Coral Beach | Food Safety News https://www.foodsafetynews.com/author/cbeach/ Breaking news for everyone's consumption Fri, 08 Sep 2023 22:13:46 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.3.1&lxb_maple_bar_source=lxb_maple_bar_source https://www.foodsafetynews.com/files/2018/05/cropped-siteicon-32x32.png Coral Beach | Food Safety News https://www.foodsafetynews.com/author/cbeach/ 32 32 Almost 130 children identified in an E. coli outbreak associated with daycare centers https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/09/almost-130-children-identified-in-e-coli-outbreak-associated-with-daycare-centers/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/09/almost-130-children-identified-in-e-coli-outbreak-associated-with-daycare-centers/#respond Fri, 08 Sep 2023 21:22:26 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=231845 The patient count in an E. Coli O157:H7 outbreak among daycare centers in Calgary has increased to 128, with 25 children having been admitted to hospitals. Officials now report that nine hospitalized children have been diagnosed with a complication that causes the kidneys to shut down. Eleven daycare centers have been closed since Monday. Five... Continue Reading

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The patient count in an E. Coli O157:H7 outbreak among daycare centers in Calgary has increased to 128, with 25 children having been admitted to hospitals.

Officials now report that nine hospitalized children have been diagnosed with a complication that causes the kidneys to shut down.

Eleven daycare centers have been closed since Monday. Five of them may be allowed to reopen on Sept. 11 if no illnesses among attendees or staff have been confirmed. The five centers and six with known patients were closed as a cautionary move because they all use a central kitchen.

The Shiga toxin-producing E. Coli involved in the outbreak can also attack other organs and cause widespread organ failure. It is not unusual for children to appear to be recovering and then backslide into a much more severe infection.

Investigators have collected samples of leftovers and frozen food for testing, but those test results are not yet available.

About E. coli infections
Anyone who has developed symptoms of E. coli infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about their possible exposure to the bacteria. Specific tests are required to diagnose the infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

Alberta Health Services officials said the outbreak has peaked, though more patients could be identified. There is a chance of secondary infections where sick patients expose others in their families to the bacteria.

The symptoms of E. coli infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, which is often bloody. Some patients may also have a fever. Most patients recover within five to seven days. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), others can develop severe or life-threatening symptoms and complications.

Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent injuries or death. This condition can occur among people of any age but is most common in children younger than five years old because of their immature immune systems, older adults because of deteriorating immune systems, and people with compromised immune systems such as cancer patients. 

About 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with E. coli infections develop a potentially life-threatening kidney failure complication known as a hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, tiredness, decreased frequency of urination, small unexplained bruises or bleeding, and pallor. 

People who experience HUS symptoms should immediately seek emergency medical care. People with HUS will likely be hospitalized because the condition can cause other serious and ongoing problems such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, brain damage, and neurologic problems.

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Almost 100 sick as officials investigate E. coli outbreak linked to daycare centers https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/09/almost-100-sick-as-officials-investigate-e-coli-outbreak-linked-to-daycare-centers/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/09/almost-100-sick-as-officials-investigate-e-coli-outbreak-linked-to-daycare-centers/#respond Wed, 06 Sep 2023 23:28:22 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=231766 With nearly 100 laboratory-confirmed patients in an E. Coli outbreak linked to daycare centers, investigators could be looking at weeks or months before their work is done. Eleven daycare centers in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, have been closed because of the illnesses, which now number 96. During a press conference this afternoon, Dr. Francesco Rizzuti, medical... Continue Reading

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With nearly 100 laboratory-confirmed patients in an E. Coli outbreak linked to daycare centers, investigators could be looking at weeks or months before their work is done.

Eleven daycare centers in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, have been closed because of the illnesses, which now number 96. During a press conference this afternoon, Dr. Francesco Rizzuti, medical officer of Alberta Health Services Calgary, said 22 patients had been hospitalized. 

Rizzuti said both adults and children have been confirmed sick as outbreak patients. The Alberta Health Services reported that all hospitalized patients are children. Rizzuti declined to say what specific complications the patients suffer, only that some symptoms are severe.

Patients started going to emergency rooms and being admitted to hospitals this past weekend, Rizzuti said. He made the decision Monday to close the 11 daycare centers because they share a common kitchen. On Tuesday morning investigators began collecting samples for testing. Among the samples collected were leftovers and frozen foods.

Parents have reported to Canadian media that they believe meatloaf served to children may be the source of the E. Coli, but Rizzuti would not confirm that.

More than 2,000 stool sample kits have been sent to the implicated daycare centers. Parents and staff can pick up the kits for free. Specific tests are required to diagnose E. Coli infection because it can mimic other illnesses.

Some media reports have said that the central kitchen used by the daycare centers had received non-compliance scores during recent inspections. However, Rizzuti said that is not the case and that the kitchen’s most recent inspections have shown compliance with food safety regulations.

Only some of the daycare centers that have been closed are associated with patients, said Rizzuti. But as a cautionary move he ordered all 11 using the central kitchen to be closed until the situation is resolved.

“We think there is a common source,” Rizzuti said during the press conference this afternoon, adding that it is not unusual for investigators to be unable to determine the source of outbreaks.

He said hospital care for those infected with E. coli can include treatment for dehydration, or, on a more severe scale, monitoring for hemolytic uremic syndrome, a type of kidney failure. Patients are also monitored for sepsis.

Investigators are calling each household with a confirmed illness in addition to collecting and testing samples. Rizzuti said it could take weeks or months to finish the investigation.

The following sites have been issued a closure order until issues are resolved:

  • Fueling Brains Braeside
  • Fueling Brains West 85th
  • Fueling Brains New Brighton
  • Fueling Brains Centennial
  • Fueling Brains Bridgeland
  • Fueling Brains McKnight
  • Braineer Academy
  • Kidz Space
  • Little Oak Early Education (formerly Mangrove)
  • Almond Branch School
  • Vik Academy in Okotoks

Anyone who works at any of the daycare centers or has a child who attends them should be on the lookout for E. Coli symptoms.

About E. coli infections

Anyone who has developed symptoms of E. coli infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about their possible exposure to the bacteria. Specific tests are required to diagnose the infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

The symptoms of E. coli infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, which is often bloody. Some patients may also have a fever. Most patients recover within five to seven days. Others can develop severe or life-threatening symptoms and complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

About 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with E. coli infections develop a potentially life-threatening kidney failure complication, known as a hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, feeling very tired, decreased frequency of urination, small unexplained bruises or bleeding, and pallor. 

Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent injuries or death. This condition can occur among people of any age but is most common in children younger than five years old because of their immature immune systems, older adults because of deteriorating immune systems, and people with compromised immune systems such as cancer patients. 

People who experience HUS symptoms should immediately seek emergency medical care. People with HUS will likely be hospitalized because the condition can cause other serious and ongoing problems such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, brain damage, and neurologic problems.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News,click here)

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A dozen children hospitalized in E. coli outbreak at daycare centers https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/09/a-dozen-children-hospitalized-in-e-coli-outbreak-at-daycare-centers/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/09/a-dozen-children-hospitalized-in-e-coli-outbreak-at-daycare-centers/#respond Tue, 05 Sep 2023 20:08:03 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=231716 An E. Coli outbreak in Calgary, Canada, has closed 11 daycare centers and hospitalized a dozen people. Alberta Health Services reports at least 50 children with symptoms of E. Coli infection have gone to hospitals. There are 17 lab-confirmed patients. All 11 daycare centers share a common kitchen, according to the health services. The following... Continue Reading

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An E. Coli outbreak in Calgary, Canada, has closed 11 daycare centers and hospitalized a dozen people.

Alberta Health Services reports at least 50 children with symptoms of E. Coli infection have gone to hospitals. There are 17 lab-confirmed patients.

All 11 daycare centers share a common kitchen, according to the health services.

The following sites have been issued a closure order until issues are resolved:

  • Fueling Brains Braeside
  • Fueling Brains West 85th
  • Fueling Brains New Brighton
  • Fueling Brains Centennial
  • Fueling Brains Bridgeland
  • Fueling Brains McKnight
  • Braineer Academy
  • Kidz Space
  • Little Oak Early Education (formerly Mangrove)
  • Almond Branch School
  • Vik Academy in Okotoks

Families with children attending any of the implicated locations are being sent letters advising of the outbreak and are being asked to monitor for symptoms and present to an emergency department if necessary.

About E. coli infections
Anyone with children at the implicated daycare centers who have developed symptoms of E. coli infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about their possible exposure to the bacteria. Specific tests are required to diagnose the infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

The symptoms of E. coli infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, which is often bloody. Some patients may also have a fever. Most patients recover within five to seven days. Others can develop severe or life-threatening symptoms and complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

About 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with E. coli infections develop a potentially life-threatening kidney failure complication, known as a hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, feeling very tired, decreased frequency of urination, small unexplained bruises or bleeding, and pallor. 

Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent injuries or death. This condition can occur among people of any age but is most common in children younger than five years old because of their immature immune systems, older adults because of deteriorating immune systems, and people with compromised immune systems such as cancer patients. 

People who experience HUS symptoms should immediately seek emergency medical care. People with HUS will likely be hospitalized because the condition can cause other serious and ongoing problems such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, brain damage, and neurologic problems.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News,click here)

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University of Arkansas E. coli outbreak ‘past its peak’ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/09/university-of-arkansas-e-coli-outbreak-past-its-peak/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/09/university-of-arkansas-e-coli-outbreak-past-its-peak/#respond Fri, 01 Sep 2023 23:30:52 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=231666 Although there hasn’t been a public update, the Arkansas Department of Health has told officials at the University of Arkansas that an E. Coli outbreak appears to have passed its peak. The health department told university officials that there haven’t been any new patients since Aug. 25. As of Thursday this week there had been... Continue Reading

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Although there hasn’t been a public update, the Arkansas Department of Health has told officials at the University of Arkansas that an E. Coli outbreak appears to have passed its peak.

The health department told university officials that there haven’t been any new patients since Aug. 25. As of Thursday this week there had been 42 patients identified in the outbreak. Four were hospitalized and two remained in the hospital as of Friday.

The residences of the sick people hasn’t been revealed, but the health department has reported that “it has no reason to believe the outbreak is connected to the university’s public dining facilities.” Some of the patients are residents of sorority houses.

The state health department surveyed 3,200 people during its investigation, according to the university health services department.

“Of that number, 37 are probable cases based on reported E. coli symptoms while five cases have been confirmed with positive tests. The number of individuals impacted may change as the ADH continues to investigate,” according to the university.

“Original estimates of the number of individuals who may have impacted were reduced after those with similar symptoms but no link to the outbreak were sorted out from those with true E. coli symptoms.”

Investigators from the state continue to look for a source of the bacteria while they wait on laboratory results. They believe the outbreak began about two weeks ago. 

“The university has increased its surface cleaning and sanitizing protocols to help mitigate the spread,” according to university officials.

About E. coli infections

Anyone who has developed symptoms of E. coli infection — especially University of Arkansas students who live in sorority or fraternity houses — should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about their possible exposure to the bacteria. Specific tests are required to diagnose the infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

The symptoms of E. coli infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, which is often bloody. Some patients may also have a fever. Most patients recover within five to seven days. Others can develop severe or life-threatening symptoms and complications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

About 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with E. coli infections develop a potentially life-threatening kidney failure complication, known as a hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, feeling very tired, decreased frequency of urination, small unexplained bruises or bleeding, and pallor. 

Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent injuries or death. This condition can occur among people of any age but is most common in children younger than five years old because of their immature immune systems, older adults because of deteriorating immune systems, and people with compromised immune systems such as cancer patients. 

People who experience HUS symptoms should immediately seek emergency medical care. People with HUS will likely be hospitalized because the condition can cause other serious and ongoing problems such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, brain damage, and neurologic problems.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News,click here)

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FDA investigating new Salmonella, Cryptosporidium outbreaks https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/fda-investigating-new-salmonella-cryptosporidium-outbreaks/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/fda-investigating-new-salmonella-cryptosporidium-outbreaks/#respond Thu, 31 Aug 2023 04:04:00 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=231542 The FDA is investigating two new outbreaks, one from Salmonella Newport and the other from Cryptosporidium. According to the outbreak announcements, the agency has not yet determined the source of the bacteria.  Food and Drug Administration officials have not revealed where the patients infected with Salmonella Newport live. Nor have they indicated what food or... Continue Reading

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The FDA is investigating two new outbreaks, one from Salmonella Newport and the other from Cryptosporidium.

According to the outbreak announcements, the agency has not yet determined the source of the bacteria. 

Food and Drug Administration officials have not revealed where the patients infected with Salmonella Newport live. Nor have they indicated what food or foods are being traced, though they have reported that traceback efforts have begun. So far, there are eight confirmed patients in the outbreak, which is ongoing.

“While the investigation is ongoing to determine what product made people sick, the outbreak appears to be over, and there is likely no ongoing risk to consumers. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available,” according to the outbreak notice from the FDA.

For the outbreak of Cryptosporidium, the FDA is reporting there are 11 patients, all from Minnesota. The FDA is assisting the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture in the outbreak investigation. Traceback efforts have begun, but the FDA is not reporting what food or foods are being traced. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cryptosporidiosis is a disease that causes watery diarrhea. It is caused by microscopic germs — parasites called Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium, or “Crypto” for short, can be found in water, food, soil, surfaces, or dirty hands contaminated with the feces of humans or animals infected with the parasite. Minute amounts of feces not detectable by the human eye can cause infections. 

Testing is the only way to diagnose infection by the parasite as its symptoms can mimic other diseases. Symptoms of Crypto generally begin 2 to 10 days after becoming infected with the parasite. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps or pain, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, fever, and weight loss.

The disease is diagnosed by examining stool samples. People infected with Crypto can shed the parasite irregularly in their poop; for example, one day, they shed the parasite; the next day, they don’t; the third day, they do. Consequently, patients may need to give three samples collected on three different days to help make sure that a negative test result is accurate. Healthcare providers should specifically request testing for Crypto. Routine ova and parasite testing does not normally include Crypto testing.

Symptoms usually last about 1 to 2 weeks, ranging from a few days to 4 or more weeks in people with healthy immune systems. Some people require treatment with antibiotics to recover.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News,click here)

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FDA warns public about mussels because of E. coli and Salmonella contamination https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/fda-warns-public-about-mussels-because-of-e-coli-and-salmonella-contamination/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/fda-warns-public-about-mussels-because-of-e-coli-and-salmonella-contamination/#respond Wed, 30 Aug 2023 23:55:15 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=231539 The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns the public not to eat mussels from a certain area following Canadian tests that showed Salmonella and E. coli contamination. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency tested mussel meats on Aug. 21 and found the contamination, according to the FDA’s warning posted this afternoon. The Canadian agency informed the... Continue Reading

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns the public not to eat mussels from a certain area following Canadian tests that showed Salmonella and E. coli contamination.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency tested mussel meats on Aug. 21 and found the contamination, according to the FDA’s warning posted this afternoon. The Canadian agency informed the FDA of the testing results on Aug. 23.

Canadian officials are continuing their investigation. The FDA is awaiting further information on the distribution of the mussels and will continue to monitor the investigation and provide assistance to state authorities as needed.

Freezing does not kill the bacteria.

Restaurants and food retailers in Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York that have recently purchased cultured mussels from East River Shellfish Inc. based in Glenfinnan, Prince Edward Island, Canada, should not sell and should dispose of the mussels.

The mussels subject to the warning were harvested from harvest location PE 4-C on Aug. 14 and shipped on Aug. 15. 

The symptoms of E. coli infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, which is often bloody. Some patients may also have a fever. Most patients recover within five to seven days. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), others can develop severe or life-threatening symptoms and complications.

Consumers who have recently consumed cultured mussels from East River Shellfish Inc. in Illinois, Massachusetts, or New York should immediately contact their medical providers if they develop Salmonella or E. coli infection symptoms. Symptoms are outlined below.

Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent injuries or death. This condition can occur among people of any age but is most common in children younger than five years old because of their immature immune systems, older adults because of deteriorating immune systems, and people with compromised immune systems such as cancer patients. 

People who experience HUS symptoms should immediately seek emergency medical care. People with HUS will likely be hospitalized because the condition can cause other serious and ongoing problems such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, brain damage, and neurologic problems.

About E. coli infections
Anyone who has eaten any of the implicated mussels and developed symptoms of E. coli infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about their possible exposure to the bacteria. Specific tests are required to diagnose the infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

About 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with E. coli infections develop a potentially life-threatening kidney failure complication known as a hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, tiredness, decreased frequency of urination, small unexplained bruises or bleeding, and pallor. 

Anyone who has eaten any of the implicated mussels and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. According to the CDC, infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News,click here)

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University of Arkansas officials report E. coli outbreak https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/university-of-arkansas-officials-report-e-coli-outbreak/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/university-of-arkansas-officials-report-e-coli-outbreak/#respond Fri, 25 Aug 2023 21:44:23 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=231389 State and federal public health officials are working with the University of Arkansas on what appears to be an outbreak of E. Coli infections. During a news conference this afternoon, a spokesman from the Arkansas Department of Health said four people were hospitalized. Also, about 100 students from the university responded to an email saying... Continue Reading

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State and federal public health officials are working with the University of Arkansas on what appears to be an outbreak of E. Coli infections.

During a news conference this afternoon, a spokesman from the Arkansas Department of Health said four people were hospitalized. Also, about 100 students from the university responded to an email saying they currently have or have recently had symptoms.

The total number of confirmed outbreak patients has not been released.

The spokesman said the outbreak seems limited to the Northeast part of the state. He also said the state department and university officials are working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate the outbreak.

The spokesman said health officials believe the outbreak started about a week ago.

About E. coli infections
Anyone who has developed symptoms of E. coli infection should seek medical attention and tell their doctor about their possible exposure to the bacteria. Specific tests are required to diagnose the infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

Students and the public are being asked to monitor themselves for symptoms of E. Coli infections and report any illnesses to their doctors or go to emergency rooms if the symptoms are severe.

“This outbreak does not appear to be related to a couple of others on the West Coast being investigated by the CDC,” according to the state spokesman.

The symptoms of E. coli infections vary for each person but often include severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, which is often bloody. Some patients may also have a fever. Most patients recover within five to seven days. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), others can develop severe or life-threatening symptoms and complications.

About 5 to 10 percent of those diagnosed with E. coli infections develop a potentially life-threatening kidney failure complication known as a hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include fever, abdominal pain, tiredness, decreased frequency of urination, small unexplained bruises or bleeding, and pallor. 

Many people with HUS recover within a few weeks, but some suffer permanent injuries or death. This condition can occur among people of any age but is most common in children younger than five years old because of their immature immune systems, older adults because of deteriorating immune systems, and people with compromised immune systems such as cancer patients. 

People who experience HUS symptoms should immediately seek emergency medical care. People with HUS will likely be hospitalized because the condition can cause other serious and ongoing problems such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, brain damage, and neurologic problems.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News,click here)

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Salmonella outbreak linked to ShopRite ground beef declared over by CDC https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/salmonella-outbreak-linked-to-shoprite-ground-beef-declared-over-by-cdc/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/salmonella-outbreak-linked-to-shoprite-ground-beef-declared-over-by-cdc/#respond Fri, 25 Aug 2023 04:04:00 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=231362 The CDC has declared an outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul infections to be over with 18 people having been sickened. Investigators linked the outbreak to ground beef sold at ShopRite stores in the Northeast, according to a notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of the 18 patients, seven were so sick they had... Continue Reading

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The CDC has declared an outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul infections to be over with 18 people having been sickened.

Investigators linked the outbreak to ground beef sold at ShopRite stores in the Northeast, according to a notice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Of the 18 patients, seven were so sick they had to be hospitalized. Patients were from four states. No one died. The patients lived in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Maryland.

“WGS (Whole Genome Sequencing) showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples were closely related genetically. This suggested that people in this outbreak may have gotten sick from the same food,” according to the CDC’s report.

“. . . The outbreak strain was identified in a routine ground beef surveillance sample collected by USDA-FSIS in March 2023.”

State and local public health officials interviewed patients about the foods they ate in the week before they got sick. Of the 16 people interviewed, 10 reported eating ground beef. Nine sick people reported purchasing the ground beef from ShopRite locations in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. Seven of these people specifically reported purchasing 80 percent lean ground beef products. Two people reported purchasing ground beef products from ShopRite but could not remember the type of ground beef.

As of Aug. 23, a total of 18 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella were reported. Illnesses started on dates ranging from April 27 through July 6.

“The true number of sick people in this outbreak was likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not have been limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella. In addition, recent illnesses may not yet be reported as it usually takes 3 to 4 weeks to determine if a sick person is part an outbreak,” according to the CDC outbreak notice.

Although this outbreak has ended, the CDC is reminding consumers to cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F to kill pathogens.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News,click here)

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FDA won’t say what brand of Pico de Gallo was source of Salmonella in outbreak https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/fda-wont-say-what-brand-of-pico-de-gallo-was-source-of-salmonella-in-outbreak/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/fda-wont-say-what-brand-of-pico-de-gallo-was-source-of-salmonella-in-outbreak/#respond Thu, 24 Aug 2023 04:04:00 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=231310 The FDA is reporting that Pico de Gallo was behind a Salmonella outbreak that sickened almost 40 people. Although investigators identified the cause of the outbreak, the Food and Drug Administration is not reporting what brand of Pico de Gallo was implicated. The agency reported that 37 people were sickened in the outbreak, but did... Continue Reading

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The FDA is reporting that Pico de Gallo was behind a Salmonella outbreak that sickened almost 40 people.

Although investigators identified the cause of the outbreak, the Food and Drug Administration is not reporting what brand of Pico de Gallo was implicated. The agency reported that 37 people were sickened in the outbreak, but did not report where they live. The FDA first reported the outbreak on June 14.

“For the outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi B var. L(+) tartrate+ the outbreak has ended and FDA’s investigation has closed. CDC, FDA, and state and local partners conducted epidemiologic and traceback investigations and identified Pico de Gallo as the source of the outbreak,” according to an FDA report released Wednesday.

The FDA reported that its investigators took samples of the product as well as environmental samples of the production facility, but all of the samples came back negative for the outbreak strain. The agency’s statement says there is no risk to consumers.

“Due to the lack of additional supporting evidence, investigators were unable to determine a specific ingredient within the Pico de Gallo or contributing factors as the source of the contamination. Additionally, once investigators had enough information to confirm Pico de Gallo as the source of this outbreak, the products were past their shelf life and no longer available for sale,” the FDA reported.

Cyclospora outbreak
In an outbreak of infections from the microscopic cyclospora parasite, the FDA is reporting that the patient count is 72, up from 69 a week ago. The FDA has not released any patient information and is not reporting where the sick people live. The agency first reported the outbreak on June 14.

FDA investigators have begun traceback efforts as well as onsite inspections and sample analysis. However, the agency has not reported what food is being traced or what location is being inspected.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News,click here)

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Federal and state officials confirm specific brand of ice cream matches outbreak patients https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/federal-and-state-officials-confirm-specific-brand-of-ice-cream-matches-outbreak-patients/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/federal-and-state-officials-confirm-specific-brand-of-ice-cream-matches-outbreak-patients/#respond Wed, 23 Aug 2023 04:06:00 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=231259 The Food and Drug Administration has confirmed that “On the Go” ice cream cups are behind foodborne illnesses. The ice cream, made by Real Kosher Ice Cream of Brooklyn, NY, has been found to be contaminated with the same strain of Listeria monocytogenes as that found in samples from two patients. Both patients, one in... Continue Reading

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The Food and Drug Administration has confirmed that “On the Go” ice cream cups are behind foodborne illnesses.

The ice cream, made by Real Kosher Ice Cream of Brooklyn, NY, has been found to be contaminated with the same strain of Listeria monocytogenes as that found in samples from two patients. Both patients, one in New York and the other in Pennsylvania, have been so sick that they required hospitalization.

The company issued a recall of certain ice cream products earlier this month after a link was established between the sick people and its products.

In information released yesterday, the FDA confirmed that Listeria Monocytogenes matching the sick people’s samples was found in an unopened sample of the implicated ice cream during testing by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Also, the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets found the outbreak strain of Listeria Monocytogenes in five finished samples of “Soft Serve On the Go” ice cream cups collected from the company’s manufacturing facility.

The ice cream was distributed in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massacheassetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

The company is recalling all flavors of its Soft Serve On The Go 8-ounce ice cream cups”

  • Soft Serve On The Go Vanilla Chocolate 
  • Soft Serve On The Go Razzle
  • Soft Serve On The Go Caramel 
  • Soft Serve On The Go Parve Vanilla Chocolate
  • Soft Serve On The Go Sorbet Strawberry Mango
  • Soft Serve On The Go Lite Peanut Butter

The FDA is continuing to investigate the outbreak along with state officials and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Additional patients are likely part of the outbreak because of the lag time between when people become ill and when testing, confirmation testing and reporting are done. Also, it can take up to 70 days for symptoms of Listeria infections to develop. 

About Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has eaten any of the recalled ice cream and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the recalled products should monitor themselves for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop. 

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. 

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

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Raw milk dairy closed because of Listeria contamination; public warning issued https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/raw-milk-dairy-closed-because-of-listeria-contamination-public-warning-issued/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/raw-milk-dairy-closed-because-of-listeria-contamination-public-warning-issued/#respond Tue, 22 Aug 2023 21:46:37 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=231247 New York officials warn the public not to consume raw milk from Remembrance Farm because testing has found contamination from Listeria monocytogenes. Richard Ball, the state Department of Agriculture and Markets commissioner, warned yesterday against Nathaniel Thompson doing business as Remembrance Farm. The farm is in Trumansburg in Tompkins County. An inspector collected a sample... Continue Reading

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New York officials warn the public not to consume raw milk from Remembrance Farm because testing has found contamination from Listeria monocytogenes.

Richard Ball, the state Department of Agriculture and Markets commissioner, warned yesterday against Nathaniel Thompson doing business as Remembrance Farm. The farm is in Trumansburg in Tompkins County.

An inspector collected a sample of the farm’s milk, and testing showed Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The producer was notified of the test result on Aug. 11. Additional tests on Aug. 15 further confirmed the contamination from Listeria monocytogenes.

“The producer is now prohibited from selling raw milk until subsequent sampling indicates that the product is free of harmful bacteria.,” according to a notice from the department of agriculture.

The public is warned to not consume any raw milk from the farm and immediately dispose of it. Consumers who have the milk are asked to call the farm at 310-804-7240.

“It is important to note that raw milk does not provide the protection of pasteurization. Pasteurization is a process that heats milk to a specific temperature for a specific amount of time,” according to the agriculture department’s warning.

“Pasteurization kills the bacteria responsible for numerous illnesses and diseases such as listeriosis, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria, and brucellosis. Pasteurization of milk is recognized internationally as an effective means of preventing outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, including listeriosis.”

About Listeria infections
Food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes may not look or smell spoiled but can still cause serious and sometimes life-threatening infections. Anyone who has consumed anyimplicated milk and developed symptoms of Listeria infection should seek medical treatment and tell their doctors about the possible Listeria exposure.

Also, anyone who has eaten any of the milk should monitor themselves and their children for symptoms during the coming weeks because it can take up to 70 days after exposure to Listeria for symptoms of listeriosis to develop. 

Symptoms of Listeria infection can include vomiting, nausea, persistent fever, muscle aches, severe headache, and neck stiffness. Specific laboratory tests are required to diagnose Listeria infections, which can mimic other illnesses. 

Pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and people such as cancer patients who have weakened immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illnesses, life-threatening infections, and other complications. Although infected pregnant women may experience only mild, flu-like symptoms, their infections can lead to premature delivery, infection of the newborn, or even stillbirth.

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Two outbreak investigations closed without source identified; one continues https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/two-outbreak-investigations-closed-without-source-identified-one-continues/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/two-outbreak-investigations-closed-without-source-identified-one-continues/#respond Thu, 17 Aug 2023 04:04:00 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=231046 The Food and Drug Administration has closed an investigation into an outbreak of infections from E. Coli O26 without having found the source of the pathogen. The agency reports that the outbreak has ended with 13 patients having been identified. The FDA did not reveal any patient information, such as where the patients lived. According... Continue Reading

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The Food and Drug Administration has closed an investigation into an outbreak of infections from E. Coli O26 without having found the source of the pathogen.

The agency reports that the outbreak has ended with 13 patients having been identified. The FDA did not reveal any patient information, such as where the patients lived.

According to the agency’s most recent update, it first reported the outbreak to the public on July 26. The FDA initiated traceback efforts but did not report what food or foods were being traced as part of the investigation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did not post any information about the outbreak, as is the agency’s practice when a source of the pathogen is not found.

In other outbreak news, FDA has ended its investigation into an outbreak of infections from the microscopic Cyclospora parasite. According to the agency’s update yesterday the outbreak has ended with a patient count of 59, which is up from 55 a week ago. 

For the Cyclospora outbreak, the FDA initiated traceback, sample testing and onsite inspections. However the agency did not report what food was being traced or what was being tested. The agency also did not report what location had been inspected. The FDA first reported the outbreak on July 26.

In an ongoing investigation of illnesses caused by Listeria monocytogenes the FDA confirmed an ice cream product is likely the cause of the infections. The agency first reported the outbreak on Aug. 9, before the source of the pathogen was known.

On Aug. 10 the FDA posted an advisory stating that the outbreak was linked “Soft Serve On The Go” ice cream cups produced by Real Kosher Ice Cream of Brooklyn, NY. Two people have been confirmed as outbreak patients and both have required hospitalization.

The ice cream was distributed to California, Colorado, Connecticut, Washington D.C., Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

The ice cream has been recalled. For packaging codes and photos of the recalled products, click here.

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FDA reports new Listeria outbreak; closes investigation into E. coli outbreak https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/fda-reports-new-listeria-outbreak-closes-investigation-into-e-coli-outbreak/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/fda-reports-new-listeria-outbreak-closes-investigation-into-e-coli-outbreak/#respond Thu, 10 Aug 2023 04:05:00 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=230796 Federal investigators are looking into a new outbreak of infections from Listeria monocytogenes. An investigation into an E. Coli outbreak has ended without a source having been identified. The Food and Drug Administration has initiated traceback in relation to the Listeria outbreak, but the agency has not reported what food or foods are being traced.... Continue Reading

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Federal investigators are looking into a new outbreak of infections from Listeria monocytogenes. An investigation into an E. Coli outbreak has ended without a source having been identified.

The Food and Drug Administration has initiated traceback in relation to the Listeria outbreak, but the agency has not reported what food or foods are being traced. Two patients have been identified, but the FDA has not released any information on them, including where they live.

For the E. Coli O157:H7 outbreak, the FDA confirmed 12 patients were sickened but did not release any information about them. The agency initiated traceback but did not report what food or foods were being traced. The FDA first posted the outbreak on July 12.

Continuing outbreak investigations

In an outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi B var. L(+) tartrate+ an additional patient has been identified, bringing the total to 37, compared to 36 a week ago. The FDA has not released any information about the patients. The FDA first posted the outbreak on June 14. No source has been identified for the pathogen. The FDA has initiated product traceback, sample analysis and onsite inspections, but the agency has not reported what food is being traced or sampled. It has also not reported what location is being inspected.

In an outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis the patient count has increased to 55, up from 47 reported a week ago. The FDA has not released any information about the patients. The FDA first reported the outbreak on July 27. The agency has initiated traceback and onsite inspection, but has not reported what food is being traced or what location is being inspected.

In two other outbreaks of Cyclospora infections the FDA is reporting that patient counts are holding steady compared to this past week with 140 and 69 patients reported. In the smaller outbreak the FDA has initiated product traceback, sample analysis and onsite inspections, but the agency has not reported what food is being traced or sampled. It has also not reported what location is being inspected. In the larger outbreak the FDA has initiated traceback and onsite inspections but has not reported what food it is tracing or what location it is inspecting. 

In an outbreak of E. Coli 026 involving 13 patients the FDA has initiated traceback but has not reported what food is being traced. The agency first posted the outbreak on July 26. It has not released any patient information.

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Consumers can now buy raw, unpasteurized milk in North Dakota https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/consumers-can-now-buy-raw-unpasteurized-milk-in-north-dakota/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/consumers-can-now-buy-raw-unpasteurized-milk-in-north-dakota/#respond Tue, 08 Aug 2023 04:04:00 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=230684 It is now legal to sell unpasteurized, raw milk directly to consumers in North Dakota. The state Legislature approved a measure this year making the sales possible, but it specifically bans the sale of unpasteurized, raw milk to wholesalers or retailers. The new law also reinforces the federal ban on the interstate sale of raw... Continue Reading

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It is now legal to sell unpasteurized, raw milk directly to consumers in North Dakota.

The state Legislature approved a measure this year making the sales possible, but it specifically bans the sale of unpasteurized, raw milk to wholesalers or retailers. The new law also reinforces the federal ban on the interstate sale of raw milk.

The law also makes it illegal to donate raw milk.

The sale of raw milk products such as cream, cheese or yogurt remains illegal.

Raw milk producers selling direct to consumers are exempted from other dairy, food handling or consumer protection laws.

Public health officials across the nation and most state health and agriculture departments advise that raw milk is dangerous because without pasteurization to kill bacteria and viruses it can cause severe illness. Pathogens often found in raw milk include E. coli, Salmonella and campylobacter.

The sale of raw milk under the new law does not give any liability protections if someone consumes it and becomes ill. Anyone harmed by consuming foods with microbial pathogens may have the option to take legal action to claim monetary damages for their injuries or wrongful death.

Sellers of raw milk should contact an insurance agent and legal counsel for more information on liability and liability protection, according to a statement from the state.

Raw milk has many advocates and consumers, despite the known food safety risks. The North Dakota Department of Agriculture is exempted from, and does not provide, any regulatory oversight of a raw milk facility, and does not provide any assurances for milk safety of a raw milk producer selling to the end consumer.

The state has posted a cautionary statement for consumers. “The Food and Drug Administration has posted many resources for individuals, providing factual information about raw milk and misconceptions about its purported benefits: https://www.fda.gov/food/buy-store-serve-safe-food/raw-milk-misconceptions-and-danger-raw-milk-consumption

“Pasteurized milk is a proven safe product that provides the essential nutrients of a healthy diet, without the risks associated with raw milk,” according to the statement.

The state of North Dakota has published information for raw milk sellers that includes:

  • Milk is produced on dairy farms, an environment that naturally contains a plethora of microorganisms, including yeasts, molds, viruses and bacteria. 
  • Healthy animals can carry disease-causing germs such as e. coli O157:H7, campylobacter jejuni, and pathogenic serotypes of salmonella. 
  • People have also contracted tuberculosis, undulant fever and Q fever from consuming raw milk.

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Cyclospora outbreaks top 1,000; investigators continue to look for sources https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/cyclospora-outbreak-tops-1000-investigators-continue-to-look-for-source/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/cyclospora-outbreak-tops-1000-investigators-continue-to-look-for-source/#respond Sat, 05 Aug 2023 04:05:00 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=230609 Almost 500 more people are sick in an outbreak of infections from the microscopic Cyclospora parasite. Sick people have been identified in 34 states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting that there are now 1,063 patients identified as part of multiple outbreaks. Of those with complete information available, 79 have been so... Continue Reading

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Almost 500 more people are sick in an outbreak of infections from the microscopic Cyclospora parasite. Sick people have been identified in 34 states.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting that there are now 1,063 patients identified as part of multiple outbreaks. Of those with complete information available, 79 have been so sick they had to be admitted to hospitals. No one has died.

Click on map to enlarge.

The new tally is 482 more than the CDC reported in its July 13 update. Sick people range in age from 2 to 96 years old, with a median age of 50. The median illness onset date is June 8. The CDC has been tracking the outbreaks since April, though additional people were likely infected before that date.

“No specific food items have been identified as the source of most of these illnesses. State and local public health officials are interviewing people with cyclosporiasis to find out what foods they ate before getting sick,” according to the CDC.

The outbreak count includes 20 patients in Georgia and Alabama whose infections were found to be linked to raw imported broccoli. The broccoli outbreak appears to be over, according to the CDC. Public health officials were not able to determine a specific brand or producer of the broccoli.

Cyclospora parasites are often associated with various types of fresh produce, including basil, cilantro, mesclun lettuce, raspberries, and snow peas. Food safety experts say washing products does not remove the parasite.

The large cyclospora outbreak is separate from others being tracked by the Food and Drug Administration. For the three outbreaks under investigation by the FDA, the agency has not reported what states are involved. It has not discovered what food is the source of the parasite.

Cyclospora outbreak details
A Cyclospora outbreak announced this past week has sickened at least 47 people, up from 39 people a week ago. The FDA and state investigators have initiated sample collection and testing, but the FDA has not reported what is being tested. The FDA reports that it has begun traceback efforts but has not reported what food or foods it is tracing. The agency has not released any patient information.

For another outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis, the case count has increased from 68 to 69 patients in the past week. The outbreak was first announced on June 14. The FDA has initiated traceback and onsite inspections and has begun sample collection and analysis. However, the agency has not reported what location is being inspected or what food is being sampled. The FDA has not released any patient information, including where the patients live.

In a third outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis, the patient count has increased from 121 to 140. The FDA reports having begun traceback and on-site inspections but has not revealed what food is being traced or what site is being inspected. The outbreak was first announced July 6. 

About Cyclospora
Anyone who has developed symptoms of Cyclospora infection, and has reason to believe they have been exposed to the parasite, should seek medical attention. Specific tests are required and antibiotics are used to fight the parasite.

Cyclospora infection can cause severe abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, body aches, and fatigue. Symptoms can develop between two and 14 days after exposure. Though symptoms can be severe enough to send people to the hospital, it’s rare for people to die from Cyclospora infections. 

Cyclospora is a type of protozoa, which is a tiny, single-celled organism. It is transmitted when people somehow ingest contaminated feces, typically through contaminated food or water. It can be spread only through human waste, unlike E. coli and salmonella, which can also be spread from animal fecal matter. 

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FDA reports increasing patient counts in Salmonella, cyclospora outbreaks https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/fda-reports-increasing-patient-counts-in-salmonella-cyclospora-outbreaks/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/08/fda-reports-increasing-patient-counts-in-salmonella-cyclospora-outbreaks/#respond Thu, 03 Aug 2023 04:04:00 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=230542 Patient counts continue to increase in three cyclospora outbreaks and one Salmonella outbreak. Sources of the parasite and the bacteria have not yet been determined, according to updates from the Food and Drug Administration. Patient counts are holding steady in two outbreaks of infections from E. coli. An outbreak from E. coli O26 remains at... Continue Reading

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Patient counts continue to increase in three cyclospora outbreaks and one Salmonella outbreak.

Sources of the parasite and the bacteria have not yet been determined, according to updates from the Food and Drug Administration.

Patient counts are holding steady in two outbreaks of infections from E. coli. An outbreak from E. coli O26 remains at 13 patients, and an outbreak of infections from E. coli O157:H7 remains steady with 12 patients. The outbreaks were first announced on July 26 and July 12, respectively. The FDA reports that it has begun traceback efforts in both outbreaks but has not reported what is being traced.

Cyclospora outbreaks
A cyclospora outbreak announced this past week has sickened at least 47 people, up from 39 people a week ago. The FDA and state investigators have initiated sample collection and testing, but the FDA has not reported what is being tested. The FDA reports that it has begun traceback efforts but has not reported what food or foods it is tracing. The agency has not released any patient information.

In an ongoing outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi B var. L(+) tartrate+, the patient count has increased to 36, up from 35 this past week. The FDA has initiated traceback efforts, gathering and testing samples and conducting on-site inspections. The agency has not released any information about what food is being traced, what is being tested, or where the on-site inspection is conducted. The Salmonella outbreak was first reported on June 14.

For another outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis, the case count has increased from 68 to 69 patients in the past week. The outbreak was first announced on June 14. The FDA has initiated traceback and onsite inspections and has begun sample collection and analysis. However, the agency has not reported what location is being inspected or what food is being sampled. The FDA has not released any patient information, including where the patients live.

In a third outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis, the patient count has increased from 121 to 140. The FDA reports having begun traceback and on-site inspections but has not revealed what food is being traced or what site is being inspected. The outbreak was first announced July 6. 

Cyclospora parasites are often associated with various types of fresh produce, including basil, cilantro, mesclun lettuce, raspberries, and snow peas. Food safety experts say washing products do not remove the parasite.

The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration have been tracking the outbreak since April 1. Additional infections could have started before that date. 

In a fourth outbreak from the Cyclospora parasite, at least 210 people across 22 states have been sickened. Public health officials have not yet determined the source of the parasite.

Also, more than 210 people are likely in the ongoing outbreak because of the lag time between when patients become ill and when confirmation testing can be completed and results filed with the CDC. Some sick people don’t seek medical attention, impacting the outbreak count. The parasite is killed by using antibiotics. Specific tests are required to diagnose Cyclospora infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

According to an update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Federal, state, and local public health officials are investigating the outbreak.

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CDC says legal strain of Salmonella is persistent and linked to chicken https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/07/cdc-says-legal-strain-of-salmonella-is-persistent-and-linked-to-chicken/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/07/cdc-says-legal-strain-of-salmonella-is-persistent-and-linked-to-chicken/#respond Fri, 28 Jul 2023 04:03:00 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=230325 The CDC is reporting that a number of infections from a persistent strain of Salmonella are linked to chicken. It is currently legal for producers, distributors and retailers to sell Salmonella contaminated poultry in the United States. A citizen petition to make it illegal to sell poultry contaminated with any one of 31 strains of... Continue Reading

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The CDC is reporting that a number of infections from a persistent strain of Salmonella are linked to chicken. It is currently legal for producers, distributors and retailers to sell Salmonella contaminated poultry in the United States.

A citizen petition to make it illegal to sell poultry contaminated with any one of 31 strains of Salmonella — including the persistent strain referenced by this CDC report — has been filed with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but the department has not acted on it.

The persistent strain, Salmonella Infantis REPJFX01, “is a leading strain of Salmonella found in chicken produced in the United States,” according to the information posted on a new web page set up by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  

The agency says it designates strains of bacteria as persistent when they are known to have caused illnesses over months or years. 

Illness caused by the persistent strain of Salmonella Infantis REPJFX01 was first reported to PulseNet in 2012. As of Dec. 31, 2022, information from 2,900 patients with REPJFX01 infections had been reported to PulseNet. Sick people lived in all 50 states.

The median age of patients was 54 years, with 62 percent being female. Illnesses caused by this strain occur year-round but are most common in July and August, according to the CDC. In the past, REPJFX01 has spread to people through contaminated chicken in the United States and through exposure during international travel.

Among a subset of 251 patients with records in the Foodborne Disease Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet) during 2018 to 2020, ten percent of patients traveled internationally in the seven days before their illnesses began. Most traveled to the Dominican Republic, with 45 percent having traveled there. Other countries of destination and the percentage of patients having traveled there included Peru with 25 percent, and Ecuador with 10 percent. 

Among the same subset of patients, 29 percent were hospitalized and 7 percent were admitted to intensive care units. Among 85 patients who received antibiotics recommended as a first-line or alternative treatment for salmonella infection, 78 percent had an isolate that was resistant to that antibiotic.

“Bacteria from most sick people’s samples showed resistance to multiple antimicrobials, including several that are recommended for first-line or alternative treatment: ampicillin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole,” the CDC reports.

“. . . lab-confirmed cases comprise only a small portion of the true number of illnesses that occur because most people do not seek medical care and even fewer submit a clinical (e.g., stool) specimen,” according to the CDC.

The federal agency and local, state, and regulatory partners have investigated several clusters of Salmonella Infantis illness as possible outbreaks caused by the REPJFX01 strain.

Information from more than 6,000 REPJFX01 isolates from non-human sources has been reported to PulseNet, with the earliest in 2014. Most isolates are from chicken samples collected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Although whole genome sequencing (WGS) data from U.S. Food and Drug Administration samples have not always been submitted to PulseNet, more than 1,000 food and environmental isolates collected through FDA sampling programs are highly related to REPJFX01 isolates by WGS, including many samples from retail chicken products.

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FDA investigating new outbreaks of E. coli and cyclospora infections https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/07/fda-investigating-new-outbreaks-of-e-coli-and-cyclospora-infections/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/07/fda-investigating-new-outbreaks-of-e-coli-and-cyclospora-infections/#respond Thu, 27 Jul 2023 04:06:00 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=230251 Federal officials are investigating two new foodborne illness outbreaks. One of the outbreaks involves E. coli and has sickened at least 13 people, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA has initiated traceback efforts but has not reported what food or foods are being traced. The FDA has not released any patient information,... Continue Reading

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Federal officials are investigating two new foodborne illness outbreaks.

One of the outbreaks involves E. coli and has sickened at least 13 people, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA has initiated traceback efforts but has not reported what food or foods are being traced. The FDA has not released any patient information, including where the patients live.

The other new outbreak involves the cyclospora parasite and has sickened at least 39 people. The FDA and state investigators have initiated sample collection and testing, but the FDA has not reported what is being tested. The FDA reports that it has begun traceback efforts but has not reported what food or foods it is tracing. The agency has not released any patient information.

Cyclospora parasites are often associated with various types of fresh produce, including basil, cilantro, mesclun lettuce, raspberries, and snow peas. Food safety experts say washing products does not remove the parasite.

The new cyclospora outbreak is separate from three other ongoing outbreaks traced to the parasite. The FDA has initiated traceback but has not reported what food or foods are being traced. Also, the FDA has begun sample collection and testing but it has not reported what is being tested.

For an outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis, the case count has increased from 43 to 68 patients in the past week. The FDA has initiated onsite inspections and has begun sample collection and analysis, However, the agency has not reported what location is being inspected or what food is being sampled. The FDA has not released any patient information, including where the patients live.

In a third outbreak of Cyclospora cayetanensis, the patient count has increased from from 118 to 121 since a week ago. 

In a fourth outbreak from the Cyclospora parasite at least 210 people across 22 states have been sickened. Public health officials have not yet determined the source of the parasite.

Federal, state and local public health officials are investigating the outbreak, according to an update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration have been tracking the outbreak since April 1. Additional infections could have started before that date. 

Also, there are likely more than 210 people in the ongoing outbreak because of the lag time between when patients become ill and when confirmation testing can be completed and results filed with the CDC. Some sick people don’t seek medical attention, which also impacts the outbreak count. The parasite is killed by using antibiotics. Specific tests are required to diagnose Cyclospora infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

About Cyclospora
Anyone who has developed symptoms of Cyclospora infection, and has reason to believe they have been exposed to the parasite, should seek medical attention. Specific tests are required and antibiotics are used to fight the parasite.

Cyclospora infection can cause severe abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, body aches, and fatigue. Symptoms can develop between two and 14 days after exposure. Though symptoms can be severe enough to send people to the hospital, it’s rare for people to die from Cyclospora infections. 

Cyclospora is a type of protozoa, which is a tiny, single-celled organism. It is transmitted when people somehow ingest contaminated feces, typically through contaminated food or water. It can be spread only through human waste, unlike E. coli and salmonella, which can also be spread from microscopic amounts of animal fecal matter.

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CDC says Salmonella outbreak traced to ground beef; patients reported in 4 states https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/07/cdc-says-salmonella-outbreak-traced-to-ground-beef-patients-reported-in-4-states/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/07/cdc-says-salmonella-outbreak-traced-to-ground-beef-patients-reported-in-4-states/#respond Wed, 26 Jul 2023 22:27:10 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=230241 Public health officials are investigating a new outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul infections linked to ground beef. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are reporting that the outbreak has been linked to ground beef sold at Shop Rite stores in the Northeast region of the United States. A sample of ground beef has tested positive... Continue Reading

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Public health officials are investigating a new outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul infections linked to ground beef.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are reporting that the outbreak has been linked to ground beef sold at Shop Rite stores in the Northeast region of the United States. A sample of ground beef has tested positive for the Salmonella involved in the outbreak.

There is concern that some people may have unused portions of the ground beef in their freezers, but there aren’t any identifying details available for consumers to use to determine whether they have the implicated ground beef from Shop Rite stores.

Sixteen patients have been confirmed in four states. Six were so sick they had to be admitted to hospitals. No deaths have been reported as of this afternoon.

“Of the 14 people interviewed, nine reported eating ground beef. All nine purchased the ground beef from ShopRite locations in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. Seven of these people specifically reported purchasing 80 percent lean ground beef products. Two people reported purchasing ground beef products from ShopRite but could not recall the type of ground beef,” according to the CDC’s outbreak announcement.

There are likely more people sick in the outbreak, according to the CDC, because many ill people do not seek medical attention. Also, there is a lag time between when a person becomes ill and when their tests, confirmation testing, and reports are filed with the federal government. 

Whole genome sequencing of patient samples shows the same strain of Salmonella has infected the outbreak patients, suggesting the same source of the pathogen, according to the CDC.

Illnesses started on dates ranging from April 27 through June 16. A routine sample taken by the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service in March showed a Salmonella strain closely related to that infecting the sick people, meaning that it is the most likely source of the illnesses.

Investigators are working to identify the source of the ground beef sick people ate. Because ground beef can have germs like Salmonella in it, the CDC always advises you to cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F before eating it.

About Salmonella infections
Food contaminated with Salmonella bacteria does not usually look, smell, or taste spoiled. Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile, according to the CDC.

Anyone who has eaten any ground beef and developed symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek medical attention. Sick people should tell their doctors about the possible exposure to Salmonella bacteria because special tests are necessary to diagnose salmonellosis. Salmonella infection symptoms can mimic other illnesses, frequently leading to misdiagnosis.

Symptoms of Salmonella infection can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever within 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food. Otherwise, healthy adults are usually sick for four to seven days. In some cases, however, diarrhea may be so severe that patients require hospitalization.

Older adults, children, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, are more likely to develop a severe illness and serious, sometimes life-threatening conditions.

Some people get infected without getting sick or showing any symptoms. However, they may still spread the infections to others.

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Officials say hepatitis A outbreak linked to frozen organic strawberries is growing https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/07/officials-say-hepatitis-a-outbreak-linked-to-frozen-organic-strawberries-is-growing/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/07/officials-say-hepatitis-a-outbreak-linked-to-frozen-organic-strawberries-is-growing/#respond Fri, 21 Jul 2023 04:05:00 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=230038 Another patient has been identified in an ongoing outbreak of hepatitis A infections traced to frozen organic strawberries. As of its update posted July 20, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 10 people from four states have been infected. Four people have been hospitalized. The states where the sick people reside are... Continue Reading

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Another patient has been identified in an ongoing outbreak of hepatitis A infections traced to frozen organic strawberries.

As of its update posted July 20, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 10 people from four states have been infected. Four people have been hospitalized. The states where the sick people reside are Washington, Oregon, California and Hawaii.

The hepatitis A virus strain causing illnesses in this outbreak is genetically identical to the strain that caused a foodborne hepatitis A outbreak in 2022, which was linked to fresh organic strawberries imported from Baja California, Mexico, and sold at various retailers.

Illness onset dates in the current outbreak range from Nov. 24, 2022, through June 4, 2023. Additional patients are likely unidentified because many people fail to seek medical attention despite the long lasting symptoms of hepatitis A infection. 

Also, it can take from 14 to 50 days for symptoms to develop, making it difficult to determine how patients became infected.

However, in interviews with the 10 patients in this outbreak, all 10 reported eating frozen strawberries two to seven weeks before becoming ill. All of the implicated strawberries came from Baja California, Mexico, and are from a common supplier, according to investigators with the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration.

Several recalls have been initiated, but the long life of frozen berries suggests that some of the recalled products are likely still in consumers’ homes. Traceback and epidemiological investigations show that people with outbreak-associated cases purchased the same retail brand of frozen organic strawberries prior to becoming ill. 

To view recalled products click here.

In response to this investigation, California Splendor, Inc. of San Diego, CA, certain lots of 4-lb. bags of Kirkland Signature Frozen Organic Whole Strawberries that were sold at Costco stores in Los Angeles, California; Hawaii; and two San Diego, California business centers. The lots subject to this recall include: 140962-08, 142222-23, 142792-54, 142862-57, 142912-59, 142162-20, 142202-21, 142782-53, 142852-56, 142902-58, 142212-22, 142232-24, 142842-55.

In response to this investigation, Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham, OR, frozen organic strawberries, sold to Costco, Trader Joe’s, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood, and PCC Community Markets in certain states. Products subject to this recall include:

Brand NameProduct NameNet Wt.UPCBest By Date, Best If Use Date, Best Before DateDistributed in States
Simply NatureOrganic Strawberries24 oz.40991002
56222
6/14/2024Arizona, Arkansas, California, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
Vital ChoiceOrganic Strawberries16 oz.8342970
05024
5/20/2024Washington
Kirkland SignatureOrganic Strawberries4 lbs.966191
40404
10/8/2024Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington
Made WithOrganic Strawberries10 oz.8143430
21390
11/20/2024Illinois, Maryland
PCC Community MarketsOrganic Strawberries32 oz.228271
09469
29/10/2024Washington
Trader Joe’sOrganic Tropical Fruit Blend Pineapple, Bananas, Strawberries & Mango16 oz.51191904/25/24, 05/12/24, 05/23/24, 05/30/24, 06/07/24Nationwide

On March 17, 2023, a retailer, Meijer, also issued press for Made-With brand frozen organic strawberries from certain market store locations.

In response to this investigation, on June 7, 2023, Wawona Frozen Foods of Clovis, California, initiated a of year-old packages of Wawona brand Organic DayBreak Blend 4-lb. bags that were distributed to Costco Wholesale stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah, and Washington from April 15, 2022, to June 26, 2022, with “Use By” dates of 9/23/2023, 9/29/2023, 9/30/2023, and 10/18/2023:

Table depicts voluntary recall of year-old packages of Wawona brand Organic DayBreak Blend 4-lb. bags that were distributed to Costco Wholesale stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah, and Washington from April 15, 2022, to June 26, 2022, with “Use By” dates of 9/23/2023, 9/29/2023, 9/30/2023, and 10/18/2023.

Best If Used By 09/23/2023Best If Used By 09/29/2023Best If Used By 09/30/2023Best If Used By 10/18/2023
Affected Lot Codes:Affected Lot Codes:Affected Lot Codes:Affected Lot Codes:
20082D0420088D0420089D0920108D04
20082D0520088D0520089D1020108D05
20082D0620088D0620089D1120108D06
20082D0720088D0720089D1220108D07
20082D0820088D08
20108D08

20088D09


20088D10


20088D11


20088D12

In response to this investigation, on June 12, 2023, Willamette Valley Fruit Co. of Salem, Oregon, select packages of frozen fruit containing strawberries distributed to the following retailers: Walmart (from January 24, 2023, to June 8, 2023), Costco Wholesale Stores (from October 3, 2022, to June 8, 2023), and HEB (from July 18, 2022, to June 8, 2023). Products subject to this recall include:

RetailerProduct NameNet weightLot CodeBest By DateDistributed in States
WalmartGreat Value Sliced Strawberries4 lbs.4018305 40193057/19/2024 7/20/2024AR, AZ, CA, CO, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SD, TX, UT, VA, WI, WV, WY
Great Value Mixed Fruit4 lbs.4024205 4025305 4032305 4033305 4034305 40353057/25/2024 7/26/2024 8/2/2024 8/3/2024 8/4/2024 8/5/2024
Great Value Antioxidant Fruit Blend40 oz.40323058/2/2024
Costco WholesaleRader Farms Fresh Start Smoothie Blend48 oz. bag containing six 8 oz. pouches4224202 4313202 4314202 4363202 4364202 4017302 4018302 4042306 4043306 40603062/11/2024 5/10/2024 5/11/2024 6/29/2024 6/30/2024 7/18/2024 7/19/2024 8/12/2024 8/13/2024 8/30/2024AZ, CA, CO, TX
HEBRader Farms Organic Berry Trio3 lbs.4153205 4283202 4284202 4058302 405930212/02/2023 4/10/2024 4/11/2024 8/28/2024 8/29/2024TX

FDA’s investigation is ongoing; additional products might be included in the future.

About hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable, liver infection caused by the Hepatitis A Virus (HAV).

Not everyone with hepatitis A has symptoms. Adults are more likely to have symptoms than children. If symptoms develop, they usually appear two to seven weeks, at an average of 28-30 days, after infection. Symptoms usually last less than two months, although some people can be ill for as long as six months.

If symptoms develop, they can include yellow skin or eyes, not wanting to eat, upset stomach throwing up, stomach pain, fever, dark urine or light-colored stools, diarrhea, joint pain, feeling tired.

Even if no symptoms are present people can still spread the infection. In addition, a person can transmit hepatitis A to others up to two weeks before symptoms appear.

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Raw morel mushrooms found to be most likely cause behind deadly outbreak https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/07/raw-morel-mushrooms-found-to-be-most-likely-cause-behind-deadly-outbreak/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/07/raw-morel-mushrooms-found-to-be-most-likely-cause-behind-deadly-outbreak/#respond Thu, 20 Jul 2023 00:04:00 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=230014 Public health officials have signed off on an outbreak investigation in Montana saying that morel mushrooms were most likely what made dozens of people sick and killed two. In addition to the two deaths, the outbreak traced to Dave’s Sushi in Bozeman, MT, sickened more than 50 people and sent three to hospitals. People became... Continue Reading

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Public health officials have signed off on an outbreak investigation in Montana saying that morel mushrooms were most likely what made dozens of people sick and killed two.

In addition to the two deaths, the outbreak traced to Dave’s Sushi in Bozeman, MT, sickened more than 50 people and sent three to hospitals. People became ill between March 28 and April 17 this year, according to the Gallatin City-County Health Department. The local department worked with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as well as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on the outbreak investigation.

“Study results indicated that consuming morel mushrooms at the restaurant was strongly associated with developing GI illness. Additionally, individuals who reported consuming a greater quantity of sushi containing morels were more likely to develop illness compared to those who reported consuming fewer pieces,” according to the local health department’s final report, which was released July 19.

“. . . According to documents provided by the restaurant, the morel mushrooms served during March and April 2023 were prepared raw or only lightly cooked, depending on the date of preparation.”

The sick people in the outbreak ranged from 18 to 74 years old. Most became ill within three hours of their meal at Dave’s Sushi. The most common symptoms reported were diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Public health officials interviewed 63 people who ate at the restaurant during the implicated time frame. Of those, 41 reported becoming ill after their meal there. 

The interviews also showed that the majority of people who became ill ate the mushrooms and the illnesses were “strongly associated” with the mushrooms.

Health officials performed DNA sequencing on the morel mushroom samples collected from the restaurant, and identified the species as Morchella sextelata, a type of “true morel.” Samples of morel mushrooms collected after the illnesses occurred were also screened for pesticides, heavy metals, bacterial toxins, and pathogens. No significant findings were identified, according to the health department’s report.

“The toxins in morel mushrooms that may cause illness are not fully understood. However, it is known that using proper morel mushroom preparation techniques, including cooking, can help reduce toxicity and risk of illness,” according to the health department.

Owners of Dave’s Sushi told health department officials that morels served on April 8 underwent some light cooking by being marinated in a sauce immediately after the sauce had been boiled. Morels served on April 17 were not cooked. The majority of patients reported becoming ill after eating mushrooms at the restaurant on April 17.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration conducted a traceback investigation and found that restaurants in other states received morel mushrooms from the same supplier during the same timeframe as Dave’s Sushi. An investigation into six of those restaurants found that all six throughly cooked the morels they served. None of those restaurants received any reports of illnesses.

The local public health officials reported the investigation into the outbreak was limited in at least two ways. First, the investigators could not determine what specific characteristic of the morel mushrooms caused the outbreak. Second, the specific toxin or pathogen in the morel mushrooms served at the restaurant is unknown and could not be confirmed through laboratory testing.

“However, the signs and symptoms of illness reported were consistent with what could result from eating morel mushrooms that were not properly handled, prepared, or cooked. 

“There are scientific gaps in knowledge regarding morel mushrooms in the wider public health, medical toxicology, and mycology realms that need further research in order to better understand how morel mushrooms affect human health,” the health department report said. 

The FDA’s investigation has ended and but state and local public health officials are continuing to conduct follow-up activities related to this incident, however, there does not appear to be any further risk to the public, according to a statement from the FDA.

Advice
Anyone eating, selling, or serving morel mushrooms should use caution when doing so. There are varieties of poisonous wild mushrooms that look very similar to morel mushrooms.

Public health officials recommend those preparing morels should confirm the identity of each mushroom, and consult with a knowledgeable expert, as poisonous species have been known to grow near edible species in the wild. Choose mushrooms that are dry and firm, and avoid those that are bruised, discolored, slimy, or otherwise spoiled. 

Morel mushrooms should be refrigerated at a temperature of 40 degrees F or below, in breathable type packaging, such as a paper bag. Morels should be cooked thoroughly prior to consumption, as this is likely to reduce toxin levels present in the mushrooms.

Individuals who become ill after consuming morels should contact their healthcare provider immediately and/or call the Poison Control Hotline at 800-222-1222.

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Pennsylvania officials warn public about raw goat milk linked to Campylobacter outbreak https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/07/pennsylvania-officials-warn-public-about-raw-goat-milk-linked-to-campylobacter-outbreak/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/07/pennsylvania-officials-warn-public-about-raw-goat-milk-linked-to-campylobacter-outbreak/#respond Tue, 18 Jul 2023 22:13:46 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=229952 State officials in Pennsylvania are warning the public to discard raw goat milk from Dove Song Dairy because it has been implicated in an outbreak of Campylobacter infections. The dairy is operated by the Schaeffer family and is in Berks County. “Three persons who consumed this product and became ill with campylobacteriosis were reported by... Continue Reading

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State officials in Pennsylvania are warning the public to discard raw goat milk from Dove Song Dairy because it has been implicated in an outbreak of Campylobacter infections.

The dairy is operated by the Schaeffer family and is in Berks County.

“Three persons who consumed this product and became ill with campylobacteriosis were reported by the Department of Health. Raw milk samples tested by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture are presumptively positive for Campylobacter,” according to the state warning.

All sell-by dates of raw goat milk from Dove Song Dairy should be discarded. 

Anyone who consumed the raw goat milk should immediately consult their physician if they become ill. The state agriculture department did not report the ages or counties of residence for the outbreak patients.

The Dove Song Dairy raw goat milk was sold in plastic containers of various sizes — gallon, half gallon, quart, and pint — at the following locations:

Berks County:

Dove Song Dairy, 108 Seigfried Rd, Bernville

Multiple locations of Kimberton Whole Foods

Local Leaf Market, 3071 W Philadelphia Ave, Oley

Chester County:

Multiple locations of Kimberton Whole Foods

Lancaster County:

Shady Maple Farm Market, 1324 E Main St, East Earl

Nickle Mine Health Foods, 2123 Mine Rd, Paradise

Lehigh County:

Healthy Alternatives Food, 7150 Hamilton Blvd, Trexlertown

Schuylkill County:

Healthy Habits Natural Market, 1120 Center Turnpike, Orwigsburg 

About Campylobacter infections
Anyone who has consumed any raw goat milk from Dove Song Dairy and developed symptoms of Campylobacter infection should seek medical attention immediately. 

Specific tests are required to diagnose the infections because they can mimic other illnesses. Children are particularly subject to the infection.

People with Campylobacter infection usually have diarrhea (often bloody), fever, and stomach cramps. Nausea and vomiting may accompany the diarrhea. These symptoms usually start 2 to 5 days after the person ingests Campylobacter and last about one week.

Sometimes Campylobacter infections cause complications, such as irritable bowel syndrome, temporary paralysis, and arthritis.

In people with weakened immune systems, such as those with a blood disorder, with AIDS, or receiving chemotherapy, Campylobacter sometimes spreads to the bloodstream and causes a life-threatening infection.

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Patient count in Cyclospora parasite outbreak jumps by more than 200 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/07/patient-count-in-cyclospora-parasite-outbreak-jumps-by-more-than-200/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/07/patient-count-in-cyclospora-parasite-outbreak-jumps-by-more-than-200/#respond Sat, 15 Jul 2023 04:05:00 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=229858 The number of patients in a large outbreak of infections from the cyclospora parasite has increased significantly, with the count approaching 600. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been tracking the outbreak since April 1. As of this week there are 581 laboratory confirmed patients. The previous update from the agency on June... Continue Reading

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The number of patients in a large outbreak of infections from the cyclospora parasite has increased significantly, with the count approaching 600.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been tracking the outbreak since April 1. As of this week there are 581 laboratory confirmed patients. The previous update from the agency on June 22 had 317 patients listed.

“No specific food items have been identified as the source of most of these illnesses. State and local public health officials are interviewing people with cyclosporiasis to find out what foods they ate before getting sick,” according to the CDC’s outbreak update.

The CDC has logged patients from 32 jurisdictions including 31 states and New York City.

Sick people range in age from 3 to 96 years, with a median age of 49 and 61 percent being female. The illness onset dates range from April 1 to July 2. 

There are likely more patients because of the time it takes for the infection to develop and the time required for testing, confirmation testing and reporting. Specific tests are required to determine infections, which can mimic other illnesses. Symptoms can subside and then reappear.

Of 569 people with information available, 55 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

The total number of laboratory-confirmed cases reported since April 1 includes 20 cases in Georgia and Alabama linked to an outbreak associated with raw imported broccoli.  Although FDA and state and local partners conducted traceback investigations, there was not enough information to identify a specific type or producer of the broccoli.

The broccoli outbreak appears to be over, according to the CDC. There is no indication at this time that broccoli continues to be a source of illness for other cyclosporiasis cases being reported in the United States.

“Multiple outbreaks of cyclosporiasis caused by different foods can be reported during the same year. Previous U.S. outbreaks of cyclosporiasis have been linked to various types of fresh produce, including basil, cilantro, mesclun lettuce, raspberries, and snow peas,” according to the CDC. 

During outbreaks, public health officials use questionnaires to interview sick people to determine what they ate in the 14-day period before getting sick.

Click on graphic to enlarge.

About Cyclospora
Anyone who has developed symptoms of Cyclospora infection, and has reason to believe they have been exposed to the parasite, should seek medical attention. Specific tests are required and antibiotics are used to fight the parasite.

Cyclospora infection can cause severe abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, body aches, and fatigue. Symptoms can develop between two and 14 days after exposure. Though symptoms can be severe enough to send people to the hospital, it’s rare for people to die from Cyclospora infections. 

Cyclospora is a type of protozoa, which is a single-celled organism. It is transmitted when people somehow ingest microscopic amounts of contaminated feces, typically through contaminated food or water. It can be spread only through human waste, unlike E. coli and salmonella, which can also be spread from animal fecal matter. 

Previous U.S. outbreaks of cyclosporiasis have been linked to various types of fresh produce, including basil, cilantro, mesclun lettuce, raspberries, and snow peas.

Food safety experts say there’s no evidence that washing the produce will remove the parasite.

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Norovirus outbreak linked to oysters from Canada https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/07/norovirus-outbreak-linked-to-oysters-from-canada/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/07/norovirus-outbreak-linked-to-oysters-from-canada/#respond Fri, 14 Jul 2023 21:20:40 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=229856 Federal and state officials are tracking an outbreak of norovirus from raw oysters. The oysters were distributed to 17 states, Washington D.C., and Canada. The Food and Drug Administration reported that the oysters were harvested in Nova Scotia. The agency did not report whether the oysters were frozen at the time of distribution. Food contaminated... Continue Reading

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Federal and state officials are tracking an outbreak of norovirus from raw oysters. The oysters were distributed to 17 states, Washington D.C., and Canada.

The Food and Drug Administration reported that the oysters were harvested in Nova Scotia. The agency did not report whether the oysters were frozen at the time of distribution. Food contaminated with norovirus does not have an unusual appearance or smell.

Although the information about the outbreak was reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on June 30 by the Minnesota Department of Health, the federal agency did not immediately release information about the outbreak. The Food and Drug Administration reported on July 14 that nine people were confirmed as part of the outbreak.

The outbreak investigation is ongoing, according to a notice from the FDA.

In the notice, the FDA warns consumers and restaurants to not use Fortune brand oysters harvested from NS 10, an oyster harvest area in Nova Scotia, Canada, on June 9. The implicated oysters and were distributed by Bill and Stanley Oyster Co. of Nova Scotia. Oyster containers include the harvest area information and original shipper certification number NS 6024 SS WS on the attached product tag.

The company sent the oysters to distributors in the District of Columbia, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin. The FDA is working to obtain additional information on distribution of the oysters. The FDA did not report where in Canada the oysters were sold.

“Consumers, especially those who are or could become pregnant, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems, who have recently consumed raw oysters and suspect they have food poisoning should seek medical care immediately,” according to the FDA notice.

Symptoms of norovirus

People of all ages can get infected and sick with norovirus. The most common symptoms of norovirus are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. Other symptoms include fever, headache, and body aches.

A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to norovirus. Most people with norovirus illness get better within 1 to 3 days.

If you have norovirus illness, you can feel extremely ill, and vomit or have diarrhea many times a day. This can lead to dehydration, especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses. 

Symptoms of dehydration include decrease in urination, dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up. Children who are dehydrated may cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or fussy.

If you think you or someone you are caring for is severely dehydrated, call your healthcare provider.

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CDC says cookie dough outbreak is over https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/07/cdc-says-cookie-dough-outbreak-is-over/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/07/cdc-says-cookie-dough-outbreak-is-over/#respond Fri, 14 Jul 2023 04:04:00 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=229833 A six-state outbreak of Salmonella linked to raw cookie dough from Papa Murphy’s restaurants has been declared over by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC reports that 26 people were confirmed as part of the outbreak, with four of them requiring hospitalization. No deaths were reported. The sick people lived in California,... Continue Reading

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A six-state outbreak of Salmonella linked to raw cookie dough from Papa Murphy’s restaurants has been declared over by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC reports that 26 people were confirmed as part of the outbreak, with four of them requiring hospitalization. No deaths were reported. The sick people lived in California, Idaho, Missouri, Oregon, Washington and Utah.

Traceback work by the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration found that most of the outbreak patients reported eating raw cookie dough from the restaurants.

Labels from implicated products provided by FDA.

“Of the 22 people interviewed, 17 reported eating food from Papa Murphy’s. Fifteen people ate Papa Murphy’s raw chocolate chip cookie dough or raw S’mores bars dough, and one person ate baked cookies made with Papa Murphy’s chocolate chip cookie dough,” according to the CDC’s outbreak update.

“The true number of sick people in this outbreak was likely much higher than the number reported, and the outbreak may not have been limited to the states with known illnesses. This is because many people recover without medical care and are not tested for Salmonella.”

Specific testing is required to diagnose Salmonella infection, which mimics other illnesses.

Illnesses started on dates ranging from February 24 to May 28, according to the CDC. On May 23, Papa Murphy’s temporarily stopped selling their raw chocolate chip cookie dough and raw S’mores bars dough in response to this outbreak. As of July 13, Papa Murphy’s has not restarted sales of cookie dough and is reviewing their dessert labels to make it clear to customers that their products are not intended to be eaten raw.

Public health investigators used the PulseNet system to identify illnesses that were part of this outbreak. CDC PulseNet manages a national database of DNA fingerprints of bacteria that cause foodborne illnesses. DNA fingerprinting is performed on bacteria using a method called whole genome sequencing (WGS). WGS showed that bacteria from sick people’s samples are closely related genetically. This suggests that people in this outbreak got sick from the same food.

Public health officials always advise people to not eat raw dough or batter because it contains raw ingredients such as flour, which can harbor bacteria such as Salmonella and E. Coli.

The CDC offers the following tips for the safe use of raw dough, batter and flour:

  • Never eat any raw dough that is supposed to be cooked or baked. 
  • Always wash hands and clean and sanitize work surfaces and utensils thoroughly after contact with raw dough or batter. 
  • Keep raw food or dough separate from other foods while preparing them to prevent any possible contamination from spreading.

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Investigators look for source in new E. coli outbreak; work continues on Cyclospora outbreaks https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/07/investigators-look-for-source-in-new-e-coli-outbreak-work-continues-on-cyclospora-outbreaks/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/07/investigators-look-for-source-in-new-e-coli-outbreak-work-continues-on-cyclospora-outbreaks/#respond Thu, 13 Jul 2023 04:06:00 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=229784 Public health officials have identified a new outbreak of 11 infections from E. Coli. Investigators from the Food and Drug Administration are looking for the source of the E. Coli but have not yet found it. The investigators have initiated traceback efforts, according to an FDA notice, but the agency has not reported what food... Continue Reading

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Public health officials have identified a new outbreak of 11 infections from E. Coli.

Investigators from the Food and Drug Administration are looking for the source of the E. Coli but have not yet found it. The investigators have initiated traceback efforts, according to an FDA notice, but the agency has not reported what food or foods are being traced.

The FDA has not released any patient information, including where the patients live.

Other outbreak news
In an outbreak of infections from the microscopic parasite Cyclospora, the FDA has initiated onsite inspections and has begun sample collection and analysis, However, the agency has not reported what location is being inspected or what food is being sampled. 

The case count in the outbreak has increased from 37 patients a week ago to 38 patients this week. The FDA has not released any patient information, including where the patients live.

In a separate outbreak of Cyclospora infections, the patient count has increased from 105 last week to 112 this week.

Cyclospora parasites are often associated with various types of fresh produce, including basil, cilantro, mesclun lettuce, raspberries, and snow peas. Food safety experts say washing products does not remove the parasite.

In the third outbreak from the Cyclospora parasite at least 210 people across 22 states have been sickened. Public health officials have not yet determined the source of the parasite.

Federal, state and local public health officials are investigating the outbreak, according to an update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration have been tracking the outbreak since April 1. Additional infections could have started before that date. 

Also, there are likely more than 210 people in the ongoing outbreak because of the lag time between when patients become ill and when confirmation testing can be completed and results filed with the CDC. Some sick people don’t seek medical attention, which also impacts the outbreak count. The parasite is killed by using antibiotics. Specific tests are required to diagnose Cyclospora infections, which can mimic other illnesses.

About Cyclospora infections
Anyone who has developed symptoms of Cyclospora infection, and has reason to believe they have been exposed to the parasite, should seek medical attention. Specific tests are required and antibiotics are used to fight the parasite.

Cyclospora infection can cause severe abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, body aches, and fatigue. Symptoms can develop between two and 14 days after exposure. Though symptoms can be severe enough to send people to the hospital, it’s rare for people to die from Cyclospora infections. 

Cyclospora is a type of protozoa, which is a tiny, single-celled organism. It is transmitted when people ingest contaminated feces, typically through contaminated food or water. It can be spread only through human waste, unlike E. coli and Salmonella, which can also be spread from animal fecal matter.

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More than 100 infected in new outbreak from Cyclospora; source under investigation https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/07/more-than-100-infected-in-new-outbreak-from-cyclospora-source-under-investigation/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/07/more-than-100-infected-in-new-outbreak-from-cyclospora-source-under-investigation/#respond Fri, 07 Jul 2023 04:06:00 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=229572 More than 100 people are sick in a new outbreak of infections caused by the microscopic Cyclospora parasite, but federal officials have not yet determined the source. As of July 6, the Food and Drug Administration reported 105 patients had been confirmed in the outbreak. The agency has not reported where the patients live. Public... Continue Reading

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More than 100 people are sick in a new outbreak of infections caused by the microscopic Cyclospora parasite, but federal officials have not yet determined the source.

As of July 6, the Food and Drug Administration reported 105 patients had been confirmed in the outbreak. The agency has not reported where the patients live.

Public health officers from the FDA have begun sample collection and analysis, but the agency has not reported what food or foods are being tested.

The new outbreak of Cyclospora infections is the third the FDA has reported so far this year. One of the investigations has been closed without the agency determining the source of the microscopic parasite.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking another outbreak that has sickened 210 people across 22 states as of its most recent update in June. Thirty people in the outbreak have been so sick they required hospitalization.

The CDC first reported on the outbreak on May 25. The first date of onset of the infections was April 1. No specific food items have been identified as the source of the parasite.

The other active Cyclospora outbreak investigation underway by the FDA continues to slowly log more patients. As of this week the outbreak sickened 37 people, up one from the past week. The FDA has not discovered the source of the parasite in this outbreak.

Cyclospora infections generally increase in the summer months but can occur at any time. In the past the infections have been traced to fresh produce such as cilantro and lettuce.

Food safety experts say there’s no evidence that washing produce will remove the parasite.

About Cyclospora infections
Anyone who has developed symptoms of Cyclospora infection, and has reason to believe they have been exposed to the parasite, should seek medical attention. Specific tests are required and antibiotics are used to fight the parasite.

Cyclospora infection can cause severe abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, body aches, and fatigue. Symptoms can develop between two and 14 days after exposure. Though symptoms can be severe enough to send people to the hospital, it’s rare for people to die from Cyclospora infections. 

Cyclospora is a type of protozoa, which is a tiny, single-celled organism. It is transmitted when people ingest contaminated feces, typically through contaminated food or water. It can be spread only through human waste, unlike E. coli and Salmonella, which can also be spread from animal fecal matter. 

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Cronobacter infections in babies are now a reportable disease https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/06/cronobacter-infections-in-babies-now-a-reportable-disease/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/06/cronobacter-infections-in-babies-now-a-reportable-disease/#respond Thu, 29 Jun 2023 23:05:06 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=229327 The CDC has announced it will begin tracking infections caused by cronobacter, which was behind an outbreak in 2021-22 among babies and caused an infant formula shortage that plagued the nation for months. The council is the body that recommends what diseases are “reportable.” That list already includes illnesses from other foodborne pathogens, including E.... Continue Reading

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The CDC has announced it will begin tracking infections caused by cronobacter, which was behind an outbreak in 2021-22 among babies and caused an infant formula shortage that plagued the nation for months.

The council is the body that recommends what diseases are “reportable.” That list already includes illnesses from other foodborne pathogens, including E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. About 120 other illnesses are on the list of “nationally notifiable” pathogens. The council and the CDC manage the list. 

When the recommendation becomes active, cronobacter infections identified in infants less than 1-year-old will be reported by doctors and laboratories to state health departments. Those departments will then notify the CDC.

Consumer advocacy groups, including STOP Foodborne Illness, Consumer Reports, and the Environmental Working Group, have advocated for change for years but stepped up efforts during the outbreak in 2021-22.

Although little data is available because infections from the bacteria have not routinely been tracked, current numbers show that 40 percent of babies infected with cronobacter die.

Minnesota and Michigan are the only states that have been reporting cronobacter infections to the CDC. The recommendation can be adopted now by any state but will not formally go into effect until 2024.

Based on a recommendation from the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials announced their decision Thursday, June 29. 

Minnesota officials discovered the first infant cronobacter infection of the 2021-22 outbreak and reported it to the FDA. That led local, state, and federal public health officials to pool information and discover patients in Texas and Ohio. After the outbreak, consumer groups said that if cronobacter infection had been a reportable disease, illnesses could have been prevented, and lives could have been saved.

“These efforts will assist public health agencies in quantifying and identifying the cause of cronobacter infections,” Janet Hamilton, executive director of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, said in a statement. “(It) will help protect the health of those most vulnerable. Ultimately, we want these infections to be prevented.”

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Some question the FDA commissioner’s plan for the reorganization of the agency’s regulatory office https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/06/some-question-fda-commissioners-plan-for-reorganization-of-agencys-regulatory-office/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/06/some-question-fda-commissioners-plan-for-reorganization-of-agencys-regulatory-office/#respond Tue, 27 Jun 2023 18:01:00 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=229155 The head of the Food and Drug Administration says his evolving plan to restructure the food side of the agency is moving forward with changes planned for regulatory affairs, but two key observers say the movement falls short of necessary steps to ensure the effectiveness of the reorganization. FDA Commissioner Robert Califf this afternoon announced... Continue Reading

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The head of the Food and Drug Administration says his evolving plan to restructure the food side of the agency is moving forward with changes planned for regulatory affairs, but two key observers say the movement falls short of necessary steps to ensure the effectiveness of the reorganization.

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf this afternoon announced part of his plan to revise the agency’s organizational flow, focusing on the Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA). Earlier this year, Califf announced he would reorganize the FDA and reinstate the position of deputy commissioner of foods.

“We know that in front of us is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to unify our fieldwork with the priorities of program offices and centers,” Califf said in his announcement.

“This is why I’m proposing a number of additional changes to ORA, including moving several of the office’s laboratories and merging its current compliance functions into those of the new HFP (Human Foods Program) and other agency product centers. These proposed changes are designed to help ensure the most strategic use of resources to meet the demands of our increasingly complex public health mission.” 

Some of Califf’s plan specifically refers to the agency’s post of deputy commissioner of foods, which will oversee all food operations and report directly to the commissioner. The food operations are currently handled by two agency administrators, with neither having responsibility for the entire food program.

As announced earlier this year, the deputy commissioner’s authority will include the Office of Regulatory Affairs, which is the focus of today’s announcement. The ORA’s core mission will be “conducting investigations, inspections, and imports for all FDA-regulated products, with assignments planned in partnership with the HFP and other product programs or centers,” according to Califf’s plan.

Two former key FDA administrators have reservations about the ORA changes.

Mike Taylor

Mike Taylor is a retired FDA deputy commissioner for foods and is now co-chairman of the board of STOP Foodborne Illness. When he was with the FDA, he led the efforts behind the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), which was signed into law in 2011. Taylor says Califf’s plan falls short.

“Moving the food labs out of ORA is a positive step toward a unified foods program, but I remain concerned that FDA continues to portray ORA’s core mission in terms of the traditional reactive functions of investigations, inspections, and import screening,” Taylor told Food Safety News.  

“The food field mission certainly includes these functions but, under FSMA’s prevention model, must be so much broader. It still remains to be seen whether the deputy commissioner will have both the formal and practical authority over ORA’s leadership team and resources to shift the field focus from reaction to a holistic prevention strategy.”

As it currently stands, the FDA does not have a clear chain of command as it did when Taylor was deputy commissioner. Instead, two administrators with authority over different aspects of a food safety report to Commissioner Califf. That leaves the regulation and enforcement of food safety measures fragmented and without a clear chain of command.

Frank Yiannas

Currently, the FDA’s post of deputy commissioner for food policy and response — which was vacated earlier this year when Frank Yiannas resigned — is left to face off with the director of the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) when it comes to the nation’s food safety programs and the enforcement of them. 

Yiannas says that division helped slow the FDA’s response to an outbreak of illnesses among babies linked to infant formula and the subsequent infant formula shortage crisis. He was not notified of key whistleblower information as soon as the CFSAN director, even though a key part of his job description was to respond to food safety problems.

Some of the changes planned by Califf regarding the FDA’s Office of Regulatory Affairs will take the agency in the wrong direction according to Yiannas.

“While I believe today’s announcement is well-intentioned, it is not sufficiently strategic, creative, nor bold enough for the once-in-a-generation opportunity the FDA acknowledges it has at hand to modernize itself for the 21st century,” Yiannas told Food Safety News. “And it still falls short of the direction recently provided by a House Oversight committee for FDA to establish a fully empowered deputy commissioner for food with direct line authority — not only for resources — but also for the people who work on food. Therefore, I hope FDA’s thinking on this issue continues to evolve and eventually aligns with the broad stakeholder consensus on this matter. 

“Lastly, while this might get missed by many stakeholders, the transitioning of certain functions under the Office of Security and Emergency Management, currently in the Office of Operations, to ORA is deeply concerning. 

“If this group is transitioned to ORA, I hope there is no loss in the amazing functionality that exists in this group. If there’s any time that the agency cannot skip a beat, it’s in a crisis, and this group has proven itself over and over again as best-in-class at what they do.”

Nuts and bolts

Commissioner Calif is proposing the following changes: 

  • Establishing ORA’s core mission as conducting investigations, inspections and imports for all FDA-regulated products, with assignments planned in partnership with the HFP and other product programs or Centers. The new Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods will have oversight of all budget and resource allocations for the entire HFP, including ORA resources. 
  • Merging compliance functions currently managed within ORA into the HFP and the product centers’ existing compliance functions to streamline operations and expedite decision-making. 
  • Realigning the eight Human and Animal Food laboratories that are currently managed by ORA into the HFP. These eight labs will team up with the four labs in the FDA’s current Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition to form a unified food laboratory enterprise under the HFP. The labs will report to a member of the executive leadership team under the Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, who will work closely with the Chief Scientist and the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) director to coordinate on research priorities. These labs will remain open and in the same geographic location under the proposal. 
  • Transitioning certain functions under the Office of Security and Emergency Management, currently in the Office of Operations, to ORA. This includes the Office of Emergency Management, which activates Incident Management Groups with augmented staffing from relevant Centers and Offices to monitor and manage coordinated responses to emergency situations, such as emergencies involving regulated products like recalls, hurricanes, fires, floods, etc. 
  • As previously shared, unifying state and local food safety partnership functions and certain aspects of international food safety partnerships into an Office of Integrated Food Safety System Partnerships in the HFP. This office will report to a member of the executive leadership team under the Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods who will closely collaborate with the CVM director to advance a truly integrated food safety system. 
  • Reviewing support functions across ORA and proposing realignment of certain resources and personnel to support these changes. This includes staff and resources in ORA’s Office of Regulatory Management Operations, Office of Information Systems Management, Office of Training, and Office of Communications and Project Management. 
  • Prioritizing recruitment, retention and training opportunities for field-based employees with the availability of Title 21 hiring authority to support the agency’s ongoing efforts to increase its inspectional activities domestically and internationally. 

Califf says the changes are partly based on a review of the infant formula crisis this past year. He contends they would empower the deputy commissioner for human foods. 

A search for the person to be named deputy commissioner is underway. The FDA is also seeking someone to fill the new post of associate commissioner for regulatory affairs who will lead the Office of Regulatory Affairs.

“The FDA is in the final stages of the recruitment process for the Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods and will be providing an update in the near future. The FDA remains on target to finalize its reorganization proposal, for both ORA and the unified HFP, this fall,” according to Califf’s announcement this afternoon.

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Nationwide outbreak from Cyclospora tops 200; officials continue to seek source https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/06/nationwide-outbreak-from-cyclospora-tops-200-officials-continue-to-seek-source/ https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2023/06/nationwide-outbreak-from-cyclospora-tops-200-officials-continue-to-seek-source/#respond Fri, 23 Jun 2023 04:06:00 +0000 https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?p=229054 The number of patients in a nationwide outbreak of infections from the foodborne Cyclospora parasite continue to increase, having reached 210 laboratory-confirmed cases. Federal, state and local public health officials are investigating the outbreak, which is spread across 22 states and New York City, according to a June 22 update from the Centers for Disease... Continue Reading

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The number of patients in a nationwide outbreak of infections from the foodborne Cyclospora parasite continue to increase, having reached 210 laboratory-confirmed cases.

Federal, state and local public health officials are investigating the outbreak, which is spread across 22 states and New York City, according to a June 22 update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration have been tracking the outbreak since April 1. Additional infections could have started before that date. 

Also, there are likely more than 210 people in the ongoing outbreak because of the lag time between when patients become ill and when confirmation testing can be completed and results filed with the CDC. Some sick people don’t seek medical attention, also impacting the outbreak count. The parasite is killed by using antibiotics. Specific tests are required to diagnose Cyclospora infections.

“No specific food items have been identified as the source of most of these illnesses. State and local public health officials are interviewing people with cyclosporiasis to find out what foods they ate before getting sick,” the CDC reported.

Cyclospora infections are frequently associated with produce in other countries, but none of the 210 confirmed patients reported international travel before becoming ill. In the past, some U.S. outbreaks have been traced to cilantro, basil, mesclun lettuce, raspberries and snow peas.

Food safety experts say there’s no evidence that washing produce will remove the parasite.

Sick people in the ongoing nationwide outbreak range in age from 3 to 95 years, with a median age of 49. Sixty-four percent of the patients are female. The median illness onset date is May 5, 2023, with a range of April 1 to June 9. Of 207 people with information available, 30 have been hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.

The total number of laboratory-confirmed cases reported since April 1 includes 20 patients in Georgia and Alabama linked to an outbreak associated with raw imported broccoli. Although FDA and state and local partners conducted traceback investigations, there was not enough information to identify a specific type or producer of the broccoli. No recall was conducted. As with the nationwide outbreak, there are likely more than 20 patients associated with the broccoli outbreak, according to the CDC.

The Georgia/Alabama outbreak linked to fresh broccoli appears to be over, according to the CDC and FDA. The two states continue to report other cases of Cyclospora infection not related to broccoli.

Cyclosporiasis illnesses are reported year-round in the United States. However, during the spring and summer months there is often an increase in cyclosporiasis acquired in the United States. The exact timing and duration of these seasonal increases can vary, but reports tend to increase starting in May. This year, cases were reported starting in April. It is too soon to tell if this timing indicates a change in the seasonality of cyclosporiasis in the United States, according to the CDC.

“Multiple outbreaks of cyclosporiasis caused by different foods can be reported during the same year. However, many cases of cyclosporiasis cannot be directly linked to an outbreak. Officials use questionnaires to interview sick people to determine what they ate in the 14-day period before getting sick. If a common food is found, CDC and partners work quickly to determine if the contaminated food is still available in stores or in peoples’ homes and issue advisories.”

About Cyclospora infections
Anyone who has developed symptoms of Cyclospora infection, and has reason to believe they have been exposed to the parasite, should seek medical attention. Specific tests are required and antibiotics are used to fight the parasite. Cyclospora infections can mimic other illnesses.

Cyclospora infection can cause severe abdominal pain, watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, body aches, and fatigue. Symptoms can develop between two and 14 days after exposure. Though symptoms can be severe enough to send people to the hospital, it’s rare for people to die from Cyclospora infections. 

Cyclospora is a type of protozoa, which is a tiny, single-celled organism. It is transmitted when people somehow ingest contaminated feces — usually in microscopic amounts and typically through contaminated food or water. It can be spread only through human waste, unlike E. coli and salmonella, which can also be spread from animal fecal matter. 

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News,click here)

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