According to the FDA, the Fresh Express salad cyclospora outbreak has sickened at least 509 people in 8 states as of July 8, 2020. That's an increase of more than 300 new cases since the last update on June 29, 2020. Thirty-three people are hospitalized because they are so ill. There is also a cyclospora outbreak in Canada, with exposure to certain Fresh Express salad products as a likely source of these infections. The case count by state is: Iowa (160), Illinois (151), Kansas (5), Minnesota (63), Missouri (46), Nebraska (48), North Dakota (6), and Wisconsin (30). The illness onset dates rate from 5/11/2020 to 7/1/2020. The investigation includes Fresh Express salads containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots that were sold in several regions of the United States. The … [Read more...]
Bagged Salad Cyclospora Outbreak: Walmart Product Added, 206 Sick
The bagged salad cyclospora outbreak has been updated by the FDA. A new product has been added to the list of salads in the outbreak: Walmart's Marketside Classic Iceberg Salad sold in 12 and 24 ounce sizes. The FDA has named Fresh Express as the producer of these salads. And there are now 206 people in 8 states sick in this outbreak. North Dakota has been added to the outbreak list. The case count by state is: Iowa (74), Illinois (57), Kansas (1), Minnesota (25), Missouri (10), Nebraska (20), North Dakota (6), and Wisconsin (13). Twenty-three people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. And the illness onset dates range from May 11, 2020 through June 17, 2020. The bagged salad products potentially linked to this outbreak include ALDI Little Salad Bar Garden Salads, … [Read more...]
Recent Cyclospora Outbreaks in U.S. Sicken Thousands Linked to Produce
It's just like clockwork. Every summer, at least one cyclospora outbreak is announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These outbreaks are always linked to fresh produce that does not go through a kill step such as heating before consumers eat it. Let's look back at the recent cyclospora outbreaks in the U.S. First, Cyclospora cayetanensis is a microscopic parasite that uses a human host to reproduce and travel. When a person ingests a major oocyst, it breaks apart in the intestine, causes damage, and uses human cells to reproduce. It is excreted in feces, where it matures in the environment, contaminates food through waste in the fields, contamination along the food chain, or contaminated irrigation water, and the process repeats. Cyclospora Outbreaks in … [Read more...]
Iowa Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to Bagged Salads Sickens at Least 54
The Iowa cyclospora outbreak linked to ALDI, Hy-Vee, and Jewel-Osco bagged gardens salads is the largest in the country with 54 sick, according to the Iowa Department of Health. The larger multistate outbreak has now sickened at least 122 people in 7 states. All of those bagged salads were recalled this week. They are Hy-Vee Garden Salad, ALDI Little Salad Bar Garden Salad, and Jewel-Osco Signature Farms Garden Salads. Illinois and Iowa are the only two states with cases linked to all three store brands, although Wisconsin may be added to that list. Public health officials think there may be more products linked to this outbreak and are launching traceback investigations. Fresh Express produced these salads for the private brands. If you live in Iowa and have purchased bagged … [Read more...]
Illinois Cyclospora Outbreak Linked to ALDI HyVee Jewel Salads Sickens 30
The Illinois cyclospora outbreak that is linked to ALDI, Hy Vee, and Jewel Osco garden salads produced by Fresh Express has sickened at least 30 people in that state, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. The last update by that department was on June 20, 2020 and stated 23 illnesses, but the FDA and CDC have updated the case counts since then. Illinois officials and the CDC and FDA have stated that these may not be the only products linked to this outbreak. IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said in a statement, "Although a link has been made to Cyclospora in some Illinois cases, public health officials continue to investigate other sources. If you consumed store brand packaged garden salads since May and then developed watery diarrhea, please contact a health care … [Read more...]
Swan Bros. Raw Milk Campylobacter Outbreak Sickens 10 in Oklahoma
A raw milk Campylobacter outbreak in Oklahoma that has sickened ten people is linked to Swan Bros. Dairy, which is located in Claremore. The dairy is recalling its raw milk products, according to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry. Officials found Campylobacter jejuni in the products. The recalled items are: raw whole milk, raw 2% milk, raw skim milk, and raw heavy cream. They were sold in plastic half-gallons, gallon, and pints directly from the dairy. The milk was sold between April 9, 2020, and June 22, 2020. Raw milk has not been pasteurized, which is a process of briefly heating the milk to destroy pathogens. Because a cow's udders are so close to her anus, milk can be contaminated with many different pathogens, including Campylobacter, E. coli, … [Read more...]
Cyclospora Sickens Thirteen Minnesotans From ALDI HyVee Bagged Salads
Cyclospora sickens thirteen Minnesotans after they allegedly ate bagged salads sold at ALDI and HyVee stores in that state. These patients are part of a large multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak that started in May 2020 and has sickened dozens in 7 states. The Minnesota Department of Health is working with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the FDA, and other state's public health agencies to investigate this outbreak. The salads sold in Minnesota that are believed to be contaminated are ALDI and Hy-Vee store brand "garden salads" that contain iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots. The ill Minnesotans range in age from 24 to 79 years. Two of the patients live in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area. Eleven live in … [Read more...]
Multistate ALDI HyVee Salads Cyclospora Infections Sicken 76 in 6 States
The FDA is weighing in on the multistate ALDI HyVee salads cyclospora outbreak. At least 76 people in 6 states are sick with this intestinal parasite. The ingredients in those bagged salads include iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots. The notice states that "This applies only to the store brand salads labeled as 'garden salads' and not for other types of store brand packaged salads sold at these retailers." The patient case count by state is: Iowa (28), Illinois (23), Kansas (1), Minnesota (10), Missouri (7), and Nebraska (7). Sixteen people have been hospitalized because they are so ill. Illness onset dates range from May 11, 2020 to June 14, 2020. The FDA and CDC are recommending that consumers do not eat all ALDI Little Salad Bar Brand Garden Salads that were sold in … [Read more...]
Bagged Salad Cyclospora Outbreak Sold at ALDI, Hy-Vee, Jewel-Osco
A bagged salad cyclospora outbreak has sickened 76 people in 6 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The salads include ALDI Little Salad Bar Brand Garden Salad, Hy-Vee Brand Garden Salad, and Jewel-Osco Signature Farms Garden Salad. Investigators are trying to determine if other products may also be a source of these illnesses. The patient case count by state is: Iowa (28), Illinois (23), Kansas (1), Minnesota (10), Missouri (7), and Nebraska (7). Sixteen people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. The patient age range is from 16 to 92 years. And illness onset dates range from May 11, 2020 to June 14, 2020. Cyclospora outbreaks have happened every year in the United States for the past several years. Last year, at least 2400 … [Read more...]
Three Enoki Mushroom Brands Recalled For Listeria Monocytogenes
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated outbreak information for the enoki mushroom Listeria Monocytogenes outbreak. Now three enoki mushroom brands, all imported from Korea, are recalled because they may be contaminated with the pathogen. These three enoki mushroom brands include Sun Hong Foods, which recalled their enoki mushrooms on March 9, 2020. Those mushrooms are the only ones thus far that are associated with illnesses. On March 23, 2020, Guan's Mushroom Company recalled their enoki mushrooms. And on April 7 2020, H&C Food Inc. recalled their product. The only recall warning that mentioned illnesses is the first, from Sun Hong Foods. All of these mushrooms were sold in 7.05 clear plastic bags with a green label. No grocery store or restaurant … [Read more...]
