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...]
New Salmonella Outbreak on FDA Core Table Sickens 100
A new Salmonella outbreak on the FDA's Core Outbreak Investigation Table has sickened at least 100 people, according to the latest update. There are only two other outbreaks on the Table at this time: The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak allegedly linked to walnuts, and the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that is allegedly linked to organic fresh basil. The new Salmonella outbreak is caused by Salmonella Africana, a variant that has not caused any illnesses in the United States since at least 2011. There are 100 people sick. The FDA has initiated traceback, but has not started inspections, and has not collected or tested samples. The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak allegedly linked to organic Gibson Farms walnuts remains unchanged since the last update was issued on May 1, 2024. There are 12 … [Read more...]
Possible Hepatitis A Exposure at Whole Foods in Beverly Hills
A possible hepatitis A exposure has been reported at the Whole Foods store located at 239 North Crescent Drive in Beverly Hills, California, according to the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department. No additional cases have been identified as of May 17, 2024. An employee allegedly worked at that Whole Foods store while infectious between April 20 and May 13, 2024. Anyone who bought products from the seafood counter section at the store during those dates may have been exposed. Since the hepatitis A vaccine is most effective if given within two weeks of exposure, anyone who bought those products after May 6, 2024 may not be eligible. Talk to your doctor about whether or not you should get the vaccine. Contact your local pharmacy or medical provider for more information. … [Read more...]
Illnesses Associated with Coho Cafe in Issaquah, Washington
Illnesses associated with Coho Cafe in Issaquah, Washington have been reported by the King County Department of Health. At least six people were sickened. there were no hospitalizations. That restaurant is located at 6130 East Lake Sammamish Parkway SE A in Issaquah. The meal date range is from March 11, 2024 to April 5, 2024. The illness onset date range is from March 12, 204 to April 6, 2024. The current inspection rating for the restaurant is good. Public Health started an outbreak investigation into illnesses associated with Coho Cafe and did not find a specific food or drink item that may have caused the illnesses. This outbreak appears to be over. Everyone who was sickened developed symptoms of a gastrointestinal illness, including vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and … [Read more...]
Cracker Barrel Salmonella Outbreak in Illinois Sickens Eight
A Cracker Barrel Salmonella outbreak in a city in Illinois has sickened at least eight people, according to a press release from the Kankakee County Health Department. That restaurant is located at 50 Ken Hayes Drive in Bourbonnais. As of May 14, 2024, the patent case count is eight. The press release did not state whether or not any of the patients have been hospitalized. The restaurant voluntarily closed on May 4, 2024 and is cooperating with the health department to try to determine the source of the pathogen. Public health officials inspected the restaurant and provided an environmental assessment. They also gave employees guidance on safe food handling and cleaning. An alert has been issued to doctors in the area about this outbreak. Symptoms of a Salmonella infection … [Read more...]
Long History of Nut and Nut Product Outbreaks
In the wake of the current E. coli outbreak linked to organic walnuts, there is a long history of nut and nut product outbreaks. Nuts are an agricultural product, and just like leafy greens, herbs, and berries, can be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria. And nuts, like other types of produce, are often eaten without a consumer "kill step," in other words, cooking. History of Nut and Nut Product Outbreaks The current E. coli O157 outbreak allegedly linked to Gibson Farms organic walnuts and walnut pieces has sickened at least 12 people in two states, California and Washington. Seven of those patients have been hospitalized, and two people have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The walnuts have been recalled. In 2022, a Salmonella Senftenberg … [Read more...]
PA Apple Valley Creamery Raw Milk Sickens One With Campylobacter
Apple Valley Creamery raw milk has sickened at least one person in Pennsylvania with a Campylobacter infection, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. That dairy is located at 531 Germany Road in East Berlin, Pennsylvania. Public health officials are warning consumers to discard raw milk from Apple Valley Creamery that was sold under the Pure Pastures Dairy label. The sell by dates for this unpasteurized milk are from April 3, 2024 through May 2, 2024. The milk is packaged in quart and half gallon glass containers. Samples of the raw milk were tested by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and were positive for the pathogen. Apple Valley Creamery raw milk was sold at these locations in south central, central, and eastern counties in Pennsylvania: Adams … [Read more...]
FDA on Gibson Farms Walnuts E. coli O157 Outbreak
The FDA has weighed in on the Gibson Farms walnuts E. coli O157 outbreak that has allegedly sickened at least 12 people in two states: California and Washington. Seven of those 12 patients have been hospitalized, and two of them have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The recalled organic walnut halves and pieces were sold at natural food and co-op stores in these states: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The walnuts were sold in bulk, but some stores may have repackaged the nuts into bags or plastic clamshell containers. A list of the store names and locations where the walnuts may have been sold is … [Read more...]
Sunset View Creamery Raw Milk Recalled For Campylobacter
Sunset View Creamery raw milk is being recalled for possible Campylobacter jejuni contamination, according to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. One illness has been reported to the department. The dairy is located at 4970 County Road 14 in Odessa, New York, in Schuyler County. A preliminary test conducted by a sample of the unpasteurized milk collected by an inspector tested positive for the pathogen. On April 25, 2024, the producer was notified of this result. Another test that was conducted and completed on April 29, 204, confirmed the presence of Campylobacter in the raw milk. The producer is now prohibited from seling raw milk until sampling indicates that the product is not contaminated. There is no information about the person who is sick. We do not … [Read more...]
Organic Bulk Walnuts E. coli Outbreak Sickens 12 in 2 States
An organic bulk walnuts E. coli O157 outbreak has sickened at least 12 people in two states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seven of those patients have been hospitalized. Two have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The patient case count by state is: Washington (6), and California (6). Illness onset dates range from February 1, 2024 to April 4, 2024. The patient age range is from six to 84 years. State and local pubic health officials interviewed patients about the foods they ate before they got sick. Of the 10 interviewed, all said they ate walnuts. That percentage is significantly higher than the 26% of respondents who said they ate walnuts in the FoodNet Population Survey during the same time frame. And all … [Read more...]
