There are currently two active E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks in the United States that were announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this month. Neither has had a specific food, brand, store, or restaurant associated with it, although the FDA has hinted that one may be linked to a restaurant and one may be linked to leafy greens. How common are foodborne E. coli O157:H7 leafy green outbreaks? The CDC has a fact sheet on leafy greens that will shed light on this question and also helps consumers protect themselves against foodborne illness linked to those products. From 2014 to 2018 there have been 51 foodborne illness outbreaks linked to leafy greens. Five of those outbreaks were publicized by the government. Two of those five outbreaks were inked to packaged … [Read more...]
FDA Notice of Tanimura & Antle Romaine Recall For Possible E. coli
The FDA has published a notice of single heads of Tanimura & Antle romaine recall for possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. Earlier today, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development posted a notice stating that E. coli O157:H7 bacteria had been found on that romaine lettuce. The product packed on dates are 10/15/2020 or 10/16/2020 and the UPC number is 0-27918-20314-9.. The FDA notice states that "there have been no reported illnesses associated with this recalled product," and the Michigan notice stated that the bacteria found on the Tanimura & Antle romaine is "closely related genetically" to bacteria that has sickened two people in Michigan. That doesn't mean that there are illnesses linked to this newly recalled product, only that the bacteria are … [Read more...]
List of Active Multistate Outbreaks Remaining in 2020 Include E. coli
As 2020 starts to wind down, it's important that consumers stay informed about the list of active multistate outbreaks that may still be sickening people. As of November 2, 2020, there are still four active multistate outbreaks in the United States: Two E. coli outbreaks, one Listeria monocytogenes outbreak, and a Salmonella outbreak. Just one of these outbreaks, the Salmonella outbreak linked to dried wood ear mushrooms, is associated with a recall. The Listeria monocytogenes outbreak is linked to as yet unidentified deli meats, and the foods that the two E. coli outbreaks were caused by have not yet been identified, although associations with a restaurant and romaine lettuce or leafy greens have been alleged. Salmonella Stanley Outbreak Linked to Wood Ear Mushrooms The … [Read more...]
Crystal Brook Farm Raw Goat Milk Recalled For E. coli O157:H7
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture told consumers who bought Crystal Brook Farm raw goat milk or raw goat milk yogurt whey or cottage cheese to discard it immediately because these products may be contaminated with a "disease-causing strain" of E. coli bacteria; in other words, E. coli O157:H7. This warning pertains only to these products sold on or before October 13, 2020. The Crystal Brook Farm raw goat milk was sold in two locations in Lancaster County. The first is Crystal Brook Farm Store at 3568 Scenic Road in Gordonville, and the Dutch Meadow Retail Store at 694 Country Lane in Paradise, Pennsylvania. The milk was sold in plastic half gallons. The milk, whey, and cottage cheese may have been further distributed to other retail locations by Dutch Meadows Distribution … [Read more...]
Learn How Romaine Lettuce Is Contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 Bacteria
With many E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks linked to romaine lettuce in 2017, 2018, and 2019, food safety experts are concerned that another outbreak could occur in 2020. Let's take a look at how romaine lettuce is contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria in the first place. That pathogen exists in the guts of ruminant animals, more specifically, cows and sheep. Deer can also carry it. How does it travel from those animals to farm fields? There are several factors that come into play here. First, many concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are located near fields where romaine and other leafy greens are grown. Second, feces can contaminate ground water and canals that are a source of irrigation water. And third, two of the physical attributes of the lettuce play a role. E. … [Read more...]
Forty Leafy Greens STEC Outbreaks Occurring During 2009 to 2018
The October 2020 issue of the CDC's Emerging Infectious Diseases has a study about E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks from 2009 to 2018 and found that there were forty leafy greens STEC outbreaks during that time frame. STEC is Shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria, most often E. coli O157:H7. Those outbreaks caused 1,212 illnesses, 77 cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and eight deaths. More of those outbreaks were linked to romaine lettuce than any other type of leafy green. Forty-five percent of those outbreaks occurred in the fall, and 28% occurred in the spring. Leafy greens are the second most common source of foodborne STEC outbreaks, after ground beef. The connection between those two products is that cattle are considered the major reservoir for the pathogen, and STEC … [Read more...]
Lakeside E. coli Ground Beef Retail Distribution List Released By USDA
The Lakeside E. coli ground beef retail distribution list has been released by the FDA, listing stores that may have sold the meat. This recall from Lakeside Refrigerated Services was issued on June 15, 2020. About 42,922 pounds of the ground beef were recalled for possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. No illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall. The ground beef was sold under the bread names Marketside, Thomas Farms, and Value Pack. The way the beef was packaged, along with the package sizes, use by dates, and lot codes were listed in the recall notice. They include ground beef and ground beef patties. The ground beef products all have the establishment number "EST. 46841" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The potential contamination was discovered during … [Read more...]
Sweetened Dried Cranberries Recalled For E. coli O157:H7 in Canada
Les Aliments Johnvince of Quebec is recalling sweetened dried cranberries for possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of this product. The recalled product has no brand name. It is sweetened dried cranberries, with PLU number 5176. Variable weights of the product were sold in Quebec. The typical size is a plastic bag of about 300 grams. The codes on the product are 06472, 06481, and 0648. This packaged product may have been sold with or without codes at the consumer level from May 28, 2020 up to and including June 8, 2020. Consumers who are unsure if they have purchased the affected product are advised to contact their retailer. This recall was triggered by the company. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency … [Read more...]
Lakeside Ground Beef Recalled For Possible E. coli O157:H7
Lakeside Refrigerated Services of Swedesboro, New Jersey, is recalling about 42,922 pounds of ground beef because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. There have been no confirmed reports of illness or adverse reactions due to the consumption of this product. The raw ground beef was produced on June 1, 2020. The recalled products are: 1-pound vacuum packages containing “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF” and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P-53298-82. 1-pound vacuum packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES” and a use or freeze by date of June 27, 2020 and lot code P-53934-28. 3-pound vacuum packages containing three 1 lb. pieces of “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED … [Read more...]
Health Alert For P&S Ravioli Company 12 Meat Ravioli For E. coli O157:H7
The USDA has issued a public health alert for P&S Ravioli Company 12 Jumbo Meat Ravioli for possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. A recall was not issued because the product is no longer available for sale. The USDA is concerned that some product may be in consumers' freezers. So, check your freezer to see if you have this product. The recalled item is a frozen, raw ground beef ravioli that was produced on April 30, 2020. It is 13-ounce boxes containing "P&S Ravioli Company 12 Jumbo Meat Ravioli" with a use-by date of 11/30/2020 and lot code 20121. The product has the establishment number "EST. 2736" inside the USDA mark of inspection. They were shipped to a limited number of retail locations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The problem was discovered when P&S Ravioli … [Read more...]
