A new Salmonella outbreak on the FDA's Core Outbreak Investigation Table has sickened at least 100 people, according to the latest update. There are only two other outbreaks on the Table at this time: The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak allegedly linked to walnuts, and the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that is allegedly linked to organic fresh basil. The new Salmonella outbreak is caused by Salmonella Africana, a variant that has not caused any illnesses in the United States since at least 2011. There are 100 people sick. The FDA has initiated traceback, but has not started inspections, and has not collected or tested samples. The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak allegedly linked to organic Gibson Farms walnuts remains unchanged since the last update was issued on May 1, 2024. There are 12 … [Read more...]
Cracker Barrel Salmonella Outbreak in Illinois Sickens Eight
A Cracker Barrel Salmonella outbreak in a city in Illinois has sickened at least eight people, according to a press release from the Kankakee County Health Department. That restaurant is located at 50 Ken Hayes Drive in Bourbonnais. As of May 14, 2024, the patent case count is eight. The press release did not state whether or not any of the patients have been hospitalized. The restaurant voluntarily closed on May 4, 2024 and is cooperating with the health department to try to determine the source of the pathogen. Public health officials inspected the restaurant and provided an environmental assessment. They also gave employees guidance on safe food handling and cleaning. An alert has been issued to doctors in the area about this outbreak. Symptoms of a Salmonella infection … [Read more...]
Long History of Nut and Nut Product Outbreaks
In the wake of the current E. coli outbreak linked to organic walnuts, there is a long history of nut and nut product outbreaks. Nuts are an agricultural product, and just like leafy greens, herbs, and berries, can be contaminated with pathogenic bacteria. And nuts, like other types of produce, are often eaten without a consumer "kill step," in other words, cooking. History of Nut and Nut Product Outbreaks The current E. coli O157 outbreak allegedly linked to Gibson Farms organic walnuts and walnut pieces has sickened at least 12 people in two states, California and Washington. Seven of those patients have been hospitalized, and two people have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The walnuts have been recalled. In 2022, a Salmonella Senftenberg … [Read more...]
Food Recalls Have Reached Highest Levels Since Covid
Food recalls have reached their highest level since before the Covid pandemic happened in 2020, according to U.S. PIRG. During the pandemic, food recalls dropped precipitously. The lead poisoning outbreak linked to WanaBana cinnamon applesauce products and the Salmonella outbreak linked to cantaloupe helped drive those recalls. At least 500 children were sickened in the WanaBana outbreak, and in the cantaloupe outbreak, at least 407 people were sickened, 158 people were hospitalized, and six people died. That agency has released a report, "Food For Thought 2024," which found that food and beverage recalls increased by 8% in 2023. Meat, poultry and egg recalls issued by the USDA hit the highest levels since before the pandemic. FDA recalls have been about the same for the least … [Read more...]
E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak Cases Increase on FDA CORE Table
The E. coli O157:H7 outbreak cases have increased, according to the latest FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. There are only two outbreaks currently being investigated, which is an unusually low number. That E. coli outbreak is not attached to any food yet. The case count has increased to 12 cases from nine, in the last update. The FDA has initiated traceback to try to isolate a product, but no recall has been initiated, no products have been sampled, and no inspection has taken place. For the other outbreak on the table, the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that is linked to Infinite Herbs fresh organic basil, another real has been added. Melissa's Organic Basil, in two sizes, was sold at Dierberg's stores in Illinois and Missouri in February 2024. Check to make sure you do … [Read more...]
New E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak on FDA CORE Table
A new E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has been announced on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. There are only two active investigations on that table. The new E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has sickened at least nine people. We do not know the states where the ill persons live, the patient age range, illness onset dates, or what type of food is linked to this outbreak. The FDA has started conducted traceback. The second outbreak on the table is the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak that is linked to Infinite Herbs fresh organic basil. There are at least 12 people in seven states sick in that outbreak. Two recalls have been issued in relation to that outbreak. The Listeria monocytogenes outbreak linked to Rizo-Lopez queso fresco and cotija cheese has ended and that investigation was … [Read more...]
Infinite Herbs Recalls Basil For Possible Salmonella Risk
Infinite Herbs is recalling their fresh organic basil for possible Salmonella contamination. This basil is linked to a Salmonella outbreak that has sickened at least 12 people in seven states. The recalled product was sold at the retail level between February 1 and April 6, 2024. It is Infinite Herbs fresh organic basil with a UPC number of 8 18042 02147 7. The basil is packed in a 2.5 ounce clamshell package. The basil is a product of Columbia. Based on epidemiological evidence, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has reported that the basil is linked to illnesses. The voluntary recall was issued by the company after the FDA notified it about this information. The basil was shipped to Trader Joe's retail locations in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and … [Read more...]
FDA Weighs In On Infinite Herbs Basil Salmonella Outbreak
The FDA is weighing on the Infinite Herbs Basil Salmonella outbreak. There are at least 12 people sick in seven states. One person has been hospitalized because they are so sick. The basil was sold at Trader Joe's stores in these states: Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, and Wisconsin, and in Washington D.C. It is packaged in 2.5 ounce clamshell packaging. Based on epidemiological evidence, 12 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported from seven states. Seven of eight cases … [Read more...]
Infinite Herbs Organic Basil Salmonella Outbreak Sickens 12
An Infinite Herbs Organic Basil Salmonella outbreak has sickened at least 12 people in seven states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This brand of fresh basil was sold at Trader Joe's stores in 29 states and Washington D.C. It has been pulled from store shelves and is no longer available for purchase. Infinite Herbs has issued a recall. The case count by state is: Florida (3), Georgia (1), Minnesota (4), Missouri (1), New Jersey (1), Rhode Island (1), and Wisconsin (1). The patient age range is from 2 to 59 years. Illness onset dates range from February 11, 2024 to April 2, 2024. One person has been hospitalized. Epidemiologic and traceback data show that Infinite Herbs organic basil may be contaminated with Salmonella Typhimurium bacteria and … [Read more...]
Fratelli Beretta Charcuterie Salmonella Outbreak Ends: 104 Sick
The Fratelli Beretta Charcuterie Salmonella outbreak has ended with at least 104 sick in 33 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That's an increase of 17 more patients and three more states since the last update: Delaware, New Hampshire, and West Virginia. The case count by state is: Arizona (2), California (2), Colorado (1), Connecticut (1), Delaware (1), Florida (6), Idaho (2), Illinois (1), Iowa (2), Kentucky (1), Louisiana (1), Maryland (4), Massachusetts (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (7), Missouri (2), Nebraska (3), New Hampshire (1), New Jersey (7), New York (12), North Dakota (1), Ohio (13), Oklahoma (1), Oregon (1), Pennsylvania (6), Tennessee (1), Texas (9), Utah (1), Vermont (1), Virginia (5), Washington (6), West Virginia (3), and … [Read more...]
