People who are familiar with food poisoning outbreaks are used to linking ground beef to E. coli illnesses. And it is true that there have been four multistate E. coli outbreaks linked to ground beef since 2013. But did you know that Salmonella outbreaks linked to ground beef are fairly common? E. coli, especially E. coli O157:H7, lives in the guts of cows. The animals don't get sick from that pathogen. When the cow is slaughtered, the bacteria can escape from the guts and contaminate the meat. When the meat is ground, the pathogen is mixed all through it. Then when burgers are made from that beef and are not fully cooked to 160°F, pathogens can remain active and will cause illnesses. Recognizing that this product can be contaminated with Salmonella, the USDA proposed changes to … [Read more...]
Did You Know Salmonella Outbreaks Linked to Ground Beef Are Common?
Onion Salmonella Newport Outbreak Has Now Sickened 1012 in 47 States
The Thomson International onion Salmonella Newport outbreak has now sickened at least 1,012 people in 47 states, according to a September 1, 2020 update by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That is an increase of 143 more ill persons in the last two weeks. One hundred thirty-six people are hospitalized. The case count by state is: Alaska (21), Alabama (1), Arizona (35), Arkansas (2), California (122), Colorado (26), Connecticut (2), Delaware (2), Florida (8), Georgia (11), Hawaii (3), Idaho (37), Illinois (54), Indiana (3), Iowa (26), Kansas (2), Kentucky (1), Maine (6), Maryland (7), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (47), Minnesota (18), Mississippi (4), Missouri (11), Montana (63), Nebraska (10), Nebraska (10), Nevada (11), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (8), New … [Read more...]
Salmonella Enteritidis Peach Outbreak Grows to 78 Cases in 12 States
The Salmonella enteritidis peach outbreak has now grown to include 78 people in 12 states, according to an update by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Twenty-three people have been hospitalized because they are so ill. The outbreak has been linked to recalled Prima Wawona and Wawona Packing peaches and some products made with those peaches. Ten more ill people and three new states, Connecticut, Kentucky, and Missouri, have been added to the outbreak totals. The case count by state is: Connecticut (1), Iowa (8), Kentucky (1), Maryland (1), Michigan (17), Minnesota (23), Missouri (1), New Jersey (7), New York (9), Pennsylvania (2), Virginia (3), and Wisconsin (5). Illness onset dates range from June 29, 2020 to August 3, 2020. Of 67 patients who provided … [Read more...]
CDC Weighs In On Salmonella Wawona Peaches Outbreak
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is weighing in on the Salmonella Wawona peaches outbreak that has sickened at least 68 people in in nine states. The fresh whole peaches were sold at Target and ALDI stores in certain states, and two recalls have been issued. The case count by state is: Iowa (8), Maryland (1), Michigan (17), Minnesota (23), New Jersey (4), New York (8), Pennsylvania (1), Virginia (3), and Wisconsin (3). Illness onset dates range from June 29 2020 to August 3, 2020. Fourteen people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. The patient age range is from 1 to 92 years. Public heath officials are using the PulseNet system to find people who may be part of this outbreak. Whole genome sequencing showed that bacteria isolated from ill persons … [Read more...]
Wawona Peaches Linked to a Salmonella Outbreak; Sickens 68 in 9 States
The FDA says that Wawona Packing peaches linked to a Salmonella outbreak have sickened at least 68 people in nine states. The peaches were sold at ALDI stores in certain states. As of August 19, 2020, ALDI has voluntarily recalled all of the Wawona brand bagged peaches from select stores in multiple states. The case count by state is: Iowa (8), Maryland (1), Michigan (17), Minnesota (23), New Jersey (4), New York (8), Pennsylvania (1), Virginia (3), and Wisconsin (3). Fourteen people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. The Wawona peaches linked to a Salmonella outbreak were distributed in Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin, and West … [Read more...]
Wawona Peaches Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 23 in MN, 68 Nationally
A Wawona peaches Salmonella outbreak has sickened at least 23 in Minnesota and 68 nationwide, according to a press release from the Minnesota Department of Health. This Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak is linked to the consumption of fresh, whole peaches supplied by Wawona Packing Company. Patients said they purchased peaches from ALDI and Target and perhaps other retail locations. On August 19, 2020, ALDI announced a recall of Wawona peaches, including both loose and bagged peaches. Target is also now removing peaches from its stores. Twenty-three Minnesotans are part of this outbreak, which has sickened at least 68 people in eight other states nationwide. The patient age range is from 3 to 92 years, with a median age of 28. Six of these patients were hospitalized and all have … [Read more...]
CDC Updates Salmonella Newport Red Onion Outbreak: 869 Sick
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated the Salmonella Newport red onion outbreak that has now sickened at least 869 people in 47 states. One hundred sixteen people are hospitalized because they are so sick. That is an additional 229 ill persons since the last update on August 7, 2020, including 9 from 4 new states: Arkansas, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and Texas. The patient case count by state is: Alaska (15), Alabama (1), Arizona (35), Arkansas (2), California (115), Colorado (25), Connecticut (2), Delaware (2), Florida (5), Georgia (6), Hawaii (3), Idaho (34), Illinois (49), Indiana (3), Iowa (23), Kansas (2), Kentucky (1), Maine (5), Maryland (7), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (44), Minnesota (18), Mississippi (4), Missouri (10), Montana (63), Nebraska (10), … [Read more...]
Red Onion Salmonella Newport Outbreak Has Now Sickened 869
The huge red onion Salmonella Newport outbreak has now sickened at least 869 people in 47 states. One hundred sixteen people have been hospitalized. Many primary and secondary recalls for the Thomson International onions, the brand the FDA believes is linked to this outbreak, have been issued in the past few weeks. The patient case count by state is: Alaska (15), Alabama (1), Arizona (35), Arkansas (2), California (115), Colorado (25), Connecticut (2), Delaware (2), Florida (5), Georgia (6), Hawaii (3), Idaho (34), Illinois (49), Indiana (3), Iowa (23), Kansas (2), Kentucky (1), Maine (5), Maryland (7), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (44), Minnesota (18), Mississippi (4), Missouri (10), Montana (63), Nebraska (10), Nevada (11), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (2), New Mexico (1), New … [Read more...]
Don’t Use Maison Terre Goldenseal Root Powder, FDA Says
The FDA is telling health care professionals and consumers to not use a product called Maison Terre Goldenseal Root Powder, because it is contaminated with high counts of various bacteria, including "multiple pathogens," according to a government press release. The company that repackaged and distributed this product, Maison Terre, is located in Little Rock, Arkansas. Goldenseal root powder has been used in various ways as a herbal supplement. It can be made into a tea, or ingested if sold in tablet or capsule form. It also may be applied to the skin as a topical treatment. Some people use it for indigestion and heartburn, and it has been used as a mouthwash to help heal canker sores. FDA laboratory analysis discovered the contamination. The advisory states, "Use of these … [Read more...]
Canal Water Positive for Cyclospora, U.S. Farms Grew Products
The FDA has updated its investigation into the Cyclospora outbreak linked to Fresh Express salads and has found canal water positive for cyclospora. They have identified several farms in the U.S. that may have provided product used in those recalled salads. And now 690 people in 13 states are sick with cyclosporiasis. That is an increase of 49 more cases since the last update on July 24, 2020. Thirty-seven people have been hospitalized. The case count by state is: Georgia (1), Iowa (206), Illinois (209), Kansas (5), Massachusetts (1), Minnesota (86), Missouri (57), Nebraska (55), North Dakota (6), Ohio (4), Pennsylvania (2), South Dakota (13), and Wisconsin (45). Illness onset dates range from May 11, 2020 to July 20, 2020. FDA's traceback investigation is complete, but they have … [Read more...]
