A report in the Journal of Food Protection's November 2012 issue has found that more violations of food safety laws and regulations were found in restaurants that were linked to food poisoning outbreaks. While that may seem obvious, this was a meta-analysis that proved the point. The Division of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Minnesota conducted the research. Since most foodborne illness outbreaks occur in restaurant settings, this research will help public health officials focus on interventions that have the most impact on reducing food poisoning outbreaks. The report states that "significantly more violations were recorded at restaurants that had outbreaks." Three pathogens that cause the majority of foodborne illness outbreaks in the United States are … [Read more...]
Eight Cases of Vibrio Food Poisoning Linked to Oysters Reported in Massachusetts This Year
The Cape Cod Times is reporting that eight cases of Vibrio food poisoning were reported in Massachusetts this year from oysters. Last summer the state designed new regulations to keep consumers safe from this bacteria, but they failed. The eight cases were linked to oysters harvested from Wellfleet, Orleans, Edgartown, Duxbury, Kingston, Barnstable, and Dennis. Public health officials think that increased public awareness may be part of the cause of this outbreak, but warmer water and air temperatures this last summer may be to blame. Vibrio was not seen in Massachusetts oysters until 2011 because the state's colder water temperatures discouraged the growth of the bacteria. In every month in 2012, the mean air temperatures were higher than average, including the third-warmest April and … [Read more...]
Sunland Peanut Butter Salmonella Bredeney Outbreak Grows to 41 Patients
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have updated their investigation into the Salmonella Bredeney outbreak linked to Trader Joe's Valencia Creamy Salted Peanut Butter produced by Sunland Inc. Now 41 people are ill in 20 states. Ten people have been hospitalized. There have been no deaths. The three new cases are from New York, North Carolina, and Virginia. Attorney Fred Pritzker, who has been contacted by possible victims in this outbreak, said, "Sunland and Trader Joe's are responsible for this outbreak. Anyone who has been sickened in this outbreak should see their healthcare provider for care." Sixty-three percent of patients are children under the age of 10. A huge number of products have been recalled relating to this contamination. You can see the entire list of … [Read more...]
Michigan E. coli Cases Linked to Unpasteurized Cider
The Health Department of Northwest Michigan, along with Community Health and the Michigan Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development are investigating a series of E. coli infections that may be associated with unpasteurized, unlabeled apple juice in Antrim County. Officials are collecting stool samples and samples of the cider to test for the outbreak strain of the bacteria. The cider was made by an unlicensed facility and was not labeled as unpasteurized. Public health officials warn that it's important to purchase cider from licensed facilities and vendors. Unpasteurized cider, along with raw milk and under-cooked meat, have been the cause of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) bacterial outbreaks in the past. The FDA says that most juice sold in the U.S. is pasteurized. … [Read more...]
Multistate Listeria Outbreak of Frescolina Ricotta Salata Updated by CDC
The CDC has updated their investigation into the outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes linked to Frescolina Marte brand ricotta salata cheese imported by Forever Cheese and processed by Whole Foods. Now 22 people are sick in 14 states. Four people have died, and 20 people have been or are hospitalized in the outbreak. One fetal loss was reported. The two new cases are from Virginia and Massachusetts. Attorney Fred Pritzker, who is representing victims of this outbreak, said, "cross-contamination of other cheeses was very likely caused by cutting and repackaging the adulterated cheese. This outbreak has been widespread and the recalled cheese has contaminated an unknown number of other cheeses since they were cut with the same equipment." The case count by state is: California (3), … [Read more...]
Salmonella Bredeney Outbreak Linked to Sunland Trader Joe Peanut Butter Grows
The CDC has updated its investigation into the Salmonella Bredeney outbreak that is linked to Trader Joe's Valencia peanut butter produced by Sunland Inc. Now 38 people have been sickened with the outbreak strain of the bacteria. Ten people have been hospitalized. There are no deaths. The case count by state is: Arizona (1), California (5), Connecticut (3), Illinois (1), Louisiana (1), Massachusetts (3), Maryland (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (1), Missouri (2), Nevada (1), New Jersey (2), New York (1), North Carolina (1), Pennsylvania (2), Rhode Island (1), Texas (5), Virginia (1), and Washington (2). Sixty-six percent of the ill persons are children under the age of 10. Sunland has been recalling products for weeks, and derivative product recalls have reached into the hundreds of … [Read more...]
September Salmonella Outbreak in Chicago Schools Linked to OrganicLife
According to the Chicago Tribune, there was a Salmonella outbreak at five schools in Chicago in September. The outbreak appears to be over and the children sickened, who range in age from 7 to 14, have recovered. One child was hospitalized. One of the schools is in Lake County; the other four schools were in northern Cook County. The outbreak began on September 20, 2012. The public was not notified, although parents of children who attended those schools were told about the illnesses. There is no information about this Salmonella outbreak on either the Cook County Department of Public Health or the Lake County Department of Public Health web sites. The specific strain of Salmonella was not identified. Public health officials have traced the source of the bacteria to OrganicLife, a … [Read more...]
XL Foods Beef E. coli Outbreak in Canada Grows to 16 Cases
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Public Health Agency of Canada have updated the E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak linked to beef from XL Foods. As of October 19, 2012, sixteen people are now ill with the outbreak strain of the bacteria. That's an increase of one case since the last update. The case count is as follows by province/territory: Alberta (7), Newfoundland and Labrador (1), Quebec (5), and British Columbia (3, one a visitor to Canada). You can find a complete list of the products recalled at the CFIA web site. Dozens of recalls have been issued over the past month in response to the original recall. Look over the list of recalled items carefully. If you have purchased any and have any in your home, discard them immediately. Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and … [Read more...]
On the Border Restaurant Reopens After Salmonella Outbreak
The Clark County Public Health department has lifted the closure order for On the Border restaurant located at 1505 SE 164th Avenue in Vancouver, Washington. The restaurant was closed on October 9, 2012 after reports of salmonellosis among patrons. As of October 14, 2012, there have been 23 confirmed and 54 probable cases of Salmonella food poisoning linked to this outbreak. Four people have been hospitalized and three have been released. Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County Health Officer said, "we believe there is no longer a risk of Salmonella transmission to the public. All restaurant surfaces and equipment have been inspected, cleaned, and sanitized, and all potentially contaminated foods have been removed. All restaurant employees have been tested for Salmonella and those free of … [Read more...]
XL Foods E. coli 0157:H7 Recall Expands for the 17th and 18th Times
The recall of beef products for E. coli 0157:H7 produced at the XL Foods plant in Canada has grown for the 17th and 18th times. This recall is linked to an E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak that has sickened at least 15 people in Canada. Janet's Jerky is recalling 2 pound bags of Old Fashioned Beef Jerky with no UPC numbers and purchase dates from September 17 to October 10, 2012. The products were distributed in New Brunswick. They are also recalling 2 pound bags of Old Fashioned Beef Jerky - Hot & Spicy Cajun with the same purchase dates and distribution. Also recalled is corned beef sold at l’Entrepôt de Viandes from September 11 to October 10, 2012 in Quebec. On October 12, 2012, the CFIA announced more recalls. Nortown medium ground beef, La Préférence filet mignon and Côte de boeuf … [Read more...]
