The coronavirus outbreak, which has been characterized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, has highlighted an issue in the United States. Experts are telling people to reduce social interaction with others, called social distancing, to reduce the rate of transmission. But what if your job requires you to be around people? And what if you are paid hourly and can't afford to take time off? That's an issue for many workers, especially those in the food industry. Because of this pandemic, restaurant unpaid sick leave policies are changing now. There is no federal regulation mandating paid sick leave in this country. Sick leave is set by corporations and some states. And since 1 in 4 Americans, or 32,000,000 people, have no sick leave, they are often unwilling or simply … [Read more...]
Enoki Listeria Outbreak Sickens Pregnant Women, 30 Others
The Sun Hong Foods Enoki Listeria outbreak sickens pregnant women and 30 others in 17 states according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Four people died. Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicates that enoki mushrooms labeled "Product of Korea"are the likely source of this Listeria monocytogenes outbreak. The patient case count by state is: Arizona (2), California (9), Florida (2), Hawaii (3), Indiana (1), Kentucky (1), Maryland (2), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (1), Missouri (1), Nevada (1), New Jersey (1), New York (4), North Carolina (1), Rhode Island (1), Tennessee (1), and Virginia (3). Illness onset dates range from November 23, 2016 to December 3, 2019. The patient age range is from less than 1 to 97. Of 32 people who gave information to the … [Read more...]
Enoki Mushrooms Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak Sickens 36
At least 36 people are sick in an enoki mushroom Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to product imported from Korea. The mushrooms were imported by Sun Hong Foods. The mushrooms were just recalled after a sample tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. There is zero tolerance for Listeria monocytogenes contamination in ready to eat foods in this country. These enoki mushrooms were sold in 7.05 ounce clear plastic packaging, with UPC number 7 426852 625810. These mushrooms are also known as enokitake, golden needle, futu, or lily mushrooms. The mushrooms were sold to these retailers: J&L Supermarket, Jusgo Supermarket, ZTao Market, New Sang Supermarket, and Galleria Market in these states: California, Florida, … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak in Canada Linked to Raw Turkey and Chicken Ends
The Salmonella outbreak in Canada linked to raw turkey and chicken is over, according to a notice published on Public Health Canada. Even though the outbreak is over, officials say that "illnesses could be reported because this Salmonella strain is present in some raw turkey and raw chicken products in the Canadian marketplace." Officials recommend that consumers handle raw turkey and raw chicken carefully and cook it thoroughly to 165°F as measured by a food thermometer to avoid food related illnesses such as Salmonella. In total, there were 130 confirmed cases of Salmonella Reading in these provinces and territories: British Columbia (33), Alberta (44), Saskatchewan (8), Manitoba (25), Ontario (9), Quebec (2), New Brunswick (1), Prince Edward Island (1), Northwest Territories … [Read more...]
FDA Weighs In On the End of the Almark Foods Eggs Listeria Outbreak
The FDA is weighing in on the end of Almark Foods eggs Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that has sickened eight people in 5 states, hospitalized five, and killed one person in Texas. This high hospitalization rate is fairly typical for a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak. Almark Foods recalled hard boiled and peeled eggs in pails on December 20, 2019 and then expanded that recall on December 23, 2019 to include all hard boiled eggs produced at the company's Gainesville, Georgia facility. At this time, the firm is no longer producing any products at that facility. The company also sold hard boiled eggs at the retail level. In fact, there were several secondary recalls of salads and other products after the initial recall. The recalled products are now past their "Best by" date, the … [Read more...]
Almark Eggs Listeria Outbreak Ends With 8 Sick, 5 Hospitalized, 1 Death
The Almark Eggs Listeria outbreak has ended with 8 sick in 5 states, 5 hospitalized, and 1 death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's latest announcement. A recall was issued for Almark Foods hard boiled eggs that had "Best If Used By" dates through March 2, 2020. These eggs are past their shelf life and shouldn't be available for sale, but some consumers may still have them in their homes and restaurants could have them in storage coolers. They should be discarded. The case count by state is: Florida (1), Maine (2), Pennsylvania (1), South Carolina (2), and Texas (2). Listeria specimens from patients were collected from April 10, 2017 to December 7, 2019. These dates are so far apart because the investigators used PulseNet to look for people sickened with … [Read more...]
Caito Foods Closes its Fresh Cut Business After Loss of Customer
Caito Foods closes its Fresh Cut business after the loss of a major customer, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act letter that was sent on Thursday, February 27, 2020 to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. Businesses in Indiana are required to go follow a mandatory notification process before plants are closed. The letter states, "Given a recent unforeseen cancelation of a customer contract that makes up the majority of our Fresh Cut business, Caito Foods is forced to close its Fresh Cut manufacturing operation." The lost customer was not named in the company's statement or the letter. More than 300 jobs will be lost in May 2020. Layoffs will begin on April 27, 2020 and continue over a two week period. These layoffs will not affect the … [Read more...]
Possible Campylobacter Outbreak at Rediviva in Aberdeen, WA
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. One news outlet said that the illnesses may have been caused by chicken liver mousse. We don't know what temperature the chicken livers were cooked to at Rediviva before they were … [Read more...]
FDA Weighs In On Jimmy John’s Sprouts E. coli O103 Outbreak
The FDA has weighed in on the Jimmy John's sprouts E. coli O103 outbreak that has sickened at least 14 people in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Texas, and Utah. Epidemiologic evidence has indicated that clover sprouts served at Jimmy John's restaurants are a likely source of this outbreak. And this isn't the first time an outbreak like this has happened. The FDA recently sent a warning letter to Jimmy John's detailing the four other outbreaks linked to their sprouts since 2012. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending that anyone who has eaten clover sprouts on a sandwich from Jimmy John's restaurants and who is sick with the symptoms of an E. coli infection see a doctor as soon as possible. Those symptoms include severe and painful stomach and abdominal … [Read more...]
Jimmy John’s Sprouts E. coli O103 Outbreak Info From the CDC
Information about the multistate Jimmy John's sprouts E. coli O103 outbreak has been released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is a different outbreak from the E. coli O103 outbreak at Jimmy John's restaurants in Iowa that sickened 22 people in late 2019. Ill people reported eating clover sprouts that were served at Jimmy John's restaurants in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Texas, and Utah. The government is investigating to see if contaminated sprouts were served at other restaurants or sold in grocery stores. The case count by state is: Illinois (6), Iowa (3), Missouri (1), Texas (1), and Utah (3). Illness onset dates range from January 6, 2020 to February 11, 2020. The patient case count is from 1 year to 79 years. No hospitalizations or deaths have … [Read more...]
