The first lawsuit has been filed in federal court against Whole Foods on behalf of John McKissick and his wife Patricia. Mr. McKissick was sickened in the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to Frescolina brand ricotta salata cheese imported by Forever Cheese Inc. and sold at Whole Foods stores. Mrs. McKissick purchased a variety of cheeses on May 27, 2012 at one of the Whole Foods stores in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mr. McKissick consumed a portion of each of the cheeses in the following days. Several days later, he began experiencing listeriosis symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, muscle aches, and fever. He was hospitalized when the symptoms worsened. A spinal tap confirmed that his illness was caused by Listeria monocytogenes. A sample was sent to the Centers for Disease … [Read more...]
Consumer Food Washing Practices
"Consumers are the last line of defense in preventing foodborne illness for food prepared at home." That line, from the study Consumer Vegetable and Fruit Washing Practices in the United States, 2006 and 2010, points out that it's up to the consumer to avoid food poisoning by washing produce, cooking meats, fish, and eggs to the proper temperature, and avoiding cross-contamination. The FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFAN) conducted a telephone survey to ask consumers about their food washing habits. CFAN conducts this type of study every three to five years. The foods included in the survey were strawberries, tomatoes, cantaloupes, and bagged, pre-cut lettuce. Food safety experts recommend that all produce that is not pre-washed should be rinsed under running water. … [Read more...]
How Can Sushi Tuna Be Contaminated with Salmonella?
Tuna that is used for sushi is supposed to be impeccably fresh so it is safe(r) to eat. The best sushi restaurants have chefs that buy and personally inspect each piece of tuna to make sure it's of the highest quality. The latest food poisoning outbreak in the U.S. is caused by Salmonella Bareilly, a rare strain of bacteria. Investigators are narrowing in on sushi, especially sushi made with tuna, as the cause. So how could tuna be contaminated with Salmonella? Food Poisoning Bulletin talked to Dr. Ted Johnson, professor of biology and Director of the Health Professions committee at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, about this issue. Dr. Johnson said that tuna does not naturally carry Salmonella, unlike chickens and cows. "The bacteria had to come from another source," he … [Read more...]
