An E. coli outbreak at Lake Anna in Richmond, Virginia over the Memorial Day weekend has sickened people, according to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). The number of patients has not been released, only that VDH has received "numerous reports of GI illnesses, mainly in children." Some of the patients have been hospitalized and diagnosed with E. coli infections. All potential causes of these illnesses, including food and lake water, are being investigated. The symptoms that patients are experiencing include vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea that is often bloody or watery, fever, and chills. In severe cases, the infection can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. The notice did not confirm that anyone is suffering from … [Read more...]
Illnesses Linked to Diamond Shruumz Microdosing Chocolate Bars
Illnesses are linked to Diamond Shruumz Microdosing Chocolate Bars, according to the FDA. These products are available online and were also sold at smoke and vape shops and at retailers that sell hemp-derived products such as cannabidiol (CBD) or delta-8 tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-8 THC). The full list of retailers is unknown at this time. The FDA recommends that no one should consume these bars. All flavors of Diamond Shruumz Microdosing Chocolate Bars should be avoided. Symptoms that patients are experiencing include seizures; central nervous system depression, including loss of consciousness, sleepiness, and confusion; agitation; abnormal heart rates; hypertension and hypotension; nausea; and vomiting. As of June 7, 2024, eight people are sick. The case count by state is: … [Read more...]
FDA Weighs In On Cucumber Salmonella Outbreak
The FDA is weighing in on the cucumber Salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 162 people in 25 states and the District of Columbia. Fresh Start Produce Sales has recalled cucumbers that were grown in Florida and distributed to wholesalers, food service distributors, and retail distribution centers in these states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia from May 17th through May 21st, 2024. This product should no longer be available for consumers to purchase in stores. The case count by state is: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), Connecticut (2), Delaware (1), District of Columbia (1), Florida (18), Georgia (8), Indiana (1), Iowa (3), Kentucky (4), Maine (1), … [Read more...]
Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) Found Along Washington’s Coast
Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) has been found in recreationally harvested shellfish along Washington's Pacific coast, according to the Washington State Department of Health. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with these shellfish. All recreational shellfish harvesting is prohibited in Grays Harbor and Willapa Bay due to "extreme PSP risk." This is part of a broader PSP occurrence along the Oregon coast, where several recreational mussel harvesters were sickened over the Memorial Day weekend. There are no reports of illness associated with shellfish harvested in Washington state. All commercial shellfish harvesting is closed in Willapa Bay too, because of elevated marine biotoxin levels. All species of shellfish are included. Some species of shellfish … [Read more...]
Cucumber Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 162 in 25 States
A cucumber Salmonella outbreak has sickened at least 162 people in 25 states and the District of Columbia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fresh Start Produce cucumbers are implicated in this outbreak. The strain of Salmonella is Salmonella Africana. CDC and FDA are also investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Braenderup infections, with 158 illnesses in 23 states. The two outbreaks are similar, including where and when illnesses occurred and the demographics. Investigators are working to determine whether the two outbreaks could be linked to the same food. The case count by state is: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), Connecticut (2), Delaware (1), District of Columbia (1), Florida (18), Georgia (8), Indiana (1), Iowa (3), Kentucky (4), Maine (1), … [Read more...]
Have Cucumbers Caused Outbreaks in the Past?
In the wake of the recall of Fresh Start cucumbers for possible Salmonella contamination, have cucumbers caused outbreaks in the past? Yes, they have, and some have been deadly. The FDA is conducting testing to see if the cucumbers are related to an ongoing Salmonella outbreak that has sickened more than 100 people. In 2013, a Salmonella Saintpaul outbreak linked to imported cucumbers sickened at least 84 people in 18 states. Illness onset dates range from January 12, 2023 to April 28, 2024. Twenty-eight percent of patients were hospitalized. In 2015 and 2016, a huge Salmonella Poona outbreak linked to cucumbers sickened at least 907 people in 40 states. There were 204 people hospitalized, and six deaths were reported, even though the Salmonella infection wasn't considered a … [Read more...]
New Listeria Outbreak on FDA CORE Investigation Table
A new Listeria outbreak has been posted on the FDA's CORE Investigation Table. And the case count for the Salmonella Africana outbreak that is stil unsolved has increased to 141 patients. There are now four outbreak investigations on the table. The new Listeria outbreak has sickened at least two people. No recall has been initiated, but the FDA has started traceback. No inspections have begun, and no samples have been collected or analyzed. The Salmonella Africana outbreak has grown from 100 sick to 141 sick. The only action the FDA has taken so far has been traceback. No food has been linked to this outbreak. The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that is allegedly linked to recalled Gibson Farms organic bulk walnuts is unchanged. That outbreak has sickened at least 12 people in two … [Read more...]
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning Sickens 20 From Mussels in OR
Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) has sickened at least 20 people after eating mussels harvested between the Washington border and Seal Rock State Park, according to the Oregon Health Authority. Anyone who harvested mussels from Short Beach near Oceanside, Hug Point, and near Seaside should immediately discard them. Only recreationally harvested mussels are problematic. This warning does not apply to mussels that were harvested commercially and purchased at a grocery store or a restaurant. PSP is caused by saxitoxins that are produced by marine algae. People get sick by eating shellfish contaminated with this naturally occurring biotoxin. Shellfish that can be contaminated with this toxin include scallops, clams, mussels, cockles, and oysters, along with some types of fish and … [Read more...]
Backyard Poultry Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 109 in 29 States
A backyard poultry Salmonella outbreak has sickened at least 109 people in 29 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Any backyard poultry, including chickens and ducks, can carry Salmonella bacteria even if they look healthy and clean. The case count by state is: Alabama (6), Arizona (1), Arkansas (5), California (3), Colorado (3), Georgia (2), Illinois (4), Indiana (1), Kansas (4), Louisiana (1), Massachusetts (1), Minnesota (5), Mississippi (3), Missouri (19), Montana (2), Nebraska (6), New Mexico (2), North Carolina (1), Ohio (1), Oklahoma (11) Oregon (2), Pennsylvania (2), Rhode Island (2), South Carolina (1), Tennessee (1), Texas (14), Utah (1), Washington (3), and Wisconsin (2). There are 33 people hospitalized because they are so sick. The … [Read more...]
Do Not Eat Frozen Raw Half Shell JBR Oysters From Korea
Do not eat certain frozen raw half shell JJBR oysters from Korea because they are associated with a norovirus outbreak that has sickened people in Utah, according to the FDA. JBR (KR-15-SP) Tongyeong, Republic of Korea (ROK) is recalling frozen half-shell oysters with lot number B231227 because they may be contaminated with norovirus. The recalled oysters were harvested from ROK Designated Area No. 1 on 12/27/2023. They were processed by JBR (KR-15-SP) in Tongyeong, ROK on 12/28/2023 as frozen half-shell oysters, with lot number B231227. These oysters were distributed by Khee Trading, Inc. (Compton, CA), which is also recalling them. On 5/15/2024, JC Foods of Salt Lake City, Utah initiated a voluntary recall of frozen half shell oysters, with lot number B231227, that were … [Read more...]
