A food poisoning outbreak in McHenry County, Illinois at D. C. Cobb's restaurant has sickened at least 13 people, according to the McHenry County Health Department. That restaurant is located at 1204 North Green Street in McHenry. The outbreak was identified when public health officials reviewed complaints of people who got sick after eating at that establishment. An investigation into the pathogen that caused these illnesses, and the possible source of the pathogen has been launched. We do not know the patient age range, or if anyone has been hospitalized. Those sickened ate at D. C. Cobb's restaurant in McHenry from August 29 through September 13, 2022. A survey was posted by the health department, asking for information about anyone who ate there during that time frame, but … [Read more...]
Best of Baltimore Party Illnesses Affect at Least 20 Attendees
People are apparently sick after attending the Best of Baltimore party sponsored by Baltimore Magazine that was held August 18, 2022 at the American Visionary Arts Museum in Baltimore. At least 20 people have been sickened, according to posts on Facebook and news reports. Some went to the emergency room to be treated. This event offered food samples from several restaurants who won the Best in Baltimore contest, including Cosima, Clavel, Ekiben, Foraged, Gunther & Co., Gertrude's Chesapeake Kitchen, Ice Queens, JBGB's, Italian Disco, La Barrita, Linwood's, La Scala, Maximon, Magdalena, Motzi Bread, Royal Farms, Ouzu Bay, THB Bagels, Sally O's, The Food Market, The Local, Waterfront Hotel, and others, according to the Baltimore Sun. Baltimore DOH Survey The Baltimore Department … [Read more...]
Possible 12/21 Campylobacter Outbreak in Petersburg, Nebraska
A possible Campylobacter outbreak in December 2021 in the town of Petersburg, Nebraska is associated with the municipal water supply, according to news reports. Problems with the water tower may be the cause of these illnesses. More than 40 people in the city started showing symptoms of Campylobacter poisoning. The East Central District Health Department reportedly first thought that the illnesses were linked to food. But water tower experts said that gaps in the town's water tower let birds get in. Wild birds can spread Campylobacter, according to experts. Crop contamination is the most common way this pathogen is spread from birds to humans. The town started chlorinating the water supply in December 2021. That means the water is safe to drink. The CDC's Division of … [Read more...]
Valley Milk Raw Cow’s Milk Recalled For Possible Campylobacter Contamination
Valley Milk raw cow's milk is being recalled for possible Campylobacter contamination, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The milk is subject to a statewide recall and quarantine order announced by California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones. The farm is located in Stanislaus County, California. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of this product. Lab confirmed detection of Campylobacter jejuni in the farm's packaged raw whole cow's milk triggered the recall. The California Department of Food and Agriculture conducted the test. Raw milk has not been pasteurized to destroy bacteria that can cause illness. The recalled product is Valley Milk raw cow's milk that is distributed in one gallon (128 ounce) and … [Read more...]
Valley Milk Simply Bottled Raw Goat Milk Recalled For Campylobacter
Valley Milk Simply Bottled raw goat milk is being recalled in California because it may be contaminated with Campylobacter bacteria, according to a press release from the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The milk is also the subject of a statewide quarantine order by California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones. The dairy is located in Stanislaus County. The quarantine order was filed after officials confirmed detection of the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni in the farm's packaged raw whole goat milk. No illnesses have been reported to the company or to government officials in connection with the consumption of this raw milk product. The order applies to "Valley Milk Simply Bottled Raw Goat Milk" that is distributed in half gallon (64 ounce) plastic jugs. The code … [Read more...]
Campylobacter Are Exchanging Genetic Material to Become More Virulent
New research conducted at North Carolina State University reveals that two of the most common strains of Campylobacter are exchanging genetic material. That means they are producing more infectious and antibiotic-resistant strains. And that is bad news for consumers, since those strains are common in the poultry industry. In 2014, Consumer Reports conducted research on chicken breasts that they purchased in ordinary grocery stores. They found that potentially harmful bacteria, including Campylobacter and Salmonella, was present in almost all of the chicken, including organic brands. In fact, Campylobacter was found on 43% of the samples. Lead author on the study, Maj. Dawn Hull, Army veterinarian and current Ph.D. student at NC State, said in a statement, "There are two strains … [Read more...]
What You Need to Know About Chicken and Food Safety
Most people know that raw poultry, as well as raw meat and eggs, are potentially hazardous foods. These foods are often contaminated with pathogens that can make you very sick. If not handled and cooked properly, the risk of foodborne illness with these foods is quite high. This is what you need to know about chicken and food safety. Americans eat more chicken than any other meat. Outbreaks linked to chicken are common every year. The bird is often contaminated with Campylobacter and Salmonella bacteria, which is why about 1,000,000 people in the U.S. get sick from contaminated poultry every year. First, when shopping, buy chicken last. Double bag it at the store, then go home right away and refrigerate or freeze any chicken product. Don't make other stops or delay going … [Read more...]
Valley Milk Simply Bottled Raw Milk Recalled For Campylobacter in CA
According to a notice posted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Valley Milk Simply Bottled raw milk is being recalled for possible Campylobacter contamination. The raw milk is the subject of a statewide recall and quarantine order by California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones. It is produced and packaged by the dairy that is in Stanislaus County. The quarantine order was issued after confirmed detention of Campylobacter jejuni in the farm's packaged raw whole milk. It was sampled and tested by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The recalled raw milk is distributed in one gallon (128 oz) plastic jugs with the labels "Valley Milk Simply Bottled Raw Milk" and "DESI MILK Raw Milk." Consumers are strongly urged to dispose of any of this product … [Read more...]
Stop Foodborne Illness, CSPI Call For Poultry Safety Modernization
The food safety agencies Stop Foodborne Illness and the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) are calling for poultry safety modernization to reduce Salmonella and Campylobacter infections in poultry. Those agencies believe that the USDA's regulatory framework lags behind advances in science and technology and doesn't reflect the best. practices to prevent illness from poultry. Stop Foodborne Illness CEO Mitzi Baum said in a statement, "To their credit, FSIS, academic experts, and many poultry industry leaders recognize the poultry safety problem and are working on solutions. Consumers rightfully expect, however, that FSIS build today’s best practices into its regulatory system so they can become common practices. Outbreaks linked to poultry products have occurred … [Read more...]