A Red Cow burgers E. coli O157 outbreak in Minnesota has sickened at least 10 people, according to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Patients ate burgers at multiple locations of the Red Cow restaurant, which is a chain with locations in Hennepin, Ramsey, and Olmstead counties. One more patient ate at the Hen House Eatery in Minneapolis, which received the same ground beef products suspected in this outbreak. The ground beef in question was distributed to other restaurants in the area, so more cases could be identified. Public health officials are urging anyone who ate a hamburger, especially if it was undercooked, at table service restaurants in the Twin Cities since October 31, 2024 and then developed diarrhea, particularly bloody diarrhea, in the next seven days, to see a … [Read more...]
FDA Weighs In on McDonald’s Quarter Pounder E. coli Outbreak
The FDA has weighed in on the McDonald's Quarter Pounder E. coli outbreak. That outbreak has sickened at least 49 people in 10 states. Ten people are hospitalized, one person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and one person, who lived in Colorado, has died. The case count by state is: Colorado (26), Iowa (1), Kansas (1), Missouri (1), Montana (1), Nebraska (9), Oregon (1), Utah (4), Wisconsin (1), and Wyoming (1). Illness onset dates range from September 27, 2024 to October 11, 2024. The patient age range is from 13 to 88. One person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. And the person who died was an older adult who did not have HUS. A specific ingredient has not yet been confirmed, but reports are that investigators are zeroing in … [Read more...]
Deadly Flathead County E. coli Outbreak Cases Increase to 22
The deadly Flathead County E. coli outbreak in Montana case count has increased to 22 sick, according to news reports. The case count was at 14 in the last update that was issued on July 26, 2024. One person has died. The outbreak is linked to wagyu ground beef that were undercooked or made to order. The beef was served at restaurants in that county, including: Gunsight Saloon Hops Downtown Grill Tamarack Brewing Company the Lodge at Whitefish Lake Harbor Grille Th person who died allegedly ate at Harbor Grille, and, according to that news report, lived in Arizona. Other restaurants in that county, including Flathead Fish, the Crawdad Café, and the Flathead Lake Lodge, received the ground beef from the same lot, but no illnesses have been reported in connection … [Read more...]
Treat Plant-Based Meat Like the Real Meat For Safety’s Sake
You should treat plant-based meat like the real thing for safety's sake, according to the USDA. Many people think that "burgers" made with plants are automatically safer to eat, but that's not the case. Plants can harbor pathogens and, in fact, have made many people sick over the years. In fact, according to a 2015 study conducted by Center for Science in the Public Interest, produce was the most common source of food poisoning. Produce can be contaminated by agricultural water used for irrigation, by animals and birds defecating in the fields, by contaminated harvesting equipment and storage bins, and through handling after harvest. Any raw agricultural product has the potential to be contaminated. And plant-based meats are "ultra processed," according to John Luchansky, lead … [Read more...]
Miami Burgers Beef Patties Recalled For Lack of Inspection
Miami Burgers Beef Patties in two sizes are being recalled for lack of inspection. No illnesses or adverse reactions have been reported to the company to date in connection with the consumption of these products. The recalling firm is New Universal Nourishment LLC of Miami Beach, Florida. The items were repackaged, relabeled, and distributed without inspection. About 368 pounds of the beef burger patty products are included in this recall. The recalled items include 2 pound boxes containing Miami Burgers 6 best Angus beef with an expiration date of 2/27/2023 (February 27, 2023) and a "CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF" shield on the label. Also recalled is 10 pound boxes containing Miami Burgers best Angus beef with a production label of FEB 15, 2022 and "CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF" on the label. … [Read more...]
How Many in Wendy’s E. coli Outbreak? Depends on Who You Ask
How many sick in Wendy's E. coli outbreak? It depends on who you ask. According to the CDC, there are 37 people sick with the outbreak strain of E. coli O157:H7 as of August 18, 2022. But if you add in the number of confirmed cases according to the Michigan Department of Health, there are 43, not 15 that the CDC counts. And officials in Wood County, Ohio state that there are 22 people sick in that county alone with seven hospitalizations, although only nine have been confirmed as the outbreak strain. The state of Ohio says there are 19 total sick in that state, with seven in Wood county, but 12 in seven other counties. And there are patients in Indiana and Pennsylvania. This type of disparity is fairly common in the early stages of an investigation. And the Centers for Disease … [Read more...]
Ohio Wendy’s E. coli Outbreak Grows to 19 Sick, Four Hospitalized
The Ohio Wendy's E. coli outbreak has grown to include 19 people sick with four in the hospital, according to the Ohio Department of Health. There is no mention of any patient with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure that is a complication of this type of infection. That is an increase of three patients since the last update from Wood county on August 15, 2022. And the number of counties included in the case count have expanded. The patient case count by county is: Wood (7), Lorain (3), Cuyahoga (2), Lucas (2), Mahoning (2), Clermont (1), Franklin (1), and Summit (1). The paitent age range is from 8 to 82 years. There are 11 males and eight females. Four people have been hospitalized. Romaine lettuce served on Wendy's burgers and sandwiches has been … [Read more...]
Wendy’s Michigan E. coli Outbreak Grows to 43 Sick, 24 in Hospital
The Wendy's Michigan E. coli outbreak has grown to include 43 people sickened and at least 24 hospitalized. Four people have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure that is a complication of this infection. The CDC total for the state is currently just 15, so this is a dramatic case count increase. The case count includes patients from these counties: Allegan, Branch, Clinton, Genesee, Gratiot, Jackson, Kent, Macomb, Midland, Monroe, Muskegon, Oakland, Ogemaw, Ottawa, Saginaw, Washtenaw, and Wayne. The city of Detroit is also included. The patient age range is from 6 to 94 years. Dr. Alexis Travis, senior deputy director of public health administration at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said in as statement, "We are reminding … [Read more...]
Eating Plant Based Meat? You Must Still Cook it Thoroughly
Are you eating plant based meat? The USDA says that you must still cook all of these products thoroughly to 160°F, since any food can be contaminated with dangerous pathogens. In fact, food poisoning outbreaks linked to plants and plant products is quite common. To show that many outbreaks are not necessarily linked to meat or poultry, just this year, there has been a Salmonella outbreak linked to shelled peas in Wisconsin, a Salmonella Senftenberg outbreak linked to Jif peanut butter, a deadly Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to Big Olaf Creamery ice cream, a hepatitis A outbreak linked to organic strawberries, and a deadly Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to Dole salads. The market for plant based meats, especially replacements for burgers, is growing for several … [Read more...]
