Author: Kit Redwine

A tragic food poisoning incident during a community school program in Malaysia has resulted in two deaths and left scores of others ill, according to local health authorities. Investigations have traced the outbreak to a catered breakfast meal of noodles and fried eggs served at the event. The Selangor Health Department revealed that out of the 247 people who consumed the meal, 82 individuals experienced symptoms of food poisoning, including diarrhea, stomach ache, fever, vomiting, and nausea. The victims included organizers, teachers, school staff, and family members ranging in age from 19 months to 58 years. Sadly, two lives were…

The Columbus Crew SC’s recent loss in the CONCACAF Champions Cup soccer final against Pachuca has been overshadowed by allegations of potential misconduct, reports The Athletic, the sports department of The New York Times. In the aftermath of their 3-0 defeat, the Crew’s leadership suggested that the widespread illness that afflicted their players and staff in the days leading up to the match could have been the result of “subterfuge.” According to the article, Crew head coach Wilfried Nancy said that a significant portion of his team suffered from food poisoning, with many players experiencing diarrhea and other symptoms in…

Classic Delight LLC, a food company based in St. Mary’s, Ohio, has initiated a voluntary recall of several individually wrapped sandwich products. The recall is due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes (“Listeria”), a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background The recall was prompted after samples collected at Classic Delight’s facility tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes. In response, the company has halted production of the affected products while working closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate…

A “Dumpling Festival” event held in the basement of Orchard Gateway mall in Singapore has been canceled by authorities after it was discovered the organizers failed to obtain the necessary permits, reports local news platform Mothership. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) is also investigating reports of food poisoning linked to the consumption of rice dumplings sold at the event. The festival, originally scheduled to run from June 3rd to 9th, came under scrutiny when a Mothership reader reported falling ill after eating rice dumplings purchased from various vendors at the fair on June 3rd. The alleged victim stated that they…

Lake Worth, Florida-based Green Life Farms has issued a voluntary recall of a single lot of its baby arugula product. The recall is due to the potential contamination with Salmonella, a bacterium that can cause serious infections, especially in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background The recall was initiated after a routine sampling conducted by Green Life Farms detected the presence of Salmonella in a single baby arugula harvest. The company said that subsequent harvests are not affected. The recalled product was only distributed to several Publix grocery stores. The company…

Issaquah, Washington-based retailer Costco and Tillamook, Oregon-based dairy cooperative Tillamook County Creamery Association (“Tillamook”) have announced a voluntary recall for a specific Tillamook-brand cheese product sold at Costco stores. The reason for the recall is due to the potential for foreign material contamination. Background A notice published on Costco’s website written by Mike Bever, Tillamook’s Executive Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer said that during standard food safety and quality checks that the organization had “identified a very small quantity of gray and black plastic pieces that may be present in a limited quantity supply of Monterey Jack Cheese.”…

Berkeley, California-based Once Upon a Farm has announced a voluntary recall of a specific baby food product due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes (“Listeria”). Listeria is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. The recall was initiated by the company on May 17, 2024 and is still ongoing. Background The notice was published on the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Enforcement report site. As of this writing, Once Upon a Farm does not appear to have issued a press release…

A widespread outbreak of E. coli bacteria has sickened at least 113 people across the United Kingdom in recent weeks. Health officials believe a nationally distributed food product is likely the source, though the specific item has not yet been identified, according to a recent article by the BBC. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stated that testing indicates all the cases reported since May 25th are linked to a single outbreak of E. coli. Given the wide geographic spread spanning England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, experts surmise there is a contaminated batch of some food product being sold…

Updated June 5, 2024. Delray, Florida-based Fresh Start Produce Sales Inc. has initiated a recall of whole cucumbers distributed to several states between May 17th and May 21st, 2024. The recall is due to the potential contamination of these cucumbers with Salmonella, a bacterium that can cause serious infections, especially in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background The recall began when the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture discovered that a sample of the product tested positive for Salmonella. The FDA is now using whole genome sequencing to find out if this sample…

Commerce, California-based South American Meat Inc., also doing business as 5Gogi LLC, has initiated a recall of over 20,000 pounds of various frozen raw beef products. These products were not presented to the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) for required import reinspection when they entered the United States. The recall aims to prevent any potential health risks associated with uninspected meat products. Background Routine surveillance activities by the FSIS identified the problem. FSIS determined that the products were not presented for import reinspection, which is a violation of safety protocols. According to the announcement on the USDA’s website…