Is the St. Louis County E. coli outbreak linked to a lettuce blend and a larger multistate outbreak? The FDA seems to think so, but there are conflicting reports in the media. Since the outbreak was first announced in mid-November, the case count has grown steadily. The source of the pathogen has been difficult to pin down. Missouri Cases According to some news reports, the St. Louis County Health Department says there are 115 cases, 13 hospitalizations, and three HUS cases in St. Louis County. In addition, there are patients in seven states tied to this E. coli outbreak. Those states are Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, North Dakota, Ohio, and South Dakota. Twenty-five of those cases are St. Louis County residents, including students, staff, and parents from the Rockwood … [Read more...]
Is the St. Louis County E. coli Outbreak Linked to Lettuce Blend?
Red Cow Burgers E. coli O157 Outbreak in Minnesota Sickens 10
A Red Cow burgers E. coli O157 outbreak in Minnesota has sickened at least 10 people, according to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Patients ate burgers at multiple locations of the Red Cow restaurant, which is a chain with locations in Hennepin, Ramsey, and Olmstead counties. One more patient ate at the Hen House Eatery in Minneapolis, which received the same ground beef products suspected in this outbreak. The ground beef in question was distributed to other restaurants in the area, so more cases could be identified. Public health officials are urging anyone who ate a hamburger, especially if it was undercooked, at table service restaurants in the Twin Cities since October 31, 2024 and then developed diarrhea, particularly bloody diarrhea, in the next seven days, to see a … [Read more...]
Flathead MT E. coli Outbreak Linked to Wagyu Ground Beef
The Flathead MT E. coli outbreak is linked to wagyu ground beef served at several restaurants, according to the Flathead City-County Heath Department and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. The source was wagyu beef from one lot number. Wagyu beef comes from a Japanese breed and is highly marbled with great flavor. All 14 cases said they ate undercooked or made to order burgers. The last known date of consumption was July 14, 2024. The following restaurants are associated with the 14 cases of reported illness in this outbreak: Gunsight Saloon; Hops Downtown Grill; Tamarack Brewing Company; the Lodge at Whitefish Lake; and Harbor Grille. Furthermore, based on information provided through case investigation, one individual has died after exposure to wagyu beef … [Read more...]
FDA on Gibson Farms Walnuts E. coli O157 Outbreak
The FDA has weighed in on the Gibson Farms walnuts E. coli O157 outbreak that has allegedly sickened at least 12 people in two states: California and Washington. Seven of those 12 patients have been hospitalized, and two of them have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The recalled organic walnut halves and pieces were sold at natural food and co-op stores in these states: Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The walnuts were sold in bulk, but some stores may have repackaged the nuts into bags or plastic clamshell containers. A list of the store names and locations where the walnuts may have been sold is … [Read more...]
Gibson Farms Organic Walnuts Recalled For Possible E. coli O157
Gibson Farms organic walnuts sold in bulk are being voluntarily recalled for possible E. coli O157 contamination. There is an outbreak allegedly linked to bulk organic walnuts that has sickened at least 12 people in two states (California and Washington). Seven of those patients have been hospitalized, and two have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. Traceback conducted by the FDA found that Gibson Farms supplied the bulk walnuts to stores where some patients shopped. The Gibson Farms organic walnuts were sold shelled, as "Light Halves and Pieces." They were packaged in bulk boxes in net weight 25 pound quantities. The lot numbers for these walnuts are 3325-043 and 3341-501, and the expiration dates are 5/21/25 and 6/7/25. The company voluntarily … [Read more...]
Organic Bulk Walnuts E. coli Outbreak Sickens 12 in 2 States
An organic bulk walnuts E. coli O157 outbreak has sickened at least 12 people in two states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seven of those patients have been hospitalized. Two have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The patient case count by state is: Washington (6), and California (6). Illness onset dates range from February 1, 2024 to April 4, 2024. The patient age range is from six to 84 years. State and local pubic health officials interviewed patients about the foods they ate before they got sick. Of the 10 interviewed, all said they ate walnuts. That percentage is significantly higher than the 26% of respondents who said they ate walnuts in the FoodNet Population Survey during the same time frame. And all … [Read more...]
Two Minnesotans Sick with E. coli After Eating Organic Baby Spinach
Two Minnesotans sick with E. coli O157 infections after eating organic baby spinach are part of a larger multistate outbreak, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. That agency is working on this investigation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA, along with public health agencies in other states. The CDC says this is an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak, but the state has not yet named the serotype. The two Minnesota patients got sick from October 17 to October 23, 2021. Neither patient was hospitalized. The patients are in their mid-20s. One person lives in the metro area, and the other is from outstate Minnesota. One patient ate Josie's Organics organic baby spinach that was purchased from HyVee, and the other case ate Fresh Thyme organic baby … [Read more...]
Seven Children Sick in E. coli Outbreak in King County, Washington State
According to a notice posted by the King County Public Health Department, there are seven children sick in an E. coli outbreak in King County. All are under the age of 14, and three children are under the age of five. Six of the children have been hospitalized. The source of the pathogen has not yet been determined. This new E. coli outbreak in King County has illness onset dates ranging from April 17, 2021 to April 29, 2021. The cases were reported to government officials between April 22, 2021 and May 1, 2021. The investigation is ongoing. Officials have not identified any restaurants, foods, or other sources in common among all of these cases. In fact, investigators do not know if the patients even share the same source of the pathogen. All seven children developed the … [Read more...]
Wisconsin E. coli O157 HUS Outbreak Identified
An E. coli O157 outbreak has been identified in Wisconsin. The press release states, "Between November 13 and November 15, 2019, the Wisconsin Division of Public Health (DPH) Communicable Diseases Epidemiology Section has observed a significant increase in the number of reported cases of Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157 infection. We are treating this as an outbreak. Cases have been reported from numerous jurisdictions within Wisconsin, and have not been isolated to a single region. One associated case of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) has also been reported." Officials do not yet know what food may be the source of the pathogen, but we do know that three women from northwest Wisconsin were diagnosed with what appears to be an E. coli O157 infection; they ate "lots of salads" before … [Read more...]
Why Are There So Many Outbreaks Linked to Romaine Lettuce?
In the past few years, there have been quite a few food poisoning outbreaks linked to romaine lettuce. Why is this product the source for hundreds of serious illnesses? And why are there so many E. coli outbreaks linked to romaine? The answer lies in three facts: It's very difficult to clean a product that is so delicate and has so many crenelations and areas for bacteria to hide. Second, produce is a raw product and is often eaten without a kill step to destroy pathogens. And third, because leafy greens including romaine grow on the ground and are subject to contamination through irrigation water and animals, and are handled so often between farm to fork, there are many opportunities for contamination. Romaine is difficult to clean Romaine lettuce, along with other leafy … [Read more...]
