For the first time, whole genome sequencing solved a Salmonella outbreak associated with cake mix, according to a study published in the Center For Disease Control and Prevention's Weekly Morbidity and Mortality Report. This cake mix Salmonella outbreak was associated with Duncan Hines products. This outbreak was unusual because the Centers for Disease Control stated, "There was not enough epidemiologic and traceback information available to determine if ill people in this outbreak were linked to contaminated cake mix produced by Duncan Hines," even though a Salmonella Agbeni isolate was found in an unopened box of Duncan Hines white cake mix. The outbreak was first identified when two patients living in Oregon were diagnosed with Salmonella infections in August 2018. Both … [Read more...]
Duncan Hines Cake Mix Possible Salmonella Outbreak Ends with 7 Sick
The Duncan Hines possible cake mix Salmonella Agbeni outbreak has ended with 7 sick in 5 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No people were hospitalized in this outbreak and there were no deaths. As of January 14, 2019, the outbreak appears to be over. Illness onset dates ranged from June 13, 2018 to October 5, 2018. The patient age range was from 26 to 72. The case count by state is: Florida (1), Maryland (2), Missouri (1), Ohio (2), and Wisconsin (1). On November 5, 2018, ConAgra Brands recalled four different varieties of Duncan Hines Cake Mix. Officials in Oregon found Salmonella Agbeni in a box of Duncan Hines Classic White Cake Mix. If you have any of these products in your home, throw them away in a sealed package in a secure garbage can. … [Read more...]
CDC Posts Info About Potential Duncan Hines Cake Mix Salmonella Outbreak; Lawsuits Possible
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has posted information about the potential Duncan Hines cake mix Salmonella Agbeni outbreak that has sickened at least five people in three states. ConAgra recalled four varieties of that cake mix after officials in Oregon identified the outbreak strain of Salmonella bacteria in a box of Duncan Hines Classic White Fake Mix. Investigators are trying to determine if the illnesses are linked to the Duncan Hines cake mix. After officials found the pathogen in the cake mix, CDC reviewed the PulseNet database and found five people sickened with the same strain. PulseNet is the national subtyping network of public health and food labs coordinated by the CDC. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) showed that the bacteria are closely related … [Read more...]
FDA Weighs In On Potential Duncan Hines Salmonella Outbreak; Lawsuits Possible
The FDA has provided more information on the potential Duncan Hines Salmonella outbreak that many be linked to that company's cake mixes. Five people in three states are ill with Salmonella Agnebi infections. There are two cases on Maryland, two in Ohio, and one in Wisconsin. No one has been hospitalized. We don't know the patient age range or when the illnesses began. The FDA is investigating the manufacturing facility that made the mixes. They are collecting environmental samples there. A sample of Duncan Hines Classic White Cake Mix continued the same strain of Salmonella Agbeni that sickened the five people. The match was made using whole genome sequencing (WGS), which is a very accurate way to type DNA. Conagra is working with the FDA to conduct a recall of four different … [Read more...]
Duncan Hines Cake Mixes Recalled in Wake of Salmonella Outbreak
Conagra Brands is recalling several types of Duncan Hines cake mixes after five people were sickened with Salmonella Agbeni infections. The FDA announced that a sample of Duncan Hines Classic White Cake Mix that contained Salmonella Agbeni matched the Salmonella collected from ill persons. Strangely, the recall notice states that "While it has not been definitively concluded that this product is linked to the outbreak and the investigation is still ongoing, Conagra has decided to voluntarily recall the specific Duncan Hines variety identified (Classic White) and three other varieties (Classic Butter Golden, Signature Confetti and Classic Yellow) made during the same time period out of an abundance of caution." We don't know much about the patients in this outbreak. We don't know … [Read more...]
Duncan Hines Cake Mixes Potentially Linked to Salmonella Outbreak; Lawsuits Possible
The FDA is investigating a Salmonella Agbeni outbreak that may be linked to Duncan Hines cake mixes. A sample of Duncan Hines Classic White Cake Mix the contained the outbreak strain matched the bacteria collected from ill persons. Whole genome sequencing was used to identify the bacteria and match its DNA. Five people are sick with Salmonella Agbeni illnesses that have the same DNA fingerprint. We don't know anything about these illnesses at this time, where they live, the patient's age range, or if any of them have been hospitalized. Conagra Brands is working with the FDA to conduct a voluntary recall of Duncan Hines cake mixes from the marketplace. And the FDA is conducting an inspection at the facility that produced the mixes, collecting environmental and product … [Read more...]
