Author: Kit Redwine
One dead, nearly 150 sickened by grilled eel in Japan A recent food poisoning outbreak in Japan connected to the consumption of grilled eel sold at a department store near Tokyo has resulted in one death, nearly 150 illnesses and two hospitalizations. The incident occurred at the Keikyu Department Store in Yokohama, where customers who consumed grilled eel between July 24 and 25 reported symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, according to AP News. A woman in her 90s died after developing symptoms, though the exact cause of her death is still under investigation. Two other individuals required hospitalization, while…
Legumes are a diverse and nutritious family of plants that have been a staple in human diets for thousands of years. These foods are the seeds or fruits of plants belonging to the Fabaceae family, also known as the legume, pea, or bean family. Encompassing a wide variety of items, legumes include familiar favorites like green beans, lentils, peas, kidney beans, and chickpeas, as well as lesser-known varieties such as fava beans and mung beans. What sets legumes apart is their impressive nutritional profile. They are renowned for being excellent sources of plant-based protein, making them particularly valuable for vegetarians…
Three more companies have announced recalls of ground cinnamon products due to potential lead contamination. American Spices, LLC, based in Ozone Park, NY, Advance Food International, Inc., based in Maspeth, NY, and ALB-USA Enterprises, Inc., of Bronx, NY have each initiated voluntary recalls in the past few days. Lead is a neurotoxin that can affect nearly every system in the human body and is especially dangerous for young children. Background Product Details Consumer Action Health Risks Elevation in lead can lead directly to decreased cognitive function, reduced IQ, difficulty in problem solving, reduced or stunted brain development or reduced neuroplasticity.…
Despite Malaysia’s renowned culinary reputation, a recent surge in food poisoning cases across Malaysia has exposed a critical need for improved food safety measures, says The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA). The organization notes the particular vulnerability of young children in these incidents, although people of all ages have been affected. Dr. Azizan Abdul Aziz, MMA’s president, pointed out a glaring disparity between the quality of local cuisine and the standards of food hygiene, especially with street food vendors, according to Free Malaysia Today. The MMA has identified several troubling practices, including the lack of separation between food handling and money…
Supreme Service Solutions LLC, doing business as Supreme Produce, has announced a significant recall of various produce items sold in Kroger stores across five states due to potential Listeria monocytogenes (“Listeria”) contamination. 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 Routine testing by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) uncovered the risk of Listeria contamination. The affected items were sold in Kroger grocery stores in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio. This recall is…
Houston, Texas-based JFE Franchising, Inc. has announced a voluntary recall of several Snowfruit brand products due to potential Listeria monocytogenes (“Listeria”) contamination. 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 This recall is linked to a previous alert issued by Wiers Farm, Inc. as previously reported on by Food Poisoning News. The recalled products were distributed to select Kroger stores in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia, as well as Jay C Food stores in Indiana. Product…
More details about the recall of sliced deli meats, reported on by Food Poisoning News earlier this week, are now available. Boar’s Head Provisions Co., Inc., based in Jarratt, Virginia, has announced a widespread recall of approximately 207,528 pounds of its meat products due to potential Listeria monocytogenes (“Listeria”) contamination. 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 recall was initiated after the Maryland Department of Health discovered Listeria monocytogenes in a sample of unopened liverwurst…
Approximately 300 Sickened at Mexico Graduation Celebration The celebratory atmosphere of a psychology graduation last weekend quickly soured as a wave of illness swept through attendees. On July 20th, around 1,200 people gathered at a local convention center in Mérida, Mexico to celebrate the achievements of the 2019-2024 graduating class, according to The Yucatan Times. The ceremony itself went off without a hitch, with proud families and friends cheering on the new graduates. However, the festivities took an unexpected turn in the hours and days that followed. Reports of stomach issues began to pour in, with hundreds of attendees experiencing…
A former employee at a cafe in Australia has been awarded over $65,000 in compensation after contracting salmonella while working at the establishment in 2017, according to ABC News. The incident occurred at Central Cafe in Gungahlin, close to the Australian capital city of Canberra, which was temporarily closed by health inspectors in February 2017 following multiple reports of salmonella-related food poisoning. The cafe’s owner subsequently pleaded guilty to violating food safety laws and was fined $4,500. The plaintiff, identified by the court-assigned pseudonym Sara Gibson, was a 15-year-old employee working outside school hours when she contracted the illness. Gibson…
Local and state health authorities are investigating an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in Flathead County, Montana. The Flathead City-County Health Department (FCCHD), in collaboration with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and other local health departments, is working to identify the source and contain the spread of the potentially dangerous pathogen As of July 24, 2024, at least 13 cases have been linked to the outbreak, with many experiencing moderate to severe symptoms of E. coli infection. One death has been reported. Initial findings suggest that contaminated ground beef may be the source of the outbreak.…