FDA weighs in on the Lyons and Sysco Shakes deadly Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that has sickened at least 42 people, hospitalized 41, and killed 14. The outbreak has ended. That is and increase of four more illnesses and two more deaths since the last update was issued in February 2025. The case count by state is: Alabama (1), California (4), Colorado (1), Connecticut (2), Florida (2), Illinois (5), Indiana (3), Maryland (1), Michigan (2), Minnesota (1), Missouri (1), Nevada (1), New York (3), North Carolina (2), Ohio (1), Oklahoma (1), Pennsylvania (1), Tennessee (2), Texas (6), Washington (1), and West Virginia (1). The patient age range was from 43 to 101 years. Illness onset dates ranged from August 17, 2028 to March 13, 2025. The shakes were recalled by Lyons Magnus on … [Read more...]
Minnesota PFAS Fish Consumption Guidance Updated
Minnesota PFAS fish consumption guidance has been updated by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). PFAS is per- and polyfluralkyl substances that are found in some waters in 10 Minnesota counties. In the Twin Cities area, the counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington counties are affected. In greater Minnesota, waters in Douglas, Martin, McLeod and St. Louis counties are affected. PFAS are chemicals that are harmful to human health. They are used to make products that are resistant to heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. These chemicals can accumulate in the body over time and can affect health. They are tied to developmental effects, including low birth weight in infants and a weaker immune system in children. Exposure to PFAS can cause changes in … [Read more...]
Minnesota Starts Testing Raw Cow Milk for H5N1 Bird Flu
Minnesota is starting to test raw cow milk for H5N1 bird flu, according to a press release from the Minnesota Department of of Agriculture (MDA). The testing will start beginning the week of February 24, 2025. This is intended to identify where the virus is present, to monitor trends, and prevent its spread to dairy herds and poultry flocks around the state. MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen said in a statement, "H5N1 is an emerging disease in dairy cattle, and conducting disease surveillance supports the state’s ability to effectively respond to outbreaks and limit the potential impact on the livestock and poultry industries, as well as on public health." The notice stated that there are no concerns about the safety of the public milk supply, since all milk sold in stores to the … [Read more...]
Number One Outbreak of 2024 Was Bedner Cucumber Salmonella
The number one outbreak of 2024 was the Bedner cucumber Salmonella outbreak that sickened at least 551 people in 34 states and the District of Columbia. The cucumbers were also sold by Thomas Produce Company. That outbreak ended in August 2024. The case count by state was: Alabama (6), Arkansas (1), California (1), Connecticut (8), Delaware (3), Florida (60), Georgia (48), Illinois (9), Indiana (4), Iowa (5), Kentucky (20), Maine (4), Maryland (17), Massachusetts (11), Michigan (12), Minnesota (10), Mississippi (2), Missouri (4), Nevada (1), New Jersey (22), New York (69), North Carolina (27), Ohio (20), Oklahoma (2), Pennsylvania (68), Rhode Island (8), South Carolina (22), Tennessee (22), Texas (2), Vermont (2), Virginia (48), Washington (1), West Virginia (7), Wisconsin (4), and … [Read more...]
Number Three Outbreak of 2024 is Deadly Cantaloupe Salmonella
The number three outbreak of 2024 is the deadly cantaloupe Salmonella outbreak that sickened at least 407 people in 44 states. That outbreak was declared over in January 2024 and is included in this year's list because last year at this time there were only 302 people sick. The case count by state was: Alaska (1), Arizona (15), Arkansas (2), California (56), Colorado (11), Connecticut (2), Florida (4), Georgia (8), Illinois (22), Indiana (9), Iowa (12), Kansas (2), Kentucky (10), Maryland (9), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (7), Minnesota (29), Mississippi (1), Missouri (15), Montana (3), Nebraska (7), Nevada (5), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (8), New Mexico (2), New York (14), North Carolina (7), North Dakota (1), Ohio (14), Oklahoma (4), Oregon (8), Pennsylvania (5), Rhode … [Read more...]