FDA has updated its Real Water alkaline water hepatitis outbreak investigation with more information. The latest update, which is not dated, states, "Given a lack of cooperation by the firm, FDA investigators have been unable to complete investigations at the "Real Water" Inc. facilities in Henderson, Nevada and Mesa, Arizona and have not been provided with any records. As a result, on March 23, FDA issued a Demand for Records under section 414 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act." The FDA, CDC, and the Southern Nevada Health District are investigating a "number of reports" of acute non-viral hepatitis infections in the state of Nevada. These cases are associated with the consumption of Real Water alkaline water. The consumption of Real Water alkaline water is the only … [Read more...]
Real Water Alkalized Water Associated with Non-Viral Hepatitis Recalled
Real Water alkalized water is being recalled because it is associated with a non-viral hepatitis outbreak that has sickened at least five people in Nevada. This recall is the result of an investigation by the Southern Nevada Health District and the FDA, after cases were reported in November 2020. The company has ceased distribution and production of the product as the problem is investigated. Symptoms of all kinds of hepatitis, including non-viral hepatitis, can include fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay or gray-colored bowel movements, joint pain, yellow eyes, and jaundice. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should see their doctor. The recalled products are Real Water Alkalized Water, which were sold in 1.5 liters, 1 liter, 500 mil, … [Read more...]
Raw Milk Gouda-Like E. coli O121 Outbreak in Canada Recommendations
A report on a raw milk Gouda-like E. coli O121 outbreak in British Columbia, Canada in 2018 has prompted recommendations for more controls on this type of product. The outbreak in 2018 sickened seven people. Four of the seven cases ate the same raw milk Gouda-type cheese between August and October 2018. The implicated cheese was aged longer than the minimum requirement of 60 days, and investigators found no production deficiencies at the facility. The dairy plant was compliant with current Canadian regulatory requirements. One sample of the cheese tested positive for E. coli O121. The investigators recommend that raw milk Gouda and Gouda-like cheeses should be labeled to increase consumer awareness of the potential risks in these types of products. They also recommend … [Read more...]
FDA Declares Salmonella Paratyphi Outbreak Over With 18 Sick
On its Outbreak Investigation Table, the FDA has declared the Salmonella Paratyphi outbreak over after sickening 18 people overall. Ten illnesses were confirmed in Minnesota and the eight other illnesses are in three other states, according to the FDA. On that table, the product or products linked to illnesses are officially "not yet identified." The Minnesota Department of Health told Food Poisoning Bulletin on November 19, 2020 that they only knew of the ten illnesses in Minnesota. The FDA told us that the CDC doesn't have enough evidence in their investigation of this outbreak to issue advice to the general public about any food or location to avoid. The patients who live in Minnesota told public health officials that they consumed juices and smoothies and bowls at a … [Read more...]
Salmonella Stanley Wood Ear Mushroom Outbreak Number Four of 2020
The Salmonella Stanley wood ear mushroom outbreak is the number four multistate food poisoning outbreak of 2020. Wood ear mushrooms are also known as kikurage or dried fungus. At least 55 people in 12 states were sickened in this outbreak. Six people were hospitalized because they were so ill. The patient case count by state was: Arizona (1), California (33), Connecticut (1), Georgia (1), Illinois (5), Louisiana (1), New Jersey (2), New York (1), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (2), Washington (5), and Wisconsin (2). The patient age range is from 2 to 74 years. Illness onset dates ranged from January 21, 2020 to September 19, 2020. These dried wood ear mushrooms were sold only to restaurants and not to consumers. On September 23, 2020, Wismettac Asian Foods recalled dried fungus for … [Read more...]
How E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria Recalls Prevent Serious Illness
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...]
