Honey pacifiers from Mexico have given botulism poisoning to four infants in Texas. Many people don't know this, but honey can contain Clostridium botulinum spores and should never be fed to children under the age of one. The pacifiers are filled with or dipped in honey. These pacifiers were purchased in Mexico, but some similar products can be found in the U.S. through online retailers. All four infants have been hospitalized. There is no word on their condition, or if they have recovered or have been released from the hospital. The Clostridium botulinum spores can multiple in a baby's immature and developing immune system. The FDA, CDC, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents do not give honey to young children. The toxin is also made by Clostridium … [Read more...]
Salmonella Reading Outbreak Linked to Raw Turkey Turns Deadly; Some May Sue
The CDC has updated its investigation of the multistate outbreak of Salmonella Reading infections that are linked to raw turkey products. One person in California has died. And 74 more ill persons were reported, bringing the total to 164 in 35 states. The last update on this outbreak was issued on July 19, 2018. The case count by state is: Alaska (1), Arizona (1)< California (13), Colorado (6), Connecticut (3), Delaware (1), Florida (7), Georgia (2), Hawaii (1), Idaho (1), Iowa (3), Illinois (16), Indiana (3), Kansas (1), Kentucky (1), Maryland (3), Massachusetts (3), Michigan (6), Minnesota (17), Missouri (1), Nebraska (1), New Jersey (8), New York (12), North Carolina (7), North Dakota (2), Ohio (5), Oklahoma (1), Oregon (2), Pennsylvania (8), South Carolina (1), South Dakota … [Read more...]
Outbreak at Pasha’s Mediterranean Grill in San Antonio, Texas; Lawsuits Possible
An outbreak of food poisoning at Pasha's Mediterranean Grill in San Antonio, Texas has been reported by the San Antonio Metro Health Department. The press release states that "numerous, independent companies of foodborne illness [have been] reported by individuals who have dined at Pasha's Mediterranean Grill on Wurzbach Road during the past Labor Day weekend. UPDATE 9/8/18: News reports are stating that 255 people are sick in this outbreak, and that twelve people have been hospitalized. There is no update on this outbreak at the San Antonio Metropolitan Health Department website. News reports are also stating that the outbreak was caused by Salmonella bacteria. More than 60 people reported symptoms of nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea as of September 5, 2018. But, … [Read more...]
Lawyer Explains Why Texas Cyclospora Outbreak Happens Every Year
A cyclospora outbreak in Texas has sickened at least 56 people, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. "This Texas cyclospora outbreak happens every year," said attorney Fred Pritzker. "There were hundreds of cases of cyclosporiasis last year in Texas and in the years before." Cyclosporiasis is caused by the cyclospora parasite. This parasite is ingested when contaminated water containing the sporulated organism gets onto fresh produce. When a person is infected, the parasite causes symptoms including explosive and watery diarrhea, cramps, bloating, gas, nausea, weight loss, and vomiting. Symptoms can last for weeks or months and can recur. "Past outbreaks have been associated with basil, snow peas, mesclun greens, and cilantro," Fred added. "These outbreaks … [Read more...]
CDC Starts Investigating Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak Linked to Triple T/Fareway Chicken Salad
The Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak linked to Triple T/Fareway chicken salad is now being investigated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The government is recommending that people do not eat recalled chicken salad sold at Fareway grocery stores in the Midwest. While the Iowa Department of Health is reporting much higher numbers (37 confirmed and 78 probable cases as of February 20, 2018), the CDC says that 65 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium have been reported from five states. Twenty-eight people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported. The case count by state is: Illinois (4), Iowa (55), Minnesota (2), Nebraska (3), and Texas (1). The state of Texas has now been added to the outbreak total. These are … [Read more...]
K-Bar Dairy Allowed to Sell Raw Milk Again After Brucella Outbreak
K-Bar Dairy in Wise County, Texas, is allowed to sell raw milk again after a Brucella outbreak was associated with their products. Public health officials are investigating Brucella illnesses in seven states in connection with this issue. Last month, officials warned anyone who consumed raw milk or raw milk products between June 1 and August 14, 2017 contact their doctors and get antibiotic treatments after Brucella bacteria was found in K-Bar Dairy's raw milk. This rare strain of Brucella causes serious illness, and can cause chronic conditions such as heart problems, enlargement of the liver or spleen, nervous system conditions, and arthritis. Testing conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Lab found that two cows in the herd were shedding … [Read more...]
Brucella Outbreak From K-Bar Dairy Raw Milk Prompts CDC Warning in Seven States
A health warning for Brucella in Texas' K-Bar Dairy raw milk has been issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Texas Department of State Health. Public health officials are investigating brucellosis illnesses in as many as seven states. It is illegal to sell unpasteurized, or raw, milk, across state lines. The milk in question came from K-Bar dairy in Paradise, Texas. Weeks ago, Food Poisoning Bulletin told you about a Brucella outbreak in that state linked to raw milk that hospitalized one woman. Isolates from that patient match antibiotic-resistant Brucella bacteria in samples taken from the dairy's raw milk. The bacteria is called Brucella RB51, which is rare but causes serious illness. Officials are warning that anyone who consumed raw milk or … [Read more...]
Texas Cyclospora Outbreak: Now 259 Sick
The Cyclospora outbreak in Texas has now sickened 259 people, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. That's an increase of 29 people since the last update on August 18, 2017. This current outbreak started in late June, 2017. Last year, there were 148 people sickened with this illness. This long-lasting illness is caused by the Cyclospora parasite, which is endemic to tropical regions. Past outbreaks have been caused by fresh produce such as raspberries, cilantro, mesclun, basil, and snow peas. The Cyclospora oocysts are shed in feces. The oocyst must develop before it becomes infectious; this process can take a few weeks. Public health officials in Texas have still not determined a common source for this outbreak. Doctors and health care practitioners are … [Read more...]
Food and Water Safety Advice for Hurricane Harvey
The FDA is offering food safety and water safety advice for anyone affected by Hurricane Harvey in Texas. Food can be rendered unsafe by power outages and by contact with flood waters. If the power went out and perishable food has been above 40°F for more than 2 hours (more than 1 hour if the air temperature is at 90°F or above) it must be discarded. Cooking won't make this food safe, since bacteria can produce toxins that heat will not destroy. If the items stayed below 40°F and you are sure of this, cook them thoroughly to a safe minimum internal temperature before eating. Once power has been restored, check the temperature of appliance thermometers in the freezer and fridge. If the thermometers are 40°F or below, the food in the freezer can be refrozen. If you didn't have a … [Read more...]
Texas Cyclospora Outbreak Sickens 230
The cyclospora outbreak in Texas has now sickened at least 230 people as of August 15, 2017. The outbreak began mid June 2017. People are sick in 45 counties in that state, and seven are ill in "county pending or unknown." The counties with the most cyclosporiasis cases include Bexar (30), Dallas (12), Fort Bend (10), Harris (59), and Travis (20). Public health officials have not yet identified a common source in this outbreak. Past cyclospora food poisoning outbreaks have been linked to imported fresh produce, such as cilantro, mesclun, raspberries, basil, and snow peas. Officials are interviewing patients and asking them about the foods they ate the weeks before they got sick. Cyclospora oocytes sicken people after they have been shed in feces. The illness is not spread … [Read more...]
