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...]
Enoki Mushrooms Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak Sickens 36
At least 36 people are sick in an enoki mushroom Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to product imported from Korea. The mushrooms were imported by Sun Hong Foods. The mushrooms were just recalled after a sample tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. There is zero tolerance for Listeria monocytogenes contamination in ready to eat foods in this country. These enoki mushrooms were sold in 7.05 ounce clear plastic packaging, with UPC number 7 426852 625810. These mushrooms are also known as enokitake, golden needle, futu, or lily mushrooms. The mushrooms were sold to these retailers: J&L Supermarket, Jusgo Supermarket, ZTao Market, New Sang Supermarket, and Galleria Market in these states: California, Florida, … [Read more...]
More Achdut Tahini Products Recalled in Salmonella Concord Outbreak
The FDA is warning consumers to avoid eating several types of Achdut tahini in association with a Salmonella Concord outbreak. The recalled products are imported from an Israeli manufacturer, Achdut Ltd. Five people, who live in Hawaii, Michigan, and New York, are sick with the outbreak strain. The brands that company makes include Achva, Achdut, Soom, S&F, and Pepperwood brand tahini, and Soom brand Chocolate Sweet Tahini Halva Spread. The last product is sold in 12 ounce packages, has lot code 071318CH, with expiration dates ranging from April 7, 2020 to May 21, 2020. In addition, 40 pound Organic Tahini, 40 pound Premium Tahini, 16 ounce Premium Tahini, 16 ounce Organic Thin, and 11 ounce Premium Tahini from Soom foods is recalled. Also recalled is Baron's brand tahini … [Read more...]
Possible Hepatitis A Exposure in Food Worker in Honolulu, Hawaii
A possible case of hepatitis A has been diagnosed in a food worker at the Way Kung Restaurant on Mapunapuna Street in Honolulu, Hawaii. That person worked there between December 1, 2017 and January 6, 2018. Hepatitis A is a very contagious virus. People can contract this illness by person-to-person contact, through food and drink that has been contaminated by feces, and through contact with surfaces. People who are infected with this virus are symptom-free for two weeks, so can easily pass it on to others before they even know they are sick. Unfortunately, a hepatitis A or immune globulin vaccination is only effective if given within two weeks of exposure. That means that anyone who visited that restaurant after January 4, 2018 is not longer eligible for a shot. Today is the last … [Read more...]
Salmonella Paratyphi Outbreak Associated With Raw Tuna Sickens 30
A Salmonella paratyphi outbreak associated with raw tuna or salmon was announced at a Clark County health board meeting in Washington state. During that meeting, on October 26, 2017, Madison Riethman, an applied epidemiology fellow at that department, said that illnesses in at least 30 people in 7 states have been confirmed. The information was presented in a slide show. On August 29, 2017, five cases of Salmonella were reported to Clark County Public Health's Communicable Disease team. Three of five cases were interviewed that week, but no common exposures were found. Then, on September 8, lab tests on the Salmonella bacteria from all five cases came back with the same DNA fingerprint. On that day Oregon Health Authority found 12 more Salmonella cases with the same DNA. Out of … [Read more...]
Rat Lungworm Outbreak in Hawaii
According to the Hawaii Department of Health, an outbreak of rat lungworm cases has been occurring on the Big Island and Maui in that state. The rat lungworm parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis, which is a nematode, causes eosinophilic meningitis. The parasite lives in slugs and snails that eat rat feces, and it has also been found in flatworms. People ingest the parasite by eating contaminated fruits and vegetables that carry the slime from slugs and snails, or by eating undercooked slugs, snails, mollusks, prawns, and monitor lizards. Up to 75% of semi-slugs on Hawaii's Big Island are infected with the parasite. This illness has been endemic in Hawaii for decades, especially during the rainy season, when slugs emerge. As of May 1, 2017, there are thirteen confirmed cases in … [Read more...]
Marine Agrifuture Recalls Products for Possible Salmonella
Marine Agrifuture of Kahuku, Hawaii is recalling three products because they may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. This facility is linked to a Salmonella outbreak in Hawaii among people who ate Limu Poke, or raw fish with seafood. Fourteen people were sickened in mid-October in this outbreak. The Hawaii State Department of Health traced the seaweed back to Marine Agrifuture and found the bacteria in packaging and processing tanks and in the farm environment. The recalled products include Kahuku Ogo in plastic bags of various weights from 0.5 pounds to 35 pounds. They were sold from November 2, 2016 and before. Robusta Ogo is also recalled, sold in plastic bags in weights from 0.5 pounds to 35 pounds, sold from November 2, 2016 and before. Sea Asparagus is recalled, sold in 4 … [Read more...]
Marine Agrifuture Ordered to Stop Selling Products Linked to Salmonella Outbreak
The Hawaii Department of Health Sanitation Branch has ordered Marine Agrifuture LLC (also known as Olakai Hawaii) to cease and desist selling products because Salmonella bacteria was found in the packing and processing tanks and in the farm environment. The farm is located in Kahuku on Oahu. The press release states that "reports of Salmonella infections on Oahu were linked to consumption of ogo (or limu) and subsequently led to the investigation of Marine Agriculture LLC on November 2 and 7, 2016. During the investigation, testing was conducted on environmental, processing area, and ogo samples. Laboratory tests identified Salmonella bacteria in the packing and processing tanks and in the farm environment." The patients in this outbreak were sickened in mid to late October, … [Read more...]
