A deadly FreshRealm Chicken Alfredo Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has sickened at least 17 people, hospitalized 16, and killed three, with one fetal loss, according to the CDC. These products have been recalled. The case count by state is: Florida (1), Illinois (1), Indiana (1), Louisiana (2), Michigan (2), Minnesota (1), Missouri (1), Nevada (1), North Carolina (1), Ohio (1), South Carolina (1), Texas (3), and Virginia (1). Illness onset dates range from July 24, 2024 to May 10, 2025. The patient age range is from 4 to 92 years. The people who died lived in Illinois, Michigan, and Texas. And one pregnancy-associated illness resulted in a fetal loss. Eleven people were interviewed about their illness. Of those people, seven ate precooked meals before they got sick. Four of … [Read more...]
FDA on Emek Pistachio Cream MN and NJ Salmonella Outbreak
The FDA weighs in on the Emek Pistachio Cream MN and NJ Salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least four people. The product is manufactured by Emek Dogal Saglik Urunleri Iklim Gida Insaat San Tic Ltd Sti in Turkey and imported into the United States. It has a use by date of October 19, 2026 (TETT: 19/10/26 (DD/MM/YY) and has production code PNO: 241019. It is shelf-stable and was sold online for distributors, restaurants, and food service locations. It may be packaged in a 5 kilogram white tub. The FDA is still investigating where it may have been distributed. The case count by state is: Minnesota (3) and New Jersey (1). Illness onset dates range from March 10, 2025 to May 19, 2025. One person has been hospitalized. The patient age range is from 16 to 54 years. A cluster of … [Read more...]
Emek Pistachio Cream Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 4 in MN, NJ
An Emek Pistachio Cream Salmonella outbreak has sickened at least four people in the states of Minnesota and New Jersey according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). No recall has been issued. The patient case count by state is: Minnesota (3) and New Jersey (1). Illness onset dates range from March 10, 2025 to May 19, 2025. One person has been hospitalized. The patient age range is from 16 to 54 years. All four patients were interviewed by public health officials. All said they ate pistachio cream before getting sick. Three of those four people ate the cream at the same restaurant, which was not named. Noted Minnesota food safety lawyer Eric Hageman, who has successfully represented many clients in Salmonella lawsuits, said, "No one should get sick … [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...]