It's just like clockwork. Every summer, at least one cyclospora outbreak is announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These outbreaks are always linked to fresh produce that does not go through a kill step such as heating before consumers eat it. Let's look back at the recent cyclospora outbreaks in the U.S. First, Cyclospora cayetanensis is a microscopic parasite that uses a human host to reproduce and travel. When a person ingests a major oocyst, it breaks apart in the intestine, causes damage, and uses human cells to reproduce. It is excreted in feces, where it matures in the environment, contaminates food through waste in the fields, contamination along the food chain, or contaminated irrigation water, and the process repeats. Cyclospora Outbreaks in … [Read more...]
Investigators Fail To Find Salmonella Source in Del Monte Vegetable Trays
The FDA has posted an update on the Salmonella Infantis outbreak linked to Del Monte Vegetable Trays. Investigators have failed to find a single source of potential point of contamination in their investigation of the Del Monte Kankakee, Illinois Facility. The FDA inspected that facility after the outbreak was announced. Officials say that it is not likely that the trays the Wisconsin Department of Health Services warning against eating on May 21, 2019 are still on the market or in people's homes. Five people, living in Minnesota and Wisconsin, are sick in this outbreak. The last illness onset date was May 15, 2019. The first patient was reported ill on April 13, 2019. If you did purchase a Del Monte vegetable tray from a Minnesota or Wisconsin Kwik Trip store in April 2019, … [Read more...]
Minnesota, Wisconsin Del Monte Vegetable Outbreak Is Salmonella Infantis
The FDA has announced that the pathogen in the Kwik Trip Minnesota Wisconsin Del Monte vegetable tray outbreak that has sickened at least four people is Salmonella Infantis. That agency is currently inspecting the Del Monte facility in Kankakee, Illinois that produced those vegetable trays. The case count in this outbreak remains the same: three sick in Wisconsin, and one sick in Minnesota. Those patients got sick between April 13 and April 27, 2019. The FDA, authorities from Minnesota and Wisconsin, and the CDC are investigating the outbreak, the source of the pathogen, and the distribution of products. While all patients sickened in this outbreak said they ate the Del Monte Vegetable Trays purchased at Kwik Trip stores before getting sick, the Wisconsin Department of Health … [Read more...]
Kwik Trip Del Monte Vegetable Tray Salmonella Outbreak: What Happened?
The new Kwik Trip Del Monte vegetable tray Salmonella Infantis outbreak that was announced on May 21, 2019 by the Wisconsin Department of Health has sickened four people: one in Minnesota and three in Wisconsin. This is the second time that product has been linked to an outbreak: in 2018, hundreds were sickened by cyclospora infections linked to that company's vegetables. How do these vegetables get contaminated in the first place? Unfortunately, produce and Salmonella are a common pair. There are several ways that produce can be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria. Contamination can occur at any point along the farm to fork path. First, produce can be contaminated in the field. This has happened because of animal activity in a farm field. The irrigation water that was used on … [Read more...]
FDA Inspects Del Monte Facility After Vegetable Tray Salmonella Outbreak
Today, the FDA inspects Del Monte facility that produced vegetable trays linked to a Salmonella outbreak. At least three people in Wisconsin and one in Minnesota have been sickened after allegedly eating these products. The Del Monte facility is located in Kankakee, Illinois. On May 21, 2019, the Wisconsin Department of Health issued a press release stating that vegetable trays produced by Del Monte Fresh Produce that were sold at Kwik Trip convenience stores in Minnesota and Wisconsin have sickened at least four people. There was no word on whether or not any patients have been hospitalized. Illness onset dates for this outbreak range from April 13 to April 27, 2019. Kwik Trip has removed all Del Monte vegetable trays from their stores. However, the trays may have been sold at … [Read more...]
Kwik Trip Del Monte Vegetable Trays Linked to Salmonella Outbreak in WI and MN
A new Kwik Trip Del Monte vegetable tray outbreak has sickened three people in Wisconsin and one person in Minnesota with Salmonella food poisoning, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health. Last year, a cyclospora outbreak that was linked to Del Monte vegetable trays, also sold at Kwik Trip and Kwik Star locations in the upper Midwest, sickened at least 250 people. All patients sickened in this outbreak have told officials they ate a Del Monte vegetable tray purchased from a Wisconsin or Minnesota Kwik Tip before they started feeling ill. Kwik Trip is cooperating with the investigation and has removed all Del Monte vegetable trays from their stores. Patients in this new outbreak got sick between April 13 and April 27, 2019. The Wisconsin press release states that it is … [Read more...]
Del Monte Cyclospora Outbreak: Number 4 in 2018
The Del Monte Cyclospora outbreak was the fourth largest multistate food poisoning outbreak of 2018, with 250 people sick in 4 states. The outbreak was linked to pre-packaged vegetable trays. The case count by state was: Michigan (1), Iowa (9), Minnesota (62), and Wisconsin (177). Illness onset dates ranged from May 14, 2018 to June 20, 2018. The patient age range was from 13 to 79. Eight people were hospitalized, and no deaths were reported. Most people bought these vegetable trays at Kwik Trip convenience stores, which are located in the upper Midwest. On June 15, 2018, Del Monte Fresh Produce recalled 6 ounce, 12 ounce, and 28 ounce pre-packaged vegetable trays that contained broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, and dill dip. Based on traceback evidence, officials could not … [Read more...]
Del Monte Cyclospora Outbreak Ends With 250 Sick; Lawsuits Filed
The Del Monte cyclospora outbreak has ended after sickening 250 people, according to the FDA and CDC. Those sickened ate pre-packaged Del Monte Vegetable Trays. FDA evaluated and reviewed the distribution and supplier information for every component of the vegetable trays. he investigation did not reveal a single source or potential point of contamination for any of the items that were in those trays. Eight people were hospitalized in this Del Monte cyclospora outbreak because they were so sick. The patients live in four states: Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The case count by state is: Michigan (1), Iowa (9), Minnesota (62), and Wisconsin (177). Del Monte recalled their 6 ounce, 12 ounce, and 28 ounce vegetable trays during different dates in June 2018. … [Read more...]
Summer of Cyclospora Outbreaks and Lawsuits: 400 Sick
This has been the summer of cyclospora outbreaks. As of today, July 26, 2018, at least 400 people have been sickened in outbreaks that are linked to two products: Del Monte Vegetable Trays and McDonald's salads. In the Del Monte outbreak, those sickened live in four states. The case count by state is: Michigan (2), Iowa (7), Minnesota (56) and Wisconsin (172). Seven of those patients have been hospitalized because they are so ill. Del Monte recalled the vegetable trays that are linked to this outbreak on June 8, 2018. The trays were sold at Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, Demond’s, Sentry, Potash, Meehan’s, Country Market, FoodMax Supermarket, and Peapod stores in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin and have the "Best If Enjoyed By" date of June 17, 2018 or … [Read more...]
Del Monte Cyclospora Outbreak Grows to 237 Sick in Four States; Lawsuits Filed
The Del Monte cyclospora outbreak has now sickened 237 people in just four states, according to the FDA. Those patients live in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Seven patients have been hospitalized; no deaths have been reported. The two cases from Michigan reportedly bought the vegetable tray in Wisconsin. Lawsuits have been filed in this outbreak, on behalf of people sickened after buying a Del Monte vegetable tray from several retail outlets. They were sold mostly in Kwik Trip/Kwik Star locations in Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. These trays were recalled in June 2018, and include 6 ounce, 12 ounce, and 28 ounce sizes that contain broccoli, cauliflower, celery, carrots, and dill dip. These vegetable trays were sold in Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, … [Read more...]
