Author: Kit Redwine

E. coli Outbreak in St. Louis County Linked to Andre’s Banquets & Catering and Events at Rockwood Summit High School: Nearly 100 Victims Identified St. Louis County health officials have reported that 94 individuals, an increase of nearly 30 people since Food Poisoning News first reported on the incident, have now fallen ill in an E. coli outbreak linked to multiple events in early November 2024, according to npr.com. The cases are connected to four separate events that were hosted or catered by Andre’s Banquets & Catering, a local St. Louis County establishment. According to health department reports, over half…

A lawsuit has been filed against Grimmway Farms in Kern County, California, following a nationwide E. coli outbreak linked to their carrot products. The legal action was initiated by Ron Simon & Associates and The Gomez Trial Attorneys on behalf of Melinda Pratt, who became seriously ill after consuming Bunny Luv Fresh Organic Carrots supplied by Grimmway Farms. According to case documents, Pratt purchased the contaminated carrots on September 30, 2024. After consumption, she developed severe symptoms including bloody diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. When Pratt’s condition worsened over two weeks, she sought medical treatment and was hospitalized for three days…

Norovirus Outbreak Reported on Coral Princess Cruise Ship A recent outbreak of norovirus has affected 70 passengers and crew members aboard the Coral Princess cruise ship during its current sailing from Singapore to Los Angeles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that among the vessel’s 1,822 passengers, 55 individuals reported illness symptoms, along with 15 crew members. The primary symptoms documented were vomiting and diarrhea, according to USA Today. The Coral Princess, operated by Princess Cruises, departed Singapore on October 17 for a month-long voyage to Los Angeles. In response to the outbreak, the cruise line has…

A confirmed case of shigellosis at La Escuela Fratney Elementary School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin has triggered a comprehensive health response from Milwaukee school authorities, according to fox6now.com. The Milwaukee Health Department has identified a single case of shigella bacteria at the school, which has prompted immediate medical and administrative intervention. Shigellosis, a potentially serious bacterial infection, can spread through multiple transmission routes, including contaminated food, water, and direct contact with fecal material. Dr. Greg Demuri, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at UW Health, provided critical insights into the outbreak. While acknowledging the bacteria’s aggressive nature, he said that most individuals…

Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP) is investigating a case of potential botulism after a 38-year-old woman received unauthorized botulinum toxin injections in Dongguan, on the Chinese mainland. The patient, who was previously in good health, received injections from an unverified source on October 27. Unable to confirm the practitioner’s professional qualifications, she soon developed alarming symptoms including limb weakness, swallowing difficulties, and partial eyelid drooping. After initially seeking medical attention in Dongguan on November 3, she was later admitted to North District Hospital in Hong Kong on November 8, where her condition remains stable but under close medical…

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Nutworks Canada, based in North York, Ontario, Canada, has issued a voluntary recall for its Nutworks-brand raw whole pistachios due to potential Salmonella contamination. Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause serious infections, especially in vulnerable populations such as young children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Background The recall was initiated after testing by the CFIA revealed the potential presence of Salmonella contamination. This is classified as a Class II recall, which means the affected products may pose a moderate health risk, but the probability of serious health consequences is…

Grimmway Farms, based in Bakersfield, California, has issued a voluntary recall of select whole carrots and organic baby carrots due to potential contamination with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, a bacterium that can cause severe illness in certain populations. One national food poisoning law firm has prepared the first e. coli lawsuit in the outbreak. And now, the nation’s first Carrot E. Coli Lawsuit has been filed by the E. coli Lawyers at Ron Simon & Associates. Background A nationwide investigation is underway as federal and state health authorities examine an outbreak of E. coli O121:H9 infections connected to organic carrots…

Minnesota health officials are investigating an E. coli O157 outbreak linked to hamburgers served at several Twin Cities restaurants. The outbreak has affected 11 people, with 10 cases connected to various Red Cow restaurant locations across Hennepin, Ramsey, and Olmsted counties, and one case linked to Minneapolis’s Hen House Eatery. Both businesses received the same ground beef product under investigation. The affected individuals, ranging in age from 9 to 70 years, reported eating at these restaurants between October 31 and November 7, with illness onset dates spanning from November 4 to November 9. Two cases have required hospitalization, and health…

An E. coli outbreak has emerged in St. Louis County, Missouri, affecting dozens of individuals connected to Rockwood Summit High School. The St. Louis County Department of Public Health has confirmed 69 cases as of Friday afternoon, with the infections traced to two separate school-related events that involved catering services from Andre’s Banquets and Catering, according to ksdk.com. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is reporting that approximately 12 of those affected have been hospitalized. Health officials are currently focusing their investigation on salad items served at these events, though they have yet to identify the specific contaminated item or determine when…

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has announced a recall by M&M Food Market, based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, of its Buffalo Chicken Dip due to contamination with pieces of metal. 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 specify how the contamination with foreign material was discovered. This is classified as a Class II recall, which means the affected products may pose a moderate health risk, but the probability of serious health consequences is low. Distribution The affected products…