The FDA updates CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. More illnesses have been added to two mystery Salmonella outbreaks and one mystery Listeria monocytogenes outbreak. And a new "adverse event series" that is associated with a "frozen food product," has been added. That product is not identified, but it is most likely the Daily Harvest French Lentil + Leeks Crumble product, which is associated with almost 500 adverse events and has been recalled. There are currently 10 active outbreak investigations. The frozen food outbreak has 107 adverse event reports listed. A recall has been issued, traceback has begun, an on-site inspection has been conducted, and sample collections have been analyzed. Yesterday Fresh Harvest issued a statement saying that the FDA testing has found no pathogens … [Read more...]
What is Causing Daily Harvest French Lentils Crumbles Illnesses?
In the last few weeks, there have been almost 500 reports of adverse reactions from consumers who ate this product. Some people have required hospitalization, and at least one person underwent gallbladder surgery after showing signs of liver damage. In fact, a number of people reported that tests showed their liver enzymes were very elevated, and in most cases people said their symptom onset was quite sudden. The common stories being told by people who got sick after eating these lentil crumbles from Daily Harvest have led to a number of theories on what might be causing these symptoms. For its part, Daily Harvest put out a statement yesterday that reads, "We have spent the past ten days working with the FDA, state agencies and multiple independent labs, as well as experts in … [Read more...]
Grand Canyon Reports 118 Cases of Norovirus Among Park Visitors
The Grand Canyon is reporting 118 cases of norovirus among park visitors. Park officials have stated that the cases are occurring among visitors to the Colorado River and backcountry campers. The National Park Service issued an alert about this issue on May 20, 2022. Symptoms that campers are experiencing include nauseas, stomach camps and pain, and sudden onset vomiting and diarrhea. The virus can spread quickly, especially among people in close contact with one another, such as those in rafts and camps. Norovirus has been confirmed among those who were on at least one rafting trip. Norovirus is extremely contagious that spreads several ways. You can get it from person-to-person contact, through contaminated food and drink, or through contact with contaminated surfaces. Most … [Read more...]
FDA Investigating Another Infant Cronobacter Illness and Death
The FDA is investigating another infant Cronobacter illness and death, according to a news update about the issue of Abbott Nutrition's Cronobacter contamination problem. The news is contained at the end of the news release. The statement says that the FDA has reviewed and investigated a total of 129 complaints associated with Abbott Nutrition powdered infant formula products. Of these, 119 complaints were reported after the voluntary recall of Similac, Electra, and Aliments products on February 17, 2022. Nine of those complaints were of infant deaths. Only two were associated with the Abbott Nutrition Sturgis, Michigan plant investigation. The FDA states, "despite extensive investigation the evidence does not rule in or rule out a definitive link between these infant deaths and … [Read more...]
Possible Long Beach Meals on Wheels Hepatitis A Exposure
A possible Long Beach Meals on Wheels hepatitis A exposure has occurred in California. The incident occurred because a volunteer who was helping package food was allegedly diagnosed with the illness. The exposures took place in "late May and June" 2022. The agency delivers meals five times a week to about 400 people in Long Beach. Most of the clients are elderly. The Long Beach Health Department sent letters to those affected by this issue on May 23 and 31, and June 6 and June 13, 2022, warning them about the exposure. The Health Department has stated that risk of infection is low, but there is still la risk. Meals on Wheels has cooperated fully with the investigation. The Health Department stated, "The potential exposure was not due to lack of health and safety protocols. We … [Read more...]
Montana Campylobacter Outbreak Linked to Kennedy Creek Water
A Montana Campylobacter outbreak is linked to the Kennedy Creek watering point, according to Sanders County Environmental Health. About 20 people have been confirmed with this illness in an outbreak that occurred in mid May 2022. Eighteen of those patients consumed water from the Kennedy Creek watering point over a period of about two to three weeks during late April and early May 2022. Thirteen of those patients have seen a healthcare provider; all tested positive for Campylobacter. One linked case was also reported in Flathead County. A water sample was taken from the creek's discharge point, and it tested positive for Campylobacter. As of Friday, June 3, 2022, the state laboratory has matched clinical and water sample specimens through whole genome sequencing. Kennedy Creek … [Read more...]
One More Probable Hepatitis A Strawberries Case Added
One more probable hepatitis A strawberries case has been added to the investigation into the outbreak linked to that fruit, according to the FDA. That person has been hospitalized. We do not know where that person lives, or the age range of any of the patients. We do know that the last illness onset date was May 6, 2022. And the recall of Urban Remedy Tea that was reported on June 10, 2022 is now considered a market withdrawal, since that product was not made with the recalled strawberries. The strawberries were imported from Baja, California and branded as FreshKampo and HEB by a common supplier. The berries that caused these illnesses were purchased between March 5, 2022 and April 15, 2022. They are obviously past their shelf life, but some consumers may have processed and … [Read more...]
Two New Salmonella Outbreaks Added to FDA CORE Table
Two new Salmonella outbreaks have been added to the FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. There is no more information provided on these outbreaks, as is typical for the FDA's new way of transmitting information. The first new outbreak is a Salmonella Paratyphi B var. L(+) tartrate+ outbreak in a not yet identified product. So far, at least 13 people have been sickened in that outbreak. We do not know the states where the ill persons live, their age range, illness onset dates, or whether or not anyone has been hospitalized. So far, traceback has been initiated, but there is no recall, no one-site inspection, and no samples have been collected or tested. The second new outbreak is a Salmonella Braenderup outbreak that has sickened at least 40 people. Traceback has been initiated, … [Read more...]
Daily Harvest French Lentil Crumbles Recalled After Consumer Illnesses
Daily Harvest French Lentil + Leek Crumbles is being recalled after consumers reported gastrointestinal "discomfort," according to news reports. The French Lentil + Leek Crumbles meal must be "heated to 165°F" according to package instructions. That means we don't know if it's a problem with the lectins in the lentils, or a pathogen that is causing the illnesses. While the report from Daily Harvest says consumers have experienced "discomfort," other posts on social media claim that some have been hospitalized with severe pain. Some patients are concerned about long term health problems such as liver damage. If the problem is that the lentils are not thoroughly cooked, compounds called lectins can be present in the legumes and can cause gastrointestinal distress. A study published … [Read more...]
New Salmonella Muenchen Beef Outbreak on USDA Investigation Table
A new Salmonella Muenchen beef outbreak has been posted on the USDA Outbreak Investigation Table, with no more information provided. This table provides even less information than the FDA CORE Outbreak Table, which at least tells us the number of people sick, and whether traceback or other work has started. So we do not know how many people are sick, what states they live in, whether traceback has begun, if any onsite inspections have started, and if any food has been collected and tested for pathogens. All of those things must start before an outbreak can be officially announced. There is only one other active outbreak on that table, an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that may also be linked to beef. No more information has been provided about that outbreak either. So far this year, … [Read more...]
