Author: Kit Redwine

British health officials have documented 38 cases of iatrogenic botulism between June 4 and July 14, 2025, connected to cosmetic procedures using botulinum toxin products. The UK Health Security Agency reports that patients sought medical attention at NHS facilities after experiencing adverse reactions following aesthetic treatments. Those affected received procedures in the East of England and East Midlands regions, adding to previously identified cases in the North East. Health investigators have not established connections between the newer cases and those diagnosed earlier in the North East region. Preliminary investigation findings suggest practitioners used unlicensed botulinum toxin products during the procedures. Authorities report that the practitioners…

Pre-washed bagged greens, celebrated for convenience, remain a recurring source of foodborne illness outbreaks despite industry assurances. Contamination risks persist throughout the supply chain, with pathogens like E. coli O157:H7, Listeria, and Salmonella implicated in hospitalizations, kidney failure, and fatalities. Leafy greens account for up to 9.2% of known pathogen-related foodborne illnesses in the U.S., approximately 2.3 million annual cases. Contamination Pathways Farm-Level Vulnerabilities: Processing Risks: Temperature Sensitivity: Refrigeration slows but does not kill pathogens. Temperature fluctuations during transport or storage can accelerate bacterial proliferation. Table: Recent Outbreaks Linked to Bagged Greens YearPathogenCases/ImpactsSource2018E. Coli O157:H7210 illnesses, 5 deathsRomaine lettuce2024E. Coli88…

​The convenience of food delivery masks a hidden risk: the temperature danger zone. When hot meals arrive lukewarm or cold items reach room temperature, pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and Staphylococcus aureus can multiply to dangerous levels. This “zone” (40°F – 140°F or 4°C – 60°C) enables bacteria to double in as little as 20 minutes, increasing microbial counts by 100 – 1,000 times within hours.  Delivery extends exposure to this zone, turning meals into potential health hazards.   Why Delivery Amplifies the Risk Three factors converge to threaten food safety in transit: Mitigating the Threat For Restaurants and Couriers: For Consumers: Table 1: Consumer Actions…

A recall first announced on June 27, 2025 by Rich Ice Cream Co, based in West Palm Beach, Florida, for 110,292 cases of various ice cream bars due to possible Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) contamination remains ongoing. Listeria is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background The recall notice did not say how the presence of Listeria in the affected products was discovered. Distribution The recalled items were distributed to California, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Georgia, New York, New Jersey, Florida, Texas,…

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced a comprehensive food safety initiative during the opening of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s modernized Midwestern Food Safety Laboratory. The plan aims to strengthen the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s capacity to protect the nation’s meat, poultry, and egg supply chain. The announcement took place at the new facility in Normandy, Missouri, which replaces an outdated laboratory in St. Louis. The 70,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility secured funding during the previous Trump administration through collaboration with Congressional leaders. The laboratory will analyze verification samples for foodborne pathogens and chemical residues while supporting…

Kayem Foods Inc., based in Chelsea, MA, has issued a voluntary recall notice for 12 tons of ready-to-eat chicken sausage product due to possible contamination with pieces of plastic. Food contaminated with foreign objects, like plastic, has the potential to cause severe harm, including choking, injury, illness, damage to teeth, or even death. Background The presence of plastic was discovered after the company received complaints from customers that white pieces of plastic were found in the impacted product. Distribution The recalled item was shipped to retail outlets across the United States. Product Details BrandProductSizeLot CodeUse/Freeze By DateAl FrescoAll Natural al…

Sprouted beans, celebrated globally for their crisp texture and nutritional benefits, simultaneously present significant food safety challenges. Health agencies consistently link sprouts to bacterial outbreaks, with Salmonella emerging as a particular concern. Just yesterday, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced an investigation into frozen sprouted beans that, so far, has sickened 11 and lead to four hospitalizations. The reasons lie in the very nature of sprout production and inherent biological vulnerabilities. The germination process creates an ideal environment for bacterial growth. Sprouting requires warm temperatures (typically 85-95°F) and high humidity – conditions that also…

Paleteria La Providencia, based in Smyrna, Georgia has announced a recall of several popsicle products due to possible Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) contamination. Listeria is a bacterium that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background The presence of Listeria was discovered after through routine finished product testing. Distribution The recalled items were distributed in the Atlanta, Georgia area but the company’s distribution records are incomplete. The company is working with the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety division to identify what businesses may…

An unnamed Cape Town, South Africa restaurant temporarily ceased operations after health authorities linked 46 suspected cases of bacterial gastroenteritis to the establishment, according to findings released by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), according to an article in the Cape Times. The outbreak involved Shigella bacteria and enteroinvasive E. coli, pathogens that cause severe digestive illness in humans. The investigation began on February 8, 2024, when a general practitioner contacted the NICD about two patients presenting with acute diarrhea and elevated temperatures. Both individuals reported dining at the restaurant as part of a five-person group that consumed prawns during their meal. Three…

Health authorities have identified tomatoes as one of several food sources linked to Salmonella outbreaks that affected hundreds of people across the United Kingdom in 2024, according to an article in the Independent and other media sources. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) documented seven separate Salmonella outbreaks throughout the year, resulting in 304 total cases with 280 confirmed through laboratory testing. The tomato-related cases involved two distinct Salmonella strains: Blockley and Strathcona. Laboratory analysis confirmed 81 cases of Salmonella Blockley, leading to 14 hospitalizations. An additional 24 people contracted Salmonella Strathcona, also traced to tomato consumption. Cases linked to tomatoes were distributed throughout…