An Aladdin Mediterranean Cafe Salmonella outbreak has sickened at least 14 people in the Claremont area of San Diego, California, according to the San Diego County Health Department. That restaurant is located at 5420 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard in San Diego. The patients range in age from 18 to 79. Five people have been hospitalized becasue they are so sick. The patients reported eating at that restaurant between April 25 and April 26, 2025. No source of the outbreak has been determined yet. The county's Environmental Health and Quality Department is investigating this outbreak along with Public Health Services. The investigation is complete and officials have determined that there is no ongoing risk to the public, so the restaurant will be cleared to reopen soon. The … [Read more...]
USDA Withdraws Framework to Reduce Salmonella in Poultry
USDA is withdrawing its proposed framework to reduce Salmonella in poultry. In October 2022, that agency released the framework to reduce Salmonella infections linked to poultry. Food safety advocates were pleased to see this framework and were hopeful it would lead to fewer illnesses and deaths. In that announcement the USDA stated, "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that Salmonella bacteria cause approximately 1.35 million human infections and 26,500 hospitalizations in the United States every year. Of those infections, over 23% are attributed to poultry consumption." The framework had three key components that, together, supported a comprehensive approach to controlling Salmonella in poultry. They were: Requiring that incoming flocks be tested for … [Read more...]
Alabama Cyclospora Outbreak Caused by Unlicensed Distributor
In the summer of 2023, an Alabama cyclospora outbreak was allegedly caused by produce obtained from an unlicensed distributor, according to the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report for the week of April 17, 2025. The patients ate at a Mexican-style restaurant in that state. Cilantro was identified as the likely food source. Traceback identified the cilantro and the likely distributor. In early June 2023, five cases were confirmed by the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH). All patients had the common exposure at one restaurant. An outbreak investigation was launched on June 7, 2025. Multivariable analysis of case-control study data found that illness was associated with consumption of cilantro. The cilantro was traced back to a Texas firm with no identified food … [Read more...]
D. Effe T. Pastries Recalled in Canada For Salmonella
D. Effe T. Pastries, in addition to more Sweet Cream pastries, are being recalled in Canada for possible Salmonella contamination. There are ten more products that are included in the recall. There is one illness that may be associated with the consumption of these products. The recalling firm is Importations Piu Che Dolci Inc. A Salmonella outbreak linked to other recalled Sweet Cream pastries sickened at least 61 people in Canada and 18 people in the United States. That outbreak was declared over in March 2025. These recalled products are new. The recalled products include these D. Effe T. items; Apollini Mignon or Mini Lobster Tail in 7 kilogram packages, with UPC number 8 054619 850176 and lot numbers 24197, 24208, 24288, 24326, and 25013; Apollo K2 or Big Lobster Tail in 75 … [Read more...]
Serving Ham For Easter? Learn Food Safety Tips From USDA
Are you serving ham For Easter dinner? Learn these food safety tips from the USDA and have a happy and safe holiday. Did you know that hams can be ready to eat, fresh hams that must be cooked before eating, picnic hams, and country hams? Learn their storage times, cooking methods, and safety tips. It's important that you know exactly what kind of ham you have before you learn how to cook it. Ask your butcher or supplier to identify the ham exactly. They will often have cooking directions and times you can use. You can see the chart with all of the kinds of hams at the USDA web site. The general rule is that all raw fresh ham and ready to eat hams should be cooked at 325°F until it reaches the minimum internal temperature of 145°F. Then let the meat rest for a minimum of three … [Read more...]
Protect Yourself in the Wake of Cuts to FDA, USDA, and CDC
Learn how to protect yourself in the wake of cuts to FDA, USDA, and CDC. Today we learned that many scientists and food safety experts have lost their jobs at those agencies. What does that mean to you and your family and how can you protect yourself? You have always been the final piece of the puzzle for food safety. Contaminated food has always been sold; in fact, the government has allowed chicken to be sold when it is contaminated with a certain level of Salmonella, and recalls often come after people have been sickened by contaminated food. So if you are already following food safety precautions you are ahead of the game. First of all, always follow the rule of Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill. Wash your hands before you start cooking. Start with a clean kitchen and … [Read more...]
Possible Outbreak at Banchetti By Rizzo’s Hall in Amherst, NY
There is a possible illness outbreak at Banchetti By Rizzo's banquet hall in Amherst, New York, according to news reports and the Erie County Department of Health. "Several cases" have been reported after an event, which was not named. The information provided does not give a case count, illness onset dates, the ages of the patients, or if anyone has been hospitalized. WGRZ copied the statement issued by the Health Department on March 26, 2025: "Our department has received calls from people who experienced GI (gastrointestinal) symptoms after a recent event at this facility. Our epidemiology office and division of environmental health routinely investigate reports of possible food-borne illness. We are investigating to determine if these reports of illness are linked to a food-borne … [Read more...]
Sweet Cream Pastries Salmonella Outbreak Ends With 18 Sick
The Sweet Cream pastries Salmonella outbreak has ended with 18 sick in seven states, according to the FDA. The CDC did not release any information about this outbreak, so we do not know the patient age range or how many people are sick in each state. An outbreak linked to the same product sickened at least 79 people in Canada. The outbreak was last updated on February 6, 2025. The number of patients has remained the same. States with patients include California, Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The last illness onset date was December 26, 2024. The pastries, which were imported from Italy, with best by dates from June 17, 2025 through November 15, 2025, were recalled. Food service customers who bought the pastries were contacted by … [Read more...]
Deadly Yu Shang Listeria Outbreak Ends With 24 Sick, 3 Dead
The deadly Yu Shang Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has ended with 24 sick, 22 hospitalized, and three dead, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Epidemiological, traceback, and laboratory evidence indicated that the ready to eat meat and poultry products from that company were contaminated with Listeria bacteria and made people sick. That's an increase of five more illnesses and one more death since the last update was issued on December 5, 2024. The case count by state is: California (14), Georgia (1), Illinois (2), Michigan (1), New Jersey (1), Nevada (1), New Jersey (1), New York (1), Oregon (1), and Tennessee (2). The new states are Michigan and New Jersey. The patient age range is from less than one to 91 years. All of the patients are Asian. Of … [Read more...]
Idaho Illnesses Prompt Warnings About Unlicensed Vendors
Idaho illnesses have prompted the Idaho Central Health District into issuing warnings to consumers about unlicensed restaurants and unregulated food vendors. In the last few months, officials have received food poisoning complaints related to those facilities. Consumers are urged to use caution when purchasing foods from home vendors and to not visit unlicensed "underground" restaurants operated out of home kitchens. Environmental Health Program Manager Natasha Ferney said in a statement, "There are multiple risk factors in buying from unlicensed and unregulated vendors, but the most serious is the risk of foodborne illness. These vendors may not have a sanitary kitchen that meets provisions of the Idaho Food Code or know how to properly store or handle food to help prevent growth … [Read more...]
