UPDATE - Public Health Notice - Outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to Celebrate brand frozen classic/classical and egg nog flavoured profiteroles (cream puffs) and mini chocolate eclairs

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/public-health-notices/2019/outbreak-salmonella.html

OTTAWA, April 27, 2019 /CNW/ - Update

This notice has been updated to include three additional cases of illness that have been reported in the ongoing investigation and new information about the source of this outbreak, including a food recall warning.

Illnesses reported in the outbreak have been linked to Celebrate brand classic/classical and egg nog flavoured profiteroles (cream puffs) and mini chocolate eclairs. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a food recall warning for these products. Do not eat recalled Celebrate brand profiteroles or mini chocolate eclairs.  

Why you should take note

The Public Health Agency of Canada is collaborating with provincial public health partners, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada to investigate an outbreak of Salmonella infections involving six provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. The outbreak appears to be ongoing, as illnesses continue to be reported.

Based on the investigation findings to date, exposure to Celebrate brand classic/classical and egg nog flavoured profiteroles (cream puffs) and Celebrate brand mini chocolate eclairs has been identified as the likely source of the outbreak. Many of the individuals who became sick reported eating one or more of these products before their illnesses started. These products which come in small resealable plastic tubs were sold in the freezer section at grocery stores. 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a food recall warning for Celebrate brand profiteroles and Celebrate brand mini chocolate eclairs. These products were sold in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and may have been distributed in other provinces or territories. For additional food recall details on product names and lot codes, please consult CFIA's website.

Canadians are advised not to eat any recalled Celebrate brand profiteroles and Celebrate brand mini chocolate eclairs. Restaurants and retailers are also advised not to sell or serve any recalled products, or any items that may have been prepared or produced using recalled products.

The investigation is ongoing and it is possible that more products linked to the outbreak investigation may be identified. If you have any Celebrate brand profiteroles or mini eclairs products without the original packaging and are unsure if these products are linked to this outbreak, throw them out just to be safe. The CFIA is continuing its food safety investigation which may lead to the recall of other products. If other products are recalled, the CFIA will notify the public through updated food recall warnings.

This public health notice will be updated on a regular basis as the investigation evolves.

Investigation summary

As of April 27, 2019, there have been 73 laboratory-confirmed cases of Salmonella Enteritidis illness investigated in the following provinces: British Columbia (27), Alberta (12), Saskatchewan (9), Manitoba (10), Ontario (13) and Quebec (2). Individuals became sick between November 2018 and late March 2019. Nineteen individuals have been hospitalized. Two deaths have been reported; however, it has not been determined whether Salmonella was a contributing cause in these deaths. Individuals who became ill are between 1 and 88 years of age. The majority of cases (59%) are female.

Many of the individuals who became sick reported eating Celebrate brand classic/classical or egg nog flavoured profiteroles or mini chocolate eclairs purchased at various grocery stores before their illnesses occurred.

The CFIA has issued a food recall warning for Celebrate brand profiteroles and Celebrate brand mini chocolate eclairs. The food recall warning was triggered by findings from the outbreak investigation.

It is possible that more recent illnesses may be reported in the outbreak because there is a period of time between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported to public health officials. For this outbreak, the illness reporting period is between four and five weeks.

Who is most at risk

Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection, but infants, children, seniors and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile.

Most people who become ill from a Salmonella infection will recover fully after a few days. It is possible for some people to be infected with the bacteria and to not get sick or show any symptoms, but to still be able to spread the infection to others.

What you should do to protect your health

Check to see if you have any recalled Celebrate brand profiterole or eclair products in your home. If you do:

• Do not eat recalled Celebrate brand profiteroles (cream puffs) or mini chocolate eclairs.
• Throw them out immediately and properly wash and sanitize any containers that were used to store these products before using them again.
• If you have any profiteroles or mini eclair products without the original packaging and are unsure if these products are included in this advice, throw them out just to be safe.
• Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds immediately following contact with any of the identified Celebrate brand products.
• Do not prepare food for other people if you think you are sick with a Salmonella infection or suffering from any other contagious illness causing diarrhea.

Symptoms

Symptoms of a Salmonella infection, called salmonellosis, typically start six to 72 hours after exposure to Salmonella bacteria from an infected animal or contaminated product.

Symptoms include:

• fever
• chills
• diarrhea
• abdominal cramps
• headache
• nausea
• vomiting

These symptoms usually last for four to seven days. In healthy people, salmonellosis often clears up without treatment. In some cases, severe illness and hospitalization may occur. In some cases, antibiotics may be required. People who are infected with Salmonella bacteria can be infectious from several days to several weeks. People who experience symptoms, or who have underlying medical conditions, should contact their health care provider if they suspect they have a Salmonella infection.

What the Government of Canada is doing

The Government of Canada is committed to food safety. The Public Health Agency of Canada leads the human health investigation into an outbreak and is in regular contact with its federal, provincial and territorial partners to monitor the situation and to collaborate on steps to address an outbreak.

Health Canada provides food-related health risk assessments to determine whether the presence of a certain substance or microorganism poses a health risk to consumers.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency conducts food safety investigations into the possible food source of an outbreak.

The Government of Canada will continue to update Canadians as new information related to these investigations becomes available.

Additional information

• Salmonella
• General Food Safety Tips
• Recalls and safety alerts mobile app

SOURCE Public Health Agency of Canada