An Old Europe Cheese Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has sickened at least six people in six states and has hospitalized five, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Brie and Camembert cheese, that were sold under multiple brand names, made by this company are linked to these illnesses. The patient case count by state is: California (1), Georgia (1), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (1), New Jersey (1), and Texas (1). The patient age range is from 56 to 83 years. Sick people's samples were collected from August 6, 2017, to August 5, 2022. This large date range is not uncommon in Listeria outbreaks, since not many people are sick in each outbreak and since the pathogen can exist in food manufacturing environments for years. The PulseNet system is used to … [Read more...]
Valley Milk Simply Bottled Sheep Milk Recalled For Campylobacter
Valley Milk Simply Bottled Sheep Milk is being recalled in California for possible Campylobacter contamination. This is raw, or unpasteurized, sheep's milk. The milk is subject to a statewide recall and quarantine order by the state of California. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of this product. Lab tests confirmed the detection of the pathogen Campylobacter jejuni in the farm's packaged raw whole sheep milk. The California Department of Food and Agriculture conducted the testing. The recalled milk is Valley Milk Simply Bottled Sheep Milk that is distributed in half gallon (64 ounce) plastic jugs. It is labeled as "Valley Milk Simply Bottled Raw Sheep Milk." The recall order applies to milk that has expiration date codes of SEP 28 2022 … [Read more...]
Possible E. coli Outbreak at San Diego State University
A possible E. coli outbreak at San Diego State University (SDSU) in San Diego, California has sickened two students, according to the university's Student Health Services. That agency is working with the San Diego County Health and Human Services to try to identify the cause of the illnesses. The pathogen is suspected to be Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), which produces toxins that can cause serious illness. On September 6, 2022, the university notified their community that the two illnesses had been diagnosed. One student lives at the university and one is non-residential. The students started getting sick on August 27 and August 29, 2022. A specific food source has not been identified in either of the cases. No faculty or staff has been sickened so far. Students can call … [Read more...]
Generic Cyclospora Outbreak Illnesses Reach 800, 52 in Hospital
The generic Cyclospora outbreak illnesses have reached 800, with 52 in the hospital, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That's an increase of 416 more ill persons since the last update issued a month ago, and 22 more people hospitalized. None of these patients had a history of international travel during the 14 day period before illness onset. And there is still no food or foods or venues named by the government. The median illness onset date is June 29, 2022. The illness onset range is from May 3, 2022 through August 12, 2022. This outbreak could still grow since it takes time from when a person eats contaminated food, gets sick, is evaluated and diagnosed, and the illness is reported. Historically, there has been a large spike in domestically … [Read more...]
Strawberry Hepatitis A Outbreak Ends with 18 Sick 13 Hospitalized
The strawberry hepatitis A outbreak has ended with 18 sick, including one probable case, and 13 hospitalized, including 1 probable case, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The illness were linked to FreshKampo and HEB organic strawberries. The case count by state is: California (16), Minnesota (1), and North Dakota (1). Illness onset dates range from March 28, 2022 to May 6, 2022. The patient age range was from 9 to 73 years. Epidemiologic and traceback evidence has indicated that fresh organic strawberries were the likely source of this outbreak. In interviews, 73% of patients reported eating fresh organic strawberries before they got sick. If you purchased either brand of strawberries during the time period of March 5, 2022 through April 15, … [Read more...]
Canada Again Puts Import Requirements on U.S. Romaine Lettuce
For the second year in a row, Canada has put import requirements on U.S. romaine lettuce because of several E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks linked to that product. These requirements will be in effect from September 28 to December 22, 2022. These restrictions were also in place in 2021. U.S. authorities have identified a geographical area as a recurring source of these outbreaks: the California Salinas Valley counties of Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Benito, and Monterey. The temporary Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) license conditions for the import of romaine from these regions has two requirements. The import requirements on U.S. romaine lettuce are: importers must declare that the product does not originate from those counties, or they must submit an attestation form and Certificate … [Read more...]
More Illnesses Reported With Daily Harvest French Lentils
More illnesses have been reported with the Daily Harvest French Lentil + Leek Crumbles issue, according to the FDA. As of July 28, 2022 there have been 329 CAERS reports and Consumer Complaints related to this product, and 113 of those people have been hospitalized. That's an increase of 52 more reports since the last update was issued on July 14, 2022. The last illness onset date is July 16, 2022. The states where ill persons live are: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, … [Read more...]
Import Alert Issued For Korean Grown Enoki Mushrooms
The FDA has issued an import alert for Korean grown Enoki mushrooms because so many of them have been recalled for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination in the past few months. This alert is "designed to protect public health and help prevent the importation of enoki mushrooms that could be linked to human infections," according to the FDA. In fiscal year 2021, testing conducted by the FDA found that 43% of Enoki mushrooms sampled from that country were contaminated with Listeria. This pathogen grows well in moist environments, in decaying vegetation, and in soil and water. It grows and survives even under refrigeration and freezing does not kill it. The sampling was conducted after an investigation into a multisite Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that took place from … [Read more...]
Tara Flour Culprit in Daily Harvest Lentil Crumbles Illnesses
Daily Harvest has identified tara flour as the apparent culprit in the illnesses that may be linked to that company's French Lentil + Leeks Crumbles. The FDA reports that there have been 277 adverse event complaints received so far, and that 96 people have been hospitalized because they are so ill; some have had their gall bladders removed. There have been almost 500 anecdotal reports of illness. The FDA has not commented on this new information as of July 19, 2022. But there is no indication of just what it is about the tara flour that has made people sick. The product is not inherently toxic. And considering that the crumbles have been tested for everything from E. coli bacteria to Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, gluten, pesticides, heavy metals, and other chemicals, it's … [Read more...]
Possible Long Beach Meals on Wheels Hepatitis A Exposure
A possible Long Beach Meals on Wheels hepatitis A exposure has occurred in California. The incident occurred because a volunteer who was helping package food was allegedly diagnosed with the illness. The exposures took place in "late May and June" 2022. The agency delivers meals five times a week to about 400 people in Long Beach. Most of the clients are elderly. The Long Beach Health Department sent letters to those affected by this issue on May 23 and 31, and June 6 and June 13, 2022, warning them about the exposure. The Health Department has stated that risk of infection is low, but there is still la risk. Meals on Wheels has cooperated fully with the investigation. The Health Department stated, "The potential exposure was not due to lack of health and safety protocols. We … [Read more...]
