The USDA states that the Boar's Head facility in Jarratt, Virginia has closed after a deadly Listeria monocytogenes outbreak and years of poor inspection reports. A letter sent to the company by the USDA describes the outbreak and inspection reports as justification for the closure. The USDA states, "your establishment failed to maintain sanitary conditions, as required by 9 CFR 416 et seq., and 500.3(a)(1), based on the determination that your establishment produced and shipped adulterated product." The Federal Meat Inspection Act gives FSIS the authority to set sanitation requirements and refuse to let meat products to be marked, labeled, stamped, or tagged as inspected and passed. If a facility can't get USDA approval for products ,they cannot sell them. The letter was … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Cucumbers Ends With 551 Sick
The Salmonella outbreak linked to cucumbers is over with at least 551 people sick and 155 hospitalized, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The types of Salmonella were Salmonella Braenderup and Salmonella Africana. That is an increase of 108 more patients since the last update on the case count was issued on July 2, 2024. The case count by state is: Alabama (6), Arkansas (1), California (1), Connecticut (8), Delaware (3), Florida (60), Georgia (48), Illinois (9), Indiana (4), Iowa (5), Kentucky (20), Maine (4), Maryland (17), Massachusetts (11), Michigan (12), Minnesota (10), Mississippi (2), Missouri (4), Nevada (1), New Jersey (22), New York (69), North Carolina (27), Ohio (20), Oklahoma (2), Pennsylvania (68), Rhode Island (8), South … [Read more...]
Paradise Grove Dairy Raw Milk Campylobacter Outbreak in Idaho
A Paradise Grove raw milk Campylobacter outbreak in Idaho has sickened at least 18 people, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. The Idaho Division of Public Health is collaborating with Central District Health (CDH), Eastern Idaho Public Health (EIPH), and Idaho State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) in this ongoing investigation. All 18 patients reported drinking raw milk before they got sick, and 17 patients said they drank raw milk that was produced by Pacific Grove Dairy in Jefferson County before getting sick. That dairy distributes milk to many stores across southern Idaho. CDH and EIPH are conducting interviews with these patients. The dairy voluntary stopped producing the milk on August 2, 2024, inspected and repaired equipment, and increased the … [Read more...]
Another Cyclospora Outbreak and New Salmonella Outbreak
Another cyclospora outbreak and a new Salmonella outbreak are listed on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table, bringing the number of outbreaks under investigation to eight. Six of those eight outbreaks are unsolved. The newest outbreak is a cyclospora outbreak that has sickened at least two people. The FDA has initiated traceback but has not collected samples or started inspections. A new Salmonella Newport outbreak is on the table with two people sick. No product has been identified as the cause of the illnesses. The FDA has not initiated traceback, has not collected samples, or started inspections. The other two cyclospora outbreaks are unchanged. In the first outbreak, there are 26 patients, and in the second, there are 16 patients. In both of these outbreaks, the … [Read more...]
Diamond Shruumz Case Count Zooms to 113 Sick, 42 Hospitalized
The Diamond Shruumz case count zooms to 113 sick in 28 states and 42 hospitalized, according to the FDA. That is an increase of 35 patients since the last update was issued one day ago. Two people have died, but officials aren't sure if those deaths are associated with the consumption of these products. The numbers reflect a change to the case ascertainment and reporting process, which was implemented on August 2, 2024. No patient case count was provided in this update. The cause of the illnesses is still not known. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states: "Products containing psychoactive compounds such as cannabis or mushroom extracts are increasing in availability. These "edibles" are often sold as gummy candies, chocolates, or other snack foods. They might … [Read more...]
Flathead MT E. coli Outbreak Linked to Wagyu Ground Beef
The Flathead MT E. coli outbreak is linked to wagyu ground beef served at several restaurants, according to the Flathead City-County Heath Department and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The source was wagyu beef from one lot number. Wagyu beef comes from a Japanese breed and is highly marbled with great flavor. All 14 cases said they ate undercooked or made to order burgers. The last known date of consumption was July 14, 2024. The following restaurants are associated with the 14 cases of reported illness in this outbreak: Gunsight Saloon; Hops Downtown Grill; Tamarack Brewing Company; the Lodge at Whitefish Lake; and Harbor Grille. Furthermore, based on information provided through case investigation, one individual has died after exposure to wagyu beef … [Read more...]