A Minnesota resident sickened in a possible Tailor Cut Produce Salmonella Javiana outbreak joins at least 10 other ill people who live in Pennsylvania, according to an outbreak update from the FDA. The person from Minnesota apparently got sick in New York, one of the states that received the recalled Tailor Cut Produce along with facilities in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Epidemiologic and traceback evidence indicates that the fruit mix from Tailor Cut Product of North Brunswick, New Jersey is a potential source of this outbreak. The FDA has started an inspection at the Tailor Cut Produce facility and is collecting records to start a traceback investigation. The Tailor Cut fruit mix, called Fruit Luau, was distributed to nursing homes, schools, hospitals, and other … [Read more...]
Tailor Cut Produce Recalls Cut Fruit Mix for Salmonella Contamination
Tailor Cut Produce of New Jersey is recalling its Fruit Luau, cut honeydew, cut cantaloupe, and cut pineapple products because they may be contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. The recall notice states, "The potential for contamination was noted after several patients fell ill in four hospitals in Pennsylvania." That Salmonella Javiana outbreak has sickened at least 31 people in southeast Pennsylvania. Production of the Tailor Cut Produce products are suspended while the FDA and the company continue their investigation into the problem. People who were sickened in this outbreak allegedly ate Tailor Cut Produce Fruit Mix, which is made with cantaloupe, honeydew melon, pineapple, and grapes. The recall notice is linked to the FDA outbreak investigation notice. The recalled fruit … [Read more...]
PA Salmonella Outbreak Potentially Linked to Tailor Cut Produce Fruit Mix
The PA Salmonella outbreak that has sickened 31 people in four healthcare facilities is potentially linked to Tailor Cut Produce Fruit Mix, according to the FDA. Epidemiologic and traceback evidence indicates that that fruit mix, made with cantaloupe, honeydew melon, pineapple, and grapes, is a potential source of the outbreak. Tailor Cut Produce says that their products may be found in restaurants, banquet facilities, hotels, schools, and institutional food service establishments in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. At least 31 people in southeast Pennsylvania are sick with Salmonella Javiana infections. The four healthcare facilities have not yet been named. But the FDA notice states, "Because this fruit mix may have been distributed to nursing homes, schools, hospitals and … [Read more...]
Pennsylvania Healthcare Facilities Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 29
A Salmonella outbreak has sickened patients who "spent time" in four Pennsylvania healthcare facilities in the southeastern part of the state, according to a health advisory issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The facilities in question are two hospitals and two long-term care facilities. At least 29 people are sick in this Pennsylvania healthcare facilities Salmonella outbreak. Illness onset dates range from November 19 through November 30, 2019. Officials are identifying cases, ensuring appropriate clinical management, and implementing prevention strategies to try to contain this outbreak. A Salmonella infection is reportable in Pennsylvania; that means that any Salmonella diagnosis must be reported to officials. The advisory tells healthcare facilities to report … [Read more...]
Listeria Monocytogenes Deli Meats and Cheese Outbreak Ends
The Listeria monocytogenes deli meats and cheeses outbreak is over after sickening 10 people in 5 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All 10 people were hospitalized. One person who lived in Michigan died. The patient case count by state is: Massachusetts (1), Michigan (2), New Jersey (2), New York (2), and Pennsylvania (3). The illness onset dates ranged from November 13, 2016 to June 20, 2019. Ill persons ranged in age from 40 to 88 years. Epidemiologic and laboratory evidence found that deli-sliced meats and cheese might have been contaminated with Listeria bacteria and made people sick. Of the eight people interviewed, 63% said they ate products sliced at a deli counter, including meats and cheeses. There was limited information about … [Read more...]
Philadelphia E. coli Outbreak Grows to 19 Sick; No Source Found
The Philadelphia E. coli outbreak has grown to include 19 ill persons. James Garrow of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health updated Food Poisoning Bulletin in an email. The Department cannot confirm whether or not anyone has been hospitalized. The case count is accurate as of September 6, 2019. Public health officials continue investigating the source of the pathogen. The Health Alert stated that restaurants may be involved in this outbreak, but no specific restaurants have been named yet. The outbreak was originally reported on September 5, 2019. The age range of patients at that time was 7 to 90. This age range may have changed; but we don't know for sure. E. coli outbreaks in restaurants are not common, and most often are labeled "associated with" or "possible." … [Read more...]
Worker Diagnosed With Hepatitis A At Yumcious Donuts in Philadelphia
A food worker at Yumcious Donuts at the Quick Stop at 3001 Kensington Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has been diagnosed with hepatitis A, according to news reports. That person worked at that location between August 20, 2019 and September 4, 2019. While the risk of contracting the illness is "very low" according to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, they are recommending that anyone who ate there within the last two weeks get vaccinated against the pathogenic virus. Unfortunately, at this time everyone who ate there when the worker was contagious is past the two week window when the vaccine is effective. If you have been vaccinated against hepatitis A in the past or have had the illness you are likely immune. Call your doctor and discuss this if you are concerned … [Read more...]
Two More Illnesses in Philadelphia E. coli Outbreak Brings Total to 16
The Philadelphia E. coli outbreak has now sickened two more people, according to news reports. There are now 16 people sickened in that outbreak, which officials think is linked to restaurants in the area. However, officials are not releasing the names of restaurants they think are involved in this outbreak. James Garrow, spokesperson for the health department, said in a statement, "The Health Department's investigation, like all foodborne illness investigations, takes time. This a wide-ranging investigation that asks very sick people to list every single thing that they’ve eaten or drank, at the level of every individual ingredient, during the period when they were exposed to the bug. This generates a massive list of possible items and locations that may have been the … [Read more...]
Philadelphia E. coli Outbreak Sickens At Least 14
A Philadelphia E. coli outbreak has sickened at least 14 people, according to a Health Alert issued by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. Public health officials "have identified a few shared restaurant exposures," in their ongoing case investigation, but no one restaurant or food has been named so far. In the past, E. coli outbreaks have been linked to ground beef, flour, animals at county fairs, raw milk, and lettuce. Just about any food can be contaminated with this pathogen through cross-contamination. The source of E. coli is typically found in the guts of ruminant animals such as cows and goats and is shed in their feces. Person-to-person transmission is also possible because the infectious does is small; just 10 bacteria. The patient age range in this outbreak … [Read more...]
Campylobacter Illness Associated with Bad Farms PA Raw Milk
One person is sick with a Campylobacter infection after allegedly drinking raw whole milk from BAD FARMS in Kempton, Pennsylvania, according to news reports. That farm is located in Berks County, Pennsylvania. The milk has been recalled and removed from store shelves. Tests taking during routine sampling indicated that the raw whole milk teated positive for Campylobacter bacteria. The milk was sold in plastic half gallons, gallons, and pints with a sell-by date of August 23, 2019. The milk was sold at Emmaus Farmer’s Market, Lehighton Farmers Market in Emmaus, Lehigh County, Trexlertown Farmers’ Market in Breinigsville, Lehigh County, and in BAD FARMS’ on-farm store and Wannamakers General Store, both in Kempton. Anyone who drank this milk and has been sick should contact their … [Read more...]
