A strawberry hepatitis A outbreak has sickened at least 17 people in three states and has hospitalized 12 of those patients, according to the FDA. That is a very high hospitalization rate. The berries are FreshKampo and HEB brands. The berries are past their shelf live and are no longer available in stores, but some consumers probably froze some for later consumption. Freezing does not kill the hepatitis A virus. The case count by state is: California (15), Minnesota (1), and North Dakota (1). The berries were sold nationwide. Illness onset dates range from March 28, 2022 to April 30, 2022. But because it can take up to 50 days for hepatitis symptoms to appear and because some people may have preserved the berries, more cases may be diagnosed. We do not yet know the patient age … [Read more...]
El Abuelito Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak Report in MMWR
The El Abuelito Listeria monocytogenes outbreak in 2021 is the subject of a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) from the CDC for the week of May 27, 2022. That outbreak sickened at least 13 people in four states. Twelve people were hospitalized and one person died. The outbreak was linked to Hispanic-style cheese within 19 days of the detection of the illness cluster. Rapid food testing by agencies identified the implicated cheese. PulseNet, the national molecular subtyping surveillance network that is coordinated by the CDC, found a cluster of three infections on January 19, 2021. Two of the patients lived in Maryland and one lived in Connecticut. All of the patients were of Hispanic ethnicity. The cheese that was linked to this outbreak is a fresh, soft cheese made … [Read more...]
Jif Salmonella Outbreak Case Count Rises to 16 Sick, 2 Hospitalized
The Jif Salmonella outbreak case count has risen to 16 sick with two hospitalized according to the CDC. Those patients live in 12 states. Many types of Jif peanut butter have been recalled, along with ten secondary recalls. There is one more patient each in the states of Missouri and North Carolina since the last CDC update. The case count by state is: Arkansas (1), Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Massachusetts (1), Missouri (2), Ohio (1), South Carolina (1), New York (1), South Carolina (1), North Carolina (2), Texas (2), Virginia (1), and Washington (1). The patient age range is from less than one year to 85 years. Of nine people who gave information to investigators, two have been hospitalized. Illness onset dates range from February 19, 2022 through May 2, 2022. This Jif … [Read more...]
USDA Adds Possible Beef E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak to Table
The USDA adds a possible beef E. coli O157:H7 outbreak to its Outbreak Investigation Table. The Salmonella outbreak linked to chicken is still on the table. No more information is available about either of these outbreaks. The last outbreak of USDA-regulated foods that was identified and solved was the 2021 Salmonella Hadar outbreak linked to ground turkey that sickened at least 33 people in 14 states and hospitalized four. This outbreak is most likely not linked to ground beef, since the USDA stipulates whether or not the product is ground in its table. Outbreaks associated with whole cuts are not common. The last outbreak linked to whole beef cuts was in 2009, when 21 people in 16 states were sickened with E. coli O157:H7 infections. Beef products from National Steak and … [Read more...]
Where was Jif Peanut Butter Recalled For Salmonella Sold?
Where was Jif peanut butter that is recalled for potential Salmonella contamination sold? Some of these products are linked to a Salmonella Senftenberg outbreak that has sickened at last 14 people in 12 states. The FDA recall notice stated that the peanut butter was sold nationally at the retail level. But knowing which particular stores sold these products is helpful. None of these products purchased from the stores have been specifically linked to the outbreak. Where Was Jif Peanut Butter Sold? According to store recall pages, the recalled peanut butter was sold at these grocery store chains. Please note that not all of the recalled products were necessarily sold at all of these stores. Check the specific recall notice for more information. The recalled peanut butter has the … [Read more...]
Buba Noodle Bar Salmonella Outbreak in NH Sickens Seven
A Buba Noodle Bar Salmonella outbreak in New Hampshire has sickened at last seven people, according to the New Hampshire Department of Health nd Human Services. The restaurant is located at 36 Lowell Street in Manchester. As of May 22, 2022, seven people have been diagnosed with Salmonella Enteritidis infections after eating at that location. One person has been hospitalized. Several other potential patients are under investigation. We do not know the illness onset dates or the ages of the patients. Buba Noodle Bar voluntarily closed on May 20, 2022 while a public health investigation is being conducted. The restaurant is partnering with public health officials to help find the source of these illnesses. Salmonella can contaminate food in several ways - through issues in the … [Read more...]
CDC Weighs In On Jif Peanut Butter Salmonella Outbreak
The CDC is weighing in on the Salmonella outbreak linked to some types of Jif peanut butter, which has sickened at least 14 people in 12 states. Two people have been hospitalized. A recall of several types of the peanut butter has been issued. The case count by state is: Arkansas (1), Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Massachusetts (1), Missouri (1), Ohio (1), North Carolina (1), New York (1), South Carolina (1), Texas (2), Virginia (1), and Washington (1). The patient age range is from less than one to 85. Illness onset dates are from February 17, 2022 through May 1, 2022. Of six people who gave information to investigators, two have been hospitalized, for a rate of 33%, which is high for a Salmonella outbreak. The true number of people sickened is likely much higher than this. Most … [Read more...]
Jif Peanut Butter Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 14 in 12 States
A Jif peanut butter Salmonella Senftenberg outbreak has sickened at least 14 people in 12 states. Two people have been hospitalized. The peanut butter was produced at the J.M. Smucker Company facility in Lexington, Kentucky. The patient case count by state is: Arkansas (1), Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Massachusetts (1), Missouri (1), Ohio (1), North Carolina (1), New York (1), South Carolina (1), Texas (2), Virginia (1), and Washington (1). The last illness onset date was May 1, 2022. We don't yet know the patient age range or first illness onset date. This outbreak could grow since it takes weeks from when a person first feels ill to when samples are tested and reported to the CDC. The distribution of these products was nationwide. They have been confirmed for the states listed … [Read more...]
FDA Warning About Accidental Ingestion of Food Products With THC
The FDA is warning consumers about the accidental ingestion by children of food products containing THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). Some copycat products containing THC are made to look like children's cereals and candy, such as Cap'n Crunch, Cocoa Pebbles, Cocoa Puffs, Froot Loops, Fruity Pebbles, Nerds Ropes, Starbursts, Sour Patch Kids, and Trix. Accidental ingestion of these products can cause serious adverse events in children and adults. These products appeal to kids and can be mistaken for popular foods. The FDA is aware of multiple media reports describing children and adults who ate these products and experiencing adverse events. From January 2021 through April 24, 2022, the FDA received more than 100 adverse event reports related to those who consumed these products. Some … [Read more...]
FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Table Updated Again
The FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Table has been updated again with more information about the incidents the agency is investigating. Three of the investigations have changed. The reports of adverse reactions possibly related to dry cereal have increased to 555 from 529 in the last update issued on May 4, 2022. On the website iwaspoisoned, there are more than 7,000 reports of illness since late 2021. An on-site inspection has been initiated, and samples have been collected and analysis on a product has begun. One of the two active Listeria monocytogenes outbreaks has also been updated; the number of illnesses has increased to 20 cases from 19. That investigation was launched on February 9, 2022; no source has been identified. For the investigation of "Cronobacter illnesses … [Read more...]
