The Raw Farm raw Cheddar E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has now sickened at least 11 people in five states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Raw Farm voluntarily recalled their cheese on February 19, 2024 but has since withdrawn that recall. The FDA and CDC continue to recommend that people not eat the cheese because epidemiological evidence indicates that, "Raw Farm brand raw cheddar cheese is making people in this outbreak sick." In interviews with public health officials, 7 of 9 people interviewed, or 75%, said they ate Raw Farm raw Cheddar cheese before they got sick. This percentage is significantly higher than the 4.9% of respondents who reported eating any raw milk cheese in the FoodNet Population Survey. In addition, whole genome sequencing … [Read more...]
FDA Weighs in on Raw Farms Raw Cheddar E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak
FDA weighs in on the Raw Farms raw Cheddar E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has sickened at least 10 people in four states. Four people have been hospitalized in this outbreak, and one person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The cheese has been voluntarily recalled by Raw Farm. The recalled products include original flavor, all sizes of blocks and shredded packages, and Cheddar with added Jalapeño Flavor, all sizes of blocks and shredded packages. The cheese was sold at retailers nationwide. Ill patients have reported buying the cheese at Sprouts Farmers Market and Bristol Farms. The FDA will update the advisory if they discover other retailers who have sold this cheese. The patient case count by state is: California (4), Colorado (3), Texas … [Read more...]
Raw Farm Raw Cheddar Cheese E. coli Outbreak Sickens 10
A Raw Farm raw Cheddar cheese E. coli outbreak has sickened at least 10 people in four states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Four people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. Raw Farm LLC has agreed to recall products and is working with the FDA. One pound and half pound blocks of the cheese, and half pound shredded cheese was recalled on February 17, 2024. The case count by state is: California (4), Colorado (3), Texas (1), and Utah (2). The patient age range is from two to 58 years. And illness onset dates range from October 18, 2023 to January 29, 2024. One person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, a form of kidney failure. The number of patients in this outbreak is likely much higher than reported, and there may be more … [Read more...]
PA Ag Department Searches Amos Miller Farm After illnesses
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has searched the Amos Miller farm in Upper Leacock Township after illnesses were reported when people allegedly consumed raw dairy products from that facility, according to news reports. The search took place on Thursday, January 4, 2023. Mr. Miller has been in litigation with the federal government for years because of alleged violations in food safety guidelines and food and meat inspection. Last year a consent decree was filed against the farm for allegedly avoiding USDA inspections and selling uninspected, misbranded meat. At that time the company was permanently enjoined, and, "Miller’s acknowledges that it has violated the injunction and agrees to pay fines for denying access to inspectors, and will either adhere to procedures for … [Read more...]
Miguel’s Cocina E. coli Outbreak Has Sickened 35 Patrons
The Miguel's Cocina E. coli outbreak has now sickened at least 35 patrons, according to news reports. That is an increase of five more patients since the last update was issued last week. At least ten patients have been hospitalized because they are so sick. And one patient has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. The restaurant was closed for 10 days but has since reopened. The facility has been disinfected and all food has been replaced. In addition, staff have been given food handling training and testing. The government still does not know exactly what caused this outbreak. It could have been contaminated food, or an ill restaurant worker could have been the source. Those who were sickened in this outbreak ate at Miguel's Cocina 4S … [Read more...]
Miguel’s Cocina 4S Ranch E. coli Outbreak Sickens 20 in CA
The Miguel's Cocina 4S Ranch E. coli outbreak has now sickened at least 20 people in San Diego, California according to news reports. The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has not updated their information about this outbreak on their web site since the first announcement of the outbreak on October 24, 2023. That's an increase of three more patients since October 26, 2023. Seven people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. Those hospitalized include four children. The patient age range is from 6 to 87. At least one of these patients has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. People who got sick ate at the Miguel's Cocina 4S Ranch location from October 6 to October 18, 2023. People started getting sick … [Read more...]
Miguel’s Cocina 4S Ranch Outbreak Now 17, With 7 Hospitalized
The Miguel's Cocina 4S Ranch E. coli outbreak in California now has 17 patients, with seven of those patients hospitalized, according to news reports. Four of those hospitalized are children. The investigation into the outbreak is ongoing. Officials have not said what food they may suspect as the source of the pathogen. Those sickened ate at the restaurant between October 6 and October 18, 2023, and illness onset dates range from October 13 to October 19, 2023. The restaurant closed on October 24, 2023. The strain of E. coli that has made people sick has not been identified, but it is a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC). That pathogen produces Shiga toxins, which destroy red blood cells when they enter the bloodstream. When those damaged and dead red blood cells get to the … [Read more...]
Huntley High School E. coli Illnesses Linked to Multistate Outbreak
The CDC has confirmed that the Huntley High E. coli illnesses last month are linked to a multistate outbreak. Katia Martinez, Health Communication Specialist for the Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases (DFWED) and National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Disease (NCEZID) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told Food Poisoning Bulletin that as of October 25, 2023, there are 22 people in 10 states that are sick with E. coli infections and that the Huntley outbreak is linked to those illnesses. Three people in this outbreak have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. Officials have not identified the source of the outbreak, and the CDC is working with state health partners to interview patients. … [Read more...]
Miguel’s Cocina 4S Ranch E. coli Outbreak Sickens 13 in San Diego
A Miguel's Cocina 4S Ranch E. coli outbreak has sickened at least 13 people in San Diego, California, according to the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) officials. That restaurant is located at 10514 Craftsman Way in San Diego. The pathogen that caused those illnesses is a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli strain (STEC). That means the bacteria produce a toxin called Shiga toxin that damages red blood cells and can cause kidney failure. The County Health Department of Environmental Health and the county's Epidemiology team are investigating the outbreak. The patient age range is from 6 to 87 years old. Seven people have been hospitalized. At least one person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. Those patients … [Read more...]
Eight Hospitalized in Appalachian Fair Tennessee E. coli Outbreak
Eight patients are now hospitalized in the Appalachian Fair Tennessee E. coli outbreak, according to news reports. Dr. David Kirschke, medical director of the Northeast Regional Health Office updated the outbreak on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. Those patients either visited the fair as part of an elementary school field trip, or had contact with some of those children. Four of those hospitalized are seriously ill with complications. E. coli can be passed person-to-person, as well as through contact with animals who carry the pathogen, and eating contaminated food. It's also possible that E. coli in feces may be on the children's shoes. Then when they get home, the pathogens are transferred to rugs and carpets. At the fair, children allegedly had contact with farm animals. Ruminant … [Read more...]
