The Simple Truth Power Greens E. coli outbreak, which also included Nature's Basket Power Greens, has ended with 10 people sick in four states, according to the FDA. Four of those patients were hospitalized and one person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. The case count by state is: Alaska (2), Ohio (1), Oregon (1), and Washington (6). The last illness onset date was December 19, 2021. Consumer purchase data indicated that seven people bought Nature's Basket Power Greens or Simple Truth Organic Power Greens at grocery stores before they got sick. These products are past expiration and should no longer be available for purchase. But if you have frozen any of these products with a "Best if Used by" date through December 20, 2021, they … [Read more...]
Enteroinvasive E. coli O143:H26 Outbreak on FDA CORE Table
A new outbreak has been listed on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table: Enteroinvasive E. coli O143:H26 that is not linked to any specific food. At least 16 people are sick in this unusual outbreak. This particular serovar has not often been seen in the United States before, but has been observed occasionally in Europe. Enteroinvasive E. coli bacteria (EIEC) do not produce Shiga toxins. This particular pathogen is closely related to Shigella and scientists think it causes watery diarrhea through invasion of epithelial cells in the colon. Symptoms of this infection include abdominal cramps, lethargy, abdominal pain and cramps, and occasionally fever. There is not much information available on the efficacy of antimicrobial therapy for this infection. So far, no recall has … [Read more...]
Four E. coli Outbreaks in 2021 Sickened 63 People; Two Were Solved
Four E coli outbreaks in 2021 sickened 63 people and hospitalized 26, according to the CDC. Eight of those patients developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure that is a complication of that infection. Two of those outbreaks were linked to a specific brand. One was linked to a product, and the fourth was not solved. One of these outbreaks is ongoing. Simple Truth Power Greens E. coli O157:H7 outbreak Ten people in four states are currently sick in this outbreak that is associated with Simple Truth and Nature's Basket Organic Power Greens. The patient case count is: Alaska (2), Ohio (1), Oregon (1), and Washington (6). The patient age range is from 26 to 79 with a median age of 59. The product contains organic spinach, mizuna, kale, and chard. A recall has not … [Read more...]
New E. coli O121:H19 Outbreak on FDA CORE Investigation Table
A new E. coli O121:H19 outbreak has been posted on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. This outbreak, which has sickened at least four people, has already ended. The investigation, however, is still active and traceback has been initiated. The FDA stated, "A new outbreak of E. coli O121: H19 with an unidentified vehicle has been added. This outbreak does not appear to be ongoing, as the last illness onset occurred in November 2021. FDA has initiated traceback and other investigational activities in an effort to learn more about possible sources or routes of contamination." We'll keep you informed as the investigation into this new E. coli O121:H19 outbreak continues. And the outbreak of Salmonella Javiana, which sickened at least 65 people, has also ended with no … [Read more...]
CDC Reduces Case Count in Simple Truth Power Greens E. coli Outbreak
The CDC reduces case count in the Simple Truth Power Greens E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in an unusual move. The original outbreak notice stated that 13 people in six state were sick. Now there are 10 people sick in four states. California and Mississippi were dropped from the state count, and the number of people sick in Washington state decreased from seven to six. This happened because the case definition was updated. Three people were infected with E. coli bacteria that were not as closely related genetically to the rest in this outbreak. And none of those patients said they ate Organic Power Greens before they got sick. The case count by state is now: Alaska (2), Ohio (1), Oregon (1), and Washington (6). The patient age range is from 26 to 79 with a median age of 59. Of ten … [Read more...]
Four Leafy Greens Outbreaks; How Do You Protect Yourself?
With four leafy greens outbreaks currently ongoing in the United States at this time (and several recalls), how do you protect yourself against foodborne illness? The CDC has some answers. From 2014 to 2018, there were 51 foodborne illness outbreaks linked to leafy greens. Five of those were multistate outbreaks reported to the public. (Most foodborne illnesses are not part of a recognized outbreak, and many are not multistate so the CDC does not cover them.) In 2019 to 2021, there were nine multistate outbreaks linked to leafy greens. And just in the last week of 2021, three of those outbreaks were announced. The current outbreaks are: Josie's Organics baby spinach E. coli outbreak. This outbreak, with illness onset dates ranging from October 13, 2021, to October 27, 2021, … [Read more...]
Seven Washington E. coli Cases in Simple Truth Power Greens Outbreak
There are seven Washington E. coli O157:H7 cases in the Simple Truth Power Greens outbreak, according to the Washington State Department of Health. The salads were sold at QFC and Fred Meyer grocery stores in the state. Officials are telling anyone who purchased that product with best by dates through December 20, 2021 should discard them immediately. The seven Washington E. coli cases cases live in King, Snohomish, Whatcom, Pierce, Thurston, Mason, and Skagit counties. One person from each county got sick in late November and early December 2021. Two people have been hospitalized, and one person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a kind of kidney failure. Scott Lindquist, MD, MPH, State Epidemiologist for Communicable Diseases said in a statement, "E. coli … [Read more...]
Three Packaged Salads Food Poisoning Outbreaks End 2021
Three packaged salads food poisoning outbreaks have ended 2021. While we got through the year without an E. coli outbreak specifically and officially linked to romaine lettuce, there are still seven unsolved outbreaks on the FDA's CORE Outbreak Investigation Table. In fact, there were five food poisoning outbreaks linked to packaged salad leafy greens in 2021: Josie's Organics Baby Spinach with E. coli O157:H7 that is still ongoing, Dole Salads with Listeria monocytogenes that is ongoing, Fresh Express with Listeria monocytogenes that is ongoing, Simple Truth and Nature's Basket Power Greens with E. coli O157:H7 that is ongoing, and BrightFarms salad with Salmonella that ended in August. Three Packaged Salads Food Poisoning Outbreaks The last three outbreaks linked to leafy … [Read more...]
Simple Truth and Nature’s Basket Greens Associated With E. coli Outbreak
Simple Truth and Nature's Basket Power Greens are associated with an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has sickened at least 13 people in six states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Both brands are organic. Four people have been hospitalized, and one person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. The patient case count by state is: Alaska (2), California (1), Mississippi (1), Ohio (1) Oregon (1), and Washington (7). The patient age range is from four to 79 years. Illness onset dates range from November 27, 2021 to December 9, 2021. Of 12 people who gave information to investigators, four were hospitalized, for a hospitalization rate of 33%. And of those 12 people interviewed, all reported eating packaged salads … [Read more...]
