Chipotle will briefly close all of its stores February 8 for a companywide food safety meeting. The meeting is to mark a new start for the company's new food safety program designed to prevent the problems that plagued the company last year. During 2015, Chipotle was linked to two (or three) E.coli outbreaks, a Salmonella outbreak and two Norovirus outbreaks, one of which is the subject of a criminal probe being conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Office of Criminal Investigations. In addition to the ongoing, well-publicized, nine-state E. coli o26 outbreak that sickened 53 people in October and early November, another cluster of five illnesses in three states caused by a different strain … [Read more...]
Twisted Fork Closes Temporarily During E. coli Outbreak Investigation
The Twisted Fork in Reno has closed temporarily during an investigation of an E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least eight people. The company posted a message on its Facebook page saying the voluntary closure is meant to "give the Washoe County Health District total access and our full cooperation during their investigation to determine a cause." The company went on to say, "We are dedicated to the safety and welfare of our guests, and the restaurant will remain closed until the matter is fully resolved. Thank you for understanding." Public health officials were notified about the illnesses on November 4. They have not yet released information about the age, gender or county of residence for any of the patients. Nor have they named the outbreak strain, suspected source of … [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...]
E. coli Outbreak in Missouri Update; Creamery Resumes Production
After an E. coli O103 outbreak in northwestern Missouri sickened three people, the Missouri Department of Agriculture suspended the plant license for Homestead Creamery of Jamesport. Three people in that state became sick after allegedly consuming cheese made at the creamery with unpasteurized, or raw, cow's milk according to CBS St. Louis. The facility was reinspected by the Missouri State Milk Board on Tuesday, January 22, and notified of the license reinstatement on January 23. Gena Terlizzi of the Missouri Department of Health told Food Poisoning Bulletin that there were one confirmed and two suspected cases of E. coli O103 in the northwestern part of the state. None of the cases required hospitalization and all have recovered. Fred Pritzker, a national food safety attorney who … [Read more...]
E. coli Food Poisoning in Cincinnati Possibly Associated With Area Restaurant
An Ohio E.coli outbreak may be associated with leafy greens served at an area restaurant, a source familiar with the cases says. Five confirmed cases and one probable case of E.coli poisoning have been confirmed by the Hamilton County Department of Health. The illnesses occurred in mid December. Four of the patients, who range in age from 12 to 83, are female and two are male. "People have a right to get information about this outbreak. It’s important for health department officials to get the facts out. Public awareness and public trust are enhanced by full disclosure, including the food that’s implicated and the restaurant at which it was served," said Fred Pritzker, a food safety lawyer and advocate who publishes Food Poisoning Bulletin. Salad greens are a common … [Read more...]
