Poland
KETRZYN – Food Poisoning Outbreak Hospitalizes Dozens at Border Guard Training Center
A large-scale salmonella outbreak has struck a border guard training facility in Kętrzyn, northeastern Poland, sending 76 trainees to the hospital on Monday. The outbreak, which began over the weekend, has affected 83 people in total.
The Kętrzyn facility, situated near Poland’s border with Russia, is one of three border guard training centers in the country and currently supports approximately 300 officers in training.
Health officials report that affected individuals have displayed typical salmonellosis symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and fever. Initial investigations have eliminated contaminated water as a potential source of the outbreak.
Major Mirosława Aleksandrowicz, speaking for the Warmia-Masuria Border Guard unit, confirmed that patients were distributed to several regional hospitals in Giżycko, Bartoszyce, Pisz, Ostróda, Biskupiec, and Elbląg.
Police have initiated an investigation following a formal complaint alleging endangerment to life or health. Currently, no cases have been reported beyond the Kętrzyn training center.
In a social media statement, the Polish Border Guard indicated that a total of 150 people have reported food poisoning symptoms. The agency has notified both the national Border Guard commander and the Minister of the Interior and Administration. Officials state that none of the affected officers face life-threatening conditions.
Hong Kong
HONG KONG – Health Warning Issued for Travelers to Japan Following Norovirus Outbreak
Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has alerted travelers to exercise increased caution regarding hygiene practices following a norovirus outbreak connected to contaminated food in Japan.
The warning follows an incident in southern Tochigi Prefecture where 72 people developed food poisoning symptoms after eating bento boxes from a local restaurant on April 9. Those affected experienced diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. One person has died, though authorities are still investigating the exact cause of death.
Health officials have confirmed the presence of norovirus in stool samples from both patients and staff members at the dining facility.
Edwin Tsui, Controller of the CHP of Hong Kong’s Department of Health, has stressed the need for heightened awareness among those traveling to or currently in Japan. The advisory comes as Japan, a popular destination for Hong Kong residents, is experiencing elevated norovirus activity compared to the previous five years.
The CHP warned that norovirus is highly infectious, with even minimal exposure potentially leading to infection. The health authority specifically cautioned that alcohol-based hand sanitizers are ineffective against norovirus and should not substitute proper handwashing with soap and water.
HONG KONG – Malaysian Frozen Confection Test Positive for Coliform Bacteria
Hong Kong’s Centre for Food Safety (CFS) has announced that samples of a Malaysian frozen confection were found to contain excessive levels of coliform bacteria during routine import screening. The product has been detained in the importer’s warehouse and has not reached retail markets.
The affected product is “King Don’t Lie Musang King Durian Gelato Plant-Based (Frozen Confection)” manufactured by XO-ice in Malaysia. The 473-milliliter containers, which carry a best-before date of September 12, 2027, were imported by Gainly Enterprise Limited.
According to the CFS spokesperson, laboratory testing conducted as part of the agency’s routine Food Surveillance Programme revealed coliform bacteria counts between 110 and 130 per gram across three samples. This exceeds the legal limit of 100 coliform bacteria per gram established under the Frozen Confections Regulation (Cap. 132AC).
The elevated bacterial count indicates unsatisfactory hygiene conditions during production or handling. Hong Kong regulations specify that violations can result in penalties up to HK$10,000 and three months’ imprisonment upon conviction.
The CFS has notified the importer of the violation and confirmed that the entire batch remains secured in the company’s warehouse. Officials have temporarily suspended the import permission previously granted for this product.
Hong Kong authorities will inform their Malaysian counterparts about the findings while continuing to monitor the situation and implement appropriate follow-up measures.
India
BENGALURU – Spike in Food Poisoning Cases Linked to Roadside Vendors
As summer temperatures rise in Bengaluru, the city is experiencing both an increase in roadside juice vendors and a surge in diarrhea and food poisoning cases.
Local hospitals and clinics report that numerous patients admitted with severe stomach infections had recently consumed juice from street vendors. Health officials are highlighting specific risk factors: unhygienic preparation methods, contaminated water usage, and improper storage of ingredients including unwashed fruits and unclean ice.
Dr. Shaikh Mohammed Aslam, HOD and Consultant at the Department of Internal Medicine at Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, noted that many roadside juice stalls fail to maintain basic hygiene standards and explained that the combination of untreated water, unwashed fruits, and contaminated ice creates ideal conditions for harmful bacteria that cause acute gastroenteritis.
Gastroenteritis infections can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever and, without proper treatment, these conditions may progress to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, or more serious complications, particularly among vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.
Dr. Aslam additionally cautioned that people with existing digestive conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome should be especially careful, as higher temperatures accelerate bacterial growth.
Another local doctor confirmed a noticeable increase in waterborne and foodborne illnesses coinciding with rising temperatures, noting that while fruit juices are generally considered healthy, they can become dangerous when prepared under unhygienic conditions.
Medical professionals in the city have advised residents to consume only boiled or filtered water, avoid raw foods and beverages from unknown sources, and thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables. Additionally, they recommend oral rehydration and dietary adjustments for mild symptoms, but stress that high fever, persistent vomiting, signs of dehydration, or bloody stools require immediate medical attention.
Mongolia
ULAN BATOR – Mass Food Poisoning Incident Affects Miners
Nearly 200 people have been hospitalized in Mongolia’s southern Umnugovi province following a suspected food poisoning outbreak, according to last Friday’s announcement from the country’s National Center for Communicable Diseases (NCCD).
Those affected, all miners between 20 and 48 years of age, developed symptoms including fever, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea after eating at a mine cafeteria on Wednesday. Nyam Suvdmaa, who heads the Early Warning and Response Unit at the NCCD, provided these details during a daily press briefing.
Of the 197 people affected, 105 are currently receiving treatment at the National Center for Communicable Diseases facility. The remaining individuals have been provided medication for at-home recovery, according to Suvdmaa.
Singapore
SINGAPORE – Catering Company Fined After Food Poisoning Outbreak Affecting Hundreds
A Singapore food caterer has been penalized with an $8,000 fine following a significant gastroenteritis outbreak that sickened nearly 400 people in late 2023.
Shiok Kitchen Catering received the fine on April 9 for violations of food safety regulations, including preparing food deemed unsafe for human consumption and failing to maintain a clean facility. An additional charge regarding improper facility maintenance was considered during the sentencing process.
According to official court documents, the Ministry of Health and Singapore Food Agency (SFA) received reports of widespread gastroenteritis affecting 395 individuals who had consumed food from Shiok Kitchen between November and December 2023.
Subsequent investigations at the company’s kitchen revealed multiple food safety violations. On December 14, inspectors identified the presence of Bacillus cereus, a bacteria known to cause food poisoning, in a spinach dish with garlic cream sauce prepared in the central kitchen.
Inspectors also documented numerous sanitation issues throughout the facility. These included brown stains on a chiller machine in the seafood preparation area and on an ice-making machine in the beverage room. More concerning, cockroaches were discovered in an unused under-counter chiller in the hot kitchen area, while cockroach droppings and eggs were found on a kitchen scale at a preparation table.
The SFA suspended Shiok Kitchen’s operations from December 14, 2023, through January 5, 2024, requiring the caterer to improve its food safety practices, enhance cleanliness standards, and correct all identified violations before resuming business.
In its April 9 statement, the SFA said that while regulatory measures and enforcement remain a priority, both industry participants and consumers share responsibility in preventing contamination throughout the food supply chain.
Under Singapore regulations, businesses that violate food safety standards can face fines up to $5,000 per conviction, with additional daily penalties of $100 for each day violations continue after conviction.
Vietnam
DONG THAP – Food Poisoning Incident at Festival Investigated
Vietnam’s Ministry of Health has directed provincial authorities to investigate food sources and gather samples for testing after 33 students and teachers experienced food poisoning symptoms following a festival lunch on Sunday. The event was attended by approximately 3,500 people.
The meal was supplied by a catering service and included rice, pork, fried chicken, and other items that provincial authorities confirmed were certified safe for consumption until August 2025. Additionally, a university provided free milk tea during the lunch, though distribution records were not maintained.
Following the meal, several students developed symptoms including stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Provincial authorities report that 29 individuals required hospitalization for digestive issues.
Investigators have collected food samples and specimens from affected individuals for laboratory analysis. However, no milk tea samples were available for testing.
The province’s Department of Health said that the cases were mild and patients were expected to recover quickly.
The Health Ministry stressed the importance of food safety protocols, particularly for large-scale events, urging proper monitoring of food sources and adherence to hygiene standards during preparation.
This incident follows a previous outbreak in Đồng Tháp last year when nearly 150 people became ill after consuming bánh mì sandwiches from a local bakery.
Vietnam continues to struggle with food safety challenges that have resulted in numerous poisoning incidents. Critics note that businesses responsible for food safety violations typically face only minor administrative penalties, which some experts consider insufficient to prevent future incidents.
Taiwan
TAIPEI – Severe Botulism Case Linked to At-Home Cosmetic Procedure
Taiwan health officials have reported a serious incident involving a woman in her 40s who developed severe botulism after receiving unauthorized cosmetic injections in her home. The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released information about the case yesterday.
According to health authorities, the patient arranged for a seller to visit her residence and administer facial injections for cosmetic enhancement. The product had been purchased through an online source.
The CDC reports that several days after the procedure, the woman began experiencing a range of symptoms consistent with botulism infection, including swallowing difficulties, abnormal saliva production, eyelid drooping, weakness in her muscles, and significant fatigue. Her condition deteriorated to the point where she required ventilator support in an intensive care unit due to respiratory problems.
While laboratory testing did not confirm the presence of botulinum toxin, medical professionals determined botulism was the likely diagnosis based on the characteristic symptom pattern and timeline following the injections. CDC physician Lin Yung-ching explained that negative test results were possibly due to the delay between the procedure and specimen collection.
Taiwan’s health department has launched an investigation into the unauthorized seller and the products used. Local authorities are examining whether laws were broken regarding the sale and administration of the substance.
CDC Deputy Director-General Philip Lo said that properly regulated cosmetic botulinum toxin injections typically contain carefully controlled dosages that present minimal risks. However, he warned that unregulated products from unknown sources significantly increase danger to patients.
This marks the most severe of eight botulism cases linked to cosmetic procedures reported in Taiwan since 2019. The patient has shown improvement after receiving antitoxin treatment – a costly intervention priced at over NT$226,000 per vial.
Health officials strongly urge consumers to seek cosmetic treatments exclusively at registered medical facilities with qualified practitioners, verify product licensing, and ensure they receive comprehensive information about potential complications and appropriate responses.
Commenting on this article, the nation’s leading food poisoning lawyer said, “Catering companies, and all providers of food services to the public, must strictly follow all established food safety rules and regulations. Consequences for not doing so can lead to food poisoned customers and commensurate fines and even loss of business.”
