Four E coli outbreaks in 2021 sickened 63 people and hospitalized 26, according to the CDC. Eight of those patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure that is a complication of that infection. Two of those outbreaks were linked to a specific brand. One was linked to a product, and the fourth was not solved. One of these outbreaks is ongoing. Simple Truth Power Greens E. coli O157:H7 outbreak Ten people in four states are currently sick in this outbreak that is associated with Simple Truth and Nature's Basket Organic Power Greens. The patient case count is: Alaska (2), Ohio (1), Oregon (1), and Washington (6). The patient age range is from 26 to 79 with a median age of 59. The product contains organic spinach, mizuna, kale, and chard. A recall has not … [Read more...]
Cake Mix E. coli Outbreak Ends With 16 Sick in 12 States
The cake mix E. coli outbreak has ended as of September 16, 2021, with 16 people sick in 12 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A common brand of cake mix that made people sick was not identified. And no illnesses have been reported for seven weeks. The case count by state is: Illinois (2), Indiana (1), Iowa (2), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (1), Nebraska (2), Ohio (2), Oregon (1), South Carolina (1), Utah (1), Virginia (1), and Washington (1). Seven people were hospitalized. The patient age range is from 2 t0 73 years, with a median age of 13. The age range for outbreaks linked to baking ingredients usually skews young; 75% of children in this outbreak are under the age of 18. One person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of … [Read more...]
Active Food Poisoning Outbreak Investigations From FDA and USDA
What are the current active food poisoning outbreak investigations that the FDA and USDA are investigating? While there have been several outbreak investigations that have closed, there are still six open investigations on the FDA Outbreak Table, and one, possibly two, investigations on the USDA Table. On the FDA Table, there are two cyclospora outbreak investigations. Neither has any product linked to it. The first outbreak has 37 patients, an increase of two more patients since the last update 12 days ago. Traceback has been initiated, but there has been no on-site inspection, no sample collection, and no analysis. The second cyclospora outbreak has 119 patients, an increase of one patient since the last update. Traceback has begun, on-site inspection has been initiated, and … [Read more...]
Do You Know Food Safety Rules For Baking in the Kitchen?
Do you know food safety rules for baking in the kitchen? You may know to handle eggs carefully and to bake cookie doughs and cake batters before eating them, but do you know why? With a new E. coli outbreak linked to cake mix, these rules are more important than ever. Many people know that raw eggs can contain pathogenic bacteria, and think that's why food safety experts say not to eat raw cookie dough and cake batter. But eggs are not the only safety issue when baking. As improbable as it seems, flour is a raw agricultural product and not only can it be contaminated with pathogens, it has caused several multistate food poisoning outbreaks in the past few years. All-purpose, cake flour, and bread flour are made from wheat, which is grown in fields. And like all foods grown … [Read more...]
Sampling Conducted in Multistate Cake Mix E. coli Outbreak
Sampling and analysis has been conducted in the ongoing multistate cake mix E. coli outbreak, according to an update on the FDA's Core Outbreak Investigation Table. The government has also conducted traceback and has conducted an on-site inspection. Still, there is no word on any possible brand names in this outbreak. Sixteen people in twelve states are ill in this outbreak. Seven people have been hospitalized, and one person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. No recall has been issued. And sadly, the median age in this outbreak is just 13, most likely because kids love to eat uncooked batter and dough. The cake mix that is linked to this outbreak may be a national brand, since illnesses are spread all across the country, from … [Read more...]
Cake Mix E. coli Outbreak Sickens 16 in Twelve States; One HUS Case
A cake mix E. coli outbreak has been announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sixteen people in twelve states are sick. Seven people have been hospitalized. The patient case count by state is: Illinois (2), Indiana (1), Iowa (2), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (1), Nebraska (2), Ohio (2), Oregon (1), South Carolina (1), Utah (1), Virginia (1), and Washington (1). The patient age range is from 2 t0 73 years, with a median age of 13. The age range for outbreaks linked to baking ingredients usually skews young; 75% of children in this outbreak are under the age of 18. The hospitalization rate is 44%. That is high for an E. coli outbreak, which is usually around 20%. And one person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The … [Read more...]
Ecoideas Chocolate Cake Mix and Pancake Mixes Recalled For Salmonella
Ecoideas Chocolate Cake Mix and Pancake Mixes are being recalled in Canada for possible Salmonella contamination. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this issue. These mixes were sold nationally at the retail consumer level. The recalled products are all Ecoideas brand. They include Ecoideas Chocolate Cake Mix in 454 gram packages, with UPC number 8 75405 00243 6 and codes Lot # 43619305 BB: 10/31/2021 and Lot #: 43620050 BB: 02/28/2022. Also recalled is Brown Rice Pancake Mix, sold in 454 gram packages. The UPC number on that product is 8 75405 00242 9. The codes printed on the label are Lot #: 42920034 BB: 01/31/2022. Finally, Buckwheat Pancakes Mix, also sold in 454 gram containers, is recalled. The UPC number on that product is 8 75405 00241 2, and the codes … [Read more...]
Whole Genome Sequencing Solves Cake Mix Salmonella Outbreak
For the first time, whole genome sequencing solved a Salmonella outbreak associated with cake mix, according to a study published in the Center For Disease Control and Prevention's Weekly Morbidity and Mortality Report. This cake mix Salmonella outbreak was associated with Duncan Hines products. This outbreak was unusual because the Centers for Disease Control stated, "There was not enough epidemiologic and traceback information available to determine if ill people in this outbreak were linked to contaminated cake mix produced by Duncan Hines," even though a Salmonella Agbeni isolate was found in an unopened box of Duncan Hines white cake mix. The outbreak was first identified when two patients living in Oregon were diagnosed with Salmonella infections in August 2018. Both … [Read more...]
