The HelloFresh ground beef E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has sickened at least seven people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This outbreak was originally announced in a USDA public health warning that was issued four days ago on September 10, 2022. The case count by state as of September 12, 2022 is: Maryland (1), New Jersey (2), New York (1), Pennsylvania (1), Virginia (1), and Washington state (1). Illness onset dates range from June 8, 2022 to August 17, 2022. This is unusual because the product was shipped in July, but the illness onset dates are far outside that range. However, you can freeze HelloFresh meals for one to two months. The patient age range is from 17 to 69 years. Of seven people who gave information to public health officials, six … [Read more...]
E. coli O157:H7 Outbreak in King County, Washington Sickens 7
An E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in King County, Washington state has sickened at least seven people, according to the King County Department of Public Health. The notice stated that "at this time, this outbreak does not appear to be related to a multistate outbreak initially found in at least four different states." Four people have been hospitalized, and three children have developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. Six of the patients have recovered, and one is currently recovering. The patient age range is from 11 months to 35 years. Five cases are among children under the age of 15. The illness onset date is from December 31, 2021 to August 18 2022, with six of the cases reported since June 26, 2022. Six of the seven patients had illness onset … [Read more...]
Paralytic Shellfish Poison in Orcas Island Shellfish in Washington
Paralytic Shellfish Poison has been detected in shellfish that were harvested from Buck Bay on Orcas Island in San Juan County, in Washington state on July 26 and 27, 2022, according to the Washington State Department of Health (WSDH). The shellfish, which included clams and oysters, were sold directly to consumers from Buck Bay Shellfish Farm's retail market, and to restaurants on the island. Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) is a naturally occurring marine toxin produced by some types of microscopic algae. Shellfish eat these algae and retain the toxin. The toxin is not destroyed by cooking or freezing. Public health officials detected the toxin through their biotoxin monitoring program. The shellfish had PSP levels that were nearly four times the allowable levels for harvest. … [Read more...]
Home Canning Warning After Washington Man Dies of Possible Botulism
A home canning warning has been issued by the Gray's Harbor County Public Health Department after a man living in Aberdeen, Washington died of possible botulism. The man was 55 to 65 years old. No further information on him is available. Confirmation of the case of death is pending confirmatory results. The property owner was assisted by officials from Grays Harbor County Environment Health with the safe disposal of around 170 pint-sized jars of home-canned food and canning jars according to CDC guidelines. Home canned foods can be a risk factor for botulism poisoning, especially if strict rules are not followed during preparation. Botulism is a toxin that cannot be seen or tasted. It does not change the texture, taste, aroma, or appearance of food. The toxin is produced by … [Read more...]
Soul Cedar Farm Recalls Zesty Sweet Peppers for Possible Botulism
Soul Cedar Farm in Quilcene, Washington is voluntarily recalling all batches of shelf-stable Zesty Sweet Peppers because they have the potential to be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin, according to the Washington State Department of Health. As of April 19, 2022 there are no reports of illness that are associated with the consumption of this product. The recall was started after routine sampling conducted by the Washington State Department of Agriculture found that one batch of the Soul Cedar Farm Zesty Sweet Peppers had a pH level that was high enough to support formulation of the botulism toxin. The recalled product is packaged in 8-ounce glass containers, and was sold at retail stores in Quilcene and Port Townsend, Washington. Botulism is a potentially fatal form … [Read more...]
CDC Weighs In On Deadly Simple Truth Power Greens E. coli Outbreak
The CDC is weighing in on the deadly Simple Truth Power Greens E. coli O157:H7 outbreak that has sickened at least 10 people in four states. As of March 3, 2022, the outbreak is over. One death has occurred. This is the first time that has been reported. The FDA investigation report does not mention this death. Two brands of this product, including Simple Truth and Nature's Basket, were associated with this outbreak. The case count is: Alaska (2), Ohio (1), Oregon (1), and Washington (6). The patient age range is from 26 to 79 years. Illness onset dates ranged from November 27, 2021 to December 9, 2021. Of 10 people who gave information to public health officials, four were hospitalized, and one developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. One … [Read more...]
Simple Truth Power Greens E. coli Outbreak Ends With 10 Sick
The Simple Truth Power Greens E. coli outbreak, which also included Nature's Basket Power Greens, has ended with 10 people sick in four states, according to the FDA. Four of those patients were hospitalized and one person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a type of kidney failure. The case count by state is: Alaska (2), Ohio (1), Oregon (1), and Washington (6). The last illness onset date was December 19, 2021. Consumer purchase data indicated that seven people bought Nature's Basket Power Greens or Simple Truth Organic Power Greens at grocery stores before they got sick. These products are past expiration and should no longer be available for purchase. But if you have frozen any of these products with a "Best if Used by" date through December 20, 2021, they … [Read more...]
Toboton Creek Raw Whole Milk Recalled For Possible E. coli
Toboton Creek raw whole milk is being voluntarily recalled in Washington state for possible E. coli contamination. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of this unpasteurized milk product. The dairy is located in Yelm, Washington. The recalled product is Toboton Creek raw whole milk with best by dates of "2/1" through "2/9" (February 1, 2022 through February 9, 2022). The milk was bottled in half gallon containers and was sold through retail stores in Yelm and Olympia, Washington and was also sold directly to consumers at the Toboton Creek Dairy farm. The recall was triggered after routine sampling conducted by the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) found the presence of toxin-producing E. coli bacteria in the dairy's retail raw … [Read more...]
CDC Reduces Case Count in Simple Truth Power Greens E. coli Outbreak
The CDC reduces case count in the Simple Truth Power Greens E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in an unusual move. The original outbreak notice stated that 13 people in six state were sick. Now there are 10 people sick in four states. California and Mississippi were dropped from the state count, and the number of people sick in Washington state decreased from seven to six. This happened because the case definition was updated. Three people were infected with E. coli bacteria that were not as closely related genetically to the rest in this outbreak. And none of those patients said they ate Organic Power Greens before they got sick. The case count by state is now: Alaska (2), Ohio (1), Oregon (1), and Washington (6). The patient age range is from 26 to 79 with a median age of 59. Of ten … [Read more...]
Seven Washington E. coli Cases in Simple Truth Power Greens Outbreak
There are seven Washington E. coli O157:H7 cases in the Simple Truth Power Greens outbreak, according to the Washington State Department of Health. The salads were sold at QFC and Fred Meyer grocery stores in the state. Officials are telling anyone who purchased that product with best by dates through December 20, 2021 should discard them immediately. The seven Washington E. coli cases cases live in King, Snohomish, Whatcom, Pierce, Thurston, Mason, and Skagit counties. One person from each county got sick in late November and early December 2021. Two people have been hospitalized, and one person developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is a kind of kidney failure. Scott Lindquist, MD, MPH, State Epidemiologist for Communicable Diseases said in a statement, "E. coli … [Read more...]
