An Alabama E. coli outbreak has sickened four children in the northeastern part of the state. In addition, the Alabama Department of Public Health is investigating two cases of rotavirus. Rotavirus was the leading cause of severe diarrhea among infanta and young children in the U.S. before the vaccine for this pathogen was introduced in 2006. The incident of this illness has decreased significantly after the vaccine. There is no more information about this E. coli O157:H7 outbreak, including if food is involved or if there is another source such as animals. We do not know the ages of the four sick children, when they got sick, or if any of them have been hospitalized or have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. Children under the age of … [Read more...]
CDC Weighs In On Deadly Simple Truth Power Greens E. coli Outbreak
The CDC is weighing in on the deadly Simple Truth Power Greens E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has sickened at least 10 people in four states. As of March 3, 2022, the outbreak is over. One death has occurred. This is the first time that has been reported. The FDA investigation report does not mention this death. Two brands of this product, including Simple Truth and Nature's Basket, were associated with this outbreak. The case count is: Alaska (2), Ohio (1), Oregon (1), and Washington (6). The patient age range is from 26 to 79 years. Illness onset dates ranged from November 27, 2021 to December 9, 2021. Of 10 people who gave information to public health officials, four were hospitalized, and one developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. One … [Read more...]
Simple Truth Power Greens E. coli Outbreak Ends With 10 Sick
The Simple Truth Power Greens E. coli outbreak, which also included Nature's Basket Power Greens, has ended with 10 people sick in four states, according to the FDA. Four of those patients were hospitalized and one person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. The case count by state is: Alaska (2), Ohio (1), Oregon (1), and Washington (6). The last illness onset date was December 19, 2021. Consumer purchase data indicated that seven people bought Nature's Basket Power Greens or Simple Truth Organic Power Greens at grocery stores before they got sick. These products are past expiration and should no longer be available for purchase. But if you have frozen any of these products with a "Best if Used by" date through December 20, 2021, they … [Read more...]
New Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak on FDA CORE Table
A new Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has been listed on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table, with 13 people sick. Traceback has been initiated, but no inspection has been started, and there has been no sample collection or analyzing. We do not know the patient case count by state, patient age ranges, or illness onset dates. The FDA will not release much more information about this outbreak unless there are some things that the public can do to protect itself. There are still four active outbreak investigations on the table. The E. coli O121:H19 outbreak linked to romaine lettuce, which sickened at least four people, has been closed with no resolution. No brand or farm or even a growing area was named. The four active outbreaks are: An Enteroinvasive E. coli O143:H26 … [Read more...]
Hankook (Korean characters only) Original Kimchi E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak
A Hankook (Korean characters only) brand Original Kimchi E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has been announced by the Public Health Agency of Canada. As of January 28, 2022 there are 14 laboratory-confirmed cases linked to this outbreak. A food recall has been issued. The patient case count by province is: Alberta (13) and Saskatchewan (1). The patient age range is between 0 and 61 years of age. No hospitalizations or deaths have been reported. Many of those sickened said they ate Hankook (Korean characters only) brand Original Kimchi before they got sick. Kimchi is a spicy type of Korean sauerkraut that is made from fermented vegetables. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, along with the Public Health Agency of Canada and provincial public health partners are investigating this outbreak. … [Read more...]
Four E. coli Outbreaks in 2021 Sickened 63 People; Two Were Solved
Four E coli outbreaks in 2021 sickened 63 people and hospitalized 26, according to the CDC. Eight of those patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure that is a complication of that infection. Two of those outbreaks were linked to a specific brand. One was linked to a product, and the fourth was not solved. One of these outbreaks is ongoing. Simple Truth Power Greens E. coli O157:H7 outbreak Ten people in four states are currently sick in this outbreak that is associated with Simple Truth and Nature's Basket Organic Power Greens. The patient case count is: Alaska (2), Ohio (1), Oregon (1), and Washington (6). The patient age range is from 26 to 79 with a median age of 59. The product contains organic spinach, mizuna, kale, and chard. A recall has not … [Read more...]
CDC Reduces Case Count in Simple Truth Power Greens E. coli Outbreak
The CDC reduces case count in the Simple Truth Power Greens E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in an unusual move. The original outbreak notice stated that 13 people in six state were sick. Now there are 10 people sick in four states. California and Mississippi were dropped from the state count, and the number of people sick in Washington state decreased from seven to six. This happened because the case definition was updated. Three people were infected with E. coli bacteria that were not as closely related genetically to the rest in this outbreak. And none of those patients said they ate Organic Power Greens before they got sick. The case count by state is now: Alaska (2), Ohio (1), Oregon (1), and Washington (6). The patient age range is from 26 to 79 with a median age of 59. Of ten … [Read more...]
Josie’s Organics Baby Spinach E. coli Outbreak Ends With 15 Sick
The Josie's Organics baby spinach E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has ended with 15 people sick in 10 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One more person, who lives in California, was added to the case count since the last update on December 3, 2021. The outbreak has ended as of January 6, 2021. The patient case count by state is: California (1), Indiana (4), Iowa (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (2), Missouri (1), Nebraska (1), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (1), and South Dakota (2). Illness onset dates ranged from October 13, 2021 to November 8, 2021. Patient ages ranged from one to 76 years. Four people were hospitalized, for a hospitalization rate was 27%. And three people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication of an E. coli infection that … [Read more...]
FDA CORE Outbreak Table Has Six Active Investigations
The FDA CORE Outbreak Table has six active food poisoning investigations currently; all but one has been identified or solved. The Salmonella Javiana outbreak, which was announced on November 24, 2021, is still not identified, and the number of people sickened in that outbreak has increased to 64. No recall has been initiated, although traceback has begun, on-site inspection has been started, and sample collection and analysis has been initiated. When there is some concrete action that consumers can take, the FDA should update the investigation. The other five active outbreaks include: The E. coli O157:H7 9outbreak linked to Simple Truth and Nature's Basket Organic Power Greens, which has sickened at least 13 people in six states. Four people have been hospitalized, and one … [Read more...]
Four Leafy Greens Outbreaks; How Do You Protect Yourself?
With four leafy greens outbreaks currently ongoing in the United States at this time (and several recalls), how do you protect yourself against foodborne illness? The CDC has some answers. From 2014 to 2018, there were 51 foodborne illness outbreaks linked to leafy greens. Five of those were multistate outbreaks reported to the public. (Most foodborne illnesses are not part of a recognized outbreak, and many are not multistate so the CDC does not cover them.) In 2019 to 2021, there were nine multistate outbreaks linked to leafy greens. And just in the last week of 2021, three of those outbreaks were announced. The current outbreaks are: Josie's Organics baby spinach E. coli outbreak. This outbreak, with illness onset dates ranging from October 13, 2021, to October 27, 2021, … [Read more...]
