Author: Kit Redwine
A series of Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) contamination incidents has led to numerous recalls of enoki mushrooms across North America over the past year. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to investigate why these long, thin white mushrooms, commonly used in East Asian cuisine, appear particularly susceptible to Listeria monocytogenes contamination, according to a recent article on eatingwell.com. The sequence of recalls began in October 2023 when Qilu Enterprises issued a recall spanning six states after their enoki mushrooms tested positive for Listeria. In December 2023, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced a recall of Good brand enoki mushrooms…
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced the conclusion of a significant E. coli outbreak linked to contaminated carrots. The impacted carrots are past their shelf life and no longer available for retail or commercial sale. Background – December 18, 2024 update A nationwide investigation by federal and state health authorities to examine an outbreak of E. coli O121:H9 infections connected to organic carrots from Grimmway Farms has ended. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) led the investigation and worked closely with state and local health partners…
SACRAMENTO – California health officials have issued a warning about raw oysters from British Columbia, Canada, following a norovirus outbreak that has affected multiple counties across the state. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reported 57 confirmed and probable cases of norovirus infection between December 1 and December 9, 2024, all connected to the consumption of raw oysters at California restaurants. The investigation conducted by CDPH and local health authorities has traced the source to oysters harvested from specific areas in British Columbia during late November and early December 2024. While no official recalls have been announced, several distributors…
A recall by Tipp Distributors, Inc., dba Novamex, based in El Paso, Texas, first initiated on November 4, 2024 for Jarritos Coconut Water due to a potential compromised seal on the lid of the product remains ongoing. A compromised seal could lead to microbial contamination with pathogens like Clostridium botulinum that could potentially cause foodborne illness. Background No press release was issued for this recall. The company has not said how the potential issue was discovered. This recall is classified as a Class II recall, meaning that the recalled product has a lower chance of causing significant injuries or death,…
A voluntary recall first issued by Ocean Group, Inc., based in Los Angeles, California, on November 1, 2024 for multiple salmon products due to potential contamination with Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria) 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 potential for Listeria contamination was discovered after environmental sampling of a cutting board and floor drain by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tested positive for the pathogen. This recall is classified as a Class…
Fiji SIGATOKA – Seven Hospitalized in Fiji Resort Cocktail Investigation Seven tourists, including four Australian women, were hospitalized after consuming pina coladas at The Warwick resort in Fiji last Saturday night. The incident has prompted a major investigation by Fijian authorities and raised concerns about drink safety in popular tourist destinations. The sickened guests experienced severe symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and neurological complications after drinking at one of the five-star resort’s bars. Among those critically affected were a 56-year-old woman now under close medical supervision and a 19-year-old woman in serious condition. Two other Australian women, aged 18 and 49,…
“The number of infected individuals and related hospitalizations continue to grow. It is possible that some recalled product could still be out there. I urge any consumer who bought cucumbers, or any food containing cucumbers, in recent weeks to check the list of recalled items and search their homes.”
The Ottawa Public Health (OPH) department in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada has issued a health alert regarding potential hepatitis A exposure at a Tim Hortons restaurant, located in the city at 372 Hunt Club Road, after confirming an infection in an employee. The exposure period spans from November 15 to December 8, 2024. While health officials said the transmission risk remains low due to proper hygiene and food safety protocols at the establishment, they recommend customers who consumed food or beverages during this period monitor their health for 50 days post-exposure. Hepatitis A is a liver infection transmitted through the fecal-oral…
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a safety alert concerning norovirus contamination in shellfish products harvested from Washington state’s Pickering Passage growing area. The alert affects oysters and Manila clams harvested by Rudy’s Shellfish between November 15 and December 11, 2024, with distribution across multiple states. The contaminated shellfish have been traced to Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, and Washington, though the agency noted possible wider distribution. Washington state authorities initiated the recall on December 12, 2024, after detecting potential norovirus contamination in products from Rudy’s Shellfish, operating under certification number WA-1590-SS. Consuming contaminated shellfish…
The Israeli Health Ministry has reported an outbreak of Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a rare condition that has affected 26 people so far this year, according to The Jerusalem Post. The syndrome causes destruction of red blood cells, blood clotting disorders, and kidney damage. Health officials believe the infections likely originated from poor hygiene or consumption of contaminated food, specifically under-cooked meat, unwashed vegetables, and fruits. HUS typically emerges following severe diarrhea, triggered by a specific E. coli strain that produces Shiga toxin. The disease is more prevalent among children under five years old and tends to occur during summer…