September 2005

Five members of a family at Jetinga near Bawku, in the Upper East Region, died at the Presby Hospital on Friday after taking a left-over meal from a funeral as their breakfast Three others, who were in critical conditions were still on admission, whilst three were also in a stable condition.
The dead have been identified as Aziz Sumaila, 12, Shaiba Adama, 8 and Dawuda Sumaila, 10. The rest include, Bimata Sumaila, 40, and her 4-year-old daughter, Lizeta Sumaila.
Those on admission were Hamidu Adama, 3, Yahaya Adama, 13, and Amina Adama 14. Rekia Adama, 45, Hajaratu Adama and Habib Adama, 7 were the victims who survived.Continue Reading Five People Die From Food Poisoning

NSF International reports that American children are back in school, but homework isn’t all they’re bringing home — they’re likely bringing home thousands of microscopic germs. NSF International (NSF), an independent, not-for-profit organization, recently collected and tested samples and found as many as 2.7 million bacterial cells per square inch on common school surfaces such as water fountains, desks, computer keyboards, bus seats and cafeteria trays.
NSF’s startling findings include:
* Drinking water fountain spigots had the highest amount of bacteria on the tested surfaces — 2.7 million bacterial cells per square inch.
* A cafeteria tray had more than ten times as many germs as a toilet seat (33,800 bacterial cells per square inch vs. 3,200 bacterial cells per square inch).
* A student’s hand had 1,500 bacterial cells per square inch.Continue Reading Millions of Germs and Bacteria Await Kids at School

The Daily Democrat reports that September is National Food Safety Education Month, and the UC Davis Small Farm Center is partnering with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to promote consumer food safety education and reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Throughout the month of September the Small Farm Center is reminding consumers that they are the final gatekeepers to a safe food supply.
Consumers can visit the Small Farm Center’s Web site at http:/www.sfc.ucdavis.edu (click on Program Areas, then Food Safety) to discover user-friendly information.Continue Reading Food safety requires cutting risk of illnesses

Katie Jones of the South Wales Echo reports that more than 20 people have fallen ill following a mystery food poisoning outbreak at a city centre event which attracted more than 40,000 revellers.
An investigation has been launched after complaints from revellers who attended the Cardiff Lesbian and Gay Mardi Gras.
Thousands braved the rain and flocked to watch acts including Charlotte Church, Gina G and Lisa Scott-Lee as the party got into full swing at Cooper’s Field last weekend.
But Cardiff council has confirmed officers are investigating ‘a food poisoning incident’ and a Mardi Gras spokeswoman confirmed 20 people had complained of being ill after the event.Continue Reading Hunt for Mardi Gras food poisoner

Ryan Wolf of Brownsville News reports that there’s a restaurant in the Valley where both credit cards and a Top Performer Certificate from Action 4 News are accepted. It’s Rico’s Restaurant on 1714 Military Highway in Brownsville. Check it out–zero demerits on a health inspection report.
Inside, we find not only signs of cleanliness clearly posted, but the sounds to go along with it. Owner Oscar Balli gives us what he calls a prime example of health standard excellence.
“We closed all day Tuesday for a total cleaning of all the areas just to make sure everything’s perfect.”
A customer complaint about improper employee hygiene brings a Harlingen health inspector to this Subway on 6780 West Expressway 83.Continue Reading Lots of Schools Receive Satisfactory Ratings from Health Inspectors

An investigation has been launched into what caused 30 crewmen to be struck down with suspected food poisoning off the Western Isles, health officials have said.
Six men were in hospital on the Isle of Lewis while another 24 were being treated on board the Yeoman Bridge cargo ship after a doctor was flown to the vessel.
A spokesman for NHS Western Isles said that the crew, who are thought to be Ukrainian, had all eaten salmon, although it had not yet been confirmed that this was responsible for their illness.Continue Reading Ship’s crew hit by food poisoning

Chief Superintendent German Doria, Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) director, assured yesterday the families of cadets that their children are safe even as he ordered a thorough investigation of the suspected food poisoning that affected some 287 PNPA cadets over the weekend.
Doria said that while they have yet to establish whether the incident was really an intentional case aimed to sabotage his administration, they have already undertaken strict measures to make sure it will not be repeated.
Based on a report by the PNPA Health Service (PNPA-HS), at around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, cadets from the different batches were brought to their medical dispensary due to diarrhea, vomiting and crampy abdominal pain after eating food from the mess hall. According to the cadets, the food served to them were pork steak, radish with pork and beefsteak.Continue Reading PNPA food poisoning probed; 287 fall sick

AFP Honk Kong reports that Hong Kong hygiene officials are considering legal action against the Disney company over a row that erupted following the discovery of three cases of food poisoning at its soon-to-be opened Disneyland resort, officials said on Saturday.
Director of food hygiene Leung Wing-lap said his department was seeking legal advice after it emerged inspectors were asked to remove their uniforms and badges so as not to frighten customers when they went to probe allegations of food contamination at the resort, which is due to open Monday.
The government confirmed that three cases of food poisoning were reported from two of the parks restaurants.Continue Reading Hong Kong mulls legal action over Disney food poisoning row

Entertainment News reports that the 34-year-old British actress Rachel Weisz is recovering after suffering a bout of food poisoning from eating “bad squid”.
The “Constant Gardener” star was surprised by her reaction to the seafood dish, because it was so well presented to her in the unnamed restaurant she dined at.
“I did last night…