The number five outbreak of 2023 is the ShopRite ground beef Salmonella outbreak that sickened at least 18 people in four states. While traceback didn't identify a common source for the ground beef, most people bought the meat at ShopRite stores in the northeastern United States. The case count by state is: Connecticut (1), Massachusetts (1), New Jersey (11), and New York (5). The patient age range is from 0 to 97 years. Illness onset dates ranged from April 27, 2023 through July 6, 2023. Seven people were hospitalized because they were so sick. Patient isolates were tested with whole genome sequencing were found to be closely related genetically, which means the people likely got sick from eating the same food. Investigators found the outbreak strain of Salmonella in a routine … [Read more...]
Lead Contaminated Cinnamon in WanaBana Fruit Puree Pouches
Lead contaminated cinnamon in WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches is the most likely cause of lead poisoning cases in children, according to the FDA. There are at least 57 children in 26 states who are likely sick with acute lead poisoning. That is an increase of five more cases since the last update that was issued on November 22, 2023. The case count by state is: Alabama (1), Arkansas (1), California (1), Connecticut (1), Florida (1), Georgia (2) Iowa (1), Illinois (2), Kentucky (3), Louisiana (4), Massachusetts (3), Maryland (4), Michigan (3), Missouri (1), North Carolina (5), Nebraska (1), New Hampshire (1), New Mexico (1), New York (8), Ohio (2), Pennsylvania (1), South Carolina (2), Tennessee (1), Texas (3) Virginia (1), and Washington (3). The children are less than … [Read more...]
FDA Warns Restaurants About Future Seafoods Raw Oysters
The FDA is warning restaurants not to serve Future Seafoods raw oysters from Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada, because they may be contaminated with Salmonella and generic E. coli bacteria. Restaurants and food retailers in these states may have recently purchased those oysters: Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Consumers may have purchased the oysters. The Future Seafoods harvest number is PE 4217 SP). The oysters were harvested in October 10, 2023 from the harvest area PE9B and then sold to those restaurants and retailers. Contaminated oysters can cause serious illness if they are eaten raw. Food that is contaminated with pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli will look, smell, and taste normal, and their texture is not … [Read more...]
ShopRite Ground Beef Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 18 in 4 States
The ShopRite ground beef Salmonella outbreak is over after sickening at least 18 people in four states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That is an increase of two more patients since the last update on July 26, 2023. The report states that most of the patients reported eating 80% lean ground beef before they got sick. Traceback did not identify a common source for the meat, although most people bought the ground beef at ShopRite stores in the northeastern United States. The case count by state is: Connecticut (1), Massachusetts (1), New Jersey (11), and New York (5). The patient age range is from 0 to 97 years. Illness onset dates ranged from April 27, 2023 through July 6, 2023. Seven people were hospitalized because they were so ill. Ground … [Read more...]
Ground Beef Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 16 in Four States
A ground beef Salmonella outbreak has sickened at least 16 people in four states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Many of those sickened bought the ground beef from ShopRite stores in the northeastern United States. Six people have been hospitalized because they are so ill. The case count by state is: Connecticut (1), Massachusetts (1), New Jersey (9), and New York (5). Illness onset dates range from April 27, 2023 through June 16, 2023. The patient age range is from 0 to 97 years. Nineteen percent of the patients are under the age of five. Public health officials are interviewing people about what they ate before they got sick. Of the 14 people interviewed, nine, or 64%, said they ate ground beef. All nine purchased the ground beef from … [Read more...]
Boston’s Los Amigos Taqueria Closed Again After Inspection
Boston's Los Amigos Taqueria is closed by public health officials again after failing an inspection on June 23, 2023. Dozens of patrons were sickened with Salmonella food poisoning in May 2023 after eating at the establishment, which is located at 366 Washington Street in Brighton, Massachusetts. Consumers with confirmed illness recently reported eating at this location according to the inspection report. At that time, inspectors found multiple violations of the food code, including no sanitizer set up, certified food managers certificate was expired, wire rack shelving units that had visible rust and soil, and the interior walls and ceiling of the walk in unit with visible soil and mold-like substances. In the latest inspection, bags of shrimp were stored in the same box as fish … [Read more...]
Cricket Creek Farm Cheese Listeria Recall Expanded; One Illness
The Cricket Creek Farm Cheese Listeria recall has been expanded to include a new type of cheese. One illness from a person who has been hospitalized has been reported in connection with the consumption of these products. The new recall is for one lot of Berkshire Bloom cheese because it was inadequately pasteurized. Berkshire Bloom cheese, with a product label of 076, is a camembert style, bloomy rind cheese. The circular cheese measures 4 inches in diameter and about 1.25 inches tall. It’s sold in a white cheese paper wrapper with blue label. This batch of cheese was distributed between April 20, 2023 and May 12, 2023. The other two recalled cheeses are Sophelise and Tobasi. Sophelise cheese, with the product code 087055, is a washed, pasteurized milk cheese with a soft rind and … [Read more...]
Cricket Creek Farm Cheese Recalled After One Listeria Illness
Cricket Creek Farm Cheese is being recalled after one Listeria monocytogenes illness was reported. The recalling firm is Cricket Creek Farm of Williamstown, Massachusetts. The recalled products are 165 pounds of Sophelise cheese and 149 pounds of Tobasi cheese. The cheeses were distributed in Massachusetts and New York through these stores: Wild Oats in Williamstown, Massachusetts; Provisions Williamstown in Williamstown, Massachusetts; McEnroe Organic Farm Market in Millerton, New York; New Lebanon Farmers Market in New Lebanon, New York; and at restaurants and farmers markets. You can see pictures of these cheeses at the FDA web site. Sophelise is a washed, pasteurized milk cheese with a soft rind and pinkish hue. The circular cheese is four inches in diameter and about one … [Read more...]
Now 45 Sick in Los Amigos Taqueria Salmonella Outbreak
There are now 45 sick in Los Amigos Taqueria Salmonella outbreak, according to NBC Boston. Laboratory testing has confirmed 45 cases in customers of the restaurant, which is located at 366 Washington Street in Brighton, Massachusetts, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. That's an increase of 12 more cases since the original announcement of the outbreak on May 19, 2023. Of the 45 confirmed cases, 29 live in Boston. There are apparently more reports of undiagnosed illnesses associated with that restaurant. The restaurant was closed last week after the outbreak was uncovered. An inspection was conducted at that location on May 18, 2023 after reports of illness, and found multiple problems. The certified food managers certificate was expired, there was no … [Read more...]
Boston Los Amigos Mexican Grill Restaurant Linked to Outbreak
Two Los Amigos Mexican Grill Restaurants in the Boston, Massachusetts area have been closed, and one is linked to a Salmonella outbreak, according to news reports. The Boston Public Health Commission confirmed to WCVB that it is investigating an emerging outbreak linked to one of the restaurants. There is no word on the number of people sick or if anyone has been hospitalized. The two restaurants were closed on May 18 and May 19, 2023. According to the City of Boston Inspectional Services, the Los Amigos at 366 Washington Street in Brighton, Massachusetts was closed on May 18. Violations included certified food managers certificate expired, no sanitizer set up, wire rack shelving units with visible rust and soil, and interior walls and ceiling of the walk in unit with visible soil … [Read more...]
