17 hospitalized due to salmonella outbreak linked to mini pastries: Here's what to know
The Public Health Agency of Canada estimates nearly 1,600 people may have been infected with salmonella in connection with mini pastries recall.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is sharing new details regarding a recent recall of Sweet Cream brand Mini Pattiserie due to possible salmonella concerns. According to a Jan. 19 update, 17 people have been hospitalized and there have been 61 laboratory-confirmed cases of salmonella linked to the outbreak.
Of the confirmed cases, 33 occurred in Quebec, 21 in Ontario, 4 in British Columbia, 2 in Alberta and 1 in New Brunswick. People became ill between September 2024 and mid-December 2024 and were between 3 and 88 years of age.
"We would estimate that 1,592 people have been affected by this event. The ones that we don't know about may have had mild or moderate symptoms and had those resolve at home without seeking medical care," April Hexemer, a director with the Public Health Agency of Canada in Guelph, Ont. told CBC News.
The recall notice for Sweet Cream's brand of Mini Pattiseries was first published on Jan. 18 for Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec. The notice stated that the product may have been sold elsewhere in Canada.
On Jan. 18, the CFIA also issued a recall for multiple brands of eggs due to possible salmonella contamination.
The CFIA warned people that food contaminated with salmonella might not appear or smell spoiled, but it can still make you sick. In some cases, people can contract serious and sometimes deadly infections. Below, read more about what you should know regarding salmonella and possible infections.
Why is a salmonella infection bad?
A salmonella infection, also known as salmonellosis, is a common bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract. This bacteria typically lives in animal and human intestines, and leave the body through feces.
Humans most often get infected after consuming contaminated food or water. While some people won't show major symptoms, most people who are infected will experience issues like diarrhea, fever and cramps. Other times, a salmonella infection can cause serious illness and even death.
In Ontario in 2023, there were more than 2,300 reported cases of salmonella infections. That led to nearly 350 hospitalizations and eight deaths in the province.
What foods typically cause a salmonella infection?
Eating raw or undercooked foods is often the cause of a person's salmonella infection. In many cases, properly cooking products like poultry and eggs can prevent infections. But when it comes to foods you don't typically coo, you might run into trouble.
Some of the most common foods linked to salmonella infections include:
Poultry: Raw or undercooked chicken or turkey — even frozen breaded products — can cause infections
Eggs: The carriage in eggs is low, but we often eat them raw
Fruits and vegetables: Produce you typically eat raw like leafy greens, tomatoes, cucumbers and onions can hold the bacteria
Sprouts: These require water and warm conditions, becoming great spots for bacteria to grow
Peanut butter: Peanuts grow in the ground, leaving them susceptible to salmonella due to manure
Seafood: Fish and shellfish can become infected, especially if imported from warmer climates
What are the symptoms of a salmonella infection?
Sometimes, a person who has a salmonella infection won't get sick at all. But in other cases, symptoms usually start within 6 to 72 hours after exposure, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Common symptoms, most of which may end within four to seven days, may include:
Chills
Fever
Nausea
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Stomach cramps
Sudden headache
People who are more susceptible to serious illness, including young children, older adults and people with underlying health problems or weaker immune systems, may be hospitalized with a salmonella infection. Other cases may lead to long-lasting health effects or even death.
How can you treat a salmonella infection?
In most cases, people who have a salmonella infection will recover on their own without any medical treatment. The best way to treat a salmonella infection is to rest, monitor your illness and drink lots of fluids.
Due to symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea, you may lose a lot of fluids from your body. It's best to keep rehydrating while ill so you can avoid dehydration.
You should call your health-care provider if your symptoms last more than a few days. Moreover, seek help if you start having bloody stools, high fever or if you're showing signs of dehydration, like dark urine and dry mouth.
What can you do to prevent a salmonella infection?
It can be difficult to prevent a salmonella infection since contaminated food may still appear and smell normal. The best way to avoid getting sick is to wash your hands often and properly. Also, don't prepare food for other people if you have salmonellosis, or another infection causing diarrhea.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also suggested practicing four simple steps to food safety. Those include:
Clean: On top of washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, you should rinse produce, clean surfaces and wash utensils after preparing food.
Separate: Avoid cross-contamination while cooking by keeping ready-to-eat foods away from raw products or other commonly-infected items.
Cook: When preparing food, you want to make sure you're cooking to the correct internal temperature to kill off bacteria that can make you sick.
Chill: You want to refrigerate food properly, and avoid leaving food in the "danger zone" between 40°F and 140°F.
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