As of Friday, October 26, 2012, the case count in the E. coli outbreak linked to the Cleveland County Fair in North Carolina has grown to include 104 people. Sixty-three children and forty-one adults have been affected in this outbreak. Thirteen people have been or are currently hospitalized. One child has died. The case counts are as follows: Cleveland County (61), Gaston County (14, including 1 death), Lincoln County (14), Catawba County (2), Union County (2), Rutherford (6), York County South Carolina (2), and Cherokee County South Carolina (3). The three new cases are in Cleveland County and Cherokee County, South Carolina. The notice states, "preliminary findings suggest animal exposure may be the source of the outbreak." An E. coli infection can lead to complications including … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak Linked to Willow Grove Pumpkin Patch Petting Zoo in Washington
An E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak linked to the Willow Grove Gardens Pumpkin Patch and petting zoo has been announced by the Cowlitz County Health & Human Services Department of Washington. Public health officials have confirmed one child is ill with the bacterial infection, and there is one probable case. One of the children was hospitalized for several days but is now recovering. Public health officials are asking that anyone who visited the facility and has symptoms of E. coli food poisoning such as diarrhea, which may be bloody, severe stomach cramps, vomiting, or a mild fever, contact them immediately at 360-414-5599. E. coli can easily be transmitted from animals to people when they touch or feed animals, touch the floor that has been contaminated with feces, using contaminated … [Read more...]
CFIA Releases Letter From Embattled XL Foods in Canada
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has released a letter made public yesterday that was sent to them by XL's co-CEOs Brian and Lee Nilsson. The letter states that there will be "top down [changes] throughout the organization." The official CFIA Inspection Report describes the inspection of the facility and problems found during the inspection. And the CFIA sent a list of Corrective Action Requests to the company based on that inspection. XL Foods' beef was recalled in a massive undertaking last month because it was potentially contaminated with E. coli 0157:H7. There is an outbreak of foodborne illness linked to XL Foods beef in Canada. Promised changes include re-validation and increased computer monitoring of the hot water wash intervention and a modified pre-evisceration carcass … [Read more...]
Cleveland County Fair E. coli Outbreak Numbers Change Again
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has updated the E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak linked to the Cleveland County Fair again. They are updating the investigation and outbreak numbers every day at 2:00 pm. The outbreak has grown again, to include 100 patients, up two people from yesterday. The case counts by county are as follows: Cleveland County (59), Gaston County (14, including one death), Lincoln County (14), Catawba County (1), Union County (2), Rutherford (6), York County in South Carolina (2), and Cherokee County in South Carolina (2). Now 62 children and 38 adults are part of the outbreak. Thirteen patients have been or currently are hospitalized. One child, a 2-year-old toddler, has died. Attorney Fred Pritzker, who has filed lawsuits on behalf of clients in … [Read more...]
Higa Meat & Pork Market Recalls Ground Beef for Possible E. coli 0157:H7
Higa Meat & Pork Market in Honolulu, Hawaii is recalling about 4,100 pounds of ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli 0157:H7. The product tested positive for the bacteria and was shipped before the company received test results. There have been no reports of illnesses associated with the consumption of this product. They are recalling 10 pound bags of "HIGA MARKET-GROUND BEEF BULK" with 1 to 6 bags per carton/case. Each case has the establishment number "EST. 12457M" inside the USDA mark of inspection and the identifying case code number "291". The products were made on October 17, 2012 and distributed to restaurants in the Oahu, Hawaii area. For questions, call the company's Vice President, Sheldon Wright, at 808-531-3591. Go to the USDA's web page to learn tips for … [Read more...]
Main Street Quality Meats Recalls Ground Beef for Possible E. coli 0157:H7
Main Street Quality Meats of utah is recalling about 2,310 pounds of ground beef that may be contaminated with E. coli 0157:H7. The problem was discovered by the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The product was tested for the deadly bacteria and was shipped before the company received test results. There are no reports of illnesses linked to these products. The recalled products are 10 pound cases of "GROUND BEEF BULK" and 12 pound cases of "GROUND BEEF PATTIES". Each case has the establishment number "EST. 19916" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The cases may also have any of these lot numbers: "1018121," "1019121," "1018122," or "1019122." The ground beef was produced on October 18 and 19, 2012 and distributed to restaurants in Utah. FSIS advises all consumers … [Read more...]
Cleveland County NC Fair E. coli 0157:H7 Outbreak Numbers Changed
As of today, October 22, 2012, there are 98 people confirmed ill with the outbreak strain of E. coli 0157:H7 linked to the Cleveland County Fair. Sixty children and thirty-eight adults are part of the outbreak. Preliminary findings suggest that animal exposure may be the source of the outbreak. Now, 60 children and 38 adults are confirmed ill with the outbreak strain of the bacteria. Twelve people are currently or have been hospitalized. There has been one death, of a toddler in Gaston county. The case count is as follows: Cleveland County (58), Gaston County (15, with one death), Lincoln County (13), Catawba County (1), Union County (2), Rutherford (5), York County, South Carolina (2), Cherokee County, South Carolina (2). Case counts change during an active investigation as cases are … [Read more...]
Health Canada to Review Safety of Mechanically Tenderized Meat
Health Canada has started reviewing the food safety of mechanically tenderized beef. Food Poisoning Bulletin has told you about this issue before. There is currently an E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak in Canada linked to mechanically tenderized steaks produced by the embattled XL Foods facility in Alberta. Mechanically tenderized beef has been pierced with needles or blades to break up the fibers in the meat. This automatically makes the meat more tender, but it can also bring bacteria from the surface of the meat into the interior. That piece of meat, cooked rare or medium, could be the perfect vehicle for deadly bacteria transmission. Normally, the interior of a solid cut of beef does not contain pathogenic bacteria, since it is solid muscle tissue. The review is studying the likelihood … [Read more...]
XL Foods Beef Recall Expands for 19th Time
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is expanding the recall of XL Foods beef for the 19th time. The products may be contaminated with E. coli 0157:H7. XL Foods mechanically tenderized steak is linked to an E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak that has sickened at least 16 people in Canada. The recall includes Top Sirloin Steak Fast Fry with UPC number that begins with 216026, best before dates from September 6 to October 2, 2012, and sold from Real Canadian Superstore and Extra Foods in AB, BC, MB, NT, ON, SK, and YT. Also recalled are Boneless Beef Tenderloin Steak in 2.64 kg packages. The UPC number ends with 339, code EST 479 12SE21, distributed by Hallé Services Alimentaires in QC. Boneless Beef Tenderloin, with no UPC number, and EST 38, sold in September 19 and 27, 2012 from Les Viandes P.P. … [Read more...]
JBS Takes Over Troubled XL Foods Beef Plant
XL Foods announced this week that it was giving control of the Alberta Canada plant to the world's largest beef processing company: JBS of Brazil. Beef from that facility, which has been closed since September 28, 2012, is linked to an E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak that has sickened at least 16 people in Canada. If XL sells the facility to JBS, they will receive $100 million in the deal. JBS will not assume any XL Foods debt or liabilities. The facility has recalled millions of pounds of beef products, including ground beef, roasts, steaks, jerky, and other foods since September 17, 2012. The recall has been expanded 18 times. The Canadian government said that the change in management "will not affect the CFIA's assessment" of the facility. So far, the CFIA's test results in their … [Read more...]
