Fish consumption guidance for the Mississippi River south of the metro Twin Cities has been updated by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). The problem is that a mixture of pollutants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), have been found in fish tissue. PFAS are harmful chemicals that can accumulate in fish and animals and in people. They resist oil, water, grease, and heat and are used in water-resistant fabrics, paints, and cleaning products. Some PFAS are authorized for use in food packaging, cookware, and food processing equipment. PFAS are linked to various cancers and developmental effects in children. The chemicals have been used for decades and do not degrade or break down in the environment. The state has been taking action to eliminate PFAS. The … [Read more...]
Minnesota, Wisconsin E. coli Outbreak Linked to Jack & the Green Sprouts
An E. coli outbreak linked to alfalfa sprouts produced by Jack & the Green Sprouts has sickened seven people in Minnesota and two in Wisconsin, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. Consumers should not eat and retailers and restaurants should not sell or serve Jack & the Green Sprouts brand alfalfa sprouts as E. coli can cause serious illness. The sprouts at issue were packaged in a plastic clamshell with a "brightly colored round label on top that notes the sprout variety," according to the Minnesota Department of Health. They may be mixed with other sprout varieties. Located in River Falls, Wisconsin, Jack & The Green Sprouts distributes alfalfa sprouts to states in the upper Midwest. Those sickened purchased the contaminated sprouts at a variety of … [Read more...]
7 State Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Garden of Life Shake Mixes
Garden of Life meal replacement shake mixes have been identified as the source of a seven-state Salmonella Virchow outbreak, according to the Minnesota Department of Health Announced yesterday. At least eight people have been sickened. Because many cases of Salmonella infection are not reported, the number is likely to be much higher. Minnesota health officials said they wanted to "bring this outbreak to the attention of people who have become ill with symptoms of salmonellosis but who have not yet consulted a health care provider. These people should mention this outbreak to their health care provider should they consult one." In Minnesota, where between 700 and 900 cases of salmonellosis are reported annually, two cases have been reported since Monday, January 11. One case was a … [Read more...]
Chipotle Outbreak Expands to Six States, 45 Sick
The Chipotle E. coli outbreak, previously thought to involve only locations in Washington and Oregon now includes cases in six sates. At least, 45 people have been sickened, 16 have been hospitalized. The new states are California, Minnesota, New York and Ohio. By state the case count is as follows: California (2), Minnesota (2), New York (1), Ohio (1), Oregon (13), and Washington (26). The total of 45 illnesses is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) which is including only the illnesses that have been confirmed by PulseNet as being infected with the outbreak strain of Shiga toxin-producing E.coli O26. Those sickened, who range in age from 2 years to 94, reported onset of illness dates ranging from October 19, 2015 to November 8, 2015. The median age is 22. … [Read more...]
Tomato Grower Added to Chipotle Salmonella Lawsuit
Tomato grower Lipman Produce has been added as a defendant in a lawsuit filed against Chipotle. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a Minnesota woman who contracted Salmonella after eating at a Chipotle restaurant in Maplewood, Minnesota. The plaintiff is among 64 people who developed Salmonella infections after eating at Chipotle restaurants. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) collaborated with federal health officials on the investigation of the outbreak that affected customers at 22 of the 60 Chipotle locations in Minnesota. The state agencies identified tomatoes as the source of the Salmonella Newport outbreak. Lipman Produce of Immokalee, Florida supplied the tomatoes to the the Minnesota Chipotle locations. The outbreak … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Aspen Chicken Grows
A Salmonella outbreak linked raw, frozen breaded chicken products from Aspen Foods has sickened five people in Minnesota hospitalizing two of them. The company, which has been linked to other Salmonella outbreaks, has a systemic Salmonella problem, the USDA said two weeks ago. The current outbreak, announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in June, followed another Salmonella outbreak linked to the same products a year earlier. Between August 17, 2014 and September 27, 2014 six people in Minnesota got Salmonella infections from Antioch Farms brand frozen, raw Chicken Kiev produced at the Aspen Foods facility in Chicago. Officials from the Minnesota Department of Health said that during interviews with case patients they learned that some of them followed … [Read more...]
Salmonella at COV in Wayzata, MN Sickens Nine
A Salmonella outbreak linked to COV restaurant on Lake Street in Wayzata has sickened nine people, Food Poisoning Bulletin is first to report. The outbreak occurred in early August. Customers who ordered lobster guacamole at the restaurant on August 4th and 5th became ill within days. All of them have since recovered. Of the nine reported illnesses, seven have confirmed cases of Salmonella Virchow infection. Lobster guacamole was the only food associated with illness, a health department spokesman has confirmed. Health officials say cross-contamination and temperature abuse were factors in the outbreak. Cross-contamination can occur when food surfaces and utensils used to prepare raw food are used again for cooked food without first being washed. Temperature abuse occurs when … [Read more...]
