The Kentucky E. coli O103 outbreak that is linked to fast food and has sickened about 25 people is unusual in that that specific strain of E. coli bacteria doesn't usually cause outbreaks in the U.S. And doctors typically do not test for this pathogen because it is rare. But fast food places are no stranger to outbreaks. Here's a brief history of these events. In 2012, a Salmonella Stanley outbreak that awaits associated with a McDonald's restaurant on South Main Street in Bloomington, Illinois sickened 12 people. In that outbreak officials suspected that an ill restaurant employee may have transmitted the pathogen to customers. In 2015, the fifth-largest multistate food poisoning outbreak of the year was an E. coli outbreak linked to Chipotle restaurants. At least 52 people … [Read more...]
Kentucky E. coli O103 Outbreak Linked to Fast Food Consumption
An E. coli O103 outbreak in Kentucky has been linked to fast food consumption, according to a release from the Kentucky Department for Public Health. The Kentucky E. coli outbreak has sickened at least 19 people. Those illnesses have been confirmed by the Kentucky Department of Public Health. The release is intended for doctors and lab providers, so they are alert to patients who present with acute diarrheal illness. Some news reports state that less than 25 cases have been reported. Those sickened are mostly children and teenagers, but some adults are also part of the outbreak. The cases were reported March 5 though March 25, 2018 and had "extensive exposure to fast food." Most of those sickened live in central Kentucky, especially Fayette County. The Mercer County Health … [Read more...]
Green Field Farms Ground Beef Recalled For Possible E. coli O103 Contamination
Texas Natural Meats is recalling about 489 pounds of Green Field Farms frozen raw ground beef products because they may be contaminated with E. coli O103, which is a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli strain. The recall notice did not state whether or nor any illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. The recalled product is 1 pound bags of "Green Field Farms Rogers Texas Ground Beef." The bags have the production date "PRODUCTION DATE 08.08.2017” and also display the “EXPIRATION DATE 08.08.2020.” The bags are labeled “COOK USE ONLY” with the instruction “DO NOT refreeze after defrosting.” These items have the establishment number "EST. 34449" inside the USDA mark of inspection. They were shipped to a retailer who sold the ground beef at a farmer's market in … [Read more...]
Health Alert for Imported Veal Products for E. coli O103 Expanded
The USDA is expanding the public health alert issued on May 16, 2017 to include additional products and production dates. About 1,631 pounds of raw veal imported from the Netherlands may be contaminated with Non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O103. The raw boneless veal products were produced at Establishment 9EG, EKRO B.V., Netherlands. The product was derived from calves that were slaughtered on March 8, 2017 and March 9, 2017, and further processed and packaged on March 9, 2017 and March 13, 2017. FSIS learned that an additional 90 pounds of product were implicated from Establishment 9EG, EKRO B.V., Netherlands which tested positive for Non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O103. The product was derived from calves that were slaughtered on April 11, 2017 through … [Read more...]
Veal Imported From Netherlands Recalled for Possible E. coli O103
The USDA-FSIS is issuing a public health alert because about 424 pounds of raw veal products imported from the Netherlands may be contaminated with E. coli O103. This non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing bacteria can cause serious illness and death. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of these products. The recalled products include boxes of chilled “Boneless Veal Cap” with case code Londbos05597422 and lot code 0001, boxes of chilled “Boneless Veal BHS” with case code Londbos05597426 and lot code 0005, boxes of chilled “Boneless Veal Inside” with case code of Londbos05597439 and lot code 0006, and boxes of chilled “Boned In Veal Rack Chop” with case code SELEDEL05593535 and lot code 0012. They were shipped to a distributor and distributed to restaurants … [Read more...]
