Investigation of clusters of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections linked to the consumption of Buitoni®-brand Fraîch’Up pizzas
Update as of April 6, 2022, on the cluster of cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome and infections caused by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli linked to the consumption of frozen pizzas from the Fraîch’Up line of the Buitoni brand.
Pediatric hemolytic-uremic syndrome
thematic dossier
Hemolytic uremic syndrome is a primarily renal complication of infections caused by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli. Although rare, it is a serious condition that primarily affects young...
Santé publique France and the National Reference Center (CNR) for E. coli and its associated laboratories (Institut Pasteur, Paris, and the Microbiology Laboratory at Robert Debré Hospital, Paris), in collaboration with the Directorate General for Food and the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs, and Fraud Control, and in coordination with the Directorate General for Health, have been investigating since February 10, 2022, an increase in the number of pediatric cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and infections caused by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC).
Epidemiological, microbiological, and traceability investigations have confirmed a link between the occurrence of these clustered cases and the consumption of frozen pizzas from the Buitoni brand’s Fraîch’Up line contaminated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). On March 18, the company initiated a recall of all pizzas in the Fraîch’Up line, which had been on the market since June 2021. Authorities have asked anyone in possession of these pizzas not to consume them and to dispose of them.
The number of HUS cases linked to the consumption of these pizzas appears to be stabilizing.
Update as of April 6, 2022
As of April 6, 2022, 50 confirmed cases have been identified, 48 of which are linked to O26 strains and 2 to O103 strains. Investigations are ongoing for 25 additional cases of HUS and STEC infections reported to Santé publique France.
These 50 cases occurred in 48 children and 2 adults who developed symptoms between January 18, 2022 (week 3) and March 14, 2022 (week 11); for 1 adult, the onset date of symptoms is currently under investigation (Figure 1).
These 50 cases occurred in 11 regions of metropolitan France: Hauts-de-France (11 cases), Nouvelle-Aquitaine (8 cases), Pays de la Loire (7 cases), Brittany (6 cases), Île-de-France (6 cases), Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (3 cases), Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (2 cases), Grand Est (2 cases), Occitanie (2 cases), Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (2 cases), and Centre-Val de Loire (1 case) (Figure 2).
The 48 affected children are aged 1 to 17 years, with a median age of 7 years; 20 (42%) are female; 43 (90%) developed HUS, and 5 (10%) developed STEC gastroenteritis. Two children died. The 2 adults are over 90 years old; one developed HUS, the other STEC gastroenteritis.
Figure 1: Epidemic curve: number of confirmed cases of HUS and STEC infections, by week of symptom onset—mainland France, weeks 3–11, 2022
Figure 2: Geographic distribution of confirmed cases of HUS and STEC infections linked to the consumption of Buitoni®-brand Fraîch’Up pizzas, by region of residence—metropolitan France, weeks 3 through 11, 2022
See the previous points
Severe cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in children: new cases reported; health authorities reiterate recommended precautions (press release dated 03/30/22)
Severe cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in children: recall of Buitoni brand Fraîch’Up frozen pizza batches due to possible contamination with Escherichia coli O26 (press release dated 03/18/22)
Update on ongoing investigations into severe cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in children. Reminder of food safety recommendations (press release dated 03/12/22)
Ongoing investigations into pediatric cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and health recommendations (press release dated 02/25/22)
