The FDA CORE Table updated with more cases in one of the cyclospora outbreaks and the Salmonella outbreak. And a new Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has been added. The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has ended unsolved. There are seven active outbreak investigations on the table. For the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak investigation that ended, twelve people were sickened. Traceback was initiated, but officials could not identify a food that was the cause of those illnesses. One of the three cyclospora outbreaks on the table has had a case count increase of eight more illnesses, from 47 sick to 55. Traceback has been initiated, and sample collection and analysis has started. The other two cyclospora outbreaks are unchanged. For the outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi B var. L(+) tartrate+, … [Read more...]
New E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak on FDA CORE Outbreak Table
A new E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has been listed on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table, joining six other outbreaks that are currently being investigated. Four of the seven outbreaks have not been linked to any product. The new E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has sickened at least 11 people. The FDA has established traceback but there is no recall, on-site inspection, or sample collection and analysis. We do not know there the ill persons live, the patient age range, or if anyone has been hospitalized. In the first Cyclospora outbreak investigation, the case count has increased from 105 to 112. In that outbreak, sample collection and analysis has begun. In the second cyclospora outbreak, the FDA has initiated onside inspection along with sample collection and analysis. The … [Read more...]
More Frozen Strawberries Recalled For Hepatitis A Contamination
There are more frozen strawberries recalled for possible Hepatitis A contamination. There is a hepatitis A outbreak linked to frozen strawberries, but there are no illnesses associated with these specific products. The other brands of strawberries recalled include Wawona brand sold at Costco, Made With, Vital Choice, Kirkland Signature, and others. The recalled strawberries were distributed by Willamette Valley Fruit Company of Salem, Oregon. The berries were grown in Mexico. You can see pictures of the recalled products at the FDA web site. The Walmart products were sold in these states: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, … [Read more...]
Men’s Central Jail in LA Has Possible Hepatitis A Exposure
The Men's Central Jail in Los Angeles has had a possible Hepatitis A exposure between May 13 and May 28, 2023. The County of Los Angeles Public Health is investigating a report of a person who had an infection while detained at that jail, which is located at 441 Bauchet Street in Los Angeles. Hepatitis A is a very contagious virus that can cause serious illness in people who are immune compromised and who have liver disease. Getting vaccinated against the virus is important for many people. The hepatitis A vaccine is effective when given within two weeks of exposure. That means that anyone who was detained in that jail during the exposure period needs to get vaccinated if they aren't already. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is offering free vaccinations against … [Read more...]
Wawona Organic Daybreak Blend Recalled For Hepatitis A
Wawona Organic Daybreak Blend sold at certain Costco stores is being recalled for possible hepatitis A contamination in the strawberries in that product. Hepstitia A has not been detected in the product, and there are no illnesses associated with the consumption of this item. Still, Costco is issuing this recall out of an abundance of caution. The recalling firm is Wawona Frozen Foods. There is a hepatitis A outbreak linked to frozen organic strawberries that has sickened at least nine people in three states. Several other brands of frozen organic strawberries have been recalled. The recalled product is Wawona Frozen Foods Organic Daybreak Blend that is packaged in a 4 pound white bag with a picture of strawberries, mangoes, pineapple, and peaches on the front. The item number … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Cases at Two Snohomish County Taco Bell Locations
A hepatitis A case has been diagnosed in one employee who worked at two Snohomish County Taco Bell locations in Washington state, according to the Snohomish County Health Department. Anyone who ate food from the Taco Bell at 2727 Broadway on May 22 or May 23, 2023, or at the Taco Bell at 303 91st Avenue NE in Lake Stevens on May 23, 2023 may have been exposed and should contact their healthcare provider or public health. One food worker who teated positive for the virus worked at both locations while infectious. You should check to see if you are vaccinated against or immune to hepatitis A. If you have been vaccinated or if you had the virus in the past you do not need to take further action. If you are not vaccinated, talk to your doctor about getting a hepatitis A vaccination. … [Read more...]
FDA CORE Investigation Table Updated With New Outbreak
The FDA CORE Investigation Table has been updated with a new outbreak and an increase in the number of cases in the hepatitis A outbreak linked to frozen organic strawberries. There are currently four active outbreak investigations on that Table. The new outbreak has sickened at least 13 people. We don't know where those people live, illness onset dates, if anyone has been hospitalized, or the patient age range. We also do not know the pathogen, or if it was a food sold from a grocery store or served at a restaurant that caused these illnesses. In the hepatitis A outbreak, the case count has increased from seven to eight. Several bands of frozen organic strawberries, including Kirkland Signature, Simply Nature, Vital Choice, Made With, Meijer, PCC Community Markets, and Trader … [Read more...]
What Does the FDA Want You to Know About Food Recalls?
What does the FDA want you to know about food recalls? Many food recalls are issued every month, from the FDA and the USDA, depending on which foods they regulate. The FDA regulates all foods except meat, poultry, and processed egg products. Food recalls can be for undeclared allergens, for foreign material contamination, or for possible contamination with pathogens, which can include bacteria such as E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes, viruses such as norovirus or hepatitis A, or parasites such as cyclospora. All food that contains one of the nine major food allergens (sesame, milk, wheat, finfish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, soy, and eggs) must list that ingredient on the label, as well as an allergen statement warning consumers that the product contains that … [Read more...]
Salmonella Hartford Outbreak Case Count Grows to 47 Sick
The Salmonella Hartford outbreak that is listed on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table has grown from 31 to 47 cases since the last update was issued on March 8, 2023. There are three other active outbreak investigations on that table. The Salmonella Hartford outbreak has not been linked to any specific food. Traceback has been initiated, but no on-site inspection has taken place, there is no recall, and no sample collection and analysis has started. We do not know where the patients live, their age range, or illness onset dates. And we do not know if anyone has been hospitalized. The other outbreak investigations are unchanged. The hepatitis A outbreak in a not yet identified food, which has sickened at least five people, is unchanged. In that investigation, traceback … [Read more...]
The FDA’s “Best” Worst Warning Letters of 2022
When the FDA discovers that a company has significantly violated federal regulations, the agency issues a warning letter. These letters enumerate some of the key violations and instruct the offender to devise and execute a plan to correct them within a designated timeline. All of these letters deal with serious food safety violations - filth, pests, bacteria, but some really stand out. Here are some of the notable warning letters the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent in 2022. "A History of Infestation" Dollar Tree Inc. This letter, sent November 8, 2022, pertains to an FDA inspection that took place January 11 - February 11, 2022, at Family Dollar Distribution Inc., located at 1800 Family Dollar Parkway, West Memphis, AR. At that time, the facility stored and distributed … [Read more...]
