Author: Kit Redwine

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. …

The Hopkins County (Kentucky) Health Department has launched an investigation into a giardia outbreak that officials believe may be connected to El Tapatio restaurant. The establishment has voluntarily closed its doors temporarily for training and maintenance while the investigation continues. Health officials report that more than 20 cases of giardia have been documented in Hopkins County over the last month. The parasitic infection affects the intestinal system and can cause significant gastrointestinal symptoms in those affected. Giardia transmission occurs through multiple pathways. The parasite can be contracted from contaminated water sources including lakes, swimming pools, and streams. Person-to-person spread is also possible…

Frozen chicken nuggets, a staple in many households, present unique food safety challenges that consumers often overlook. While convenient, these processed meat products carry risks when improperly cooked, potentially leading to foodborne illnesses. The combination of industrial processing methods and consumer cooking habits creates potential hazards that warrant closer examination. The Manufacturing Process and Its Risks Chicken nuggets undergo extensive processing before reaching freezer aisles. Mechanically separated chicken, a common ingredient, has been associated with higher bacterial contamination risks due to the process of removing meat from bones. The grinding and mixing stages can distribute pathogens throughout the product, unlike…

Frozen berries, a staple in smoothies and desserts, have been linked to multiple hepatitis A outbreaks worldwide, raising concerns about food safety in the frozen food industry. Unlike fresh produce, frozen fruit is often considered low-risk due to its extended shelf life and convenience. However, contamination can occur before freezing, turning these convenient foods into unexpected carriers of viruses. How Frozen Berries Transmit Hepatitis A Hepatitis A, a highly contagious liver infection, spreads through the fecal-oral route. In the case of frozen berries, contamination typically happens at the farm level. Berries may be exposed to hepatitis A through: Unlike bacteria,…

Eggs are a leading cause of Salmonella infections, with thousands of foodborne illnesses linked to contaminated eggs each year. Recently, the United States faced yet another outbreak of Salmonella connected to contaminated eggs from the August Egg Company that led to multiple infections, hospitalizations, and one death. At least one lawsuit by national Salmonella law firm Ron Simon & Associates has been filed. The susceptibility of eggs to Salmonella stems from biological factors in poultry, farming practices, and the nature of egg production. Understanding these risks helps explain why eggs remain a high-risk food despite modern safety measures. Internal Contamination:…

Outbreak Background- July 11, 2025 Federal health officials, working with state and local authorities, have finished investigating a multistate Salmonella outbreak connected to eggs. Combined epidemiological evidence, laboratory testing, and traceback data have established that eggs from August Egg Company that were contaminated with Salmonella and made people sick. The outbreak has been declared to be over. Legal Action – July 11, 2025 The first August Egg Company lawsuit was filed on June 24, 2025 by national Salmonella law firm Ron Simon & Associates, along with Gomez Trial Attorneys, on behalf of Carrie Fairchild who consumed the impacted eggs and…

Overview The FDA’s CORE Response Teams manage multiple outbreak and adverse event investigations at various stages of completion. These investigations range from those with limited initial information to cases nearing resolution. Healthcare providers and public health officials encourage individuals experiencing potential foodborne illness symptoms to report details about food consumption prior to becoming ill, as this information assists in resolving active and emerging outbreaks. The FDA issues public health advisories when investigations produce specific actions consumers can take for protection. These advisories contain the most current investigation details and consumer safety information. Some investigations may not identify a definitive source or contributing…

A recall first announced on June 14, 2025 by Wegmans Food Markets, Inc., based in Rochester, New York, for various Wegmans-brand muffin products due to contamination with pieces of metal remains ongoing. Food contaminated with foreign objects, such as pieces of metal, has the potential to cause severe harm, including choking, injury, illness, damage to teeth and tongue, or even death. Background A press release was not issued for this recall. How the presence of metal in the recalled food was discovered has not been announced. This recall is classified as a class II recall, meaning that “exposure to a violative…

A voluntary recall that was first issued on May 27, 2025 by The Whole Herb Company Inc., based in Sonoma, California, for Celery Seed Whole Organic 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 No press release was issued for this recall and no information was provided as to who the potential contamination with Salmonella was discovered. This recall is classified by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) as a class 1…