A deadly Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to unnamed deli meats and cheeses has sickened at least eight people in four states. All eight people were hospitalized. And, sadly, one person in Michigan died. Can you protect yourself and your family against this illness? This pathogen does not cause many outbreaks in the U.S., since it sickens about 2,600 people every year. Compared to Salmonella, which sickens 1,200,000 people every year in this country, it may seem like this pathogen isn't as dangerous. But that perception is wrong. Listeria monocytogenes causes serious illness and death in this country every year. In fact, Listeria infections are the third leading cause of death from food poisoning in the U.S. One of the issues with this pathogen is that the population … [Read more...]
Will Romaine Lettuce Be Safe to Eat This Year After Huge E. coli Outbreak?
Will romaine lettuce be safe to eat in 2019 after this year's huge and deadly E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that was linked to farms in Yuma, Arizona? Growers and processors in that state are taking some steps to try to prevent a repeat disaster, with the help of the FDA. Farmers are planting crops now in the Yuma area. Last year, 210 people in 36 states were sickened with E. coli O157:H7 infections after eating romaine lettuce. Ninety-six people were hospitalized, and 27 developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. Five people died. And lawsuits were filed. Food safety attorney Fred Pritzker said, "This outbreak has been very difficult to solve, and in fact the government did not pinpoint the specific farm or farms where the contaminated lettuce was … [Read more...]
Utah STEC Outbreak Investigated; Petting Zoos and Farms Studied
Public health officials in Utah are investigating an increase in Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infections (STEC) in that state, according to the Utah Department of Health. The source of this Utah STEC outbreak has not been identified, but some patients said they visited farms, corn mazes, and petting zoos before they got sick. This is nothing new. In the past few years, there have been several E. coli outbreaks linked to those types of attractions. Food safety attorney Fred Pritzker warned the public years ago about the potential danger at agricultural tourism venues. Ruminant animals, such as goats and cows, carry E. coli and other pathogenic bacteria in their intestines, and those animals do not get sick. The bacteria are shed in the animal's feces, which can then contaminate … [Read more...]
E. coli Outbreak Associated With Williams Brothers Meat Market Ham in Washington MO
An E. coli outbreak is associated with ham sold at Williams Brothers Meat Market in Washington, Missouri, according to news reports. The Franklin County Health Department is investigating this outbreak, although there is no mention of the illnesses or the outbreak on that agency's website. Four people are apparently sick in this outbreak. No information about the patient age range, when they got sick, if anyone was hospitalized, or if anyone developed hemolytic uremic syndrome was included in any of the news reports. The news reports also did not state the serotype of E. coli that caused this particular outbreak. The Emissourian states that "an epidemiological investigation identified a link between the cases and a case reported in June." There are four confirmed cases of E. coli … [Read more...]
Lawyer Asks Where Were Gravel Ridge Farms Eggs Linked to Salmonella Outbreak Sold?
Food safety attorney Fred Pritzker wants to know where the cage free shell eggs from Gravel Ridge Farms that are linked to a Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak were sold. "We know that most of those sickened ate the eggs at restaurants. But we don't know the names of those restaurants or where they were located," he said. The Alabama Department of Public Health states that a gastrointestinal outbreak occurred among people who attended a catered event on July 30, 2018. Two of those sickened have confirmed Salmonella Enteritidis infections. The press release from Alabama also states that "Individuals who consumed an undercooked food item made with eggs were almost four times more likely to become ill than those who did not consume the food." The press release also states, "Most of those … [Read more...]
McDonald’s Cyclospora Outbreak Grows to 163 Sick; Lawsuits Are Filed
The McDonald's cyclospora outbreak that is linked to that chain's salads has grown to include 163 sick, according to the FDA. That is an increase of more than 100 patients in the last five days. Those sickened live in 10 states, an increase of three states since July 15, 2018. Three people have been hospitalized. All of these cases are lab-confirmed. The FDA is working with McDonald's to try to identify the common ingredient in the salad that is potentially contaminated. Patients report eating a variety of McDonald's salads before they got sick. As of July 13, 2018, McDonald's has stopped selling salads at restaurants in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana, North Dakota, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Missouri. The company … [Read more...]
Hy-Vee Spring Pasta Salad Linked to Salmonella Sandiego Outbreak; 20 in MN, SD, NE, MO, and IA Sick; Some May Sue
Hy-Vee is recalling its Spring Pasta Salad because it may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. Twenty-one people in Minnesota, Missouri, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Iowa are sick and are linked to this recalled product. Five people have been hospitalized. The recall includes Hy-Vee Spring Pasta Salads in both 1 pound and 3 pound containers. The salads were produced between June 1, 2018 and July 13, 2018, and are available from the deli service case in those stores. The expiration date range is from June 22, 2018 to August 3, 2018. The pasta salad was distributed to all of Hy-Vee's 244 grocery stores in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Hy-Vee removed all of the Spring Pasta Salad from its shelves and service cases on July 16, … [Read more...]
Wisconsin Hit Hard in Cyclospora Del Monte Outbreak; Lawyer Explains
Consumers in Wisconsin have been hit hard in the Cyclospora Del Monte outbreak that is linked to recalled vegetable trays. Of the 212 people sickened in this outbreak so far as of July 5, 2018, 152 patients live in Wisconsin. Noted food safety attorney Fred Pritzker, who is representing many clients in this outbreak, said, "This outbreak will likely grow simply because there were so many of these products sold. And there is a time difference between when a person starts fo feel sick, they go to a doctor, are diagnosed (which can take some time since tests for this illness are not routine), and the illness is reported to public health officials." The main symptom of cyclosporiasis include explosive and watery diarrhea that can last for weeks or months. Other symptoms include … [Read more...]
Minnesota Updates Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Kwik Trip Del Monte Vegetable Trays; Patients Will Sue
The cyclospora outbreak linked to Kwik Trip Del Monte vegetable trays has been updated by the Minnesota Department of Health. To date, 20 people have been sickened just in Minnesota. Wisconsin may update their outbreak totals today or next week. Another cyclospora outbreak was just announced, that is associated with Sonora Grill restaurant in Minneapolis. Kwik Trip is cooperating with this outbreak and has removed the vegetable trays from their shelves. Cases report purchasing the vegetable trays at various Kwik Trip locations around the state. Consumers should not eat these products: Del Monte Vegetable Tray, containing broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and dill dip in a 6 ounce package, and Del Monte Vegetable Tray, containing broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and dill dip, in a 12 … [Read more...]
Kellogg Honey Smacks Cereal Recalled After Salmonella Mbandaka Outbreak; Some May Sue
Kellogg Honey Smacks cereal is being recalled after the FDA and CDC told the company about a multistate Salmonella Mbandaka outbreak that may be linked to that product. The cereal was distributed in the United States, as well as limited distribution in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, the Caribbean, Guam, Tahiti and Saipan. The product in question is Kellogg Honey Smacks cereal (with limited distribution outside the U.S.) in 15.3 ounce packages, with UPC number 3800039103 and best if used by dates of June 14, 2018 through June 14, 2019. In addition, Honey Smacks cereal in 23 ounce boxes is recalled. That product has a UPC number of 3800014810 and best if used by dates of June 14, 2018 through June 14, 2019. Some news reports are staying that those sickened live in five Midwestern … [Read more...]
