The newest Salmonella Newport outbreak has sickened at least 396 people in 34 states and has hospitalized 59. The outbreak is potentially linked to red onions sold by Thomson International. Those onions were recalled last week. But which stores sold the onions recalled for possible Salmonella contamination? And are products made with those onions recalled? According to recall notices posted on their web sites, ALDI, Food Lion, Giant Eagle/Market District, Kroger, Publix, Stop & Shop/Giant Food Stores, Smiths, Fry's, Fred Meyer, and Walmart allegedly sold these onions under various store names and brand names, and some were used to make other products such as salads and stir fries. In addition, Taylor Farms is recalling meat and poultry products made with these onions that … [Read more...]
FDA Weighs In on Multistate Red Onion Salmonella Newport Outbreak
The FDA is weighing in on the multistate red onion Salmonella Newport outbreak that has sickened at least 396 people in 34 states. The FDA is collaborating with the Public Health Agency of Canada, where more than a hundred people are sick with the same strain of Salmonella Newport. On July 30, 2020, Canadian health officials announced they had determined that red onions from the U.S. were a potential source of the outbreak. Sysco red onions that were imported from the United States were recalled in that country. Then on August 1, 2020, Thomson International recalled all varieties of onions in the U.S. and Canada that could have come into contact with the potentially contaminated red onions, including yellow, white, and sweet yellow onions grown and packaged by that company. The … [Read more...]
FDA Announces Voluntary Phase Out of PFAS Used in Food Packaging
The FDA is announcing a voluntary phase out of PFAs that are used in some types of food packaging. PFAS are short chain per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances that contain 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol. This is often used as grease-proofing agents on paper and paper board food packaging. Food safety experts are concerned that the use of these compounds in food packaging. Since paper and paperboard come into contact with food, experts think the chemicals may migrate into the food. PFAS are very persistent, which means they don't break down and can accumulate over time. In animals, PFAS have caused reproductive, developmental, liver and kidney, and immunological effects. They have also caused tumors in animals. In human studies, PFAS can cause increased cholesterol levels, and more … [Read more...]
Canadian Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Red Onions Imported From U.S.
The Canadian Salmonella outbreak is linked to red onions imported from the United States, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. In addition, there are 55 more ill persons in Canada with this infection since the last update on July 24, 2020. The Centers for Disease Control in the United States has not yet said anything about this finding. Until more is known about this outbreak, people in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario are advised to not eat any red onions imported to Canada from the United States, including food products that contain red onions. Red onions grown in Canada are not affected by this outbreak. In Canada, many of the ill persons said they ate red onions before they got sick. Traceback information indicates that the … [Read more...]
Backyard Poultry Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 938 in 48 States
The backyard poultry Salmonella outbreak has now sickened at least 938 people in 48 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One hundred fifty-one people are hospitalized because they are so sick. One person who lived in Oklahoma has died. That is an increase of 473 more cases since the last update in late June 2020. The case count by state is: Alabama (16), Alaska (2), Arizona (23), Arkansas (20), California (35), Colorado (28), Connecticut (11), Delaware (1), Florida (24), Georgia (38), Idaho (6), Illinois (34), Indiana (22), Iowa (16), Kansas (17), Kentucky (57), Louisiana (1), Maine (9), Maryland (17), Massachusetts (21), Michigan (35), Minnesota (15), Mississippi (13), Missouri (28), Montana (16), Nebraska (19), Nevada (4), New Hampshire (10), … [Read more...]
Canada Salmonella Newport Outbreak Linked to Mystery U.S. Illnesses
A Canada Salmonella Newport outbreak is linked to the mystery outbreak in the United States, according to a health notice published by Public Health Agency of Canada. As in the U.S., the source of this pathogen has not been identified. The outbreak is ongoing. At least 59 people are sick as of July 24, 2020. The case count by province is: British Columbia (23), Alberta (31), Manitoba (3), Ontario (1), and Prince Edward Island (1). The illness onset dates range from mid June and mid July 2020. The patient age range is from 11 to 77 years of age. Out of 28 people who provided information to public health officials, six have been hospitalized. Isolates taken from ill persons in Canada have a similar genetic fingerprint to isolate from ill persons in the U.S., indicating that they … [Read more...]
Mystery Salmonella Newport Outbreak Sickens 212; 31 Hospitalizations
The mystery Salmonella Newport outbreak sickens 212 in 23 states with 31 hospitalized, according to an update by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This outbreak is growing rapidly, with 87 new lab confirmed patients since the last update three days ago. And eight new states have been added to the case count: Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Maine, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Virginia. The case count by state is: Arizona (13), California (10), Florida (1), Idaho (5), Illinois (9), Iowa (10), Maine (2), Michigan (15), Minnesota (3), Missouri (3), Montana (11), Nebraska (5), North Carolina (3), North Dakota (3), Ohio (5), Oregon (51), South Dakota (6), Tennessee (2), Utah (40), Virginia (3), Washington (1), Wisconsin (2), and Wyoming (9). The illness onset … [Read more...]
Now 641 Sick in Fresh Express Bagged Salad Cyclospora Outbreak
As of July 22, 2020, there are 641 people sick in 11 states in the Fresh Express bagged salad cyclospora outbreak. That's an increase of 132 more patients since the last update on July 9, 2020. Thirty-seven people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. There is also an outbreak in Canada that has sickened people in three provinces that is also linked to Fresh Express salad products. The case count by state is: Georgia (1), Iowa (195), Illinois (198), Kansas (5), Minnesota (73), Missouri (57), Nebraska (55), North Dakota (6), Pennsylvania (2), South Dakota (13), andWisconsin (36). The illness onset date range is from May 11, 2020 to July 5, 2020. The outbreak is potentially linked to Fresh Express bagged salad products that contain iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and … [Read more...]
Applebee’s Hepatitis A Exposure in Mount Vernon, Illinois
An Applebee's Hepatitis A exposure at the restaurant in Mount Illinois may have exposed customers to the virus, according to a Facebook post by the Jefferson County Health Department. The employee worked while infectious from July 9 through July 19, 2020. Applebee's has cleaned and sanitized the restaurant and has been working with public health officials. There is something strange about this, though. On the Facebook page someone asks if the employee worked before July 9, 2020, since they ate there on July 6, 2020. The health department doesn't give a direct answer, but advises the person to discuss vaccination with their doctor. So we don't know if this Applebee's hepatitis A exposure window was longer than stated. If you ate at the Applebee's in Mount Vernon, Illinois during … [Read more...]
Possible Campylobacter Outbreak at Rediviva in Aberdeen, WA
Updated July 22, 2020. News reports are saying that a Campylobacter outbreak may have occurred at Rediviva restaurant at 118 Wishkah Street in Aberdeen, Washington. The Grays Harbor County Environmental Health Division learned about a person who tested positive for Campylobacter jejuni on February 25, 2020. That person told investigators he or she ate at Rediviva on Valentine's Day. Environmental Health investigated Rediviva and found several critical violations. Meanwhile, more reports of illness came in. Now there are at least 15 people who are sick after allegedly eating the Valentine's Day dinner meal at that restaurant. July 22, 2020 update: According to investigation documents from the Health Department, the outbreak was likely caused by Chicken Liver Mousse sources from … [Read more...]
