Author: Kit Redwine
A case of hepatitis A in an employee at Hana Koa Brewing Company in Honolulu has been confirmed by the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH). The affected employee worked at the brewery between August 3 and 16, 2024. Customers who consumed food or drinks from Hana Koa Brewing Company during this period may have been exposed to hepatitis A. The DOH is advising individuals who have not been vaccinated against the disease to contact their healthcare providers if they develop symptoms, and to mention their potential exposure. The DOH said that Hana Koa Brewing Company did not commit any food…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced that Hickory Hollow Jerky, based in Eufaula, Alabama, is recalling approximately 6,229 pounds of ready-to-eat jerky products. The recall was initiated because these products were produced without the required federal inspection. Background The issue came to light during routine FSIS surveillance activities. It was discovered that the company continued to produce and label jerky products with the USDA mark of inspection after requesting to voluntarily halt FSIS-inspection activities. The affected beef jerky and bacon jerky items were manufactured between January 19, 2024, and August 21, 2024. During…
A Boar’s Head deli meat plant in Jarratt, Virginia, linked to a deadly listeria outbreak, has been found to have violated federal regulations 69 times over the past year, according to multiple news sources. Food Poisoning News has extensively covered the outbreak including recall announcements, one victim’s story, and overall danger of Listeria infection: The plant has been associated with at least nine deaths and approximately 50 hospitalizations across 18 states. All affected individuals contracted listeria after consuming Boar’s Head deli meats. The company recalled over 7 million pounds of products last month after tests confirmed the presence of listeria…
Asli Fine Foods, based in Woodridge, Illinois, has issued a voluntary recall of its 7 ounce Asli Cinnamon Powder due to potential lead contamination. Lead is a neurotoxin that can affect nearly every system in the human body and is especially dangerous for young children. Background The recall was initiated after routine testing by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services revealed the presence of lead in the company’s cinnamon powder. Product and distribution of the affected product has been halted. The company and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are actively investigating the cause of the contamination.…
As previously reported on by Food Poisoning News, a recall tied to Listeria contaminated deli sliced meats, which was later expanded to include an additional 7 million pounds of product, has been updated with new information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC’s investigation, which began on July 19, 2024, is still open. August 29, 2024 Update Product Details Consumer Advisory Consumers should search their homes for the recalled products as some of them have sell by dates into October 2024. Given the severity of the potential health risks, all consumers, whether or not they are generally healthy…
Afghanistan is facing a severe public health crisis due to widespread lead poisoning, with average blood lead levels nearly three times that of neighboring India and almost five times that of China, according to available data. A growing body of evidence suggests that traditional cooking pots, known as kazans, made from low-quality recycled aluminum may be a significant source of this contamination. The issue came to light when researchers in the United States noticed alarmingly high blood lead levels among Afghan refugee children. In 2022, a study in Washington state tested various imported aluminum and stainless steel cooking pots, simulating…
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has announced a recall of Chalo! Brand Paneer Unripened Soft Cheese due to package bloating. Bloated packaging may be indicative of microbial contamination that could potentially cause foodborne illness. Background No information has yet been provided as to what led to the recall of the affected product. Distribution The recalled paneer cheese was distributed to retail locations in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. Product Details Consumer Action Consumers should search their homes for the recalled products. As with all food recalls, consumers are advised to stop use of the…
Taiwan: Food Poisoning Sickens 35, 5 Hospitalized Health authorities in Hsinchu County, Taiwan, are investigating a suspected food poisoning outbreak linked to French bread from a market stall. As of Tuesday, August 27, 35 people sought medical treatment, with five hospitalized. The Public Health Bureau of Hsinchu County Government received reports from local hospitals starting last Saturday, August 24. Patients were experiencing symptoms consistent with food poisoning, including stomach pains, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Upon inspection, health officials found multiple hygiene violations at the bread stall, including presence of pests, improper storage, and unlabeled food. The stall has been temporarily…
Te Matuku Oysters, an Auckland, New Zealand-based business, is recalling specific lots of its Premium Export Grade Pacific Oysters in Half Shell and Oyster Meat due to potential contamination with norovirus, a highly contagious pathogen that can cause severe gastroenteritis. Background The recall was initiated after New Zealand Food Safety received reports of illnesses in potential connection with the affected oysters. The oyster farm has been closed and the agency is investigating the incident to understand how the contamination occurred. Distribution The recalled products were sold via retail on Waiheke Island at Waiheke Fresh Fruit & Vege Market and Waiheke…
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Five Star Shellfish Inc., a Prince Edward Island, Canada based company, have announced a recall of Malpeque brand large standard oysters due to contamination with generic E. coli. Background As of this writing, no details have been provided by the CFIA or Five Star Shellfish, Inc. as to how the contamination was discovered. Distribution The recall notice says that the recalled oysters were sold in various amounts via retail on Prince Edward Island in Canada. Specific retailers have not been named. Product Details Consumer and Commercial Action Consumers and retailers should search their…