Author: Kit Redwine
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has issued an urgent warning for consumers to discard Byers Organic Dairy brand raw milk purchased between July 8 and July 10, 2025, due to contamination with Shigatoxin-producing E. coli bacteria. The affected products, sold in plastic half-gallon and gallon containers at the dairy’s store (10139 Church Hill Road, Mercersburg), carry sell-by dates of July 22 and July 23, 2025. Recall Details Routine testing by state inspectors confirmed the presence of the dangerous pathogen, prompting immediate removal of the products from store shelves. However, officials note the dairy could not provide a customer purchase list,…
Seafood-associated rhabdomyolysis, known as Haff disease, is a rare but serious syndrome characterized by the rapid breakdown of skeletal muscle following the consumption of certain cooked fish or crustaceans. First identified in 1924 near the Baltic Sea coast (Königsberg Haff), the condition has since been documented in Europe, the United States, China, Brazil, and Japan. The disease is defined by three diagnostic criteria: consumption of cooked seafood within 24 hours of symptom onset, a creatine kinase (CK) level at least five times the upper limit of normal, and a CK-MB fraction (cardiac enzyme) below 5% . Seafood Vectors and Global Patterns …
A salmonella outbreak linked to contaminated salami has now affected 84 people across four Canadian provinces, with nine of those requiring hospitalization. Background Those affected so far include 67 people in Alberta, 15 in Ontario, one (1) in Manitoba, and one (1) in British Columbia. who became ill after consuming three specific salami products. The contaminated items are Rea brand Genoa Salami Sweet, Rea brand Genoa Salami Hot, and Bona brand Mild Genova Salami. Most cases occurred between mid-April and mid-June, with patients reporting illness after eating the salami in prepared sandwiches or purchasing it from delicatessen counters. The Canadian Food Inspection…
A voluntary recall has been issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Marini Foods Limited, based in North York, Ontario, Canada, for Rea-brand soppressata salami sweet due to potential Salmonella contamination remains ongoing. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause serious infections in animals and humans, especially those in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background The recall was initiated as part of an investigation by the CFIA into a foodborne illness outbreak. This recall is related to an outbreak of Salmonella in Canada connected to other salami products from the company. Distribution The…
A voluntary recall has been issued by World Market, based in Alameda, California, for Emek Spread Pistachio Cacao Cream with Kadayif due to potential Salmonella contamination remains ongoing. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause serious infections in animals and humans, especially those in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background The impacted product was recalled after sample testing by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) revealed the presence of Salmonella. Distribution The recalled product was mainly sold in World Market retail stores in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois,…
A recall first announced on June 9, 2025 by Seal The Seasons Inc, based in Durham, North Carolina for 208 cases of frozen organic blueberries 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 product was discovered. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has classified this as a Class 1 recall, meaning that exposure to the…
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Dawn Food Products Canada Limited, based in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, has issued a voluntary recall notice for Soft Raised Donut Mix due to plastic contamination. 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 recall notice did not say how the presence of plastic was discovered in the impacted items. This recall has been designated a Class II recall, meaning there is a “moderate risk that consuming the food may lead to short-term or non-life threatening health…
A voluntary recall has been issued by LLK Trading Inc., based in Linden, New Jersey, for200 g packages of Needle Mushrooms 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 potential for Listeria contamination was discovered by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) during routine random testing in a sample package of the impacted product. The recall notice said that sales of the recalled product have been stopped while the…
Kentucky Restaurant Outbreak Health officials in Hopkins County, Kentucky, confirmed 24 cases of giardiasis in July 2025, significantly exceeding the county’s typical annual incidence of one to two cases. The Hopkins County Health Department traced the outbreak to El Tapatio restaurant in Madisonville, where state environmentalists identified temperature control issues in a walk-in refrigerator. The establishment ceased operations for thorough disinfection, food disposal, and staff retraining while cooperating with investigators. Public Health Director Denise Beach, speaking to local media, noted the investigation involved interviewing infected individuals about common exposures, including geographic proximity, shared recreational water venues, and dining locations. National Outbreak Patterns According…
What is Giardia? Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia or G. intestinalis) is a microscopic, single-celled parasite that infects the small intestine of humans and animals worldwide. This flagellated protozoan causes giardiasis, one of the most common waterborne diarrheal diseases globally. The parasite exists in two forms: hardy, infectious cysts shed in feces, and disease-causing trophozoites that multiply in the host’s gut. Transmission and Risk Factors Infection occurs when people ingest Giardia cysts through contaminated water, food, surfaces, or person-to-person contact. The cysts are remarkably resilient, surviving for months in cold water and resisting standard chlorine levels in drinking water. …