There has not yet been a romaine E. coli outbreak in the United States in 2020, but the year isn't over yet. Let's take a look back at the history of romaine E. coli outbreaks, including leafy greens, over the past three years. There was one outbreak in 2017, two in 2018 and three in 2019. In all of these outbreaks, the romaine lettuce in question was harvested either in the Yuma Arizona region or in the Central California region of the country. Many recalls were issued in regards to all of these outbreaks. This is the history of romaine E. coli outbreaks over the past three years. Leafy Greens E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak in 2017 In November 2017, the CDC announced an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to leafy greens. At least twenty-five people in 15 states were sickened. Nine people … [Read more...]
Enoki Mushrooms Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak Sickens 36
At least 36 people are sick in an enoki mushroom Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to product imported from Korea. The mushrooms were imported by Sun Hong Foods. The mushrooms were just recalled after a sample tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. There is zero tolerance for Listeria monocytogenes contamination in ready to eat foods in this country. These enoki mushrooms were sold in 7.05 ounce clear plastic packaging, with UPC number 7 426852 625810. These mushrooms are also known as enokitake, golden needle, futu, or lily mushrooms. The mushrooms were sold to these retailers: J&L Supermarket, Jusgo Supermarket, ZTao Market, New Sang Supermarket, and Galleria Market in these states: California, Florida, … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak at Perryville Correctional Facility in Arizona Sickens 5
A Salmonella outbreak at the Perryville Correctional Facility in Goodyear, Arizona has sickened five people, Chris Minnick, Communications Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) told Food Poisoning Bulletin. The outbreak began on August 14, 2019. This facility houses women inmates. Officials took and tested 69 environmental samples. All were negative for the pathogen. We do not know if anyone has been hospitalized in this outbreak. And we do not know the patient age range. The origination for these infections is under investigation by the Arizona Department of Health Services, and no more information or additional details about the cases are being released. The Arizona Department of Corrections is working with ADHS to investigate this outbreak. Outbreaks … [Read more...]
Possible Hepatitis A Exposure at Genghis Grill Restaurant in Tempe, AZ
Possible hepatitis A exposure has occurred at the Genghis Grill restaurant in Tempe Marketplace at 2000 East Rio Salado Parkway in Tempe, Arizona, according to the Maricopa County Health Department. Anyone who ate there on May 30, June 1, June 5, June 6, June 7, June 8, June 13, June 14, June 15, and June 18, 2019 may have been exposed to the virus. If you ate there on any day not listed, you were not exposed. Unfortunately, since the vaccinations against this virus are only effective if given within two weeks of exposure, only people who ate there on June 18, 2019 can receive a hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccination today, July 2, 2019. If you ate there on that date and do not have health insurance, call Maricopa County to locate a county vaccination clinic. Tell the clinic you … [Read more...]
After Romaine E. coli Outbreak, LGMA Adopts New Food Safety Practices
After the two romaine E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks last year, that together sickened 272 people in the U.S., the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA) has been amended to include more food safety practices on farms. More than 120 people were hospitalized in those outbreaks, and five people died. Scott Horsfall, CEO of the LGMA, said in a statement, "The California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement Board of Directors have adopted additional requirements to reduce risk when it comes to water used in growing lettuce and leafy greens. This means that every box of leafy greens placed into commerce by a certified LGMA member will now be produced under new, more stringent requirements." In the two romaine E. coli O157:H67 outbreaks, the outbreak strains of the pathogen were … [Read more...]
Number 2 Outbreak of 2018: JBS Tolleson Ground Beef Salmonella Outbreak
The number two outbreak of 2018 is the JBS Tolleson Ground Beef Salmonella outbreak that is still ongoing. At least 333 people in 28 states are sick. Ninety-one people have been hospitalized. The company recalled 6.9 million pounds of beef products on October 4, 2018, and then recalled an additional 5.2 million pounds on December 4, 2018. The beef has the establishment number "EST. 267" that is usually inside the USDA mark of inspection, but can be found elsewhere on the package. The brand names of some of the recalled products are Kroger, Laura's Lean, and Generic JBS. The recalled items include ground sirloin, ground beef patty, fine ground chubs, Kroger GB loaf, and ground round loaf. The case count by state as of December 12, 2018 is: Arizona (50), California (107), Colorado … [Read more...]
Salmonella Newport Outbreak Linked to Ground Beef Grows to 333 Sick
The Salmonella Newport outbreak that is linked to ground beef from JBS Tolleson has grown to include 333 people sick in 28 states. Ninety-one people have been hospitalized. That's an addition of 87 more patients since the last notice was published in November 2018. Those additional 87 ill people live in 16 states. New states added to the outbreak count are Michigan, Mississippi, and West Virginia. Illness onset dates range from August 5, 2018 to November 9, 2018. The patient age range is from less than one year to 99. The hospitalization rate in this outbreak, which is 33%, is higher than the typical hospitalization rate for a Salmonella outbreak, which is 20%. The states with the most ill persons are Arizona, with 50, California, with 107, and Colorado, with 58. Of the 227 … [Read more...]
Now 246 Sickened in JBS Tolleson Ground Beef Salmonella Outbreak; Lawsuits Possible
At least 246 people in 25 states are now sick in the JBS Tolleson ground beef Salmonella outbreak. Fifty-nine of those patients have been hospitalized, which is 35% of ill persons. That's an increase of 126 more patients since the last update on October 23, 2018. There more states reported patients: Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Missouri. The case count by state is: Arizona (42), California (66), Colorado (50), Connecticut (1), Hawaii (4), Idaho (3), Iowa (1), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Kansas (1), Kentucky (1), Massachusetts (1), Minnesota (2), Missouri (3), Montana (8), New Mexico (9), Nevada (3), Ohio (9), Oklahoma (4), Oregon (1), South Dakota (6), Texas (13), Utah (9), Washington (3), and Wyoming (4). Illnesses started on dates ranging from August 5, 2018 to October 16, … [Read more...]
Jennie-O Ground Turkey Recalled in Association with Salmonella Outbreak
Jennie-O Turkey Store of Wisconsin is recalling about 91,388 pounds or raw ground turkey products that may be associated with an outbreak of Salmonella Reading infections. At least 164 people in 35 states are ill in this outbreak. One person in California died. The raw ground turkey products were made on September 11, 2018. The recalled products include 1-pound packages of Jennie-O GROUND TURKEY 93% LEAN | 7% FAT with use by dates of 10/01/2018 and 10/02/2018; 1-pound packages of Jennie-O TACO SEASONED GROUND TURKEY with a use by date of 10/02/2018; 1-pound packages of Jennie-O GROUND TURKEY 85% LEAN | 15% FAT with a use by date of 10/02/2018; and 1-pound packages of Jennie-O ITALIAN SEASONED GROUND TURKEY with a use by date of 10/02/2018. The products subject to recall bear … [Read more...]
Salmonella Newport Outbreak Linked to Ground Beef Grows; Lawsuits Possible
The Salmonella Newport outbreak linked to JBS Tolleson ground beef has ground to include 120 people sick in 22 states. Thirty-three people have been hospitalized, which is a very high percentage for this pathogen. Sixty-three more people were added to the outbreak total since the last update on October 4, 2018. Six more states were added to the outbreak total: Hawaii, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington. Illness onset dates ranged from August 5, 2018 to September 28, 2018. Ill persons range in age from less than one year to 77. The case count by state its: Arizona (21), California (27), Colorado (23), Hawaii (1), Idaho (2), Iowa (1), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Kansas (1), Kentucky (1), Minnesota (1), Montana (5), New Mexico (1), Nevada (3), Ohio (2), Oklahoma (4), … [Read more...]
