Consumer Reports says that more than 2/3 of the protein powders and shakes they tested have high lead levels. In fact, they have more lead in a single serving than is safe to consume in a day - some by more than 10 times. It's been 15 years since Consumer reports has teated protein powders and shakes. These products have become a huge business, driving supplement sales. But some have high levels of toxic heavy metals. Nearly all of the plant based products had elevated lead levels, but some were so bad that the experts caution against using them at all. A single serving of those powders had between 1,200 and 1,600% of the level of CR's concern per lead, which is 0.5 micrograms per day. That is the California Prop 65 maximum allowable dose level, which has a wide safety margin and … [Read more...]
Deadly FreshRealm Chicken Fettuccine Listeria Outbreak Grows
The deadly FreshRealm chicken fettuccine Alfredo outbreak has grown to include three new illnesses, three new hospitalizations, and one more death, according to the CDC. In addition, there are two new states involved in the outbreak: California and Utah. And two recalls have been issued in relation to this outbreak. The case count by state is: California (2), Florida (1), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Louisiana (2), Michigan (2), Minnesota (1), Missouri (1), Nevada (1), North Carolina (1), Ohio (1), South Carolina (1), Texas (3), and Utah (1). Illness onset dates range from August 1, 2024 to September 11, 2025. The patient age range is from 4 to 92 years. Nineteen patients have been hospitalized. In the last update, which was issued on June 18, 2025, one person in Virginia was said … [Read more...]
Mercado Los Amigos E. coli Outbreak in Yakima Sickens Three
A Mercado Los Amigos E. coli outbreak in Yakima, Washington has sickened at least three people, according to a press release issued by the Yakima Health District. That restaurant is located at 1409 Frutivale Boulevard in Yakima. The people who go sick reported eating meat, produce, and/or prepared foods from the restaurant. Mercado Los Amigos voluntarily closed on September 18, 2025 and owners are working with public health officials to address any risk and to make sure that in the future the foods they serve are as safe as possible. People who are at risk for this infection includes anyone who purchased or consumed meat, produce, or prepared foods from that establishment between September 10, 2025 and September 18, 2025. Symptoms of an E. coli infection can take up to to 10 days … [Read more...]
Two New Outbreaks on FDA CORE Investigation Table
There are two new outbreaks on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table: A Salmonella Lomalinda outbreak and another Listeria monocytogenes outbreak. There are 11 outbreaks on the table at this time; only four are solved. For the new Salmonella Lomalinda outbreak, there are 30 cases. The FDA has not initiated traceback, inspected a facility, or tested samples. For the new Listeria monocytogenes outbreak, there are 8 cases. The FDA has not initiated traceback, inspected a facility, or tested samples. For the second Listeria outbreak, there are 25 people sick. The FDA has initiated traceback in this investigation. For the first Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak, the case count has increased from 39 to 40 cases. There is no food attached to this outbreak yet. The FDA has … [Read more...]
DeLauro Wants Answers from Boar’s Head About Plant Reopening
Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-Ct) and the Congressional Food Safety Caucus want answers from Boar's Head about their plant reopening after the deadly Listeria monocytogenes outbreak in 2024 that sickened at least 61 people in 19 states, hospitalized 60, and killed 10. The plant will apparently reopen despite alleged food safety failings. The letter sent to Boar's head states, "It seems your company continues to show a disregard for food safety and for the public health of the American people. Boar’s Head has an obligation to protect public health and prepare and sell food that meets strict safety standards." The Boar's Head plant in Jarratt, Virginia was closed last year after the outbreak. In January 2025 the USDA revealed that unsanitary conditions were present in that plant. … [Read more...]
Chetak Salmonella Outbreak Update: More Products Recalled
A Chetak Salmonella outbreak update has been posted by the CDC. The company is recalling more products, including fruits and vegetables. The recall includes Deep brand frozen produce. The case count by state remains the same. It is: Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Illinois (1), Massachusetts (2), Minnesota (1), New Jersey (1), Pennsylvania (1), Tennessee (1), Virginia (1), and Washington (1). The patient age range is from less than 1 to 78 years. Illness onset dates range from October 22, 2024 to June 24, 2026. Of nine people who gave information about their health to investigators, four have been hospitalized, for a hospitalization rate of 44%, more than double the typical hospitalization rate for a Salmonella outbreak. You can download the long list of newly recalled products, … [Read more...]
New Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak on FDA Core Table
There is a new Listeria monocytogenes outbreak on the FDA Core Outbreak Investigation Table. There are 10 outbreaks on the Table; six of these are unsolved. For the new Listeria outbreak, there are 25 people sick. The FDA has not yet conducted traceback, initiated an inspection, or sampled product. For the first outbreak of Salmonella Enteritidis, the case count has increased from 31 to 34. The FDA has initiated traceback and has conducted an inspection. For the first Salmonella Oranienberg outbreak, there are five ill persons. No food has been identified. The FDA has initiated traceback. The first Cyclospora outbreak has sickened at least 46 people. The FDA has initiated traceback and conducted an inspection. In the second cyclospora outbreak, there are at least 41 … [Read more...]
Possible E. coli Outbreak at McClard’s BBQ in Arkansas
One news outlet, the Sentinel-Record, is reporting that there is a possible E. coli outbreak at McClard's BBQ in Arkansas. That restaurant is located at 505 Albert Pike Road in Hot Springs National Park. The report states that about 24 people allegedly got sick after ordering take out from that establishment over Labor Day weekend. The restaurant is voluntarily closing from September 7 to September 9, 2025 for deep cleaning and staff retraining. No official ordered that closure; the owners decided to do this "out of caution and responsibility to its customers." In a September 5, 2025 inspection conducted by the Arkansas Department of Health, three violations were found. One, in the walk in cooler, whole cuts of beef had a temperature greater than 41°F and took longer than the … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Metabolic Meals Delivery Service
A Salmonella outbreak is linked to Metabolic Meals home delivery service, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There are 16 people sick in 10 states. The case count by state is: Arkansas (1), California (3), Connecticut (1), Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Minnesota (2), Missouri (3), Texas (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (1). The patient age range is from 0 to 96 years. Illness onset dates range from July 24, 2025 to August 15, 2025. Of the 15 people who gave information to public health investigators, seven people have been hospitalized, for a hospitalization rate of 47%, which is more than double the average 20% hospitalization rate for a Salmonella outbreak. Patients were interviewed about what they ate the week before they got sick. Of the 12 … [Read more...]
Oysters Contaminated with Vibrio Vulnificus Kill Two in Louisiana
Oysters contaminated with the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus have killed two people in Louisiana, according to news reports. A news release from the Louisiana Department of Health stated that the number of illnesses caused by that pathogen have more than doubled this year. In a typical year, there are seven cases of illness caused by this dangerous bacteria in that state, and on average one person dies. So far this year, there have been 22 cases of Vibrio in Louisiana and four people have died, public health officials said. Most cases of Vibrio vulnificus are caused by the bacteria getting into wounds and causing an infection. But some types of seafood, particularly filter feeding oysters, can collect the bacteria in their flesh. Then when an oyster is eaten raw or undercooked, the … [Read more...]
