Enjoy Premium Cookies in two flavors are being recalled in Hawaii because they may contain milk, one of the nine major food allergens, that is not declared on the label, according to the Hawaii Department of Health. Anyone who is allergic to milk, as well as anyone who is lactose intolerant, could have a serious reaction if they eat these cookies. No reports of illness or allergic reactions have been received by the company to date in connection with this issue. The recalling firm is KTM Services. The recalled products were sold throughout Hawaii at retail stores, including CVS Longs, Don Quijote, Navy Exchange, Target, Times Supermarkets, and Walmart. The cookies were also sold directly to consumers through mail order. The recalled items are Enjoy Premium Taro Cookies and Enjoy … [Read more...]
Possible Hepatitis A Exposure at Hana Koa Brewing in Honolulu
There has been a possible hepatitis A exposure at Hana Koa Brewing Company in Honolulu, Hawaii, according to the Hawaii Department of Health. That establishment is located at 962 Kawaiaha‘o Street in Honolulu. Anyone who consumed any food or drink products from that restaurant from August 3 through August 16, 2024 may have been exposed to the virus. Unfortunately, that is longer than the two week window in which hepatitis A vaccines are most effective. If you did eat or drink there during that time frame, contact your doctor to decide the best course of action for you. Hana Koa Brewing Company had no food safety violations that caused this case. The likelihood that patrons will contract this illness is very low, but the public still must be informed. The restaurant and … [Read more...]
Makana Brownie Assortment is Being Recalled For Peanuts
Makana Brownie Assortment is being recalled because it may contain peanuts, one of the nine major food allergens, that are not declared on the label. Anyone who is allergic to peanuts could have a serious or life-threatening reaction if they eat this product. One consumer did have an adverse reaction, and that triggered the recall. The recalling firm is Big Island Candies of Hilo, Hawaii. The product label does not depict peanut as a key ingredient. A portion of gte box main contain Milk Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Brownies instead of Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nut Brownies. There are 120 boxes of Makana Brownie Assortment Box (batch 60) included in this recall. The brownies were sold from the company's Ala Moana Store that is located at 1450 Ala Moana Boulevard in … [Read more...]
Victor Dog Food Salmonella Outbreak is Number Nine of 2023
The Victor Dog Food Salmonella outbreak is the number nine outbreak of 2023. At least seven people in seven states, mostly infants, have been sickened in this outbreak. The outbreak investigation has not been updated since November 9, 2023. The case count by state is: Alabama (1), California (1), Florida (1), Hawaii (1), Kentucky (1), Minnesota (1), and Oklahoma (1). Most of the patients (86%) are one year old or younger, and the remaining patient is under the age of 65. Illness onset dates range from January 14, 2023 to August 19, 2023. One patient has been hospitalized. In interviews, five of the patients' families said that they had contact with a dog or had a dog in their household. Three of those households fed their pets Victor brand dog food. Whole genome sequencing … [Read more...]
Victor Dog Food Salmonella Outbreak Sickens Infants
The Victor Dog Food Salmonella Kiambu outbreak has sickened at least seven people, mostly infants, in seven states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Several brands and types of dog and pet food have been recalled in association with this outbreak. The recalling firm is Mid America Pet Food. The case count by state is: Alabama (1), California (1), Florida (1), Hawaii (1), Kentucky (1), Minnesota (1), and Oklahoma (1). Most of the patients (86%) are one year old or younger, and the remaining patient is under the age of 65. Illness onset dates range from January 14, 2023 to August 19, 2023. One patient has been hospitalized. State and local public health officials are interviewing patients and their families about pets or pet food that the sick … [Read more...]
Frozen Strawberries Hepatitis A Outbreak Ends with 10 Sick
The frozen strawberries hepatitis A outbreak has ended with 10 people sick in four states. Four patients were hospitalized because they were so ill, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There were several recalls issued in relation to this outbreak. The CDC is recommending that anyone who bought those berries should not eat, serve, or sell them. The case count by state is: Washington (6), California (2), Hawaii (1), and Oregon (1). Illness onset dates ranged from November 24, 2022 to May 27, 2023. The patient age range is from 38 to 64. Four people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. Epidemiologic and traceback evidence indicates that frozen organic strawberries that were imported fresh from a single farm in Baja California, Mexico in … [Read more...]
Cyclospora and Salmonella Outbreaks Increase; Remain Mysteries
There are now seven active outbreak investigations on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. Of those outbreaks, only one is solved. The others, including three cyclospora outbreaks, one Salmonella outbreak, one E. coli O26 outbreak, and one E. coli O157:H7 outbreak, remain unsolved. For the first cyclospora outbreak, the case count has increased to 47 sick, up from 39 in the last update. Traceback has been initiated, and samples have been collected and are being analyzed. In the second cyclospora outbreak, the case count has increased from 121 sick to 140. In that investigation, traceback has started and samples have been collected and analyzed. In the third cyclospora outbreak, the case count has increased by one more patient, from 68 to 69. Traceback has started, an … [Read more...]
Now Ten Sick in the Frozen Strawberries Hepatitis A Outbreak
There are now ten sick in the frozen strawberries Hepatitis A outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That is an increase of one more patient, who lives in Hawaii, which is a new state added to the outbreak case count. The case count by state is: Washington (6), California (2), Hawaii (1), and Oregon (1). Illness onset dates range from November 24, 2022 to June 4, 2023. The patient age range is from 38 to 64. Four people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. Epidemiological and traceback evidence indicates that frozen organic strawberries that were imported fresh from "certain farms" in Baja, California in Mexico in 2022 are the source of this outbreak. And the hepatitis A virus strain that is making people sick is genetically … [Read more...]
Lahaina Sports Bar in Lahaina, Hawaii Closed For Cockroaches
The Lahaina Sports Bar in Lahaina, Hawaii has been closed for a cockroach infestation, according to the State of Hawaii Department of Health (DOH). The bar, located at 843 Wainee Street, had a red placard issued on December 7, 2021. Both adult and juvenile cockroach activity was observed. The food establishment must remain closed until all of the violations noted are resolved and the DOH conducts a follow up inspection. Cockroaches can carry many pathogens that cause human disease, including Staphylococcus, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter Salmonella, and Giardia. They spread these pathogens through their saliva and through droppings and also through direct contact. The violations were found during a routine inspection. During that time, the DOH inspector noted that many … [Read more...]
Hawaii Raw Goat Milk Embargo in Effect Against Retail Stores
A Hawaii raw goat milk embargo is in effect because the product is allegedly being sold by food retailers and in pet supply stores. It is illegal to sell raw milk for human consumption in Hawaii. The government is issuing cease and desist orders to those facilities that may be selling unpasteurized goat milk. These raw milk products are not safe for humans consumption. Pet stores or any other retailer that has raw milk in their possession must remove it from sale immediately and destroy it or return the milk to their supplier. Fines for disobeying this embargo can be up to $10,000 per day. As of July 1, 2021, there were nearly 20 Oahu pet store that were selling the unpasteurized goat milk product, according to the DOH notice. The health department is inspecting stores to try to … [Read more...]
