A Kelloggs Honey Smacks Salmonella lawsuit has been filed; no update on this outbreak has been issued by the CDC or FDA since mid-June. On June 15, 2018, the CDC stated that there were 73 people sick with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Mbandaka in 31 states. Twenty-four of those patients have been hospitalized because their illnesses are so serious. The cereal was first recalled on June 14, 2018. Two UPC numbers of the product were recalled. The recalled product had "best if used by" dates of June 14, 2018 through June 14, 2018. But several days later, the CDC told consumers to not eat any Honey Smacks cereal of any size package or any "best if used by" date. No explanation for this huge recall expansion was given. Consumers have been advised to throw away any Kellogg's … [Read more...]
Kelloggs Honey Smacks Salmonella Lawsuit Filed; No Updates on Outbreak Since Mid-June
Large Proportion of Minnesota Residents Sickened in Del Monte Cyclospora Outbreak; Lawsuits Filed
The huge Del Monte Cyclospora outbreak has sickened 212 people in four states. Of those patients, at least 54 live in Minnesota. The last update posted by the FDA was on July 5, 2018. Attorney Fred Pritzker, who is representing many of those sickened in this outbreak and has filed several lawsuits, said, "There are many Kwik Trip facilities, where many of the Del Monte products were sold, in Minnesota and in Wisconsin, where more than 100 people are sick. We expect that this Del Monte cyclospora outbreak will probably grow, since there is a time lag from when a person gets sick and they visit their doctor and are diagnosed with this parasitic infection." Del Monte has recalled three sizes of vegetable trays that are associated with this outbreak. They are 6 ounce and 12 ounce … [Read more...]
Kitchen Towels Contaminated with Bacteria, According to New Study
Tea towels, or kitchen towels, can cause cross-contamination in the kitchen, leading to food poisoning, according to a study posted in ASN Microbe 2018. Cross-contamination is when bacteria are spread from one source to food that was not previously contaminated. The study was conducted at the University of Mauritius. The study's authors collected 100 kitchen towels from homes after they were used for one month. Bacteria were collected from the towels and identified. In addition, those participating in the study where asked to fill out a questionnaire designed to pinpoint risk factors. Bacterial growth was found in 40% of the tea towels. The bacteria "significantly increased" by the size of the family, extended family, and the presence of children in the family. Multipurpose … [Read more...]
Employee at The Back Corner in Nashville, TN Diagnosed with Hepatitis A
An employee at The Back Corner, an entertainment venue at 1413 5th Avenue North in Nashville, Tennessee, has been diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to the Nashville Public Health Department. The Metro Public Health Department (MPDH) is issuing a public notice and will offer free hepatitis A vaccinations to customers who visited that facility on June 28, 29, or 30, 2018. A vaccination is only good for 14 days after the day of exposure. That means that anyone who was at The Back Corner on June 28, 2018, will have to be vaccinated by tomorrow, July 12, 2018. The MPHD locations offering the shots are: Lentz Public Health Center at 2500 Charlotte Avenue 37209, East Health Center at 1015 East Trinity Lane 37206, and Woodbine Health Center at 224 Oriel Avenue 37210. The hours of … [Read more...]
Kitty’s Restaurant and Lounge in North Reading, MA Closed After Suspected Salmonella Outbreak; Some May Sue
Kitty's Restaurant and Lounge on Main Street in North Reading, Massachusetts has been closed after an alleged Salmonella outbreak. Omar Cabrera of the Communications Office at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health told Food Poisoning Bulletin that eleven cases are confirmed. Apparently, 39 people have complained to officials that they got sick after eating at that facility. All 11 confirmed cases have exposure to food prepared by that restaurant. According to NBC Boston, the outbreak apparently started on June 23, 2018. The North Reading Department of health has focused on the antipasto as the possible source of pathogenic bacteria. Public health officials conducted an investigation of the facility on July 23, 2018. The restaurant was closed for cleaning and sanitation … [Read more...]
Two Recalls: One for Chicken Produced Without Inspection; Another for Allergens in Supplements
Two recalls have been issued by the USDA and FDA for two different products. Halal chicken has been recalled for lack of inspection, and dietary supplements are recalled for undeclared allergens. No illnesses or allergic reactions have been reported to date in either recall. The first recall is for Afandina Halal's raw poultry products that were produced without the benefit of several inspection. These raw chicken items were produced and packaged from May 14 through June 22, 2018. They include 40-pound bulk boxes containing “Afandina, Halal Wholesale Chicken, Boneless Leg Meat,” 40-pound bulk boxes with “Afandina, Halal Chicken, Whole Chicken Legs,” and 40-pound bulk boxes with “Afandina, Halal Chicken, Chicken Cutlets.” These products have the establishment number "P-51183" inside the … [Read more...]
Wisconsin Hit Hard in Cyclospora Del Monte Outbreak; Lawyer Explains
Consumers in Wisconsin have been hit hard in the Cyclospora Del Monte outbreak that is linked to recalled vegetable trays. Of the 212 people sickened in this outbreak so far as of July 5, 2018, 152 patients live in Wisconsin. Attorney Ryan Osterholm, who is representing many clients in this outbreak, said, "Many of these vegetable trays were sold at Kwik Trip/Kwik Star outlets. There are hundreds of these stores in Wisconsin and in Minnesota, which explains the high number of case patients in those states. "Moreover," he continued, "this cyclospora Del Monte outbreak will most likely continue to grow. There is a significant lag between the time a person starts feeling sick and the time when their illness is reported to public health officials. And there are some people who have … [Read more...]
Meech Dairy Farm Ordered to Stop Distributing Adulterated Meat
The Meech Dairy Farm in Sebeka, Minnesota, has been ordered to stop distributing meat in interstate commerce by the U.S. District Court District of Minnesota. A consent decree of permanent injunction was entered against the farm and its co-owners Todd Meech and Patty Meech on Monday, July 9, 2018. A complaint was filed by the Department of Justice alleging violations of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The defendants will be required to "establish and implement a quarantine or segregation system that ensures ready distinction between medicated and unmediated animals and that prevents defendants from selling or delivering for food slaughter any animals with illegal new animal drug residues in their edible tissues," before they can resume introducing "animals and their edible … [Read more...]
Will Del Monte Cyclospora Outbreak Continue to Grow? Lawyer Explains
Will the Del Monte Cyclospora outbreak that has sickened at least 212 people, mostly in Minnesota and Wisconsin this summer, continue to grow? Attorney and food safety expert Fred Pritzker, who is representing many clients with lawsuits in this outbreak, explains that the answer may be yes. At least 152 people in Wisconsin and 54 people in Minnesota are sick in this outbreak. At least 2 people are ill in Michigan, and five in Iowa. While these numbers are current as of July 5, 2018., any illnesses that began after May 24, 2018 may not have been reported to government officials yet. "It takes time for word of these cases to reach public health officials," Fred said. "A person has to get sick, decide to visit a doctor, get tested, and then the test results must be evaluated. … [Read more...]
Rad Cat Raw Diet Pet Foods Lots Recalled for Possible Listeria and E. coli O121 Contamination
Radagast Pet Food of Portland, Oregon is recalling three lots of Rad Cat Raw Diet Free-Range Chicken Recipe pet food because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. Also recalled is one lot of Rad Cat Raw Diet Pasture-Raised Venison Recipe because it may be contaminated with E coli O121. The risk to humans is that people handing these products could ingest these pathogenic bacteria if they don't wash their hands after handling these products. And animals eating these pet foods could get sick or become carriers, and pass the bacteria on to people. Listeria monocytogenes can sicken pets, with symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, fever, weight loss and muscular or respiratory problems. E. coli O121 is not known to cause illness in cats, but there is zero tolerance for … [Read more...]
