Inadequate labeling of pork sausages prepared in Corsica causing a trichinellosis outbreak in France

Parasite. 2016:23:27. doi: 10.1051/parasite/2016027. Epub 2016 Jun 17.

Abstract

Three cases of human trichinellosis due to Trichinella britovi were reported in 2015 in the Southeast of France resulting from consumption of raw pork sausages (figatelli) prepared in Corsica. Fourteen other people ate figatelli from the same batch but were not infected due to the figatelli being well cooked. This is the first reported human trichinellosis outbreak due to consumption of Corsican sausages prepared from uncontrolled pork. Consumption of raw figatelli is a common tradition in Corsica. As a result, the health recommendation to cook the product well is not always applied. In the present case, the figatelli product label was not sufficiently visible to advise consumers of the risks associated with uncooked pork.

Trois cas de trichinellose humaine due à Trichinella britovi ont été rapportés en 2015 dans le Sud-Est de la France après consommation de saucisses de porc crues (figatelli) préparées en Corse. Quatorze autres personnes ont mangé des figatelli de ce même lot, mais aucune n’a été infectée car la cuisson des figatelli était à cœur. Nous rapportons la première épidémie de trichinellose humaine due à la consommation de saucisses corses préparées à partir de porc non contrôlé. La consommation de figatelli crue est culturellement ancrée en Corse, et la recommandation d’une cuisson suffisante n’est pas toujours suivie. En effet, la taille de l’étiquette des figatelli était insuffisante pour prévenir les consommateurs des risques associés au porc insuffisamment cuit.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Albendazole / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
  • Cooking / standards*
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Female
  • Food Labeling / standards*
  • France / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Meat Products / parasitology*
  • Meat Products / standards
  • Middle Aged
  • Swine
  • Trichinellosis / drug therapy
  • Trichinellosis / epidemiology*
  • Trichinellosis / parasitology

Substances

  • Anthelmintics
  • Albendazole