The FDA has weighed in on the McDonald's Quarter Pounder E. coli outbreak. That outbreak has sickened at least 49 people in 10 states. Ten people are hospitalized, one person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), and one person, who lived in Colorado, has died. The case count by state is: Colorado (26), Iowa (1), Kansas (1), Missouri (1), Montana (1), Nebraska (9), Oregon (1), Utah (4), Wisconsin (1), and Wyoming (1). Illness onset dates range from September 27, 2024 to October 11, 2024. The patient age range is from 13 to 88. One person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. And the person who died was an older adult who did not have HUS. A specific ingredient has not yet been confirmed, but reports are that investigators are zeroing in … [Read more...]
McDonald’s Quarter Pounder E. coli Outbreak Sickens 49, Kills 1
A McDonald's Quarter Pounder E. coli Outbreak has sickened at last 49 people in 10 states, has hospitalized 10 of those patients, and has killed one person, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Most of the sick people reported eating Quarter Pounder hamburgers from McDonald's. The case count by state is: Colorado (26), Iowa (1), Kansas (1), Missouri (1), Montana (1), Nebraska (9), Oregon (1), Utah (4), Wisconsin (1), and Wyoming (1). Illness onset dates range from September 27, 2024 to October 11, 2024. The patient age range is from 13 to 88. One person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. And the person who died was an older adult who lived in Colorado; that patient did not have HUS. The hospitalization rate for … [Read more...]
Gibson Farms Walnuts E. coli Outbreak Ends With 13 Sick
The Gibson Farms walnuts E. coli outbreak has ended with 13 people sick in two states, according to the FDA. The case count is: California (7) and Washington (6). Seven people were hospitalized because they were so sick. And two people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure, according to an earlier update. The last illness onset date was April 4, 2024. The recalled product is Gibson Farms bulk organic walnuts. They were sold at natural food and co-op stores in Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The walnuts may have had the lot codes 3325-043 and 3341-501. The walnuts should no longer for sale. They … [Read more...]
More Sick Patients on FDA CORE Outbreak Table
There are more sick patients on the FDA CORE Outbreak Table, with a total of six outbreaks currently under investigation. Four of those outbreaks are currently unsolved. For the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that is currently unsolved, the patient case count has increased from 47 to 53. The FDA has imitated traceback in this investigation but has not collected samples or scheduled an inspection of any facility. For the outbreak associated with the consumption of Diamond Shruumz chocolate candy, the case count has increased to 39 sick, with 23 of those patients hospitalized. The FDA has found compounds in the chocolates, but is investigating to see what effect those compounds have on human health. The investigation of the Salmonella Braenderup outbreak that may be linked to … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak at Lake Anna in Virginia on Memorial Weekend
An E. coli outbreak at Lake Anna in Richmond, Virginia over the Memorial Day weekend has sickened people, according to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). The number of patients has not been released, only that VDH has received "numerous reports of GI illnesses, mainly in children." Some of the patients have been hospitalized and diagnosed with E. coli infections. All potential causes of these illnesses, including food and lake water, are being investigated. The symptoms that patients are experiencing include vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea that is often bloody or watery, fever, and chills. In severe cases, the infection can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. The notice did not confirm that anyone is suffering from … [Read more...]
New Listeria Outbreak on FDA CORE Investigation Table
A new Listeria outbreak has been posted on the FDA's CORE Investigation Table. And the case count for the Salmonella Africana outbreak that is stil unsolved has increased to 141 patients. There are now four outbreak investigations on the table. The new Listeria outbreak has sickened at least two people. No recall has been initiated, but the FDA has started traceback. No inspections have begun, and no samples have been collected or analyzed. The Salmonella Africana outbreak has grown from 100 sick to 141 sick. The only action the FDA has taken so far has been traceback. No food has been linked to this outbreak. The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that is allegedly linked to recalled Gibson Farms organic bulk walnuts is unchanged. That outbreak has sickened at least 12 people in two … [Read more...]
New Salmonella Outbreak on FDA Core Table Sickens 100
A new Salmonella outbreak on the FDA's Core Outbreak Investigation Table has sickened at least 100 people, according to the latest update. There are only two other outbreaks on the Table at this time: The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak allegedly linked to walnuts, and the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that is allegedly linked to organic fresh basil. The new Salmonella outbreak is caused by Salmonella Africana, a variant that has not caused any illnesses in the United States since at least 2011. There are 100 people sick. The FDA has initiated traceback, but has not started inspections, and has not collected or tested samples. The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak allegedly linked to organic Gibson Farms walnuts remains unchanged since the last update was issued on May 1, 2024. There are 12 … [Read more...]
Long History of Nut and Nut Product Outbreaks
In the wake of the current E. coli outbreak linked to organic walnuts, there is a long history of nut and nut product outbreaks. Nuts are an agricultural product, and just like leafy greens, herbs, and berries, can be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria. And nuts, like other types of produce, are often eaten without a consumer "kill step," in other words, cooking. History of Nut and Nut Product Outbreaks The current E. coli O157 outbreak allegedly linked to Gibson Farms organic walnuts and walnut pieces has sickened at least 12 people in two states, California and Washington. Seven of those patients have been hospitalized, and two people have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The walnuts have been recalled. In 2022, a Salmonella Senftenberg … [Read more...]
Gibson Farms Organic Walnuts Recalled For Possible E. coli O157
Gibson Farms organic walnuts sold in bulk are being voluntarily recalled for possible E. coli O157 contamination. There is an outbreak allegedly linked to bulk organic walnuts that has sickened at least 12 people in two states (California and Washington). Seven of those patients have been hospitalized, and two have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. Traceback conducted by the FDA found that Gibson Farms supplied the bulk walnuts to stores where some patients shopped. The Gibson Farms organic walnuts were sold shelled, as "Light Halves and Pieces." They were packaged in bulk boxes in net weight 25 pound quantities. The lot numbers for these walnuts are 3325-043 and 3341-501, and the expiration dates are 5/21/25 and 6/7/25. The company voluntarily … [Read more...]
Organic Bulk Walnuts E. coli Outbreak Sickens 12 in 2 States
An organic bulk walnuts E. coli O157 outbreak has sickened at least 12 people in two states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Seven of those patients have been hospitalized. Two have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The patient case count by state is: Washington (6), and California (6). Illness onset dates range from February 1, 2024 to April 4, 2024. The patient age range is from six to 84 years. State and local pubic health officials interviewed patients about the foods they ate before they got sick. Of the 10 interviewed, all said they ate walnuts. That percentage is significantly higher than the 26% of respondents who said they ate walnuts in the FoodNet Population Survey during the same time frame. And all … [Read more...]
