The Virginia Department of Health is investigating a hepatitis A outbreak associated with smoothies from Tropical Smoothie Cafe restaurants in Virginia. Genetic testing shows that the illnesses were caused by a strain of the virus that is associated with previous outbreaks linked to frozen strawberries imported from Egypt. Tropical Smoothie Cafe immediately recalled all strawberries sourced from Egypt and found an alternative supply. So far, there are 10 people sick in this outbreak. Two cases are in eastern Virginia. Other restaurants and suppliers may have received the imported frozen strawberries. Public health officials, including the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention … [Read more...]
Costco E. coli O157:H7 Chicken Salad Outbreak: It’s the Veggies
The FDA has announced that it appears onions and celery in Costco chicken salad may be the source of E. coli O157:H7 bacteria that has sickened at least 19 people in 7 states. Those people live in California (1), Colorado (4), Missouri (1), Montana (6), Utah (5), Virginia (1), and Washington state (1). According to news outlets, Taylor Farms in Salinas, California is the supplier of the vegetables for Costco Wholesale. The vegetables from that supplier are used in the chicken salads sold in all of the company's U.S. stores. Of those 19 ill persons, 16 have been interviewed. Fourteen of those people purchased or ate rotisserie chicken salad from Costco stores the week before they got sick. Five of the patients have been hospitalized, and two are suffering from hemolytic uremic syndrome … [Read more...]
