FDA on end of Raw Farm raw Cheddar cheese E. coli outbreak states that at least 11 people in five states were sickened. Five people were hospitalized, and two people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The case count by state is: California (4), Colorado (3), New Jersey (1), Texas (1), and Utah (2). This case count has not changed since the last update was issued by the FDA and CDC on February 28, 2024. Illness onset dates ranged from October 18, 2023 to February 5, 2024. No deaths were reported. Public health officials collected various Raw Farm branded products for testing, and all samples tested negative for E. coli. But epidemiologic evidence shows that Raw Farm raw Cheddar cheese is the likely source of this outbreak. Most of the patients … [Read more...]
Mussels From Allen’s Fisheries Associated With Outbreak in NJ
FDA has issued a warning about certain mussels from Allen's Fisheries in Benoit's Cove, Newfoundland, Canada, that are associated with an outbreak in New Jersey. The pathogen or biotoxin that allegedly caused this outbreak has not been named, and the number of patients, their ages, illness onset dates, and whether or not anyone has been hospitalized was not mentioned in the alert. The product tag above is representative of the labeling that would accompany the mussels. The mussels are from Allen's Fisheries (NL0047SP) in Newfoundland, Canada, harvested on 2/07/2024 (Julian date 24038), from harvest area AQ # 15 Newfoundland, with final harvest date of 2/18/2024 (Julian date 24049). The mussels were shipped to distributors in the states of Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, … [Read more...]
Raw Farm Raw Cheddar E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Sickens 11
The Raw Farm raw Cheddar E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has now sickened at least 11 people in five states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Raw Farm voluntarily recalled their cheese on February 19, 2024 but has since withdrawn that recall. The FDA and CDC continue to recommend that people not eat the cheese because epidemiological evidence indicates that, "Raw Farm brand raw cheddar cheese is making people in this outbreak sick." In interviews with public health officials, 7 of 9 people interviewed, or 75%, said they ate Raw Farm raw Cheddar cheese before they got sick. This percentage is significantly higher than the 4.9% of respondents who reported eating any raw milk cheese in the FoodNet Population Survey. In addition, whole genome sequencing … [Read more...]
Deptford NJ Olive Garden Worker Positive For Hepatitis A
A Deptford NJ Olive Garden food worker has tested positive for hepatitis A, potentially exposing customers. That person worked there between December 26 and December 30, 2023. Anyone who ate at that restaurant during that time frame may have been exposed to the virus. That restaurant is located at 1500 Almonesson Road in Deptford, New Jersey. Gloucester County officials are working with the restaurant to vaccinate co-workers who may have been exposed. A full inspection of the restaurant was conducted in March 2023 and on Wednesday. The business received a satisfactory rating in both inspections. Anyone who did visit the restaurant during that time frame should get a vaccine against the virus. Unfortunately, anyone who ate there before December 28, 2023 is probably not eligible … [Read more...]
Hepatitis A Exposure at Cardinal Provisions in Asbury Park, NJ
There was a hepatitis A exposure at Cardinal Provisions in Asbury Park, New Jersey in September 2023, according to the Monmouth County Health Department. The company notified the health department about the employee's diagnosis. That venue is located at 513 Bangs Avenue in Asbury Park. Public health officials visited the establishment and conducted an inspection. They found no evidence of food safety violations. The facility voluntarily closed and did not reopen until all employees who had been exposed to the virus had been vaccinated. The employee worked while infectious on September 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, and 21, 2023. Anyone who consumed food or drinks at Cardinal Provisions on those dates may have been exposed to hepatitis A and should consider getting vaccinated. The … [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...]
Enoki Mushrooms Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak Ends
The enoki mushrooms Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to Utopia Foods and Sun Hong Foods products has ended with five people sick in four states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the last update released in January 2023, there were three people sick. The case count by state is: California (2), Michigan (1), Nevada (1), and New Jersey (1). The new state added to this outbreak is New Jersey, and one more patient in California was added to the case count. Ill person's samples were collected from October 5, 2022 to February 3, 2023. The patient age range is from less than one to 63 years. There were two strains of Listeria monocytogenes that made people sick in this outbreak. Two of the patients reported eating enoki mushrooms or eating at … [Read more...]
Deadly Listeria Deli Meat Outbreak Ends With 16 Sick
The deadly Netcost Listeria deli meat and cheese outbreak has finally ended after 4-1/2 months with no update, with 16 people in six states sick. Thirteen people were hospitalized because they were so ill. The case count by state is: California (1), Illinois (2), Maryland (3), Massachusetts (2), New Jersey (1), and New York (7). This case count has not changed since the outbreak was first announced on November 9, 2022. The patient age range is from 38 to 92 years. Sick people's samples were collected from April 17, 2021 to September 29, 2022. Of 14 people who gave information about their illnesses to officials, 13 were hospitalized. One death was reported from Maryland, and there was one pregnancy loss. Of 12 people interviewed, 11 said they ate meat or cheese from deli counters. … [Read more...]
What Happened to the Deadly Listeria Outbreak Linked to Delis?
What happened to the deadly Listeria outbreak linked to deli meats and cheeses? This outbreak investigation is not on the FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Table or on the USDA's Outbreak Table, and it has not been updated since November 9, 2022, more than three months ago. In this outbreak, at least 16 people in six states have been sickened. Thirteen of those patients were hospitalized, and one person who lived in Maryland died. In addition, one person got sick during a pregnancy, resulting in a fetal loss. Illness onset dates range from April 17, 2021 to September 29, 2022. The states where ill persons live include California, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York. Of 13 people who gave ethnicity information to public health officials, 11 are of Eastern … [Read more...]
