A Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak in 2013 was linked to ground beef produced by Jouni Meats and sold at Gab Halal Foods. At least 22 people in 6 states were sickened in this outbreak. Half of all ill persons interviewed were hospitalized, which is a very high number. Usually only about 20 to 25% of sick people are hospitalized with Salmonella infections. Fred Pritzker, a prominent food safety attorney who represents consumers sickened in these outbreaks said, "no company should produce, and no store should sell, any foods that contain enough pathogenic bacteria to make someone sick." The symptoms of a Salmonella infection include vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain and cramps, diarrhea, chills, fever, headache, muscle pains, and blood in the stool. People usually get sick six to … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak in 2013 Linked to Tahini Sesame Paste
A Salmonella outbreak linked to tahini (sesame paste) in 2013 sickened 16 people in 9 states. There were two outbreaks strains of Salmonella: Salmonella Montevideo and Salmonella Mbandaka. One person was hospitalized and died, although the Salmonella infection wasn't considered a contributing factor in that person's death. Tahini is used to make hummus, or a spread made of pureed chickpeas, and is usually not cooked before eating. Attorney Fred Pritzker, who represents people sickened in food poisoning outbreaks, said, "People who purchase products that are ready to eat should not be sickened by pathogenic bacteria. It's the responsibility of the producer, the importer, and stores that sell this product to make sure foods are safe and wholesome." Traceback investigations determined … [Read more...]
NC Holiday Inn Bordeaux Source of 2013 Salmonella Outbreak
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Cumberland County Department of Public Health concluded that the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that sickened 100 people in 2013 was from the All American Grill at the Holiday Inn Bordeaux in Fayetteville. Twenty-five cases were confirmed by laboratory analysis; the other 75 cases were listed as "probable". Public health inspectors found issues at the restaurant. Improper water temperatures, bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods, temperature violations, a defective dishwasher, and absence of hand washing supplies were cited. No specific food item could be identified as the source of the bacteria. Cross-contamination most likely caused the contamination, along with consumption of handling of undercooked food, and/or … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Sprouted Chia Powder in 2014
A Salmonella outbreak in 2014 that sickened 31 people in 16 states was linked to contaminated organic sprouted chia powder. This product is used to make smoothies and puddings because it retains water so is used as a thickening agent. Five of the ill persons were hospitalized. There were three different Salmonella strains that were part of this outbreak. Salmonella Newport sickened 20 people; Salmonella Hartford sickened 7; and Salmonella Oranienburg sickened 4. Investigations, including traceback, found that sprouted chia powder was the likely source of these bacteria. It's made from chia seeds that are sprouted, dried, and ground. Many recalls were issued as a result of this outbreak. The brands that were recalled included Health Matters, Navitas Naturals, and Green Smoothie Girl. … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Brent’s Deli in California
A Salmonella Montevideo outbreak linked to Brent's Deli in Westlake Village, California sickened at least 21 people last year, but was never reported in the media. Two employees of the restaurant were sickened along with 19 customers. Eight people were hospitalized. Most of the patients became ill between April and August, 2014. The California Department of Public Health, the Ventura County Health Department, the FDA, and the CDC have not made any information public about this outbreak. A food poisoning outbreak is defined as two unrelated persons being sickened with the same bacterial strain. Since ten times that many people were sickened in this outbreak, and the Salmonella strain is relatively rare, there is no reason why this outbreak was not announced to the … [Read more...]
Largest Multistate Outbreaks of 2014 #3: Chia Powder
The third largest food poisoning outbreak of 2014 was a Salmonella outbreak linked to organic sprouted chia powder. At least 31 people in 16 states were sickened in this outbreak. Bacteria tied to the outbreak were Salmonella Newport, Salmonella Hartford, and Salmonella Oranienburg. Twenty people were sick with Salmonella Newport infections, 7 with Salmonella Hartford, and 4 with Salmonella Oranienburg. Five people were hospitalized as a result of their illnesses. No deaths were reported. A recall was issued for many different products associated with this outbreak, including Oriya Organics Superfood Protein Medley; Health Matters Organic Traditions Sprouted Chia Seed Powder and Sprouted Chia and Flax Seed Powder, Chia Seeds, and Ultimate Superfood Trailmix; Navitas Naturals Organic … [Read more...]
Antioch Farms Raw Chicken Linked to MN Salmonella Outbreak
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has announced that six people have been sickened with Salmonella food poisoning after eating Antioch Farms raw, frozen, breaded and pre-browned stuffed chicken breast entrees. Consumers got sick in August and September 2014 from the same strain of Salmonella Enteritidis. One person has been hospitalized. Dr. Carlota Medus, epidemiologist for the Foodborne Diseases Unit at the Minnesota Department of Health said in a statement, "our DNA fingerprinting found that the individuals were sickened by the same strain of Salmonella. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture collected samples of the same type of product from grocery stores and the outbreak strain of Salmonella was found in packages of this product." The product is Antioch Farms brand … [Read more...]
Foster Farm Salmonella Heidelberg Outbreak Appears Over
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that the Salmonella Heidelberg outbreak linked to Foster Farms chicken appears to be over. This outbreak sickened at least 634 people in 29 states and Puerto Rico from March 1, 2013 to July 11, 2014. Since the last update on July 4, 2014, 13 more people were reported ill in California (10) and Illinois (3). Epidemiological and traceback investigations indicate that Foster Farms brand chicken was the source of this massive outbreak. The final case count by state is: Alabama (1), Alaska (1), Arkansas (1), Arizona (25), California (490), Colorado (9), Connecticut (1), Delaware (1), Florida (4), Georgia (1), Hawaii (1), Idaho (5), Illinois (4), Kentucky (1), Louisiana (1), Michigan (4), Missouri (5), Montana (1), … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Chia Powder Grows to 25
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have updated their investigation into the Salmonella outbreak inked to organic sprouted chia powder. Now 25 people in 15 states have been sickened. Three people have been hospitalized; no deaths are reported. There are three separate strains of Salmonella bacteria in this particular outbreak. As of July 14, 2014, a total of 25 ill persons infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella Newport (16 persons), Salmonella Hartford (7 persons), or Salmonella Oranienburg (2 persons) have been reported from 15 states. The number of ill persons in each state is: Arizona (1), California (3), Colorado (1), Connecticut (3), Florida (1), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (1), New York (5), Ohio (1), Rhode Island (1), Texas (2), Utah (1), … [Read more...]
Foster Farms Salmonella Chicken Outbreak at 621 Ill
The CDC has updated their investigation into the multistate outbreak of multidrug-resistant Salmonella Heidelberg infections linked to Foster Farms chicken. The case count now stands at 621 ill in 29 states and Puerto Rico. Thirty-six percent of patients have been hospitalized. Most ill persons live in California. With the multiplier used for Salmonella infections since they are so underreported, at least 18,800 people have been sickened in this outbreak. Patients are sick with seven outbreak strains of Salmonella Heidelberg; four of those are resistant to more than one antibiotic. Antibiotic resistant bacteria are associated with increased risk of hospitalization; and in fact, the hospitalization rate for this outbreak is almost double the usual number for Salmonella … [Read more...]
