Another romaine lettuce E. coli O157:H7 outbreak has been announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The language from the government is very strong: "CDC is advising that U.S. consumers not eat any romaine lettuce, and retailers and restaurants not serve or sell any, until we learn more about the outbreak." Thirty-two people in 11 states are sick in this outbreak. Thirteen people have been hospitalized. The case count by state is: California (10), Connecticut (1), Illinois (2), Massachusetts (2), Maryland (1), Michigan (7), New Hampshire (2), New Jersey (3), New York (2), Ohio (1), and Wisconsin (1). Illness onset dates range from October 8 to October 31, 2018. One person has developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure. It's very … [Read more...]
CDC Posts Info About Potential Duncan Hines Cake Mix Salmonella Outbreak; Lawsuits Possible
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has posted information about the potential Duncan Hines cake mix Salmonella Agbeni outbreak that has sickened at least five people in three states. ConAgra recalled four varieties of that cake mix after officials in Oregon identified the outbreak strain of Salmonella bacteria in a box of Duncan Hines Classic White Fake Mix. Investigators are trying to determine if the illnesses are linked to the Duncan Hines cake mix. After officials found the pathogen in the cake mix, CDC reviewed the PulseNet database and found five people sickened with the same strain. PulseNet is the national subtyping network of public health and food labs coordinated by the CDC. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) showed that the bacteria are closely related … [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...]
FDA Weighs In On Potential Duncan Hines Salmonella Outbreak; Lawsuits Possible
The FDA has provided more information on the potential Duncan Hines Salmonella outbreak that many be linked to that company's cake mixes. Five people in three states are ill with Salmonella Agnebi infections. There are two cases on Maryland, two in Ohio, and one in Wisconsin. No one has been hospitalized. We don't know the patient age range or when the illnesses began. The FDA is investigating the manufacturing facility that made the mixes. They are collecting environmental samples there. A sample of Duncan Hines Classic White Cake Mix continued the same strain of Salmonella Agbeni that sickened the five people. The match was made using whole genome sequencing (WGS), which is a very accurate way to type DNA. Conagra is working with the FDA to conduct a recall of four different … [Read more...]
Del Monte Cyclospora Outbreak Ends With 250 Sick; Lawsuits Filed
The Del Monte cyclospora outbreak has ended after sickening 250 people, according to the FDA and CDC. Those sickened ate pre-packaged Del Monte Vegetable Trays. FDA evaluated and reviewed the distribution and supplier information for every component of the vegetable trays. he investigation did not reveal a single source or potential point of contamination for any of the items that were in those trays. Eight people were hospitalized in this Del Monte cyclospora outbreak because they were so sick. The patients live in four states: Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. The case count by state is: Michigan (1), Iowa (9), Minnesota (62), and Wisconsin (177)l. Del Monte recalled their 6 ounce, 12 ounce, and 28 ounce vegetable trays during different dates in June 2018. … [Read more...]
Summer of Cyclospora Outbreaks and Lawsuits: 400 Sick
This has been the summer of cyclospora outbreaks. As of today, July 26, 2018, at least 400 people have been sickened in outbreaks that are linked to two products: Del Monte Vegetable Trays and McDonald's salads. In the Del Monte outbreak, those sickened live in four states. The case count by state is: Michigan (2), Iowa (7), Minnesota (56) and Wisconsin (172). Seven of those patients have been hospitalized because they are so ill. Del Monte recalled the vegetable trays that are linked to this outbreak on June 8, 2018. The trays were sold at Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, Demond’s, Sentry, Potash, Meehan’s, Country Market, FoodMax Supermarket, and Peapod stores in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin and have the "Best If Enjoyed By" date of June 17, 2018 or … [Read more...]
Del Monte Cyclospora Outbreak Grows to 237 Sick in Four States; Lawsuits Filed
The Del Monte cyclospora outbreak has now sickened 237 people in just four states, according to the FDA. Those patients live in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Seven patients have been hospitalized; no deaths have been reported. The two cases from Michigan reportedly bought the vegetable tray in Wisconsin. Lawsuits have been filed in this outbreak, on behalf of people sickened after buying a Del Monte vegetable tray from several retail outlets. They were sold mostly in Kwik Trip/Kwik Star locations in Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. These trays were recalled in June 2018, and include 6 ounce, 12 ounce, and 28 ounce sizes that contain broccoli, cauliflower, celery, carrots, and dill dip. These vegetable trays were sold in Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, … [Read more...]
McDonald’s Cyclospora Outbreak Sickens 61 in IA, IL, MN, MO, NE, SD, WI; Lawsuits Possible
A McDonald's cyclospora outbreak that is "likely linked" to the fast food chain's salads has sickened at lest 61 people in 7 states. Two people have been hospitalized because they are so sick. This outbreak is probably not linked to the other current cyclospora outbreak linked to recalled Del Monte Vegetable trays that has sickened 227 people in the upper Midwest, but public health officials are investigating. The FDA is working with McDonald's to identify the common ingredient in the salads and to conduct traceback investigations through the supply chain. As of July 13, 2018, McDonald's is voluntarily ending sales of salads at restaurants in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana, North Dakota, Kentucky, West Virginia, and … [Read more...]
Del Monte Cyclospora Outbreak Case Count Grows to 227 Sick; Lawsuits Filed
The multistate Del Monte Cyclospora outbreak case count has grown to 227 sick, as of July 13, 2018. Those sickened live in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Seven patients have been hospitalized because their illnesses are so serious. Del Monte recalled their 6 ounce and 12 ounce sizes of vegetable trays on June 8, 2018. The 28 ounce size of the trays was recalled on June 15, 2018. People may have frozen some of these vegetables and don't realize they are linked to illnesses. And, unfortunately, washing produce will not eliminate the pathogen completely. The cyclospora parasite is destroyed by freezing, but only if frozen below 24.7°F. The recalled trays were sold in Kwik Trip, Kwik Star, Demond’s, Sentry, Potash, Meehan’s, Country Market, FoodMax Supermarket and Peapod … [Read more...]
Large Proportion of Minnesota Residents Sickened in Del Monte Cyclospora Outbreak; Lawsuits Filed
The huge Del Monte Cyclospora outbreak has sickened 212 people in four states. Of those patients, at least 54 live in Minnesota. The last update posted by the FDA was on July 5, 2018. Attorney Fred Pritzker, who is representing many of those sickened in this outbreak and has filed several lawsuits, said, "There are many Kwik Trip facilities, where many of the Del Monte products were sold, in Minnesota and in Wisconsin, where more than 100 people are sick. We expect that this Del Monte cyclospora outbreak will probably grow, since there is a time lag from when a person gets sick and they visit their doctor and are diagnosed with this parasitic infection." Del Monte has recalled three sizes of vegetable trays that are associated with this outbreak. They are 6 ounce and 12 ounce … [Read more...]
