The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated their investigation into the E. coli O121 outbreak linked to raw clover sprouts served at Jimmy John's and other restaurants. As of June 27, 2014, the case count stands at 18. The case count per state is: Idaho (3), Michigan (1), Montana (2), Utah (1), and Washington (11). Forty-four percent of ill persons have been hospitalized in this outbreak. No one has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and no deaths have been reported. Illnesses range from May 1, 2014 to May 20, 2014. Ill persons range in age from 11 years to 45 years, with a median age of 27 years. Seventy-six percent of ill persons are female. Illnesses that began after June 4, 2014 may not have been reported because of the length of time between getting sick … [Read more...]
Farm Rich E. coli O121 Outbreak Grows to 32 Ill
The outbreak of E. coli O121 infections linked to the Farm Rich brand frozen food products has grown to include 32 people in 18 states, according to the CDC. Nine people have been hospitalized. There are no deaths. Two patients have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. All Farm Rich products, including Market Day and Schwan's, that were made at the company's Waycross, Georgia plant have been recalled. The number of ill persons in each state is as follows: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), California (1), Colorado (1), Florida (2), Illinois (2), Indiana (2), Michigan (3), Mississippi (1), New York (4), Ohio (4), Pennsylvania (1), South Dakota (1), Texas (3), Utah (1), Virginia (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (2). New cases were reported in California, … [Read more...]
Farm Rich E. coli O121 Outbreak: Retail List Expands Yet Again
The retail list for the Farm Rich products linked to the E. coli O121 outbreak that has sickened at least 27 people in fifteen states has expanded again. Two patients have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), the serious complication of a STEC infection that can cause kidney failure. The list of retail establishments that carried the products is now 107 pages long. The store chains that carried the product nationwide include Alco and Walmart. Several other large chains, including Bi-Lo, Food Lion, Harp's, Homeland, Kroger, Meijer, Price Chopper, and Shop & Save carried the products in many states. Please look carefully at the retail list to see if you patronize those stores. If you do, check your freezer to see if you have any of the recalled products in your home freezer. … [Read more...]
Farm Rich E. coli Outbreak Can’t Be Blamed on Consumers
The outbreak of E. coli O121 linked to recalled Farm Rich products is unusual. The ingredients that make up the frozen mini meals and snacks are precooked (chicken, pepperoni, and cheese) and are simply assembled to make a product that is reheated before consuming. No foodborne illness can be blamed on the consumer. Manufacturers have the legal responsibility to produce safe food. The law states that manufacturers are responsible for making and selling food that will not make consumers sick, but this has happened over and over again. The food you buy should not be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria. Unfortunately, manufacturers put the burden on the consumer to heat the food to a safe temperature. This so called "consumer kill step" has been the subject of many government studies … [Read more...]
Farm Rich E. coli Outbreak Expands
Twenty seven people in 15 states have now been sickened by the E. coli O121 outbreak linked to Farm Rich frozen foods, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Eight people have been hospitalized, two of them with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication of some E.coli infections that can cause kidney failure. Health officials have now matched the rare outbreak strain of E. coli O121 to strains found in product from the homes of two case patients. Three new cases, one each in Michigan, Illinois and New York, have been added since the outbreak was announced last Friday. By state, the case counts are as follows: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), Illinois (2), Indiana (2), Michigan (3), Mississippi (1), New York (4), Ohio (3), Pennsylvania (1), South Dakota (1), … [Read more...]
Farm Rich Recall for E. coli O121 Expands
The recall of Farm Rich Products for possible E. coli O121 contamination has expanded to include ALL products made at the Waycross, Georgia facility. There are 24 people sickened in 15 states as a result of the outbreak linked to these products; seven have been hospitalized, and at least one has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Rich Products is not aware of any illnesses associated with the products in this new recall, but are recalling them out of an abundance of caution. The recalled foods have best by dates ranging from January 1, 2013 to September 29, 2014. This recall is in addition to products recalled on March 28, 2013. You can see the long list of recalled products, along with Julian dates, product codes, and UPC codes at the FDA web site. The recalled foodservice … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak Detection Threatened By Sequester Says Rep De Lauro
The Farm Rich E. coli outbreak, which has sickened 24 people in 15 states, was detected because of a strong public health system that is threatened by sequestration, according to Rep. Rosa De Lauro (D-Conn). De Lauro, a senior member, and former Chair, of the subcommittee responsible for funding the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), issued a statement April 1 about the outbreak and related recall of 98 tons of frozen food urging consumers to check their freezers for recalled items including frozen quesadillas, mini pizzas, mozzarella bites and cheesesteak sandwiches. Rich Products Corp of Buffalo, NY issued a recall for the products, sold under the Farm Rich brand name, on March 28. Click here to see the USDA’s full list of Farm Rich products recalled for potential contamination … [Read more...]
Walmart Sold Farm Rich Frozen Snacks Recalled for E. coli O121
The USDA has released the distribution list of the recalled Farm Rich frozen snacks that have been recalled for E. coli O121. The snacks are associated with an outbreak that has sickened at least 24 people in 15 states. WalMart sold the snacks nationwide in their stores. The recalled foods are heat treated, not fully cooked frozen mini meals and snack items. The Rich Products Corporation has recalled many of the items. You can see the complete list of recalled items at the USDA web site, along with pictures of the product labels. The FDA has also issued a recall for the Frank Rich products they monitor, which do not include meat or poultry. They include Farm Rich Mozzarella Bites in 22 ounce bags and 7 ounce cartons. You can see pictures of those product labels at the FDA web … [Read more...]
