Get Super Bowl delivery and takeout food safety advice from the USDA to keep your guests safe from food poisoning at your party. There are special rules for handling takeout and delivery foods. If you ordered takeout or Super Bowl delivery foods the day before the game, make sure that someone is available to get the food inside your home and into the fridge in a timely manner. All food that is not going to be eaten immediately should be refrigerated. If you ordered the food for delivery the day of your party, refrigerate cold foods if it's more than two hours before it's time to eat. You may want to reheat foods before serving. If you are serving food to groups, the two hour rule is critical. Perishable foods cannot be in the danger zone of 40°F to 140°F for more than two hours. … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Exposure at Two Restaurants in Westbrook, Maine
There is a possible hepatitis A exposure at two restaurants in Westbrook, Maine, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC). A food worker worked at those establishments while infectious. The restaurants are Legends Rest Taproom and Paper City BBQ, which are both located at 855 Maine Street in Westbrook. The dates where the employee was working are: January 14, January 17 to the 21st, January 24 to the 28th, January 31, and February 2, 3, and 4 in 2024. Anyone who ate there or ordered takeout from those locations during those dates could have been exposed to the virus. Unfortunately, the hepatitis A vaccine is most effective when given within two weeks of exposure. That means that anyone who ate there or ate food prepared at those establishments … [Read more...]
ShopRite Hepatitis A Exposure on Oxford in Northeast Philadelphia
A possible ShopRite hepatitis A exposure on Oxford Street in Northeast Philadelphia has prompted a warning from the Philadelphia Department of Health. A person who worked at that store, located at 6301 Oxford Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was contagious. No more reports of illness have been received by officials to date. Anyone who handled raw beef or pork or who ate undercooked raw beef or pork that was purchased from the store's meat counter between January 4 and January 21, 2024 may have been exposed to the virus. Anyone who has completed the hepatitis A vaccine regimen, or who has had the disease in the past should be protected. The vaccine will protect if it is given within two weeks of exposure. Since the first potential exposure occurred 22 days ago, anyone who … [Read more...]
FDA Warns Tejocote Root Supplements Could Be Yellow Oleander
The FDA is warning consumers that some Tejocote Root supplements could instead be yellow oleander, which is a poisonous plant. In September 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a report of several tejocote root products that were substituted with toxic yellow oleander. The FDA has tested nine products, and found that they do contain yellow oleander. Ingesting yellow oleander can cause serious health problems and can be fatal. The plant affects the neurological system, the gastrointestinal system, and the cardiovascular system. Symptoms of yellow oleander poisoning include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cardiac changes, dysrhythmia, and more. The products the government is warning about are usually sold online through third … [Read more...]
5 Star Nutrition Distributed Misbranded Dietary Supplements
According to the Justice Department, Defyned Brands, also known as 5 Star Nutrition, distributed misbranded dietary supplements. The company pled guilty to a three count information charging it with that action. The company admitted that from September 2018 to July 2020, it delivered into interstate commerce misbranded dietary supplements, which are considered a type of food under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The specific admission was that shipments of products known as Epivar, Alpha Shredded, and Laxobolic were misbranded. They allegedly contained ingredients that were mislabeled as supplements or were not listed on the product label. The products were marketed as dietary supplements. They were sold at 5 Star Nutrition Retail locations. The company has agreed to … [Read more...]
Victor Pet Food Salmonella Outbreak Ends With Seven Sick
The Victor Pet Food Salmonella outbreak has ended with at least seven people sick in seven states, according to the CDC. One person was hospitalized. Several types and brands of dog and cat food were recalled in relation to this outbreak. The recalled pet foods were Mid America Pet Food, all dog and cat food with best by dates before 10/31/2024 and multiple bag sizes including: 5 pounds, 15 pounds, 16 pounds, 30 pounds, 40 pounds, and 50 pounds. Also recalled was Victor Hi-Pro Plus dog food in 5 pound bags with lot code 1000016385 and best by date 4/30/2024 Also recalled was Victor Super Premium Dog Food, Select Beef Meal & Brown Rice Formula in 5 pound, 15 pound, and 40 pound bags. The best by date for those products is 6/12/2024 and the lot numbers are 1000016890, 1000016891, … [Read more...]
When Should You See a Doctor if You Get Food Poisoning?
When should you see a doctor when you get food poisoning? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has information you need to know. First, you need to know the symptoms of common foodborne pathogens, such as E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, norovirus, Staphylococcus, and Campylobacter. Most pathogens cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea that can be bloody, fever, nausea, stomach and abdominal pain, and muscle aches. Listeria is a bit different: the serious symptoms for that infection include a high fever, stiff neck, and severe headache. Some people should always see a doctor if they get sick, even if symptoms aren't very severe. That group includes pregnant women, the elderly, anyone with a chronic illness such as diabetes, and people who have … [Read more...]