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...]
FDA Says Listeria Monocytogenes Enoki Mushroom Outbreak Is Over
The FDA says that the Listeria monocytogenes enoki mushroom outbreak is over after sickening 36 people in 17 states. The outbreak was linked to the mushrooms from Green Co, LTD of the Republic of Korea. These mushrooms are also known as enokitake, golden needle, tutu, or lily mushrooms. The case count by state is: Arizona (2), California (9), Florida (2), Hawaii (3), Indiana (1), Kentucky (1), Maryland (2), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (1), Missouri (1), New Jersey (1), New York (4), North Carolina (1), Rhode Island (1), Tennessee (1), Virginia (3), and Washington (1). The illness onset dates ranged from November 3, 2016 to December 13, 2019. The age range of the patients is from less than 1 to 96 years. The four deaths included two from California, and one each from Hawaii and New … [Read more...]
Cease and Desist Order Issued to Hawaii’s Malama Meals Restaurant
A cease and desist order has been issued to Hawaii Malama Meals restaurant for multiple food safety issues, according to a news release from the Hawaii Department of Health. The restaurant was preparing and providing meals on O'ahu, Kaua'i, and Molokai. The restaurant is located at 91-100 Farrington Highway Peter Oshiro, chief of the Department of Hawaii Food Safety Brand said n a statement, "The operation had multiple food safety issues as it prepared and packaged hot meals on O‘ahu and shipped them to the neighbor islands without proper temperature controls. Without proper controls, the risk of an outbreak of food illness is high and could have a devastating impact especially on those who are elderly and have underlying conditions." An inspection was conducted at Malama Meals … [Read more...]
Three Enoki Mushroom Brands Recalled For Listeria Monocytogenes
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated outbreak information for the enoki mushroom Listeria Monocytogenes outbreak. Now three enoki mushroom brands, all imported from Korea, are recalled because they may be contaminated with the pathogen. These three enoki mushroom brands include Sun Hong Foods, which recalled their enoki mushrooms on March 9, 2020. Those mushrooms are the only ones thus far that are associated with illnesses. On March 23, 2020, Guan's Mushroom Company recalled their enoki mushrooms. And on April 7 2020, H&C Food Inc. recalled their product. The only recall warning that mentioned illnesses is the first, from Sun Hong Foods. All of these mushrooms were sold in 7.05 clear plastic bags with a green label. No grocery store or restaurant … [Read more...]
CDC Weighs in on Enoki Mushroom Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak
The CDC is weighing in on the Enoki mushroom Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to enoki mushrooms that have been imported from Korea. There are still 36 cases in 17 states. The case count by state is: Arizona (2), California (9), Florida (2), Hawaii (3), Indiana (1), Kentucky (1), Maryland (2), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (1), Missouri (1), Nevada (1), New Jersey (1), New York (4), North Carolina (1), Rhode Island (1), Tennessee (1), and Virginia (3). Illness onset dates range from November 23, 2016 to December 13, 2019. Thirty people have been hospitalized because their illness is so severe. Four people have died; they lived in California, Hawaii, and New Jersey. And six of these illnesses are in pregnant women. Two of those women suffered fetal losses. Two products … [Read more...]
Enoki Listeria Outbreak Sickens Pregnant Women, 30 Others
The Sun Hong Foods Enoki Listeria outbreak sickens pregnant women and 30 others in 17 states according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Four people died. Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence indicates that enoki mushrooms labeled "Product of Korea"are the likely source of this Listeria monocytogenes outbreak. The patient case count by state is: Arizona (2), California (9), Florida (2), Hawaii (3), Indiana (1), Kentucky (1), Maryland (2), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (1), Missouri (1), Nevada (1), New Jersey (1), New York (4), North Carolina (1), Rhode Island (1), Tennessee (1), and Virginia (3). Illness onset dates range from November 23, 2016 to December 3, 2019. The patient age range is from less than 1 to 97. Of 32 people who gave information to the … [Read more...]
