U.S. PIRG, the federation of state PIRGs (public interest research groups), has found that the recalls of potentially hazardous meat and poultry recalls nearly doubled from 2013 to 2018. Their report, How Safe Is Our Food? During that time frame, while there has been a 10% increase in overall recalls, there was a 70% increase in chicken recalls, and an 83% increase in Class 1 meat and poultry recalls, which are those likely to cause serious illness or death. Some of these recalls may be because of better identification of pathogens in food, and new technology such as whole genome sequencing. The U.S. PIRG also says that the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 has also increased food recalls. Adam Garber, U.S. PIRG Consumer Watchdog said in a statement, "The food we nourish … [Read more...]
Top 10 Multistate Food Poisoning Outbreaks of 2018
There were many food poisoning outbreaks in 2018. Thousands of people were sickened, many were hospitalized, and some died. This is a summary of the top 10 multistate food poisoning outbreaks of the year. Many lawsuits were filed in response to these outbreaks. McDonald's Cyclospora Outbreak. This outbreak sickened at least 511 people in 16 states, mostly concentrated in the Midwest. FDA investigators found the cyclospora oocyst in a sample of Fresh Express romaine and carrot mix that was used to make the salads. JBS Tolleson Ground Beef Salmonella Outbreak. This outbreak, which has not been declared over, has sickened at least 333 people in 28 states. The company has recalled more than 12,000,000 pounds of ground beef products that were sold in Kroger stores and elsewhere around … [Read more...]
Wegmans Recalls Cauliflower Rice Products for E. coli O157:H7
Wegmans Food Markets is voluntarily recalling fresh Cauliflower Rice, Veggie Cauliflower Rice Blend, and Stir-Fry Mix with Cauliflower because it may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria. The recall was initiated by Produce Packaging that supplies the products. They notified Wegmans that the product may be contaminated. The recalled products all have use-by dates of 12/11/18 through 12/22/18. The recalled products are Wegmans Cauliflower Rice in 1 pound packages, with UPC number 25313500000; Wegmans Cauliflower Rice in 8 ounce packages with UPC number 25307200000, Wegmans Stir Fry Blend (with cauliflower) in 1 pound packages with UPC number 25335800000; and Wegmans Veggie (cauliflower) Rice Blend that is sold by the pound. The UPC number on that product … [Read more...]
Northwest Cuisine Creations Sandwiches Recalled for E. coli O157:H7
Spokane Product of Spokane, Washington is recalling Northwest Cuisine Creations and Fresh&Local sandwiches that were made with green and red leaf lettuce and foodservice lettuce filets because they were grown at Adams Bros. Farming, Inc. That farm has been associated with the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to romaine lettuce. Public health investigators found the bacteria in the sediment of a reservoir near the fields of that farm. The recalled products have the Northwest Cuisine Creations and Fresh&Local labels. They have the "Best Buy" dates of 12/14/18 - 12/21/18. The products were distributed to grocery markets in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Oregon. In addition, Green Leaf Filets (no label) in five and ten pound containers are being recalled from foodservice … [Read more...]
Adam Bros. Farming Recalls Cauliflower, Lettuce for E. coli Risk
Adam Bros. Farming, the farm that has been named by the CDC as associated with the current romaine lettuce E. coli O157:H7 outbreak, is recalling more products grown on their farm. This produce was harvested on November 27 through November 30, 2018. None of the recalled product has tested positive for E. coli bacteria, and no illnesses have been reported in connection with this issue. The company has notified all affected customers of all product that was recalled as of December 13, 2018. And the company is asking that all its customers notify the "downline chain of custody" to make sure the recall is full and complete. The recalled products are Red Leaf Lettuce, Green Leaf Lettuce, and Cauliflower. The red and green leaf lettuces were sold to wholesales in California, Colorado, … [Read more...]
Swift Beef Recalls Ground Beef Products for Possible E. coli O157:H7
Swift Beef Company of Hyrum, Utah is recalling about 99,260 pounds of raw non-intact ground beef products because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria. No illnesses have been reported in connection with this issue. The products were made on October 24, 2018. The recalled products are 2,000 pounds of bulk pallets of Swift Ground Beef 81/19 (81% lean) Fine Grind Combo with product code 42982; 8-10 pound plastic wrapped chubs of “blue ribbon BEEF” Ground Beef 81/19 (81% lean) Coarse Grind with the product code 42410; 8-10 pound plastic wrapped chubs of “blue ribbon BEEF” Ground Beef 93/07 (93% lean) Coarse Grind with product code 42413; 8-10 pound plastic wrapped chubs of “blue ribbon BEEF” Ground Beef 85/15 (85% lean) Coarse Grind bearing product code 42415; and 8-10 … [Read more...]
Majestic Meat Company Recalls Ground Beef For Possible E. coli O157:H7
Majestic Meat Company of Salt Lake City, Utah is recalling about 532 pounds of ground beef because it may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with this recall. The Majestic Meat Company ground beef, ground patties, and meatball produts that are being recalled were produced on November 8, 2018. You can see the long list of recalled products at the USDA website. The recalled products are sold under the brand names Majestic Meat AND 44 FARMS. They include Ground Beef Patties 80/20, bulk Ground Beef 80/20, Beef Patty Chuck 80/20, and Meatball Beef, Pork, Veal Ground. USDA inspectors identified that product associated with a sample that tested positive for E. coli O157:Hy7 had been shipped. The establishment … [Read more...]
Cargill Recalls Ground Beef For Possible E. coli O157:H7 Contamination
Cargill Meat Solutions of Colorado is recalling about 25,288 pounds of ground beef products because they may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 bacteria. This bacteria can cause serious illness and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in some populations. There have been no reports of any illnesses as of the time of the recall. The ground beef was produced on August 16, 2018. The recall includes 10 pound chubs of "Excel 93/7 Fine Grind Ground Beef" with a use by/freeze by date of September 5 on the chub label. The pack date is 08/16/2018 on the box label. The ground beef has the establishment number "EST. 86R" inside the USDA mark of inspection. The product shipped to warehouses in Colorado and California. The establishment discovered the problem on August 22, 2018 when they reviewed … [Read more...]
It’s State and County Fairs Time; Stay Safe at Animal Exhibits
As summer winds down and fall approaches, state and county fairs are underway. The CDC is warning parents and caregivers about ways to protect yourself and your children against E. coli and other illnesses that have been linked to those events. Animals exhibits and petting zoos at county and state fairs have been the source of E. coli outbreaks in the past few years. From 2010 to 2015, about 100 outbreaks of illness were linked to animals in public settings. These outbreaks have been caused by E. coli O157:H7, Cryptosporidium, and Salmonella bacteria. Last year, eight people were sickened with E. coli infections after visiting the Mesa County Fair in Colorado Junction, Colorado. An E. coli outbreak in Minnesota in 2014 was linked to Zerebko Zoo Tran, a traveling petting zoo. At … [Read more...]
Rimbey Foods Pork Recalled in Canada for Possible E. coli O157:H7
More pork products, produced by Rimbey Foods, are being recalled in Canada for possible E. coli O157:H7 contamination. This is an update to the warning issued on April 26, 2018. An outbreak of human illnesses is related to pork products in that country. The newly recalled products include Rimbey Foods Ltd. Sliced Pork Belly in variable sizes. The products were sold from February 19 up to and including April 27, 2018, with a UPC number that starts with 0 200118. Also recalled is Fuge Fine Meat Salchicha de Huacho Sausage in 630 gram packages. All best before dates from May 3, 2018 up to and including May 26, 2018 are recalled, with no UPC number. Fuge Fine Meat Maple Bratwurst Sausage is also recalled, sold in 630 gram packages. All best before dates from May 3, 2018 up to and including … [Read more...]
