The FDA has issued a warning letter to Austrofood about lead and chromium in the cinnamon used to make apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches that were recalled in 2023. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, the Maryland Department of Health, and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture conducted lab analysis of multiple lots of those pouches and found extremely high levels of lead. In addition, after an inspection in the company's facility in Ecuador, FDA investigators found serious violations of the Current Good Manufacturing Practices, Hazard Analysis, and Risk Based Preventive Controls for Human Food regulation. A hazard analysis was not conducted before the recall. Considering that food … [Read more...]
New Grower Added to Cucumber Salmonella Outbreak
A new grower has been added to the cucumber Salmonella outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). FDA's laboratory and traceback data, along with epidemiological information, has found that cucumbers from Bedner Growers of Boynton Beach, Florida, and Thomas Produce Company of Boca Raton, Florida, are the likely sources of illnesses in this outbreak. But those growers do not account for all illnesses. Thomas Produce Company supplied cucumbers to multiple points of service where patents reported eating cucumbers. An onsite inspection was conducted at Thomas Produce Company. Salmonella Braenderup was detected in samples of canal water used by Thomas Produce company, and whole genome sequencing found that it is a match to the outbreak strain. More … [Read more...]
Diamond Shruumz Outbreak Sickens 130 With 53 Hospitalized
The Diamond Shruumz outbreak sickens 130 in 29 states with 53 hospitalized, as of August 9, 2024, according to the FDA. That is an increase of 17 more patients and 11 more hospitalizations since the last update was published on August 7, 2024. There are two deaths that are potentially associated with these products. The case count by state is: Alabama (4), Arizona (7), California (3), Colorado (1), Florida (6), Georgia (23), Indiana (8), Iowa (3), Kansas (5), Kentucky (10), Maryland (2), Minnesota (3), Missouri (1), Montana (3), Nevada (1), New Jersey (2), New York (1), North Carolina (17), North Dakota (3), Oklahoma (1), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (7), South Dakota (1), Tennessee (9), Texas (2), Virginia (1), Washington (2), and Wisconsin (1). The patient age … [Read more...]
Jim’s Jerseys Raw Milk Campylobacter Outbreak in WA Sickens 2
A Jim's Jerseys raw milk Campylobacter outbreak sickened at least two people in Washington state, according to the Washington State Department of Health. Both patients drank Jim's Jerseys raw milk produced by the Old Silvana Creamery in Arlington, Washington before getting sick, and their isolates were "the same, highly related strain," according to the notice. The outbreak occurred in mid July 2024. The residents live in different counties: Thurston and Pierce. They each bought Old Silvana Jim's Jerseys gallon sized whole milk between July 10 and July 16, 2024. The milk they bought is now expired. The notice states, "In response to these illness reports, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) tested milk samples collected from the creamery and conducted an … [Read more...]
Another Cyclospora Outbreak and New Salmonella Outbreak
Another cyclospora outbreak and a new Salmonella outbreak are listed on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table, bringing the number of outbreaks under investigation to eight. Six of those eight outbreaks are unsolved. The newest outbreak is a cyclospora outbreak that has sickened at least two people. The FDA has initiated traceback but has not collected samples or started inspections. A new Salmonella Newport outbreak is on the table with two people sick. No product has been identified as the cause of the illnesses. The FDA has not initiated traceback, has not collected samples, or started inspections. The other two cyclospora outbreaks are unchanged. In the first outbreak, there are 26 patients, and in the second, there are 16 patients. In both of these outbreaks, the … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak Associated With Wonder Coffee Bar in Seattle
An E. coli O121 outbreak associated with the Wonder Coffee and Sports Bar in Seattle has been reported by Public Health - Seattle & King County. There are two people who are sick. The investigation is ongoing. That facility is located at 1800 South Jackson Street East in Seattle. The illness onset date range is from July 12 to July 16, 2024. The patients ate at the Wonder Coffee and Sports Bar on July 10, 2024. Based on information collected by public health officials, both people likely got sick after eating food from that facility. Both patients ate food that could have made them sick, including raw or undercooked beef, or other foods that may have been contaminated by raw or undercooked beef. Officials think the beef is the likely source of the pathogen, but are not … [Read more...]
Three Deaths in Boar’s Head Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak
There are now three deaths in Boar's Head Listeria monocytogenes outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an increase of one more since the last update. And nine more illnesses and 10 new hospitalizations have been reported. The case count by state is: Georgia (2), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Maryland (8), Massachusetts (3), Minnesota (1), Missouri (3), New Jersey (4), New York (14), North Carolina (1), Pennsylvania (1), Virginia (3), and Wisconsin (1). All of the 43 patients have been hospitalized. Sick person’s samples were collected from May 29, 2024 to July 12, 2024. One person got sick during their pregnancy. The patient age range is from 32 to 94 years. The three people who died lived in Illinois, New Jersey, and Virginia. State and … [Read more...]
FDA Publishes Table of Compounds in Diamond Shruumz Products
The FDA has published a table of compounds found in Diamond Shruumz products. Tests of the company's cones and gummies have also been collected and are being analyzed. The case count remains at 113 sick in 28 states and 42 hospitalized, with two potential deaths. There is no information about case count by state, or the patient age range. The severe symptoms that patients have been experiencing include seizures, central nervous system depression (loss of consciousness, confusion, sleepiness), agitation, abnormal heart rates, hyper/hypotension, nausea, and vomiting. And it's troubling that some of these items may still be available for sale at smoke and vape shops, and at retailers that sell hemp-derived products. None of these items should be available for sale. If you see any at … [Read more...]
Diamond Shruumz Case Count Zooms to 113 Sick, 42 Hospitalized
The Diamond Shruumz case count zooms to 113 sick in 28 states and 42 hospitalized, according to the FDA. That is an increase of 35 patients since the last update was issued one day ago. Two people have died, but officials aren't sure if those deaths are associated with the consumption of these products. The numbers reflect a change to the case ascertainment and reporting process, which was implemented on August 2, 2024. No patient case count was provided in this update. The cause of the illnesses is still not known. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states: "Products containing psychoactive compounds such as cannabis or mushroom extracts are increasing in availability. These "edibles" are often sold as gummy candies, chocolates, or other snack foods. They might … [Read more...]
Diamond Shruumz Outbreak Has Sickened 78 Patients
The Diamond Shruumz outbreak has sickened at least 78 patients, according to the FDA. That is an increase of four more patients since the last update was issued on July 23, 2024. Forty of those patients have been hospitalized. Sixty five of those patients have sought medical care. And there are two potentially associated deaths that are under investigation. The case count by state is: Alabama (4), Arizona (7), California (1), Colorado (2), Florida (1), Georgia (7), Indiana (6), Iowa (5), Kentucky (5), Maryland (1), Minnesota (2), Missouri (1), Montana (1), Nevada (1), New Jersey (2), New York (1), North Carolina (3), North Dakota (2), Ohio (2), Oklahoma (1), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (2), South Carolina (5), South Dakota (1), Tennessee (5), Texas (1), Virginia (5), Washington (2), … [Read more...]
