Since mid-July, there have been two recalls for salad greens grown in greenhouses, one of them in conjunction with a multistate Salmonella outbreak. These recalls have some consumers wondering how does greenhouse-grown lettuce get contaminated with pathogens? The first recall was linked to herbs and salad greens produced by BrightFarms of Rochelle, IL. On July … Read more
Three new outbreaks were announced on the FDA Table of Outbreak Investigations: One was caused by Cyclospora, the second by E. coli O121, and the third by Salmonella Typhimurium. UPDATE: One of these outbreaks, the Salmonella outbreak, has a suspect food attached to it. In the cyclospora outbreak, at least 32 people are sick. The notice … Read more
A study published in the International Journal of Molecular Science looked at the effect of artificial sweeteners on gut bacterial pathogenicity. They found that artificial sweeteners may increase damage in the gut, by increasing the ability of bacteria to form a biofilm and the ability of the bacteria to adhere to, invade, and kill the … Read more
Food Poisoning Bulletin reports about food poisoning outbreaks all the time. We do warn that many pathogens can not only make you sick in the short term, but can cause significant problems for months or years to come. The long term effects of food poisoning illnesses can be significant. While any bout of food poisoning … Read more
When Food Poisoning Bulletin writes about outbreaks, we always mention how some groups are more likely to suffer serious illness and complications if they get sick. Who are high risk populations? And why are they high risk in the first place? The main groups that are at higher risk for problems if they contract a … Read more
With grilling season upon us and the Fourth of July holiday next week, most Americans are taking to their outdoor grills. We grill everything from chicken wings to veggies to burgers to steaks. But do you know if you are grilling mechanically tenderized beef? There are several ways of tenderizing meat: marinating, the way you … Read more
Merkley & Sons ground beef is being recalled in Indiana for possible E. coli contamination. The 80% lean beef is sold in 1 pound and 5 pound packages. No illnesses have been report to the company to date in connection with this recall. No other Merkley & Sons products are affected by this recall. The … Read more
A new study published in Emerging Infectious Diseases has found that adult STEC HUS disease is more serious and fatal than the same disease in children, even though children are far more likely to develop this complication after an E. coli infection. The retrospective study looked at Shiga toxin-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome in 96 adults … Read more
Various news outlets are reporting that the Maine CDC says that there is a possible E. coli exposure at Morse’s Sauerkraut located in Waldoboro, Maine. A food handler allegedly worked while infected with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) from April 1, 2021 through May 13, 2021. The government has determined that patrons of that facility may … Read more
The Maryland Department of Health is warning consumers not to eat some types 0f La Cieba, La Colonia, and Selectos Latinos brand names cheeses until further notice, since they may be contaminated with two types of bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. The La Cieba, La Colonia, and Selectos Latinos cheeses that fall under … Read more