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...]
New Salmonella Javiana Outbreak on FDA Core Investigation Table
A new Salmonella Javiana outbreak has been listed on the FDA's Core Outbreak Investigation Table. At least 19 people are sick in this outbreak, which was posted on November 24, 2021. The product linked to the illnesses has not been identified. According to the information that the FDA has released at this time, no recall has been initiated, no traceback has started, there have been no on-site investigations, and no sample collection or analysis has begun. This is typical for the first outbreak notice on this table, which only provides information to the public if there is some type of action that consumers can take.. Another change on the table is that the non-viral hepatitis outbreak linked to recalled Real Water alkaline bottled water has been closed. There are still three … [Read more...]
Two Minnesotans Sick with E. coli After Eating Organic Baby Spinach
Two Minnesotans sick with E. coli O157 infections after eating organic baby spinach are part of a larger multistate outbreak, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. That agency is working on this investigation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA, along with public health agencies in other states. The CDC says this is an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak, but the state has not yet named the serotype. The two Minnesota patients got sick from October 17 to October 23, 2021. Neither patient was hospitalized. The patients are in their mid-20s. One person lives in the metro area, and the other is from outstate Minnesota. One patient ate Josie's Organics organic baby spinach that was purchased from HyVee, and the other case ate Fresh Thyme organic baby … [Read more...]
Josie’s Organics Baby Spinach E. coli Outbreak Sickens 10 in 7 States
A Josie's Organics baby spinach E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has sickened at least 10 people in seven states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Of eight people who gave information to public health officials, two have been hospitalized, for a hospitalization rate of 25%. The patient case count by state is: Indiana (3), Iowa (1), Michigan (1), Minnesota (2), Missouri (1), Ohio (1), and South Dakota (1). Illness onset dates range from October 15, 2021 to October 27, 2021. The patient age range is from 2 to 71 years. Whole genome sequencing showed that bacteria from patient isolates are closely related, suggesting that people in this outbreak got sick from eating the same food. State and local public health officials interviewed people about the foods … [Read more...]
BrightFarms Baby Spinach Included in Salmonella Typhimurium Recall
BrightFarms baby spinach is now included in the company's Salmonella Typhimurium recall, according to an update into the outbreak that is linked to some of that company's packaged salad greens. These packages of baby spinach are past the expiration date. They were produced in the same Rochelle, Illinois greenhouse farm where the other recalled BrightFarms salad products were grown. These recalled baby spinach packages were sold in the same stores in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, and Michigan as the previously recalled salads. The BrightFarms Baby Spinach is packaged in 4 ounce containers with UPC number 5706200439, and in 8 ounce packages with UPC number 5706200449. The baby spinach was sold in Mariano's Fresh Markets, select Walmart stores, Strack Van Till, Sullivan's … [Read more...]
