The FDA has updated its CORE Outbreak Investigation Table to include a new E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. There are currently four active outbreak investigations on the Table; one is unsolved. Four investigation have ended; all of those were unsolved. The FDA and CDC are investigating illnesses in a multistate outbreak of E. coli O157 infections linked to an iceberg and romaine lettuce blend served at catering events, restaurants, and a school. A total of 69 people infected with the same strain of E. coli O157 have been reported from 10 states. FDA’s traceback investigation has identified an iceberg and romaine lettuce blend from a common supplier as the source of this outbreak; however, this product is past shelf life and no longer on the market. The supplier was not named. At this … [Read more...]
Bogopa Spinach Products Recalled For Possible Listeria
Bogopa spinach products and other brands are being recalled for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with the consumption of these products. The recalling firm is Solata Foods of Newburgh, New York. The recalled products were sold locally in retail stores. The spinach is sold under different brand names, including Greens Solata, Greens Gaia Organic, Full Circle Organic, Greens Farmer Direct Organic, Uncle Vinny's Savoy, and Bogopa, among others. You can see the long list of recalled products at the FDA web site. No pictures of the recalled items were provided in the recall notice. The items include baby spinach, power greens, spring mix, savoy spinach, and organic spring mix, among others. You can see … [Read more...]
BrightFarms Spinach and Some Salad Kits Recalled For Listeria
BrightFarms Spinach and some Salad Kits are being recalled for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with this problem. The recalling firm is BrightFarms of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. The spinach was grown by the company's supplier Element Farms at their Pompton Plains, New Jersey farm. The recall of spinach was triggered after sampling that was conducted by Element Farms was positive for Listeria monocytogenes. Because of the potential for cross-contamination at BrightFarms’s Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania facility, BrightFarms is also recalling a limited quantity of four salad kit products. No positive test results or reported illness have been received on those products, to date. The recalled items were … [Read more...]
Publix and Fresh Express Spinach Recalled For Possible Listeria
Publix and Fresh Express Spinach are being recalled for possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. No illnesses have been reported to the company to date in connection with the consumption of these products. The recalling firm is Fresh Express. The spinach products were distributed to retailers in these states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The recalled products include Fresh Express Spinach that is packaged in 8 ounce bags. The UPC number is 0 71279 13204 4, the bag code is G332, and the use by date is December 15, 2023. This product was sold in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. Also recalled is Publix Spinach that is packaged in 9 ounce bags. The UPC number for this product is 0 41415 00886 1, the … [Read more...]
FDA Releases New Total Diet Study Report on Toxic Elements
The FDA has released their new Total Diet Study Report that focuses on the presence of toxic compounds in the foods we eat. The overall takeaway is that the key toxic elements were not detected in most (68%) of the tested foods. The analysis was conducted in foods that were collected from 2018 through 2020. Overall, 3,276 food, beverages, and water products were studied. The key elements studied were lead, arsenic, including inorganic arsenic, the most dangerous form, cadmium, and mercury. Overall, lead was found in 15% of the samples, arsenic in 43%, cadmium in 61%, and mercury in 8%. The categories of food included in the study were alcohol, baked goods, baby food, beverages, candies, condiments, dairy, fruit, grains, meats, ingredients like sugar and flour, compound foods such as … [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...]
Josie’s Organics Baby Spinach E. coli Outbreak Ends With 15 Sick
The Josie's Organics baby spinach E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has ended with 15 people sick in 10 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One more person, who lives in California, was added to the case count since the last update on December 3, 2021. The outbreak has ended as of January 6, 2021. The patient case count by state is: California (1), Indiana (4), Iowa (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (2), Missouri (1), Nebraska (1), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (1), and South Dakota (2). Illness onset dates ranged from October 13, 2021 to November 8, 2021. Patient ages ranged from one to 76 years. Four people were hospitalized, for a hospitalization rate was 27%. And three people developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a complication of an E. coli infection that … [Read more...]
Top 10 Food Poisoning Outbreaks of 2021: Josie’s Organics Baby Spinach
It's time for the Top 10 Multistate Food Poisoning Outbreaks of 2021! This year has been much different from 2020, when there were exactly ten outbreaks. We had quite a choice this year, and we also want to emphasize a few outbreaks that didn't make the list. Number ten is the Josie's Organics baby spinach E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. One outbreak will be posted every weekday until we reach 12/31/21. For instance, the El Abuelito soft cheese Listeria monocytogenes outbreak sickened 13 people and killed one person; all of the patients were hospitalized. And four of the patients were pregnant. Two women suffered pregnancy loss and there was one premature birth. That outbreak was quite serious and deems mention even if it didn't make the top 10. The Pure Eire yogurt E. coli outbreak … [Read more...]
FDA Weighs In On Josie’s Organics Baby Spinach E. coli Outbreak
The FDA has weighed in on the Josie's Organics baby spinach E. coli outbreak that has sickened at least 14 people in nine states as of November 15, 2021. Four people have been hospitalized, and three have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. The outbreak was first discovered in November 2021 when the Minnesota Department of Agriculture found E. coli in an opened package of Josie's Organics baby spinach that was taken from a patient's home. The sample had a "best if used by" date of October 23, 2021. Whole genome sequencing has, according to the CDC, revealed that that isolate is closely related to isolates taken from ill people. Illness onset dates range from October 13 to October 27, 2021. The patient case count by state is: Iowa (1), … [Read more...]
Josie’s Organics Baby Spinach E. coli Outbreak Sickens 14, 3 Have HUS
The Josie's Organics baby spinach E. coli outbreak has sickened at last 14 people in nine states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Three people have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. Four people have been hospitalized. Two more states have been added to the case count total: Pennsylvania and Nebraska. The patient case count by state is: Indiana (4), Iowa (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (2), Missouri (1), Nebraska (1), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (1), and South Dakota (2). The patient age range is from age two to 76. Of the 12 people who have given information to investigators, four have been hospitalized, and three have developed HUS. Illness onset dates ranged from October 13, 2021 to October 27, 2021. And of those 12 … [Read more...]
