The CDC has identified another reoccurring E. coli O157:H7 strain that is linked to leafy greens outbreaks, according to the September issue of that agency's Emerging Infectious Diseases Dispatch. This strain is in addition to the other reoccurring strain that was mentioned by the CDC in August's Dispatch. Bacterial strains can be identified as reoccurring, emerging, or persisting (REP). Reoccurring strains repeatedly cause acute outbreaks, separated by periods when no illnesses are reported. Emerging strains are previously novel or rare strains that increasingly cause illness. And persisting strains cause illnesses consistently over a long time frame. Whole genome sequencing, which maps a pathogen's DNA, is used to find people sickened by the same bacterial strain. And WGS is … [Read more...]
Recurring E. coli O157:H7 Strain Linked to Leafy Greens Outbreaks
A recurring E. coli O157:H7 strain linked to leafy greens outbreaks has been identified, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report was issued in the CDC's Dispatch for September 2023. Researchers found that this strain emerged in late 2015. The strain is emerging, reoccurring, or persistent (REP strain) and has caused illness over an extended time period. E. coli O157H7 causes about 63,000 domestically acquired foodborne illnesses in the United States every year, and causes 20 deaths. This illness causes symptoms including severe abdominal cramps and bloody diarrhea. A complication of this infection, called hemolytic uremic syndrome, can develop in children under the age of five, which is a ty-pe of kidney failure. Healthy cattle are the … [Read more...]
List of Lettuce Products Recalled For Possible Deer Feces
We have decided to compile this list of lettuce products that have been recalled for possible deer feces contamination because more and more products are being announced every day, and deer feces can carry dangerous pathogens. Some of these recalls are posted on the FDA's Enforcement Reports page, so most consumers will not see them. For the products posted on the FDA's recall notice page, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the consumption of these products. There is never any mention of illnesses on the Enforcement Page recalls. Deer feces can contain the pathogens Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, Listeria monocytogenes, and Giardia bacteria that can cause serious illness. The droppings can also carry the prions that cause chronic wasting disease, an illness … [Read more...]
G.O. Lettuces and Romaine Recalled For Possible Deer Feces
G.O. lettuces, lettuce blends, and romaine lettuces are being recalled for possible deer feces contamination. No mention of any illnesses was in the recall notice because it was posted in the FDA's Enforcement Report page and not on the regular FDA recall page. Deer feces can carry pathogens including the prions that cause chronic wasting disease (although there is no evidence at this time that humans can contract that illness), Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Giardia, and E. coli. The recalling firm is G.O. Corporation of Minneapolis, Minnesota. There are eight recalled products. They were sold in Minnesota, North Dakota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. They include lettuces packed into eight configurations. One, Shredded Romaine with UPC numbers 9120457, 7641269, 8095202, 7166295, and … [Read more...]
Get Fresh Produce Garden Cut Romaine Recalled For Deer Feces
Get Fresh Produce Garden Cut Romaine and Lettuce Greek Mix Salad are being recalled for possible deer feces contamination. This recall has been terminated, but we are including it because people may still have this product in their homes. Deer feces can contain dangerous pathogens including Salmonella and E. coli, along with the prions that can cause chronic wasting disease, although there is no evidence at this time that humans can develop chronic wasting disease. No mention of any illnesses is included in the recall notice because it is posted on the FDA's Enforcement Reports page. The recalling firm is Get Fresh Produce of Bartlett, Illinois. These products were sold in Illinois and Florida at the retail level. They include Garden Cut Romaine Chopped that is packaged in … [Read more...]
LGMA Launches Romaine Test & Learn Project
With a long history of E. coli outbreaks linked to romaine lettuce in mind, the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA) is starting a food safety study named "Romaine Test & Learn." The Packer sites that the study was unanimously approved by the LGMA Advisory Board. Researchers will collect and analyze members' pathogen test data for romaine lettuce. Jan Berk, LGMA Chair told The Packer, "Romaine Test & Learn represents the most significant change the LGMA has made to benefit food safety since its inception. This program will allow our members’ individual testing data to collectively provide meaningful, aggregated data to better understand potential risks." The program was inspired by aviation studies. Those studies shared and aggregated safety data to make … [Read more...]
Revolution Listeria Outbreak: How Are Greens Contaminated?
In the Revolution Listeria outbreak, how are greens contaminated? The outbreak, which was just announced by the FDA in a recall notice, is linked to Revolution Farms brand lettuces and salad mixes. The multi-state outbreak has not been mentioned by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, so we don't know how many people are sick, the patent age range, or illness onset dates. Listeria gets onto lettuces, other leafy greens, and vegetables and fruits in a variety of ways. The pathogen occurs naturally in soil and water, so the plants could be contaminated in the field. Some animals can carry the bacteria and not get sick. If they poop on plants in the field, the pathogen can easily grab onto the plant and grow. Animal manure used as fertilizer can also be contaminated. And … [Read more...]
Revolution Farms Lettuce and Salad Kits Recalled For Listeria
Revolution Farms Lettuce and Salad Kits are being voluntarily recalled for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The products were sold under many brand names. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. The recalling firm is Revolution Farms of Caledonia, Michigan. The recalled product was sold to retailers and food service distributors in these states: Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Wisconsin. The retailers include: SpartanNash stores, Meijer stores, Bridge St. Market, Kingma’s Market, Fresh Thyme Market Grand Rapids, Fresh Thyme Market Kalamazoo, Horrocks Market Grand Rapids, Doorganics, Cherry Capital Foods, Gordon Food Service, Van Eerden Foodservice, Vine Line Produce, Luna restaurant, Russ’ Commissary, and Pearson Foods … [Read more...]
Kalera Whole Head Lettuces Recalled For Possible Salmonella
Kalera whole head lettuces are being recalled for possible Salmonella contamination. No illnesses have been reported to company to date in connection with the consumption of these items. The recalling firm is Kalera Public Limited Company of Orlando, Florida. The company is recalling 633 cases of Crunch, Butter, and Romaine whole head variety lettuce. The lot codes 001293 and 001294 are printed on the label. The lettuces were sold under the Kalera brand name with the words "kalera. the cleanest lettuce in the world." on the case label. This lettuce is grown indoors. These lettuces were sold to a small number of retail venues and foodservice customers in Florida. The company has notified these customers and is working to make sure consumers do not receive any of these recalled … [Read more...]
History of Romaine E. coli O157:H7 Outbreaks is Long
With the recent Wendy's E. coli romaine lettuce outbreak in the news, how many of these types of outbreaks have been linked to romaine lettuce in the past? Quite a few. This is a look back at the history of romaine E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks. During the pandemic in the years 2020 to 2021, there were many E. coli outbreaks that were not solved, although a few were allegedly linked to romaine. They include three outbreaks in 2020. It was unusual that last year there were no E. coli O157:H outbreaks linked to romaine, since that history is lengthy. However, there were five food poisoning outbreaks linked to packaged leafy greens in 2021, but not specifically E. coli O157:H7. Recent Romaine E. coli O157:H7 Outbreaks The first is the ongoing E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that may be linked … [Read more...]
