With the coronavirus pandemic making consumers uneasy to step into a store, online food ordering has skyrocketed. Unfortunately, a new study using whole genome sequencing found that an outbreak of Salmonella in Shenzhen, China has been linked to online food orders. There are risks of food poisoning with online food ordering. Because most restaurants around the country are closed, reports of multistate food poisoning outbreaks have plummeted. But many of those facilities are delivering food to consumers. An outbreak may still occur, but it may not be caught by public health officials just because people are sheltering in place. And don't panic just yet; there are things you can do to protect yourself. And this outbreak occurred in July 2018. The Shenzhen Center for Disease … [Read more...]
USDA Increasing Chicken Slaughter Line Speeds, Granting Waivers
According to Food & Water Watch, the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service granted another regulatory waived to a chicken plant to increase its chicken slaughter line speeds up to 175 birds per minute with only one FSIS trained inspected at the end of the line. The plant in question is the Foster Farms slaughter and processing plant in Kelso, Washington. Last year, the USDA allowed many chicken slaughter plants to increase their line speeds under the New Poultry Inspection System (NPIS). One of those plants failed the FSIS Salmonella performance standard and is in violation of the new criteria established by USDA to qualify for line speed waivers, according to Food & Water Watch. Chicken carcasses are put onto lines and moved past inspectors who check them for obvious … [Read more...]
Tips For Handling Raw Chicken to Avoid Food Poisoning
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released information about handling raw chicken to avoid food poisoning. Raw chicken is often contaminated with pathogens such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Clostridium perfringens. About a million Americans get sick with food poisoning after eating improperly prepared chicken every year. To prevent food poisoning from chicken, there are some things you can do. First, when you're shopping, put any raw poultry in a disposable bag before placing it in your shopping cart. Refrigerate the poultry promptly when you get home. Wash your hands with warm soapy water for 20 seconds after handling raw chicken. And never even rinse or wash raw chicken. The water can cause the bacteria on the chicken to aerosolize and spread it … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak in Canada Linked to Raw Turkey and Chicken Ends
The Salmonella outbreak in Canada linked to raw turkey and chicken is over, according to a notice published on Public Health Canada. Even though the outbreak is over, officials say that "illnesses could be reported because this Salmonella strain is present in some raw turkey and raw chicken products in the Canadian marketplace." Officials recommend that consumers handle raw turkey and raw chicken carefully and cook it thoroughly to 165°F as measured by a food thermometer to avoid food related illnesses such as Salmonella. In total, there were 130 confirmed cases of Salmonella Reading in these provinces and territories: British Columbia (33), Alberta (44), Saskatchewan (8), Manitoba (25), Ontario (9), Quebec (2), New Brunswick (1), Prince Edward Island (1), Northwest Territories … [Read more...]
Top 10 Food Outbreaks of 2019: #8 Raw Chicken Salmonella Infantis
A year-long raw chicken Salmonella Infantis outbreak is the number 8 food poisoning outbreak of 2019, with 129 sick in 32 states. Twenty-five people were hospitalized, and one death in New York was reported. The case count by state in this raw chicken Salmonella Infantis outbreak is: Alabama (1), Arkansas (3), California (1), Colorado (1), Connecticut (3), Delaware (3), Florida (2), Georgia (2), Hawaii (1), Illinois (7), Indiana (1), Kentucky (2), Louisiana (2), Maine (1), Maryland (4), Massachusetts (17), Michigan (4), Minnesota (5), Missouri (3), North Carolina (7), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (9), New York (18), Ohio (8), Pennsylvania (13), Rhode Island (2), South Carolina (1), Tennessee (1), Texas (2), Virginia (2), Washington (2), and Wisconsin (1). Illnesses started in January, … [Read more...]
With No Word on US Listeria Outbreak, Canada Declares Theirs Over
The Listeria monocytogenes outbreak in Canada that is linked to Rosemount brand cooked diced chicken has been declared over, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Meanwhile, there has been no word on the US Listeria outbreak, which was last updated by the CDC on August 23, 2019. That information is important, because according to the investigation announcement, the patients sickened in the US outbreak are sick with a type of Listeria monocytogenes that is closely related genetically to the bacteria that made people sick in Canada. In Canada, seven people are sick in three provinces. The case count by province is: British Columbia (1), Manitoba (1), and Ontario (5). Six of the seven Canadian patients have been hospitalized because they were so ill. The illness onset … [Read more...]
Rosemount Cooked Diced Chicken Recalled For Listeria in Canada
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued two recall notices for Rosemount brand cooked chicken recently. The products are being recalled in connection with a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak investigation in that country. Seven people are sick; six have been hospitalized. The first recall notice was issued on August 18, 2019. This product was sold in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Possibly National, Quebec, and Saskatchewan to hotels, restaurants, and institutions. The recalled product is Rosemount Cooked diced chicken meat 13 mm - 1/2" (#16305) in 4.54 kg packages. The UPC number is 2 06 20263 12454 7, and the packdate is 01/21/19. The second recall notice was issued on August 23, 2019 to include an additional product. This product was … [Read more...]
USDA Reiterates: Don’t Wash That Chicken!
The USDA is reiterating its advice about washing chicken: Don't do it! A new study found that people are risking illness when they wash or rinse poultry. Dr. Mindy Brashears, the USDA's Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety said, "Cooking and mealtime is a special occasion for all of us as we come together with our families and friends. However, the public health implications of these findings should be of concern to everyone. Even when consumers think they are effectively cleaning after washing poultry, this study shows that bacteria can easily spread to other surfaces and foods. The best practice is not to wash poultry." The observational study found how easily bacteria can be spread when surfaces are not effectively cleaned and sanitized. Rinsing poultry under running water … [Read more...]
More Frozen Cooked Chicken Recalled In Canada Listeria Outbreak
More frozen cooked chicken has been recalled in Canada in relation to the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that has sickened at least seven people. The original recall, issued on August 18, 2019, was for Rosemount brand cooked diced chicken. Now, Reuven International Ltd. is recalling its frozen cooked chicken meat, and Sysco is recalling cooked shredded chicken from the marketplace. These products were sold in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Possibly National, Quebec, and Saskatchewan at the retail level and to hotels, restaurants, and institutions. The recalled products are Reuven International Ltd brand Natural Proportion Cooked Chicken Meat (Diced) (#15307) in 4.54 kg packages. The UPC number on the product is 907 63572 15307 1, and the … [Read more...]
Listeria Outbreak in Canada Linked to Rosemount Cooked Chicken
A Listeria monocytogenes outbreak in Canada is linked to Rosemount brand cooked chicken, according to a notice from the Public Health Agency of Canada. Seven confirmed cases have been diagnosed as of August 18 2019. The patient case count by province is: British Columbia (1), Manitoba (1), and Ontario (5). People got sick between November 2017 and June 2019. Six of the seven patients have been hospitalized because they are so sick. The patient age range is from 51 to 97 years. An increase in Listeria illnesses was reported to the government in June 2019. Officials used whole genome sequencing (WGS) to identify two illnesses which occurred in November 2017 that had the same genetic strain as illnesses that occurred in April and June 2019. Rosemount cooked chicken has been … [Read more...]
