FDA on end of Raw Farm raw Cheddar cheese E. coli outbreak states that at least 11 people in five states were sickened. Five people were hospitalized, and two people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The case count by state is: California (4), Colorado (3), New Jersey (1), Texas (1), and Utah (2). This case count has not changed since the last update was issued by the FDA and CDC on February 28, 2024. Illness onset dates ranged from October 18, 2023 to February 5, 2024. No deaths were reported. Public health officials collected various Raw Farm branded products for testing, and all samples tested negative for E. coli. But epidemiologic evidence shows that Raw Farm raw Cheddar cheese is the likely source of this outbreak. Most of the patients … [Read more...]
FDA Updates WanaBana Lead and Chromium Poisoning Cases
The FDA has updated the WanaBana lead and chromium poisoning cases. At least 90 children have been affected. The median age in this outbreak is one year old. This investigation is ongoing. The states with confirmed adverse event reports include: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), Arizona (1), California (1), Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Georgia (2), Iowa (1), Illinois (5), Indiana (1), Kentucky (3), Louisiana (4), Massachusetts (3), Maryland (7), Michigan (8), Missouri (3), North Carolina (6), Nebraska (2), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (1), New Mexico (1), New York (8), Ohio (3), Oklahoma (1), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (3), Texas (3), Virginia (2), Washington (4), Wisconsin (2), West Virginia (3), and Unknown (3). The report date range is from October 17 2023 to … [Read more...]
Raw Farm Raw Cheddar Cheese E. coli Outbreak Ends: 11 Sick
The Raw Farm raw Cheddar cheese E. coli outbreak has ended with at least 11 people sick in five states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Five people were hospitalized beaus they were so sick. No recall was issued, although the CDC is warning against eating all raw cheese products from this firm. The raw cheddar cheese that sick people may have eaten included original and jalapeño flavors. All sizes of blocks with best by dates through 10/4/2024 and all sizes of shredded cheese packages with best by dates through 5/10/2024 were included in that warning. The patient case count by state is: California (4), Colorado (3), New Jersey (1), Texas (1), and Utah (2). This case count has not changed since the last update was issued on February 28, 2024. … [Read more...]
West Seattle PCC Community Markets E. coli Outbreak Alleged
An alleged West Seattle PCC Community Markets E. coli outbreak has sickened at least five people, according to Public Health - Seattle & King County. One person has been hospitalized. That facility is located at 2749 California Avenue SW in Seattle, Washington. The strain of E. coli that is allegedly making people sick is Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 (STEC). This pathogen produces Shiga toxins, which can travel through the bloodstream destroying red blood cells. If enough damaged red blood cells reach the kidney, they can clog small tubes in that organ called glomeruli and can cause kidney damage and failure, which is known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The illness onset date range is from February 14, 2024 to February 28, 2024. The date that the suspected … [Read more...]
Undercooked Morels Associated With Deadly Outbreak in MT
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting that uncooked and undercooked morels were associated with a deadly outbreak at Dave's Sushi in Bozeman Montana in March and April 2023 that killed two people. Fifty-one people were sickened after eating at that restaurant. Three people were hospitalized. The issue is that while morel mushrooms are considered edible, little is known about the human health effects of the fungi. In the study, the consumption of raw morels was more strongly associated with illness than the consumption of cooked or partially cooked morels. After the outbreak the CDC issued an advisory about eating morel mushrooms, whether cooked or not, saying that wild mushrooms should be consumed at your own risk. Morels were the common food consumed … [Read more...]
Raw Milk E. coli Outbreak Sickens Two In Washington State
A raw milk E. coli outbreak has sickened at least two people in Washington state, according to the Washington State Department of Health. The patients got sick in mid-January and early February 2024. The patients were sickened with the same, highly related strain of Shiga toxin-producing E coli (STEC) bacteria. Both patients drank raw, or unpasteurized, milk, produced by Cozy Vale Creamery in Tenino, Washington, shortly before getting sick. The patients live in two counties: Grays Harbor and Pierce. On February 16, 2024, Cozy Vale Creamery recalled their raw milk and cream because of STEC contamination. The STEC bacteria in the milk was a different strain than the one that caused the two recent illnesses. At this time, there are no known illnesses associated with the strain found in … [Read more...]
Mussels From Allen’s Fisheries Associated With Outbreak in NJ
FDA has issued a warning about certain mussels from Allen's Fisheries in Benoit's Cove, Newfoundland, Canada, that are associated with an outbreak in New Jersey. The pathogen or biotoxin that allegedly caused this outbreak has not been named, and the number of patients, their ages, illness onset dates, and whether or not anyone has been hospitalized was not mentioned in the alert. The product tag above is representative of the labeling that would accompany the mussels. The mussels are from Allen's Fisheries (NL0047SP) in Newfoundland, Canada, harvested on 2/07/2024 (Julian date 24038), from harvest area AQ # 15 Newfoundland, with final harvest date of 2/18/2024 (Julian date 24049). The mussels were shipped to distributors in the states of Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, … [Read more...]
Cozy Vale Creamery Recalls Raw Milk For E. coli Contamination
Cozy Vale Creamery, located in Tenino, Washington, is recalling raw milk and raw cream products for possible E. coli contamination. This recall was triggered when routine sampling that was conducted by the Washington State Department of Agriculture revealed the presence of toxin-producing E. coli in retail raw whole milk that was dated 02-18-24. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of these products as of February 16, 2024. This information was provided in an email alert. There is no mention of this recall on the Washington State Department of Agriculture or the Washington State Department of Health web sites yet. The recall notice did not mention the specific serotype of E. coli that was found in the raw milk, but they did add this paragraph, … [Read more...]