Whenever there is a good poisoning outbreak, odds are that the outbreak notice will include some information about how consumers can protect themselves against contaminated food. While it is illegal for companies to sell food contaminated with enough pathogens to make someone ill, it happens all the time. These 15 tips to avoid food poisoning may help. Despite efforts from the federal government, industry, food processors, and farmers, the number of food poisoning cases in America isn't going down. There are still about 48,000,000 cases of food poisoning every year in this country, with about 126,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. But there are things you can do to protect yourself and your family. In fact, there are (at least) 15 tips to avoid food poisoning. Fifteen Tips … [Read more...]
Study Confirms that Raw Milk Is Linked to Foodborne Illness
A new study has confirmed that raw milk is linked to foodborne illness. During the time period of 2013 to 2018, 75 outbreaks that caused 675 illnesses were linked to unpasteurized milk. Of these illnesses, almost half were among children and teenagers aged o to 19 years. Given that the consumption of raw milk is low in this country, with only about 1 to 2% of the adult population buying it, these numbers are shocking. The study points out that almost 80% of those outbreaks occurred in states where the sale of raw milk is allowed. Raw milk and raw milk products are a public health challenge in the United States. And laws that encourage availability of unpasteurized milk are associated with more illnesses and outbreaks. Raw milk can be contaminated with many different pathogens, … [Read more...]
Eric and Jessica Nickol Raw Milk Recalled For Possible Listeria
Eric and Jessica Nickol raw milk is being recalled for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination, according to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. The Eric and Jessica Nickol Farm is located at 995 County Highway 35 in Maryland, New York in Otsego county. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of this product. A sample of the milk that was collected by an inspector was found to be contaminated with the pathogen. The producer was notified about a preliminary positive test result on November 9, 2022. More laboratory testing that was completed on November 14, 2022 confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the raw milk sample. The farm is now prohibited form selling raw, or unpasteurized, milk until more sampling … [Read more...]
BeiHollow Farm Raw Milk Recalled in PA For Possible Listeria Monocytogenes
BeiHollow Farm raw milk is being recalled in Pennsylvania for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Raw whole milk and chocolate milk sold in that area are included in this recall. Officials are also advising consumers to discard BeiHollow pasteurized cheese melt and cup cheese for possible contamination. The recalled products are BeiHollow Farm raw whole and chocolate milk that was sold in plastic half and three-quarter gallon containers at BeiHollow Farm stores in Elizabethville and Lykens in Dauphin County. The cheese melt and cup cheese were packaged in various size containers, and they were sold in the same stores. The producer would not supply a list of other locations where the products were sold, so be aware of what you have purchased. No illnesses have been … [Read more...]
Valley Milk Simply Bottled Goat Milk Recalled For Campylobacter
Valley Milk Simply Bottled goat milk is being recalled for possible Campylobacter contamination. The milk is raw, or unpasteurized. It is the subject of a statewide recall and quarantine order announced by California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones. The quarantine order follows the confirmed detection of the pathogen in the farm's packaged raw whole goat milk that was sampled and tested by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The order applies to Valley Milk Simply Bottled Raw Goat Milk and DESI MILK Raw goat Milk that is distributed in half gallon (64 ounce) plastic jugs. The code date stamped on the containers is OCT 21 2022 through OCT 31 2022. Consumers are strongly urged to dispose of any of these products they may have purchased. Retailers are ordered to … [Read more...]
Valley Milk Simply Bottled Sheep Milk Recalled For Campylobacter
Valley Milk Simply Bottled Sheep Milk is being recalled in California for possible Campylobacter contamination. This is raw, or unpasteurized, sheep's milk. The milk is subject to a statewide recall and quarantine order by the state of California. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of this product. Lab tests confirmed the detection of the pathogen Campylobacter jejuni in the farm's packaged raw whole sheep milk. The California Department of Food and Agriculture conducted the testing. The recalled milk is Valley Milk Simply Bottled Sheep Milk that is distributed in half gallon (64 ounce) plastic jugs. It is labeled as "Valley Milk Simply Bottled Raw Sheep Milk." The recall order applies to milk that has expiration date codes of SEP 28 2022 … [Read more...]
Possible Campylobacter Outbreak in McHenry County, Illinois
A possible Campylobacter outbreak in McHenry County, Illinois has sickened at least eight people, according to a McHenry County press release. Patients got sick between August 17 and August 30, 2022. That number is four times more cases compared to the previous two weeks, and more than three times more cases in August compared to July 2022. No common source of infection has been identified at this time. Although Campylobacter is the most common cause of diarrhea in the United States, outbreaks, which are defined as two or more unrelated people sickened by the same bacterial strain, from this pathogen are relatively rare. In 2021, there was a Campylobacter outbreak in Washington state linked to Dungeness Creamery raw milk that sickened at least five people. And in 2020, a … [Read more...]
What Foods Are Commonly Associated with Listeria Outbreaks?
Given the two mystery Listeria monocytogenes outbreaks the government is currently investigating, it is a good idea to know what foods are commonly associated with Listeria monocytogenes outbreaks? This deadly infection has severe consequences; many people who contract it require hospitalization. If you are at higher risk for complications from this infection, you should think about avoiding these foods. Those who are at higher risk include the elderly, the very young, anyone with a chronic illness such as diabetes, anyone with a compromised immune system, and pregnant women. Most people who are sickened with this infection are older, have a chronic illness, or are pregnant; 90% of patients fall into those categories. Others who contract this infection rarely become seriously … [Read more...]
Raw Milk Is Not a Substitute for Powdered Infant Formula
Raw milk is not a substitute for powdered infant formula, according to experts at Cornell University. With many parents desperate for the formula to feed infants and children with special dietary needs after Abbott Nutrition's plant in Sturgis, Michigan was shut down for Cronobacter contamination, there is a lot of bad advice popping up online. Parents are urged not to make homemade formula, which does not have the nutrition infants need. And never feed infants raw milk. Raw milk can be, and has been, contaminated with pathogens that include E. coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter, Brucella, and Salmonella. In fact, while only 1% of consumers drink raw milk, raw milk causes 70% of milk outbreaks. Raw milk is especially risky when given to any person at high risk for … [Read more...]
Hawthorne Valley Association Raw Milk Recalled For Possible Listeria
Hawthorne Valley Association raw milk in New York is being recalled for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination, according to the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of this unpasteurized milk. The Association is located at 327 Route 21C in Ghent, New York in Columbia County. A sample of the milk that was collected by an inspector tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. The producer was notified of a presumptive positive test on May 5, 2022, and testing concluded on May 12, 2022 confirmed the presence of this pathogen. The producer is prohibited from selling raw milk until further sampling indicate that the product is free from harmful bacteria. Pasteurization of milk kills … [Read more...]
