immunity, less developed hygiene practices, a greater likelihood of parents seeking healthcare when young children are symptomatic, and potential exposure to risk factors such as contact with farm animals, particularly at petting farms. Last year, around two per cent of STEC cases went on to develop haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). This condition causes small blood vessels become damaged and inflamed and can lead to kidney failure. As reported by the UKHSA, there were seven deaths caused by STEC in 2024. Dr Gauri Godbole, deputy director of gastrointestinal infections, food safety and one health at the UKHSA, commented to say: 'STEC cases rose by around a quarter in 2024. While this rise is partly due to one foodborne outbreak, we have been seeing STEC cases gradually increase since 2022 and therefore it's important for people to take steps to prevent infection. 'If you have any STEC symptoms, like mild to bloody diarrhoea, stomach cramps, vomiting and dehydration, wash your hands with soap and warm water and use bleach-based products to clean surfaces. Don't prepare food for others if you have symptoms or for 48 hours after symptoms stop. 'It is important for parents to make sure that young children wash their hands with soap and hot water and dry them thoroughly before eating where possible, especially after playing outdoors and visiting pet farms. If you are travelling abroad, it's important to remember routine hygiene practices to reduce your chances of becoming unwell. 'Rarely STEC can progress to cause kidney failure and life-threatening illness, particularly in young children and elderly.' She urged people to consult your GP or healthcare professional if they have blood in your stools or severe dehydration and continue to stay hydrated. In 2024, the UKHSA investigated five STEC outbreaks involving 467 cases, with 348 in England. The sources for three of these outbreaks were contaminated beef, fresh fruit, and salad leaves. The largest outbreak was linked to contaminated salad leaves which resulted in 293 cases, including 196 cases in England. Of the 293 cases, 126 cases needed hospital care, 11 developed complications of HUS, and two died. For more information, including how to protect yourself from STEC, visit the Government website here.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Swimmers warned of algae blooms, E. coli at Manitoba beaches ahead of long weekend
The province is warning swimmers of algae blooms and Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria at some Manitoba beaches and reservoirs ahead of the August long weekend. Manitoba Environment and Climate Change, which monitors the health of 57 beaches across the province through the Manitoba Clean Beaches Program, posted blue-green algae advisory signs at seven beaches this month. Manitobans should avoid swimming, drinking or bathing in water where blue-green algae is present, the province said. Owners should also ensure their pets do not drink the water. The province said on its website that blue-green algae has exceeded Manitoba's recreational water quality limits for the bacteria at: Brereton Lake South Beach. Hoopers Lake Beach. Lake Minnedosa Beach. Plum Coulee Beach. Rivers Reservoir Beach. Stephenfield Reservoir Beach. Sandy Lake Beach. Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, can produce toxins that are harmful to humans and animals, the province warns. Warm, calm weather can create an ideal environment for algae to grow, forming thick scum or clumps on top of the water that give off a foul smell. Exposure to blue-green algae toxins can cause nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhea, skin/eye irritation, fever, respiratory symptoms and allergic reactions. Exposure can kill animals. Residents and cottagers who use lake water as a drinking source should not consume water that has exceeded algae limits, even if a treatment system is being used. Most small treatment systems can't remove algae toxins, the province warns, and boiling or chlorination won't make algae-affected water safe to drink. The province said E. coli were within recreational limits at most Manitoba beaches ahead of the August long weekend. According to the province's beach water quality map, E. coli samples taken at five beaches — Gimli, West Grand, Sandy Bar, St. Malo and Winnipeg beaches — earlier this week exceed the safe recreational limit for the bacteria. The province's beach update said advisory signs remain at Victoria, Lester, East Grand and Patricia beaches, as E. coli levels surpassed limits on July 22 but quickly dropped back to acceptable levels two days later. When high levels of E. coli are present in water, swimmers may develop ear, eye, nose or throat infections. The bacteria may also cause mild fever, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps. Swimmers should avoid swallowing lake water, the government warned, and avoid swimming if they are ill or have an open wound.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Indoor air contains thousands of microplastics small enough to penetrate deep into our lungs, study finds
Thousands of microplastics so small they can penetrate deep into the lungs are in the air you breathe in your home and car, a new study has found. The particles are likely the result of the degradation of plastic-filled objects such as carpet, curtains, furniture and textiles and the plastic parts of car interiors, according to the study published Wednesday in the journal PLOS One. 'People spend an average of 90% of their time indoors, including homes, workplaces, shops, transportation … all the while they are exposed to microplastic pollution through inhalation without even thinking about it,' senior study author Jeroen Sonke and lead author Nadiia Yakovenko said in a joint statement. 'Microplastics in the air, especially indoors, may be an invisible threat we are only beginning to understand.' Sonke is a research director at the National Centre for Scientific Research, which is affliated with France's University of Toulouse. Yakovenko is a postdoctoral researcher of environmental geosciences at the university. 'While research is still ongoing, there is concern that long-term exposure to microplastics and their additives may contribute to respiratory problems, disrupt endocrine function and increase risk for neurodevelopmental disorders, reproductive birth defects, infertility, cardiovascular disease, and cancers,' the two said. The study found adults may inhale some 68,000 microplastic particles of 1 to 10 micrometers per day from indoor air — an estimate that is 100 times more than expected, according to Sonke and his team. In comparison, a red blood cell is 6.2 to 8.2 micrometers, while E. coli bacteria may be 1 to 2 micrometers long. 'This adds to the body of knowledge we have that microplastics are everywhere and getting into humans in every way imaginable,' said microplastics researcher Sherri 'Sam' Mason, director of Project NePTWNE at Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania, via email. She was not involved in the study. (NepTWNE is short for Nano & Polymer Technology for Water and Neural-networks.) Scientists have detected microplastics in human testes and the penis, human blood, lung and liver tissues, urine and feces, mother's milk, and the placenta. A February study found nearly a spoon's worth of microplastics in human brain tissue. A March 2024 study found people with microplastics in their carotid artery tissues were twice as likely to have a heart attack, stroke or die from any cause over the next three years than those who had none. 'The size of these particles are especially concerning as the smaller the particle, the bigger the impact on human health,' said Mason, one of the first scientists to measure microplastics in bottled water. Kimberly Wise White, vice president of regulatory and scientific affairs at the American Chemistry Council, which represents the plastics industry, expressed concerns about the study's methodology. 'This study is based on a very small sample size and acknowledges a contamination rate of 18%, which raises questions about the accuracy of the findings,' White said via email. 'Additional work using validated methods and standardized exposure assumptions is essential before drawing conclusions about potential health impacts.' Cars are a significant source of microplastic pollution To do the study, Sonke and his team took indoor air samples from their apartments and while in their cars driving between cities in France. In the United States, AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety statistics have shown the average American spent about 60 minutes a day inside a car in 2023. Car cabins can be a significant source of microplastic exposure because they are small, enclosed spaces filled with plastic-based materials — dashboards, steering wheels, door handles, seat fabrics, carpets and carpet liners are all made with plastics, Sonke and Yakovenko said. 'These materials can shed tiny plastic particles over time, especially by solar irradiance, friction, heat and daily use,' they said. 'Unlike homes, car cabins often have limited ventilation, allowing microplastic particles to accumulate and concentrate in the air. As a result, they can be inhaled in higher amounts during regular commutes or long drives.' Testing found some 2,238 microplastics particles per cubic meter of air inside the cars — much more than the 528 particles found in a similar amount of air from inside homes. 'We often associate plastic pollution with oceans or industrial areas,' Sonke and Yakovenko said, 'but our findings showed that the everyday indoor environment where we spend most of our time can be a major source of human exposure.' To measure the plastic concentrations, the team used Raman microscopy, a newer and powerful technique that can measure down to about 1 micrometer. This technique is different from those applied in past studies, which have used methods that can only measure larger particles down to 20 micrometers, they said. 'Their analysis is sound,' said Wei Min, a professor of chemistry at Columbia University in New York City who specializes in developing next-generation microscopy techniques. He was not involved in the study. 'They were using a commercial instrument, and the limit of detection is at its best condition (around 1 micrometer),' Min said via email. 'This allows them to capture (1 to 10) micrometer population, which had remained largely undetected in previous studies of in-door air.' However, the study was unable to measure even smaller particles, called nanoplastics, which are measured in nanometers instead of micrometers. It takes 1,000 nanometers to make 1 micrometer — in comparison, an average human hair is roughly 80,000 to 100,000 nanometers in diameter. 'The present study provides important information but also speaks to the need for advancements in the technology to assess even smaller polymer particles, both in the air and in our bodies,' said microplastics researcher Matthew Campen, regents' professor and professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. Nanoplastics are the most worrisome type of plastic pollution for human health, experts say. That's because the minuscule particles can invade individual cells and tissues in major organs, potentially interrupting cellular processes and depositing endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as bisphenols, phthalates, flame retardants, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, and heavy metals. Ways to cut back on plastic There are many steps individuals can take to reduce their exposure to plastics and their plastic footprint, experts say. In February, CNN spoke to pediatrician Dr. Philip Landrigan, lead author of a March 2023 report from the Minderoo–Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health, a global consortium of scientists, health care workers and policy analysts charged with following plastics from creation to final product. In that report, the consortium determined plastics are associated with harms to human health at every single stage of the plastic life cycle. 'I say to people, 'Listen, there are some plastics that you can't escape. You're not going to get a cell phone or a computer that doesn't contain plastic.' But do try to minimize your exposure to the plastic that you can avoid, especially single-use plastics,' said Landrigan, a professor of biology who directs the Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good and the Global Observatory on Planetary Health at Boston College. It's hard to avoid foods wrapped in plastic film because they are so ubiquitous, Landrigan said, but you can take food out of the plastic wrapping before cooking or putting it in the microwave. 'When you heat plastic, that accelerates the movement of the microplastics out of the wrapping into the food,' he said. Invest in a zippered fabric bag and ask the dry cleaner to return your clothes in it instead of those thin sheets of plastic, suggests the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental advocacy group. Bring a travel mug to the local coffee store for takeout and silverware to the office to cut back on plastic cups and utensils. 'Don't use plastic bags when you go shopping. Use a cloth bag or a paper bag or a recycle bag,' Landrigan said. 'Try to avoid plastic water bottles, if you can possibly do so.' A January 2024 study found 1 liter of bottled water — the equivalent of two standard-size bottled waters typically purchased by consumers — contained an average of 240,000 plastic particles from seven types of plastics. Some 90% of those were nanoplastics. 'Use a metal or glass drinking cup instead of a plastic cup. Store your food in glass containers instead of in plastic ones,' Landrigan said. 'Work in your local community to ban plastic bags, as many communities around the United States have now done. There is a lot you can do.' Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN's Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being. Solve the daily Crossword
