The FDA has updated its investigation of the ADM Milling flour E. coli O26 outbreak with more information about another product recall. On June 13, 2019, King Arthur Flour, a customer of ADM Milling, recalled five pound bags of unbleached all-purpose flour with these lot codes and best by dates: 12/07/19 LOT: L18A07C; 12/08/19 LOTS: L18A08A, L18A08B; and 12/14/19 LOTS: L18A14A, L18A14B, L18A14C. This recall does not include products sold through the King Arthur website, Baker's Catalogue, or the Baker's Store in Norwich, Vermont. The recall also reminds consumers that all five pound bags, all lot codes, and all best if used by dates of Aldi Baker's Corner all purpose flour that were distributed in Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, … [Read more...]
Delaware Warns Consumers Against Raw Milk After Brucellosis Case
The Delaware Division of Public Health is warning consumers to avoid consuming raw dairy products as a woman living in Sussex County has been diagnosed with a Brucella melitensis infection. This illness affects people who come into contact with sick animals or contaminated animal products. The most common source of this infection is the consumption of raw unpasteurized dairy products. Before she got sick, the patient consumed unpasteurized homemade dairy products from Mexico. She had no other risk factors. A second, related case of brucellosis is pending confirmation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). DPH Medical Director Dr. Rick Hong said in a statement: "Cases such as this one can serve as an unfortunate reminder that we are vulnerable to certain bacteria … [Read more...]
Three People Sick With E. coli in Winnebago County, Illinois
Three people are sick with E. coli infections in Winnebago County, Illinois, according to the Winnebago County Health Department. Those patients have been experiencing diarrhea beginning May 21, 2019. The exact cause of the illness has not been determined. An outbreak is defined as two people who are not related getting sick with the same illness. E. coli outbreaks in the past have been linked to contaminated water and contaminated food, especially ground beef and leafy greens. Authorities interview these patients to see if they can find a common source for the pathogen. If you or anyone you know has been sick with the symptoms of a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection on or after May 21, 2019, contact a healthcare provider, especially if you live in Winnebago County, … [Read more...]
Shigella Outbreak at Wedding in Oregon Linked to Asparagus
According to data presented at the CDC's Annual Epidemic Intelligence Service Conference, contaminated asparagus was the likely source of a Shigella outbreak at a Yarnhill County wedding in Oregon in 2018. One hundred twelve people were sickened; 10 people were hospitalized. The Oregon Health Authority first received reports of gastroenteritis at a wedding in august 2018. Shigella flexneri type 3a was identified in stool samples taken from patients. That particular pathogen accounts for less than 3% of the Shigella flexneri isolates in the United States. Researchers asked the wedding attendees to fill out surveys to try to find the cause of the outbreak. Presumptive cases were people who had diarrhea lasting 5 days or less. Confirmed cases were patents who had Shigella flexneri … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak at Elite Childcare Academy in Omaha, NE
A possible Salmonella outbreak at Elite Childcare Academy in Omaha, Nebraska may have sickened an unknown number of children, according to news reports. The Douglas County Health Department is investigating. One hundred children are enrolled. Officials do not know how many children may have been sickened, since there can be a 72 hour incubation period with Salmonella infections. The business told news outlets that there are confirmed cases of Salmonella among some of the children. Moreover, some children can be infected with the pathogen and not show any symptoms, but can pass the illness on to others. Investigators have not found the cause of the illnesses. The daycare sent a notice to parents and guardians of children who attend that daycare, asking them to complete a survey … [Read more...]
Side Hill Acres Raw Goat Milk Recalled For Possible Listeria Monocytogenes
The New York Department of Agriculture and Markets is warning consumers that Side Hill Acres raw goat milk may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. Some of the milk tested positive for the pathogen. The dairy was notified about the presumptive positive test on May 31, 2019. On June 4, 2019, more testing confirmed the presence of the pathogen in a raw milk sample. The dairy can no longer sell unpasteurized milk until sampling shows that the product doesn't have the pathogen. The dairy is located at 79 Spencer Road in Candor, New York. The government is warning consumers in the Tioga County area about this issue. No illnesses have been reported in association with this issue. If you purchased raw goat's milk from Side Hill Acres Farm, do not drink it, even if … [Read more...]
CSPI Calls on FDA to End Sales of Unwashed Poppy Seeds After 12 Americans Die
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is asking the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to crack down on the sale of unwashed poppy seeds and seed pods after at least 12 Americans have died after consuming these products. The agency sent a letter to the FDA in April 2019. Those deaths are associated with a type of tea that is made from poppy seeds or pods. CSPI President Dr. Peter G. Lurie said in a statement, "Poppy seed teas are responsible for numerous cases of addiction, overdose, and death. This little-known aspect of the opioid epidemic does appear to be worsening in terms of its toll. The FDA and the Department of Justice are aware of the problem but have failed to fully exercise their authorities." One man, Stephen P. Hacala, died after he drank tea made … [Read more...]
FDA Warns Velvet Ice Cream Company About Listeria Monocytogenes
The FDA has sent a warning letter to the Velvet Ice Cream Company of Utica, Ohio, that Listeria monocytogenes has been found in their facility during inspection. The company makes ready-to-eat ice cream. There is zero tolerance for Listeria monocytogenes bacteria in ready-to-eat products, including deli meats and cheeses and ice cream because the consumer does not heat the food before eating, which would kill the pathogen. Once Listeria is introduced into a facility, it can become persistent and be very difficult to eradicate. In fact, there have been several issues with Listeria contamination in ice cream plants for the past few years. In April 2019, the FDA stated they were taking steps to improve ice cream production after finding the pathogen in 19 of the 89 ice cream … [Read more...]
ALDI Bakers Corner Flour E. coli O26 Outbreak Sickens 17
The ALDI Bakers Corner Flour E. coli O26 outbreak has sickened 17 people in 8 states, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Three of those patients have been hospitalized because they are so sick. The notice did not state whether or not any patients have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure that is a complication of this type of infection. The Rhode Island Department of Health collected and analyzed an unopened sample of this flour and found that the flour contained E. coli O26. A public warning was issued to the public on May 22, 2019. The investigation is ongoing, but DNA analysis found that the E. coli in the unopened sample of flour was closely related to the isolates from ill persons. Epidemiological and laboratory evidence … [Read more...]
ALDI Baker’s Corner Flour Linked to E. coli O26 Outbreak
ALDI Baker's Corner flour has been linked to an E. coli O26 outbreak that has sickened at least 17 people in 8 states, according to the Centers for Diseases Control ands Prevention (CDC). That flour was recalled on May 23, 2019. The case count by state is: California (1), Connecticut (1), Missouri (1), New Jersey (1), New York (5), Pennsylvania (2), and Rhode Island (1). Illness onset dates range from December 11, 2018 to April 17, 2018. The patient age range is from 7 to 86 years. Of 17 people who have been interviewed by public health officials, 3 have been hospitalized. There is no information about whether or not any of the patients have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a serious complication of an E. coli infection that causes kidney failure. Whole genome … [Read more...]
