The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) have announced that Homestead Creamery of Jamesport, Missouri is recalling a 250 pound batch of its Flory's Favorite cheese from the marketplace. Test results indicate that the cheese may be contaminated with Shiga toxin producing E. coli bacteria, which causes serious foodborne illness. There is an outbreak of E. coli at this time in northwest Missouri. As of January 14, 2013, seven people are sick with Shiga toxin producing E. coli in Missouri. Two toddlers are hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome, a complication that can cause kidney failure and death. The press release from the MDA did not indicate whether or not this recalled product is associated with the outbreak. The … [Read more...]
Homestead Creamery Cheese Sold at HyVee in Missouri Recalled for Possible E. coli
Missouri Issues Alert About Raw Milk and E. coli Outbreak
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is issuing a health advisory about consumption of locally produced, raw dairy products that may be contaminated with E. coli O103. This bacteria is Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) that can cause serious illness and death. Several cases of the illness in northwest Missouri have been reported to public health authorities, including one confirmed case of E. coli O103. Anyone who has the symptoms of a STEC infection, including severe stomach cramps, diarrhea, which may be watery and/or bloody, and vomiting, should see a doctor immediately. Most people get better within a week, but some can develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney failure and death. This is a reportable illness, so all health care … [Read more...]
USDA Releases First Results for Non-0157 STEC Tests in Beef Trim
On June 4, 2012, the USDA started required testing of beef trim for six non-0157 shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria, commonly known as STEC bacteria. Today they released the first report on this new testing system. Those six bacteria, which include E. coli 026, 045, 0103, 0111, 0121, and 0145, cause more than 100,000 illnesses in the United States every year. Out of 110 analyses of raw ground beef in federal plants, three tested positive for the pathogens. Testing revealed the presence of E. coli 0145 in one sample, E. coli 0103 in 1 sample, and E. coli 045 in one sample. A follow-up RGBC positive test result was obtained for the E. coli 0103 bacteria. Testing also revealed the presence of E. coli 0157:H7 in four samples out of 115. At this time, only beef manufacturing trimmings … [Read more...]
Multistate Outbreak of E coli 0145 Infections
The CDC has released more information about the multistate outbreak of E coli 0145 infections that was first announced on June 8. We've been investigating this outbreak since June 5 and first reported on the cases in Georgia and Louisiana on that date. The case count for this outbreak is as follows: Alabama (2), California (1), Florida (1), Georgia (5), Louisiana (4), Tennessee (1). Three people have been hospitalized in this outbreak of E coli 0145 infections, and a toddler in New Orleans has died. A source for the bacteria has not been identified. Dates for illness onset range from April 15 to May 12, 2012. The outbreak may be over, since the last illness was reported four weeks ago, and it takes two to three weeks for reports to be issued after illnesses are diagnosed. Health … [Read more...]
FSIS Issues Notice 40-12 About non-0157 STEC Testing
On June 4, 2012, the USDA started requiring facilities to test beef trim for six non-0157 shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria (STEC). The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued Notice 40-12 about non-0157 STEC testing to clarify some points in the new test. On September 2, 2012, 90 days after the testing implementation, plants must re-evaluate their Hazard Control and Control Point (HACCP) systems if they have positive tests and the hazard is not addressed in their current plan. Six non-0157 STECs, 026, 045, 0103, 0111, 0121, and 0145, cause about 110,000 illnesses in the United States every year. In fact, there is currently an outbreak of E. coli 0145 that has sickened 11 people in four states and killed a toddler in New Orleans. These bacteria produce shiga … [Read more...]
Multi-State E. coli 0145 Outbreak Includes Alabama
Food Poisoning Bulletin has learned that the multi-state E. coli 0145 outbreak includes Alabama. There are two confirmed cases of E. coli 0145 in Alabama, bringing the total number of patients in this outbreak to 11. There is still no official word from the CDC on the outbreak. Case count: Alabama (2) Florida (1) Georgia (5) Louisiana (2 ill, 1 death) The Alabama Department of Public Health told us that there are some additional possible cases pending. They are waiting to see test results. The states involved are working with the CDC, which is playing a supportive role. The illnesses began in April. The news about the outbreak broke when a toddler in New Orleans died of the infection last week. We have been contacting state health departments across the south to get … [Read more...]
Government Accountability Office Releases Report on E. Coli Interventions in Cattle
The bacteria live in the intestinal tract of healthy cattle and do not make them ill. The animals shed E. coli in feces. When the cattle are slaughtered, their intestines can explode and feces can contaminate the muscle that is used for ground beef. The United States beef industry has recalled more than 23,000,000 pounds of beef that has been contaminated with STEC E. coli in the past six years. These bacteria can cause potentially fatal hemolytic uremic syndrome in people, especially children and those in high risk groups. The Centers for Disease Control estimate that these bacteria cause about 110,000 cases of foodborne illness and 300 hospitalizations in the United States every year. The GAO details four objectives of the report: Identify preslaughter interventions. Look at … [Read more...]
Cruel and Unusual Punishment: Inmates and Food Poisoning
The U.S. Centers for Disease control Morbidity and Mortality Weekly report was released this week. In it, a food poisoning outbreak at a minimum-security correctional facility was discussed. That facility, the Four Mile Correctional Center in Canon City, is a "designated work center where inmates are employed or receive vocational training." In 2010, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) started investigating an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli 0111 (STEC 0111). Ten inmates at the facility were confirmed victims of the bacteria. Investigators found that 14 other inmates had the same symptoms, including bloody diarrhea. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) testing found that the bacteria in stool samples matched bacteria taken from … [Read more...]
Jimmy John’s Clover Sprouts Linked to E. coli Outbreak
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has reported a multi-state outbreak of shiga-toxin producing E. coli 026 (STEC) infections linked to raw clover sprouts at Jimmy John's restaurants. Food Poisoning Bulletin has told you before about the hazards implicit in raw sprouts. Recently, there were seven recalls involving raw sprouts in one month, from December 2011 to January 2012. Many recent outbreaks of foodborne illness have been linked to sprouts. Sprouts can be contaminated many ways: from irrigation with contaminated water, feces from animals, runoff from farms, improperly cleaned growing or processing equipment, or improper handling. The seeds can be contaminated from the inside out. Last year, the restaurant management stated they were going to serve clover sprouts instead of … [Read more...]
Five Reasons Consumers Should Care About Wider E. coli Testing in Beef
The USDA has formally declared six additional pathogenic E. coli serogroups to be adulterants in ground beef. In March, USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) is scheduled to begin testing at meatpacking plants for the so-called Big Six: E. coli O26, E. coli O45, E. coli O103, E. coli O111, E. coli O121 and E. coli O145. They join E. coli O157:H7 as a new set of dangerous micro-organisms banned from ground beef and other non-intact beef products, such as needle- or blade-tenderized steak. Here are five reasons this is good news for the health of your family: 1) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that non-O157 strains of toxic E. coli are connected with about 110,000 human food poisoning illnesses annually -- almost double the number of illnesses connected … [Read more...]
