Kootenay Meadows Nostrala Firm Surface-Ripened Cheese is being recalled in Canada because it may be contaminated with the pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and generic E. coli. The recall notice did not mention whether or not any illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this issue. The recalling firm is Mountain Valley Dairy Ltd. Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria that causes foodborne illness. Symptoms of this illness include sudden and abrupt onset. Patients suffer from nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea, along with hyper salivation. Ill persons can suffer dehydration and hypotension. Symptoms usually start within 30 minutes to 3 hours after eating contaminated food. Generic E. coli is a marker pathogen that can indicate fecal … [Read more...]
Sick Restaurant Employees Cause 40% of Outbreaks
Sick restaurant employees cause 40% of foodborne illness outbreaks, according to an article in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report for the week of June 2, 2023. Hundreds of foodborne illness outbreaks associated with retail food establishments are reported every year to the CDC. The period of time included in this study was 2017 to 2019. In 2014, CDC launched the National Environmental Assessment Reporting System (NEARS) to compliment the surveillance conducted by the National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS). State and local health departments enter data from their outbreak investigations of retail food establishments. The data entered include characteristics of outbreaks, including factors contributing to the illnesses, … [Read more...]
Cricket Creek Farm Cheese Recalled After One Listeria Illness
Cricket Creek Farm Cheese is being recalled after one Listeria monocytogenes illness was reported. The recalling firm is Cricket Creek Farm of Williamstown, Massachusetts. The recalled products are 165 pounds of Sophelise cheese and 149 pounds of Tobasi cheese. The cheeses were distributed in Massachusetts and New York through these stores: Wild Oats in Williamstown, Massachusetts; Provisions Williamstown in Williamstown, Massachusetts; McEnroe Organic Farm Market in Millerton, New York; New Lebanon Farmers Market in New Lebanon, New York; and at restaurants and farmers markets. You can see pictures of these cheeses at the FDA web site. Sophelise is a washed, pasteurized milk cheese with a soft rind and pinkish hue. The circular cheese is four inches in diameter and about one … [Read more...]
Julie’s Real Grain-Free Granola Bar Recalled For Metal
Julie's Real Grain-Free Granola Bar in two flavors is being recalled for possible foreign material contamination in the form of metal pieces. This poses a mouth, esophagus, and tooth injury hazard as well as a choking hazard. Since this recall was posted on the FDA Enforcement page, there is no information about any injuries reported to date. The recalling firm is Julie's Real Foods of Dallas, Texas. The two bars were sold nationwide at the retail level. They are Julie's Real JR Bar Cinnamon Vanilla Bean Grain-Free Granola bar that is packaged in a net weight 1.4 ounce container. The UPC number stamped on the product label is 857628006699. The lot number for this product is 0522, and the Best By dates are 5/2/2023, 5/3/2023, and 5/4/2023. The bars are packaged and sold as a six pack … [Read more...]
CDC Analyzes Jule’s Foods Cashew Brie Salmonella Outbreak
The CDC has published an analysis of the Jule's Foods Cashew Brie Salmonella outbreak that sickened at least 20 people in four states. The outbreak was first identified by the Tennessee Department of Health. Two patients said they ate the same brand of cashew brie at the same restaurant before they got sick. The case count by state was: California (15), Florida (2), Maryland (1), and Tennessee (2). The patient age range was from one to 72 years. Illness onset dates ranged from December 11, 2020, to May 9, 2021. Five people were hospitalized because they were so sick. After the outbreak was identified, a search of the National Center for Biotechnology Information Pathogen Detection Isolates Browser found three more patients, two from California and one from Florida. Open-source … [Read more...]
Don’t Get Food Poisoning This Summer! Tips from USDA
Don't get food poisoning this summer with tips from the USDA. Warmer temperatures mean that food safety rules change, and there is more opportunity for pathogens to grow in food. Pack perishables with a cold source every time. Food that is in the danger zone of 40°F and 140°F is risky. In that temperature range, pathogen bacteria can double in volume every 20 minutes. When it's hot outside, with a temperature of 90°F or higher, you must refrigerate perishable foods within one hour, not the two hours that is commonly recommended. Keep cold foods cold by using ice to envelop the serving container, or keep it in a cooler with ice packs until you're ready to serve. Keep hot foods hot by placing food in warmings trays or in a cooler spot on the grill. And when you're done eating, … [Read more...]
Now 45 Sick in Los Amigos Taqueria Salmonella Outbreak
There are now 45 sick in Los Amigos Taqueria Salmonella outbreak, according to NBC Boston. Laboratory testing has confirmed 45 cases in customers of the restaurant, which is located at 366 Washington Street in Brighton, Massachusetts, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. That's an increase of 12 more cases since the original announcement of the outbreak on May 19, 2023. Of the 45 confirmed cases, 29 live in Boston. There are apparently more reports of undiagnosed illnesses associated with that restaurant. The restaurant was closed last week after the outbreak was uncovered. An inspection was conducted at that location on May 18, 2023 after reports of illness, and found multiple problems. The certified food managers certificate was expired, there was no … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Cases at Two Snohomish County Taco Bell Locations
A hepatitis A case has been diagnosed in one employee who worked at two Snohomish County Taco Bell locations in Washington state, according to the Snohomish County Health Department. Anyone who ate food from the Taco Bell at 2727 Broadway on May 22 or May 23, 2023, or at the Taco Bell at 303 91st Avenue NE in Lake Stevens on May 23, 2023 may have been exposed and should contact their healthcare provider or public health. One food worker who teated positive for the virus worked at both locations while infectious. You should check to see if you are vaccinated against or immune to hepatitis A. If you have been vaccinated or if you had the virus in the past you do not need to take further action. If you are not vaccinated, talk to your doctor about getting a hepatitis A vaccination. … [Read more...]
Wegmans Penne Rigate Mozzarella Salad Recalled For Milk
Wegmans Penne Rigate Mozzarella Salad is being recalled because it may contain milk, one of the nine major food allergens, that is not declared on the label as required by law. Anyone who is lactose intolerant or who is allergic to or sensitive to milk could have a serious reaction if they eat this product. No illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported to the company to date in connection with the consumption of this item. The recalling firm is A.S.K. Foods of Palmyra, Pennsylvania. The recalled product, Wegmans Penne Rigate Mozzarella Salad, was only sold at Wegmans stores in these states: New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts. The salad was packaged in a 30 ounce plastic container where the top lid indicates Penne Rigate Mozzarella Salad, Net Wt 30 OZ (1 LB 14 OZ) 850 … [Read more...]
Simply Hot Thai Green Peppers Recalled For Salmonella
Simply Hot Thai Green Peppers are being recalled in Canada for possible Salmonella contamination. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with the consumption of this item. The recalling firm is Fresh Direct Produce. The recalled product is Simply Hot Thai Green Peppers that are packaged in a 50 gram clear plastic bag. The UPC number that is printed on the product label is 8 94242 00050 4. And the code for this product is Packed on: 20AL23. The peppers were sold in Alberta and Saskatchewan at the retail level, and may have been sold in other provinces and territories. This recall was triggered by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) test results. The government is launching an investigation, which may lead to the recall of more products. If this … [Read more...]
