A Salmonella outbreak linked to Wonton Foods bean sprouts sickened 115 people in 12 states in 2014. The outbreak, which was declared over in January 2015, was traced back to the Wonton Foods facility. Traceback investigations found that there were five clusters of illnesses initially, in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont, but the outbreak spread as time went on. Wonton Foods was the only supplier in common of bean sprouts sold to restaurants where ill persons ate before becoming sick. Wonton Foods agreed to clean their facility and destroy any remaining product in their possession. The sprouts are most likely no longer available for purchase or consumption since they have a maximum shelf life of about two weeks. Most of those who were sickened ate at "Asian-style food service … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak at GA Centennial High School in 2014 Sickened 150
The 2014 Salmonella outbreak at at Centennial High School Sports Banquet in Fulton County, Georgia sickened up to 150 people. An analysis of this outbreak was conducted by Caroline Stamatakis as part of a field investigation report by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. Seventy-one of the 200 attendees were surveyed after the outbreak. Fifty-six probable cases and 13 controls were identified. Onset of symptoms were from December 8 to December 10, 2014. The most common symptoms were headache, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, body aches, and chills. The average illness length was about 5 days. Those in the probable case group who ate the smoked chicken at the banquet all got sick. Only the smoked chicken was "significantly associated with illness." Bacteriology results … [Read more...]
Salmonella Lawsuit from X 10 in Texas Outbreak in Dalhart
A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a woman who contracted Salmonella after eating at the X 10 in Texas Wood Fired Grill in Dalhart. The woman, whose illness became so severe that her kidneys were failing, was hospitalized for a number of days. She is one of 59 people who Texas health officials say are part of an outbreak. The popular restaurant, located about 90 miles northwest of Amarillo, voluntarily closed for a cleaning after illnesses were reported and was cleared by the health department to reopen. Health authorities, who say no new cases occurred after the cleaning, are still trying to determine the source of the outbreak. Employee hygiene and training are factors in most restaurant-associated outbreaks, according to Food Poisoning Bulletin Publisher Fred Pritzker, who has … [Read more...]
Salmonella Outbreak at X10 Woodfire Steakhouse in TX
According to Carrie Williams, Director of Media Relations at the Texas Department of State Health Services, at least 30 people are sick with Salmonella infections in connection with the X10 Woodfire Steakhouse Restaurant in Dalhart. The restaurant closed voluntarily the week of February 9, 2015 and was sanitized. It has since been cleared for reopening. Anyone who ate at that restaurant and experienced the symptoms of a Salmonella infection, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, chills, headache, muscle pains, and blood in the stool, should contact their doctor. Long term complications of a Salmonella infection, even after recovery, can be severe, including reactive arthritis. Ask for a stool sample test that should be examined for Salmonella. Attorney Fred … [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 Nut Butters in 2014
A Salmonella Braenderup outbreak linked to nut butters made by nSpired Natural Foods sickened 6 people in 5 states in 2014. Almond and peanut butter by that company was the likely source of this outbreak, since the outbreak strain of Salmonella was found in environmental samples collected from the nSpired Natural Foods facility. The company issued a recall of their products in August 2014. The number of recalled products was huge, and included organic and raw peanut and almonds butters in many varieties, sold under brand names Trader Joe's, Kroger, MaraNatha, Arrowhead Mills, and Whole Foods. The nut butters were packaged in glass and plastic jars. These products have a long shelf life, and some may still be in consumer's homes. Look at the recall list carefully. If you do have these … [Read more...]
Wonton Bean Sprouts Salmonella Outbreak Ends
The Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak linked to bean sprouts produced by Wonton Foods is over, according to the CDC. A total of 115 people in 12 states were infected with the outbreak strain of the bacteria. Twenty-five percent of ill persons were hospitalized, and there were no deaths. No recall was ever announced for the contaminated product. The number of persons sickened by state is as follows: Connecticut (8), Maine (4), Maryland (6), Massachusetts (36), Montana (1), New Hampshire (6), New York (22), Ohio (3), Pennsylvania (18), Rhode Island (7), Vermont (3), and Virginia (1). The person in Montana traveled to the eastern U.S. during the time when exposure likely occurred. Illness onset dates ranged from September 30, 2014 to December 15, 2014. The age range for ill persons was … [Read more...]
Wonton Foods Sprouts Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 111
The Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak linked to Wonton Foods bean sprouts has sickened at least 111 people in 12 states. Twenty-six percent of case patients have been hospitalized; there are no deaths. No recall was issued for this product. This outbreak is still ongoing. Investigations by state, local, and federal public health officials indicate that bean sprouts produced by Wonton Foods are the likely source of this outbreak. Officials interviewed 73 ill persons, and found that 48, or 66% of them ate bean sprouts or menu items containing bean sprouts the week before they got sick. Many of the patients ate at restaurants that were supplied with bean sprouts by Wonton Foods. These mung bean sprouts have a shelf life of 12 days, so they are most likely not available for … [Read more...]
Final nSpired Nut Butters Salmonella Outbreak Update
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released their final update on the Salmonella Braenderup outbreak linked to nSpired Natural Foods nut butters. The outbreak is over. But some people may still have the products in their homes. Check to see if you have any of the recalled items in your pantry. If you do, throw them away in a sealed container immediately. Discard the products even if you ate some of the product and did not get sick. You can see the long list of recalled products at the FDA web site along with UPC numbers, package sizes, and product codes. Recalled brands include Arrowhead Mills, MaraNatha, Kroger, Safeway, Trader Joe's, and Whole Foods 365. Products included creamy and crunchy roasted and raw almond and peanut butters and flavored nut butters. The … [Read more...]
Almond Butter at Center of Salmonella Food Recall
Almond butters packaged for Trader Joes, Whole Foods, Kroger and Safeway stores make up a sizable portion of a Salmonella recall that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have highlighted since August 19. Officials are concerned that the recalled products could sit for months in home pantries, possibly expanding an outbreak of salmonellosis that has sickened people in Texas, Iowa, Connecticut and Tennessee. Peanut butter made by the same manufacturer, nSpired Natural Foods Inc., also was recalled due to the Salmonella outbreak, but the vast majority of labels involved in this recall are for almond butter, including various types packaged under the brand name MaraNatha. "This product has a long shelf life, and it may still be in … [Read more...]
