An increase in E. coli cases in Ottawa County, Michigan has sickened at least nine people and hospitalized four, according to the Ottawa Department of Public Health. The pathogen is shiga toxin E. coli (STEC), which is the type that causes serious illness in people, and can trigger hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), especially in young children. This is a high number of cases for any area. STEC bacteria is usually tied to food poisoning outbreaks. The pathogen lives in the guts of ruminant animals and is excreted in their feces. There is no word on what officials are investigating, whether it's a restaurant or some particular type of food. In the past, E. coli outbreaks have been linked to flour, ground beef, raw sprouts, unpasteurized milk, spinach, romaine lettuce, bagged salad … [Read more...]
Canada Again Puts Import Requirements on U.S. Romaine Lettuce
For the second year in a row, Canada has put import requirements on U.S. romaine lettuce because of several E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks linked to that product. These requirements will be in effect from September 28 to December 22, 2022. These restrictions were also in place in 2021. U.S. authorities have identified a geographical area as a recurring source of these outbreaks: the California Salinas Valley counties of Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Benito, and Monterey. The temporary Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) license conditions for the import of romaine from these regions has two requirements. The import requirements on U.S. romaine lettuce are: importers must declare that the product does not originate from those counties, or they must submit an attestation form and Certificate … [Read more...]
Two New Salmonella Outbreaks Added to FDA CORE Table
Two new Salmonella outbreaks have been added to the FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. There is no more information provided on these outbreaks, as is typical for the FDA's new way of transmitting information. The first new outbreak is a Salmonella Paratyphi B var. L(+) tartrate+ outbreak in a not yet identified product. So far, at least 13 people have been sickened in that outbreak. We do not know the states where the ill persons live, their age range, illness onset dates, or whether or not anyone has been hospitalized. So far, traceback has been initiated, but there is no recall, no one-site inspection, and no samples have been collected or tested. The second new outbreak is a Salmonella Braenderup outbreak that has sickened at least 40 people. Traceback has been initiated, … [Read more...]
Possible Georges Mill Farm Goats E. coli Outbreak in Lovettsville, Virginia
A possible Georges Mill Farm goats E. coli outbreak is being reported by the Loudoun County Health Department in Virginia. Several people who came in contact with goats at that farm between March 6 and April 20, 2022 have experienced symptoms of an E. coli infection. The bacteria was identified by the Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services. We don't know the age of the patients or if anyone has been hospitalized. The health department is communicating directly with anyone who is known to have had contact with goats at that farm. If you are part of that group but have not been contacted, monitor your health for the symptoms of an E. coli infection and see your healthcare provider if you do get sick. Tell him or her about your possible exposure to those animals. You can … [Read more...]
Fall Harvested Romaine More Likely to Cause E. coli Outbreaks
Agricultural Research Scientists have found that fall harvested romaine is more likely to contain more E. coli bacteria and cause more outbreaks, according to the USDA. Between 1998 and 2019, there were 36 outbreaks traced back to lettuce, particularly romaine lettuce, that was harvested in the fall on the California Central Coast, and in late winter in Southern California and Arizona. The seasonal outbreaks are more frequently associated with commercially grown lettuce harvested at the end of the growing season. The question is why. ARS microbiologist Maria Brand, leader of the study, said in a statement, "To begin unravelling the causes of these seasonal outbreaks, our research team looked at various factors to identify conditions that may increase E. coli survival on fresh-cut … [Read more...]
More Consumer Education Needed About Consumption of Raw Flour
More consumer education is needed about the consumption of raw flour, according to a new study published in the Journal of Food Protection. Several outbreaks in the past few years have been linked to raw flour, including an E. coli outbreak linked to an unnamed brand of cake mix last year that sickened at least 16 people in 12 states, and an E. coli O26 outbreak in 2019 linked to ADM Milling flour that sickened at least 21 people in nine states. The study states that the consumption of raw flour is a public health risk. The FDA collected data on perceptions about uncooked flour in the fall of 2019, and on self-reported consumption behaviors, through its Food Safety and Nutrition Survey. The results showed that 35% of consumers said they tasted or ate something with uncooked, or … [Read more...]
New E. coli O121:H19 Outbreak on FDA CORE Investigation Table
A new E. coli O121:H19 outbreak has been posted on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. This outbreak, which has sickened at least four people, has already ended. The investigation, however, is still active and traceback has been initiated. The FDA stated, "A new outbreak of E. coli O121: H19 with an unidentified vehicle has been added. This outbreak does not appear to be ongoing, as the last illness onset occurred in November 2021. FDA has initiated traceback and other investigational activities in an effort to learn more about possible sources or routes of contamination." We'll keep you informed as the investigation into this new E. coli O121:H19 outbreak continues. And the outbreak of Salmonella Javiana, which sickened at least 65 people, has also ended with no … [Read more...]
Josie’s Organics Baby Spinach E. coli Outbreak Ends With 15 Sick
The Josie's Organics baby spinach E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has ended with 15 people sick in 10 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One more person, who lives in California, was added to the case count since the last update on December 3, 2021. The outbreak has ended as of January 6, 2021. The patient case count by state is: California (1), Indiana (4), Iowa (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (2), Missouri (1), Nebraska (1), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (1), and South Dakota (2). Illness onset dates ranged from October 13, 2021 to November 8, 2021. Patient ages ranged from one to 76 years. Four people were hospitalized, for a hospitalization rate was 27%. And three people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication of an E. coli infection that … [Read more...]
Simple Truth and Nature’s Basket Greens Associated With E. coli Outbreak
Simple Truth and Nature's Basket Power Greens are associated with an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has sickened at least 13 people in six states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Both brands are organic. Four people have been hospitalized, and one person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The patient case count by state is: Alaska (2), California (1), Mississippi (1), Ohio (1) Oregon (1), and Washington (7). The patient age range is from four to 79 years. Illness onset dates range from November 27, 2021 to December 9, 2021. Of 12 people who gave information to investigators, four were hospitalized, for a hospitalization rate of 33%. And of those 12 people interviewed, all reported eating packaged salads … [Read more...]
FDA Weighs In On Josie’s Organics Baby Spinach E. coli Outbreak
The FDA has weighed in on the Josie's Organics baby spinach E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 14 people in nine states as of November 15, 2021. Four people have been hospitalized, and three have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. The outbreak was first discovered in November 2021 when the Minnesota Department of Agriculture found E. coli in an opened package of Josie's Organics baby spinach that was taken from a patient's home. The sample had a "best if used by" date of October 23, 2021. Whole genome sequencing has, according to the CDC, revealed that that isolate is closely related to isolates taken from ill people. Illness onset dates range from October 13 to October 27, 2021. The patient case count by state is: Iowa (1), … [Read more...]
