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. 2017 Jun;145(8):1535-1544.
doi: 10.1017/S0950268817000504. Epub 2017 Mar 20.

International outbreak of multiple Salmonella serotype infections linked to sprouted chia seed powder - USA and Canada, 2013-2014

R R Harvey  1 , K E Heiman Marshall  2 , L Burnworth  2 , M Hamel  3 , J Tataryn  3 , J Cutler  3 , K Meghnath  3 , A Wellman  4 , K Irvin  4 , L Isaac  5 , K Chau  5 , A Locas  5 , J Kohl  6 , P A Huth  7 , D Nicholas  7 , E Traphagen  8 , K Soto  9 , L Mank  9 , K Holmes-Talbot  9 , M Needham  10 , A Barnes  10 , B Adcock  10 , L Honish  11 , L Chui  11 , M Taylor  12 , C Gaulin  13 , S Bekal  14 , B Warshawsky  15 , L Hobbs  15 , L R Tschetter  16 , A Surin  2 , S Lance  4 , M E Wise  2 , I Williams  2 , L Gieraltowski  2
Affiliations

International outbreak of multiple Salmonella serotype infections linked to sprouted chia seed powder - USA and Canada, 2013-2014

R R Harvey et al. Epidemiol Infect. 2017 Jun.

Abstract

Salmonella is a leading cause of bacterial foodborne illness. We report the collaborative investigative efforts of US and Canadian public health officials during the 2013-2014 international outbreak of multiple Salmonella serotype infections linked to sprouted chia seed powder. The investigation included open-ended interviews of ill persons, traceback, product testing, facility inspections, and trace forward. Ninety-four persons infected with outbreak strains from 16 states and four provinces were identified; 21% were hospitalized and none died. Fifty-four (96%) of 56 persons who consumed chia seed powder, reported 13 different brands that traced back to a single Canadian firm, distributed by four US and eight Canadian companies. Laboratory testing yielded outbreak strains from leftover and intact product. Contaminated product was recalled. Although chia seed powder is a novel outbreak vehicle, sprouted seeds are recognized as an important cause of foodborne illness; firms should follow available guidance to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination during sprouting.

Keywords: Salmonella enterica; Disease outbreak; foodborne infections.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Persons infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Newport, S. Hartford, S. Saintpaul, S. Oranienbrurg, and coinfected with S. Newport and S. Hartford in the USA and Canada by week of illness onset, 2013–2014 (n = 94).
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Persons infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Newport, S. Hartford, S. Saintpaul, S. Oranienbrurg, and coinfected with S. Newport and S. Hartford in the USA and Canada by state and province, 2013–2014, (n = 94) (case count map) USA: Arizona (1), California (4), Colorado (1), Connecticut (3), Florida (1), Illinois (2), Maryland (1), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (1), New York (7), Ohio (1), Rhode Island (1), Texas (2), Utah (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (3); Canada: Ontario (35), British Columbia (14) Alberta (10), and Quebec (4).
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Traceback and trace forward investigations of Brand X and Firm Y.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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