The source of an E.coli outbreak that has sickened at least 16 people in Canada was lettuce served at Taco Bell and KFC restaurants, health officials in New Brunswick have discovered. The outbreak affected three provinces: New Brunswick, where six people became ill and Nova Scotia and Ontario which each had five cases. “Based on the information we have collected and shared with other provinces, we believe that lettuce has been a common food source among cases,” said Dr. Eilish Cleary, New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health. “Since lettuce has a limited shelf life, it is highly unlikely that some from the affected lots remain in restaurants.” Investigators from three provinces and the Canadian federal government are working together on the investigation. In a statement … [Read more...]
Ohio E. coli Outbreak In Hamilton County, Leafy Greens Suspected
An E. coli outbreak likely caused by leafy greens has sickened five people in Hamilton County, Ohio, Food Poisoning Bulletin has learned. The outbreak was confirmed this morning by Mike Samet, a public information officer for the county's public health department. There are five confirmed cases and one probable case of E. coli 0157:H7 infection which were likely caused by tainted leafy greens, he said. The case patients, four females and two males, range in age from 12 to 83 and first showed signs of illness from December 10 to December 15, 2012. "If, indeed, leafy greens are the source, it’s ironic that this outbreak occurred just days before proposed rules were issued by the FDA which require new safety precautions affecting vegetables as well as other food products," said Fred … [Read more...]
CFIA Ends Cardinal Meat Specialists E. coli 0157:H7 Investigation
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has ended its investigation into the E. coli 0157:H7 bacteria found in burgers produced at Cardinal Meat Specialists Limited. The burgers were recalled following the discovery. The agency was unable to find a source of the contamination. Public health officials "pursued all avenues of inquiry", including assessing production, inspection, and testing methods, reviewing plant food safety procedures, and conducting additional testing on burger ingredients. Spices tested negative for the bacteria and were ruled out. In addition, imported ingredients were tested and ruled out. And all available domestic beef ingredient products tested negative for E. coli 0157:H7. The investigation is now over. The products were associated with a cluster of E. … [Read more...]
Canadian Burger E.coli Recall Expands Again
A burger recall associated with a number of E.coli 0157:H7 illnesses in Canada has been expanded for a a second time. Cardinal Meat Specialists Ltd. recall now includes Cardinal Select brand Prime Rib Beef Burgers , the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has announced. On September 12, the company announced a recall of Butcher's Choice Garlic Peppercorn Beef Burgers. Distributed throughout Canada, the burgers, sold frozen in 1.13 kg packages, have the UPC number 60383 89363 7 and BEST BEFORE date 2013 MR 03 EST 752. That recall was expanded December 13 to include Butcher's Choice Hickory Barbecue Beef Burgers with the UPC code 0 60383 89364 4 and Best Before code 2013 FE 01 EST752 or 2013 FE 10 EST752. The recall now also includes Cardinal brand Prime Rib Beef Burgers, is sold … [Read more...]
In Canada, Butcher’s Choice Burger Recall Expands
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is expanding the recall of Butcher's Choice frozen burgers because they may be contaminated with E. coli 0157:H7. The meat may be associated with an ongoing E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak in that country. Butcher's Choice Hickory Barbecue Beef Burgers, with UPC number 0 60383 89364 4 are added to the recall. They have best before codes of 2013 FE 10 EST 752 and 2013 FE 01 EST 752. The CFIA is testing more products and may expand or refine the recall in the coming days. The government is also conducting an investigation at facility 752 where the product was made. For more information, contact Loblaw Customer Relations at 1-800-296-2332 or the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342. … [Read more...]
E. coli 0157:H7 Outbreak in Canada Associated with Butcher’s Choice Burgers
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Loblaw Companies Ltd. are recalling Butcher's Choice Garlic Peppercorn Beef Burgers because they may be contaminated with E. coli 0157:H7. A number of illnesses caused by that bacteria have been reported in Canada. Public health officials are testing products from across the country. The recall may be expanded or modified as test results are received. The product, which has been distributed nationally, is Butcher's Choice Garlic Peppercorn Beef Burgers, sold frozen in 1.13 kg packages. The UPC number is 0 60383 89363 7, with code "BEST BEFORE 2013 MR 03 EST 752." Food that is contaminated with E. coli 0157:H7 will not look, taste, or smell spoiled. This bacteria can cause life-threatening illnesses, including hemolytic uremic syndrome, … [Read more...]
CDC Declares E. coli 0157:H7 State Garden Organic Spinach Outbreak Over
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared that the multistate outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli 0157:H7 infections that are associated with Garden State Organic Spinach and Spring Mix Blend is over. A total of 33 people were infected with the outbreak strain of STEC 0157:H7 in five states. Forty-six percent of ill persons were hospitalized. Two patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. No deaths were reported. State, local, and federal public health and regulatory agencies linked the outbreak to pre-packaged leafy greens produced by State Garden of Chelsea, Massachusetts. Traceback investigation identified State Garden as a common producer, but a source of contamination has not been identified. The FDA is continuing to … [Read more...]
Wegmans Spinach Linked To E.coli Outbreak In 5 States
Wegmans spinach has been linked to an E. coli outbreak that has sickened 28 people in five states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak which began in New York, now includes cases in Connecticut, Virginia, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Ten people have been hospitalized, two of them with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. On November 2, 2012, Wegmans issued a recall for 5 oz and 11 oz packages of its Organic Spinach and Spring Mix blend for possible contamination with E.coli. A collaborative investigation by state, local, and federal officials indicates that the Wegmans salad mix, produced by State Garden of Chelsea, Massachusetts, is one likely source of this outbreak. Samples taken from four leftover packages of … [Read more...]
New York E. coli Outbreak Linked to Wegmans Spinach Sickens 20
At least 20 people are now ill in the E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak in New York. The outbreak is linked to packaged Wegmans Food You Feel Good About Organic Spinach & Spring Mix salads. The recall of this product was first announced on November 2, 2012 by the FDA. Six of the 20 patients were hospitalized, but all have been discharged. The age range is from 6 to 66 years. The product was sold in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts Wegmans stores between October 14 and November 1, 2012, but illnesses have only been reported in New York state. The recalled product includes 31,000 pounds of Wegmans Organic Spinach and Spring Mix. It was sold in 5 ounce clam shell packages, with UPC number 77890 16437, and 11 ounce clam shell packages with UPC number … [Read more...]
E. coli Lawyer Investigates Wegmans Spinach and Spring Mix Salad Recall Prompted by Outbreak in New York
E. coli lawyer Fred Pritzker and his firm’s Bad Bug Law Team are investigating a recall of Wegmans spinach and spring mix that was prompted by an E. coli poisoning outbreak in western New York state. Reports from the New York State Health Department and the Monroe County (N.Y.) Health Department indicate that 19 people have fallen ill in Monroe, Niagara, Steuben, Wayne and Erie counties. Five people were hospitalized, and all but one have been released. "Victims of this outbreak and their families should not carry the financial burden of this E. coli O157:H7 contamination," said Pritzker, who recently won over $40,000,000 for clients sickened by another unsafe product. "Children are often the ones most seriously sickened in these outbreaks," said Pritzker, who has successfully … [Read more...]
