When Food Poisoning Bulletin began a review of food recalls in 2020, we discovered there had been a dramatic decline in the number of recalls for meat and poultry but not for other food products. To find out why, we looked at five years of recall data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS), the federal agency that regulates meat, poultry, and eggs. A decline in the number of recalls for bacterial contamination is concerning. To read our in-depth analysis, click here. Bacterial Contamination in Meat is Serious E. coli, Listeria and Salmonella are bacteria that cause typical food poisoning symptoms when they are ingested but each of them can also cause serious illness and death. That’s why companies that produce food are required to have … [Read more...]
NC Harris Teeter AFC Sushi Linked to Food Poisoning Outbreak in Concord
North Carolina Harris Teeter AFC sushi is linked to a food poisoning outbreak, according to a press release issued by the Cabarrus Health Alliance (CHA) in Concord, North Carolina. The Harris Teeter stores in question are located at 358 George W. Liles Parkway Northwest in Concord, and 1245 Concord Parkway North, also in Concord, North Carolina. When the press release was first issued four days ago, there were "more than 10 individuals" who were sick. But according to news reports, now as many as 128 people may be ill. Those 128 people belong to 85 households. Harris Teeter is using their loyalty card program to notify 429 households that they purchased that during during the timeframe in question. More than 100 transactions were made without a loyalty card, however. The sushi … [Read more...]
Roux Farm Raw Milk Cryptosporidiosis Outbreak in Maine Sickens Four
A raw milk cryptosporidiosis outbreak in Maine is linked to raw milk produced at Roux Farm in Shapleigh. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention released a statement about this outbreak, which has sickened four people over the last two months. Anyone who consumed raw milk from Roux Farm that was produced before October 18, 2020 may be at elevated risk of contracting cryptosporidiosis. The raw milk was sold through several stores in Maine. Cryptosporidium is a parasite that causes watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, dehydration, vomiting, nausea, fever, and weight loss. The parasite can infect humans and animals. The symptoms of the infection typically start two to ten days after infection. Consuming raw dairy products is a risk factor for contracting this infection, … [Read more...]
Peach Salmonella Enteritidis Outbreak Ends With 101 Sick in 17 States
The peach Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak has ended in the United States after 101 people in 17 states have been sickened. Twenty-eight people were hospitalized because they were so sick. That is an increase of 23 more cases since the last update on August 27, 2020. The case count by state is: California (1), Connecticut (1), Illinois (1), Iowa (11), Kansas (1), Kentucky (1), Maryland (1), Michigan (18), Minnesota (27), Missouri (2), New Jersey (8), New York (14), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (4), Vermont (1) Virginia (3), and Wisconsin (6). Illness onset dates range from June 29, 2020 to August 27, 2020. And the patient age range is from 1 to 92 years. Of 90 people who gave information about their illness to investigators, 28 were hospitalized. That hospitalization rate of 31% is … [Read more...]
Salmonella Stanley Wood Ear Mushroom Outbreak Sickens 43
The Salmonella Stanley wood ear mushroom outbreak has now sickened at least 43 people in 10 states, according to the FDA. Out outbreak is likely linked to wood ear mushrooms imported by Wismettac Asian Foods of Santa Fe Springs, California. This dried mushroom is also known as Kikurage, Dried Black Fungus, Dried Fungus, or Mu'er/Mu Er/Mu-Err. Almost 90% of 18 people interviewed by the government said they ate ramen at a restaurant the week before they starting feeling sick. Four illness clusters were identified at restaurants that serve ramen in three states. The California Department of Public Health collected samples of those Wismettac Asian Foods mushrooms from one of the restaurants where a patient ate. On October 1, 2020, officials said that whole genome sequencing … [Read more...]
Cases of Hepatitis A Linked to Galatoire’s Restaurant in New Orleans
There are cases of hepatitis A linked to Galatoire's restaurant in New Orleans, according to news reports. There was a "potential incident" in "early to mid-August," according to a statement released by the restaurant to WWLTV. We do not know how many people are sick, the actual illness onset dates, or whether the source is contaminated food or ill employees. The restaurant passed inspection by the Louisiana Department of Health. All employees have since been vaccinated against the virus. Hepatitis A is a contagious virus that is passed through contaminated food and beverages, through contact with surfaces, and through person-to-person contact. Since it is now the end of September, it's too late for hepatitis A vaccinations for anyone who was at that facility in August. That … [Read more...]
Salmonella Enteritidis Peach Outbreak Grows to 78 Cases in 12 States
The Salmonella enteritidis peach outbreak has now grown to include 78 people in 12 states, according to an update by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Twenty-three people have been hospitalized because they are so ill. The outbreak has been linked to recalled Prima Wawona and Wawona Packing peaches and some products made with those peaches. Ten more ill people and three new states, Connecticut, Kentucky, and Missouri, have been added to the outbreak totals. The case count by state is: Connecticut (1), Iowa (8), Kentucky (1), Maryland (1), Michigan (17), Minnesota (23), Missouri (1), New Jersey (7), New York (9), Pennsylvania (2), Virginia (3), and Wisconsin (5). Illness onset dates range from June 29, 2020 to August 3, 2020. Of 67 patients who provided … [Read more...]
Salmonella Uses Lettuce As a Host to Evade Cleaning
A study published in Frontiers in Microbiology has found that Salmonella uses lettuce as a host to evade cleaning. The pathogen can get into tiny pores in the lettuce, meaning that it can't be washed off the leaves. This strategy also protects them agains the plant's immune system. Lettuce leaves have tiny pores called stomates that let the plants cool off. The type of Salmonella that sickens people can get into the plants through the stomates just like fungi and plant bacteria can. This jumping between different kingdoms concerns scientists. The research team, based at the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, the Delaware Biotechnology Institute, and the Department of Animal and Food Sciences at the University of Delaware, wanted to determine if Salmonella Typhimurium applied … [Read more...]
Carnivora Fresh Frozen Patties Recalled For E. coli O157 in Canada
Carnivora fresh frozen patties recalled for E. coli contamination in Canada. There is an outbreak linked to some of these recalled pet food products that has sickened four people as of June 12, 2020. There is a risk that pets fed this food could get sick or become healthy carriers and could pass the illness on to humans. There is also a risk of cross-contamination between the food and objects in the home. About 1,803 units of the affected product were sold in Canada from January 13, 2020 to June, 2020. The recalled products are all Carnivora brand. They include Whole Animal Chicken Dinner with Vegetables 'n' Fruit, Ultra Premium Fresh Frozen Patties for Dogs & Cats, sold in 4 pound (1820 gram) bags. The UPC number on the product is 689076622271, and the date codes are 13 01 … [Read more...]
E. coli O157 Outbreak Linked to Carnivora Raw Pet Food in Canada
An E. coli O157 outbreak linked to Carnivora raw pet food in Canada has sickened four people in three provinces as of June 12, 2020. The outbreak is ongoing, as more illnesses continue to be reported to Public Health Agency of Canada. This is not the first time human illnesses have been linked to raw frozen pet food. Exposure to Carnivora brand frozen raw pet food has been identified as the likely source of the outbreak. All of the ill persons said they were exposed to Carnivora brand frozen raw pet food or to dogs who have been fed this product, before they got sick. The patient case count by province is: British Columbia (1), Alberta (2), and Manitoba (1). Illness onset dates range from early March and mid-May 2020. Two of the patients have been hospitalized. And the patient … [Read more...]
