Marler Clark, Inc., PS (LexBlog Norway)

Foodborne outbreaks declined in Norway in 2024, but the number of people sick in them increased, mainly because of one of the largest Salmonella outbreaks in decades. More outbreaks led to the number of Salmonella patients being the highest for more than a decade in 2024. Salmonellosis increased from 756 infections in 2023 to 1,197...

Norway has reported the lowest rate of Campylobacter positive broiler flocks since 2009. In 2024, 70 out of more than 2,000 broiler flocks tested positive for Campylobacter as part of a food safety surveillance program. The Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet), Animalia, and the poultry industry annually monitor Campylobacter in broilers slaughtered...

An audit in Norway has revealed progress in the system for import checks of products of animal origin but some areas still need further attention. Norway is part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) monitors how the country implements European Economic Area (EEA) rules on food and feed safety,...

Norway has reported its largest foodborne outbreak in almost 50 years with 230 people sick. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) said 105 people are infected with Salmonella Newport and 120 with Salmonella Typhimurium. The remaining five are infected with other types of Salmonella. Patients became ill from mid-October to mid-December 2024. They range...

A risk assessment in Norway has supported previous findings showing it is unlikely that Echinococcus multilocularis will be imported into the country via contaminated produce. The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM) reviewed data on the contamination of fresh produce with the parasite, the spread of Echinococcus multilocularis in Sweden and other countries,...

The number of people sickened in an outbreak of Salmonella in Norway involving alfalfa sprouts has doubled to almost 50. In an update provided by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI), the patient count rose by 26 to 49. This includes 42 infected with Salmonella Newport and seven with Salmonella Typhimurium. Illness onset dates...

Norwegian officials are investigating a national outbreak of Salmonella that may be linked to alfalfa sprouts. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) said 23 people had fallen sick with Salmonella Newport from nine regions. Patients have been reported since mid-October. They range in age from 18 to 79 with a median of 48 years...

Testing of imported seafood in Norway has found all samples were compliant with the regulations. Findings come from a report with results on the monitoring program for veterinary border control on aquatic products imported to Norway from countries outside the EU and the European Economic Area in 2023. Staff at Norwegian Border Inspection Posts collected samples....

Authorities in Norway are investigating a Salmonella outbreak linked to contact with birds and cats. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) said it has seen an increase in the number of people infected with Salmonella Typhimurium in recent months. Some sick people belong to an outbreak where contact with small birds or cats is...

Norwegian health officials are investigating the reasons behind a spike in Salmonella cases, which have sickened more than 30 people. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) said the number of people infected with Salmonella typhimurium has increased in recent months. So far this year, 33 people have fallen sick. Patients live all over the...

E. coli infections hit a record high in Norway in 2023, while other pathogens are returning to levels seen before the Coronavirus pandemic. Data published by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) shows that the number of Campylobacter, Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria infections rose compared to the previous year, while Yersinia cases fell....

The number of outbreaks and people sick in them declined in Norway in 2023, but this past year saw the country record one of its most serious-ever E. coli outbreaks. Twenty-five outbreaks were caused by contaminated foodstuffs, with 518 people sick. This is down from 34 outbreaks and 628 cases in 2022. For eight outbreaks...

According to a study in Norway, people staying in basic cabins were more likely to report illness than those who were at home or in a cabin of high standard. Nofima scientists investigated how cabin life affected food safety compared to domestic practices. 339 cabin dwellers answered an online questionnaire in late 2018 about infrastructure,...

The number of broiler flocks positive for Campylobacter in Norway increased in 2023 but is still at low levels, according to the latest data. Surveillance in 2023 showed that 128 flocks, or 6.1 percent, were positive for Campylobacter. This is from tests on broiler flocks slaughtered before 51 days of age during May and October...

Norwegian officials have solved a Bacillus cereus outbreak that affected more than 20 young children. Several infants aged 5 to 6 months old became ill between November 2023 and January 2024 after eating a type of porridge. Tveter Gård Foredling withdrew several Den Sorte Havre branded products aimed at children in January. Items were sold...

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) by companies in Norway will likely be used for certain samples or in particular situations instead of all the time, according to a report. The report looks at the legal rules that may affect WGS implementation of bacterial pathogens in the food industry, using Listeria monocytogenes as a case study. Work was...

An outbreak of Salmonella has ended in Norway without officials finding the source. An investigation into the outbreak of Salmonella Napoli has been completed as no cases have been detected since the end of September. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) had reported seven outbreak cases. People became ill from late August to the...

Seven people have fallen sick across Norway as part of a Salmonella outbreak. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) said the source of infection in the Salmonella Napoli outbreak is unknown. People became ill from the end of August until late September this year. Patients range in age from 6 to 66, while four are...

Norwegian officials have uncovered a case of fish fraud during a national control operation. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) took 15 samples of fresh and frozen tuna from importers and wholesalers and found an illegally high level of carbon monoxide in one sample. Low values of carbon monoxide were discovered in other samples but...

Public health officials in Norway have warned that a severe E. coli outbreak is not over and have urged people to take precautions. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) reported that E. coli O26:H11 had been detected in 20 people, up from 17 in the previous update. It is one of the country’s most serious...

A recall of meat products as part of an E. coli outbreak in Norway has been expanded. Nordfjord Kjøtt issued the extended recall this past week. It now covers certain shelf life dates of nine products, including Hamburger Classic, Prima Hamburger, Bacon Burger, ground (or minced) meat, and Big Beef burger. The move was prompted...

Norwegian officials have named the suspected source of an E. coli outbreak that affected 15 people. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) said the same type of E. coli O26:H11 had been detected in all those infected. Two hamburger products that are the likely source of the ongoing outbreak have been recalled. In August, it...

Norwegian officials are trying to find the source of another E. coli outbreak that has affected half a dozen people. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) said six people, living in different parts of the country, are sick. Preliminary analyses show E. coli O26:H11 has been detected in all those infected. FHI is now...

Four people have been infected with Listeria in Norway after eating smoked fish from one producer. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) reported that three women and one man fell ill in June and were admitted to hospitals. All patients are now either healthy or improving. They are between the ages of 50 and...

Norwegian officials are investigating an E. coli outbreak that has affected half a dozen people. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI) said six people, living in different parts of the country, are sick. E. coli O157:H7 with the same genetic profile has been detected in all patients. Two people fell ill in October and...

Higher numbers of most foodborne infections were recorded this past year, according to figures from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI). In 2022, the incidence of several infectious diseases from food, water, and animals that are notifiable increased, following a decline during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this period, there was a decrease in most...

The risk of foodborne botulism is still relevant when it comes to a traditional fish product in Norway, especially if it is homemade, according to scientists. A study assessed the risk of contamination during the process of preparing the fish, and what conditions are needed for neurotoxin to be formed. Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum....

Norwegian surveillance has found a low level of flour samples positive for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) commissioned a survey of STEC in wheat flour to gather data on the problem. A total of 151 samples of flour were collected from retailers in 2021 and analyzed in 2022. Enriched...

The number of outbreaks and people sick in them in 2022 went up from the year before, based on new data from Norway. A total of 34 foodborne outbreaks were reported in 2022, which is up from 23 and 25 outbreaks in 2020 and 2021 but lower than the 46 outbreaks in 2019.   Overall,...

There is a significant risk associated with drinking raw milk from Norwegian cows, according to a study. Lene Idland, of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) faculty of veterinary medicine, provided updated figures on the prevalence of some pathogens that may be present in raw milk in three published studies. Idland collected milk and...