There is a new Listeria outbreak on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Table, joining just one other actively investigated outbreak. The Table also has three other outbreaks that are still ongoing, but the investigations into them have ended. The new Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has sickened at least 34 people. We do not know illness onset dates, the patient age range, or if anyone has been hospitalized. Most Listeria outbreaks have high hospitalization rates. The FDA has initiated traceback to try to find the food or foods responsible for these illnesses, but has not inspected any facilities, has not collected or tested samples, and no recall has been issued. The second Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has sickened at least 32 people. In its investigation, the FDA has initiated … [Read more...]
USDA Reveals Unsanitary Conditions in Boar’s Head Facility
The USDA is revealing unsanitary conditions in Boar's Head facility in a report in the wake of a deadly Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that occurred between May and November 2024. The outbreak was linked to liverwurst produced at that facility in Jarratt, Virginia. FSIS undertook a thorough review of the outbreak to identify contributing factors and evaluate responses in the future. The USDA conducted document reviews and in-person assessments at the Jarratt facility and at all establishments owned and operated under the Boar's Head Provisions Corporate umbrella. The reviews were for years 2022 through 2024. FSIs also reviewed its own practices and procedures, given that the conditions in the Jarratt plant were so bad, including sampling programs, inspector training, and … [Read more...]
FDA: Taylor Farms Safety Issues Yielded Contaminated Onions
CBS filed a Freedom of Information Act with the FDA over the deadly McDonald's E. coli outbreak linked to Taylor Farms onions. The report states that Taylor Farms safety issues yielded contaminated onions. And the report states that dozens of violations were found by FDA inspectors.. The FDA issued a Form 483, which is only used when inspectors think that conditions exist that could be "injurious to health." In that outbreak, at least 104 people were sickened, 34 were hospitalized, and one person died. Four people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The outbreak, which ended in October 2024, was the sixth largest outbreak of 2024. The report states that Taylor Farms did not implement their sanitation preventive controls. Pooling water was found on … [Read more...]
Unsolved Romaine E. coli Outbreak Ends, in FDA CORE Table
The unsolved romaine E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has ended, and three other outbreaks remain on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Table. Only one outbreak is ongoing. All of the investigations are still active. All of those outbreaks are unsolved. The romaine E. coli O157:H7 outbreak sickened at least 88 people. The grower, supplier, and any grocery stores or restaurants that may have supplied the lettuce are unnamed. The FDA conducted traceback investigations, conducted inspections, and collected and tested samples, but no recalls were issued. For the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that is still ongoing, there are at least 31 patients sick. We do not know the patient age range, illness onset dates, or if anyone has been hospitalized or has died. The FDA has initiated traceback, has … [Read more...]
SunFed Cucumber Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak Ends
The SunFed cucumber Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak has ended with 113 people sick in 23 states, with 28 hospitalized, according to the CDC. That's an increase of 13 more illnesses and three more hospitalizations since the last update was issued on December 19, 2024. The case count by state is: Alaska (2), Arizona (1), California (4), Colorado (8), Iowa (3), Illinois (4), Massachusetts (6), Michigan (3), Montana (18), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (2), New Mexico (1), Nevada (1), New York (1), Ohio (1), Oregon (9), Pennsylvania (1), South Dakota (5), Texas (8), Utah (2), Washington (9), Wisconsin (13), and Wyoming (8). Illness onset dates range from October 12, 2024 to December 7, 2024. The patient age range is from less than one year to 99 years. Of the 99 people who gave … [Read more...]
First Human Bird Flu Death Reported in Louisiana
The CDC says that the first human bird flu death has been reported in Louisiana. There are 66 confirmed human cases of the H5N1 virus so far in the United States as of January 6, 2025. The person who died was over the age of 65 and had underlying medical conditions, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. That person had contact with non-commercial backyard flocks and wild birds. This virus can cause severe illness and death, however, this is the first person who has died from an H5 infection in this country. In other countries, more than 950 cases of human bird flu infections have been reported to the World Health Organization. About half of those people have died. The CDC is assessing the risk to the general public and states that it remains low. No person to person … [Read more...]
Symptoms of Bird Flu in Humans and Domestic Pets
The bird flu outbreak has killed millions of wild birds and domestic poultry. The virus has spread to dairy cows, cats, dogs, goat kids, bears, foxes, seals, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, mice, rabbits, minks, and other wild animals, as well as humans. Avoiding contact with sick animals is the first measure of prevention. But you should also know the symptoms of bird flu in humans to protect yourself and your family. The CDC has released details of symptoms of bird flu in humans. Symptoms usually begin two to seven days after exposure to a sick animal; the average is three days. The first symptoms usually include eye irritation and redness. Some people may have a mild fever, cough, and sore throat. A runny nose or stuffy nose, headaches, fatigue , and muscle of body aches … [Read more...]
Mary Pilgrim Inn Salmonella Outbreak in Seattle Sickens 14
A Mary Pilgrim Inn Salmonella outbreak in Seattle, Washington has sickened at least 14 people, according to King County Public Health, That facility is located at 14115 Aurora Avenue North in Seattle. The event was two Christmas dinners held on December 25, 2024 and a meal of leftovers on December 26, 2024. Illness onset dates range from December 25, 2024 to December 28, 2024. Five people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. The Mary Pilgrim Inn is a temporary emergency housing shelter in the city. Two Christmas dinners were served on Christmas Day, and leftovers were available the next day. The food at these events was only available for Mary Pilgrim Inn residents and staff, and the events were not open to the public. The 14 people who have been identified so far … [Read more...]
Top 10 Food Poisoning Outbreaks of 2024
These are the top 10 food poisoning outbreaks of 2024, in reverse order. There were quite a few outbreaks last year, with many illnesses and a few deaths. These are the top 10, in reverse order, with an addendum of five more outbreaks of interest. Addendum: Five Notable Outbreaks Five outbreaks that were important were added in an addendum this year. They were the Grimmway Farms carrot E. coli O121:H9 outbreak, the Infinite Herbs Salmonella outbreak, the deadly Rico Lopez soft cheese Listeria monocytogenes outbreak, the deadly Yu Shang Listeria monocytogenes outbreak, and the Gibson Farms walnuts E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. Number 10: Boar's Head The 10th outbreak of 2024 was the deadly Boar's Heat deli meat Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that sickened at least 61 people in … [Read more...]
Five More Significant Outbreaks in 2024
There were so many notable food poisoning outbreaks this year that we decided to add a list of five more significant outbreaks of 2024. These outbreaks are notable because people died, because the situation was so unusual, or because the vehicle for the pathogen was unusual. Grimmway Farms Carrot E. coli O121:H9 Outbreak One person died in this outbreak that was linked to recalled Grimmway Farms carrots. The carrots were contaminated with E. coli O121;H9 bacteria. There were 48 people sick in 19 states and twenty people were hospitalized. The case count by state was: Arkansas (1), California (3), Colorado (1), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (5), Missouri (1), New Jersey (2), New York (5), North Carolina (1), Ohio (1), Oregon (3), Pennsylvania (1), South Carolina (2), … [Read more...]
