The cooked shrimp Salmonella outbreak announced by the FDA last week is not the first time seafood has been linked to a Salmonella outbreak. But does seafood naturally contain Salmonella bacteria, like chickens and sometimes beef? If not, how is seafood contaminated with this pathogen? Seafood such as shrimp and tuna do not naturally carry Salmonella bacteria, unlike poultry and other warm-blooded animals, according to a 2005 National Library of Medicine study published in the Journal of Food Protection. That study states, "Salmonella is not part of the natural flora of the shrimp culture environment nor is it inherently present in shrimp grow-out ponds. The occurrence of Salmonella bacteria in shrimp from aquaculture operations is related to the concentration of fecal bacteria in … [Read more...]
FDA Investigation Into Shrimp Salmonella Weltevreden Outbreak
The FDA has released its initial investigation into the shrimp Salmonella Weltevreden outbreak that has sickened at least six people in two states. The frozen precooked shrimp was imported by Avanti Frozen Foods of India. A positive import sample, along with epidemiological and traceback evidence that has come out of the investigation, indicates that this outbreak is linked to that frozen cooked shrimp. The FDA has identified a common import of shrimp that could have been consumed by these patients. The shrimp was all sold thawed at retail and is no longer available for sale. On January 26, 2021, an import sample of Avanti Frozen Foods shrimp was collected as part of the FDA's Import Seafood Compliance Program. The shrimp tested positive for Salmonella Weltevreden. At that time, … [Read more...]
Frozen Cooked Shrimp Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 6 in NV and AZ
A frozen cooked shrimp Salmonella outbreak has sickened at least six people who live in Nevada and Arizona. Two people are hospitalized because they are so sick. Epidemiologic, laboratory, and traceback data show that frozen cooked shrimp supplied by Avanti Frozen Foods is contaminated with Salmonella Weltevreden. The case count by state is: Arizona (2) and Nevada (4). Illness onset dates range from February 26, 2021 to April 25, 2021. The patients age range is from 30 to 80 years. Of five people who gave information to public health officials, two have been hospitalized for a hospitalization rate of 40%, double the typical rate of 20%. State and local public health officials interviewed patients about the foods they ate the week before they got sick. Of the five people … [Read more...]
Hannaford Meijer 365 Shrimp Recalled in Salmonella Outbreak
The Salmonella Weltevreden outbreak announced by the FDA on their Outbreak Investigation Table last week now has product names associated with it. Six people who live in Nevada and Arizona are sick in this outbreak. Today, a recall was announced for Hannaford Meijer 365 shrimp, along with other brands, in association with this outbreak. The potential for contamination was identified by the FDA based on prior testing of frozen cooked shrimp imported by Avanti Frozen Foods. Avanti Frozen Foods did not distribute that prior batch of imported shrimp and destroyed it. The company has taken steps to eliminate the potential for future contamination. The recall is for different brands of frozen cooked, peeled, deveined shrimp, some packaged with cocktail sauce, that were sold in various … [Read more...]
Real Water Ordered To Stop Distributing Adulterated Real Water Products
Real Water ordered to stop distributing adulterated Real Water products by a federal court. The U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada has permanently enjoined AffinityLifestyles Inc. and Real Water Inc. from preparing, processing, and distributing adulterated and misbranded bottled water. The water is allegedly the only common link between five children who developed non-viral hepatitis and acute liver failure in late 2020. The alkaline water products may also be associated with non-viral hepatitis cases in seven adults. The water products were marketed as a healthy alternative to tap water, but the government alleges that the products consisted of municipal tap water that the defendants processed with various chemicals in violation of good manufacturing practices, relevant … [Read more...]
Real Water Ceased Operations After Non-Viral Hepatitis Outbreak
The FDA has announced that Real Water ceased operations after the non-viral hepatitis outbreak associated with their alkaline water may have sickened at least 16 people. According to a consent decree complaint, the company allegedly failed to comply with FDA manufacturing requirements. U.S. District Judge Jennifer A. Dorsey entered a consent decree of permanent injunction on June 1, 2021 between the United States and AffinityListstyles.com Inc, which is the majority shareholder of Real Water Inc. According to the compliant filed by the Department of Justice on behalf of the FDA, the defendants allegedly violated the FD&C Act by operating facilities that failed to meet preventive controls requirements to control food hazards. The complaint also alleges that the products are … [Read more...]
Real Water Hepatitis Outbreak Increases to 11 Sick and 1 Probable Case
The Real Water hepatitis outbreak has increased to 11 people sick and 1 probable case, according to an update from the FDA. This is a non-viral hepatitis outbreak, which means that particular brand of alkalized water may have caused liver inflammation. This outbreak is not caused by the contagious hepatitis virus. The one probable case meets the case definition but has not been tested for viral hepatitis to rule that out. There are three kinds of non-viral hepatitis. The first is caused by consuming too much alcohol; the second is an auto-immune disease where the immune system attacks the liver; and the third is caused by chemicals, prescription and non-prescription medications, and nutritional supplements. This is an increase of six new cases since the last update was released … [Read more...]
Non-Viral Hepatitis Real Water Still Being Sold; A Number of People Sickened
The FDA has updated its investigation into the non-viral hepatitis real water outbreak, and the agency states that this water is still being sold through online retailers. The statement also reinforces the face that more people other than the five Nevada children have been sickened, stating that "a number of reports" of acute non-viral hepatitis have been received that are associated with Real Water brand alkaline water. The FDA is working to locate any remaining products to make sure they are not available to consumers. Since it is illegal to sell recalled products, the government is going to "follow up" with retailers as officials become aware of this brand being offered for sale Since the last update on March 31, 2021, FDA investigators have completed inspections at the Real … [Read more...]
Possible Real Water Non-viral Hepatitis Outbreak Prompts CDC HAN Alert
The possible Real Water non-viral hepatitis outbreak is prompting a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Health Alert Network (HAN) Alert. Five cases of acute non-viral hepatitis of unknown etiology were reported to the Southern Nevada Heath District between November and December 2020. The CDC is assisting the investigation about a potential link between those illnesses and consumption of Real Water alkaline water and other possible etiologies. The CDC and FDA were notified about those five Nevada cases by the SNHD in Nevada on March 13, 2021. The patient age range is from seven months to five years. The children were taken to a hospital between November 10, 2020, and December 3, 2020, with vomiting, poor intake, and fatigue. Lab testing on the paints showed elevated … [Read more...]
FDA Updates Non-viral Hepatitis Real Water Outbreak Investigation
The FDA has updated their non-viral hepatitis Real Water outbreak investigation with more information. There are a "number of reports" of acute non-viral hepatitis in the state of Nevada that are associated with Real Water brand alkaline water. The official case count remains at five sick, with all five patients hospitalized. All of those patients live in Nevada. The FDA now knows that Real Water alkaline water is still being offered for sale through online retailers. The government is trying to locate any remaining product so they are not available for consumers to purchase. The FDA will continue to monitor this situation and follow up with retailers as they find more offered for sale. The FDA is also conducting and audit to gauge the effectiveness of the voluntary recall that … [Read more...]
