The FDA has weighed in on the deadly HMC Farms stone fruit Listeria monocytogenes outbreak. In that outbreak, 11 people in seven states have been sickened. One person who lived in California has died. Another patient experience premature labor. The fruits, under the labels HMC Farms and Signature Farms, have been recalled. The FDA notice also states that the recalled fruit was sold to other manufacturers who may have frozen or relabeled the recalled fruit to sell under another brand. The FDA advisories will be updated as more information is uncovered. The recalled fresh fruit is no longer available for sale in retail stores, but public health officials are worried that consumers have frozen this fruit for later use. Listeria monocytogenes bacteria easily survive the freezing … [Read more...]
HMC Farms Peaches Listeria Outbreak Sickens 11; 1 Death
The HMC Farms peaches Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has sickened at least 11 people in seven states. One person has sadly died, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The peaches were also sold under the brand name Signature Farms. The case count by state is: California (3), Colorado (1), Florida (3), Illinois (1), Kansas (1), Michigan (1), and Ohio (1). The patient age range is from 30 to 80 years. Illness onset dates range from August 22, 2018 to August 16, 2023. Of ten people who gave information to investigators, all have been hospitalized. One death was reported from California. One person suffered preterm labor. There are most likely many more people sickened in this outbreak. Many do not go to a doctor. And this outbreak could still grow, … [Read more...]
HMC Farms Peaches Listeria Outbreak Sickens Eleven
An HMC Farms peaches Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has sickened eleven people, accordion to the FDA. The peaches, along with the company's plums and nectarines, are being voluntarily recalled. The recalling firm is HMC Group Marketing Inc. doing business as HMC Farms. The fruit was sold in retail stores between May 1, 2022 and November 15, 2022, and between May 1, 2023 and November 15, 2023. The fruit was sold nationwide as individual pieces of fruit with PLU stickers, or in consumer packaging, mostly 2 pound plastic bags. Some of the PLU numbers on the individual fruit are 4401, 4044, 4036, 4038, 4378, 3035, 4042, and 4040. The recall is for yellow and white peaches, yellow and white nectarines, and red and black plums. The recall is for conventionally grown fruit; no organic … [Read more...]
Two New Outbreaks on FDA’s CORE Outbreak Investigation Table
There are two new outbreaks on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table, joining three other outbreaks. Only two of the five outbreaks have been solved so far. The first new outbreak is a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that has sickened at least 11 people. No food has been identified in relation to these illnesses. We do not know the patient age range, where the patients live, illness onset dates, or if anyone has been hospitalized. Samples have been collected and analysis has started in this investigation. The second new outbreak is an E. coli O103 outbreak that has sickened at least 12 people. Again, we do not know the patient age range, if anyone has been hospitalized, where patients live, or when people got sick. No food has been linked to this outbreak. Traceback has … [Read more...]
Ice Cream House Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak Ends
The Ice Cream House Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has ended with two people sick, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Both patients were hospitalized. One patient lives in New York, and the other lives in Pennsylvania. Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback evidence showed that ice cream made by The Ice Cream House, located in Brooklyn, New York, made people sick. One patient ate "Soft Serve on the Go" ice cream cups, and the other person likely ate the same ice cream cup at a long term care facility where they lived. The median age of the patients is 77. The outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes was found in those cups, in a mini dessert cigar novelty ice cream product, and in several environmental samples taken from two Ice Cream House … [Read more...]
Brooklyn Ice Cream House Listeria Outbreak Sickens Two
The Brooklyn Ice Cream House Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has sickened at least two people, according to the FDA. Both patients, who live in Pennsylvania and New York, have been hospitalized. The Ice Cream House storefront, located in Brooklyn, New York, has recalled all of their branded products sold at the Brooklyn location as well as at retail supermarkets located in New Jersey, New York, and Ohio. The recalled items include all dairy and non-dairy products that carry the Ice Cream house logo. They include ice cream, cakes, pies, ice cream logs, and novelty items such as trio log sorbet, Hello Kitty Cake, Heaven Layer Vanilla, Tropical Flute, De'Lightning Frozen Dessert, and others. Real Kosher Ice Cream has also recalled all flavors of their Soft Serve on the Go 8 ounce ice … [Read more...]
Two New Outbreaks on FDA CORE Investigation Table
There are two new outbreaks on the FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. One is a Salmonella Newport outbreak, and the other is a Cryptosporidium outbreak. Four other outbreaks remain on the table. The new Salmonella Newport outbreak in a not yet identified food has sickened at least eight people. In that investigation, traceback has been initiated, but there is no recall, no onsite inspection, and no sample collection or analysis. The new Cryptosporidium outbreak in a not yet identified food has sickened at least 11 people. In that outbreak, traceback has been initiated. We don't know the states where ill people live, their age range, or if anyone has been hospitalized. The other outbreaks remain unchanged. In the Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to Soft Serve on the … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Pico de Gallo Ends With No Resolution
A Salmonella outbreak linked to pico de gallo has ended with no resolution, according to the FDA. There are just four active outbreak investigations on the FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. The outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi B var. L(+) tartrate+ has ended. The FDA, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local partners investigated this outbreak, conducting traceback and epidemiologic investigation. While they identified pico de gallo, a condiment made of tomatoes, chiles, and spices, as the source of the outbreak, they could not determine a specific ingredient in the mixture that was contaminated. They also could not find any Salmonella bacteria in the pico de gallo samples that were available. Environmental samples were also taken, but they were … [Read more...]
New York Officials Find Listeria in Cups From Real Kosher Facility
New York officials find Listeria in cups From Real Kosher Ice Cream's manufacturing facility, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Investigators from the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets visited the manufacturing location and collected the cups. The outbreak strain was found in five finished product samples of the Vanilla Chocolate variety, confirmed by whole genome sequencing. On August 10, 2023, the CDC said that the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture found the outbreak strain of Listeria monocytogenes in an unopened Soft Serve on the Go Vanilla Chocolate ice cream cup that a patient had in their freezer. That means that the products are linked to this outbreak by epidemiologic, traceback, and laboratory data. The outbreak case … [Read more...]
Deadly Listeria Outbreak Associated With Tacoma Frugals Milkshakes
A deadly Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that is associated with milkshakes served at the Tacoma Frugals restaurant has hospitalized six people, according to the Washington State Department of Health. Three patients have sadly died. Listeria monocytogenes bacteria was found in all milkshake flavors sold at that restaurant, which is located at 10727 Pacific Avenue South in Tacoma, Washington. All six patients in this outbreak had health issues that made them more vulnerable to infections. Two people who were hospitalized and survived said they ate the Tacoma Frugals' milkshakes before they got sick. Because ice cream has been linked to listeriosis outbreaks in the past, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department collected samples from the restaurant on August 8, 2023, and today … [Read more...]
