The Yosemite outbreak is norovirus, according to the National Park System. The announcement states that about 170 people were sickened with gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea after visiting the park. Those affected include park visitor and employees. Most of those sickened spent time in Yosemite Valley before getting sick. There are two confirmed cases of norovirus among those sickened as of January 16, 2020. Most of the reported case symptoms are consistent with a norovirus infection. Still, Yosemite National Park officials and medical professionals with the National Park Service Office of Public Health are continuing to investigate the outbreak and are still conducting interviews with patients. Officials do not know the exact cause of the outbreak. Most … [Read more...]
Injunction Filed Against MI Home Style Foods by FDA
Home Style Foods, a seafood and salad processor in Hamtramck, Michigan has been enjoined against producing and distributing ready-to-eat seafood salads, non-seafood salads, pierogis, and dips because they were processed under insanitary conditions, according to the Department of Justice. The complaint was filed on January 13, 2020 against the company and the company's president, Michael J. Kowalski. The complaint states that the company "violated the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act by processing and distributing fish products and other food, including salads, pierogis, and dips, in a facility where government inspectors previously found evidence of Listeria contamination. The complaint also alleged violations of seafood safety regulations designed to mitigate hazards associated with … [Read more...]
Pig Ear Dog Treats Still a Salmonella Risk, Says AVMA
The American Veterinary Medical Association says that pig ear dog treats are still a Salmonella risk despite interventions. Last year, 154 people in 26 states were sickened with Salmonella Javiana infections after coming into contact with pig ears that were sold as treats for dogs. Thirty-five people were hospitalized in that outbreak because they were so sick. The pig ears were contaminated with seven different serotypes of Salmonella, and some were antibiotic resistant. Pig ears that were imported from Brazil, Columbia, and Argentina were recalled as part of the outbreak investigation. But that isn't the first time outbreaks have been linked to this product. Pig ear dog treat outbreaks have been occurring since 1999. In response, the FDA has been blocking the import of some … [Read more...]
Good to Go Snack Bars Recalled For Mold in Canada
Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. is recalling some Good to Go Snack Bars in some Canadian provinces because they may contain mold. Not all molds are dangerous to eat, but some may produce toxins as they grow that cause vomiting and other food poisoning symptoms if ingested. There is no word on whether or not any illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this issue. The recalled Go to Go Snack Bars were sold at the consumer level in Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan at the consumer level. The recalled bars are Good to Go Cocoa Coconut Snack Bar sold in 40 gram sizes. The UPC number on the product is 6 87456 11119 3. Also recalled is Good to Go Cinnamon Pecan Snack Bar, also sold in 40 gram packages. The UPC number on that product is 6 … [Read more...]
Some Margarine Recalled in Canada For Foreign Material
Bunge Canada is recalling some margarine, including A&W brand, Recipe brand, and Delicia brand margarine in Canada for foreign material contamination. The problem is pieces of plastic have been found in the product, which poses a choking hazard There is no information on the recall notice if any injuries or adverse reactions have been reported to date in connection with this issue. The margarine was sold in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec at the retail level. The margarine recalled in Canada includes A&W NH Margarine, sold in 10 kg packages. The UPC number on that product is 2833790252, and the codes on the product include Product 90252. All lots produced between March 13, 2019 and January 9, 2020, inclusively, are … [Read more...]
FDA Investigation of Romaine Multistate E. coli O157:H7 HUS Outbreak
The FDA has announced that the romaine multistate E. coli O157:H7 HUS outbreak is over after sickening 167 people in 27 states. The romaine lettuce that. made people sick is no longer on the market, since it was grown and harvested in the Salinas, California region and that area's growing season is over. The case count by state is: Arizona (4), California (8), Colorado (6), Delaware (1), Florida (4), Iowa (1), Idaho (4), Illinois (15), Maryland (5), Michigan (2), Minnesota (7), Montana (1), North Carolina (3), Nebraska (2), New Jersey (9), New Mexico (2), New York (3), Ohio (12), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (21), South Carolina (1), South Dakota (1), Tennessee (1), Texas (6), Virginia (6), Washington (6), and Wisconsin (35). Patient illness onset dates ranged from September 20, 2019 to … [Read more...]
It’s National Pizza Week: Are Pizzas Linked to Outbreaks?
It's National Pizza Week! Have pizzas been linked to any food poisoning outbreaks in the U.S.? The answer is yes. The ingredients in pizza that could be problematic include flour in the dough, cheeses, produce such as leafy greens, and any type of meat toppings. But since pizzas are usually cooked so thoroughly, how can people get sick? There are three answers to that question: handling the pizzas before they are cooked, cross-contamination, and microwave cooking. Raw dough is considered a risky food, since flour used to make it has long been associated with E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks, from the Nestle raw cookie dough outbreak in 2009, to the General Mills flour E. coli outbreak in 2016 that sickened 63, to the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to ADM Milling flour last year that … [Read more...]
Hyosung Hansung Fish Products Recalled in Canada For Undeclared Egg
Hyosung Hansung brand fish products are being recalled in Canada for egg, one of the major food allergens, that is not declared on the label. Anyone who is allergic to egg could have a serious allergic reaction if they eat this product. No allergic reactions have been reported to date in connection with the issue. The products were sold in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan at the retail level. The recalled products are Hyosung Squid Fish Cake (Mild), sold in 50 x 140 gram packages. There is no UPC number on the product; but the code on the product is 2021.11.04. Also recalled is Hyosung Cheese Fish Cake (Mild), also sold in 50 x 140 gram packages, with no UPC number, and code 2021.11.04. Also recalled is Hansung Fish Stick in 300 gram packages with UPC number 8 801074 … [Read more...]
FDA Weighs in on Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp E. coli Outbreak
The FDA is weighing in on the Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that sickened 10 people in 5 states. Four people were hospitalized and one patient developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. This salad mix also made 25 people sick in Canada, where the Fresh Express product was recalled. There was no recall issued in the U.S. The contaminated Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp Chopped salad kits that made people sick are "likely no longer available on the market," according to the FDA statement. The outbreak has ended as of January 15, 2020 after sickening 1 person in Georgia, Illinois, and North Dakota; three in Wisconsin; and four in Minnesota. Once again, the FDA states that this outbreak, the outbreak associated with Evergreen … [Read more...]
FDA Yiannas Statement on Salinas Romaine Lettuce E. coli Outbreaks
FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response Frank Yiannas has posted a statement on the Salinas romaine lettuce E. coli O157:H7 outbreak and investigation. There are three separate outranks the FDA is tracking, caused by three different strains of E. coli O157:H7. They are: the large multistate outbreak linked to that lettuce, a small outbreak linked to Fresh Express Sunflower Crisp Chopped Salad Kit in the upper Midwest, and an outbreak associated with Evergreen restaurants in Seattle. There is a common grower between each of these outbreaks, and that grower is located in Salinas, California. However, romaine from this grower doesn't explain all of the illnesses in these outbreaks. The last reported illness for all of the outbreaks was December 21, 2019. Yiannas says … [Read more...]
