Author: Kit Redwine
Salmonella Outbreak Tied to Raw Milk Larger than First Reported The California Department of Public Health released an updated report revealing a salmonella outbreak linked to raw milk from Raw Farm LLC in Fresno County, California was larger than first reported. The outbreak, identified in San Diego County on October 18, 2023, initially involved eight salmonellosis cases but ultimately grew to encompass a much broader health crisis, according to The Fresno Bee. The report, released on October 15, 2024, documented 171 total salmonella infections across five states: California, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington. Of these cases, 159 were confirmed…
A norovirus outbreak aboard the Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam cruise ship affected nearly 80 passengers and crew during a voyage that left port on December 4th. As part of its Vessel Sanitation Program, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 74 guests out of 1,923 and four crew members out of 757 experienced illness during the journey. The primary symptoms included vomiting and diarrhea. A Holland America Line spokesperson characterized the cases as “mostly mild and quickly resolving” and detailed comprehensive response measures to address the outbreak. According to USA Today, the cruise line implemented enhanced sanitation protocols…
A voluntary recall first issued on November 15, 2024 by Impossible Foods Inc, based in Redwood City, California, for its Impossible Savory Ground Sausage Meat from plants and Impossible Spicy Ground Sausage Meat from plants due to potential contamination with pieces of metal remains ongoing. Food contaminated with foreign objects has the potential to cause severe harm, including choking, injury, illness, damage to teeth, or even death. Background No press release was issued for this recall. The company has not said how the potential presence of metal contamination was discovered. This recall is classified as a Class II recall, meaning…
A voluntary recall first initiated on November 20, 2024 by Joseph Epstein Food Enterprises, Inc, based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and doing business as Mama Mancini’s, for its Mama Mancini’s Stuffed Shells with Sauce and Mozzarella Cheese and Hungryroot Ricotta Stuffed Shells 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 No press release was issued for this recall. The company has not said how the potential…
Palermo Villa, Inc., based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has issued a voluntary recall of 1,728 units of Connie’s Thin Crust Cheese Frozen Pizza due to possible contamination with plastic. Food contaminated with foreign objects has the potential to cause severe harm, including choking, injury, illness, damage to teeth, or even death. Background The recall notice did not state how the potential presence of plastic contamination in the recalled product was discovered. Distribution The affected product was distributed to retail grocery stores in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Product Details The company said that any products outside the above lot number are safe…
New Age International Inc, based in Brooklyn, NY has issued a voluntary recall of its Daily Veggies Enoki Mushroom 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, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background The potential for contamination was detected when samples taken from a store in Baltimore, Maryland, were analyzed by the Maryland Department of Health Laboratories Administration. Testing confirmed the presence of Listeria Monocytogenes in certain 200g packages of Daily Veggies Enoki Mushrooms imported…
Japan NAGANO – Scombroid Poisoning Outbreak Affects Japanese Students Health officials in Nagano Prefecture have reported a large outbreak of scombroid fish poisoning at three schools in the village of Hakuga. At least 46 children and staff members on December 9 were sickened. The Nagano Prefecture education and health authorities confirmed that the incident occurred during school lunch service, with swordfish identified as the potential source of contamination. In response to the outbreak, local officials have enacted preventive measures, including a temporary suspension of operations at the school lunch center. Scombroid fish poisoning is a food-borne illness caused by consuming…
Four members of a family in the Rajouri district died earlier this week from suspected food poisoning. The father, 40, died during medical treatment, while three of his children, aged between 4 and 15 years also succumbed at a local hospital. The mother, 38, and another daughter, aged 12, remain under medical care.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has announced a recall of Sareks brand bitter apricot kernels due to the potential for cyanide poisoning. The recalled product contains excessive amounts of amygdalin, a naturally occurring chemical compound, and may result in acute cyanide poisoning. Background The recall was initiated after testing revealed the potential presence of Salmonella contamination. This is classified as a Class I recall, which means the affected products pose a high risk of serious health problems or death if the product is used or consumed. The CFIA is currently conducting a food safety investigation. Additional products may be…
The two operators of Marmaris Kebab House in Wales have been ordered to pay more than £10,000 (USD 12,700) in fines and costs after a food poisoning incident that hospitalized 11 people and affected over 50 customers, according to the BBC. Sami Abdullah, 46, and Hassan Saritag, 38, admitted to food hygiene offences related to the February 2023 outbreak. The case was heard at Newport Magistrates’ Court, where investigators revealed the outbreak was linked to shigella bacteria, likely caused by improper separation of washed and unwashed vegetables during coleslaw preparation. The court heard detailed accounts of the outbreak’s significant impact…