Cucumbers distributed by Andrew & Williamson Fresh Produce of California, and grown in Baja Mexico, are being recalled in connection with a large Salmonella outbreak in 27 states. But Salmonella bacteria do not occur naturally on cucumbers; that bacteria is usually found on chickens, beef, and pork. Where did it come from? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had a meeting with independent industry experts about this outbreak last month. An industry meeting was held on August 26, 2015, with four independent experts from the produce industry. They discussed crop production and distribution practices that may have caused the contamination. These recalled cucumbers were grown on poles in a field. Most consumers aren't aware that fresh produce is one of the leading … [Read more...]
Report: Lawsuits Provide “Significant” Food Safety Protections
With regulatory agencies underfunded and outgunned by private companies that put profit before quality, are lawsuits the last, best defense of food safety in America? Yes, according to a new report by the American Association for Justice. The report, Food Safety and the Civil Justice System, looks at a our food system which annually sickens 48 million Americans at a cost of $77 billion and asks how producers of food responsible for 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths every year are held accountable. “The civil justice system is not just the major deterrent to negligent behavior, it also serves as the most effective tool for rooting out systemic problems in the food chain. While regulators’ investigatory efforts are limited to the external factors of the food chain—for … [Read more...]
Cyclospora: Outbreak and Symptoms Go On and On
At least 495 people in 30 states have been sickened with with parasitic infections from food contaminated with Cyclospora. Cilantro imported from Mexico has been identified as the source of illness clusters in Texas and Wisconsin. Investigations are ongoing to determine the source in the remaining 28 states. In three states: Texas, Wisconsin, and Georgia, illnesses have been linked to food served at restaurants. But health officials have not released the names of those establishments. Cyclosporiasis, the infection caused by the Cyclospora parasite, causes profuse, often explosive, diarrhea that can last two months or more. Other symptoms, which can also last more than 60 days, include abdominal cramps, bloating, gas, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, body … [Read more...]
Ohio Church Potluck Botulism Outbreak Nation’s Largest in 40 Years
A botulism outbreak that sickened 29 people who attended a church potluck in Ohio is the largest botulism outbreak to strike the U.S. in 40 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One person died as a result of their illness. Botulism is caused by a nerve toxin produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum which is found in soil and dust. Symptoms include: double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, muscle weakness, descending paralysis, difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. Most patients described onset of symptoms two days after attending a potluck at Cross Pointe Free Will Baptist Church. Home-canned potatoes in potato salad were the likely source of the outbreak. … [Read more...]
Possible Food Poisoning at Arrowhead Lodge in New York
At least 35 people have been sickened after attending a wedding reception July 31, 2015 at the Arrowhead Lodge in Bremerton, which is in Onondaga county, New York. Officials suspect food poisoning may be the cause of these illnesses. Nine people were taken by ambulance to the hospital; two were hospitalized overnight. State and county health departments are investigating this outbreak. Officials aren't sure if food poisoning is the cause. Since people got sick at the reception, with diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and cramping, the most likely culprits are Staphylococcus or Bacillus cereus if this disease is foodborne. Those bacteria have an incubation period of 2-4 hours before symptoms begin. Health department officials are interviewing about 70 of the 100 people who were at the … [Read more...]
Food Poisoning Strikes 86 Children from 2 Montgomery Daycare Centers
Food poisoning has sickened 86 children from two daycare centers in Montgomery, AL hospitalizing 30 of them, according to an alert from the state department of health. Three Montgomery hospitals treated children for symptoms including lethargy, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps. All but one were treated and released. The kitchen at the Sunnyside Child Care Center has been closed. The child care center is remaining closed while the investigation is ongoing. The illnesses were first reported June 23 by a concerned parent. The Health officials are analyzing clinical and environmental samples collected from the daycare centers and evaluating questionnaires from those sickened. Health officials urge parents of children who were sickened to keep them home until investigators learn … [Read more...]
Kids Sickened with Food Poisoning at Montgomery, AL Daycare
More than 30 children have been hospitalized with possible food poisoning at the Sunnyside Child Care Center on Norman Bridge Road in Montgomery, Alabama, according to AlabamaNews.net. The children have been suffering from vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Some children must remain at the hospital overnight tonight at Baptist South for monitoring. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tom Miller said lab work is being conducted to determine what caused the illnesses. First impressions is that contaminated food may have been served at the daycare. Other news reports are that more than 60 children have been taken to emergency rooms with food poisoning symptoms. The hospital has opened a unit just for these children, according to the Montgomery Advertiser. Some children were taken to the … [Read more...]
Food Poisoning Outbreak at Salt Lake City Homeless Shelter
According to the Salt Lake Tribune, about 50 people were taken to a hospital from a homeless shelter in Salt Lake City, Utah after becoming ill with symptoms of food poisoning. Those sickened were at The Road Home homeless shelter at 210 South Rio Grande. Symptoms included vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal pains and cramps, according to the report. Staff at the shelter called for help at about 9:30 pm Sunday, May 31, 2015. People from the men's shelter and the women and family shelter were sickened. None of those sickened are in serious condition. All but one patient has recovered, according to news reports. Three of those sickened were children. The exact cause of the illness has not yet been determined. Public health officials stated that the investigation is just … [Read more...]
Blue Bell Attacking Listeria Problem with Overhaul of Facilities
Major floor repairs and potential work on ventilation systems at Blue Bell ice cream plants will be part of an intensive maintenance overhaul that could take months to complete, the Texas company said in a public statement this week. The effort also will include disassembly of equipment and extensive swabbing of surfaces in search of Listeria monocytogenes bacteria that have crept into the company's products for several years. Public health authorities brought the contamination to light in an investigation of three Listeria deaths in Kansas last year traced to milkshakes made from Blue Bell "Scoops'' ice cream. Now they know that a total of 10 people have been sickened in the outbreak in four states. Half of the victims ate ice cream from Texas facilities and half ate ice cream from … [Read more...]
Food Poisoning at Maitland Colonnades Party in Florida
A food poisoning outbreak occurred at a catered event at the Maitland Colonnades office building on Lucien Way in Maitland, Florida on December 11, 2014. At least 55 people were sickened, and at least 25 people had to be taken to the hospital. Emergency workers helped 200 people at the event. Because so many people were sickened so suddenly, within two hours of arriving at the party, the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI were notified. Public health officials have launched an investigation and are interviewing patients. Samples from patients have been sent to labs, but it could take days or weeks to identify what made people sick. Symptoms of the illnesses included "extreme abdominal symptoms" including vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. The caterer and food preparation … [Read more...]
