A new deli meat and cheese Listeria outbreak has sickened at least 16 people, hospitalized 13, and killed one person, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Those patients live in six states. The case count by state is: California (1), Illinois (2), Maryland (3), Massachusetts (2), New Jersey (1), and New York (7). Illness onset dates range from April 17, 2021 to September 29, 2022. The patient age range is from 38 to 92 years. Eleven of the patients are of Eastern European background or speak Russian. Of 14 people who gave information about their illnesses to public health investigators, 13 have been hospitalized. One person got sick during their pregnancy, resulting in a fetal loss. And one death from Maryland has been reported. Officials are … [Read more...]
Recall of Old Europe Soft Cheeses For Listeria Expands
The recall of Old Europe soft cheeses for Listeria monocytogenes has expanded to include more products and retailers that carried the cheeses. Some of these cheeses, which include Brie and Camembert, are linked to a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that has sickened at least six people in six states and has hospitalized five. The ill persons live in California, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, and Texas. The cheeses were sold nationwide at the retail level. Consumers, restaurants, and retailers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled products listed below and should throw them away; this includes Best By Dates ranging from September 28, 2022 to December 14, 2022, and all flavors and quantities. The products were sold from August 01, 2022 through September 28, 2022, … [Read more...]
Ground Beef HelloFresh E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Ends; 7 Sick
The ground beef HelloFresh E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has ended, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with seven people sick and six hospitalized. The last update for this outbreak was September 14, 2022. The ground beef was packed into some HelloFresh meal kits that were shipped from July 2 to July 21, 2022. The ground beef was in 10 ounce plastic vacuum-packed packages, and was labeled "Ground Beef 85% lean/15% fat." The establishment number inside the USDA mark of inspection was EST. 46841. The patient case count by state is: Maryland (1), New Jersey (2), New York (1), Pennsylvania (1), Virginia (1), and Washington state (1). Illness onset dates did not change, and range is from June 8, 2022 to August 17, 2022. HelloFresh meals can be frozen for one … [Read more...]
Old Europe Cheese Listeria Outbreak Sickens 6, 5 Hospitalized
An Old Europe Cheese Listeria monocytogenes outbreak has sickened at least six people in six states and has hospitalized five, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Brie and Camembert cheese, that were sold under multiple brand names, made by this company are linked to these illnesses. The patient case count by state is: California (1), Georgia (1), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (1), New Jersey (1), and Texas (1). The patient age range is from 56 to 83 years. Sick people's samples were collected from August 6, 2017, to August 5, 2022. This large date range is not uncommon in Listeria outbreaks, since not many people are sick in each outbreak and since the pathogen can exist in food manufacturing environments for years. The PulseNet system is used to … [Read more...]
HelloFresh Ground Beef E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Sickens 7
The HelloFresh ground beef E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has sickened at least seven people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This outbreak was originally announced in a USDA public health warning that was issued four days ago on September 10, 2022. The case count by state as of September 12, 2022 is: Maryland (1), New Jersey (2), New York (1), Pennsylvania (1), Virginia (1), and Washington state (1). Illness onset dates range from June 8, 2022 to August 17, 2022. This is unusual because the product was shipped in July, but the illness onset dates are far outside that range. However, you can freeze HelloFresh meals for one to two months. The patient age range is from 17 to 69 years. Of seven people who gave information to public health officials, six … [Read more...]
Starbucks Hepatitis A Positive Worker in Camden County, NJ
A Starbucks hepatitis A positive worker in Camden County, New Jersey worked while infectious, according to the Camden County Health Department. A health care provider notified the county about this situation. That Starbucks location is at 1490 Blackwood Clementon Road in Gloucester Township. The employee worked there on November 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, and 13, 2021. Public health officials were notified on November 17, 2021 that a patient had tested positive for hepatitis A. Members of the Food Surveillance Unit visited the store on that day and conducted an inspection, which showed no evidence of food safety violations. The store was closed, based on the investigation, and was not allowed to open until all of the employees were vaccinated against the virus. Camden County Health Officer … [Read more...]
Outbreak at Waterford Township School District in New Jersey
An outbreak at Waterford Township School District in New Jersey has closed school buildings for two weeks, according to a letter by Superintendent Dr. Brenda Haring that was sent to parents on May 10, 2021. According to the letter, employees who attended a luncheon held on May 6, 2021 that was catered by an outside vendor are sick with symptoms of food poisoning. More than 60% of the staff members got sick and are "continuing to recover." The district can't properly staff the building so they switched to an asynchronous day of instruction yesterday and continued that schedule today. The district reported the incident to the Camden County Department of Health and the Waterford Township Police Department for investigation. The pathogen that caused the illnesses is not yet known, … [Read more...]
FDA Says Listeria Monocytogenes Enoki Mushroom Outbreak Is Over
The FDA says that the Listeria monocytogenes enoki mushroom outbreak is over after sickening 36 people in 17 states. The outbreak was linked to the mushrooms from Green Co, LTD of the Republic of Korea. These mushrooms are also known as enokitake, golden needle, tutu, or lily mushrooms. The case count by state is: Arizona (2), California (9), Florida (2), Hawaii (3), Indiana (1), Kentucky (1), Maryland (2), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (1), Missouri (1), New Jersey (1), New York (4), North Carolina (1), Rhode Island (1), Tennessee (1), Virginia (3), and Washington (1). The illness onset dates ranged from November 3, 2016 to December 13, 2019. The age range of the patients is from less than 1 to 96 years. The four deaths included two from California, and one each from Hawaii and New … [Read more...]
Three Enoki Mushroom Brands Recalled For Listeria Monocytogenes
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated outbreak information for the enoki mushroom Listeria Monocytogenes outbreak. Now three enoki mushroom brands, all imported from Korea, are recalled because they may be contaminated with the pathogen. These three enoki mushroom brands include Sun Hong Foods, which recalled their enoki mushrooms on March 9, 2020. Those mushrooms are the only ones thus far that are associated with illnesses. On March 23, 2020, Guan's Mushroom Company recalled their enoki mushrooms. And on April 7 2020, H&C Food Inc. recalled their product. The only recall warning that mentioned illnesses is the first, from Sun Hong Foods. All of these mushrooms were sold in 7.05 clear plastic bags with a green label. No grocery store or restaurant … [Read more...]
CDC Weighs in on Enoki Mushroom Listeria Monocytogenes Outbreak
The CDC is weighing in on the Enoki mushroom Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to enoki mushrooms that have been imported from Korea. There are still 36 cases in 17 states. The case count by state is: Arizona (2), California (9), Florida (2), Hawaii (3), Indiana (1), Kentucky (1), Maryland (2), Massachusetts (2), Michigan (1), Missouri (1), Nevada (1), New Jersey (1), New York (4), North Carolina (1), Rhode Island (1), Tennessee (1), and Virginia (3). Illness onset dates range from November 23, 2016 to December 13, 2019. Thirty people have been hospitalized because their illness is so severe. Four people have died; they lived in California, Hawaii, and New Jersey. And six of these illnesses are in pregnant women. Two of those women suffered fetal losses. Two products … [Read more...]
