An E. coli outbreak linked to undercooked burgers at restaurants in four states has sickened at least 11 people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As health officials try to determine which cases may be part of the outbreak, they'll be asking those who became ill to remember what they ate during the past week. E. coli symptoms, which include diarrhea that is sometimes bloody and abdominal cramping, usually take about three days after exposure to develop but can take as long as eight days. Many people tend to think that the thing that made them sick was the last thing they ate before they started having symptoms, but that's often not the case. Outbreak investigations have two parts, identifying all of the people who are part of the outbreak and … [Read more...]
CDC Mum on Restaurants Linked to E.coli Outbreak
An E. coli outbreak linked to ground beef served at restaurants has sickened at least 11 people in four states, but in its first report on the investigation issued today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was mum on the names of any restaurants involved. E. coli infections in five people in Michigan, four in Ohio, 1 in Missouri and 1 in Massachusetts have all been linked to restaurant meals. Six of them were hospitalized, but none developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), the life-threatening complication of E. coli infections that causes kidney failure. Earlier today, a recall for almost 2 million pounds of ground beef products was issued by Wolverine Packing Company of Detroit. The recall included a 97-page list of ground beef products distributed to restaurants in … [Read more...]
Research Shows How E. coli O157:H7 Binds to Produce
New research presented at the Society for General Microbiology's Annual Meeting showed how E. coli O157:H7 binds with plant cells. This lets the bacterium hold on to the plant's surface so it can multiply. And that means that washing produce is not going to easily remove this pathogenic bacteria. Between 20 to 30% of food poisoning outbreaks are linked to contaminated vegetables. Researchers from the James Hutton Institute in Scotland found that E. coli O157:H7 uses flagella, which are thin appendages usually used for movement, to penetrate the plant cell walls. The flagella interacts with fat molecules in the plant cell membranes. Once they are attached, the E. coli bacteria colonize the plant's surface. Most of the bacteria can be removed by washing at this point, but some can … [Read more...]
In Canada, Ground Beef Recalled for E. coli O157:H7
Groupe Colabor Inc. is recalling ground beef because it may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The beef was distributed to hotels, restaurants, institutions, and daycare facilities in Quebec. The product is Viandes Lauzon lean ground beef in 2 x 2.5 kg packages. The code on the product is 12/11/13 and UPC number it Item # 33355. Also recalled is Viandes Lauzon extra lean ground beef in 2 x 25. kg. packages. The code on the product is 12/11/13 and UPC is Item # 33345. If you have these products in your facility, throw them out in a sealed container or return. Food contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 will not look, smell, or taste spoiled. Symptoms of E. coli O157:H7 food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal craps, and watery and/or bloody diarrhea. This illness can … [Read more...]
Whole Foods Salads Recalled for Possible E. coli O157:H7
More salads have been recalled in the wake of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in western states. The FDA and Whole Foods Market are recalling ready-to-eat Artichoke Wheatberry Salad and Southwest SooFoo Salads as a preventive measure after the large Glass Onion Catering recall because they may be contaminated with the pathogenic bacteria. The salads have expiration dates between November 9 and November 13, 2013. They were sold in California Whole Foods Stores. The PLU numbers for the Artichoke Wheatberry Salad are 28563300000 and 28563400000. The PLU numbers for the Southwest SooFoo Salad are 28563700000 and 28563800000. The salads were sold during an unspecified time period. These are the ten stores that sold the salad: 1710 41st Ave. in Capitola; 311 Mowry Ave. in Fremont; 230 Bay … [Read more...]
E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak in Humboldt County, California, 3 Developed HUS Kidney Failure
At least 4 people have been sickened in an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Humboldt County, California, according to the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Of those, 3 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe complication of E. coli poisoning that causes kidney failure. The first E. coli case was reported in July of this year, the second in the middle of August and the other two in October. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) testing done by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) found that the 4 cases are connected. "PFGE finds the genetic fingerprint of an E. coli isolate," explains Fred Pritzker, a national food safety lawyer who represents E. coli victims. "When people are sickened by E. coli with matching PFGE patterns, it means … [Read more...]
E. coli and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome Linked to Dehn’s Pumpkin Patch, MN Lawyer Investigating
Minnesota E. coli lawyer Fred Pritzker and his Bad Bug Law Team are investigating the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to animals at Dehn's Pumpkin Patch in Dayton, MN, that has sickened 3 children. One of them developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe complication of an E. coli infection that causes kidney failure, which can lead to a host of other medical problems, including seizures, coma, stroke, multiple organ failure, heart attack, and pancreatitis. "Most parents are not aware that children can contract E. coli from animal contact," said Pritzker, who recently won a case for a child who contracted E. coli-HUS after contact with a llama at a Minnesota petting zoo. "It is the responsibility of petting zoo owners to make sure the animals are kept clean and that there are … [Read more...]
Costco in Minnesota Recalls Ground Beef for E. coli O157:H7
The Costco in Coon Rapids, Minnesota is recalling an undetermined amount of lean fresh ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The product is 383 units of 88% lean fresh ground beef (88/12). It bears the Costco item number 33724 under the Costco label. This product was sold directly to 342 customers in the Costco located at 12547 Riverdale Boulevard in Coon Rapids between September 4 and September 7, 2013. There is a link between this ground beef and illness. Based on epidemiological and trace-back investigations, one person has been identified in Minnesota who had an illness onset date of September 29, 2013. The product was prepared from bull meat and finely ground meat from othe Costco Wholesale plant in Tracy, California, and bench trim prepared at the Costco … [Read more...]
More Canadian Ground Beef Recalled for E. coli O157:H7
More ground beef products have been recalled in Canada for possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. This is the fourth time this recall has been expanded. The beef was produced by Belmont Meats. Some of the recalled products are associated with an outbreak, but these two products have not been associated with any illnesses to date. The products are sold frozen. The newly recalled products are Sunspun Bearpaw-shaped beef burgers in 4.54 kg packages. The best before date is 2014-02-24 B## BMP EST. 112 where ## is a variable number. The UPC number is 0 60383 09052 4. They were sold in Ontario in Loblaws, nofrills, Real Canadian Superstore, Your Independent Grocer, Zehrs Markets, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Extra Foods, Fortinos, Freshmart, AXEP and Cash & Carry stores. In Atlantic, … [Read more...]
Recall of Beef Burgers in Canada for E. coli Expanded
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is expanding the recall of beef burgers from Belmont Meats Ltd. for E. coli 0157:H7 bacteria. The beef was first recalled on October 2, 2013. There is an outbreak associated with these products. In addition to the Super 8 Beef Burgers 227 gram size recalled, now Compliments Super 6 Beef Burgers, in 8 x 170 gram (6 ounce) size, with UPC number 0 55742 34129 4 and best before date of 2014 MA 27 B## are recalled. They were sold in Ontario at Sobeys, Sobeys Urban, Foodland, Freshco, and Price Chopper. Also recalled are President's Choice Beef Burgers in 4.54 kg packages, with UPC number 0 60383 37167 8 and best before date 2014 FE 25 B## BMP EST:112, sold nationally at Loblaws stores. Finally, Webers Bucket of Burgers Beef Burgers in 1.02 kg sizes, with … [Read more...]
