The FDA has removed tara flour from the generally regarded as safe list (GRAS) after illnesses associated with the product Daily Harvest Leek and Lentil Crumble illnesses were reported. There were reports of 393 illnesses associated with that product in 2022. At least 133 people were hospitalized, and some of the patients went into liver failure. Tara flour is now regarded as an unapproved food additive. These items are deemed to be unsafe under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. That type of flour was used by Daily Harvest in a leek and lentil crumble product. The firm voluntarily recalled the product and conducted their own root cause analysis. The FDA has found no evidence that tara flour caused the outbreak, but it did prompt the agency to evaluate the status of that … [Read more...]
Cracker Barrel Salmonella Outbreak in Illinois Sickens Eight
A Cracker Barrel Salmonella outbreak in a city in Illinois has sickened at least eight people, according to a press release from the Kankakee County Health Department. That restaurant is located at 50 Ken Hayes Drive in Bourbonnais. As of May 14, 2024, the patent case count is eight. The press release did not state whether or not any of the patients have been hospitalized. The restaurant voluntarily closed on May 4, 2024 and is cooperating with the health department to try to determine the source of the pathogen. Public health officials inspected the restaurant and provided an environmental assessment. They also gave employees guidance on safe food handling and cleaning. An alert has been issued to doctors in the area about this outbreak. Symptoms of a Salmonella infection … [Read more...]
Long History of Nut and Nut Product Outbreaks
In the wake of the current E. coli outbreak linked to organic walnuts, there is a long history of nut and nut product outbreaks. Nuts are an agricultural product, and just like leafy greens, herbs, and berries, can be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria. And nuts, like other types of produce, are often eaten without a consumer "kill step," in other words, cooking. History of Nut and Nut Product Outbreaks The current E. coli O157 outbreak allegedly linked to Gibson Farms organic walnuts and walnut pieces has sickened at least 12 people in two states, California and Washington. Seven of those patients have been hospitalized, and two people have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The walnuts have been recalled. In 2022, a Salmonella Senftenberg … [Read more...]
PA Apple Valley Creamery Raw Milk Sickens One With Campylobacter
Apple Valley Creamery raw milk has sickened at least one person in Pennsylvania with a Campylobacter infection, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. That dairy is located at 531 Germany Road in East Berlin, Pennsylvania. Public health officials are warning consumers to discard raw milk from Apple Valley Creamery that was sold under the Pure Pastures Dairy label. The sell by dates for this unpasteurized milk are from April 3, 2024 through May 2, 2024. The milk is packaged in quart and half gallon glass containers. Samples of the raw milk were tested by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and were positive for the pathogen. Apple Valley Creamery raw milk was sold at these locations in south central, central, and eastern counties in Pennsylvania: Adams … [Read more...]
FDA on Gibson Farms Walnuts E. coli O157 Outbreak
The FDA has weighed in on the Gibson Farms walnuts E. coli O157 outbreak that has allegedly sickened at least 12 people in two states: California and Washington. Seven of those 12 patients have been hospitalized, and two of them have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The recalled organic walnut halves and pieces were sold at natural food and co-op stores in these states: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The walnuts were sold in bulk, but some stores may have repackaged the nuts into bags or plastic clamshell containers. A list of the store names and locations where the walnuts may have been sold is … [Read more...]
Sunset View Creamery Raw Milk Recalled For Campylobacter
Sunset View Creamery raw milk is being recalled for possible Campylobacter jejuni contamination, according to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. One illness has been reported to the department. The dairy is located at 4970 County Road 14 in Odessa, New York, in Schuyler County. A preliminary test conducted by a sample of the unpasteurized milk collected by an inspector tested positive for the pathogen. On April 25, 2024, the producer was notified of this result. Another test that was conducted and completed on April 29, 204, confirmed the presence of Campylobacter in the raw milk. The producer is now prohibited from seling raw milk until sampling indicates that the product is not contaminated. There is no information about the person who is sick. We do not … [Read more...]
Organic Bulk Walnuts E. coli Outbreak Sickens 12 in 2 States
An organic bulk walnuts E. coli O157 outbreak has sickened at least 12 people in two states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seven of those patients have been hospitalized. Two have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The patient case count by state is: Washington (6), and California (6). Illness onset dates range from February 1, 2024 to April 4, 2024. The patient age range is from six to 84 years. State and local pubic health officials interviewed patients about the foods they ate before they got sick. Of the 10 interviewed, all said they ate walnuts. That percentage is significantly higher than the 26% of respondents who said they ate walnuts in the FoodNet Population Survey during the same time frame. And all … [Read more...]
E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Cases Increase on FDA CORE Table
The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak cases have increased, according to the latest FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. There are only two outbreaks currently being investigated, which is an unusually low number. That E. coli outbreak is not attached to any food yet. The case count has increased to 12 cases from nine, in the last update. The FDA has initiated traceback to try to isolate a product, but no recall has been initiated, no products have been sampled, and no inspection has taken place. For the other outbreak on the table, the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that is linked to Infinite Herbs fresh organic basil, another real has been added. Melissa's Organic Basil, in two sizes, was sold at Dierberg's stores in Illinois and Missouri in February 2024. Check to make sure you do … [Read more...]
New E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak on FDA CORE Table
A new E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has been announced on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. There are only two active investigations on that table. The new E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has sickened at least nine people. We do not know the states where the ill persons live, the patient age range, illness onset dates, or what type of food is linked to this outbreak. The FDA has started conducted traceback. The second outbreak on the table is the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that is linked to Infinite Herbs fresh organic basil. There are at least 12 people in seven states sick in that outbreak. Two recalls have been issued in relation to that outbreak. The Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to Rizo-Lopez queso fresco and cotija cheese has ended and that investigation was … [Read more...]
FDA Weighs In On Infinite Herbs Basil Salmonella Outbreak
The FDA is weighing on the Infinite Herbs Basil Salmonella outbreak. There are at least 12 people sick in seven states. One person has been hospitalized because they are so sick. The basil was sold at Trader Joe's stores in these states: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, and Wisconsin, and in Washington D.C. It is packaged in 2.5 ounce clamshell packaging. Based on epidemiological evidence, 12 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported from seven states. Seven of eight cases … [Read more...]
