New research that will be presented at this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases has found that raw dog foods contain high levels of multidrug-resistant bacteria, including some that are resistant to last-line antibiotics. The study was conducted at the University of Porto in Portugal. The authors have concluded that potential transfer of these pathogens from dogs to humans is "an international public health risk." The authors include Dr. Ana Raquel Freitas and colleagues from the Faculty of Pharmacy at that university. These raw dogs foods are popular, and are offered as a "healthier" choice. One of the problems with this type of food is that dogs can be reservoirs of clinically-relevant ampicillin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, but … [Read more...]
FDA Info on Red Clover Sprouts E. coli O103 Outbreak
The FDA is weighing in on the red clover sprouts E. coli O103 outbreak. This outbreak is associated with Jimmy John's restaurants according to the CDC. and the fact that a majority of patients interviewed ate sprouts at Jimmy John's before they got sick. The outbreak is over after sickening 51 people in 10 states. Three people were hospitalized because they were so sick. The patient case counts by state are: Florida (1), Idaho (1), Illinois (7), Iowa (3), Missouri (1), New York (1), Texas (1), Utah (34), Virginia (1), Wyoming (1). Illness onset dates range from January 6, 2020 to March 15, 2020. The patient age range is from 1 to 79 years. The last illness onset date was March 15, 2020. The outbreak case count increased from 39 in 6 states from the last outbreak update in March … [Read more...]
Jimmy John’s Clover Sprouts E. coli O103 Outbreak Ends With 51 Sick
The Jimmy John's clover sprouts E. coli O103 outbreak has ended with 51 people in 10 states sick, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Three people were hospitalized because they were so sick. No deaths were reported. That is an increase of 12 cases and four new states since the last update on March 19, 2020. Idaho, Wyoming, New York, and Virginia have been added to the case count. The case count by state are: Florida (1), Idaho (1), Illinois (7), Iowa (3), Missouri (1), New York (1), Texas (1), Utah (34), Virginia (1), Wyoming (1). Illness onset dates range from January 6, 2020 to March 15, 2020. The patient age range is from 1 to 79 years. Whole genome sequencing showed that bacteria isolated from ill people were closely related genetically, … [Read more...]
Chipotle Mexican Grill Pays $25 Million In Criminal Charges After Outbreak
Chipotle Mexican Grill is paying a $25 million fine in criminal charges related to the company's involvement in foodborne illness outbreaks that sickened more than 1000 people between 2015 and 2018. The U.S. Department of Justice announced this news in a press release. Chipotle was charged with adulterating food in violation of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The company agreed to a three-year deferred prosecution agreement that will let it avoid conviction if it complies with an improved food safety program. The $25 million criminal fine is the largest ever in a food safety case. Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division said in a statement, "This case highlights why it is important for restaurants and members of the food … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Outbreak Associated With Señor Moose in Seattle Sickens 3, Hospitalizes 1
A hepatitis A outbreak is associated with the Señor Moose restaurant in Seattle, Washington. At least 3 people are sick; one of those patients is hospitalized, according to a press release issued by King County Public Health. Consumers who allegedly ate at that restaurant have been experiencing jaundice, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever, which are the typical symptoms of this viral illness. That restaurant is located at 5242 Leary Avenue Northwest in Seattle. Public Health started learning of cases on April 15, 2020. Those sickened ate at Señor Moose restaurant on February 24 and February 26, 2020. There is no indication that any current employees of the restaurant are sick with hepatitis A. Public health is contacting former employees to see if any oof them have been … [Read more...]
What You Need to Know About Raw Sprouts and Food Poisoning
Raw sprouts have been considered a health food for decades. They are crunchy and delicious and full of nutrients. The sprouting process increases the availability of protein, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese and vitamins C and K than unsprouted seeds. Unfortunately, the sprouting process also links raw sprouts and food poisoning. There have been many Salmonella and E. coli outbreaks linked to raw sprouts in the past few years. These outbreaks have been so numerous that a term was coined about them: sproutbreaks. The problem is that the seeds are inherently risky. The bacteria can be encapsulated in the seed itself, so cleaning the seeds before sprouting is completely ineffective. Then, when the seeds are sprouted in warm, moist conditions, those bacteria can grow and … [Read more...]
Study Highlights Risks of Food Poisoning With Online Food Ordering
With the coronavirus pandemic making consumers uneasy to step into a store, online food ordering has skyrocketed. Unfortunately, a new study using whole genome sequencing found that an outbreak of Salmonella in Shenzhen, China has been linked to online food orders. There are risks of food poisoning with online food ordering. Because most restaurants around the country are closed, reports of multistate food poisoning outbreaks have plummeted. But many of those facilities are delivering food to consumers. An outbreak may still occur, but it may not be caught by public health officials just because people are sheltering in place. And don't panic just yet; there are things you can do to protect yourself. And this outbreak occurred in July 2018. The Shenzhen Center for Disease … [Read more...]
Three Enoki Mushroom Brands Recalled For Listeria Monocytogenes
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated outbreak information for the enoki mushroom Listeria Monocytogenes outbreak. Now three enoki mushroom brands, all imported from Korea, are recalled because they may be contaminated with the pathogen. These three enoki mushroom brands include Sun Hong Foods, which recalled their enoki mushrooms on March 9, 2020. Those mushrooms are the only ones thus far that are associated with illnesses. On March 23, 2020, Guan's Mushroom Company recalled their enoki mushrooms. And on April 7 2020, H&C Food Inc. recalled their product. The only recall warning that mentioned illnesses is the first, from Sun Hong Foods. All of these mushrooms were sold in 7.05 clear plastic bags with a green label. No grocery store or restaurant … [Read more...]
Common Symptoms of All of the Food Poisoning Pathogens
Food poisoning outbreaks occur every year in the United States. These outbreaks can be caused by bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria Monocytogenes, Clostridium botulinum, Campylobacter, Shigella, Staphylococcus aureus, Brucella, Vibrio, and Bacillus cereus; and viruses such as norovirus and hepatitis A. At least 48,000,000 Americans are sickened with food poisoning every year. Do you know the common symptoms of all of the food poisoning pathogens? We've collected articles about all of these symptoms, which includes the foods most likely to be contaminated, in one place for easy reference. If someone in your family is sick with these symptoms, you'll be able to get help more quickly if you understand the pathogens. It's worth noting that it's wise for all consumers to … [Read more...]
How Do You Know If You Have a Botulism Infection?
Botulism is one of the scariest and most lethal foodborne illness infections. The bacteria Clostridium botulinum produces a toxin as it grows. A tiny, tiny amount of that toxin is enough to kill an adult. So how do you know if you have a botulism infection? Most people think that botulism outbreaks are tied to canned food. It's true that the bacterium grows in an anaerobic environment, which means that there is no air in the container that holds the food. But botulism can also grow in honey, which is why babies under the age of 1 should never be given honey. And a deadly botulism outbreak linked to nacho cheese sauce served at Valley Oak and Fuel in Walnut Grove, California in May, 2017 sickened 10 people and killed one person. The bacteria and the toxin do not change how the … [Read more...]
