It never ceases to amaze me why people drink raw milk. Raw milk, as all should know, is unpasteurized. Pasteurization is the process by which milk, juices and other products are heated in order to kill off dangerous pathogens. Without pasteurization, bacteria that harm or even kill people remain in the milk. Pasteurization, a simple procedure that’s been used for about 150 years, is absolutely effective. Pasteurization does not affect the taste of milk. It does not reduce or degrade milk’s beneficial and nutritional qualities. Any claims that it does have been debunked by scientists and physicians. The only people who claim raw milk is good for you are people who ignore science. The only people who claim pasteurization makes milk less nutritious ignore science. This is … [Read more...]
Adams Farm Slaughterhouse Recall Prompted by E. coli Outbreak
Adams Farm Slaughterhouse, LLC, an Athol, Mass., establishment, recalled beef, veal, and Bison products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The recall was prompted by an outbreak of E. coli infections in 4 states: Connecticut (2), Massachusetts (3), Pennsylvania (1) and West Virginia (1). The recalled beef products, sold raw by Adams Farm Slaughterhouse, originated from animals slaughtered on July 15, 25, and 27, 2016 and August 3, 8, 10, 11, 17, 24 and 26, 2016, and further processed and packed on various dates between July 21, and September 22, 2016. These products bear establishment number EST. 5497 inside the USDA mark of inspection and have lot numbers: 120361, 121061, 121761, 121861, 122161, 122261, 122361, 122461, 122861, 123061, 123161, 123261, 123561, 123661, … [Read more...]
E. coli O157:H7 in Ground Beef Likely Source of Outbreak in CT, MA, PA and WV
An outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 infections has been linked to ground beef produced by Adams Farm Slaughterhouse in Athol, Massachusetts, according to the CDC. To date, there are seven confirmed case patients from four states: Connecticut (2), Massachusetts (3), Pennsylvania (1) and West Virginia (1). Five of the seven people sickened were interviewed and answered questions about the foods they ate in the week before they had symptoms of E. coli poisoning. All five of them reported eating ground beef in the week before they became ill. Health officials conducted traceback investigations, which indicated that ill people ate ground beef which had been produced by Adams Farm Slaughterhouse. The Connecticut Department of Public Health collected leftover ground beef from the home of one … [Read more...]
PT Farm Recalls Lamb for Possible E. coli
PT Farm of North Haverhill, New Hampshire is recalling about 15 pounds of lamb products that may be contaminated with E. coli bacteria. This recall is interesting because it was caused by an E. coli positive water supply sample and "water boil" notice initiated by the North Haverhill Municipality Water Department in North Haverhill. The government is concerned that some of this lamb could be frozen in consumers' freezers. The lamb products, a neck and one leg, were derived on September 6, 2016 and shipped to a retail store in Somerville, Massachusetts. It was sold at that store's retail counter on September 7, 2016. The store was not named in the recall notice. If you purchased lamb from a retail store in that city on September 7, 2016, check with your grocer or butcher to see if … [Read more...]
Michigan Raw Milk E. Coli Outbreak Sickens Two Children
An E. coli outbreak linked to raw milk has sickened at least two children in Michigan. The E. coli O157:H7 cases, which were reported in Oakland and Wayne counties, underscore the dangers of consuming unpasteurized dairy products, state health officials said. Laws governing the sale of raw milk vary from state to state. In Michigan, it is not legal to sell raw milk at the retail level, but it can by obtained through membership in a herd or cow share program, which are not inspected or regulated under Michigan dairy laws. “The public should be aware that raw milk and other unpasteurized dairy products have not been heat-treated and, therefore, pose a potentially serious risk to human health,” said Dr. Eden Wells, chief medical executive for Michigan Department of Health and Human … [Read more...]
GoIng to the Fair? Protect Your Family From E. coli
The E. coli outbreak in Washington County, Oregon that may be related to livestock at the Washington County fair is a reminder to all that attending county and state fairs can be dangerous. Officials are investigating "several" illnesses that occurred after those sickened attended the fair. In the past few years, there have been E. coli outbreaks linked to livestock exhibits and petting zoos at fairs. And now that we are getting into autumn, the big state fairs are set to begin. Livestock exhibits and areas where ruminant animals are gathered are the hot spots for these outbreaks. Cows, goats, sheep, deer, and elk are ruminant animals; they can carry E. coli bacteria in their intestines. The bacteria comes out in their poop, which can get everywhere, including on the … [Read more...]
Grassfields Cheese Nationwide E. coli Recall
Grassfields Cheese of Coopersville MI has issued a nationwide recall for cheeses that may be contaminated with E. coli. The cheeses have been linked to an E. coli outbreak that includes seven illnesses. People who have purchased these cheeses should not eat them as E. coli can cause serious illness and death. The recall includes 20,000 pounds of the following varieties of organic cheese: Gouda, Onion ‘n Garlic, Country Dill, Leyden, Edam, Lamont Cheddar, Chili Cheese, Fait Fras, Polkton Corners and Crofters. The recalled cheeses were sold in 12 pound wheels, six pound half wheels, and wedges of various sizes. The shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) strain cultured from those who became ill was also found in cheese tested by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural … [Read more...]
Weekly Food Recall Roundup: August 7, 2016
This week's food recalls include cheeses recalled after being identified as the source of an E. coli outbreak, frozen green beans recalled for Listeria and alfalfa sprouts recalled after being linked to a Salmonella outbreak. Food Recalls in the U.S. Pathogens Grassfields Cheese was recalled for E. coli after it was linked to seven illnesses. The recall includes Gouda, Onion ‘n Garlic, Country Dill, Leyden, Edam, Lamont Cheddar, Chili Cheese, Fait Fras, Polkton Corners, and Crofters. Whole Foods was one of the retailers that sold the cheese. JML Ingredients Inc. of East Petersburg, PA is recalling IQF Cut Green Beans because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Consumers who have purchased this product should not eat it as Listeria can cause serious illness … [Read more...]
Whole Foods Recalls Grassfields Cheese for E. coli
Grassfields Cheese recalled for E.coli was sold at Whole Foods. The natural foods retailer has issued a recall for the cheeses sold at some of its stores. The recall includes Grassfields brand: Gouda, Onion ‘n Garlic, Country Dill, Leyden, Edam, Lamont Cheddar, Fait Gras and Polkton Corners. They were cut and packaged in clear plastic wrap with PLU codes that ranging from 0206151 to 0206159 and "sell by" dates through 9/2/2016. The recalled cheeses were sold at Whole Foods stores in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin. Grassfields issued a recall for cheeses after they were linked to a cluster of seven E. coli illnesses in Michigan. Symptoms of an E. coli infection include stomach … [Read more...]
Ground Beef E. coli Outbreak Sickens 14 in 4 States
An E. coli outbreak linked to ground beef produced by PT Farm of North Haverhill, NH has sickened 14 people in four states, hospitalizing four of them. A recall has been issued for beef products sold under the brand names PT Farms, Chestnut Farms, Robie Farms and Miles Smith Farm. Consumers who have purchased this meat should not eat it as E. coli can cause serious illness and death. The recalled products were shipped to retail locations and institutional clients in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. Illnesses have been reported in each of those states: New Hampshire (10), Massachusetts (2), Maine (1) and Vermont (1). The recalled products have the establishment number “M8868” inside the USDA mark of inspection. They were sold in various weights and sizes. Health … [Read more...]
