These are the top 10 food stories of 2016. We chose them based on the impact they had on the food world and on the people who were sickened in outbreaks, and on how they changed how we look at our food supply. Many of these outbreaks were uncovered by the PulseNet system, a national database of food poisoning illnesses. All of these outbreaks serve as a reminder that everyone needs to be careful about the foods they eat, about where they eat foods, and the importance of thorough handwashing. And this list is a reminder that food companies need to be held accountable when the foods they produce make people sick. 10. Petting Zoo Outbreaks Petting zoo outbreaks became common a few years ago, when a huge outbreak sickened more than 100 people at the Cleveland County Fair in North … [Read more...]
Top 10 Largest Multistate Outbreaks in 2016: Number 10
Every year we gather information about the largest food poisoning outbreaks of the last 12 months. There were many outbreaks this year; some sickened hundreds of people. The largest outbreaks were confined to one state. The outbreaks in this list crossed state lines. The tenth largest multistate food poisoning outbreak of 2016 was a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to frozen vegetables. At least 9 people in 4 states were sickened in this particular outbreak. All of those sickened were hospitalized, and three people died, although the listeriosis illness was considered a factor in only one of those deaths. Epidemiologic and traceback evidence found that frozen vegetables produced by CRF Frozen Foods of Pasco, Washington and sold under different brand names were the likely … [Read more...]
FDA Found Listeria, Food Safety Violations at Oregon Potato
Five months after the FDA found Listeria and unsanitary conditions at Oregon Potato, food safety violations at the Pasco, WA facility had not been adequately addressed, according to a warning letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The March inspection was triggered by a Listeria outbreak linked to frozen vegetables that sickened nine people in four states. Three of the case patients died, although listeriosis was not considered to be a cause of death for two of them, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak was linked to frozen vegetables produced by CRF Frozen Vegetables of Pasco, WA which issued a recall for hundreds of products sold under various brand names. Idaho Potato also recalled products. Although that recall was not … [Read more...]
Frozen Vegetable Listeria Outbreak Triggered Recall of 456 Products
A Listeria outbreak linked to frozen vegetables that ended this week triggered the recall of 456 products sold under dozens of brand names, according to a report by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Although the outbreak has ended, health officials are concerned that consumers may still have some of the vegetables in their freezers and caution everyone who purchases frozen vegetables to check recall information carefully. The outbreak sickened nine people in California, Connecticut, Maryland, and Washington between September 2013 and May 2016. Fatalities were reported in Connecticut, Maryland and Washington, although listeriosis was not considered to be a cause of death for the Maryland and Washington cases. Symptoms of a Listeria infection include can take up to 70 days after … [Read more...]
CDC Says CRF Frozen Vegetables Listeria Outbreak Over
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released a statement that the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to recalled CRF Frozen Foods products is over. Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicated that frozen vegetables produced by their facility in Pasco, Washington, and sold under different brand names were a "likely source of illness in this outbreak." People could still continue to get sick because the recalled products may be in their home freezers and those who don't know about the recall could still eat them. Nine people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported in four states since September 13, 2013. All nine people were hospitalized, and three of them died. Listeriosis was considered to be a cause of death for one person in … [Read more...]
Before Listeria Outbreak, CRF Uncooperative with FDA, Documents Show
Updated June 15 Before being linked to a multistate Listeria outbreak that includes eight illnesses and two deaths, CRF Frozen Foods was reluctant to cooperate with inspectors from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and was advised of legal sanctions available to the agency if the firm did not correct serious deficiencies. Documents about this investigation were released this week by the FDA. On April 23, 2016, CRF Frozen Foods issued a recall of 11 frozen vegetables for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. On May 2, 2016, CRF expanded the recall to include all of the organic and traditional frozen vegetable and fruit products processed in its Pasco, Washington facility since May 1, 2014. The expanded recall includes 358 consumer products sold under 42 separate … [Read more...]
Secondary Recalls of CRF Frozen Foods for Listeria Monocytogenes
Since there have been so many recalls for frozen vegetable and fruit products for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination and because there is an outbreak linked to these foods, we thought we would gather them all in one place. They will be listed from newest to oldest, so if you check back to this page every day, you will see the newest recalls first. It's important to note that the illnesses are only linked to CRF products listed in their initial recall and the two updates. None of the other products listed in the secondary recalls are linked to the outbreak and no illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of those products. This all started when a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak was linked to CRF Frozen Foods products by the CDC. At least eight … [Read more...]
CRF Frozen Foods Expands Recall of Frozen Vegetable and Fruit Products
CRF Frozen Foods is expanding is recall of all of its frozen vegetable and fruit products for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. There is an outbreak of listeriosis linked to some of these recalled products that has sickened at least eight people in three states. The recall now includes all of the frozen organic and traditional fruit and vegetable products manufactured or processed in CRF Frozen Foods' Pasco, Washington facility since May 1, 2014. All affected products have the best by dates or sell by dates between April 26, 2016 and April 26, 2018. You can see the huge list of products recalled at the FDA web site. Operations have been suspended at that facility since April 25, 2016. Recalled products include organic and non-organic broccoli, butternut squash, carrots, … [Read more...]
FDA Links Oregon Potato to Frozen Vegetable Listeria Outbreak
Listeria strains isolated from environmental samples collected at Oregon Potato Co. in Pasco, Wash. closely resemble the strain linked to a multistate Listeria outbreak, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The outbreak, linked to frozen vegetables, has triggered the recall of hundreds of products sold under dozens of brand names. Earlier this this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified CRF Frozen Foods of Pasco, Wash. as one likely source of this outbreak. CRF packages and markets frozen vegetables and fruits. Oregon Potato is a grower and processor of fruits and vegetables including potatoes, carrots, corn, asparagus, peppers, peas, apples, pineapples and onions. Both companies have plants in Pasco. In March 2016, the FDA found … [Read more...]
CDC Weighs in on CRF Frozen Vegetable Listeria Outbreak
Listeria in frozen vegetables produced by CRF Frozen Foods of Pasco, Washington has sickened at least eight people in three states since September 2013, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All eight people were hospitalized and two people died, although listeriosis was not considered to be the cause of death for either of them, the CDC said. Epidemiologic and laboratory investigations show frozen vegetables produced by CRF and sold under various brand names are a likely source of this outbreak. The company has issued a recall for 358 consumer products sold under 42 separate brands. Consumers are urged to check their freezers for these products. Anyone who has purchased a recalled product should not eat it as Listeria can cause serious illness and … [Read more...]
