A raw milk E. coli outbreak has sickened at least two people in Washington state, according to the Washington State Department of Health. The patients got sick in mid-January and early February 2024. The patients were sickened with the same, highly related strain of Shiga toxin-producing E coli (STEC) bacteria. Both patients drank raw, or unpasteurized, milk, produced by Cozy Vale Creamery in Tenino, Washington, shortly before getting sick. The patients live in two counties: Grays Harbor and Pierce. On February 16, 2024, Cozy Vale Creamery recalled their raw milk and cream because of STEC contamination. The STEC bacteria in the milk was a different strain than the one that caused the two recent illnesses. At this time, there are no known illnesses associated with the strain found in … [Read more...]
Mussels From Allen’s Fisheries Associated With Outbreak in NJ
FDA has issued a warning about certain mussels from Allen's Fisheries in Benoit's Cove, Newfoundland, Canada, that are associated with an outbreak in New Jersey. The pathogen or biotoxin that allegedly caused this outbreak has not been named, and the number of patients, their ages, illness onset dates, and whether or not anyone has been hospitalized was not mentioned in the alert. The product tag above is representative of the labeling that would accompany the mussels. The mussels are from Allen's Fisheries (NL0047SP) in Newfoundland, Canada, harvested on 2/07/2024 (Julian date 24038), from harvest area AQ # 15 Newfoundland, with final harvest date of 2/18/2024 (Julian date 24049). The mussels were shipped to distributors in the states of Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, … [Read more...]
FDA Weighs in on Raw Farms Raw Cheddar E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak
FDA weighs in on the Raw Farms raw Cheddar E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has sickened at least 10 people in four states. Four people have been hospitalized in this outbreak, and one person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The cheese has been voluntarily recalled by Raw Farm. The recalled products include original flavor, all sizes of blocks and shredded packages, and Cheddar with added Jalapeño Flavor, all sizes of blocks and shredded packages. The cheese was sold at retailers nationwide. Ill patients have reported buying the cheese at Sprouts Farmers Market and Bristol Farms. The FDA will update the advisory if they discover other retailers who have sold this cheese. The patient case count by state is: California (4), Colorado (3), Texas … [Read more...]
Raw Farm Raw Cheddar Cheese E. coli Outbreak Sickens 10
A Raw Farm raw Cheddar cheese E. coli outbreak has sickened at least 10 people in four states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Four people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. Raw Farm LLC has agreed to recall products and is working with the FDA. One pound and half pound blocks of the cheese, and half pound shredded cheese was recalled on February 17, 2024. The case count by state is: California (4), Colorado (3), Texas (1), and Utah (2). The patient age range is from two to 58 years. And illness onset dates range from October 18, 2023 to January 29, 2024. One person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a form of kidney failure. The number of patients in this outbreak is likely much higher than reported, and there may be more … [Read more...]
Fratelli Beretta Charcuterie Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 87
The Fratelli Beretta charcuterie Salmonella outbreak has now sickened at least 87 people in 30 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Eighteen people have been hospitalized. That's an increase of 40 new patients, eight new states, and eight new hospitalizations since the last update on January 18, 2024. The new states are: California, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Tennessee,. The case count by state is: Arizona (2), California (1), Colorado (1), Connecticut (1), Florida (2), Idaho (2), Illinois (1), Iowa (2), Kentucky (1), Louisiana (1), Maryland (4), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (2), Missouri (2), Nebraska (3), New Jersey (5), New York (9), North Dakota (1), Ohio (13), Oklahoma (1), Oregon (1), … [Read more...]
Cantaloupe Salmonella Outbreak Includes 4 Deaths in Minnesota
The cantaloupe Salmonella outbreak that ended in January included four deaths in Minnesota, one in Oregon, and one in Indiana, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In Canada, seven deaths were reported. "The number of fatalities is unusually high," said Food Safety Attorney Eric Hageman whose law firm Pritzker Hageman is representing people sickened in the outbreak. The outbreak was linked to Salmonella Oranienburg and Salmonella Sundsvall, a rare strain that causes severe illness, said Hageman, who is also the Publisher of Food Poisoning Bulletin. The hospitalization rate was also higher than average. The outbreak, linked to Malichita and Rudy brand cantaloupe imported from Mexico, ended on January 19 with 407 illnesses, 158 hospitalizations, and six … [Read more...]
Conoco View Dairy Raw Milk Campylobacter Outbreak in PA
A Conoco View Dairy raw milk Campylobacter outbreak in Pennsylvania has sickened at least 11 people, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Officials are warning consumers to immediately discard all of this milk. The Department ran tests after 11 reports of illness in December 2023 and January 2024 were received. Campylobacter contamination was confirmed in the dairy's products. The press release states that, "While the source of the bacteria is clear, every specific production date could not be pinpointed. All products, including those in consumers' freezers, should be discarded." The press release mentions eight several different counties where the milk was sold or dropped off at different points in the memo. The quotes are: "raw milk sold in Cumberland, … [Read more...]