Tyson Foods of Rogers, Arkansas, is recalling about 69,093 pounds of frozen, ready-to-eat chicken strips that may be contaminated with foreign materials, more specifically pieces of plastic. Those plastic pieces can pose a choking hazard. Two consumer complaints prompted this recall. There are no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to this issue. The recalled products were made on November 30, 2018. They are: 25-ounce plastic bag packages of frozen “Tyson FULLY COOKED BUFFALO STYLE CHICKEN STRIPS CHICKEN BREAST STRIP FRITTERS WITH RIB MEAT AND BUFFALO STYLE SAUCE” with “BEST IF USED BY NOV 30 2019,” case codes 3348CNQ0317 and 3348CNQ0318, and individual bag time stamps from 17:00 through 18:59 hours (inclusive). 25-ounce plastic bag packages of frozen “Tyson FULLY COOKED … [Read more...]
Minnesota DOH Evaluating Microbes in Public Water Supply Wells
There is evidence of viruses, bacteria, and protozoan parasites in water from some of Minnesota's public water supply wells, according to a news release issued by the Minnesota Department of Health. Officials don't see any pattern of illness associated with this problem, but there is a need for more study. Health officials want to discover how and when the pathogens enter the wells and if there is a health risk for people who drink that water. This project was funded through the state's Clean Water Fund. Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm says "Safe drinking water is essential for Minnesota’s health and prosperity, and we are fortunate to have a strong team of local and state partners working to catch potential threats early. More work is needed to determine how best to … [Read more...]
Oskri Sells Nut Butter Plant After Listeria Monocytogenes Recall
Oskri Organics Corporation at 528 Tyranena Park Road in Lake Mills, Wisconsin, sold the building where they made nut butters and snacks after all of their products were recalled in January 2019. In addition, the brands Inspired Organics and Thrive Market nut butters were recalled in December 2018 and January 2019 for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Oskri made the nut butters for those companies. All 19 of the company's nut butters were included in that January recall. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. The company now uses a facility in Ixonia to produce the nut butters, but City Manager Steve Wilke told the Lake Mills Leader that the company "is looking for other uses of the building." Listeria monocytogenes bacteria is … [Read more...]
DG/health Naturals Baby Cough Syrup Recalled For Contamination
Kingston Pharma, LLC of Massena, New York is recalling one lot of DG/health Naturals Baby Cough Syrup + Mucus because it may be contaminated with Bacillus cereus/Bacillus circulans. Bacillus cereus in food products can cause two syndromes: one of vomiting, and the other of diarrhea. These illnesses are usually mild and self-limiting, meaning that patients can recover without medial care. But some populations, including infants, young children, and those with weakened immune systems, can suffer serious and even fatal illness if they ingest these pathogens. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with this problem. The product was sold nationwide in Dollar General retail stores. The product, DG/health Naturals baby Cough Syrup + Mucus was sold in … [Read more...]
EPA Wants to Spray Antibiotics to Stop Citrus Greening Disease
Advocates from environmental and public health groups have delivered a petition to the Environmental Protection Agency asking them to delay a proposal to spray antibiotic on citrus fields to treat a pathogen that causes citrus greening disease, according to the Center for Biological Diversity. Advocates think that this action could make bacterial antibiotic resistance worse. Citrus greening is a bacterial disease. Florida citrus trees are being destroyed by this pathogen and have been for more than 10 years. The pathogen is spread through an invasive insect. The bugs move through the tree's vascular tissue under the bark. Steven Roach, a senior analyst at Keep Antibiotics Working, said of the plan,"They are doing a huge experiment with limited monitoring." Officials estimate that … [Read more...]
Grimontia hollisae Illnesses at Seafood City in Tukwila, WA
Two people with Grimontia hollisae infections ate raw blue crab purchased live from Seafood City at 1368 Southcenter Boulevard #100 in Tukwila, Washington, according to a press release from King County Public Health. One person was hospitalized because they were so sick. Both have recovered. The two ate a meal at Seafood City on January 18 and 19, 2019. The food safety inspection and current rating for this venue from health officials is satisfactory. One of the sick persons has laboratory-confirmed Grimontia hollisae. There is no such confirmation for the second patient, but the symptoms were the same in both cases. That pathogen is part of the same family as Vibrio bacteria, and causes a similar illness. Symptoms of this illness include nausea, vomiting, and … [Read more...]
Bottled Bar Clams Recalled For Possible Clostridium Botulinum
Out of the Blue Fish & Seafood Market, located at 1A The Square in Bayfield, Ontario, Canada, is recalling bottled bar clams because they may permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum bacteria. No illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported to date in connection with this recall. The recalled products are Out of the Blue Fish & Seafood Market bottled bar clams. All units sold from October 1, 2o18 up to and including February 28, 2019 are recalled. In addition, unbranded bottled bar clams are recalled. All units sold from October 1, 2018 up to and including February 28, 2019 are recalled. Neither product has a UPC number. Foods that are contaminated with this bacteria can become contaminated with the botulism toxin, which can cause severe illness and death. Symptoms of … [Read more...]
New Dates For Implementing Agricultural Water Produce Safety
FDA's Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb and Deputy Commissioner Frank Yiannas have addressed advancing new tools and science for produce safety via agricultural water, and have set new dates for implementation. The two E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks that were linked to romaine lettuce in 2018 were allegedly caused by contaminated agricultural water. In early 2018, 210 people were sickened in an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to romaine lettuce grown in the Yuma, Arizona region of the country. Ninety-six people were hospitalized, and 27 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney failure. Five people died. This outbreak was the largest of its kind since 2006. The outbreak strain was found in canal water in the area. And in late 2018, romaine lettuce grown in … [Read more...]
Safe Recipe Style Guide Launched To Improve Cookbooks
A new tool for cookbook authors that is intended to improve consumers' food safety behaviors at home has been launched. Safe Recipe Style Guide was issued by the Partnership for Food Safety Education. It will be used for any recipe writer and provides specific recipe text to address food safety issues in home kitchens. The Safe Recipe Style Guide addresses the four major areas of food safety violations that occur in home kitchens, including temperature, handwashing, cross-contamination, and produce handling. Studies have shown that when consumers follow recipes that incorporate these basic instructions, they increase food safety behaviors. For instance, when a recipe writer wants to address doneness tests, they could write, "Cook until internal temperature reaches XX (fill in … [Read more...]
FDA Warns Nutra Pharma Group For Illegally Marketed Unapproved Products
The FDA posted a warning letter to Nutra Pharma Corporation for illegally marketing unapproved products that were labeled as homeopathic and made medical claims. More specifically, the claims were about ability to treat addiction and chronic pain, including pain that is associated with cancer, diabetes, fibromyalgia, and other serious medical conditions. The targeted products include Nyloxin Oral Spray, Nyloxin Topical Gel, Nyloxin Topical Roll-On, Nyloxin Topical Roll-On ES, Nyloxin Professional Size Pump Topical Gel and Regular Strength Sample Pack. These names are similar to other FDA-approved drugs and may confuse consumers. The claims on these products include "treats conditions that cause chronic pain," and "Cobra venom saw its primary use in the treatment of cancer and … [Read more...]
