The FDA confirmed today that the multistate outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney infections is definitively linked to Sunland peanut butter products. The government found Salmonella Bredeney in raw peanuts at the peanut processing facility. They also found the outbreak strain of the bacteria in environmental samples taken from the facility. Thirty-five people in 19 states are ill in this outbreak. Eight of the patients have been hospitalized. Sixty-three percent of the ill persons are children under the age of 10 years. Testing conducted by the Washington State Department of Agriculture found the outbreak strain of Salmonella Bredeney in an opened jar of Trader Joe's Valencia Creamy Peanut Butter from a patient's home. Attorney Fred Pritzker, who has filed lawsuits against corporations … [Read more...]
E. coli 0157:H7 Illnesses Linked to XL Foods Beef Grow in Canada
The Canadian outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7 linked to XL Foods beef has grown. Now, there are 15 confirmed cases: Alberta (7), Newfoundland and Labrador (1), Quebec (4), British Columbia (2). One case is a visitor to Canada. The two additional cases in British Columbia became ill in September. The massive recall of XL Foods beef, which started as a ground beef recall, has spread to the United States and has grown to include millions of pounds of intact cuts of beef such as roasts and steaks and beef products such as sausage. You can see the huge list of recalled products at the CFIA web site, and see the USDA's public health warning at their site. If you have suffered the symptoms of E. coli 0157:H7 food poisoning, including diarrhea which may be bloody, severe stomach cramps, and … [Read more...]
More Salmonella Cases Linked to On the Border Restaurant in Vancouver WA
The outbreak of Salmonella linked to the Mexican restaurant On the Border in Vancouver Washington has grown. Now at least 21 cases are confirmed, and 55 cases are suspected according to the Clark County Public Health Department. The restaurant is closed pending the investigation and the outcome of lab reports. The people who are sick reported eating at the restaurant between September 20 and October 9, 2012. Since food that was served during that time period has been discarded, it has been difficult to find the source of the bacteria. Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County Health Officer said in a statement, "our staff is interviewing employees and patrons to learn more about the possible source of this outbreak, such as a contaminated food source. We're also working with restaurant staff to … [Read more...]
Final Update on Daniella Mango Salmonella Braenderup Outbreak
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued their final update on the Salmonella Braenderup outbreak associated with mangoes imported from Mexico. The outbreak appears to be over. A total of 127 people in 15 states were sickened with the outbreak strain of the bacteria. Thirty-three people were hospitalized. No deaths were reported. Attorney Fred Pritzker, who has filed lawsuits for many Salmonella victims, said "the companies responsible for this outbreak need to be held accountable for the suffering of these patients." The mangoes were recalled in August and September of this year. FDA investigators found Salmonella bacteria in Daniella mangoes imported from Mexico that matches the outbreak strain found in victims. The company, Agricola Daniella of Mexico, is on … [Read more...]
Vancouver, WA Mexican Restaurant On the Border Closed After Salmonella Outbreak
The Clark County Public Health Department is closing the On the Border Mexican restaurant in Vancouver, Washington after an outbreak of Salmonella among patrons. The restaurant is located at 1505 SE 164th Avenue. So far, there are 11 confirmed cases and 5 probable cases associated with this outbreak. Public health officials are asking that anyone who ate at the restaurant between September 20 and October 8, 2012 and experiencing symptoms of salmonellosis contact a health care provider. The symptoms of Salmonella food poisoning include diarrhea, which may be bloody, fever, chills, abdominal cramps, and vomiting. People usually become ill one to three days after infection. Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County Health officer said in a statement, "we closed the restaurant this morning as a … [Read more...]
In Canada, Eleven E. coli 0157:H7 Cases Linked to XL Foods Recalled Beef
The Canadian outbreak of E. coli 0157:H7 cases linked to recalled XL Foods beef has grown with eleven cases. The new case was discovered on Vancouver Island. All of the cases are a confirmed match to the bacteria found at the XL plant. And XL Foods beef is now being recalled in Hong Kong. A small portion of the company's products was shipped to local retailers in that city. The CFIA is going to begin a "detailed assessment" of the XL Foods facility today. The facility has been closed since September 27, 2012 and will not reopen until the owners have implemented corrective actions. The facility will be inspected to "verify that sanitary conditions of both the slaughter and processing areas of the plant, including all equipment, meet the requirements of Canada's Meat Inspection … [Read more...]
E. coli 0157:H7 Public Health Alert for XL Foods Beef Products Expands in U.S.
The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service is expanding the Public Health Alert issued on September 28, 2012 for XL Foods beef products. The products, manufactured at the Canadian plant, have been recalled for possible E. coli 0157:H7 contamination. And at least 10 consumers in Canada have been sickened by E. coli 0157:H7 by mechanically tenderized meat produced at XL Foods. All beef and beef products produced on August 24, 27, 28, 29, and September 5, 2012 at the XL Foods plant are being recalled. Back in September, the FSIS reported that about 890,000 pounds of boneless beef trim were imported into the U.S. from XL Foods. Now, they estimate that about 1.1 million pounds of beef trim and 1.4 million pounds of primal and sub-primal cuts were imported. The primal and sub-primal cuts … [Read more...]
Frozen Strawberries Linked to 11,000 Food Poisoning Norovirus Illnesses in Germany
Frozen strawberries are most likely the cause of a huge food poisoning outbreak that has sickened at least 11,000 students in Germany. The students attended 500 schools and day care centers in the eastern parts of the country in the last week. The cause of the outbreak was norovirus. The Robert Koch Institut, which is used by the German Health Ministry to investigate outbreaks and infectious diseases, said there was a "strong and statistically significant link" between those illnesses and a shipment of frozen strawberries. The Google translation of the statement is as follows: "The largest food-borne outbreak of acute gastroenteritis (diarrhea and vomiting) in Germany is on the currently available data in the most affected provinces over. Only in Saxony, it is on the 4th October … [Read more...]
In Canada, E. coli Outbreak Linked to XL Foods Beef Grows
The Canadian Public Health Agency has released a statement about the E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak linked to tenderized beef products produced by XL Foods. Beef from that facility has been recalled in massive amounts for the past few weeks. To date, ten cases of E. coli 0157:H7 food poisoning have been linked to the specific strain of the bacteria found during the XL Foods Inc. safety investigation. That is an increase of five cases. Three of the newly confirmed case patients live in Alberta, and the other two live in Quebec. Each of the patients became ill more than two weeks ago and have recovered or are recovering, according to the statement. In total, there are seven confirmed illnesses in Alberta, 1 in Newfoundland/Labrador, and two in Quebec. You can find the complete list of recalled … [Read more...]
Peanut Butter Salmonella Bredeney Outbreak Grows Again
The outbreak of Salmonella Bredeney linked to Trader Joe's Valencia Creamy Peanut Butter has grown to include 35 people in 19 states. Eight people have been hospitalized and there have been no deaths. Sixty-three percent of outbreak victims are children under the age of 10. 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). There are three new cases in California, one in Missouri, and one in Texas. Illness onset dates range from June 14, 2012 to September 18, 2012. Ill persons range in age from less than 1 year to 79 … [Read more...]
