The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington entered a consent decree between the FDA and Valley Processing of Sunnyside, Washington to stop the company from distributing adulterated juice products until they comply with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. The complaint, filed on November 6, 2020, states that Valley Processing juice products allegedly contained inorganic arsenic and patulin toxins at levels that can cause health problems. This juice was distributed for use in school lunch programs. This consent decree prohibits Valley Processing from receiving, preparing, processing, packing, holding, labeling, and/or distributing FDA regulated products until it completes corrective actions. The company had stopped its juice processing activities, but they … [Read more...]
What You Need to Know About Apple Cider Season and Food Poisoning
Every fall many family make trips to orchards to buy apple cider. But there are things you need to know about apple cider season and food safety, especially about unpasteurized fruit juices. There have been three food poisoning outbreaks linked to unpasteurized apple cider or juice in the last few years. Those outbreaks include a cryptosporidium outbreak in 2015 that was linked to apple cider that was sold and consumed at the Pike County Fall Color Drive in Illinois. At least 70 people were sickened in that outbreak, and several were hospitalized. Also in 2015, an E. coli O111 outbreak that sickened 13 people was linked to apple juice from High Hill Ranch. And in 2013, a cryptosporidium outbreak in Iowa was linked to unpasteurized apple cider. Eleven people were sickened in that … [Read more...]
Don’t Drink Unpasteurized Juice For Food Safety Reasons
Fall is the season for fresh juices, including apple and grape juices. The FDA has tips for what you need to know about juice and food safety: namely, don't drink unpasteurized juice or cider. If you drink untreated, or unpasteurized, juices, you run the risk of contracting food poisoning. In fact, in 2015, E. coli bacteria in High Hill Ranch unpasteurized apple juice sickened seen people. And in 2013, a Cryptosporidium outbreak in Iowa linked to unpasteurized apple cider sickened 11 people. Any juice made from produce can be contaminated just like the fresh produce can be. Pasteurization kills pathogens, making the juices and ciders safe to drink. Most of the juice for sale in the U.S. is heat-treated to kill bacteria. But some grocery stores, health food stores, farmers' … [Read more...]
FDA Orders Juice Manufacturer to Cease Operations
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered Sun Valley Juice Company of Ketchum, Idaho to stop "receiving, processing, preparing, packing, holding, and distributing juice" until the agency determines that the company is in compliance with food safety laws and regulations. The company has been sent a letter ordering it to cease operations within five days. The company has compiled. Several attempts were made to help the company comply with regulations before it was shut down. In 2006, a court-ordered agreement, called a consent decree, was signed by a federal judge. That agreement, between the FDA and Sun Valley Juice Company, stated that the company would establish and implement a hazard prevention plan. But FDA investigators have found the company has been out of compliance … [Read more...]
What Caused E. coli Contamination in High Hill Ranch Apple Juice?
Unpasteurized apple juice sold at High Hill Ranch in Camino, California has sickened at least seven people with E. coli infections, according to the El Dorado County Environmental Management and Public Health division. All of the patients live in Sacramento County and all consumed the product from the ranch in mid October this year. One person has been hospitalized and is expected to recover. The juice was consumed at home or at High Hill Ranch. Officials are warning consumers to not drink any unpasteurized apple juice purchased from the ranch on or after October 6, 2015. Unpasteurized apple juice, just like unpasteurized milk, has caused E. coli outbreaks in the past. An outbreak in Michigan in 2012 linked to unpasteurized juice sickened people. And an outbreak in Canada last year … [Read more...]
E. coli in High Hill Ranch Unpasteurized Apple Juice Sickens 7
E. coli in unpasteurized apple juice from High Hill Ranch in Camino, California has sickened seven people, hospitalizing one of them, according to the County of El Dorado. Consumers should not drink any unpasteurized apple juice purchased from the ranch on or after October 6, 2015. Consumers who have this juice at home should discard it in a sealed container. Health officials are trying to determine how the juice became contaminated. High Hill Ranch has suspended sales of the juice while it awaits results of tests. E. coli bacteria live in the intestines of animals and are shed in their feces. They are transmitted via the fecal-oral route, meaning people ingest food or drinks that are contaminated with microscopic amounts of fecal matter. Symptoms of E. coli food poisoning include … [Read more...]
Cryptosporidium Outbreak in Iowa Linked to Unpasteurized Apple Cider
According to the Johnson County Public Health department in Iowa, an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis, a disease caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium, is linked to unpasteurized apple cider. All of the eleven ill persons are recovering. One person was hospitalized. This illness outbreak is the latest in Iowa this year; more than 1,200 people have been sickened with cryptosporidiosis this year in that state. Unpasteurized apple cider, like unpasteurized milk and cheese, is a health risk. Doug Beardsley, Johnson County Public Health Director, said in a statement, "You can't tell if cider is contaminated just by looking at it. In fact, there is no difference in taste or smell either. The key to preventing illness associated with apple cider is purchasing product that has been pasteurized, … [Read more...]
High Hydrostatic Pressure Can Make Low-Acid Juices Safer
A new study published in the International Journal of Food Science & Technology has found that high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) can make unpasteurized fruit and vegetable juices safer. Juice with a low acidity level, or pH greater than 4.6, is an ideal medium for pathogenic bacteria, especially since it's so high in water. In fact, there was an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli in Michigan earlier this month linked to unpasteurized, unlabeled apple juice. Since consumers want minimally processed, nutrient dense foods made without additives or preservatives, manufacturers have been trying to find ways to make foods safe. High hydrostatic pressure may be an alternative to pasteurization. That process also preserves the nutritional value, flavor, texture, and color of the … [Read more...]
