The Tropical Smoothie Cafe Hepatitis A outbreak now includes 35 people, an increase of seven cases since the last update from the Virginia Department of Health. The most recent report of onset of illness is August 19, according to a health department spokeswoman. At of Friday, August 26, 2016, the 35 cases had been reported in four parts of the state: 14 in Northern Virginia, 5 in Northwest Virginia, 10 in Eastern Virginia, and 6 in Central Virginia. The outbreak has been linked to frozen strawberries imported from Egypt. Anyone who has ordered a smoothie or other food containing frozen strawberries from at a Tropical Smoothie Cafe in recent weeks should see a doctor and mention exposure to Hepatitis A. Symptoms of a Hepatitis A infection include: fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, … [Read more...]
CDC: Dole was First Listeria Outbreak Linked to Leafy Greens
The Dole Listeria outbreak evaded initial detection because leafy greens had never before been linked to a Listeria outbreak and were not included on food history questionnaires used in interviews of the first case patients, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Information (CDC). The deadly outbreak, linked to bagged salads produced at Dole’s plant in Springfield, Ohio and sold under a variety of brand names ended in April after sickening 33 people in the U.S. and Canada. In the U.S., 19 people were sickened and one of them died, according to the CDC. In Canada, 14 people were sickened and three of them died, although health officials in Canada have not been determined if Listeria was the cause of those deaths. All case patients in both countries … [Read more...]
American Foods Beef Brains Recalled for Risk Materials
Green Bay Dressed Beef, doing business as American Foods Group of Green Bay, Wis. establishment, is recalling approximately 7,420 pounds of beef brain products that may be contaminated with specified risk materials. Customers who took delivery of these products should not use them. The beef brains were produced on various dates between April 24 and August, 11 and sold in 15-unit cases marked with the packaging code 06400 and labeled “AMERICAN FOODS GROUP BEEF BRAINS <30.” The recalled products have the establishment number “EST. 410” inside the USDA mark of inspection and were shipped to a distributor in California. At the time of the recall there had been no confirmed reports of illness. … [Read more...]
Sea Scallops Recalled for Hepatitis A Sold to Restaurants in California, Nevada
Imported sea scallops linked to a Hepatitis A outbreak that has sickened 206 people in Hawaii were also sold to restaurants and retailers in California and Nevada. While it's not clear at this point, which areas of California might be affected, health officials in Nevada say they are not investigating any reports of illnesses linked to the scallops and that "small quantities of the product were received by a local distributor and subsequently discarded; none of the product had been used, distributed or sold." The scallops were supplied by Sea Port Products Corp. which issued a recall for frozen bay scallops produced on November 23, 2015 and 24, 2015 with lot numbers 5885, 5886, and 5887. Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that is spread from person to person and through the … [Read more...]
FDA, CDC Join Hepatitis A Outbreak Investigation Linked to Sea Scallops
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have joined the investigation into a Hepatitis A outbreak in Hawaii that has sickened 206 people. Along with the Hawaii Department of Health, the agencies have conducted epidemiological, laboratory and traceback investigations that have identified sea scallops supplied by Sea Port Products Corp. as the source of the outbreak. On August 18, 2016, the company issued a recall for three lots of frozen bay scallops, produced on November 23, 2015 and 24, 2015, with lot numbers 5885, 5886, and 5887. The recalled scallops were distributed to restaurants and retailers in California, Hawaii, and Nevada. Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that is spread from person to person and through … [Read more...]
Tropical Smoothie Cafe CEO Apologizes for Hepatitis A Exposure
After Tropical Smoothie Cafe was linked to a Hepatitis A outbreak that has sickened at least 17 people in Virginia, CEO Mike Rotondo apologized to customers on a video posted on the company's website. Health officials say the source of the outbreak was frozen strawberries imported from Egypt. “I sincerely apologize for any issues that this may have caused for any of our customers,” Rotondo said. “We take this issue very seriously. Your health and your safety is our top priority. We want you to have confident that we source high quality products so that you’ll come back again and visit us very soon. Thank you.” The company removed the imported strawberries from all locations and has found an alternate supplier. Vaccinations can prevent symptoms, but only if given within two weeks … [Read more...]
USDA’s Food Safety Tips for Louisiana Flood Victims
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has compiled some food safety tips for residents of Louisiana affected by the flood and those living in parishes currently under flood warning. Parishes under flood warning include: Livingston, West Baton Rouge, Northern St. James, Northern St. John, Pointe Coupee, Iberville, East Baton Rouge, and Ascension. Those already affected include: Baton Rouge, Zachary, Baker, Denham Springs, Gonzales, Donaldsonville, Melville, Oak Hills Place, Far northern portions of Reserve, Far Northern Portions of Laplace, St. Gabriel, Walker, Gramercy, Addis, Lutcher, and Brusly. After a flood, don't eat any food including raw fruits and vegetables, or cartons of milk or eggs, that may have come into contact with flood water. Throw away these foods and any … [Read more...]
Hawaii Blocks Sale of Scallops Linked to Hepatitis A Outbreak
Hawaiian health officials have blocked the sale of imported sea scallops linked to an outbreak that has sickened more than 200 people. The Hawaii Department of Health identified raw scallops from Sea Port Bay Scallops (Wild Harvest, Raw Frozen) that originated in the Philippines as the source of an outbreak. The scallops, served at Genki Sushi restaurants on Oahu and Kauai and distributed by Koha Oriental Foods and True World Foods, can no longer be sold in the state. Hepatitis A has a long incubation period. Sometimes people who are infected show no symptoms. This has made tracking the origin of the outbreak difficult for health officials. Symptoms of an infection include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort, dark urine, diarrhea, and yellow skin and eyes. These … [Read more...]
Lawsuit: Bakery Supplier to Whole Foods, Kroger, Sam’s Club, Sysco and More Faked E. coli, Listeria Tests
A bakery supplier to Whole Foods, Kroger, Sam's Club, Sysco, Rich Products, and US Foodservice has been falsifying tests for Listeria and E. coli documents for more than a year, according to a lawsuit filed by whisteblowing employees. Orange Bakery Inc. of Irvine, California had previously employed a third-party lab, Silliker Inc., to test for bacteria. Before severing ties with the lab some time before January 1, 2015, Orange obtained blank testing forms which it then forged to show negative results for Listeria and E. coli, the lawsuit alleges. Orange sells raw dough for bakery products to clients who cover every part of the country. In addition to the major retailers and club stores including Whole Foods, the Kroger family of stores and Sam's Club, Orange also supplies dough to … [Read more...]
In Canada, Cyclospora Outbreak Grows to Include 61 Cases
In Canada, a Cyclospora outbreak has grown to include 61 cases. Health officials have not yet identified the food source of the outbreak, but imported produce is suspected. A parasite native to tropical climates, Cyclospora is not commonly found in Canada or the U.S. Often illnesses are travel-related or linked to imported produce such as berries, salads greens, and peas. In this outbreak, the 61 cases were reported between May and July from: British Columbia (1), Alberta (2), Ontario (52), and Quebec (6). One person was hospitalized. The outbreak occurs as more than 150 British travelers to resorts in Cancun, Mexico picked up the parasite while vacationing and as Texas battles a Cyclospora outbreak for the fourth straight summer. A food source has not been identified, but the … [Read more...]
