Raw milk is the suspected source of an E.coli outbreak that has sickened several people in northwest Missouri. Raw milk, or milk that has not been pasteurized, can contain E.coli and other disease-causing bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, Listera, Yersinia and Brucella. For that reason, the sale of raw milk is illegal in many states. In Missouri, it is legal for a farmer to sell raw milk directly to customers of the farm. A bill has been put before the Missouri Legislature to slightly expand a farmer's ability to sell raw milk, allowing a farmer to sell up to 100 gallons of raw milk or raw cream at farmers' markets. Raw milk has not been identified as the definitive source of this outbreak but has been characterized by health officials as "a possible risk … [Read more...]
Fresh Produce Suspected Cause Of E. coli Illnesses In Canada, Ohio
Fresh produce is the suspected cause of two E. coli outbreaks, one in Canada where at least 16 people have been sickened and one in Ohio where five people had confirmed cases of E.coli 0157:H7 poisoning and one additional case was suspected. In Canada, the outbreak is now considered nationwide, with six cases in New Brunswick and and five each in Nova Scotia and Ontario. In Ohio, leafy greens served at a Longhorn Steakhouse were the suspected cause of illnesses which took place in in mid-December. In both outbreaks, authorities believe the produce was tainted when it arrived at restaurants where it was served. The perishable nature of fresh produce has posed traceback challenges in Canada. Luc Erjavec of the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association, told FoodBeat that the … [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...]
E. coli from Spinach and Spring Mix Salad sold at Wegmans and Possibly Other Grocery Stores, New York Hit Hardest
What started as an E. coli outbreak in New York linked to Wegmans Spinach and Spring Mix bagged salad has spread to 4 other states, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Virginia, according to a CDC report. This Wegmans product (recalled on Nov. 2, 2012) was distributed to Wegmans stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts. Outside of New York, all five (100%) of the ill persons interviewed told investigators that they ate several different brands of pre-packaged leafy greens that did not come from Wegmans. Because of this, investigations are ongoing to determine if other contaminated foods are also a source of illness in this outbreak. Consumers may be wondering why the E. coli patients in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and … [Read more...]
Two E. coli Outbreaks In New York Unrelated, Officials Say
An E. coli outbreak linked to spinach sold at Wegmans grocery stores in New York that has sickened 19 people in five counties in the western part of the state is not related to a September outbreak in the same area, Jeffrey Hammond, a spokesman for the New York State Department of Health told Food Poisoning Bulletin. The spinach E. coli outbreak that since mid-October has sickened 19 people who range in age from 6 to 60 and live in Erie, Monroe, Niagara, Steuben, and Wayne counties is not related to an E. coli outbreak in Livingston and Onondaga counties that sickened 10 people in September, Hammond said. A food source for the September outbreak was never determined, but testing has ruled out that outbreaks are related. E. coli poisoning can cause severe abdominal cramps and diarrhea … [Read more...]
Spinach Recall And NY E. coli Outbreak, FDA And CDC Join Investigation
The Wegmans recall of spinach and spring mix salad greens has been linked to an E. coli outbreak in New York that is now being investigated by federal as well as state health officials. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today that it is collaborating with the New York State Department of Health, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to investigate the outbreak that has sickened at least 16 people in New York. The spinach recall includes Wegmans Food You Feel Good About Organic Spinach & Spring Mix sold in 5 ounce and 11 ounce plastic clamshell containers at its stores in six states: Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. "Test results indicate that … [Read more...]
Wegmans Spinach Linked To NY E. coli Outbreak
An E. coli outbreak linked to Wegmans spinach has sickened at least 16 people and hospitalized four in New York, the state health department has confirmed. The 16 people who became ill are from Monroe, Niagara, Steuben, and Wayne counties. Three of those who were hospitalized have been released, one remains in the hospital. Yesterday, Wegmans recalled two sizes of organic spinach and spring mix for possible E.coli contamination. The recalled products are Wegmans Food You Feel Good About Organic Spinach & Spring Mix, in 5 ounce and 11 ounce sizes that were sold between October 14, 2012 and November 1, 2012. The 11 ounce packages bear the UPC number 77890-16411. The 5 ounce packages have the UPC number 77890-16437. Customers who have purchased these items should not eat … [Read more...]
After E. coli Outbreak, Pumpkin Patch Closes Petting Zoo
A Washington petting zoo where four children contracted E. coli infections has been closed. The owners of the Willow Grove Gardens Pumpkin Patch voluntarily closed the petting zoo Monday evening after four children, all under the age of ten, got E. coli poisoning after visiting the farm. At least one of them was so ill that hospitalization was required, according to local health authorities. Petting zoos are frequent sources of E. coli outbreaks. Earlier this month, an E. coli outbreak associated with a petting zoo at the Cleveland County Fair in North Carolina killed one child and sickened more than 100 others. Petting animals can transfer dangerous bacteria to hands which can cause infection if the face, eyes, nose or mouth are touched without first washing hands. It can also be … [Read more...]
E.coli Outbreak At Pumpkin Patch Petting Zoo Sickens Four
Four children who visited the petting zoo at Willow Grove Gardens Pumpkin Patch have tested positive for E.coli, Hilary Gillette-Walch, nurse manager for the Cowlitz County Health Department told Food Poisoning Bulletin this afternoon. At least one of the children, who are all under ten, was hospitalized. Results from lab tests show one child was infected with the strain E. coli 0157:H7, results from tests to identify the strains of E.coli that infected of the other three children are pending. It could be weeks before health officials know with certainty if all four children were poisoned by the same strain, said Gillette-Walch. Symptoms of an infection include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea which can sometimes by bloody. The bacteria can be picked up by petting an animal and then … [Read more...]
As Cleveland County Shows, E.coli Outbreaks At Fairs Hit Children Hardest
The E. coli outbreak linked to the Cleveland County Fair in North Carolina is the latest example of how children are hit hardest when foodborne illness strikes fairgoers. Of the 106 people included in this outbreak, 64 are children, 12 of whom have been hospitalized and one of whom has died, according to the latest update from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. Animal exposure has been identified as a a possible source of the outbreak, which has been the case in a number of instances where foodborne illness outbreaks have been linked to fairs and petting zoos. “These events are a well recognized source of E. coli poisoning and have been implicated in several outbreaks in recent years,” said Fred Pritzker, food safety attorney and publisher of Food Poisoning Bulletin. … [Read more...]
