Salmonella food poisoning in Singapore pre-schools; 270 sickened

The cause of a food poisoning outbreak in 10 pre-schools last month in Singapore, which affected over 270 people, has been traced to Salmonella Enteritidis.

It was found in the seafood marinara pasta supplied by Mum’s Kitchen.

The organism is not native to seafood but is commonly found in items such as poultry and eggs.

Mum’s Kitchen was the caterer for eight of Pat’s Schoolhouse’s preschools, the Children’s Place at Kay Siang Road and Learning Visions at Raffles Place.

In a joint statement, the Health Ministry and National Environment Agency said there might have been cross-contamination of the pasta with raw food during preparation at the caterer’s premises.

Interviews with food handlers indicated that the same trays were used to hold raw and cooked foods.

Salmonella outbreak at California preschool sickens dozens

At least 15 children have been hospitalized and nearly 30 children and adults as part of a Salmonella outbreak at several preschools in the San Fernando Valley and East Los Angeles.

The outbreak was traced to a North Hollywood kitchen that supplies food to the 29 preschools operated by the Volunteers of America of Greater Los Angeles, a faith-based nonprofit organization, said David Dassey of the L.A. Co. Public Health Department.

County public health officials inspected the kitchen, which voluntarily closed at the end of last week and reopened Tuesday. Letters were sent home to parents informing them of the situation and urging frequent hand-washing and other healthy practices.

All 29 facilities report at least one person coming down with salmonella-type symptoms, including fever, vomiting and diarrhea.