The FDA has released information about its investigation into the 2020 Wawona peach Salmonella outbreak. Again, it seems that adjacent land use for animals, just like the conclusion about the deadly E. coli romaine outbreaks of 2018, may have been a contributing factor. That outbreak sickened at least 101 people in 17 states, and 28 people were hospitalized because they were so sick. This was the first time a Salmonella outbreak was linked to fresh peaches in this country. Epidemiological and traceback investigation determined that peaches packed by or supplied by a large grower/producer, Wawona, were the likely source of this outbreak. As a result of traceback, the FDA investigated peach packing/holding operations and peach orchards in Cutler, Kerman, and Sanger, California. … [Read more...]
Illinois Breaded Chicken Breast Salmonella Outbreak Includes Six Patients
The Illinois breaded chicken breast Salmonella outbreak includes six patients, more than one-third of the 17 total illnesses in six states. The other patients live in Minnesota, Arizona, Indiana, Michigan, and New York. Eight people have been hospitalized, which is a very high percentage for a Salmonella outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that the number of people sickened in this outbreak is likely much higher than the total reported so far. That's because most people who contract this infection do not see a doctor and recover without medical attention. In fact, the multiplier researchers use for Salmonella outbreaks is around 30, meaning that there could be more than 500 people sickened in this one particular outbreak. Most of those sickened in … [Read more...]
Supplement Company Owner Pleads Guilty to Selling Steroid-Like Drugs
A New Jersey supplement company owner pleads guilty to introducing an unapproved new drug into interstate commerce "with the intent to defraud and mislead the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and consumers," according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice. The owner is Nicholas Andrew Puccio. The government alleges that from 2016 to 2020, Puccio marketed drugs as dietary supplements to the bodybuilding and fitness community. The supplements allegedly included a product labeled as containing ostarine, a type of synthetic steroid known as a Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM). Dietary supplements cannot contain unapproved drugs or they are considered unapproved new drugs by the FDA. The FDA has long warned against the use of SARMs, stating that they … [Read more...]
Norovirus Outbreak Associated with the Mazatlan Restaurant in Auburn, WA
A norovirus outbreak associated with the Mazatlan restaurant in Auburn, Washington has sickened at least 13 people. No one has ben hospitalized, according to the Seattle-King County Health Department. An investigation is in progress. The restaurant is located at 110 Cross Street SouthEast in Auburn. The meal date of those sickened was May 21, 2021. The health department is characterizing the illness as "norovirus-like," with typical symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, body aches, and chills. Officials have not yet identified how norovirus was spread within the restaurant. The virus is very contagious and can spread person-to-person, through contact with fomites (hard surfaces), and through contaminated food and drink. The thirteen ill persons were from one meal party. No ill … [Read more...]
Three Iowa Children Hospitalized with HUS After E. coli Infections
Three Iowa children hospitalized with HUS after they contracted E. coli infections have been identified by several different newspapers in that state. The Jackson County Health Department does not know what the source of these illnesses is, and we do not know if the children are all sickened by the same strain of E. coli. TV6 is reporting that viewers are telling the station that there may be more cases throughout Jackson County. It's also worth nothing that there was a boil water notice in the city of Maquoketa, where all three of these children live, in late May. The Sentinel Press reports that 12-year-old Shane Howell's mother noticed that was not acting like himself, so she immediately got him to the doctor. He, along with two other children, is hospitalized at the University … [Read more...]
Possible Iowa E. coli Outbreak Sickens Several Children With HUS
A possible Iowa E coli outbreak has sickened several children, according to the Telegraph Herald. The children, who live in Maquoketa in Jackson County, have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure, and have been hospitalized at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital in Iowa City. The source of the pathogen has not been identified by local health officials. The Jackson County Health Department is trying to determine what have might have caused this outbreak. The type of E. coli bacteria that causes HUS is called Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, or STEC. The pathogen produces Shiga toxins, which attack the intestinal lining, causing bloody diarrhea. The toxin then travels through the bloodstream, where it attacks and kills red … [Read more...]
Real Water Ordered To Stop Distributing Adulterated Real Water Products
Real Water ordered to stop distributing adulterated Real Water products by a federal court. The U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada has permanently enjoined AffinityLifestyles Inc. and Real Water Inc. from preparing, processing, and distributing adulterated and misbranded bottled water. The water is allegedly the only common link between five children who developed non-viral hepatitis and acute liver failure in late 2020. The alkaline water products may also be associated with non-viral hepatitis cases in seven adults. The water products were marketed as a healthy alternative to tap water, but the government alleges that the products consisted of municipal tap water that the defendants processed with various chemicals in violation of good manufacturing practices, relevant … [Read more...]
Four in Minnesota Sickened in Breaded Chicken Salmonella Outbreak
There are four in Minnesota sickened in a breaded chicken Salmonella outbreak, with at least 13 others in five other states. Eight people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. Minnesota played a large part in potentially solving this outbreak. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture collected five raw frozen breaded stuffed chicken products from a grocery store where an ill person shopped. The outbreak strain was found in two samples of Kirkwood's Chicken Cordon Bleu. There may be more brands of these types of products involved in this outbreak, since patients have told public health investigators that they purchased and ate many different brands of raw frozen breaded stuffed chicken products from multiple stores. The flavors that patients reported buying include … [Read more...]
New Raw Breaded Stuffed Chicken Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 17
A new raw breaded stuffed chicken Salmonella outbreak has sickened at least 17 people in six states, according to a notice posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Eight people have been hospitalized because they are so sick, which is very high for a Salmonella outbreak. The typical hospitalization rate for this type of infection is just 20%. The USDA has issued a vague public health alert warning consumers about this type of product and stating safe cooking instructions. The warning covers items that are labeled "chicken cordon bleu," "chicken with broccoli and cheese," or "chicken Kiev." The government is collecting different types of data to investigate these illnesses. The patient case count by state is: Arizona (1) Illinois (6), Indiana (3), Michigan … [Read more...]
Real Water Ceased Operations After Non-Viral Hepatitis Outbreak
The FDA has announced that Real Water ceased operations after the non-viral hepatitis outbreak associated with their alkaline water may have sickened at least 16 people. According to a consent decree complaint, the company allegedly failed to comply with FDA manufacturing requirements. U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey entered a consent decree of permanent injunction on June 1, 2021 between the United States and AffinityListstyles.com Inc, which is the majority shareholder of Real Water Inc. According to the compliant filed by the Department of Justice on behalf of the FDA, the defendants allegedly violated the FD&C Act by operating facilities that failed to meet preventive controls requirements to control food hazards. The complaint also alleges that the products are … [Read more...]
